01/15/2025
Hello all,
PSA for all my cat owners and feline lovers out there as well as any producers with dairy cattle.
Although Avian Influenza is not unheard of in the United States, it has been circulating though the country for the last few years and been making headlines recently. One would not think Avian Influenza, cats and cows have much to do with each other but things have changed lately. In March of 2024 a new strain of Avian Influenza had popped up in a few dairy cattle operations across the country, which had not happened before. The concern here is that unpasteurized milk from affected dairy cows has been shown to cause illness in humans and other animals that consume raw dairy products. Commercial pasteurized milk shows no risk of spreading the virus, as the pasteurization process kills bacteria and other pathogens.
In December 2024-January 2025, another variant has been linked to causing severe illness in felines. Both large cats from zoos and small domestic house cats have been reported to be affected.
**This post is not aimed to spread panic but to inform owners about this new concern for our feline friends as well as anyone with dairy cattle or considering getting a family milk cow.
The American Veterinary Medical Association and veterinarians across the country are urging cat owners to prevent influenza exposure, as there is not currently a vaccine available.
In regards to cats, the best way to protect cats from highly pathogenic avian influenza is to prevent exposure. Pet owners should keep cats indoors, remove bird feeders and water sources from yards to prevent birds from congregating. It is recommended to wash clothing after contact with wild birds, and cats should not be fed raw meat or unpasteurized dairy products. Signs of infection include respiratory distress, fever, loss of appetite and neurological problems.
In regards to dairy cattle, the USDA recommends that producers practice good biosecurity, sanitary practices and monitor for sick cows with decreased milk production as well as limit introduction of new stock as much as possible. Testing and quarantines of new animals prior to herd introductions are recommended and in some cases required by law for interstate travel. The USDA is also recommending that humans do not consume raw dairy products at the risk of spreading the virus.
If anyone has questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out and I can provide more information. Again, this post is not to breed panic but to keep everyone informed for their animal's optimal health. Thank you!
