Turkey

If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don’t offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.

Sage

Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils.

Bread Dough

Don’t spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal’s body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.

Pie Filling and Cake Batter

If you’re baking Thanksgiving pies and cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.

Other forbidden foods:

• Macadamia nuts (can cause weakness and tremors)
  
• Raisins and grapes (can cause kidney failure)
  
• Onions and garlic (can cause anemia)
  
• Chocolate (contains caffeine and theobromine, two different types of stimulants that affect the central nervous system and the heart muscle, as well as increasing the frequency of urination)

Of course, the safest route is to avoid feeding Fluffy table scraps entirely. For the ASPCA’s safe Thanksgiving guidelines, go to ASPCA.org.

More Safety Tips

• Make sure that if you truss your turkey, the string is disposed of where your cat can’t find it. Turkey-flavored string is appealing to cats. If ingested, it may need to be removed via surgery.

• Having holiday guests? Keep your cats sequestered in a quiet room so that they don’t escape to the outdoors when Uncle Fred leaves the door open for the eightieth time (despite being told eighty times to keep in closed).

• If young children are visiting you, spend a few minutes educating them about proper cat-handling (No tail-pulling. No loud noises. No sudden movements. Let the cat come to you.) If your cats are not accustomed to having children around, supervise the interactions until you’re comfortable that neither the kids nor the kits will harm one another. A good experience could turn the child into a lifelong cat lover.

The ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center

The ASPCA is an excellent resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435. A $60 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.

[PHOTOS: 1) Mercedes (Mercy), 2) SkeezixTheCat; 3) nirvanapeace]

Recent reports that a 16-lb orange tabby in Iowa caught Swine Flu from ill family members has surprised many vets, and suggests that precautions should be taken if you or your cat become sick with the H1N1 virus.

In this instance, it appears that the humans transmitted the disease to the cat. Even though the odds are remote that you can infect your cat if you become sick, be aware that your pets could be vulnerable — so resist the temptation to cuddle up with them if you catch H1N1.

If you get sick:

• Sequester your pets in an area away from the sick room.
• If you have to handle your pets while sick, use a hand sanitizer and put on a face mask before doing so.
• Don’t kiss your cat on the lips.
• Seek veterinary attention for your cat if she becomes sick.
• If your cat begins sneezing, isolate her from your other cats until you can take her to the vet.

In short, take the same precautions with your pets as you would to avoid transmission of the disease to other people.

Here’s the full story from the Chicago Tribune:

Cat swine flu: H1N1 latest illness shared by owner, pet

Cat with H1N1 was nothing to sneeze at

By William Mullen
Tribune reporter

A 16-pound orange cat in Ames, Iowa, did something last month that will now and forevermore have a lot of cat lovers taking care to sneeze into their sleeves.

The 13-year-old tabby came down with H1N1 swine flu, proving that humans ill with the flu virus should take pains not to spread it to cats as well as humans.

The case surprised human and animal health authorities, who hadn’t seen a human flu virus passed to a cat before, though passionate cat lovers were shaking their heads when it was reported last week.

“The guy talking on the television news acted so surprised by the story,” said Judy Coffey, who runs Catworld, a Berwyn business that sells carpeted “cat trees” for felines to climb on, “but I think knowledgeable cat owners are well aware that our cats catch things from owners all the time.

“If we come down with a cold, pretty soon we see our cats sneezing,” she said.Though that association could be a bit of a stretch, veterinary medical experts and zookeepers say there are a number of diseases that humans can share with the rest of the animal world, and the list seems to get a little longer every year.

The study of zoonotic diseases — diseases transmissible between people and animals — has become an important research area in recent decades with the appearance of deadly new emergent diseases like Ebola, HIV/AIDS and West Nile virus.

But finding a cat sick with H1N1 flu — as that disease spreads to pandemic proportions — surprised health experts.

“This cat is a new development in the H1N1 panic,” said Kimberly May, a veterinary doctor and assistant director of professional services at the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“In general, cats are not considered susceptible to human flu viruses, but this cat got H1N1 flu from his owners. There seems to be no doubt about that, and from our understanding, it seems to be the first time a cat caught flu from a human.”

But experts say there is no evidence as of now that cats or other pets can pass the flu virus onto humans.

The Iowa tabby is an indoor cat never allowed outside, said a report from the Illinois Department of Public Health. It had not been around any humans other than its owners, and in the last week of October, the owners came down with the flu, assumed to be H1N1.

On Oct. 27, the cat fell ill too. The owners called friends who are veterinary researchers at Iowa State University in Ames. The researchers brought in the cat to be studied, and it tested positive for H1N1. It has since recovered and is back home.

