The death of an Oregon house cat and a pet food recall are elevating questions in regards to the ongoing outbreak of fowl flu and the way folks can defend their pets.
Bird flu has been spreading for years in wild birds, chickens, turkeys and plenty of different animals. It was first confirmed in U.S. dairy cattle in March.
The virus has been inflicting sporadic, principally gentle sicknesses in folks within the U.S., and almost all of these contaminated labored on dairy or poultry farms. When the virus is discovered, each fowl on a farm is killed to restrict the unfold of the illness.
Oregon well being officers traced the cat’s sickness to frozen cat meals that contained uncooked turkey. Virus recovered from the recalled pet meals and the contaminated cat matched.
Some pet house owners feed their animals uncooked meat, however that may be harmful, even deadly for the animals, stated Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Cooking meat or pasteurizing uncooked milk destroys the fowl flu virus and different disease-causing germs.
“Raw milk, uncooked meat merchandise will be and are a vector for carrying this virus,” he stated.
Are pets in peril of getting fowl flu?
Though instances of an infection are uncommon, cats appear particularly inclined to the fowl flu virus, or Type A H5N1. Even earlier than the cattle outbreak, there have been feline instances linked to wild birds or poultry. Since March, dozens of cats have caught the virus. These embrace barn and feral cats, indoor cats, and massive cats in zoos and within the wild.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating the deaths of 4 home cats that drank recalled uncooked milk.
Dogs appear to be much less weak than cats, however they need to eat solely completely cooked meals, Bailey stated.
How can I defend my cat from fowl flu?
Cats shouldn’t drink unpasteurized dairy merchandise or eat uncooked meat. Pet house owners ought to preserve cats away from wild birds, livestock and poultry.
Don’t allow them to wander freely within the outside, Bailey stated, “since you don’t know what they’re entering into. Cats are pure hunters, and one of many animals they like to hunt are birds.”
Avoid touching sick or useless birds your self. Thoroughly wash your palms after dealing with poultry or animals.
What are the signs of fowl flu in cats?
Cats sick with fowl flu may expertise lack of urge for food, lethargy and fever.
If your cat is normally playful and likes to look out the window, however as a substitute has been sleeping on a regular basis or hiding from you, take notice, Bailey stated. “There’s one thing fallacious,” he stated.
They might have reddened or infected eyes and discharge from the eyes and nostril. They might need issue respiration or have tremors or seizures.
If your cat is sick, name your veterinary clinic and preserve the cat away from anybody with a weakened immune system.
What pet meals was recalled?
Northwest Naturals, a pet meals firm in Portland, Oregon, introduced a voluntary recall Tuesday of 1 batch of its 2-pound Feline Turkey Recipe uncooked frozen pet meals after it examined optimistic for the virus. The product was bought in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, in addition to Canada’s British Columbia.
The recalled meals has “greatest if utilized by” dates of May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026. Consumers ought to throw it away and phone the place of buy for a refund.
