Which side of the flea prevention debate are you on?
A) Natural remedies (usually don't work)
B) Vet-recommended preventatives️
Tag a pet parent who needs to see this.
#dogs #pets #pethealth

ASPCA: #BirdFlu and Cats: What You Need to Know

March 14, 2025

"Cats are very susceptible to H5N1 infection, but at this time the overall risk for exposure and infection is believed to be low. Dogs appear less susceptible to the current H5N1 strain, though this could evolve.

"Cats who are most at risk include those who:

- Consume unpasteurized dairy products or raw or undercooked poultry
- Are exposed to sick or deceased wild birds, particularly waterfowl like geese and ducks
- Come in contact with poultry or dairy cows on farms or in backyard flocks and those in contact with infected people or animals

"You can limit the risk of exposure and infection by keeping cats indoors or in enclosed '#catios.' Also, avoid feeding unpasteurized dairy products or raw or undercooked poultry (chicken, turkey and duck). This includes raw diets. Prevent your cats from coming in contact with sick or deceased wild birds, particularly waterfowl such as geese and ducks, and prevent contact with dairy cows or poultry.

"Monitor your cat for signs of H5N1 infection, which include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, trouble breathing, lethargy, disorientation, trouble walking and sudden onset of severe disease or death without prior signs of illness or injury.

"One last note: Experts’ understanding of #H5N1 avian influenza is continually evolving and recommendations may change as we learn more. Your veterinarian is your best resource. Contact them if you have questions about your cat’s health or if you suspect illness."

https://www.aspca.org/news/bird-flu-and-cats-what-you-need-know
#HPAINews #AvianInfluenza #AvianFlu #PetHealth #ASPCA #CatHealth

#UK: Warning as #BirdFlu found in dead gull

by Sarah Turnnidge, April 2, 2025

"A warning has been issued after a confirmed case of bird flu was found in a wild herring gull.

"#Devizes Town Council has urged dog owners to take care after the bird was found dead in the town with H5N1 Avian Influenza as part of ongoing surveillance work.

"In a post on social media a spokesperson for the local authority confirmed #Wiltshire Council had been notified of the finding by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (3APHA).

"The public have been told to avoid touching dead or sick wild birds, their #feathers, or surfaces contaminated by #BirdDroppings.

"#DogOwners should keep their pets on leads and use footpaths, the APHA said, with people who keep poultry or other birds advised to wash their hands and #disinfect footwear after handling.

"The Health Security Agency has said the risk to public health is very low. [But remember -- it is deadly for cats, and can be passed from humans to cats].

"A spokesperson for Devizes Town Council said: 'We will continue to monitor the situation and keep the public informed of any developments.'

Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g2xx0jdr6o
#HPAINews #AvianInfluenza #AvianFlu #PetHealth #WiltshireUK #WildHerringGulls

Jen Reeder is delighted to be the new pets contributor at Forbes.com. Her first article about cats covers ways to protect cats from bird flu. [Avian influenza type A (H5N1) This is one of 4 free at Forbes. #birdflu #forbes #pethealth https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenreeder/2025/03/24/cats-are-getting-bird-flu-heres-how-to-protect-them/

Lessons I learned from overcoming blunders in giving meds to my cat:
• Wrap in a towel
• Use a pill popper
• Chase with Churu
No more scratched arms. You're welcome.
#cats #felines #pethealth

Household cats infected with #BirdFlu in #NYC, city investigating

Story by Adam Warner, March 14, 2025

https://www.msn.com/en-us/pets-and-animals/pets/household-cats-infected-with-bird-flu-in-nyc-city-investigating/ar-AA1AVzVh
#HPAINews #AvianInfluenza #AvianFlu #NYC #BirdMigration #HPAI #NewYorkPublicHealth #PetHealth #CatHealth #NewYork

How your #cat can contract #BirdFlu without seeing a bird

New data reveals unexpected infection pathways to #HouseholdPets

By Serena Summer
Feb 25, 2025

Excerpt: "The CDC report details two confirmed cases of indoor domestic cats contracting bird flu, with both felines belonging to #DairyWorkers who had previously displayed symptoms consistent with the virus. Prior to the cats becoming ill, their owners had experienced symptoms including #vomiting and #diarrhea. Although the owners declined testing for bird flu, laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of the virus in both cats, with one eventually dying from the infection.

