Can Household Pets Carry And Transmit The Flu?

Can Household Pets Carry And Transmit The Flu?

Just my opinion but, no need for any hysteria here. Don't chuck the pets into the pound because of your fears. You, your wife and your two year old are more likely to "Carry And Transmit The Flu" to your pets than the other way around. Fluffy and Rover aren't likely to be spending their days in enclosed spaces in close proximity to a bunch of contagious human beings. If you are concerned about who will "Carry And Transmit The Flu" look over at your co-workers or the other kids in the daycare....not the pets.

---

by: MLBIT @ Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 02:15:54 AM UTC

Pets are endangered

from their humans, I think, and not the other way 'round.

---

by: Clawdia @ Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 04:28:16 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Two links I sent to my list serve on this:

Protecting Pets from Illness
http://www.idph.state.ia.us/Id...

Can My Dog or Cat Get H1N1 (Swine) Flu?
http://vetmedicine.about.com/b...

www.EmergencyHomePreparation.org -- A 'card-catalog' style of prepping information.   -

---

by: Readymom @ Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 15:11:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Pets can get it from people

Three have been a number of cases of ferrets getting it, and at least one cat
http://www.nrtoday.com/article...

---

by: Catte Nappe @ Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 16:32:16 PM UTC

another cat has documented flu

This time it's a cat in Utah.  See the full story here:
http://veterinarynews.dvm360.c...

---

by: Misty @ Tue Nov 17, 2009 at 10:17:12 AM UTC

Same cat as reported yesterday?

Is this the same cat that was reported as infected yesterday?

---

by: Clawdia @ Tue Nov 17, 2009 at 15:21:57 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

There's a risk, but nothing documented yet

It's theoretically possible to catch the swine flu from cats and ferrets, I don't think it's a problem with dogs, though.

http://diseases-viruses.suite1...

The risk with cats and ferrets is low and no cases have been recorded but it makes sense to treat a sick pet as you would a sick human - by keeping a healthy distance.

---

by: EmmaL @ Tue Nov 17, 2009 at 18:07:01 PM UTC