Flu Viruses in Animals

Flu viruses, while being species specific, have a mutating quality to them. This means that they change so that they can spread more easily. Viruses live to breed. Their purpose is to make more viruses, eventually overtaking everything around them. Animals are susceptible to flu viruses, and they also make great hosts for them. Flu viruses mutate, and then jump to other species where they quickly adapt to survive and multiply.

Defining a Virus

Viruses are extremely tiny microorganisms that must attach to a living cell to reproduce. Once they invade a cell, they begin multiplying as quickly as possible. The cell becomes so full that the only thing it can do is explode, sending more viruses into the body. These viruses quickly spread, filling up more and more cells.

Viruses are much smaller than bacteria. They are so small that it is impossible to see them without a microscope. Viruses vary in appearance. Some look like loaves of bread, while others are coiled up like a spring. The flu virus looks like a ball that is covered with two different types of spikes. These spikes help the flu virus invade living cells.

Swine Flu

Pigs can develop a respiratory illness known as swine flu. This causes herds of pigs to become sick. Swine flu is classified as Influenza Type A. People who have direct contact with infected animals are susceptible to getting sick themselves. Because the virus thrives in the digestive tract, it is spread through waste products. Germs spread in the air through dust particles, as well as on surfaces, through direct contact. When people get sick, they also spread the illness when they cough, or touch something that has been infected.

Equine Flu

Horses also get the flu. They develop runny noses, fevers, poor appetites, and even depression from their many symptoms. Horses are big business, and many people get exposed to the equine flu virus globally, as horses are transferred to various shows and events in large numbers.

Avian Flu

The dreaded bird flu has been spread by flocks of birds migrating to different destinations. Avian flu became feared when it began infecting chicken flocks in Hong Kong in 1997. A child got sick while tending to the chickens. She then transferred the illness to her mother. The disease rapidly spread throughout local farming communities. Avian flu is deadly in humans. It has the ability to shut down major organs. Efforts to control the spread of avian flu include killing millions of flocks of chickens, including sick and healthy animals.

Ferrets

Ferrets have been used in flu virus experiments for over 70 years. Scientist began by infecting ferrets with the flu samples taken from the throats of infected people. They then exposed ferrets to the illness by inserting drops of the virus into the nostrils of the ferrets. This led to the discovery of different types of flu viruses. The ferrets caught the flu, and in the process, sneezed on the scientists, who also got sick in return.

Canine Flu

Dogs also can get the flu. However, the virus strains that infect dogs have not mutated and jumped to humans. Dogs infected with canine flu will get many of the expected flu symptoms like coughs, runny noses, and fever. Most of the time, their illness will clear up on its own. It is rare for dogs to get the flu.

Feline Influenza

One of the most common causes of illness in cats is feline influenza. Older cats and kittens are more likely to get sick than other cats. Cat flu is extremely contagious among cats and birds. It is spread through coughing and sneezing, as well as the ingestion of raw meat that is infected. At present, it has not developed the capability to spread to people through mutation and jumping.

Many animals get the flu. Most of the time, their viruses remain species specific. Sometimes, flu viruses change and mutate. They then jump from host to host, infecting their new site. Flu viruses spread through the air and direct contact. It is important to wash thoroughly with soap and warm water regularly to avoid the spread of germs. It is also recommended to get plenty of rest, and drink lots of fluids if you become sick. This advice is good for animals as well as people.