Cats Should Be Kept Indoors to Avoid Bird Flu, Veterinarians Warn · Kinship Leave a comment

Prior to now few months, tales in regards to the unfold of chicken flu infections have been making headlines — with cats, due to their curiosity in looking small prey, being extra prone to catch the virus than canine or people. Home cats throughout the nation have develop into sick with H5N1, together with an uptick in instances in California. In an try to curb the unfold of chicken flu, veterinarians are recommending that pet mother and father preserve their cats indoors.

New chicken flu instances in cats

Just lately, California has seen an increase in feline chicken flu instances. The Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being (LACDPH) has reported at the least seven infections in pet cats; 5 of them have been confirmed to be linked to uncooked milk consumption. Two of the cats died after consuming uncooked milk, reported the College of Minnesota.

One of many instances is linked to a latest recall of Monarch Uncooked Pet Meals, a uncooked meals that examined constructive for H5N1. “4 different home cats from the identical family are presumed to have additionally been constructive for H5 chicken flu after consuming the product,” reported Los Angeles County Public Well being (LAPH), although these 4 instances usually are not but confirmed.

It’s probably that extra, unconfirmed instances of chicken flu in cats exist. “There have been a number of H5 chicken flu possible and suspected instances in cats that both consumed uncooked pet meals or uncooked milk and have become acutely unwell, however not all cats had been in a position to be examined,” the LACDPH advised the College of Minnesota.

Because the chicken flu outbreak started in March 2024, dozens of cats have contracted H5N1, stories the American Veterinary Medical Affiliation. In Texas, cats who got milk from contaminated dairy cows fell unwell, and several other died. In Colorado, two indoor-only cats contracted chicken flu. After a latest recall of Northwest Naturals uncooked cat meals, a cat in Oregon died from the virus.

Whereas the Facilities for Illness Management discover that the danger of chicken flu to people stays low, pet mother and father throughout the nation ought to know methods to preserve their cats protected.

Veterinarian suggestions

The Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being recommends that cats usually are not fed uncooked meat, uncooked poultry, or uncooked milk; the method of cooking meat and pasteurizing milk kills the virus.

Veterinarians at Elliott Bay Animal Hospital in Seattle add that cats needs to be saved indoors to restrict their publicity to wildlife. “The illness will be transmitted by being round an contaminated chicken, discovering a useless chicken and consuming that or touching it,” veterinarian Dr. Heather Weihl advised KING 5 Information. “We simply have to get rid of publicity — that’s one of the best ways to maintain the illness beneath management proper now.”

Signs of chicken flu in cats embody fever, lack of urge for food, tremors, seizures, coughing, and several other extra neurologic and respiratory indicators, the American Veterinary Medical Affiliation explains. Should you suspect your cat has chicken flu, they need to obtain veterinary care instantly. You’ll be able to defend your self by avoiding direct contact with an contaminated cat, recurrently washing your palms, avoiding publicity to wild birds, completely cooking meat, and consuming solely pasteurized milk.