H5N1- Avian Influenza
What do pet owners need to know?
You probably have heard of Avian Influenza, or the bird flu. While we’ve all heard of it in the past, it’s back in the news again. So, what do pet owners need to know? Let’s get some details!
The current strain that is causing troubles is H5N1. It is readily transmitted between birds, and is currently becoming a problem in cattle as well. It is catching the attention of pet owners as reports of cats also becoming infected with H5N1 are making the news.
The greatest concern currently is in raw, poultry containing cat foods which have tested positive for the virus. Cats who have consumed these foods have become infected with H5N1. Diets with links to infected cats have been recalled, but at this time I recommend all cats eat cooked diets and avoid raw diets.
Outdoor or indoor/outdoor cats with exposure to birds are also at risk. Infection does require direct contact with infected birds. This could occur thorough scavenging of deceased birds, or through hunting.
Clinical signs of Avian influenza include:
- Sneezing, nasal discharge
- Coughing
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Inappetence
- Conjunctivitis and ocular discharge- squinting of the eyes
- Neurologic signs- disoriented, wobbly, seizures
It is important for cat owners to know that there are many causes of upper respiratory tract infection which occur much more commonly than bird flu. Infection with herpes virus, calici virus, feline panleukopenia and others are significantly more common in the feline population. Just because a cat is sneezing, we should not immediately assume bird flu is to blame.
Previously healthy cats with unsupervised outdoor exposure or known exposure to wild birds (either live or dead), or cats who have been eating a raw, poultry containing food who present with coughing, sneezing, lethargy, fever, and eye discharge should be considered suspects for Avian Influenza. If the patient also has neurologic symptoms, the concern for avian influenza is high.
However, indoor only cats who are eating a cooked, commercial diet are not at risk for infection with avian influenza.
What can the concerned cat owner do?
- If your cat is eating a raw diet, consider making a switch to a cooked, commercial diet. Choosing a diet can be a very complicated process. It is best to communicate with a veterinarian about how to select the right diet.
- Avoid feeding your cat unpasteurized dairy (dairy is generally not recommended to cats anyway. It can be very hard on the GI tract)
- Consider removing bird baths, bird feeders, and other things that might encourage birds to mingle. This is especially important in areas where cats and birds might have a higher frequency of mingling.
- Consider keeping your cat indoors, or supervising outdoor time with protected areas such as catios or enclosed porches. It should be acknowledged that outdoor cats are at higher risk for accident, injury, and illness compared to their indoor counterparts.
