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The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is advising Iowa pet owners to keep their cats and dogs away from sick or deceased wild birds and animals.
Pet owners should also try to prevent cats that have outdoor access from hunting wildlife because of the ongoing threat posed by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) circulating within wild and migratory birds.
IDALS offers these tips to help keep pets healthy:
• Keep pets away from dead wildlife, including birds.
• Do not allow pets to kill or eat wildlife.
• Do not feed pets raw, undercooked or unpasteurized frozen or freeze-dried milk, eggs, meat or organs. Cooking or heat-treating pet food to appropriate temperatures inactivates H5N1 HPAI. Freeze dried and frozen unpasteurized pet food is often considered raw and can pose a risk to pets.
• Keep pets away from livestock including poultry and dairy cattle.
• Wash your hands and change your clothes after interacting with livestock and before interacting with pets.
H5N1 HPAI is a viral disease that can travel in wild and migratory birds and is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys. H5N1 HPAI can also impact dairy cattle and other mammals, including dogs and cats.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently reported a resurgence of H5N1 HPAI within wild and migratory birds in Iowa. Several states have confirmed cases of H5N1 HPAI in cats, with several tied to the consumption of raw milk, uncooked pet food, or interactions with diseased wildlife, including birds.
Recently, a predominantly outdoor domestic cat in Hamilton County displayed clinical signs consistent with H5N1 HPAI and tested positive for H5N1 HPAI after the veterinarian ruled out other diseases.
If a pet exhibits clinical signs of HPAI, IDALS advises contacting a veterinarian. Cats and dogs can both get H5N1 HPAI, but cats are more susceptible.
Clinical signs may include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, red eyes, respiratory signs including eye or nose discharge, neurological signs including tremors, seizures, incoordination or blindness, and sudden death.
Pet owners should always consult their veterinarians if they have questions about the health and wellbeing of their animals.
