01/01/2025
FYI to cat owners!
For those of us that work with wildlife the current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been a great concern since early 2022. In May 2022, we began seeing outbreaks here in Oregon. Badger Run has dealt with a number of birds that have presented with HPAI symptoms and outcomes. Thanks to an Avangrid grant and donor support, our rehab was able to build a quarantine building so that we could combat the virus' spread and still be able to admit patients. As of February 2024, HPAI has infected over 48 different species of mammals around the world including humans. Cats appear to be especially impacted by the virus. Cats have been known to carry bird flu since 2004 with their death rate at about 50%. With this more highly pathogenic variant that is now spreading among cattle, the feline death rate is about 90%. Recently, an exclusively indoor pet cat here in Oregon ate HPAI contaminated raw and frozen turkey feline food and died from the virus (yep, freezing doesn't kill the virus). In Washington, a big cat wildlife sanctuary lost 20 of 37 big cats to HPAI. As wildlife rehabbers, we have always asked folks to please not let their pet cats go outside. It is dangerous both for wildlife, but also the cats. NOW MORE THAN EVER, CAT OWNERS NEED TO HEED THIS ADVICE. Being hunters, cats allowed to roam outside are going to be exposed to HPAI. They hunt/eat wild birds and they may eat wildlife that is already dead, possibly infected with HPAI. The AVMA recommends pet owners look out for signs such as loss of appetite, lethargy, and fever. A bird flu infection can quickly progress with neurologic signs, such as tremors, seizures, loss of coordination, or blindness. Additionally, cats can have severe depression, discharge from their eyes or nose, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, sneezing, or coughing. If your cat shows these symptoms and you think it might have been exposed to bird flu, you should call a veterinarian immediately. Remember, sick animals may be able to transmit influenza virus to people in their saliva, p**p, and other bodily fluids.
