Vet School 101 Will swine flu make the leap to pets?

In recent history, few viruses have led to the widespread fear that attends the H1N1 epidemic.

HIV? It’s not fast-moving enough and the can’t-hit-me-ism that attends it makes it not-so-scary to “common folk.” Ebola? Puh-lease. It may be gruesome but that’s one for Africans, we conjecture. But the swine flu? Nasty stuff. And it targets wholesome pregnant women, to boot. It’s a definite possibility––and it kills...fast.

Recent media stories on the summer hardiness of the H1N1 strain haven’t helped our mood any. Nor have recent reports on the jumpiness of this particular flu strain when it comes to other species. After all, this one ostensibly came from birds and pigs and carries the triple-threat marked by human DNA, too.

But can H1N1 affect your pets? I’ve seen this issue all over the web in recent weeks. Never mind the humans. That we know. But how about our pets? If we happen to come down with the swine flu, what to do with our dogs, cats, birds, gerbils? Do we quarantine them, too? Move them to mother-in-law’s? Board them at the kennel? Beg our veterinarian to test them? How would we even know if they’re sick?

Truth is, we don’t know what’s safest. And there is no common test. But the one thing scientists do seem to agree on is that the H1N1 strain has not yet seemed to affect birds or any domesticated animal with the obvious exception of pigs. So if you happen to keep pigs and come down with the swine flu you’d do well to keep them as far away as possible and quarantined for as long as commercial pigs are asked to be (at least a month––maybe more depending on the number you keep).

Scientists are unsure how likely the possibility of transmission to non-pig pets might be, but they do tell us that the new swine flu strain, by virtue of its DNA mix, has shown itself to be especially well-tuned to sucking in new bits of helpful genetic material from other influenza viruses. That alone makes it extra-scary from a pandemic point of view.

Regardless, the biggest threat on the horizon is not to your cat or dog, it’s about our birds. Even then, explains the World Health Organization, the most likely scenario is one that’ll “refuel” in Asia first. That’s because the bird flu endemic to this region is a likelier target for inclusion into the H1N1 version on the virus than any other we’re currently aware of. Which means we’ll probably have time to formulate an approach for how we deal with our pet birds in advance of its eastward journey. Probably.

It’s not my goal to scare you. In fact, cat and dog owners reading this should be breathing a sigh of relief. Our most commonly kept pets are safe from the strain currently making the rounds.

And this flu virus? It’s not that much more lethal or catching than many of the influenza viruses that kill humans every day in this country. It just happens to have a few tricks up its sleeve. And, for that, we need to be vigilant and take precautions, including vaccination for pregnant women (I’d do it). That’s all.

Here’s hoping we can all keep things in perspective as we head out into this Fall’s flu season. Especially when it comes to our pets.

August 12th, 2009

Add Comment40 Comments

It's always nice to hear a voice of reason in the midst of all the paranoia about the swine flu. Yes, these mutating viruses are scary, but at the same time, it behooves all of us, and especially the media, to present the science behind them, and not the hype and apocalyptic visions of epidemics. And it IS nice to know that our cats and dogs are safe!

Ingrid King August 12th, 2009 10:54:04 AM

What about those of us who feed raw birds (chicken, CGH, turkey, etc.) to our furkids? That's what concerns me.

Bonnie August 12th, 2009 11:50:52 AM

Ferrets do catch a variety of H1N1, but it is a different strain than that which is jumping to humans. Luckily for ferrets, they don't seem to be susceptible to that one--both luckily for pet ferrets, and for lab ferrets :-/

more info:

http://blogs.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2009/04/ferreting-out-t.html

If you do have ferrets, be aware however that other forms of influenza can jump between humans and ferrets, so use proper sanitary precautions if you or anybody in your household has any form of flu, just to be safe.

regina August 12th, 2009 11:57:32 AM

Bonnie: Your risk of Salmonella is far higher. No reason to stress on the bird flu front, especially because a dressed, dead bird can no longer transmit a flu virus any more than a dead pig on your plate can.

