Can Your Pet Get H1N1?

  Post By: Dr. Lynn Webster, Chief Veterinary Officer

With all the latest talk on the H1N1 epidemic, pet owners are starting to wonder if their dogs or cats could be at risk. The simple answer to this is no, they are safe. To date, there is no evidence that pets are susceptible to this new strain of influenza. It appears to only be transferred from person to person or from human to swine.

Can my pet get any other type of flu?
Yes they can. There are many types of viruses that can cause flu symptoms including:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Nasal discharge
• Lack of appetite

Signs to watch for:

• Itchy eyes
• Running nose or sneezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Depression

Most pets only get a mild cough; however, puppies and kittens and older pets (just like with humans) are at greater risk of getting the flu.

Can I prevent my pet from getting the flu?
Currently there is no vaccine to prevent our pets from getting the flu; however one may be available within 1-2 years. Because the virus is spread through the air, the best method of prevention is to limit the exposure to other pets and to keep crates, bowls, bedding and other surfaces clean and disinfected.

If your pet seems to be having any symptoms or signs of the flu, make an appointment to see your veterinarian for more information and a complete check-up for your pet.

Comments

[dsi r4]

Thanks for a well written and enlightening blog. With all the misconceptions about the swine flu, (Yesterday my brother asked me if he could get it by eating pork.), it’s good to know that our pets aren’t at risk.