Can your pet catch H1N1 virus? Yes!

[catlover2]

:sad: The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) just released the following information (Nov. 4/09):

"A 13-year-old cat in Iowa developed signs of a respiratory infection after several people in the household were ill. Preliminary testing was positive for 2009 H1N1 on October 29, and the results were confirmed on November 2. This is the first report of a cat infected with H1N1. The cat has recovered from its illness.

To date, this is the first cat confirmed infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus."

To read the full press release - go to:
http://www.avma.org/press/releases/0...1_Iowa_cat.asp

Here are some tips to help keep you and your pet healthy:

If you are sick, see your doctor.
If your pet is showing a problem, see your veterinarian.
It is a good idea to wash your hands before and after handling your pets. This is just good common sense.
Do not expose your pets to other sick pets.
Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, and toss your soiled tissues in a covered waste bin.
Good preventative measures can help keep you and your pets healthy. That's good advice any time of year, but especially during flu season.

Other zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be passed from pets to people), go to:

http://www.petplace.com/cats/disease...cat/page1.aspx

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/disease...dog/page1.aspx

[hazelrunpack]

Oh, crap. Another species jump....

[Bailey_]

isn't that how this all began in the first place? from a hog farm in NC?

[hazelrunpack]

Bird flu contributed, too, as I recall. Flu is opportunistic...wish I was that adaptable.

[Love4himies]

Eeeek, I have never thought about h1n1 being transmitted to my cats.

[hazelrunpack]

Despite this flu's apparent skill at jumping from species to species, keep in mind that it's still not extremely virulent. Communicable, yes. Deadly? Not particularly.

[rainbow]

Not yet anyways.

Crap ....this is just what we need.

[Ryan48]

I was wondering if y'all had heard this. Good Grief.....another thing to worry about. I already worry about my babies for every little reason.


RM

[lUvMyLaB<3]

Wow that sux! It was tickles that layed with my daughter and i for the past 2 weeks when we were so sick! I was breathing, coughing and snotting on her the whole time as she layed on my chest and actualy said out loud to her that i was happy she couldnt get it!

I was tested for it a few days ago, a big plastic stick they shove all the way up your nose, we are expecting it to be positive. . Today is the first day i can breathe and dont feel like i am dying, poor kitty!

[hazelrunpack]

If there's only been one confirmed case in cats so far, out of all the cat-owning households that have been hit with the flu (probably thousands in WI alone), then chances are it's not that communicable to cats. No sense in worrying unnecessarily--I'm saving my fretting for if it gets nasty.

Meanwhile, though, I'm still hoping to find someone lucky enough to get H1N1 now who will share a germy tissue with hazel. Natural immunity is always the best.

[krdahmer]

Oh ha...should have known someone would have already gotten to this....good to know!

[Tundra_Queen]

Oh crap! Poor kitties!

I just got my h1n1 shot today, so I hope my kitties will now be safe.

Debbie

[Dee-O-Gee]

Covering the mouth (with your hand) is a thing of the past. All of us old folks are finding it rather difficult but now you must cough and/or sneeze into your shoulder or arm.

No more handshakes for me. My Walleyball team started doing the fist shake after playing our games and other teams caught on as well.

[rainbow]

Just thought I'd post this video clip from the Good Morning America show on ABC ....supposedly two ferrets have now died. :sad:

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/play...hp?cl=16509534