17/08/2026
Bird Flu has arrived in NZ! Let's work together to reduce the risk to your cats!
The risk to cats and dogs remains EXTERMELY LOW. But because cat's overseas have occasionally become infected with Bird Flu, it's important to know what to look out for and how to help prevent it.
Ways to reduce the risk:
🦆 Reduce contact with wild birds (especially Waterfowl).
🐥Avoid contact with sick or dead birds. Do not allow your cat to play with, carry, or eat sick birds and dead birds.
🦉Avoid raw poultry products and raw milk. Feeding raw or undercooked poultry can carry infectious disease risks.
Signs to watch for:
These signs are not specific to bird flu, but contact us if your cat has been near wild birds AND ALSO shows these signs
🐾Wobbliness, tremors, difficulty jumping, or seizures.
🐾Lethargy, fever or reduced appetite.
🐾Breathing problems like open‑mouth breathing or ‘panting’, or rapid breathing
🐾Vomiting or diarrhoea (runny poo).
🐾Sudden illness or death.
If you see signs of bird flu in your cat, give us a call first so we can rule out
more common diseases.
Check out this handy flier for more information:
https://nzva.org.nz/assets/For_pet_owners/HPAI_Bird_Flu_Info_For_Cat_Owners.pdf
www.mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu
07 985 9115
www.springvetspapamoa.co.nz
Bird flu has been detected in individual wild birds in New Zealand. Know what to do to limit the impact.