It needs no scientist to conclude that bird flu affects birds. What many may not be aware of, though, is that some bird flu strains can be transmitted to mammals like cats.
All it took was the death of an Oregon cat and a pet food company recalling a batch of its products last December for people to raise questions and concerns.
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The bird flu is not solely limited to birds and poultry
Bird flu (H5N1) can be transmitted to other mammals, too, whether they be wild or domesticated. Simply put, these animals eat the infected chicken or poultry, leading to the transmission of the disease.
Additionally, workers in dairy or poultry farms can get infected as well, therefore, precautions must be taken.
Reports of the bird flu spread
It is no surprise that the virus has been around for years in wild birds, chickens, turkeys, and many other animals.
However, its spread has been sporadic and mild in people in the US. To overcome the problem, every bird on a farm is killed to keep the disease from spreading.
The link between cats and bird flu
Some cat owners feed their cats raw meat or chicken, which can be highly dangerous, and even fatal. According to AP News, Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association, said: “Raw milk, raw meat products can be and are a vector for carrying this virus.”
Therefore, cooking meat or pasteurizing milk is pivotal for making sure that the viruses and germs are dead.
How susceptible are cats to bird flu?
Provided that the owners take the proper precautions, the risk of cats contracting bird flu remains low. Those who have contracted the disease are linked to contact with wild birds or poultry.
The cats that have caught the virus so far were barn and feral cats, indoor cats, and big cats in zoos and the wild.
Some cats’ illnesses have been traced to recalled food
In Oregon, health officials have concluded that a cat died due to bird flu contracted from recalled frozen cat food that contained raw turkey. Viruses recovered from the food and the cat matched.
Furthermore, The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is looking into the passing of four domestic cats. They suspect it’s because the cats drank recalled raw milk.
What can owners do for their cats?
It is crucial that your cat never eats unpasteurized dairy products or raw meat. In addition, don’t give your cats all the freedom in the outdoors, as they love hunting birds and they should never be in contact with wild birds, livestock, and poultry.
Protect yourself to protect your cat
You yourself can transmit the disease to your cat without knowing it. Avoiding touching sick or dead birds is highly recommended and in case it is inevitable to touch or contact them, make sure you thoroughly wash your hands afterward.
What to look out for in case your cat has it
If your cat sadly contracts the disease, you may notice signs of loss of appetite, lethargy, and fever on them. Another thing to take note of is if your cat changes from being playful and active to being sleepy or hiding from you all the time.
Additional signs and symptoms
Your cat may also experience inflamed or reddened eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, tremors, or seizures.
If this is your cat’s case, contact your veterinary clinic as soon as possible and keep your cat away from anyone with a weakened immune system.
Is there a cure for bird flu in cats?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for bird flu in birds. The aim of therapy at this point is to provide supportive treatment to manage the symptoms and avoid complications.
What can be expected is the isolation of your cat to limit the infection’s spread, and they will be on IV fluids, oxygen therapy, or antibiotics, depending on severity.
