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Nov 5, 2009 6:55 pm US/Central
Pets And The Flu: Iowa Cat Gets H1N1
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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It is rare for a human to pass along the seasonal flu to a pet, but there have been cases in dogs, cats and other animals. That's why common sense hygiene is especially important when you're sick. (File)
CBS
A 13-year-old Iowa cat was believed to be the first confirmed case of H1N1 in a feline. It appears the cat got the virus from humans. Two of the three people in the home also had H1N1.
The cat was lethargic and not eating. So a clinic tested the cat and confirmed that it was H1N1. The feline is now getting better.
At the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley, preventing the spread of illness is always a top priority. And with news of this first confirmed H1NI case in a cat, staff is even more diligent about making sure visitors follow the hygiene rules.
"For our world, we're always trying to prevent disease whether it's H1N1 or feline upper respiratory, so it's kind of a part of our daily practices here," said Kathie Johnson, Animal Humane Society Director of Animal Services.
At the Animal Humane Society, to help prevent the spread of viruses like H1N1, everyone must wash their hands before and after handling every animal.
It is rare for a human to pass along the seasonal flu to a pet, but there have been cases in dogs, cats and other animals. That's why common sense hygiene is especially important when you're sick: cover your sneezes, don't kiss your cat and don't leave used tissues around where cats can play with them.
While humans can pass the flu on to pets, it's unlikely that pets could transmit it to humans. If a pet is having respiratory problems, consult a veterinarian.
"We tend to have viruses that are specific for people and viruses that are specific for cats. For example, there are some cat viruses that people can't get and there are some people viruses that cats can't get," said Jeff Bender, Associate Professor at University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.
"However, we do have some of these bugs that are insidious in nature and that can actually transmit back and forth," he said.
There were also two confirmed cases of ferrets with H1N1. And there were also a couple cases at the Minnesota State Fair of pigs with H1N1, likely contracted from fair visitors.
For more information on pets and the flu, click on the link below.
University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
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