Cats now join a small list of other animals known to be susceptible to H1N1, including ferrets, domestic turkeys and pigs. Though sometimes called swine flu, the current strain does not come from swine.

No dogs are known to have caught H1N1, but that possibility can no longer be ruled out, said May.

“Cats and dogs and people all are prone to respiratory diseases,” she said. “Obviously if H1N1 went into a cat, it is not impossible that it could go into a dog,” though she cautioned that it is not likely that H1N1 will become very common in pets like cats and dogs.

“If a cat gets a runny nose, people should not jump to the conclusion that it is H1N1. It probably is not. Cats and dogs have their own little bugs running around, and if they get sick, almost all the time it is due to those bugs, not things passed on by humans,” she said.

In 2004, a new illness showed up in dogs, canine influenza, thought to be a virus that jumped from horses to dogs. Humans and other animals do not get it, but it spread so rapidly in the canine world that last May virologists introduced a vaccine to protect dogs.

At zoos, keepers maintain distance and barriers between humans and animals as much to stop germs from spreading between the two as to protect against any physical dangers.

“While the protection goes both ways, most of our biosecurity protocols are there to keep animals from catching bugs from humans, both from keepers and the public,” said Dominic Travis, a veterinary epidemiologist who is Lincoln Park Zoo’s vice president for conservation and science.

Primates especially are susceptible to human respiratory diseases like flu, so in flu season, keepers wash their hands every time they leave an animal’s station.

As for protecting pets from catching flu from infected humans, animal health authorities recommend humans take the same steps they would to protect family and friends. That includes sneezing into the sleeve of your crooked arm to avoid spreading the flu virus.

“You should wash your hands frequently, cover your coughs and sneezes and don’t let the cat or dog lick your face, which of course isn’t recommended at any time, though hard to avoid,” said May.

For cats, Coffey jokingly offers another possible protection. “I have a cat that likes to sit on a high perch and greet people coming in. Some just go nose-to-nose nuzzling him,” she said. “I have been thinking I should make him one of those little hospital masks you see doctors and nurses wearing around patients in hospitals.”

FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine Alerts Veterinarians About Problems with Vetsulin® to Treat Diabetes in Dogs and Cats

November 2, 2009

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health are alerting veterinarians and pet owners that Vetsulin®, a porcine insulin zinc suspension used to treat diabetes in animals, may have varying amounts of crystalline zinc insulin in the formulation. Because this Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health product is out of specification it could cause a delay in insulin action and an overall longer duration of insulin activity. Products having significant problems with stability can affect the management of chronic diseases. Unstable insulin products can result in unpredictable fluctuations in the glucose levels of diabetic patients. Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health is unable to assure FDA that each batch of their product is stable.

FDA and Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health request that veterinarians closely monitor their patients receiving Vetsulin® for any changes in onset or duration of activity, or for any signs of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. The classic signs of hyperglycemia include increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss and lethargy. The classic signs of hypoglycemia would include disorientation, unsteadiness, weakness, lethargy, and seizures.

While Intervet/Schering-Plough is working with FDA on resolving this issue, supplies may be limited. Therefore, veterinarians should consider transitioning their diabetic patients to other insulin products. In addition, FDA encourages veterinarians to report any adverse events with the Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health product to the company through the Technical Services Department at 1-800-224-5318.

Help Your Cat Get Fit With Kitty Calisthenics

By: Pets.com

Is your tabby getting thick in the midsection? Are chewing and swallowing her only exercises?

A cat’s sedentary lifestyle can often result in obesity, a condition which can lead to hip, back, shoulder or knee injuries, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and heat stroke.

Apart from limiting your cat’s food intake, what else can you do to combat this problem? The answer is a simple one: kick your cat’s activity level up a notch by having her exercise on a daily basis.

Exercise? A cat? Sure. But not in the same way you might a dog. Your cat is a more independent creature, and must be motivated in different ways if she is to raise her level of activity.

Food is an effective motivator for teaching new behavior to a cat. Small treats can be used to get her moving. To raise your cat’s food drive, put her on a regular feeding schedule instead of free feeding or leaving food down all day. Doing so will program your cat to be hungry at specific times, a key in teaching her any new behavior.

So you’ve put your cat on a regular feeding schedule, and she’s famished at dinner time. What next? Put her hunger to work. The following are ways to get your cat moving prior to dinner time:

Stair Climbing

Get your cat to climb a flight or more of stairs several times each week by sporadically relocating her food dish. Place her meal at the top or bottom of a flight of stairs, depending on your home’s layout. To get to it, she must climb or descend. If she has trouble locating her dish, try moving it up just a few steps at first, eventually placing it as far away as possible.

