Your cat’s behavior of preying on birds could concern you whenever you fear about their publicity to chicken flu and if they might turn into sick with the virus. Sadly, chicken flu has prompted illness in varied mammals, together with home cats.
Fowl flu has been a scorching matter in the USA for the reason that 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. Current stories recommend it could be on the rise, so we wish to focus on the dangers and find out how to hold your feline pal secure.
Cats Can Get Fowl Flu?
Fowl flu is the widespread identify for the extremely pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1). “Extremely pathogenic” means the illness may 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 typically present indicators of sickness.
There are at present 34 reported US circumstances of chicken flu in home cats, with circumstances in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, South Dakota, Montana, Oklahoma, and Ohio2. Instances have additionally occurred in different international locations like Poland, South Korea, and France.
Now, this quantity shouldn’t be excessive in comparison with the farm animal statistics, so chicken flu continues to be thought of unusual in cats. Nevertheless, extra cats than folks have contracted chicken flu. Consuming contaminated birds or residing on a poultry or dairy farm are danger components in your cat getting chicken flu. You must pay explicit consideration to outbreaks in your space, as these are high-risk instances in your cat.
What Are the Indicators of Fowl Flu in Cats?
Fowl flu can current with respiratory, gastrointestinal, or neurological indicators in cats. Some circumstances have been extreme and deadly, and others gentle. Immunocompromised, younger, and geriatric cats could also be extra vulnerable to extreme indicators of chicken flu. Indicators to be careful for in case your cat has been uncovered to chicken flu embrace:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Purple or watery eyes
- Diarrhea
- Anorexia
- Fever
- Behavioral adjustments
- Muscle ache
- Lethargy
- Wobbly gait
- Panting
- Respiratory difficulties
- Irregular gum coloration
- Organ illness
- Despair
- Seizures
- Collapse
Tips on how to Defend Your Cat From Fowl Flu
Sadly, there’s no feline vaccination for chicken flu, and the illness may be extreme if it infects your cat. One of the best ways to maintain your cat secure is to keep away from contact with wild birds since even wholesome birds can carry the virus. In the beginning, we suggest protecting your cat inside since it’s the solely surefire solution to keep away from contact with outdoors birds.
Even cats inside a cat enclosure or “catio” may be uncovered to wild birds or their virus-contaminated excretions. In case your cat is understood to hunt and you may’t hold them inside 24/7, you may prepare them to put on a leash and harness and take them for walks.
Keep away from letting them out in peak looking instances like daybreak and nightfall. Strive placing a bell, bird-safe collar, or bib in your cat to hinder their looking skills.
You may as well attempt to hold wild birds out of your yard, however that isn’t foolproof. Keep away from having chicken feeders, baths, or water options that entice wild birds. Don’t go away any meals outdoors, together with pet meals, which may entice birds on the lookout for 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 will also be very efficient in protecting 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.
When you’ve got pet birds at residence, carry them indoors if potential. Don’t let your cat have any contact with out of doors pet birds. Out of doors poultry are almost certainly to contract the chicken flu. Wash your arms 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 chicken flu, comparable to sudden demise, lethargy, respiratory indicators, diarrhea, and a wobbly gait, name your veterinarian or the USDA toll-free hotline (866-536-7593).
Meals security can also be vital since your cat might 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 bear in mind to make use of good hygiene so different meals isn’t contaminated by these merchandise.
Steadily Requested Questions
Can Cats Get Sick From Being Round Birds?
Being round birds and their droppings might result in your cat being contaminated with chicken flu. Preying on birds and consuming uncooked chicken meat will also be a supply of an infection in cats. Cats may additionally be contaminated by cows. Fowl droppings typically include Salmonella micro organism, which may additionally make your cat sick.
Is a Cat With Fowl Flu a Threat to People?
Cats current minimal danger to people since human infections have solely occurred sporadically with publicity to poultry or dairy cows. Presently, solely 11 folks have been confirmed to have contracted chicken flu.
Nevertheless, it’s theoretically potential for a sick cat to contaminate a human, particularly when you have shut contact with the cat. Your cat’s saliva, urine, or feces might include the virus if they’re contaminated.
When you’ve got been uncovered to chicken 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 info.
Conclusion
Illness outbreaks may be scary, not just for our well being but in addition for that of our beloved pets. Fowl flu can infect cats and folks, but it surely solely happens sporadically. It’s nonetheless thought of a low menace to human well being; nevertheless, since flu viruses change continuously, the CDC is monitoring the scenario.
To be on the secure aspect, we suggest taking precautions to forestall your cat from being uncovered to chicken flu within the first place.
Featured Picture Credit score: megaflopp, Shutterstock
