Category: Cats

Posts just about cats.

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Cat Dies From H1N1 Virus

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It’s been confirmed that an Oregon cat has died from H1N1 (Swine Flu). It’s believed the cat caught it from his people.  The article linked to is from the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association has a wealth of information and I recommend you check it out.

The OVMA says there isn’t reason to panic.  You can keep your kitties safe.  If you’re feeling sick:

  • wash your hands regularly
  • use alcohol-based hand sanitizers
  • cover your mouth & nose when you sneeze
  • avoid touching your cat’s eyes, nose, & mouth
  • the CDC adds, you should limit contact with your pets until 24 hours after your fever is gone

It is also possible for you to catch N1H1 from an infected pet.  So wash your hands after handling sick pets.

Keep an eye out for symptoms in your cats too.  Take your cat to the vet if your see signs of respiratory illness.  Look for:

  • coughing
  • sneezing
  • lethargy
  • conjunctivitis (swelling & redness of the membranes around the eyes)

You also need to take special care of your ferrets.  Take the same precautions as with cats and look for:

  • weakness
  • sneezing
  • coughing
  • elevated temperature
  • yellow or green discharge from the nose or eyes (from a secondary infection)

Pet birds are susceptible to H1N1 and should be tested for the virus if they develop symptoms of respiratory illness.  Pet pigs are also at risk for catching H1N1 and should be seen by a vet if they become ill.  It isn’t known if dogs can catch H1N1.

Keep up to date on information about companion animals and H1N1 from:

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Pet Food Recall: Wysong, Premium Edge, Nutro

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⇒ I missed this Wysong Pet Food pet food recall while I was out-of-town.  The recall is due to possible mold.  Penicillium and fusarium molds have been found, but so far no mycotoxin. The Wysong website says you should contact your retailer for an exchange or refund.

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⇒ Diamond Pet Foods issued a recall of 2 of their Premium Edge cat foods due to an inadequate level of thiamine which can cause serious health problems in cats. The Premium Edge site says you can get a refund from your retailer.

Premium Edge Finicky Adult cat food & Premium Edge Hairball cat food (manufactured May 28, 2009 & August 30, 2009):

  • RAF0501A22X 18 lb.
  • RAF0501A2X 6 lb.
  • RAH0501A22X 18 lb.
  • RAH0501A2X 6 lb.

⇒ And finally, Nutro recalled 2 varieties of its puppy food in different sized bags due to the possible presence of melted plastic pieces.  The Nutro site says to contact your retailer for a refund or exchange.

Delivered to Petsmart stores in California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, & New Mexico:

  • NUTRO ULTRA Puppy Food 4.5 lbs. bag, UPC 79105 51313, best buy date 9/10/10
  • NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE Chicken Meal, Rice & Oatmeal Formula Small Bites Puppy 5 lbs. bag, UPC 79105 23050, best buy date 9/10/10

Delivered to stores in PETCO stores in California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah:

  • NUTRO ULTRA Puppy Food 30 lbs., UPC of 79105 51315 best buy date 9/10/10 from
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Angry Local Govt = Good News For Cats

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This all started in 2003 when West Hollywood voted to ban the declawing of cats.  The California Veterinary Medical Association got their panties in a twist and tried to have the ordinance overturned.  When that failed, they lobbied the California Legislature and succeeded in getting a law passed and signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger that bars local governments from banning the declawing of cats starting in 2010.

declawdiagramThis, in turn, has ticked off local governments who feel the State has no business dictating what ordinances they can and cannot pass.  So several California cities have passed bans on declawing to beat the 2010 deadline—Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Francisco, & Santa Monica—with Malibu passing a resolution but no ordinance.  Culver City and Burbank may also consider a ban.  And the counties of Humboldt, Marin and Sonoma may also ban declawing.

Declawing is also known as an onychectomy which is the amputation of the first knuckle of each toe.   Another procedure is flexor tendonectomy which is the severing of the tendon that allows a cat to control or extend its claws.  (Note: this is graphic and disturbing, but persuasive.  If you need visual evidence of what declawing is, you can take a look at the results. From lisaviolet.com)

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H1N1 Confirmed In Cat

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A cat in Iowa has caught H1N1 (swine flue), apparently from his people.  He was treated by a vet and, happily, is recovering.  He isn’t the first pet to get the H1N1 virus.  Two ferrets also contracted the virus.  Only one survived.

Don’t freak out!  This is the only confirmed case where a cat has contracted H1N1 from humans, so it’s likely it’s NOT very common.  You should take the same precautions with your pets that you should be taking anyway.  Read what the CDC says about H1N1 and your pets:

What animals can be infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus?
In addition to humans, live swine and turkeys, we know that ferrets (which are highly susceptible to influenza A viruses) and a domestic cat have been infected with 2009 H1N1 virus. CDC is working closely with domestic and international public and animal heath partners to continually monitor this situation and will provide additional information to the public as it becomes available.

How do companion animals become infected with 2009 H1N1?
All available information suggests that the ferrets and domestic cat with 2009 H1N1 infections acquired the virus through close contact with ill humans. Transmission of 2009 H1N1 virus from humans to animals appears similar to human-to-human transmission

Can I get 2009 H1N1 influenza from my pet?
Available evidence suggests that transmission has been from ill humans to their companion animals. No evidence is available to suggest that animals are infecting humans with 2009 H1N1 virus.

What do I do if I am sick with flu-like symptoms and I have pets?
If you are sick with influenza-like-illness, take the same precautions with your pets that you would to keep your family and friends healthy:

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Minimize contact with your pets until 24 hours after your fever is gone

What should I do if I suspect my pet has 2009 H1N1 influenza virus?
If members of your household have flu-like symptoms, and your pet exhibits respiratory illness, contact your veterinarian.

Is there a vaccine available for my pet?
Currently, there is not a licensed and approved 2009 H1N1 vaccine for companion animals. (There is a canine influenza vaccine, which protects dogs from the H3N8 canine flu virus, but it will not protect pets against the 2009 H1N1 virus and should not be used in any species other than dogs.)

How serious is this disease in companion animals?
Pet ferrets with naturally occurring 2009 H1N1 infection have exhibited illness similar in severity as seen with ferrets exposed to seasonal influenza viruses and 2009 H1N1 virus in laboratory settings, including sneezing, inactivity, and weight loss. The single confirmed cat exhibited respiratory illness and recovered with supportive care.

Additional Information

American Veterinary Medical Association
http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus/default.aspExternal Web Site Icon

United States Department of Agriculture
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/?navid=USDA_H1N1External Web Site Icon

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