Dr. Patty Khuly August 12th, 2009 12:01:52 PM

Thanks, Dr. Khuly. That makes me feel better. I had heard/read (can't remember where) that the bird flu could be transmitted by contact to raw chickens, like by ingesting them. Glad to hear that that is not the case.

Bonnie August 12th, 2009 01:23:10 PM

Bonnie: That's if you're dressing the birds--defeathering, touching the feces, etc.

Dr. Patty Khuly August 12th, 2009 01:28:38 PM

I do have a pet pig, so earlier this year when I was feeling off I tried to careful. But it was only a morning ickyness-I imagine a longer 'be carefulness' would be hard to maintain.

rdheather August 12th, 2009 01:30:47 PM

If you have ever heard someone say that something will happen when pigs fly, this is the day you have waited for.

Swine flu.

Bob Jones August 13th, 2009 08:59:58 AM

I wonder what this will do to the burgeoning suburban/urban backyard chicken movement.

kabbage August 13th, 2009 11:58:30 AM

kabbage: When you look at it that way, it's a good thing I didn't take on a pig. But remember: bird flu is one heck of a lot scarier when you've got 50,000 chickens in one spot. A decentralized, non-intensive system of chicken farming makes for a healthier population of animals--especially in the face of something like bird flu.

Dr. Patty Khuly August 13th, 2009 12:27:40 PM

Bailey: I had a chance to see that virus attack first-hand while touring a local shelter last year. It was HORRIBLE. And yes, all the veterinarians along for the tour looked at one another in horror at the thought of a canine version of Ebola. That's exactly what it looked like. The word is out. The University of Florida has taken the lead and is doing a great job disseminating the information among us.

Dr. Patty Khuly August 18th, 2009 07:52:05 AM

I'm going to change my screen name to "After Spam," I think. LOL!

I personally think it all comes down to common sense: Be informed, stay informed, don't panic or spread panic, and use common sense.

Thank you for this post, Dr. Khuly. I had given it some thought, but it really was not a big worry of mine.

Jen M. September 8th, 2009 12:07:46 PM

From the sound of that awful illness you saw in the shelter, Dr. Khuly, I wonder if that was the new virus Dubovi mentions at the end of the Promedmail post below? But the flu/Strep equi subspecies zooepidemicus infections sound like they can be very nasty like that, too. It is odd that he would announce a new virus like this, so maybe there was a misquote in this? http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:1485759297431527::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1010,78869 Archive Number 20090820.2945 Published Date 20-AUG-2009 Subject PRO/AH/EDR> Influenza, canine (H3N8) - USA INFLUENZA, CANINE (H3N8) - USA ****************************** A ProMED-mail post ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases [snip] More bad news appears to be on the horizon. Next month [September 2009], Dubovi said he will announce the discovery of yet another new virus. In the meantime, researchers continue to study why some viruses jump species, and what can be done to eradicate these illnesses.

Bailey September 11th, 2009 03:03:07 AM

Sorry about the format problem in my comments. Not sure why that is happening...

Bailey September 11th, 2009 03:04:37 AM

http://www.cartierwatches.us/Audemars-Piguet/

http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Milgauss

http://www.tiffanyjewelrybuy.com/tiffany-rings-c-9.html?zenid=157nhfoitfrl7qkmj9ldomve77

http://www.cartierwatches.us/Glashutte/

http://www.cartierwatches.us/Breitling/

http://www.tiffanyjewelrybuy.com/tiffany-bracelets-c-10.html

http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Day%20Date/

http://www.cartierwatches.us/Audemars-Piguet/ November 8th, 2009 12:23:41 PM

Bell & Ross watches

Audemars Piguet watch for sale

replica Breguet (watches) November 8th, 2009 03:16:16 PM

Rolex Milgauss watches

Rolex Milgauss watches November 10th, 2009 12:39:18 PM

<a href="Glashutte'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Glashutte/">Glashutte replica</a> <a href="Graham'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Graham/">Graham replica</a> <a href="Hermes'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Hermes/">Hermes replica</a> <a href="Hublot'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Hublot/">Hublot replica</a> <a href="IWC'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/IWC/">IWC replica</a>

