Should We Worry About Pets Catching H1N1

by Steve Dale

The fact that a single cat came down with the H1N1 is fascinating to scientists, veterinary infectious disease researchers and human virologists, but is this truly significant at all?

Here's what happened: A 13-year old cat in Iowa that was acting lethargic, not eating and having trouble breathing was tested for H1N1 because two of the three people in the household were suffering from the flu (reports vary on whether they were diagnosed with H1N1 or not). The cat was tested Nov. 5 at Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. The diagnosis wasn't made on a whim; vet school officials confirmed it with the Iowa Department of Public Health; the Center for Advanced Host Defenses, Immunobiotics and Translational Comparative Medicine, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

While there seems to be little doubt this cat contracted H1N1, the question now becomes, how significant is the finding? "There's certainly no epidemic among cats," says Dr. Julie Levy, an internal medicine specialist and Maddie's professor of shelter medicine director at the University of Florida, Gainesville. While it's possible that lots of other cats are walking around with symptoms mirroring the feline upper respiratory virus -- but which in reality is human flu -- that scenario is unlikely, says Levy. And so far, there's no evidence the H1N1 virus has affected a single dog.

The fact that H1N1 appeared in a cat at all is a surprise to some, including Dr. Karen May, assistant director of professional services, American Veterinary Medical Association, Schaumburg, Ill. "While the influenza virus is always mutating, it generally doesn't jump species quickly," she says.

Having said that, H1N1 itself is a fusion of a virus from two different species, humans and pigs, Levy note.

There is precedence for an influenza virus which affects people also affecting cats; some cats contracted the avian flu several years ago. "But this doesn't mean your cat at home is in any danger, even if you do get the season flu or H1N1," says Ann Garvey, Iowa State Health Veterinarian. "Think of all the people identified, so far, with H1N1, and we're only talking about a single cat."

Also, it's clear that the virus was transmitted to the cat from people, not the other way around. During the avian flu pandemic, cats rarely seemed susceptible to getting the disease from people. There have no reports of cats, or for that matter, dogs or ferrets giving a person the flu.

The good news is, the cat with H1N1 has recovered after being treated with fluids, and its owners are doing fine, as well. The news isn't as good for two ferrets identified with H1N1, one in Nebraska and a second in Oregon, both of whom died.

"Ferrets are particularly sensitive to influenza," Levy notes. "For years, ferrets have been the most popular research model for influenza viruses because of their high sensitivity."

H1N1 issues aside, vets who treat ferrets have long warned owners of their pets' susceptibility to seasonal flu. Ferrets may even be susceptible to the canine flu. Sometimes ferrets survive a bout with the flu, but often they do not.

Dogs have their own recently-discovered flu virus, but, so far, no person or cat has contracted the disease. Canine flu is thought to have mutated over time from a flu virus which affects horses. A vaccine is now available for canine influenza, which veterinarians are suggesting for dogs in frequent contact with other dogs, such as dogs in kennels or pets in doggy day care.

Family members with the flu should be careful around their pets, veterinarians warn -- no kissing on the mouth or sneezing in your pet's face. Sick family members should also think twice before cuddling with their pets. Frankly, though, it's more likely you'll win $1 million in the lottery than that Fido or Fluffy will catch the flu from your kisses. Ferrets, though, are clearly vulnerable to our flu viruses.

Check out www.avma.org for more information on pets and H1N1.

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