Colorado State University's (CSU)Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has reported that two cats from separate households have tested positive for the H1N1 virus. Both cats have been ill with respiratory symptoms for weeks, but are expected to recover.
From the CSU press release
"Swabs from the cats' mouth and nose were tested by CSU and additional blood serum confirmation testing from Iowa State University confirmed that they have the pandemic H1N1 strain."
Full press release
As with the other confirmed cases in cats, ferrets and turkeys, it is suspected that both cats caught the virus from infected humans in the household.
Keeping pets healthy
These cases underscore the importance of bringing your pet to the vet as soon as respiratory signs - coughing, sneezing, labored or fast breathing - appear. Because this is a new finding in pets, all of the possible signs are not known at this time. Any time your pet is lethargic, not eating or not acting as normal, please contact your veterinarian for advice.
If humans are sick with flu-like symptoms, wash hands, cover coughs, if possible have someone else care for the pets. And, like our pets, see the doctor for advice.
To date, no cases of dogs in the US have been reported or confirmed at this time, but to be safe, take necessary influenza precautions for dogs, too.
Note: two dogs have been reported to have H1N1 in China, but to date, the AVMA has not been able to confirm these findings. See AVMA Flu Updates, November 28, 2009 entry.
Related Reading
H1N1 and Pets News Timeline
Image: Negative stain EM image of the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus - C. S. Goldsmith and A. Balish, CDC
Comments