« Plain Language is a... | Main | Veterans Day »
 

Entry bubble H1N1 (Swine) Flu and Your Pet

By: Joanne | November 10, 2009 | Category: Health

Close-up of grey cat with blue eyesI was shocked last week when I heard the report that a cat in the U.S. was sick with the H1N1 (swine) flu. Poor kitty. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website confirms that there was a cat with H1N1, and the kitty required medical care, but recovered. They also say that some ferrets were infected with the virus.

The good news is that the CDC thinks you won’t get the H1N1 flu from your pet. The bad news is that they think that your pet can get the flu from you.

If you get the flu, how do you protect your pet? You protect your pet the same way you protect your family and friends: cover your coughs and sneezes, wash, wash, wash your hands, and try to minimize contact until 24 hours after your fever is gone.

If your pet gets the flu, what should you do? If a person in your home has flu-like symptoms, and your pet becomes sick with coughing, sneezing or other respiratory symptoms, contact your veterinarian. Oh, and tell your kitty to sneeze into her paw.

| Post a Comment | View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: animal   cat   flu   h1n1   joanne   pandemic   pet   swine  

Comments (5):

blue comment bubble Posted by Erick Mcguire on November 14, 2009 at 01:46 PM EST

I had heard about cats being able to get the H1N1. Do you know if dogs are susceptible as well? We keep our cats indoor, but take our dogs to a local dog park. And like kindergarten, it's a germfest, so we try to be careful about keeping our dogs clean after visits.

thanks,

Erick
------
http://www.contractor-city.com

Comment Permalink | Post a New Comment

blue comment bubble Posted by Joanne on November 15, 2009 at 02:08 PM EST

The American Veterinary Association hasn't reported any HIN1 (swine) flu in dogs yet, but dogs have a flu of their own, the H3N8 flu. You can read more about flu in dogs at http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/canine_bgnd.asp

Comment Permalink | Post a New Comment

blue comment bubble Posted by H1n1 swine flu virus symptoms on November 16, 2009 at 01:13 PM EST

I was very interested to read here about the possibility of thsi new human/swine flu type A h1n1 virus being able to infect felines. That would be extremely atypical for this class of virus, there is some evidence however that rodent like animals can be caused to become infected in experimental conditions.

http://scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure/2009/07/swine_flu_animal_experiments.php

As for other pets, I would be especially watchful if you keep deer or parrots.

Comment Permalink | Post a New Comment

blue comment bubble Posted by Joanne on November 16, 2009 at 01:42 PM EST

Deer and parrots? Really? That's interesting - I'm no scientist, but I'm curious why deer and parrots might be at particular risk?

Comment Permalink | Post a New Comment

blue comment bubble Posted by Unknown on November 17, 2009 at 05:14 AM EST

Hi,
Oh very sorry for that cat.Yes its true that we should take care of our pets.As we protect our family friends from things which harm them but here our irresponsibily can harm our own pets.Thanx for making everyone aware about swine flu and its effect on pets.
[url=http://www.zoombits.co.uk/computer-accessories/sound-communication]webcam[/url]

Comment Permalink | Post a New Comment