First cat confirmed to have H1N1

[MuffyBee]

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/health/entries/2009/11/04/first_cat_confirmed_to_have_h1.html

First cat confirmed to have H1N1

By Mary Ann Roser | Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 02:06 PM

It turns out cats can get H1N1, too.

A 13-year-old Iowa cat tested positive swine flu, making it the first time the current strain has been diagnosed in a cat, the American Veterinary Medical Association announced today.

The cat has recovered.

Before today, the veterinary association said the disease has been in humans, pigs, birds and ferrets. I didn’t know about ferrets; that’s also a recent finding.

The association said the cat probably caught the virus from someone it lives with.

“The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) are reminding pet owners that some viruses can pass between people and animals, so this was not an altogether unexpected event,” the news release says. “Pet owners should monitor their pets’ health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness.”

There’s a good Q&A about animals and H1N1 on the association’s site, and you might find it interesting reading.