It seems that the cat was infected by his own owners (who had already contracted the flu of type A). And that after a few days noticing that the animal sneezed repeatedly, had tears in his eyes and was dozing more than usual, they had him examined by a veterinarian, who, after having carried out a blood test, found that he was positive for the flu virus. The news of theinfection with the A (H1N1) virus of a cat in the United States is not surprising; since the news of the viremia exploding towards this influenza virus, the conviction that this, although rare, could have happened, had also spread in the veterinary scientific world.
Symptoms of virus A (H1N1), which can occur in pets (dogs or cats) can be the following:
- State of torpor.
- Loss of appetite.
- Fever.
- A runny nose.
- Shiny eyes.
- Sneezing.
- Cough.
- Breathing changes (including difficulty in breathing).
Although no reports of infection have been received on dogs so far, experts specify that these types of viruses can be unpredictable, so it will be a good idea to carefully monitor the health of our 4-legged friends. In the meantime it is possible to know and adopt some useful precautions. Here are some tips:
- Wash your hands before petting the dog.
- If you suffer from flu conditions, avoid staying in the same room, touching it without washing your hands, sneezing or coughing in its vicinity.
- Avoid that the dog roams freely outside the house.
- Prevent the dog from sharing water bowls, toys and food with other dogs.
- Make sure your dog or cat is eating, drinking and playing as they normally do every day. If you notice any abnormal behavior in your cat or dog, promptly consult your veterinarian.
In addition, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has published a press release stating that in the current state of knowledge there is no indication that the cat or dog can act. from vector for the virus.
In conclusion we point out for more information the site: www.idph.state.ia.us/h1n1/ or Iowa Influenza Hotline at 1-800-447-1985