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"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."-Lewis Carroll
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Member Since: 6/2008Last Seen: 11/25/2009

Another reason to cover your cough: pets at risk

News Type: Event — Seeded on Sat Nov 7, 2009 2:28 PM EST
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US veterinarians have reported that a pet cat in Iowa has contracted the H1N1 virus, apparently from its sick owners.

The flu has also been reported in two pet ferrets, who were believed to have been similarly infected by their owners.

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Related Articles
Cat swine flu: H1N1 latest illness shared by owner, petChicago TribuneSun Nov 81Comments
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{"commentId":10543778,"authorDomain":"alysmum"}
Sydney - 5

Yet another cause for concern in our households this flu season.

{"commentId":10543778,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"alysmum"}
  • 5 votes
Reply#1 - Sat Nov 7, 2009 2:29 PM EST
{"commentId":10543967,"authorDomain":"mtmeyer1"}
Dowser

Poor babies! I hope they stay safe!

Thanks Sydney, this is a great article!

{"commentId":10543967,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"mtmeyer1"}
  • 4 votes
Reply#2 - Sat Nov 7, 2009 2:41 PM EST
{"commentId":10544194,"authorDomain":"alysmum"}
Sydney - 5

Hi, Dowser!

Thanks! It is yet another thing to consider in this swine flu outbreak. :(

{"commentId":10544194,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"alysmum"}
  • 4 votes
#2.1 - Sat Nov 7, 2009 2:55 PM EST
Reply
{"commentId":10545323,"authorDomain":"pennid"}
PenniD

I didn't realize we could spread it to our pets. This is something many pet owners will want to know -- good seed.

{"commentId":10545323,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"pennid"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#3 - Sat Nov 7, 2009 4:06 PM EST
{"commentId":10545509,"authorDomain":"alysmum"}
Sydney - 5

Hi, Penni,

Thanks! Yeah, it seems to add a whole other level to the health problem.

{"commentId":10545509,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"alysmum"}
  • 4 votes
#3.1 - Sat Nov 7, 2009 4:18 PM EST
Reply
{"commentId":10545943,"authorDomain":"BlueLeftHand"}
Kim-298921

I was told by my physician a long time ago that my strep throat was contagious to my doggy. So, no surprise our pets can get flu too. When you're sick, you really want a sweet lovey pet nearby for comfort too. We should all be careful.

{"commentId":10545943,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"BlueLeftHand"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#4 - Sat Nov 7, 2009 4:44 PM EST
{"commentId":10547970,"authorDomain":"alysmum"}
Sydney - 5

Hi, Kim.

I'd been told the same regarding strep and pets, and I also knew that various strains of the flu have effected various kinds of pets in the past. So I wasn't surprised either. Just real sorry to hear this. :(

I love having a pet or two to cuddle with when I'm sick, too. But you're so right. Time to be careful with our furry family members. (Darn it!)

{"commentId":10547970,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"alysmum"}
  • 4 votes
#4.1 - Sat Nov 7, 2009 6:56 PM EST
Reply
{"commentId":10550949,"authorDomain":"redshadowlyingdownwithagreenbackground"}
redshadowwithgreenbackground

More good information. I will make sure I safeguard my dog. Thanks for posting.

{"commentId":10550949,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"redshadowlyingdownwithagreenbackground"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#5 - Sat Nov 7, 2009 10:24 PM EST
{"commentId":10551650,"authorDomain":"alysmum"}
Sydney - 5

Hi, redshadow!

My pleasure. Let's hope none of our pets gets sick!

{"commentId":10551650,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"alysmum"}
  • 3 votes
#5.1 - Sat Nov 7, 2009 11:19 PM EST
Reply
{"commentId":10551222,"authorDomain":"Husker88Fan"}
Husker88Fan

I have lupus (affects the immune system) and we've noticed over the last 10 years that if I got sick, Nascar (my now 14 year old chow/brittany mix) would get sick. If Nascar wasn't feeling good, I would get ill. We spoke to both our vet and family doctor. They confirmed that it was highly probable. Because of the lupus we have always been careful to take precautions against germs carried in by clients, the mail etc (not that you can protect from all). But, we are now more conscientious of (what should be anyway) protection after contact with my little furry guys. So, no, this doesn't surprise me either. What is amazing is the similarity of illnesses beyond the immune system .. such as I have arthritis, osteoporosis and Fibromyalgia and Nascar has hip dysplasia and arthritis. Nascar and I both get cataracts, Nascar and I both have the same thyroid disease .. to name a few. Like our doctors said, while much of it is coincidental (because of his age and mine) it makes one wonder about environmental influences. Never the less, we will suffer together as we're in it together. LOL