"This finding represents a significant development in our understanding of #AvianInfluenza #transmission, as it suggests that #humans may serve as intermediary hosts capable of passing the virus to household pets. Previously, most concern centered on direct transmission from infected birds to mammals, but these cases indicate more complex transmission patterns may exist.

"The indoor setting of these infections is particularly noteworthy, as it eliminates the possibility of direct contact with infected #WildBirds, which had been considered the primary transmission route for cats in previous outbreaks."

Read more:
https://rollingout.com/2025/02/25/bird-flu-transmission-humans-cats/
#HPAINews #BirdFlu #AvianInfluenza #PetHealth #CatHealth

#Spring #migration season could cause uptick in #AvianFlu

By Brooke Griffin, KIRO 7 News
March 05, 2025

"Animal experts are warning people to protect their pets and farm animals from bird flu infection as migratory birds make their way across Washington State.

"Amber Betts with the Washington State Department of Agriculture tells us there are currently six million birds migrating across the United States, many of which will fly through Washington state as they head to Canada.

"She said with this current strain of avian influenza, #MigratoryBirds and #WildBirds are the main distributors when it comes to spreading the disease.

"'There’s different species that can have the virus without symptoms and then others if they get it it’s not good for them,' Betts said.

"Betts tells us bird flu kills chickens very quickly once they are infected but many wild birds will not only survive with the disease, they may not even show symptoms.

"She says the sick wild birds will fly across states and countries, infecting entire sections of land with susceptible chickens, ducks, and birds as they go.

"'It can live on surfaces for quite some time,' Betts said. 'If there’s a shared water source and an infected bird drinks out of that and then another bird drinks it, the disease can be shared that way and through droppings.'

"She tells us there are precautionary measures that can be taken to prevent the spread.

"'Make sure the water or food we leave out for our backyard birds is under a cover and not accessible by wild birds. Make sure they don’t have access to a pond where our birds have access as well as the wild birds.' Betts said.

"There have already been at least six confirmed cases of pet cats testing positive for avian flu in [#WashingtonState].

"'That’s the reason we are concerned every time we see migration season coming upon us,' Betts said.

She said the best practice is keeping your pets from drinking any standing water and farm animals away from fields with bird droppings is the best way to prevent them from getting sick."

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/spring-migration-season-could-cause-uptick-avian-flu/4XY7RZUK7ZH3RMN3RHRV6EG7ZU/
#HPAINews #BirdFlu #AvianInfluenza #PetHealth

Veterinarian Warns of Flu Symptoms in Dogs Pet Parents Should Never Ignore

Dr. Mark discusses dog flu symptoms, prevention, and treatment—and what you should know about the #BirdFlu.

by Nataliya Vaitkevich, Canva
Feb 22, 2025 8:05 AM EST

"With all the recent stories about the outbreaks of #AvianFlu among #cats, we are often asked about how prone our dogs are to this new variant.

"It is not impossible for a dog to catch bird flu, but it is extremely unlikely. The dog flu that was first identified in Chicago in the US is caused by the #H3N2 variant, but the avian flu that has caused the cases in cats after eating raw food or drinking raw milk is caused by a different variant, #H5N1.

"The only H5N1 cases that have been identified in dogs involved direct contact. One was in #Thailand and was probably spread to the dog after eating an infected #duck, and the other was in Canada, where the dog only got sick after eating an infected wild #goose. No cases have been reported after eating raw dog food.

"The other causes of flu in dogs are much more common than the H5N1 variant, and a vaccine for those types has already been developed. Canine flu (#CIV) is caused by H3N8 or H3N2, unlike the H5N1 strain that is making eggs so expensive."

https://pethelpful.com/dogs/veterinarian-warns-flu-symptoms-in-dogs-pet-parents-should-never-ignore
#HPAINews #BirdFlu #AvianInfluenza #PetHealth

Did you know that dental disease is the most common disease in our pups? Fortunately, a crunchy diet, appropriate chew treats, and daily toothbrushing help can reduce or even prevent it. Check out our website for some tips: https://www.mspca.org/pet_resources/how-to-brush-your-dogs-teeth/
#NationalPetDentalHealthMonth #pethealth #petsafety #pet #pets #dog #dogs #pettips #massachusetts

Can cats get COVID? If you’ve ever wondered whether your feline friend is at risk, I break down what the research says, how it spreads, and what precautions to take. Read more: https://pethealthlove.com/can-cats-get-covid/ #cats #PetHealth #COVID19