Yahoo Lifestyle Vets Warn to Look Out for These Bird Flu Symptoms in Pets
Bird flu has been making a lot of headlines since cases of the disease have surged, sending egg prices soaring and people into a slight panic of catching the disease. We know the risk of bird flu for humans is low. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has only counted 70 confirmed cases of bird flu in humans, and many of them were infected through farm work with poultry. But what about the risk of bird flu for your pets? Unfortunately, the disease poses a bigger danger for our four-legged friends.
Cornell University recently launched a resource center for all things bird flu, which includes a section focused on pets and bird flu. I spoke to several experts involved in the project, including Dr. Laura Goodman PhD, an expert in pet virology, Dr. Bruce Kornreich, DVM, PhD, the director of the Feline Health Center and Dr. Alexander Travis VMD, PhD, Chair of the Department of Public & Ecosystem Health.
Here's their advice on how to keep your pet safe.
Can pets get bird flu?
“Pets can definitely be infected with HPAI [Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu],” the Cornell experts said. “Pet birds, cats and ferrets are all susceptible. Over 100 cases have been confirmed in cats, and many of them have died from it.”
Dogs can be infected with other types of flu, but so far have not seemed to be susceptible to catching bird flu. However, it's still possible, and it's worth taking precautions with your dog to be on the safe side (more on that below).
What are the symptoms of bird flu in pets?
As the experts noted, bird flu is more commonly seen in cats, but the American Veterinary Medical Association notes the following as a list of symptoms for both cats and dogs:
It also notes the following for backyard flocks and pet birds:
Sudden death with no prior signs
Low energy or appetite
Purple discoloration or swelling of various body parts
Reduced egg production, or soft-shelled/misshapen eggs
Nasal discharge, coughing, or sneezing
Lack of coordination
Diarrhea
How do pets get bird flu?
According to the experts, there are four main ways that pets can get sick with bird flu.
Eating contaminated raw food or raw milk. “There is clear evidence that cats have gotten sick, and even died, from eating contaminated raw pet foods,” the Cornell experts shared. “Because there are food-safety risks associated with raw food diets even apart from HPAI, none of us would recommend that you feed your pet a raw food diet, or let it drink raw milk, or eat other raw milk products.” In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has recently recalled a raw cat food brand for possible bird flu contamination. Traditional wet or dry foods are safe from bird flu contamination, but raw, frozen or freeze-dried foods are not.
Eating infected wild birds or rodents. To help keep your pets safe, do not allow them to hunt small animals which could be carrying the disease.
Environmental exposure. Bird flu can be transmitted through bird droppings. Pets can be exposed to the disease through environmental exposure, such as coming into contact with shoes that may be contaminated with bird flu.
Inhaling the virus from other infected animals. Like other diseases, bird flu can be contagious between animals. “HPAI can definitely be transmitted from bird-to-bird, bird-to-cattle, and bird-to-cat,” the experts confirm. However, it’s not very likely to spread from cat to cat. In confirmed feline cases of bird flu, “We don’t have clear evidence that bird flu is being transmitted from one cat to another within the same household,” the experts say.
Can you catch bird flu from an infected pet?
The short answer is it’s not likely.
“Luckily, we don’t have any evidence of transmission from one person to another, and no clear evidence of a person getting it from their pet,” the experts say.
Most of the cases of bird flu in people have been from extended contact with infected farm animals. It’s also safe to consume eggs and cooked chicken.
Precautions pet owners should take
While the risk of bird flu is low, the experts at Cornell offered several pieces of advice to keep you and your pets safe.
Do not feed your pet any raw food or raw milk.
Do not let your pet interact with any sick or dead wildlife.
If possible, keep your cat indoors to stop them from hunting.
If you have to remove a wild animal, wear a face shield or glasses and a disposable mask and gloves. “Then throw away the mask and gloves and wash your hands well with warm, soapy water,” the experts instruct.
Following these steps can help keep your pet healthy and safe from the risk of bird flu. For more information, visit Cornell's bird flu resource center.
You Might Also Like
