A new paper is reporting that “with early supportive care and treatment with oseltamivir, H5N1 is survivable in domestic cats, and that survivor cats may maintain high titers of neutralizing antibodies against H5N1 at least 3–4 months post recovery.”
A California family with four cats lived less than a mile from a dairy farm that experienced an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu. “The owner family lives less than 1 mile from the nearest cluster of dairy farms and the husband works within the dairy sector as a traveling hay salesman who frequently visits farms.” Two cats died. Then a third and forth cat became ill.
Cat 3: “With the previous suspicion of HPAI, the patient was started on 15 mg oseltamivir (Tamiflu) by mouth every 12 h (PO q12h) for 10 days. Subcutaneous fluids (200 mL LRS) were repeated 3 days later, and the pet was started on oral NSAIDs (Meloxicam 0.05 mg/kg PO q24h). On November 13, the pet was rechecked. His appetite had improved as noted by an increase in weight to 5.66 kg. He was drinking normally and his activity returned to normal.”
Cat 4 was also ill, and treatment included oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
“The owner reported that following treatment, both pets recovered and were back to normal.”
From the AVMA, symptoms of avian flu (H5N1 HPAI) in cats:
Illness may start with loss of appetite, lethargy, and fever, then quickly progress, with cats exhibiting:
- Neurologic signs (e.g., ataxia [incoordination], circling, tremors, seizures, or blindness)
- Severe depression
- Heavy discharge from the nose and eyes
- Other respiratory signs, including rapid or difficulty breathing, and possibly sneezing or coughing
Per this new paper, early treatment with Tamiflu could save your pet’s life. Save the link to this paper – just in case – to share with your veterinarian. Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352771425002472
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
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