Random Placement of Treats

Leave small treats in various locations around the home to condition her to explore more. Put one atop the fridge, one beneath the sofa and another beside your television. Eventually, searching will become a regular calorie-burning activity for her.

The Recall or ”Come”

Have you ever owned a cat who would rush to the kitchen upon hearing the whir of an electric can opener? Without knowing it, your cat had learned to come on cue. To teach your cat to ”Come,” try this:

Buy a child’s “clicker” toy or a clicker pet training tool. Next, with her close by, place her dinner down immediately after clicking the toy several times. Do this at each meal for two weeks. Then, with the cat in another room, try clicking the toy several times. The cat, now conditioned to think food is coming, should come running. When she does, reward her with a treat. Having her come on command will get her running whenever you want, in hopes of getting food. This of course burns calories.

These next activities use motivators other than food to get your cat moving:

Playing With Toys

Cats love to chase moving objects. You can get your cat moving by enticing her with various toys, including:

• Teaser wands
• Mouse toys
• Balled-up newspaper
• Wind-up toys
• Toys suspended from a string
• Balls
• Feathers

The object is to keep your cat moving for at least 10 minutes. Have these sessions several times each day for best results.

Companionship

A great way to keep a cat active during the day is to provide her with company – like another cat. A willing feline partner will encourage play and stimulate her mind. They will romp and chase each other, keeping activity levels high.

Pets.com is powered by Petsmart.

[PHOTO CREDIT: Kaze of The Cats P]

Don’t forget! You can leave a comment on this post for an entry in The Cat’s Meow’s giveaway of a custom oil painting of your cat by Linden Alley.

Most cat owners use the finger method, in which you use your finger to place the pill in the back of your cat’s throat, then close the mouth and force her to swallow. However, you risk being bitten with this method, depending on your cat’s temperament.

Many people have had success administering pills with Greenies Pill Pockets. They’re a cat treat with a hollow core. You drop the pill into the cavity and feed it like a treat to your cat. We’ve had mixed luck with these. Our Siamese will eat everything but the pill, then spit it out, and sometimes refuses it altogether. You can get a free sample of Pill Pockets to see if they work for your cat.

When my geezer cat, Rocky, was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I dreaded the prospect of giving him his pills twice daily. The usually mellow tuxie turns into exorcist kitty anytime we even start thinking about giving him medication, and I wasn’t looking forward to fighting with him morning and night for the rest of his life. My fingers would start to look like pincushions.

We tried a topical gel that is applied to his coat, the theory being that when he licked it he’d ingest the medication. But the efficacy of that method is questionable, and after a retest of his thyroid levels, it was apparent we’d have to buck up and go the pill route.

I discussed the challenge of pilling him with our vet, who sent us home with a pill gun (shown below). It transformed an epic battle into a walk in the park. Rocky never puts up a fight with the pill gun, and our fingers are never in danger of being bitten. We reward him afterward with his favorite treat, and I swear, I think he might even look forward to pill time now.

I’m surprised by the number of people who have never heard of the pill gun, or assume erroneously that it’s a veterinary tool to which they don’t have access. You can buy them online, and they’re cheap (in fact, they’re currently on sale for $2.49 at EntirelyPets.com), definitely worth a try if you’ve exhausted all other methods of pill giving.

Of course, use whatever method works best for your cat. If you’ve never given pills before, ask your vet for a demo so that you thoroughly understand the process before you have to give your first pill.

To help you perfect your pill-popping technique, Cornell University offers an informative video on how to give a cat a pill. Click here to watch the video.

The release of the survey coincided with the publication of a story about Ozzy Osbourne being devastated by the death of his favorite dog–a Pomeranian named Little Bit (right)–who was killed by a coyote in his own backyard in Los Angeles.

Note that the survey only covers bite wounds. The nature of the study does not include data on pets that disappeared after being consumed by predators. Thus, bobcats, birds of prey, and other predators–which may pose a bigger threat to you, depending on your location–are not on the list.

