Oregon Cat Dies from H1N1

[B.C.]

http://vetmedicine.about.com/b/2009/11/18/oregon-cat-dies-from-h1n1.htm

Oregon Cat Dies from H1N1
Wednesday November 18, 2009

I just received a notification from the AVMA that a 10-year old male cat in Oregon has reportedly died from H1N1 infection.

From the AVMA Flu Virus Outbreak page:

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 household had a flu-like illness.

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.

More from the OVMA
The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) reports that the cat presented with rapid shallow breathing, but did not show signs of coughing and sneezing. The three other cats in the household showed signs of sneezing and coughing in varying degrees, but none of them tested positive for H1N1. Read full OVMA report

The Big Picture
While this is a new twist to the H1N1 and pets story, it is important not to panic. All cases of pets becoming ill have been from humans transmitting the virus TO pets. Washing hands, covering coughs, isolating sick individuals and visiting the doctor/vet when sick are the mainstays of prevention.

The number of confirmed cases of H1N1 in pets is extremely small compared to the pet population in general. Many pets housed with humans who are ill from the flu have not caught the virus. Practicing good personal hygiene and environmental sanitation and isolating sick individuals will help keep your pets healthy.

[B.C.]

Re: Oregon Cat Dies from H1N1

More from the OVMA

http://oregonvma.org/news/h1n1

Oregon Cat Positive for H1N1 Virus Has Died

On November 4, 2009, a 10-year-old male cat was brought to a veterinarian in Lebanon, Oregon with labored breathing. A member of the family had been sick with influenza-like illness approximately one week earlier.

On intial examination, the cat's temperature was 101.7 F. There was no coughing or sneezing and its respiration was rapid and shallow. Radiographs were taken and revealed results consistent with pneumonia.

On November 5, 2009, the cat's respiratory rate worsened. The cat was admitted and treated with oxygen and medication.

On November 7, 2009, the cat died. Samples were collected and later were confirmed to be positive for pandemic H1N1 by Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the National Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. It is believed that this is the first fatality of a cat with the H1N1 virus.

The three other cats in the same household also became ill with different degrees of sneezing and coughing. None of them had an elevated temperature. Nasal swab samples were collected from all of the cats in the household and yielded no other positive results for H1N1.

In additional to this case, there have been two other cases of confirmed H1N1 infection in cats in Iowa and Utah. Both cats recovered.
Transmission

In these cases it is believed that the cats caught the virus from humans in their households who were sick with influenza-like symptoms. If you or other members of your household are ill with influenza-like symptoms, wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand cleaners, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze, and avoiding touching your cat's eyes, nose and mouth.

Dr. Emilio DeBess, Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian, cautions owners and veterinarians that it may be possible for cats to transmit this virus to humans. Coughing and sneezing can spread the virus which can remain infectious for about a week outside the body. Thoroughly wash your hands when handling sick pets or when you are sick.
Symptoms

Cat owners should not panic. The number of confirmed cases of H1N1 infection in cats is quite small compared to the US cat population.

Watch for symptoms and seek veterinary care for cats that show signs of respiratory illness when there has also been recent influenza-like illness in humans in the same household.

Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, lethargy, or conjunctivitis (swelling and redness of the membranes around the eyes). In these instances, the cat should be examined by your veterinarian, especially if there is a recent history of influenza-like illness in the household.
Treatment

As with people, treatment is supportive, which means treating the symptoms and letting the virus run its course. If a diagnosis of respiratory illness is made, your veterinarian can suggest medications and treatment to make your cat more comfortable.
4 Oregon Ferrets Confirmed Positive for H1N1 Virus

In late October 2009, a client presented three of nine owned ferrets who had become ill with an influenza-like illness to a veterinarian in the Roseburg area. The family had human patients with influenza-like illness about a week prior to onset of illness in the ferrets.

Two of the three ferrets presented with fevers (temperature above 103 F), sneezing, coughing and had nasal discharge. Not all ferrets became ill at the same time, but 2 - 3 days after the initial 2 cases. Nasal discharge samples were collected on October 27, 2009 and were later reported as positive for Influenza A.

Further testing at the National Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed the isolates as pandemic influenza H1N1. The other ferrets were not tested, but it is believed they may have had the virus as well. All nine ferrets have recovered.

