My question is can household pets get this virus? I worry about my cats; one of my cats has a low immune system. Thanks for any answers that you can provide.
Actually, as I type this, information is being compiled on what other species can be affected by swine flu and assist in its spread. I can tell you many birds of various types are susceptible, especially 'fowl' and waterfowl breeds...and farm livestock (chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc.). Pigs are also able to at least 'breed' swine fly, which includes livestock and pet Vietnamese potbelly pigs. Seals, for those who have them for Vaudeville acts with the seal tooting horns, and possibly horses. There's been no mention of dogs or cats yet, but the study is continuing. All food products for humans and animals made from pigs are safe to eat as swine flu is airborne/respiratory and doesn't come from the flesh/meat of the subject infected.
My hubby said "no" and he must have heard it on the news or radio. I don't really watch or listen to the news anymore. I was worried myself because Foxy has been kind of down lately. Also, first death in American of swine flu was in Houston,TX, a mexican baby. We have a lot and I do not kid, Mexicans where I live, in fact 3 of my 5 surrounding neighbors are and my husband's boss is and he just came back from Mexico. He was so nice to come to work even though he was sick and THEN get checked for the flu! Thank God he didn't have it. Anyway back to cats and dogs: I was once told by my vet that I can't get what she gets and she can't get what I get.... for the most part it make sense.
All sources say cats cannot get the current swine flu because their genetics are different from species which are not immune. Viruses mutate however so you have to keep up with the current info.
I have to trust John Beck's answer, Donna.... he smart, me not,lol. Having 2 17 year old cats, one 8, one 7, makes me worry a bit about their health, but not about the Swine flu getting them. Case in point...last week, my ferret was so sick, he went into coma...thankfully recovered, but it was a regular viral, not swine flu. we have to ever be on guard for the normal things that might harm a pet.
I am pretty sure not, because most of the time animals cannot catch what we can, but only when a virus mutates can another species get it which is what has supposedly happened with swine flu is that it has changed into a form that we can catch but that still doesn't mean that other species can get it..
Well I was told by my vet that cats and dogs can catch any viral infection we do. We can give it to them and they can give it to us. This is an air borne virus, so if you see your pet sneezing or just lying around take them to a vet.
Q: Can animals, such as dogs or cats, contract the swine flu? If so, can they transfer it to humans?
CNN: There is no evidence that dogs and cats can contract swine flu. Still, this is a new strain of swine flu virus, and investigators can’t rule it out until more tests are done. In the past, the avian H5N1 flu has infected domestic cats and at least one dog in Thailand, according to the scientific literature. In 2004, the equine H3 virus appeared to infect dogs. There have been no reports of dogs or cats spreading the flu to people.
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Comments: 28
Having 2 17 year old cats, one 8, one 7, makes me worry a bit about their health, but not about the Swine flu getting them. Case in point...last week, my ferret was so sick, he went into coma...thankfully recovered, but it was a regular viral, not swine flu. we have to ever be on guard for the normal things that might harm a pet.
Q: Can animals, such as dogs or cats, contract the swine flu? If so, can they transfer it to humans?
CNN: There is no evidence that dogs and cats can contract swine flu. Still, this is a new strain of swine flu virus, and investigators can’t rule it out until more tests are done. In the past, the avian H5N1 flu has infected domestic cats and at least one dog in Thailand, according to the scientific literature. In 2004, the equine H3 virus appeared to infect dogs. There have been no reports of dogs or cats spreading the flu to people.