You Pet, Swine Flu, and You

With the concern over H1N1 contagion to pets, let us assure our pet owners that this is very rare. In cats and dogs, at least, there have been no fatalities. Many of the previous "flus" have been found to also cause symptoms in dogs or cats. Ferrets and birds may be more prone to death as a result of the human flu viruses. There has been no reported case of a human contracting the disease from a pet. The following has been posted by Colorado State University. Iowa State University is also performing testing. The samples must be collected and sent on specific medium.

From http://www.news.colostate.edu/release.aspx?id=4899

Colorado State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will begin testing samples from pets submitted by veterinarians for H1N1 after a small number of companion animals have tested positive for the flu. The laboratory is also offering tips to pet owners about keeping their pets healthy this flu season.

A small number of companion animal H1N1 flu cases have been confirmed in one cat and two ferrets. The pets appear to have become ill after being in close contact with their owners and caretakers while sick with H1N1. At this time, there is no evidence of pets passing H1N1 to people, according to Kristy Pabilonia, a veterinarian and expert on H1N1 testing in animals at CSU.

“At this time, there are very few cases of H1N1 in pets so we don’t think that people need to be overly concerned,” said Pabilonia. “However, if someone in a household with a pet becomes ill with H1N1, they should watch their pet for symptoms and know that there is a chance that the animal could get sick.”

Pabilonia said that because this strain of H1N1 is new, information about how it impacts animals is limited. It is possible that any animal may be susceptible to H1N1, but no other cases have been documented in companion animals. Dogs and pet birds have been susceptible to other strains of the flu.

People with the flu should be careful when in contact with their pets, practicing social distancing with pets as well as people. People are ill should wash their hands before handling pets and, if possible, have someone who is well feed and care for pets. Just like people, pets are exposed to H1N1 through aerosols -- fluids released when someone sneezes, coughs or touches their face and then a surface.

Because there have only been a few cases of H1N1 flu in pets, veterinarians have limited information about the symptoms. Pets with H1N1 may behave as if they aren’t feeling well, acting lethargic and may appear to have a respiratory illness. If a pet seems ill, it should be taken to a veterinarian for an exam as soon as possible and the veterinarian should be alerted that the pet has been exposed to someone with influenza.


Chris
Office Manager
Morris Hospital for Veterinary Services
26684 Grand River
Redford, MI 48240
313-537-6100
http://www.morrisvet.com/
http://morrisvet.smugmug.com/