Is this what happens when cats get the swine flu?
there's lots of misinformation flying around the Internet, I suppose it's because it's scary when not all the answers are known, and also because people are afraid of H1N1. I'll address some of the graffiti out there:
- As far as anyone knows, the cat with H1N1 did not infect family members with the virus. It seems it is the other way around.
- It's not true that indoor/outdoor cats are more likely to come into contact with the virus (though there are many other dangers to cats roaming outside, influenza doesn't seem to be one of them).
- If cats and ferrets are susceptible - does this mean dogs are? So far, they dogs don't seem to be susceptible to H1N1 - but then experts were surprised to hear about the cat with H1N1, or the ferrets (2 ferrets were diagnosed with H1N1, and sadly, they both died). Ferrets are at risk to any flu from people. Please wash your hands before handling ferrets if you think you are sick. If not, the result may be fatal to your beloved pet ferret.
- If you get the flu, do you need to put a mask on your pet? What do you think? NO! But if you have the flu or even a cold, and pet your dog or cat - then another member of the family pets the dog or cat, illness can be spread this way to other people.
- A sneezy nose runny cat is far far far more likely to have an upper respiratory infection than H1N1.
- As far as anyone knows cats are not susceptible to canine influenza (the dog flu), There has never been a report of a person contracting the dog flu. Although, if your dogs are around other dogs then protecting them from the dog flu may be a good idea.
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