Readers' Comments
Article:
Fri, Dec 11 | By Gabrielle Jonas | 113
Three cats in two continents have contracted the influenza A from the H1N1 virus, the American Veterinary Medical Association reported Thursday. In all three cases, their owners had themselves suffered from flu-like symptoms or been infected with th… more ›
106 results
Hokyung K.
3 years ago
Recently, I bought new dog and cat food. I feel much safer after checking that my babies look for new, delicious food I just got for them. We have to keep checking whether babies have any unusual symptoms
di
3 years ago
It really questions the old farce about people and animals transmitting diseases between each other. I agree that infected or sick people should do all to prevent the spread of the flu, wash hands, stay isolated, and now, stay away from your pet when you are sick. A good diet and vaccination of pets helps. We always take our shoes off at the door, and have house shoes worn in the house to help prevent such disease as parvo, which we vaccinate, and anything else that might spread by contact. Overall phylo idea, is you can not live in a bubble, nore our animals, so we must take the best of care in preventing the spread of illnesses, however the germs will be. hate touching the shopping cart and placing my food in it....distgusting to see how it is used, kids placed in them with their shoes, out side in the weather and how ever else one sees the dirty thing....not paranoid either.
Gregory H.
3 years ago
This is very sad especially for the pets not on the proper diet. However I think like humans if the pets are on a proper diet then thei immune system will be strong enough to handle it.
Gregory H.
3 years ago
Thanks there are so many things that is done today to bring down the immune system. Our pets immune system is strong if we give it the opportunity to be strong. I know dogs that have lived up to 30 years and died of old age with the proper diet.
Dstrode09
3 years ago
Great information, glad to know that cats also can contract the H1N1 virus. I just got vaccinated yesterday for H1N1, so at least my cats will be protected from catching it from me. And will keep my pets away from anyone else that may be ill with any virus. Scary that our pets can catch our illnesses to.
Denise L.
3 years ago
This is frightening & I believe all this wouldn't be happening if antibiotics weren't overprescribed or added to livestock feed (which makes us immune to the antibiotics, requiring stronger prescriptions...making it a vivious cycle). i also feel that flu vaccines makes matters worse (many people still get sick, they don't prevent all flu strains & flu viruses mutate).
Linda B.
3 years ago
I agree. I've worked in hospitals and clinics for 30 years - people want antibiotics for everything and unfortunately many doctors give them just to pacify their patients. Then people stop taking the antibiotics when they feel better (not finishing the full course to make sure the infection is cured).
Ragdollkitties
3 years ago
This is a very informative article. I learned a lot from it and I hope other cat owners do too. Knowing what symptoms to look for is very helpful. It seems that prompt medical attention for a cat with H1N1 is crucial.
Peggy W.
3 years ago
Hi Linda. Yes, animals can catch diseases from humans. These diseases are called "reverse zoonoses". A zoonose is a disease that humans get from animals and can be of bacterial, parasitic, fungal or viral. What pokes at my interest with this article is the assumption earlier on with H1N1 that pets couldn't catch it from humans--now they are saying something different. Is it mutating this fast? If it is mutating then how affective is the vaccine that are being given to Humans? These are only a few questions that I pose to CDC in Georgia.
Peggy W.
3 years ago
I'm a little skeptical of the information given with this article. Up at the top of the article it mentions that 3 cats contracted influenzae A virus from H1N1. H1N1 is an "A" influenzae virus. Something seems amiss--not sure whether there is writer misinformation or what. I'm wondering if it is a form similar to H1N1 and is part of the "A" flu???
Michele Z.
3 years ago
The ASAP (or STAT!) is the best advice. However, I wonder how many "sick" pet owners wait too long, precisely because they don't feel well themselves.
Michele Z.
3 years ago
Isn't it also possible that the cats are the FIRST to get sick, and then pass it on to their parents? The parents might THINK their cats got sick after they did, but cats are notorious for hiding their symptoms.
Debra B.
3 years ago
It's possible. I have had about 5 cats with some sneezing going on, but I'm pretty sure it is upper respiratory and not lower respiratory. None of the humans have had any colds or upper respiratory problems. One cat has a sneezing fit with about 20 sneezes in quick succession. If he continues, then I will take him to the vet to make sure his lungs are clear and it hasn't become lower respiratory.
Kadiquilts
3 years ago
"Social Distancing" doesn't really seem like an option when you are a pet owner. Most dogs and cats want to be near you when you are sick. This is very scary to me.
Michele Z.
3 years ago
How TRUE! My cats just like to snuggle, whether sick or well--but especially if I'm in bed longer than usual.
Debra B.
3 years ago
I know, that would be scary for you. The one cat that died the same day that she got treatment was from PA. In humans, the H1N1 seems to be far more prevalent in the younger population with kids not usually having too severe symptoms, although many young kids have died from H1N1 in the US.
Debra B.
3 years ago
OK, I only read through this article quickly, but this is a photo of Danis's Drax and Loki! When I saw the photo of 2 cats that I recognized, I thought the article was that these particular 2 cats got the H1N1 flu. The 3 cats that have died were from Oregon and Colorado. Hey, Danis, did you "courteously" provide this photo or knew zootoo was going to use it? I hope the H1N1 flu isn't in your house. I don't know if I'd like my cats photo associated with this article. Yikes! I was alarmed that Danis's cats were ill.
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