By Daniela Caride Publisher
The Oregon state public health veterinarian reported that a pet cat has probably died from H1N1 influenza virus infection. The cat was one of four in the household and became ill approximately one week after a child in household had a flu-like illness.
The cat developed labored breathing and was taken to a veterinarian on November 4. The cat was not coughing or sneezing but had pneumonia. His condition deteriorated over the next three days, and he died on November 7.
The cat tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Additional samples were sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories for confirmation and are still pending. At this time this is a presumed, not confirmed, case of 2009 H1N1 influenza infection, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The three other cats in the household also became ill with different degrees of sneezing and coughing, but recovered. Samples collected from these cats were negative for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.
A cat in Park City, Utah, has become the second cat confirmed to be infected with the H1N1. The cat’s owner had previously been ill with the flu before the cat became sick. The cat was having trouble breathing and was taken to a veterinarian on November 3.
Read the entire report from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
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Sebastian's owner passed away recently. He and his three siblings were adopted together and now live in a cat sanctuary in Brazil. (Photo courtesy of Fofuras Felinas on Flickr)
