CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The CDC is warning pet owners about Bird Flu as pets can both contract and spread the virus.
While the American Veterinary Medical Association says virtually all mammals can get bird flu, the disease is proving to be especially dangerous for cats. While there haven’t been many cases they warn cats can often results in severe illness or death.
Owner of Frey Pet Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Dr. Ryan Steen says Bird Flu shares most of its symptoms with other conditions, meaning they would need to test for it.
“It may not be real obvious on presentation,” Dr. Steen said. ”The general concept that I would just say to all pet owners is if we want to minimize risk.”
Owners with barn cats or cats that spend a lot of time outdoors should be cautious as their pets could be exposed to the virus in a dead bird.
Cats on raw diets are also a concern. Dr. Steen warns that the virus has been found in raw meats and milk.
”This is a virus that can get into dairy facilities, right? That’s how we could have pretty high exposure to cats through raw milk,“ Dr. Steen said. ”Commercially available cat foods should be far less of a concern.”
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has not reported any cases of cats getting Bird Flu. So far, only person is the Northwest part of the state has been infected.
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