Crosspost from Pets Group re cat dying of H1N1 in OR:

[kestrel91316]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=243x41064

[Nikki Stone1]

1. I didn't know this flu could pass to people's pets.

Wow.

[kestrel91316]

2. The first reported feline case in the US was last week. That cat recovered,

and wasn't very sick to begin with apparently.

It has not been found in dogs to date. It HAS been found in (and killed) ferrets.

[Nikki Stone1]

3. Anything special about cats and ferrets?

And not dogs?

[kestrel91316]

5. Every species is "different". Not special, just different creatures,

with different molecular biologies. It comes down to proteins and receptor sites on cell surfaces.

[Angry Dragon]

9. Any hogs infected to your knowledge??

The reason I ask is because they say hogs are close to us in so many ways.

[kestrel91316]

13. H1N1 has been reported in a herd of swine in Taiwan:

http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus/default.asp
(snip)
November 5, 2009) Taiwan confirms 2009 H1N1 influenza in swine herd.
On November 5, Taiwan submitted a report to the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) confirming 2009 H1N1 in a swine herd in T'ai-Tung County. Illness was first observed on October 19 and tests confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza on November 2. Clinical signs observed included coughing and diarrhea. All pigs have recovered from the illness.
(snip)

Swine producers in the US are shitting bricks over the prospecto f H1N1 in their herds - it can be economically devastating.

[Nikki Stone1]

12. OK. I'll let my pet owning friends know.

Thanks for the public service here.

[kestrel91316]

4. Link to article in DVM Newsmagazine:

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Veterinary+news/H1N1-infected-cat-dies-in-Oregon/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/642787?contextCategoryId=378

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. I am considering that if I get the flu

the parrots are going to the vet for the week... or so...

I do not want to pass it to them... not a good idea.

[kestrel91316]

7. Absolutely NO need to do so. Birds are unaffected by H1N1.

I am considering posting on my blog that clients should board their cats for a week if they (the owner) get the flu. Not something I normally suggest, because it's so stressful for kitties......

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Well there are two reasons I am thinking of this

the very distant chance of a mutation... almost next to zero.. but also they need certain level of care... and if Hubby needs to work I NEED REST.

So for me mostly

[kestrel91316]

10. That makes sense.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Trust me they can be rather noisy

I love them to death, but today the kids spent a lot of time in time out.

(Treating a parrot like a three year old does work)

[kestrel91316]

14. Frequently Asked Questions about the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus and Pets

http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus/new_flu_virus_faq_pet_owners.asp