Your cat’s behavior of preying on birds could concern you if you fear about their publicity to hen flu and if they may turn out to be sick with the virus. Sadly, hen flu has triggered illness in varied mammals, together with home cats.
Chicken flu has been a sizzling matter in the USA because the US Division of Agriculture (USDA) reported an outbreak in February 2022. For over 2 years, the influenza virus has been circulating amongst wild birds, poultry, and bovine herds and contaminated some people. Latest reviews recommend it could be on the rise, so we wish to talk about the dangers and tips on how to preserve your feline good friend secure.
Cats Can Get Chicken Flu?
Chicken flu is the widespread identify for the extremely pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1). “Extremely pathogenic” means the illness will be extreme in contaminated animals. The virus has a robust affinity for home poultry, with over 100,000,000 of those birds being affected in comparison with 169 dairy herds, and sporadic infections in different mammals1. Wild birds unfold the virus however solely generally present indicators of sickness.
There are presently 34 reported US circumstances of hen flu in home cats, with circumstances in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, South Dakota, Montana, Oklahoma, and Ohio2. Circumstances have additionally occurred in different nations like Poland, South Korea, and France.
Now, this quantity shouldn’t be excessive in comparison with the farm animal statistics, so hen flu continues to be thought of unusual in cats. Nevertheless, extra cats than folks have contracted hen flu. Consuming contaminated birds or dwelling on a poultry or dairy farm are threat elements to your cat getting hen flu. You need to pay explicit consideration to outbreaks in your space, as these are high-risk occasions to your cat.
What Are the Indicators of Chicken Flu in Cats?
Chicken flu can current with respiratory, gastrointestinal, or neurological indicators in cats. Some circumstances have been extreme and deadly, and others delicate. Immunocompromised, younger, and geriatric cats could also be extra vulnerable to extreme indicators of hen flu. Indicators to be careful for in case your cat has been uncovered to hen flu embrace:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Purple or watery eyes
- Diarrhea
- Anorexia
- Fever
- Behavioral adjustments
- Muscle ache
- Lethargy
- Wobbly gait
- Panting
- Respiratory difficulties
- Irregular gum shade
- Organ illness
- Melancholy
- Seizures
- Collapse
The best way to Shield Your Cat From Chicken Flu
Sadly, there’s no feline vaccination for hen flu, and the illness will be extreme if it infects your cat. One of the simplest ways to maintain your cat secure is to keep away from contact with wild birds since even wholesome birds can carry the virus. Initially, we suggest conserving your cat inside since it’s the solely surefire approach to keep away from contact with outdoors birds.
Even cats inside a cat enclosure or “catio” will be uncovered to wild birds or their virus-contaminated excretions. In case your cat is understood to hunt and you may’t preserve them inside 24/7, you would practice them to put on a leash and harness and take them for walks.
Keep away from letting them out in peak looking occasions like daybreak and nightfall. Attempt placing a bell, bird-safe collar, or bib in your cat to hinder their looking talents.
You may also attempt to preserve wild birds out of your yard, however that’s not foolproof. Keep away from having hen feeders, baths, or water options that entice wild birds. Don’t go away any meals outdoors, together with pet meals, which may entice birds in search of a straightforward meal.
If there are areas the place birds are inclined to perch or forage, you need to use aluminum foil or fishing wire to discourage them. Predator decoys can be very efficient in conserving wild birds off your property; the sight of a snake or owl is bound to scare away little birds hoping to keep away from being eaten.
You probably have pet birds at house, convey them indoors if attainable. Don’t let your cat have any contact with outside pet birds. Outside poultry are probably to contract the hen flu. Wash your fingers and alter your garments after interacting together with your birds and their coop so that you don’t unfold the virus to your cat.
In case your birds present indicators of hen flu, equivalent to sudden loss of life, lethargy, respiratory indicators, diarrhea, and a wobbly gait, name your veterinarian or the USDA toll-free hotline (866-536-7593).
Meals security can be vital since your cat could possibly be uncovered to the virus by way of meals. Don’t feed your cat uncooked poultry or bovine merchandise, together with meat, eggs, and unpasteurized milk. Cooking to 165°F will kill any virus in these merchandise, and keep in mind to make use of good hygiene so different meals isn’t contaminated by these merchandise.
Regularly Requested Questions
Can Cats Get Sick From Being Round Birds?
Being round birds and their droppings might result in your cat being contaminated with hen flu. Preying on birds and consuming uncooked hen meat can be a supply of an infection in cats. Cats may additionally be contaminated by cows. Chicken droppings usually include Salmonella micro organism, which may additionally make your cat sick.
Is a Cat With Chicken Flu a Threat to People?
Cats current minimal threat to people since human infections have solely occurred sporadically with publicity to poultry or dairy cows. At the moment, solely 11 folks have been confirmed to have contracted hen flu.
Nevertheless, it’s theoretically attainable for a sick cat to contaminate a human, particularly you probably have shut contact with the cat. Your cat’s saliva, urine, or feces might include the virus if they’re contaminated.
You probably have been uncovered to hen flu through your cat, monitor your self for any indicators of sickness, together with a sore throat, respiratory indicators, eye issues, complications, muscle aches, diarrhea, and fever.
Pay shut consideration to your well being, particularly within the first 10 days after publicity. Contact your well being division in the event you discover any indicators, and go to the CDC web site for extra data.
Conclusion
Illness outbreaks will be scary, not just for our well being but additionally for that of our beloved pets. Chicken flu can infect cats and folks, but it surely solely happens sporadically. It’s nonetheless thought of a low menace to human well being; nonetheless, since flu viruses change always, the CDC is monitoring the state of affairs.
To be on the secure aspect, we suggest taking precautions to forestall your cat from being uncovered to hen flu within the first place.
Featured Picture Credit score: megaflopp, Shutterstock
