What It Means For You and Your Cat

A Bird and a Cat Meet

Diagnosis in New York

Recently, it has been reported that a shelter in New York has tested a number of cats who have been diagnosed as positive for Influenza H7N2. No cases have yet been seen in Washington State. As with last year’s outbreak of the “Canine Flu” (H3N2), Seattle Veterinary Associates is keeping abreast of the news and making sure everyone is prepared for what this means for our patients. Happily, so far the answer is “not much.”

This strain of Influenza commonly called Avian Influenza A is found primarily in birds and has had multiple outbreaks in poultry farms within the U.S. since 2002. As with all influenza viruses, there is a chance for the virus to mutate and infect animals of different species. In this case, a cat was likely directly infected by a bird before being surrendered at the shelter in New York. That cat came into contact with a number of other cats in a shelter setting and the illness spread quickly.

Signs

Signs of influenza in cats can include: coughing, sneezing, colored discharge from the nose or eyes, difficulty breathing, lethargy, and decreased appetite.

The majority of illnesses you or your pet might face cannot be passed between you. However, it is also important to remember that when either a cat or human is sick with an upper respiratory disease, it may possible for that illness to mutate to infect the other species. Because our cats are such an important part of our lives it can be difficult to maintain distance, particularly when one of you is sick. However, taking basic precautions can help keep both humans and felines healthy.

Basic Precautions

If you or your cat has signs of influenza:
• Do not nuzzle or kiss your cat. Facial contact makes transmission easier.
• Avoid sneezing on or being sneezed on by your cat.
• Wash your hands frequently before or after interacting with your cat, when handling food or water dishes, or cleaning kitty litter.

In Humans

The only human who was diagnosed as having caught the flu from the cats was a veterinarian who was helping to collect samples for testing. The veterinarian became mildly ill but has since completely recovered. Of the over 100 cats who tested positive at the shelter, only one died— a geriatric patient humanely euthanized due to pneumonia that was not improving.

Bringing Home a New Cat From the Shelter

Cats coming from shelters will often have upper respiratory infections and parasites that require care. Whether the infection is specifically Avian Influenza A or something else, it is important to have your cat checked by a vet if it is showing signs of illness. While there is no vaccine or cure for Avian Influenza, supportive care can help your cat feel better quickly.