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2009 H1N1, the causative agent of “Swine Flu,” continues to infect both humans and a variety of animal species. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has been keeping a flu tracker for the general public, which helps spread the word on H1N1 cases in pets and non-companion animals. Until recently, California’s only confirmed feline case of 2009 H1N1 occurred in a Cheetah in mid November. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has now reported California’s first known case of 2009 H1N1 in a Los Angeles cat.
In the US, birds, dogs, cats, ferrets, and pigs have tested positive for H1N1 infection. Our first canine infection was recently isolated in Bedford, New York (see First US canine 2009 H1N1 infection confirmed in New York).
The infection of a local companion animal was bound to happen, as domestic cats from other states have tested positive for the virus. The source of 2009 H1N1 infection for all the domestic cat cases in the US has been a household member. The owner of the Los Angeles cat became sick with H1N1 a few days before their cat. During the owner’s illness, the cat remained in close contact (lending emotional support, of course). The cat then began to show signs of upper respiratory tract infection, including coughing, nasal discharge, and sneezing.
Diagnostic testing confirmed the 2009 H1N1 virus and an additional infectious agent, Mycoplasma felis. M. felis is a bacteria which commonly infects the feline upper respiratory tract and can be typically is resolved with an appropriate length course of antibiotic therapy. I speculate that the M. felis infection may have hindered the protective microenvironment in the cat’s oral and nasal passages, thereby more easily permitting infection with the owner’s H1N1 virus. Additionally, periodontal disease (see Improve your pet's oral health during October's National Pet Wellness Month) can lower the immune system’s defenses against invading organisms. At this time, the cat’s overall health and recovery status from both 2009 H1N1 and M. felis are unknown.
Pets showing signs of upper respiratory tract infection (coughing, sneezing, nasal and ocular discharge, labored breathing, etc) should be tested for 2009 H1N1 within 7 days of onset of their clinical illness. The infection of this Los Angeles cat exemplifies the importance of through diagnostic testing to rule out the possibility of multiple infectious organisms that may require individual treatments.
With the increasing variety of species testing positive for 2009 H1N1, pet owners must maintain appropriate hygienic practices to curtail the spread of infectious organisms from people to pets (and vice versa).
As flu season is truly a year round phenomenon, we should practice good sanitary habits by washing our hands frequently and covering our mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. When you are sick, avoid close contact with others, including your pets.
Should your animal companion show signs of respiratory tract illness (or any other concerning abnormalities), please schedule an examination with your veterinarian.
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Comments
Hello! The sick kitty in your article is my eight year old Maddie. I thought you would like to know that she is doing great, as her case is relatively mild. She is on her specially compounded fish flavored antibiotic for the m. felis, and has started acting more like herself within the last couple of days.
I would like to say that one reason her case is mild is because I took her to the vet within 24 hours after her sneezing started. I would encourage all pet owners to react quickly if they see that their pet seems to be feeling poorly (and be better than me about not spreading the virus – she was such a comfort on my lap while I was sick, but unfortuately, it was at her expense).
Thanks.
Thanks, Dr. Pm, and Maddie, for the very valuable info about this diseases' progress in the feline population. I have been really wondering and worried-- but also just plain curiuous-- as to how it is spread from species to species, the rate at which that is happening, and of course, what can be done about it. Maddie (if you read this), can you tell me if your cat had one specific symptom: unusually dialated pupils? I am really happy to hear that Maddie has recooperated, however , being the worrying cat-mom type, I always imagine the worst!
Rhonda-
Maddie's pupils were normal - no unusual dilation. I know what you mean about worrying - I'm the same way. When we take on a pet as our responsbility, we owe it to them to take the best care of them we can!
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