Can My Cat Catch Swine Flu?
Flocks of tweets have been flittering about the Twitterverse this week asking whether cats and dogs might be susceptible to Swine Flu. I haven’t found anyone willing to say “absolutely not,” but many, like veterinarian Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM, have said that it is improbable that your cat or dog can contract or spread the disease. Here’s her post on the topic from About.com:
Janet’s Veterinary Medicine Blog
By Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, About.com Guide to Veterinary Medicine since 1999
Can My Dog or Cat Get Swine Flu?
Monday April 27, 2009
Information about swine flu and how to protect yourself and your family is readily available. But what about our dogs and cats? Can they catch (or spread) swine flu to each other or members of their human family? Most likely, the answer is no. This isn’t an absolute answer, as viruses change, but historically there are no known dog/cat to human (or vice-versa) influenza transmissions. Here is more info about influenza viruses.There are two types of influenza viruses: Type A and Type B. The Type A viruses are found in humans and many types of animals, usually strains specific to that species. The type B viruses circulate widely among humans1.
Dogs and cats do have their own versions of influenza viruses. The canine influenza virus is an influenza Type A H3N8 virus, and the feline version is Type A H5N1 influenza virus. (The numbers and letters after the type denote the numbers and types of proteins on the surface of the virus. The letter H stands for hemagglutinin and the letter N stands for neuraminidase.2)
Who is spreading what virus? It is interesting to note that birds play an important role in the spread of all influenza A viruses. From the CDC: “Wild birds are the primary natural reservoir for all subtypes of influenza A viruses and are thought to be the source of influenza A viruses in all other animals.” Read more
While rare, there have been human infections from pigs. In this current case of swine flu, a pig virus mixed with a human virus to produce the new strain that is being passed human-to-human. This allows for quick spread of this virus in the human population. Because this is a newly created (reassorted) virus, humans do not have any immunity from previous exposures as with “regular” viruses.
Back to dogs and cats While they both have influenza Type A viruses that can infect and cause illness in dogs and cats, humans are not as similar of a species to share these viruses in the current forms. There have been no reports yet of any cases that have spread to humans or from humans to pets.
Read more about influenza viruses in dogs and cats: H5N1 infection in domestic cats
Summary: “To date, there is no evidence that domestic cats have a role in the natural transmission cycle of H5N1 viruses” and “the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control has issued preliminary recommendations for cat owners living in H5N1-affected areas. These include keeping domestic cats indoors to prevent exposure to potentially infected birds and avoiding contact with semi-domestic and feral cats living outside the home.” Report from the CDCKey Facts about Canine Influenza (Dog Flu)
Summary: “To date, there is no evidence of transmission of canine influenza virus from dogs to people and there has not been a single reported case of human infection with the canine influenza virus. However, human infections with new influenza viruses (against which the human population has little immunity) would be concerning if they occurred. Influenza viruses are constantly changing and it is possible for a virus to change so that it could infect humans and spread easily between humans.” CDC Key Facts SheetIf your pet is sick
As always, if you suspect that your dog or cat is sick, please contact your veterinarian directly for an examination and to discuss any questions.Related Reading from the CDC:
- Transmission of Influenza Viruses from Animals to People
- Avian Influenza A Virus Infections of Humans
- Influenza Virus Type A Serosurvey in Cats
- Key Facts about Canine Influenza (Dog Flu)
References:
1 The Influenza (Flu) Viruses – from the CDC
2 Transmission of Influenza Viruses from Animals to People
I’m not a scientist, but there have been many times I’ve had a cold and then the cats and/or dogs have the same symptoms. Sometimes they get it first.
Why wouldn’t a virus be able to be passed? I think there just hasn’t been much scientific study of it.
Well, I’m not going to wear a mask, so all swine need to keep away from me!
Sheesh! That was my mama talking in the other post! She used my name in vain.
Phoebe sends you a kiss, Calvin!
Dint yoo guyz READ all dis stuff? It’s extremely unlikely dat kitteesz an hoomanz can get sick frum da same virus. F’rinstance, dere is hooman AIDS an kitttee AIDS, too, an kitteez can’t get da hooman AIDS an hoomans can’t get da kittee AIDS. As da dokter say, nuffin’ iz ritten in stone but itz pretty unlikely. We fink itz grate cuz dat meens we can cuddle wif mommee an make hur feel betterer wen shee gots a cold (like last Winter)! Cuz we all kno how wee likes to snuggle~bunnies wif our hoomans!
My family lives in San Antonio Tx and we have confirmed swine flu. Mommy’s glad the kitties will be ok and hopefully so will she. Her boss is sick with flu (don’t know if it’s THE flu yet) and mom’s been exposed if it is. On the upside she has a couple days off work to be with the kitties.
I will just load my Hummer up with “Sonny’s Star Dust” sprinkle over all your houses and purray that you don’t get it, the angels and I will keep a close watch over you,
*Hugs* Angel Sonny ~
Ha. Skeezy! She put a pig nose on you.
EW! I do NOT wanna be a SWINE! But the servants thought it was only in Mexico. I’m a pretty kitty.. not a swine! Oh no!
Skeezix DOES make a cute piggy, tho =)
I am staying away from pig not eating pork and staying inside in Australia it’s too cold to go outside anyway.
They say you can’t get it from eating pork. But being with a live pig…I wouldn’t chance it, just to be safe. So I’m not chit-chatting with any pigs…
Unless it’s Skeezy, of course