The first documented case of the H1N1 virus in a ferret was in a Portland, Oregon ferret early October.

On October 5, 2009, a client brought a ferret to a Portland, Oregon veterinary hospital. The ferret had been exhibiting weakness followed by sneezing, coughing, and an elevated temperature.

Because the client and her children previously had symptoms compatible with influenza, the attending veterinarian consulted with Dr. Emilio DeBess, Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian, and both agreed to test the ferret's nasal secretions for influenza.

On October 8, 2009, Oregon State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory presumptively diagnosed pandemic influenza H1N1 by PCR from the nasal secretions of the ferret.

On October 9, 2009, pandemic influenza H1N1 was confirmed at the National Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Contrary to published media reports, which stated that this Oregon ferret had died, it has, in fact, recovered.

Other ferrets in the US have now also tested positive for the H1N1 virus. One ferret in Nebraska died.
Transmission

Pet owners should be cautious as we enter this year's flu season. Ferrets are generally susceptible to influenza A viruses under which H1N1 is classified.

In these cases, it is believed that the human owners transmitted the virus to their ferrets.

Dr. Emilio DeBess, Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian, cautions owners and veterinarians that it may be possible for ferrets or cats to transmit this virus to humans. Coughing and sneezing can spread the virus which can remain infectious for about a week outside the body. Thoroughly wash your hands when handling sick pets or when you are sick.
Symptoms

If your ferret starts to exhibit signs of a respiratory illness or lethargy, the animal should be examined by your veterinarian.

Because of the immunosuppressive effects of influenza, bacterial infection may be of concern. If discharge from the nose or eyes becomes discolored (yellow or green), or if your ferret is coughing, contact your veterinarian.
Treatment

Once a diagnosis is made, your veterinarian may be able to suggest medications to make the ferret more comfortable. You must also ensure that your ferret remains hydrated. If your ferret is very lethargic or off food and water (monitor closely), treatment with fluids and/or force feeding may be necessary.
H1N1 and Other Animals
Dogs

At this time, it is unknown as to whether dogs are considered to be susceptible to pandemic H1N1.

Canine influenza (H3N8) is a different influenza strain which is not known to be transmissible to humans.
Birds & Poultry

In August 2009, the pandemic H1N1 virus was detected in turkeys in two farms near the seaport of Valparaiso, Chile. The detection followed a decrease in both the laying rate and the egg shell quality in the flocks without noticeable mortality. Some birds had been in contact with persons with respiratory disease. Backyard poultry could potentially be at risk of H1N1 transmission from humans.
Pet Birds

Pet birds can also be susceptible to H1N1. Testing is recommended if the bird and owner both develop an influenza-like illness compatible with H1N1.
Swine

At least six pigs from Minnesota have tested positive for the H1N1 virus, the first confirmed case in the US swine population. This confirms a preliminary diagnosis of H1N1 pandemic influenza virus in swine samples collected during the 2009 Minnesota State Fair between August 26 and September 1.

According to a report from the USDA on November 2, the virus has been found for the first time in a commercial swine herd in Indiana. All animals and caretakers have recovered. USDA said the Indiana facility has continued its routine processing practices because it is safe for swine that recover from influenza viruses to be slaughtered.

Consumers are reminded that they cannot catch the influenza virus from eating pork.
Pet Pigs

Because swine are susceptible to this virus, follow standard flu prevention protocols when handling your pet pig. If you are concerned about your pet pig's health, please contact your veterinarian.
Key Points for Pet Owners
Prevention

Pet owners should not panic. The number of confirmed cases of H1N1 infection in domestic animals is tiny compared to the overall US pet population.

Standard techniques to prevent the spread of influenza are recommended. These include hand-washing and using alcohol-based hand cleaners, covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Try to avoid close contact with sick people and stay home from work or school if you are sick. If you are sick, you may want to limit contact with your domestic pet, bird or backyard poultry until you are well.
Vaccines

A human vaccine is now available. Refer to the CDC Web site for the most current official information on human cases. Pet owners may wish to consult with their physicians to see if they are a candidate to receive the H1N1 vaccine.

There is no vaccine for domestic animals, such as ferrets, dogs, cats or birds.