Viral Vexations

Ah yes...the H1N1 Flu virus...a topic that is practically impossible to ignore. No matter where you look, everyone and every place is concerned about it. Well, we now need to add veterinary medicine in the group. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) confirmed that last week, a cat in Iowa tested positive for the H1N1 virus. While it's been known that the virus can live in other animals like pigs, birds, and ferrets, this is the first anyone has heard of a cat being afflicted. Supposedly, the cat is doing well and the prognosis is excellent, but the story is creating a bit of a panic (as this virus tends to do).

Kimberly May, (DMV, MS, DACVS) at the AVMA has confirmed "it is possible for the virus to spread to other animals and possibly to other people." However, she encourages people to "not panic" since it's still much more more likely to contract the virus from another person rather than from an animal.

Has anyone else heard about other animals (such as dogs) having the virus? What do you think this means for us pet lovers? Let's talk!

--Dana

P.S. I've also heard that some ferrets in Oregon have tested positive for H1N1 this week. So, stay away from the ferrets in your neighborhood Tammy!

Comments

[Tammy]

I read about the cat in Iowa, but hadn't heard about the ferrets. At this point, we don't know many people here in Oregon, let alone ferrets, so we're safe! :)

I guess for me, I don't get all into the hype surrounding something like the H1N1. I try not to worry about it. Since I work at home and we don't have children, we probably have less of a chance of being exposed than many people - therefore, our cats are probably safe too!

[Laurel]

I'm not sure about this, but I thought I read about a study (and may have even blogged about it!) a few months ago that showed people are actually more likely to pass the virus to cats than the other way around!

I'll look back through my files and see if I can find that account.

[Ingrid]

I just hope that people will keep in mind that in the case of the Iowa cat, the virus was passed from human to cat, and not the other way around. There is so much misinformation about this virus, and so much media hype, it wouldn't take much for people to overreact.

People need to try and remain calm and rational about this. It's just a flu virus. Thousands of people get the flu each year. They get sick, and they get better. Yes, there are high risk groups that need to be more concerned than others, and some people will die from the flu. But thousands more people will die from regular seasonal flu than from H1N1. Let's use common sense - wash your hands, do what you can to boost your immune system, and don't make yourself sick from worrying.

And oh, one more thing: if you do get sick - don't you dare sneeze on my cat!

[Lindsay]

It's just the flu. We'll live :)

I haven't heard of any dogs getting it.

[Dana]

I like your comments ladies. Ingrid and Laurel, you both make an important point about this cat getting infected by a human rather than the other way around. I also agree that our media creates uneccesary fear and panic so we just need to remember what Lindsay said in her comment...it's just the flu, we'll live.

[Laurel Hunt]

I work in a health care setting, so have long had the importance of hand washing drilled into me (Mom was right, again!). I carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in my purse, and use it often. When I took my Alex for his annual check up at the vet's last week, the vet urged me to vaccinate him against dog influenza, a highly contagious respiratory virus that is now in many states. My vet is recommending the vaccine for dogs that go to daycare, boarding, dog shows, or any place where dogs congregate.I'm not one to over-vaccinate, but this one made sense since Alex goes to daycare. There is more information at cdc.gov on this canine influenza virus, which they think evolved from an equine virus. Yikes, what next?
Laurel H.