Top 10 Wild Animals That Attack Pets

Nation’s Largest Pet Insurer Reveals Claims Data on Animal Attacks

BREA, Calif., July 20 /PRNewswire/ — Sometimes our pets go looking for a fight, but other times the fight comes to them–from land, sea, and even air. Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI), the nation’s oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, recently reviewed more than 500 laceration/bite wound claims in search of animal-inspired incidents to determine which wild animals most frequently attacked and injured companion pets in 2008. In addition to the usual suspects–snakes, coyotes and raccoons–VPI received claims for pet injuries caused by a squirrel, scorpion, javelina, porcupine, ground hog, skunk, rat, goat, beaver, woodchuck, black bear, mountain lion, hawk, rabbit, sea urchin, and jellyfish. Following are the 10 animals aside from dogs and cats that were most responsible for pet injury claims in 2008:

Top 10 Animals To Attack Pets
—————————–
1. Snake
————-
2. Coyote
————-
3. Raccoon
————-
4. Squirrel
————-
5. Scorpion
————-
6. Javelina
————-
7. Porcupine
————-
8. Ground Hog
————-
9. Skunk
————-
10. Rat
————-

Wild animal attacks typically result in pet insurance claims for treatment of lacerations, bite wounds, puncture, and soft tissue trauma. Snakebites may require antivenin and scorpion stings may cause allergic reactions requiring antihistamines. Treatment protocols vary depending on the severity of the attack and costs can range from hundreds of dollars for bandages or stitches to thousands of dollars for surgery for damaged organs or broken limbs.

Though animal attack claims came from all areas of the country, javelina and scorpion claims were exclusive to the state of Arizona. Javelinas, or peccaries, are feral pig-like omnivores native to the southwestern United States. They have been known to viciously attack both pets and people. For a detailed account of a javelina attack on a VPI-insured pet, visit http://press.petinsurance.com/pressroom/267.aspx.

“Whether in urban or rural areas, pet owners should be aware of the danger posed by wild animals,” said Dr. Carol McConnell, vice president and chief veterinary medical officer for VPI. “VPI’s data reveals that not all members of the animal kingdom observe backyard fences, or appreciate the curiosity of a pet that may enter their territory. Always make sure that a pet’s rabies vaccine is up to date and if you know that potentially dangerous wild animals are present, or you’re in an unfamiliar area, take extra care to keep your pet close and secure.”

[IMAGES: USAToday, DreamDogs.co.uk]

Today, we’ve got three essential summer tips to keep your cat comfortable, healthy and safe as we enter the dog days of summer. These tips boil down to three little words: Hydrate, Furminate and Educate. Here’s how:

HYDRATE

Just as humans are encouraged to drink lots of water when the weather heats up, so, too, should cats. Always keep fresh water available in several different spots in the house (and outdoors, if your cats spend time outside).

Outside water dishes should be placed in spots with daylong shade. I throw ice cubes into our water dishes when it is super-hot, to ensure that the water stays cool. If you’re away from home during the day, freeze a plastic dish of water overnight, and put it out in the morning. The ice will melt during the day, providing a continual source of cool water.

During hot weather, consider adding an additional water source by putting a water dish in the bathtub (or sink), with water slowly dripping into it, and train your cat to use it as a water dish.

Consider a cat fountain with an add-on reservoir which ensures your cat will have a continual source of fresh water. Many Drinkwell fountains have the option of adding a reservoir.

Senior Cats Have Special Hydration Needs
It’s especially important to keep senior cats hydrated. They often have compromised kidney and thyroid functions, and keeping them hydrated can save you a trip to the vet. Like many geezer cats, my 18-year-old, Rocky, will nap all day, looking like a melted pool of butter, not stirring to eat or drink. I make a point, every hour or two, to take the water dish to him, and encourage him to drink, which he usually does with gusto.

Eliminate Unhealthy Water Sources
When your cat is thirsty, she’ll try to drink anything, whether it’s safe for her or not, so eliminate any dangerous sources of water. Indoors, this might include a toilet, if you use chemical self-cleaners (or if family members are lax about flushing), so keep the lid down. Outdoors, empty any standing water receptacles that can harbor dangerous bacteria and parasites.

External Hydration
Not necessarily popular with cats, it does provide a temporary respite from the heat. Soak a medium-sized towel with water until it is saturated. Drape it around your cat, then squeeze out the towel’s water onto the cat, and rub a bit so that the water reaches the skin. The towel method is less traumatic than a bath, and quicker and easier to administer.

FURMINATE

With each heat wave, your cat’s body is likely to shed mountains of fur. This is prime hairball season, so take care to groom your cat daily with the FURminator® or other deshedding tool. There have been cases where hairballs the size of baseballs were removed from the stomachs of cats, and most of these cases are preventable with regular grooming.

Signs of a major hairball problem and possible impaction are retching, inability to poop, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or a swollen abdomen. See your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your cat is impacted.

EDUCATE

Keep tabs on your cats during hot weather, and monitor them for signs of heatstroke. Take a minute or two now to educate yourself about the symptoms and emergency treatment for hyperthermia. Heatstroke is life-threatening, and knowing proper first aid can save your cat’s life.