Hublot November 11th, 2009 08:48:30 AM

http://www.uggcase.com/UGG-Classic-Short/

http://www.tiffanyjewelrybuy.com/tiffany-necklaces-c-12.html

UGG Classic Short discount November 11th, 2009 08:50:38 AM

<a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rado/">replica Rado</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Tag-Heuer/">replica Tag Heuer</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Tudor/">replica Tudor</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/U-boat/">replica U-boat</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Vacheron-Constantin/">replica Vacheron Constantin</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/">replica Rolex</a>

Constantin November 11th, 2009 08:51:32 AM

<a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Montblanc/">replica Montblanc</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Movado/">replica movado</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Omega/">replica omega</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Oris/">replica oris</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Panerai/">replica Panerai</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Patek-Philippe/">replica Patek Philippe</a><a href="replica'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Piaget/">replica Piaget</a>

Montblanc November 11th, 2009 08:54:41 AM

<a href="Hermes'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Hermes/">Hermes watch for sale</a><a href="Hublot'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Hublot/">Hublot watch for sale</a><a href="IWC'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/IWC/">IWC watch for sale</a><a href="Jaquet'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Jaquet-droz/">Jaquet droz watch for sale</a><a href="Lady'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Lady-Watches/">Lady Watch for sale</a><a href="Longines'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Longines/">Longines watch for sale</a><a href="Louis'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Louis-Vuitton/">Louis Vuitton watch for sale</a><a href="Maurice'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Maurice-Lacroix/">Maurice Lacroix watch for sale</a><a href="Montblanc'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Montblanc/">Montblanc watch for sale</a><a href="movado'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Movado/">movado watch for sale</a>

Hublot November 11th, 2009 08:58:42 AM

<a href="Cartier'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Cartier/">Cartier watch for sale</a><a href="chopard'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Chopard/">chopard watch for sale</a><a href="Concord'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Concord/">Concord watch for sale</a><a href="croum'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Corum/">croum watch for sale</a><a href="DeWitt'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/DeWitt/">DeWitt watch for sale</a><a href="ebel'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Ebel/">ebel watch for sale</a><a href="Ferrari'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Ferrari/">Ferrari watch for sale</a><a href="Franck'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Franck-Muller/">Franck Muller watch for sale</a><a href="Glashutte'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Glashutte/">Glashutte watch for sale</a><a href="Graham'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Graham/">Graham watch for sale</a>

Ebel November 11th, 2009 09:13:12 AM

<a href="watcehshttp://www.iwcwatches.us/">watcehs</a> <a href="A.Lange'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/A.Lange-&-Sohne/">A.Lange & Sohne watches</a><a href="Audemars'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Audemars-Piguet/">Audemars Piguet watches</a><a href="Bell'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Bell-&-Ross/">Bell & Ross watches</a><a href="Breguet'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Breguet/">Breguet watches</a><a href="Breitling'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Breitling/">Breitling watches</a><a href="Burberry'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Burberry/">Burberry watches</a><a href="Bvlgari'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Burberry/">Bvlgari watches</a><a href="Cartier'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Cartier/">Cartier watches</a><a href="chopard'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Cartier/">chopard watches</a><a href="Concord'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Concord/">Concord watches</a><a href="croum'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Croum/">croum watches</a><a href="DeWitt'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/DeWitt/">DeWitt watches</a>

Concord' November 11th, 2009 09:14:44 AM

However mean your life is, tiffany jewelry meet it and live it do not shun it and call it hard names discount tiffany jewelry It is not so bad as you are.It looks poorest when you are richest.

