We really wanted to repost this article from the ASPCA since the flu is such a hot topic. Hopefully everyone will be staying well this holiday season! If you do get sick and don’t want to expose your cats- how about booking them a mini vacation at Cat’s Pajamas Luxury suites here in Lincoln? They are pampered and safe while you recover. Email us- frontdesk@catspajamaslincoln.com - for more information.

Ever since the news broke earlier this month that an American cat caught the swine flu, rumors about how pets can catch this disease have been spreading—but we’re here to set the record straight
“On November 2, test results confirmed that a pet cat in Iowa was infected by the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, which was most likely transmitted by human family members,” reports Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA. “All family members, including the cat, have now recovered. In unrelated incidents in other states, a few pet ferrets also recently tested positive for H1N1, and one of them has died.” Although we already knew that infected humans could transmit H1N1 to both pigs and turkeys, these are the first reported cases of the virus affecting cats and ferrets.

According to Dr. Murray, there are no known instances of a dog catching H1N1 (but remember, it is flu season, and your dogs are still susceptible to catching other flu bugs). In addition, there is currently no evidence that H1N1 can be passed from pet to human—it seems to be going only the other way, with people transmitting the illness to their pets.

A little common sense will go a long way in decreasing the likelihood of passing the illness on to your pets. If members of your household are exhibiting flu-like symptoms, the ASPCA recommends protecting your pets by:

• washing hands thoroughly,
• covering coughs and sneezes and
• avoiding close contact with pets during the course of the illness.

In fact, if you’re sick, it’s a good idea to give your pets a place other than your bedroom to sleep at night until you get better.

If any pet displays symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing or difficulty breathing—especially if a human family member has recently suffered from influenza—please contact your veterinarian.

We know that flu has been spreading quite quickly lately.  A lot of people have become concerned for the smaller members of their family- their dogs and cats.

There have been several articles published recently on dog flu and even if pets can get the h1n1.  A point all of these articles make is to lesson chances of your dog or cat catching the flu- keep them home!

Fox News posted, “Exposure to H3N8 is highest in kennels, shelters, pet stores, dog shows and other communal settings. Although dogs of any age, breed and health status are susceptible, puppies, old dogs, and dogs with pre-existing health issues are especially at risk. Veterinarians say that virtually all dogs that are exposed to the virus become infected. About 80 percent of them can show symptoms such as cough, sneezing, nasal discharge, and some ocular discharge. Coughs typically last two to three weeks. Twenty percent of dogs can become seriously ill, developing bronchopneumonia and secondary bacterial infections. Dogs with pneumonia have high fever, respiratory distress and in some cases severe hypoxia. If untreated, such conditions may lead to death.”

and on the ASPCA website, “CIV is easily transmitted between dogs through a combination of aerosols, droplets and direct contact with respiratory secretions. The virus does not survive for a long time in the environment, so dogs usually get CIV when they are in close proximity to other infectious dogs.
Any dog who interacts with large numbers of dogs is at increased risk for exposure. Dogs are most infectious before symptoms are apparent, and can continue shedding the virus for around 10 days. This means that by the time symptoms are seen, other dogs may have already been exposed.”

While the flu is very treatable in companion animals, we know it’s better, of course, that they don’t get it at all.  If you need pet care or entertainment for your animals, why not hire a petsitter instead of increasing their exposure risk at a kennel, doggy daycare or vet?”