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Pets are getting H1N1
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November 6, 2009-Pets are contracting H1N1.
Earlier this year, it was not believed that pets could contract H1N1, but things have changed.
Dogs and cats have always had their versions of influenza viruses, but there was no reason to believe that the H1N1 virus would infect animals.
On October 9th, 2009, a USDA lab confirmed that the 2009/H1N1 flu virus had been contracted by a ferret. The ferret’s owner had been ill with the flu just prior to the ferret contracting the virus. Scientists were not alarmed, because ferrets are susceptible to influenza. There was no reason to believe that the ferret could spread the virus to a human.
On November 4th, 2009, the Iowa Sate Veterinarian and the Iowa Department of Public Health confirmed that a cat had been infected with 2009/H1N1. The cat’s owners were ill and the cat came down sick just afterward. The cat recovered fine, and there was no evidence of the cat spreading the virus to a human.
Thus far, only ferrets, pigs, and cats have contracted the virus.
There is no evidence of pets spreading the disease to humans.
It is a good idea to keep your sick family members away from your family cats at this time. There is no warning about dogs, as none have come down with the virus.
It is not recommended that you board your animals if your family becomes sick, as by the time you show symptoms, they have already been exposed, and boarding them causes stress and suppresses the immune system.
Dogs do have another HN strain of influenza that does have a vaccination, but it will not help against H1N1 and is not safe for any other animals.
If your animal seems to have respiratory problems, or a fever, keep them away from your kiddos and get them to the vet. If you or your kiddos show flu-like symptoms, find a place in your house where your pets can have their own area away from sick humans. It's hard, and you'll have to be diligent, because pets sense when their humans are unhappy or ill, and they want to spend more time close er to them. The same thing happens when they are ill, they want to be close to you and your kiddos because they feel yucky and want to be loved.
What can you do?
Wash your hands often, and keep helping your kids wash their hands. You must scrub the soap for at least 20 seconds in order to get your hands clean. Teach your kiddos about sneezing into their elbow, and washing hands after they sneeze, touch their face, eat, go to the bathroom, pick their nose, or stick their finger in their mouth.
With a limited amount of vaccines, and a growing number of H1N1 cases, it is extremely important that you practice good infection control. You owe it to your family, your co-workers, and now your pets too.
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