The demise of an Oregon home cat and a pet meals recall are elevating questions in regards to the ongoing outbreak of chook flu and the way individuals can shield their pets.
Chook flu has been spreading for years in wild birds, chickens, turkeys and many different animals. It was first confirmed in U.S. dairy cattle in March.
The virus has been inflicting sporadic, principally gentle sicknesses in individuals within the U.S., and almost all of these contaminated labored on dairy or poultry farms. When the virus is discovered, each chook on a farm is killed to restrict the unfold of the illness.
Oregon well being officers traced the cat’s sickness to frozen cat meals that contained uncooked turkey. Virus recovered from the recalled pet meals and the contaminated cat matched.
Some pet homeowners feed their animals uncooked meat, however that may be harmful, even deadly for the animals, mentioned Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Affiliation. Cooking meat or pasteurizing uncooked milk destroys the chook flu virus and different disease-causing germs.
“Uncooked milk, uncooked meat merchandise could be and are a vector for carrying this virus,” he mentioned.
Although instances of an infection are uncommon, cats appear particularly prone to the chook flu virus, or Kind A H5N1. Even earlier than the cattle outbreak, there have been feline instances linked to wild birds or poultry. Since March, dozens of cats have caught the virus. These embody barn and feral cats, indoor cats, and massive cats in zoos and within the wild.
The Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being is investigating the deaths of 4 home cats that drank recalled uncooked milk.
Canine appear to be much less susceptible than cats, however they need to eat solely totally cooked meals, Bailey mentioned.
Cats mustn’t drink unpasteurized dairy merchandise or eat uncooked meat. Pet homeowners ought to maintain cats away from wild birds, livestock and poultry.
Do not allow them to wander freely within the open air, Bailey mentioned, “since you don’t know what they’re moving into. Cats are pure hunters, and one of many animals they like to hunt are birds.”
Keep away from touching sick or useless birds your self. Completely wash your fingers after dealing with poultry or animals.
Cats sick with chook flu would possibly expertise lack of urge for food, lethargy and fever.
In case your cat is normally playful and likes to look out the window, however as a substitute has been sleeping on a regular basis or hiding from you, take notice, Bailey mentioned. “There’s one thing unsuitable,” he mentioned.
They might have reddened or infected eyes and discharge from the eyes and nostril. They could have problem respiration or have tremors or seizures.
In case your cat is sick, name your veterinary clinic and maintain the cat away from anybody with a weakened immune system.
Northwest Naturals, a pet meals firm in Portland, Oregon, introduced a voluntary recall Tuesday of 1 batch of its 2-pound Feline Turkey Recipe uncooked frozen pet meals after it examined optimistic for the virus. The product was offered in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, in addition to Canada’s British Columbia.
The recalled meals has “finest if utilized by” dates of Could 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026. Customers ought to throw it away and get in touch with the place of buy for a refund.
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The Related Press Well being and Science Division receives assist from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Instructional Media Group. The AP is solely answerable for all content material.
