The recent avian influenza outbreak in the Northeast has raised concerns among pet owners and veterinarians alike.
While avian flu primarily affects birds, and you’ve most likely felt that in your grocery stores with the empty shelves of eggs, its implications for dogs and cats do warrant some attention.
Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is caused by influenza Type A viruses, which primarily infect wild birds and domestic poultry. Occasionally, certain strains can jump species, infecting mammals, including humans, dogs, and cats. The strain of particular concern in this outbreak is H5N1, which has shown zoonotic potential, meaning it can spread from animals to humans or other species.
Dogs and cats are generally less susceptible to avian influenza than birds, but infections have been documented. Pets typically contract the virus by:
- Ingesting contaminated birds: Dogs or outdoor cats that hunt or scavenge infected wild birds are at greater risk. Recently it has also been linked to consumption of contaminated raw meat diets. The most common diets of concern are poultry based diets. However, with H5N1 being found in dairy cattle, we can not ignore the possibility of contaminated beef as well. However, it appears that the viral load in the muscle of cattle is much lower than that of poultry. It has also been reported that cats who have drank raw milk from infected cows have developed H5N1.
- Contact with contaminated environments: Exposure to areas where infected birds have been or where their droppings are present can also pose a risk. If you come in contact with a deceased bird, please do not touch the bird and report it directly to authorities. Find more information here: https://www.mass.gov/forms/report-observations-of-dead-wild-birds
The most common clinical signs in cats are: fever, lethargy, inappetence, conjunctivitis, oculonasal discharge, dyspnea, neurological signs, and sometimes death. When a patient presents with any of these signs, a veterinarian will ask specifically about exposure to raw milk or raw foods, as well as if the patient is an outdoor cat (and therefore possibly exposed to affected wildlife).
Here are some practical steps to minimize the risk of avian influenza to your pets:
- Limit Exposure: Keep dogs on a leash and supervise outdoor cats to prevent contact with wild birds or their droppings.
- Avoid Feeding Raw Poultry: Ensure that any meat given to pets is fully cooked to eliminate potential viral contamination.
- Maintain Hygiene: Wash your hands and clean your pet’s paws after outdoor activities.
- Vaccination Updates: While there is no specific vaccine for avian influenza in pets, keeping your pet’s general vaccinations up-to-date helps bolster overall immunity.
The current treatment for H5N1 is generally just supportive care. No specific antiviral agents are available for treatment, and those used in humans for influenza have not been studied in animals. In birds, recovery of HPAI is extremely rare.
You can visit one of our seven urgent care hospitals in Massachusetts and Rhode Island if you suspect your pet came in contact with an infected bird or is showing any of the clinical signs for infection. Book online or view our hours before you walk-in at veturgentcare.com. We have locations in Braintree, Dedham, East Providence, Easton, Plymouth, Saugus and Worcester.