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First case of swine flu in a cat
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While swine flu has been a hot topic for humans, it appears that it now should be a concern for pets as well. A 13-year-old Iowa cat has been infected with swine flu, in what is believed to be the first confirmed case of the H1N1 virus in a feline in the United States.
The domestic shorthaired cat was treated last week at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ames and has recovered, according to reports. The virus also has been confirmed in two ferrets - one in Oregon and the other in Nebraska - but they died.
Officials state that while it is theoretically possible for pets to transmit flu to humans, it doesn't appear to be the case in this situation, and health experts haven't detected any sign of owners becoming infected by their animals. It is still considered a "human" disease and being transmitted from human to human.
Instead, the veterinarian who treated the cat, Dr. Brett Sponseller, said two of the three people in the cat's Iowa home had flu-like symptoms before the cat became ill. The case was confirmed at both Iowa State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Other influenza strains have been known to cross species, but it is still not clear from this specific case whether other pets could also get the swine flu.
The indoor cat was lethargic, had a loss of appetite and appeared to have trouble breathing after it became infected. Although it is unclear what the transmission method was to this cat, it is clear that owners need to take precautions with their pets and get them checked by a vet at the first sign of trouble.
