You may have heard in the news about a cat from Oregon that was infected with H5N1 (bird flu) from eating Northwest Naturals brand 2lb Turkey Recipe raw & frozen pet food products infected with H5N1. If you are feeding this food, discontinue doing so immediately. We are not sharing this information to create panic, but cat owners should be aware of what they can do to minimize their cats’ exposure. We wanted to share the below information from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
How do cats become infected?
Recent investigations show that cats most often get H5N1 through certain foods or environmental exposure. Potential sources include:
- Raw or undercooked meat: Especially poultry and beef.
- Unpasteurized dairy products: Such as raw milk, raw colostrum or cream.
- Exposure to infected birds: Wild birds or poultry carrying the virus.
- Indirect exposure: Through people working on affected farms, their clothing, or contaminated objects.
What are the signs of H5N1 in cats?
Cats infected with H5N1 may initially show signs like a lack of appetite, tiredness, and fever. The illness can worsen quickly, and cats may develop:
- Nervous system problems: Difficulty walking, walking in circles, shaking, seizures, or even vision loss.
- Severe fatigue and unresponsiveness.
- Runny eyes and nose: Excessive discharge from the eyes and nose.
- Breathing problems: Fast or labored breathing, shortness of breath, and sometimes sneezing or coughing.
Although the chances of cats passing H5N1 to humans are very low, it’s not entirely impossible.
How can you prevent H5N1 infection in your cats?
Here are a few ways to help keep your cat safe:
- Feed safe food: Avoid giving your cat raw or undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy products like colostrum or cream. Always cook meat thoroughly before feeding.
- Keep your cats indoors: This prevents contact with birds and wildlife that could carry the virus.
- Avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife: Don’t touch infected or deceased birds or other animals or let your cats near them.
- Stay away from farms: Keep your cat away from poultry, livestock, and farm areas, especially in places with known H5N1 outbreaks.
- Hygiene matters: Wash your hands thoroughly after handling your cat or being around wildlife, poultry, or livestock.
- Change clothes and clean up: After contact with sick or dead animals that may harbor H5N1, change clothes and shoes, and wash exposed skin before interacting with your cat.
- Watch for signs of illness: If your cat seems unwell or might have been exposed to the virus, call your veterinarian right away.
These steps can help protect your cat and reduce the risk of infection.
What should you do if you suspect an H5N1 infection in your cat?
To play it safe, take the following steps:
- Call your veterinarian first: Contact your vet before bringing your cat in and describe any signs of illness they have noticed so that the veterinary team can be ready when the patient arrives.
- Limit contact: Keep your cat away from immunocompromised individuals if there’s a chance of exposure to the virus.
- Follow CDC advice: Protect yourself and others by following the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for preventing influenza.
- Monitor for illness: Watch for signs of illness in family members and other pets that may have been exposed and report any human illnesses to your local public health office (Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department).