Swine Flu and Cats

What are the risks of your cat catching the deadly flu strain?

Although the suspected swine flu pandemic that was widely – and hysterically – predicted in the media last year never materialised (at least in terms of fatalities), the federal government is not convinced the risk has passed. Indeed, since September 2009 the government has been advocating that all Australians over the age of 10 should be vaccinated against the disease (a vaccine for children aged six months to 10 years is now also available).

Swine flu, or H1N1 influenza to give the disease its proper name, certainly has the potential to be deadly to people. Less well-known is that fact that it can also be fatal to cats. Although incidents of human-to-feline transfer are thankfully rare (and there have been NO documented incidents of feline-to-human transfer), a handful of cat fatalities have been reported in the northern hemisphere.

You should therefore take the following preventative/protective steps where cats are concerned:

•    Keep cats away from anyone with swine flu in the first few days. This includes making sure a cat does not enter the bedroom of an infected person. Contact should only be resumed 24 hours after the person’s temperature has returned to normal.
•    Cough or sneeze into a tissue and dispose of it properly.
•    Wash hands thoroughly before preparing a cat’s food.
•    Stay alert for warning signs.

Swine flu symptoms in cats

•    Sneezing/coughing
•    Runny nose/eyes
•    Lack of appetite
•    Fever
•    Lethargy
•    Trouble breathing

If you spot these symptoms in your cat, take him or her to the vet’s immediately. Medication may be required followed by bed rest (in isolation from other animals) and a stress-free atmosphere.
It must be reiterated that the chances of your cat developing H1N1 influenza are extremely small and there is obviously no need to panic. However, as with every family member, watchfulness is required.

Image by Roeselien Raimond