Last week the Iowa State Veterinarian and the Iowa Department of Public Health announced that a pet cat was confirmed infected with the H1N1 flu virus. The cat's owners were ill and the cat developed respiratory symptoms shortly afterward and was tested.
Is this something pet owners need to be concerned about?
"Well, this flu is still so new, that we are still learning about it," said Dr. Gene Handel of Handel with Care Veterinary Hospital in Derry.
"Because we've domesticated pets and live with them, there are germs that transmit back and forth."
There is no evidence that dogs may catch the virus from owners to date. But a ferret was confirmed to have the H1N1 virus on Oct. 9 according to the American Veterinary Medical Association's Web site.
The ferret's owner had recently been ill with the flu. Ferrets are more susceptible to infection with influenza viruses.
"We know that dogs can get strep throat from a person, and the other way around, but that is a bacterial illness," Handel said.
"This flu is a virus."
Hand washing is the best way to prevent germs from spreading and pet owners should keep an eye on their pet's health and consult a veterinarian if their pet is showing any signs of illness.
"Signs to look for are sneezing, runny eyes and lethargy," Handel said.
Melissa Cyr, a day care attendant at The Barking Dog in Derry said that the kennel/day care makes sure that all the pets' vaccinations are up-to-date.
"The big things for us are rabies, kennel cough, and other routine vaccinations," she said.
For the latest information about pets and H1N1 flu, visit the AVMA's Web site at:
http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus/new_flu_virus_faq.asp
