Bird flu and sick kitties

cat and chicken

Egg shortages, bird flu, cat flu, sick people – OMG! We have a serious problem with no end in sight. Here’s an update.

Just 12 cats in the US tested positive for avian influenza (H5N1) in 2023. There were 49 last year and 13 already last month. Some of these were barn cats, many more lived in cities and suburbs; a few had never been outside. Bird flu strikes cats fast with lethargy, poor appetite, coughing, sneezing, eye and nose discharges, and in the worst cases, loss of balance, walking in circles, and even seizures. It’s been fatal in 71% of documented feline cases.

Avian influenza started in birds and spreads widely among them. Cats catch it by direct contact with birds, including those they kill, infected cattle, and exposure to nasal fluids. The virus has also been found in some raw diets; Northwest Naturals and Monarch Raw Pet Food have been implicated. Gaston aka “Kitten Kaboodle” is the Nichol family cat. He doesn’t live in a dairy barn, doesn’t consort with birds, and only eats Science Diet. Gaston sleeps well at night.

Avian influenza originated in wild birds outside our borders, very likely in Western Europe. It arrived in our country 3 years ago this month. Since then, we’ve had 153 million confirmed cases in commercial and backyard poultry. It’s been difficult for the US Department of Agriculture to get its arms around this pandemic. Infected flocks are destroyed. That means fewer hens, fewer omelets, and high eggs prices. We can’t blame politicians. None I have known are feathered, although some of them should be.

There is no cause for panic but people are also susceptible. Within our shores 67 human cases have been diagnosed. One of these folks died. Viral spread from one person to another has not occurred.  “This is still a significant public health disease,” said Dr. Ryan Scholz, Oregon’s state veterinarian. “Allowing this disease to circulate allows it more opportunity to mutate, allows it more opportunity to affect more animals, and more opportunity to potentially affect people.” Stay informed.

For help with behavior problems, you can sign-up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist. He provides consultations in-person and in groups by Zoom (drjeffnichol.com). Each week he shares a blog and a video to help bring out the best in pets and their people. Sign up at no charge at drjeffnichol.com. Post pet questions through my website, drjeffnichol.com/contact/ or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.