Low Risk of Bird Flu
What To Know About Bird Flu in Cats
Domestic cats are at a low risk of getting sick, but it's important to know how to keep your kitty safe.
If you are a cat parent, you may have noticed a recent uptick in reports of cats contracting bird flu in the U.S. Although the current strain of bird flu known as H5N1 is widespread in wild birds worldwide, it is really rare for cats to be diagnosed at this stage.
We talked to Anne Kimmerlein, DVM, veterinary epidemiologist of VCA Animal Hospitals in Sacramento, Calif., to learn more about bird flu in cats and what measures pet parents can take to keep their cats safe.
What Causes Bird Flu in Cats?
"Cats may be exposed to bird flu when they have contact with infected animals such as wild birds or livestock, eat deceased wildlife, drink raw milk, or come into contact with contaminated objects such as clothing, shoes, or equipment," Kimmerlein says.
As such, cats most at risk of contracting the current strain of bird flu are outdoor farm cats.
Signs of Bird Flu in Cats
If our cat contracts bird flu, they may exhibit the following symptoms:
Decreased appetite
Lethargy
Lack of coordination
Seizures
Nasal discharge
Coughing
Sneezing
Additionally, some cases of bird flu in cats may be fatal. "Unfortunately, some cats have died from the virus without exhibiting any signs of illness," Kimmerlein says.
Can My Cat Give Me Bird Flu?
Even though the illness is called bird flu, it can infect cats and humans alike. "This version of H5N1 can infect many different types of mammals, including dairy cows, cats, and rarely, people," Kimmerlein says.
According to the CDC, three dairy workers have been diagnosed with H5N1 thus far. However, humans are unlikely to contract bird flu from their infected cat, and your cat is unlikely to spread the illness to other animals as well.
"While H5N1 bird flu can affect both animals and people, cats are not known to be a significant avenue of infections for humans or other animals," Kimmerlein says.
Indoor cats are less likely to contract bird flu, "Currently, the risk posed by the current H5N1 strain of bird flu to domestic cats is considered low, and scientific investigations are being done to better understand how the virus can be transmitted," Kimmerlein says.
Treatment of Bird Flu in Cats
The good news is even if your cat contracts bird flu, it's possible for them to recover. However, because there is no specific treatment plan for bird flu in cats, addressing the severity of a cat's symptoms early on is important.
If you suspect your cat is acting odd or is sick, it's important to involve your veterinarian as soon as possible.
How to Prevent Bird Flu in Cats
At this time, there is no vaccine against bird flu for cats, so it's important to take additional preventative measures to prevent your indoor or outdoor cats from contracting H5N1.
"The best way to protect cats from bird flu is to limit their interaction with wildlife, livestock, and any animals of unknown health status," Kimmerlein says.
Other prevention tactics include:
Changing your clothes and shoes after interacting with poultry, wildlife, livestock, or any sick or injured animal
Preventing cats from consuming unpasteurized dairy products
Monitoring the health of your cat at all times
Reprinted from www.dailypaws.com
