NEW YORK — The New York Metropolis Well being Division has rolled out a number of suggestions for pet-parents after two cats from two separate households have been contaminated with chicken flu.
One of many cats contaminated with the chicken flu was an 8-month-old kitten on the Higher West Aspect that consumed uncooked rooster from Savage Cat, an organization that makes uncooked pet meals.
A veterinarian stated the kitten needed to be euthanized.
“We took swabs and submitted them to Cornell, we admitted the kitten to the hospital, continued all care, together with 24 hour oxygen and proceed to deteriorate, and sadly needed to put the kitten to sleep the subsequent day we acquired the constructive outcomes for the flu,” the vet stated.
The Well being Division says pet house owners ought to keep away from feeding their furry family members uncooked meals or milk. If a pet has consumed uncooked meals and begins exhibiting indicators of sickness, a veterinarian must be contacted instantly.
Cats must be stored indoors, based on the division. And when strolling canine, it’s best to keep away from lifeless or sick animals.
Extra info on mitigating the unfold of the chicken flu might be discovered right here.
In the meantime, Savage Cat issued a warning to their shoppers in February after a cat in Colorado had gotten sick with H5N1.
The corporate was notified of the sick cat on the finish of January. That cat has since then recovered.
Savage Cat notified their shoppers relating to correlations between its uncooked cat meals and the chicken flu. Preliminary testing of the uncooked cat meals was examined and returned “not unfavourable.”
Additional isolation testing is required and officers are nonetheless awaiting these outcomes. The corporate stated they’re working with the FDA and gathering info.
Well being consultants are advising New Yorkers to not feed pets uncooked meals or uncooked milk. In addition they are offering pet house owners to stop their cats from roaming exterior the place they may come into contact with wild birds or different animals.
Some indicators to be careful for in cats embrace cloudy or runny eyes, coughing, sneezing or issue respiratory.
The present danger to New Yorkers of chicken flu stays low.
“Hen flu viruses current a wider danger to most of the people provided that the virus develops the power to transmit between individuals – which we now have not seen,” Performing Commissioner of the New York Metropolis Well being Division Dr. Michelle Morse stated.
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