First Feline Dies of the Confirmed H1N1 in Oregon

Last week, the cat of Rhonda Rebmann of Lebanon, Oregon, began to experience problems breathing. She felt that it might be something as simple as a hair ball or at the very worst the cat could have pneumonia. She took the 10-year-old feline to a local veterinarian. After tests, x-rays, and discovering other members of the family had flu-like symptoms the veterinarian became suspicious that he was not dealing with a common ailment. The cat later died last week despite ongoing veterinarian care.

Tests confirmed today that the feline died from the H1N1 virus. This is the first case of felines or any other animal besides humans, pigs, and perhaps birds contracting the H1N1 virus. This means that the virus has jumped species again which is highly unusual except in the most aggressive forms of a virus. It will be interesting to see what this means for nationwide health. We have to wonder if the virus is mutating even more and will prove far more lethal then experts at first assumed. Will the H1N1 vaccinations work if the virus is mutating at a faster rate then we can create a strong vaccination supply? If the virus is mutating will the vaccinations be effective?

The CDC has only just confirmed this case of feline infection. It will be interesting to see what they say in the coming days about this virus mutating.

We have to wonder what this means for our feline population and the feral population of cats. Will cats start becoming sick across the nation? Will vets be faced with a feline pandemic similar to distemper or the the dreaded Parvo of dogs? Will the virus stop jumping species with cats or continue to infect other animals?

Any time a virus mutates and jumps species it can become a problem for the human race and animals alike.

Experts are cautioning people to be especially careful with their animals now that H1N is infecting felines. If your cat is sick or suffering breathing problems please take it to your local veterinarian immediately. Also treat the cat with the same caution that you would if it was a human who is experiencing flu symptoms. Try to keep the cat away from young children, babies, people who's health is compromised, or elderly. If you are feeling sick do not handle your pets.

Right now there is speculation that felines and ferrets in Nebraska and Iowa may also be infected with the H1N virus. This has not been confirmed by the CDC but the American Veterinarian Medical Association is stating that these animals are suffering from the H1N1 virus.

The CDC has stated that the virus is made up human, pig, and bird DNA currently but up until today it was not believed it could infect other species.

Sources:

http://kezi.com/page/149675

http://www.examiner.com/x-801-Pet-Care-Examiner~y2009m11d19-H1N1-infection-found-in-second-feline

http://www.ecoworld.com/animals/iowa-cat-first-get-swine-flu.html