A recent outbreak of bird flu has raised concerns about pet safety, particularly among cat owners in Oregon. The illness has been linked to a pet food recall and has caused sporadic illnesses in people who work on dairy or poultry farms.
Bird flu, also known as Type A H5N1, has been spreading in wild birds and other animals for years. However, the virus was first confirmed in US dairy cattle in March. The virus causes mostly mild illnesses in humans, but can be fatal for animals.
In Oregon, health officials traced a cat’s illness to frozen cat food containing raw turkey. The recalled pet food contained the virus, which matches the strain found in the infected cat. Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association, warned that feeding cats raw meat or unpasteurized dairy products can be deadly.
While cases of bird flu infection are rare, cats seem particularly susceptible to the virus. Even before the cattle outbreak, there were feline cases linked to wild birds or poultry. Since March, dozens of cats have caught the virus, including barn and feral cats, indoor cats, and big cats in zoos and wildlife.
Dogs appear less vulnerable to bird flu, but should only eat thoroughly cooked foods. Pet owners can protect their cats by keeping them away from wild birds, livestock, and poultry, not allowing them to wander freely outdoors, and avoiding contact with sick or dead birds.
Symptoms of bird flu in cats include loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, reddened eyes, discharge, difficulty breathing, tremors, or seizures. If a cat is showing these symptoms, owners should call their veterinary clinic immediately and keep the cat away from anyone with a weakened immune system.
A recent pet food recall by Northwest Naturals in Portland, Oregon, has also raised concerns about bird flu safety. The company recalled one batch of its raw frozen pet food due to testing positive for the virus. Pet owners are advised to discard the affected product and contact their place of purchase for a refund.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/how-to-protect-your-cats-from-catching-bird-flu