MASON CITY, IA- H1N1 is now hitting more than just pigs and people. Doctors discovered the first case of the flu virus in a cat this week in Iowa.
Veterinarian's say pet owners are concerned and asking questions. For many people their pets are like children. They feed them, pet them and take care of them when they're ill.
Now the H1N1 flu has pet owners concerned.
Cat owner, Cindy Smith says, "you know what it does to people..what can it do to my cats-I don't know."
But Veterinarian Dr. Matthew Smith says folks shouldn't be too worried yet. "It's really not common at all..millions of people have gotten the flu in the country and only one cat has been diagnosed with it...so it must be very difficult to get a cat infected."
The virus is spread through the air, and just like in people, symptoms usually include coughing, running nose or lack of appetite. Smith says our feline and canine friends have completely different respiratory and immune systems.
Dr Smith says "owners need to realize that if your cat or dog has upper respiratory symptoms, least likely suspected is the H1N1 virus."
They have many different viruses with common symptoms. Dogs even have their own influenza.
Dr. Smith says there is no proof of humans getting the flu from a pet, and owners should not send their pet away while they're fighting the flu.
Dr. Smith says,"the answer is, you really don't need to do anything different and the odds are slim and to do something like put it in another environment is just gonna stress it."
Vet's are still learning a lot about the swine flu and it's effects on cats and dogs and as far as they know, this one account is a rarity.
Dr. Smith adds, "it's one cat out of millions; if we had millions cats exposed to H1N1 and one cat got sick, so it isn't likely to happen."
Dr. Smith says the H1N1 flu strain in cats is not proving to be life threatening so far, and there is currently no vaccine available for pets.
If you're noticing your pet has flu-like symptoms, Doctor Smith urges you to start by contacting a veterinarian.
They'll help you figure out the proper treatment.
