Can my Dog or Cat get bird flu?

• The avian flu known as bird flu cause by avian influenza H5N1 virus. Because of outbreak of bird flu in several state of india Nower days it is a hot topic in news.

So Pet parents are frequently ask questions like “Can their dog or cat become infected with the bird flu”?

• As a vet it is my duty to inform you about bird flu so, It is mainly disease of wild bird and domesticated birds like poultry, turkey etc. But you should know that bird flu is not limited to birds only it can also infect humans and your companion.

“Chances of bird flu infection in cat is more than dogs.”

• In this time of outbreak of bird flu your companion acquired infection through ingestion of raw egg or raw meat.
  
• Another route of transmission is if your companion come in contact with other infected one because Infected animal shed their virus into their nasal secretion, saliva and faeces.

• Your dog or cat show symptoms like fever, conjunctivitis, nasal secretion, breathing difficulty and death. These signs are commonly seen in other respiratory related disease so laboratory confirmation is necessary for definitive diagnosis.

• Keeping domestic cats indoors to prevent exposure to potentially infected birds when HPAI is detected in the area.
• Avoiding contact with wild birds and other animals outside the home that could potentially be infected.
• Avoiding feeding poultry or other bird products that may be infected with HPAI to cats.
• Owners of ill cats, particularly those known or suspected to have been exposed to sick or dead birds, are encouraged to have their cats examined by a veterinarian.

• There have been no known cases of human avian influenza resulting from exposure to sick cats and dogs.

• Thank you for reading till here and i hope this information will help you.

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