Special to the Times Vedette
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is advising Iowa pet owners to keep their cats and dogs away from sick or deceased wild birds and animals. Pet owners should also discourage indoor/outdoor cats from hunting wildlife because of the ongoing threat posed by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) circulating within wild and migratory birds.
Tips to help keep your pets healthy
- Keep pets away from dead wildlife, including birds.
- Do not allow your pet to kill or eat wildlife.
- Do not feed pets raw, undercooked, or unpasteurized frozen or freeze-dried milk, eggs, meat or organs.
- Cooking or heat-treating pet food to appropriate temperatures inactivates H5N1 HPAI.
- Freeze dried and frozen unpasteurized pet food is often considered raw and can pose a risk to pets.
- Keep your pet away from livestock including poultry and dairy cattle.
- Wash your hands and change your clothes after interacting with livestock and before interacting with pets.
About H5N1 HPAI
H5N1 HPAI is a viral disease that can travel in wild and migratory birds and is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys. H5N1 HPAI can also impact dairy cattle and other mammals, including dogs and cats.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently reported a resurgence of H5N1 HPAI within wild and migratory birds in Iowa. Several states have confirmed cases of H5N1 HPAI in cats, with several tied to the consumption of raw milk, uncooked pet food, or interactions with diseased wildlife, including birds. Recently, a predominantly outdoor domestic cat in Hamilton County displayed clinical signs consistent with H5N1 HPAI and tested positive for H5N1 HPAI after the veterinarian ruled out other diseases.
Signs of H5N1 HPAI in pets
If your pet exhibits clinical signs of HPAI, contact your veterinarian. Cats and dogs can both get H5N1 HPAI, but cats are more susceptible. Clinical signs may include:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Red eyes
- Respiratory signs (eye or nose discharge)
- Neurological signs (tremors, seizures, incoordination, blindness)
- Sudden death
Pet owners should always consult their veterinarians if they have questions about the health and wellbeing of their animals.
Guidance for veterinarians
Iowa veterinarians should call the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at 515-281-5305 if they see cats or dogs displaying signs of H5N1 HPAI and have ruled out other potential diseases.
Food safety
It remains safe to enjoy eggs and poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F. There is also no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk.
Public health
There are some instances of humans contracting H5N1 HPAI as a result of their connection to an infected poultry or dairy farm. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to stress the threat to the general public remains low. To date, there are no confirmed cases of HPAI spreading from human-to-human, dog- or cat-to-human, cat-to-cat or dog-to-dog. Any questions related to public health should be directed to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