tiffany jewelry November 12th, 2009 03:43:54 AM

UGG Classic Cardy

Discount Uggs Boots On Sale

Ugg Classic Tall Boots

Ugg Boots Cheap

Ugg New Styles

ugg boots on link November 13th, 2009 10:33:33 AM

Rolex Datejust II watch for sale

Rolex Datejust watch for sale

Rolex Submariner watch for sale

Rolex Air-King watch for sale November 13th, 2009 10:44:18 PM

Fujitsu power supply November 13th, 2009 11:39:58 PM

<a href="a.Lange'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/A.Lange-&-Sohne/">a.Lange & sohne watches</a><a href="Audemars'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Audemars-Piguet/">Audemars Piguet watches</a><a href="Bell'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Bell-&-Ros">Bell & Ross watches</a><a href="Breguet'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Breguet/">Breguet watches</a><a href="Breitling'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Breitling/">Breitling watches</a><a href="Burberry'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Burberry/">Burberry watches</a>

rolex November 13th, 2009 11:44:16 PM

khay November 15th, 2009 01:22:07 PM

Tudor replica

U-boat replica

Vacheron Constantin replica

Rolex replica

Rolex Datejust II replica

Rolex Datejust II replica November 16th, 2009 08:02:42 AM

Tiffany Sets

Tiffany Pendants November 16th, 2009 08:44:04 AM

fashion Tiffany bangles

fashion Tiffany Rings November 16th, 2009 08:45:02 AM

replica Tiffany Earrings

replica Tiffany Pendants November 16th, 2009 08:46:31 AM

Hublot watch for sale

Franck Muller watch for sale November 16th, 2009 08:49:00 AM

Patek Philippe watch for sale

Panerai watch for sale November 16th, 2009 08:51:06 AM

Longines watches

Lady Watch watches November 16th, 2009 08:52:20 AM

<a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/Tudor/">replica Tudor</a><a href="replica'>http://www.iwcwatches.us/U-boat/">replica U-boat</a>

replica Tag Heuer November 16th, 2009 09:16:24 AM

http://www.cheapgoodssale.com

china wholeshoe November 18th, 2009 11:16:17 AM

<a href="Tag'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Tag-Heuer/">Tag Heuer watch for sale</a> <a href="Tudor'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Tudor/">Tudor watch for sale</a> <a href="U-boat'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/U-boat/">U-boat watch for sale</a> <a href="Vacheron'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Vacheron-Constantin/">Vacheron Constantin watch for sale</a> <a href="Rolex'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/">Rolex watch for sale</a> <a href="Rolex'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Air%20King/">Rolex Air-King watch for sale</a> <a href="Rolex'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Datejust%20II/">Rolex Datejust II watch for <a href="Rolex'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/DateJust/">Rolex Datejust watch for sale</a> <a href="Rolex'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Submariner/">Rolex Submariner watch for sale</a> <a href="Yachtmaster'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Yachtmaster/">Yachtmaster watch for sale</a> <a href="Rolex'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Day%20Date%20II/">Rolex Day-Date II watch for sale</a> <a href="Rolex'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Daytona/">Rolex Daytona watch for sale</a> <a href="Rolex'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Explorer/">Rolex Explorer watch for sale</a> <a href="Rolex'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/GMT/">Rolex GMT watch for sale</a> <a href="Rolex'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Sea%20Dweller/">Rolex Sea-Dweller watch for sale</a> <a href="Rolex'>http://www.cartierwatches.us/Rolex/Day%20Date/">Rolex Day Date watch for sale</a>

Rolex Datejust II watch for November 19th, 2009 09:44:41 AM

Add Commment

Log In

E-Mail:
Password:
Register
Reset Password

E-Mail:

Daily Vet

Careerists

Did you always want to be a vet or vet technician? Thinking about it? Working on it? Need some Help?

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

- Mohandas Gandhi