The symptoms of heatstroke in cats include:

• Rapid panting
  
• Bright red tongue
  
• Red or pale gums
  
• Thick, sticky saliva
  
• Depression
  
• Weakness
  
• Dizziness
  
• Vomiting – sometimes with blood
  
• Diarrhea
  
• Shock
  
• Coma

According to Drs Foster and Smith:

A cat with moderate heatstroke (body temperature from 104º to 106ºF) can recover within an hour if given prompt first aid and veterinary care (normal body temperature is 99.5-102.5°F). Severe heatstroke (body temperature over 106ºF) can be deadly and immediate veterinary assistance is needed.

If you believe that your cat is suffering from heat stroke, you must first take immediate measures to cool her down. Move her to a cool area, apply wet cold towels or immerse in cold water. Apply ice packs to the head.

Remove the cat from the hot area immediately. Prior to taking him to your veterinarian, lower his temperature by wetting him thoroughly with lukewarm water, then increase air movement around him with a fan. CAUTION: Using very cold water can actually be counterproductive. Cooling too quickly and especially allowing his body temperature to become too low can cause other life-threatening medical conditions. The rectal temperature should be checked every 5 minutes. Once the body temperature is 103ºF, the cooling measures should be stopped and the cat should be dried thoroughly and covered so he does not continue to lose heat. Even if the cat appears to be recovering, take him to your veterinarian as soon as possible. He should still be examined since he may be dehydrated or have other complications.

Allow free access to water or a children’s rehydrating solution if the cat can drink on his own. Do not try to force-feed cold water; the cat may inhale it or choke.

Keep in mind that cats who suffer from heatstroke once increase their risk for getting it again and steps must be taken to prevent it on hot, humid days. Snub-nosed breeds (like Persians and Himalayans) are especially vulnerable.

More Information on Catster:

• Catster’s Summer Fun Forum
  
• Join the FURminator Group on Catster.
  
• More about heatstroke in Catster’s Cat Health Forum
  
• Got a question about heatstroke? Ask Dr Barchus.
  

Alternative pet health writer Donita Mason recently brought this to my attention, in an attempt to get the word out about an alternative method of relieving respiratory distress. If you have an asthmatic animal, this is not intended to be used in place of any medication your companion may be taking nor the services of an emergency vet. But it will buy you some time while you are getting to that vet.

Not long ago you saw the acupuncture point that is used for heart distress including heart attacks and when the heart has stopped beating. GV27 is the first point on a list of 6 points that everyone who shares their lives with a pet should know. Today you will see the 2nd point which is used for lung problems and respiratory distress including asthma and bronchial coughs.

Lung 7 (LU7), also known as Broken Sequence, is located on the inside of the front paw on the side closest to the body, just above the wrist (see right). You will find it in the depression above the small protrusion at the end of the radius bone. You will massage this in an up and down and circular motion.

In addition to the Chinese remedy Yin Chiao, you can use this point to help an animal who has chronic upper respiratory infections. It is helpful for stopping a dry cough such as one you would see with kennel cough, as well as helping to expel phlegm from a bronchial cough.

In his book “Love, Miracles and Animal Healing“, Dr. Allen Schoen tells about the owner of an asthmatic cat using this point in the middle of the night to help his cat when he saw an asthma attack coming on. If you have an asthmatic animal this is not intended to be used in place of any medication your companion may be taking nor the services of an emergency vet. But it will buy you some time while you are getting to that vet.

In addition to respiratory ailments, this point can be massaged to help with constipation, dry, red and inflamed ears, and treatment of dry and itchy skin in general. These obviously don’t have the urgency you would find with respiratory distress, but they are good to know about.

As always, the information given here is not meant as a replacement for the advice of your veterinarian. It is intended to give you information so that you can make an informed decision.

[LINK: Top Photo: Maxshouse.com; Article: Examiner.com]

• Resist the urge to take your pet to fireworks displays.
• Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him company while you’re attending Fourth of July picnics, parades, and other celebrations.
• If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.
• Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn’t leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.
• Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.

Iams formed the Iams Pet Wellness Council to educate veterinarians, veterinary technicians and pet owners about the importance of keeping pets on comprehensive wellness programs.

[PHOTO: Catster member, Oliver]

WIN 50 ZEALIES!!!
How will you be celebrating the 4th? We hope you’ll be pawticipating in the 4th of July Purrade here at The Cat’s Meow! The winner gets 50 zealies! Click here for more info on how to enter.

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 CDC

Key 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 Sheet

If 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

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