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The makers of Blue Buffalo pet foods are recalling certain lots of the company’s Wilderness Chicken-Dog, Basics Salmon-Dog and Large Breed Adult Dog products due to fears that the food may contain higher levels of vitamin D than are specified.
Alert Information Provided Courtesy Of Our Compassionate Care Centers
Iowa officials confirmed on November 4 that a cat tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. This is the first time the strain was diagnosed in a cat. Since this diagnosis, two additional cats have been diagnosed. H1N1 has been found in humans, cats (including a cheetah), pigs, birds, and ferrets. The virus appears to have been transmitted from the owners to the cat. Two of the three members of the family that live with the pet had suffered from influenza-like illness before the cat became ill. At this time, there has not been a case of H1N1 transmitted from a pet to a human. Fortunately, the family members and the cat made a full recovery.
This was not the only recent H1N1 first. On October 19, the USDA's laboratory confirmed the presence of the virus in a pig sample collected at the Minnesota State Fair, the first confirmed case in the U.S. swine population.
Additionally, a ferret in Oregon tested positive for H1N1 on October 9. The ferret had been taken to a veterinary hospital after showing weakness followed by sneezing, coughing and fever. This client and her children had flu symptoms as well. In this case the owner is believed to have transmitted the virus to the ferret.
Currently, vaccines are not available for cats or dogs to protect against the H1N1 strain of influenza. There is a vaccine for a different strain of influenza in dogs called H3N8. This vaccine is not believed to have any cross-protection for H1N1. If you have any questions regarding the canine influenza vaccine, please contact our hospital.
Thankfully, all cases of H1N1 Influenza in pets have been transmitted from pet owner to the pets. At this time the best protection we can give our pets is to recognize the symptoms of H1N1 Influenza early and seek immediate veterinary care. The cat and ferrets with confirmed cases all showed similar signs. It is assumed that dogs would likely have similar symptoms. The symptoms include the following:
If you or your family is experiencing flu-like symptoms, be sure to take the same precautions with your pets as you do with your family members. Wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and avoid close contact with your pets.
