A few days ago a client brought their cat in for a check-up. The kitty had been having a digestive upset and happily was feeling better. The question was, did this indoor-outdoor feline have the avian flu.
This disease has been very much in the news. A local wild cat sanctuary lost several animals due to avian flu. There have been documented cases arising from contaminated meat and milk. Wild birds as well as commercial flocks have experienced devastation. Human beings have become sick with this disease, agricultural workers being a great concern. And, though these things are in the works, there is no commercial vaccination or in-clinic test. What do we do to keep our family members safe, pets included?
Recommendations from the Washington State Department of Agriculture are being updated, and currently we are told to avoid exposure to wild birds, which means preventing cats and dogs from hunting, as well as us people being cautious with handling wild birds. Raw milk and raw poultry meat is also a concern. There have been deaths from pets eating commercially prepared raw food, and with no routine testing of food sources, there is also a concern with handling unpasteurized milk and raw meat.
While there is a US government issued halt to reporting and updating for the CDC, FDA, and NIH, thankfully we have other organizations helping us track what is happening. Check in with the Washing State Department of Agriculture (see this article https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAAGR/bulletins/3cf9009) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org).
Our client’s kitty is at home and doing well. The symptoms of avian flu are respiratory and neurologic. and the cat’s complaints were of tummy upset only. Please watch out for your pets and yourselves as well, and stay healthy!
