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  Discussion on Here comes the swine flu question...lol
Author Message
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009 - 5:30 pm:

I just read that a cat caught swine flu from his humans. And yes, It got me wondering...
Can horses catch the SF from people?
Member:
stek

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009 - 6:41 pm:

Good question Leslie, I am looking forward to hearing the answer. I read recently about a whole bunch of chickens (I think?) catching swine flu from a handler...
Member:
mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009 - 7:12 pm:

I thought I'd read and heard that the H1N1 or whatever it is, can't be passed from people to animals? Although I have heard on t.v. that someone got it from contact with a sick pig. I heard on the news last night that it can not be passed to dogs at least. I think there are very few things that can pass from cat to person or vice versa.
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009 - 7:36 pm:

I know weird huh?! It was confirmed H1N1 by Iowa state college of vet med. Its all over the news today.
Its owners also had SW and then cat started showing symptoms.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009 - 7:48 pm:

Bizarre! Has it been confirmed to be SW? I'd be interested to hear more about this.
Member:
marieanh

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009 - 10:26 pm:

In Indiana, it was confirmed that a commercial hog farm had several hogs come down with HINI, which I believe they said they caught from one of the handlers-but I don't know about other animals.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Nov 5, 2009 - 8:25 am:

Hello All,
AVMA is reporting that the swine flu (H1N1 2009) was caught by a cat in Iowa who recovered. They also state that this has occurred in two ferrets one who died. H1N1 2009 has been reported in several swine herds and a flock of turkeys in Ontario. The only animal to man transmission so far has been in one of the swine herds.

I have seen where there is evidence that dogs or horses can or cannot get the virus. So we need to be careful. If you get sick best to let someone else take care of the critters till you get well.
DrO
Member:
kpaint

Posted on Thursday, Nov 5, 2009 - 10:18 pm:

Holy cow Marie, where? I'm in NC Indiana, Clinton County.
Member:
marieanh

Posted on Friday, Nov 6, 2009 - 8:21 am:

The location was not disclosed, the spokes person for the state said it was "irrelevant." I think they were afraid people would boycott the pork.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Friday, Nov 6, 2009 - 9:53 am:

There was an article on either Drudge Report of Fox News about the cat with H1N1. I read about the pigs with it on line somewhere also. If you do a search you should be able to find both articles. Weird about the cat.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 - 7:30 am:

This is in from the AVMA:
DrO

H1N1 update: Cat death in Oregon from presumed 2009 H1N1

November 18, 2009 – The Oregon state public health veterinarian has reported that a pet cat has died from presumed 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection. The cat was one of 4 cats in the household and became ill approximately one week after a child in the household had a flu-like illness. It developed labored breathing and was presented to a veterinarian on November 4. The cat was not coughing or sneezing but had pneumonia. The cat's condition deteriorated over the next 3 days, and it died on November 7. Samples were obtained and tested (PCR) positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Additional samples were sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) for confirmation and are still pending. At this time this is a presumed, not confirmed, case of 2009 H1N1 influenza infection.

The three other cats in the household also became ill with different degrees of sneezing and coughing, but recovered from their illnesses. Samples collected from these cats were negative for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.


The messages to pet owners remain the same.
This is not cause for panic, but underscores the importance of taking pets to a veterinarian if they are showing signs of illness. This is especially important if someone in the household has recently been ill with flu-like symptoms.
Ferret and cat owners should remain vigilant.
To date, all of the sick pets became ill after a person in the household was ill with flu-like symptoms. There is no evidence to suggest that pets have or will spread the virus to humans or other animals.
Proper hygiene and sanitation measures should be followed to limit the spread of the influenza virus.
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 - 11:58 am:

Thanks, Dr. O.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 2, 2009 - 7:18 am:

H1N1 update: Chinese dogs, Va. turkeys and Calif. cheetah

The USDA has confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in a turkey breeder flock in Virginia. This is the first detection of the virus H1N1 in U.S. turkeys. Canada and Chile have already had cases in domestic turkeys. A worker at the Virginia farm had been sent home with flu-like symptoms, and has been identified as the possible source of infection.

Also on the USDA’s updated list is a cheetah in California that has tested presumptive positive for 2009 H1N1. We are currently communicating with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) to obtain more information and develop resources for veterinarians and the public.

On November 28, Xinhua (Chinese press) reported that two (2) dogs in Beijing tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 virus. We have not been able to confirm this report. We have contacted sources in China, requesting additional information about the history, signalment, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of these cases, but have not yet received the information.

At this time, the message remains largely the same:
  • Ferret and cat owners should remain vigilant.
  • There is no evidence to suggest that pets have or will spread the virus to humans or other animals. To date, all of the sick pets became ill after a person in the household was ill with flu-like symptoms. Note there has been one case where a worker may have contracted the flu from a pig, see above post.
  • There have not been any confirmed cases of U.S. dogs infected with the virus, but because of the Chinese reports we know it may be possible for dogs to become infected.
  • Proper hygiene and sanitation measures should be followed to limit the spread of the influenza virus.
  • Turkey and pork are still safe to eat. Nonetheless, proper food hygiene and preparation are very important when it comes to protecting your family from any foodborne illness.
  • It is safe to visit zoos.
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 2, 2009 - 8:12 pm:

Very interesting.

Thanks, Dr. O.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Dec 27, 2009 - 8:20 am:

From the AVMA:

2009 H1N1 influenza-infected dog in New York
On December 21, IDEXX Laboratories confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in a dog in Bedford Hills, New York. A 13-year old dog became ill after its owner was ill with confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza. The dog was lethargic, coughing, not eating, and had a fever. Radiographs (x-rays) showed evidence of pneumonia. The dog was treated with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, nebulization and other supportive care, and was discharged from the hospital after 48 hours of care. It is currently recovering. Tests submitted to IDEXX Laboratories were negative for canine influenza (H3N8) but positive for 2009 H1N1 influenza. The results were confirmed by the Iowa State Laboratory. Read the press release and the case notes.
We are updating our 2009 H1N1 resources as we get information. These resources can be accessed at https://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus/default.asp.

At this time, the messages to clients remain largely the same.

This is not cause for panic, but underscores the importance of taking pets to a veterinarian if they are showing signs of illness. This is especially important if someone in the household has recently been ill with flu-like symptoms.
Pet owners should remain vigilant.
To date, animals infected with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus have shown the following clinical signs: lethargy, inappetance/anorexia, coughing and difficulty breathing. Some of the animals have developed pneumonia. Any animals showing these signs of disease should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Proper hygiene and sanitation measures should be followed to limit the spread of the influenza virus.
There is no evidence to suggest that pets have or will spread the virus to humans or other animals. To date, all of the sick pets became ill after a person in the household was ill with flu-like symptoms.
Proper hygiene and sanitation measures should be followed to limit the spread of the influenza virus.
Turkey and pork are still safe to eat. Nonetheless, proper food hygiene and preparation are very important when it comes to protecting your family from any foodborne illness.
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