{"commentId":10551222,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"Husker88Fan"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#6 - Sat Nov 7, 2009 10:45 PM EST
{"commentId":10551316,"authorDomain":"Husker88Fan"}
Husker88Fan

I keep forgetting that not everyone online knows me LOL .. when I say we will suffer together ... make no mistake that I DO NOT allow Nascar to suffer! He is treated regularly and while he remains comfortable more permanent decisions can be postponed. Actually, he probably sees his vet a lot more often than I see my doctor .. yup, an anxious Mama I can be. LOL

{"commentId":10551316,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"Husker88Fan"}
  • 3 votes
#6.1 - Sat Nov 7, 2009 10:53 PM EST
{"commentId":10551886,"authorDomain":"alysmum"}
Sydney - 5

Hi, MJ!

Everyone who knows you also knows that you're an A+ per mom, but it never hurts to clarify for someone stopping in who doesn't know you.

Isn't that amazing about the two of you sharing so many ailments? I've heard of that before. In fact, my late kitty Tina and I both developed asthma at about the same time. Mine seemed to be brought on by taking Indocin, a NSAID. She hadn't taken anything. It was also quite a coincidence.

There's a lot we don't understand about our relationships with our pets. And the things around us that impact our health. Whatever it's about, I think it points to how close our bond with them can be.

{"commentId":10551886,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"alysmum"}
  • 3 votes
#6.2 - Sat Nov 7, 2009 11:34 PM EST
Reply
{"commentId":10555300,"authorDomain":"megidoloan"}
Megidoloan

Glad to hear that I'm not just being paranoid when it comes to my guinea pigs (well, pig now, but I rarely have had just one at a time...). I'm very lucky in that, despite my supposedly compromised immune system, I very rarely get contagious illnesses, but if something feels "off," I'll ask someone else in the family to feed/cuddle/take care of the pigs until I feel okay because I'm so afraid of them contacting what I have. Guinea pigs can't fight illness very well, and they do NOT die gracefully. I feel horrible avoiding them and honestly, I probably am overly paranoid, but they're old (far past the typical lifespan of most piggies), and I don't want to risk it. Especially cause whenever I hold and play with them, I give them lots of kisses and cuddles. :)

Hehe, I love my piggies. I'm gonna get all gushy and off-topic now, so I'll stop. :)

{"commentId":10555300,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"megidoloan"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#7 - Sun Nov 8, 2009 6:30 AM EST
{"commentId":10559991,"authorDomain":"alysmum"}
Sydney - 5

Hi, Megidoloan,

Aww. They sound sweet! I'm all about cuddling my pets. Big, small. :) Except, of course, this year if I get "a bug."

I've never had a guinea pig, but I know they're adorable little guys. I didn't know that they didn't fight off disease well, tho. I'm sorry to hear that. Makes the H1N1 thing extra scary. Let's hope it doesn't cross over to their population at all and that its incidence in all our pets remains very, very low. Like around zero.

Wishing the best of health for your little piggie.:)

{"commentId":10559991,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"alysmum"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#8 - Sun Nov 8, 2009 1:08 PM EST
{"commentId":10560406,"authorDomain":"Husker88Fan"}
Husker88Fan
I've never had a guinea pig, but I know they're adorable little guys. I didn't know that they didn't fight off disease well, tho. I'm sorry to hear that. Makes the H1N1 thing extra scary. Let's hope it doesn't cross over to their population at all

Not to frighten anyone, but it's probably bound to happen over time considering the passing of it to the cat. It's my understanding the cat has been successfully treated and is doing fine. There was also a couple of cases where ferrets had it too (one in Oregon and the other in Nebraska) but they both died from it. The most important, and beneficial. thing we can do is to stay vigilant. At the first sign of abnormal behavior make an appointment for treatment for you and/or your pet.

{"commentId":10560406,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"Husker88Fan"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#9 - Sun Nov 8, 2009 1:35 PM EST
{"commentId":10560675,"authorDomain":"alysmum"}
Sydney - 5

MJ,

Thanks for mentioning that! And for the extra details. Poor ferrets! And, of course, the article suggested that the cat had benefit of excellent care due to being so close to a good facility.

I so agree. We don't want to panic, but we do need to keep a good eye on our pets and get any sick one to the vet.

The most recent update I heard on TV pointed out that H1N1 is a whole new situation for vet medicine. Obviously, that's not good. Seems to me that illness in our pets needs to be taken especially seriously right now.

{"commentId":10560675,"threadId":"719138","contentId":"3472290","authorDomain":"alysmum"}
  • 3 votes
#9.1 - Sun Nov 8, 2009 1:52 PM EST
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