ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Throughout this year, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) stated there was an uptick in bird flu cases spreading not only to birds, but also other animals. The organization has detected the virus in poultry and dairy farms across the nation, consequently affecting nearby humans and pets.
“Bird flu tends to originate in migratory bird flocks, like geese and ducks,” Northern Valley Animal Clinic Owner Dr. Brad Treder said. “As far as pets, cats seem to be the more vulnerable species.”
According to Treder, the biggest risk of getting the flu is through raw food. He said cats, especially those living near dairy farms, are more likely to consume raw milk, leading to the contraction of Avian Influenza.
“Generally, house pets are not going to be at much risk as long as we’re not feeding a raw diet or raw milk to them,” Treder said. “There could be some risk in families that have backyard chickens where they’re accessible to migratory birds.”
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, clinical signs of infection in cats are better known than in dogs. Signs in either species may include the following:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Low appetite
- Reddened or inflamed eyes
- Discharge from the eyes and nose
- Difficulty breathing
- Neurologic signs, like tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness
Treder said some of the best ways to prevent your pets from catching bird flu is not letting them consume any form of raw food. Locally, he said Northern Valley Animal Clinic has not seen any cases of bird flu in cats or dogs.
For more information on bird flu and its impact on pets, visit CDC’s and AVMA’s websites.
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