PJBoosinger

November 18, 2009
The Oregon state public health veterinarian has reported that a pet cat has died from presumed 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection. The cat was one of 4 cats in the household and became ill approximately one week after a child in household had a flu-like illness. It developed labored breathing and was presented to a veterinarian on November 4. The cat was not coughing or sneezing but had pneumonia. The cat's condition deteriorated over the next 3 days, and it died on November 7. Samples were obtained and tested (PCR) positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Additional samples were sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) for confirmation and are still pending. At this time this is a presumed, not confirmed, case of 2009 H1N1 influenza infection.

Well, I'll be keeping the hand sanitizer outside my door and using it before entering the house to protect my fur babies!

The three other cats in the household also became ill with different degrees of sneezing and coughing, but recovered from their illnesses. Samples collected from these cats were negative for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

Hm, that they were sick indicates something.  What?????

"Dr. Emilio DeBess, Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian, cautions owners and veterinarians that it may be possible for cats to transmit this virus to humans. Coughing and sneezing can spread the virus which can remain infectious for about a week outside the body. Thoroughly wash your hands when handling sick pets or when you are sick."  NOBODY PANIC about that.  Since it's we humans going out and interacting with others, we're far more likely to be bringing illnesses home to our pets.  HOWEVER, I'm THRILLED to see a veterinarian saying this.  We all need to be cognizant of transmissions BOTH ways and tend our HOUSEHOLD health.

So far, I haven't seen a recommendation to confine cats that are sneezing but I'll make that as a practical recommendation.  When a virus can remain infections for a week outside the body, a cat flinging snot EVERYWHERE (and I can assure you that I mean EVERYWHERE) needs to be confined!  I say that because the virus doesn't need to be all over your home AND because cleaning up cat snot is NOT fun; it is slimy and difficult to remove from textured walls.  (I had a cat with susceptibility to a common cat virus and recurring bouts with the virus.  I got all too much practice cleaning up cat snot but it's not much worse than a toddler with sniffles and sneezes.  After 3 years, my cat would even sneeze into a tissue in my hand like a kid :)

Anybody else tracking?  Pets in Nebraska, Iowa, Oregon, and Utah (so far).  Where's the dog?  Ya gotta know it's coming and we had enough with H3N8 to worry about for them!!!