H1N1 flu virus in pets puts focus on sanitation habits

You heard right: Pet cats in Iowa and Oregon have been confirmed with H1N1 virus.

While the stories are true and there is concern as far as which species may break with the virus, it frankly does not change the way we treat felines with respiratory virus symptoms. However, it does bring sanitation issues to the forefront, just as the human exposure to the H1N1 has caused us to have conscientious sanitation habits. I'll summarize these recommendations at the end of the column.

First, let me address the common questions I've been answering lately:

1. Do we have a vaccine against H1N1 for pets? No. We have parinfluenza, canine influenza (a different virus), and bordatella vaccines for dogs.

We also rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and bordatella vaccines for cats. However, there has been no H1N1 vaccine developed for dogs or cats. The human vaccine is not recommended for pet use.

2. Is there a reliable test for H1N1 in pets? Unfortunately, not a convenient test for practitioners. The case of the Iowa cat was only pinned down because of the special interest by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University and their associated diagnostic testing center (National Veterinary Services Laboratory) based in Ames. Such testing is not economically or time practical for the practicing veterinarian as it is a government-requested test that must go through NVSL channels.

3. How does a veterinarian recognize a case of H1N1 or for that matter, any other flu case in a dog or cat? Actually, this is not too different from human flu symptoms. Fever, lethargy, runny nose, lack of appetite, coughing and possibly sneezing. In other words, the symptoms resemble the respiratory viral infections in pets that we've traditionally seen over the years.

4. So what can you veterinarians do for a dog or a cat with these symptoms? We use supportive care, including fluids, antibiotics and I personally employ anti-pyretics to initially reduce fever. Most pets respond well at home, as long as they are eating, and as long as other pets aren't potentially in line to get infected.

5. How contagious do you think this swine flu is? As a profession, we're not sure. However, we do know that good sanitation begins with us as health care providers for pets and that extends to within our facilities. The AVMA came out with a statement for veterinarians this past week, encouraging following stringent protocols for keeping infectious diseases under control.

Any contagious-appearing pets should be isolated/quarantined, and all veterinary staff should practice thorough disinfection and hygiene throughout the day. Of course, thorough hand washing between patients is a must.

For the record, three cases of ferrets being positive for H1N1 have been reported, once again from households where human influenza had been active. Once again, we humbly monitor, yet cannot predict when and where the H1N1 virus may show up next.

Dr. Chris Duke is a veterinarian at Bienville Animal Medical Center in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.