Swine Flu in Idaho (Boise, Pocatello: fit in, mall, pine)

[Morphous01]

Originally Posted by Mtn. States Resident

We need to keep our pets safe too.MSR

Yes, so is there a H1n1 vaccine for pets now?

[abbie132]

MSR,
I am a member of the Idaho Ferret group on yahoo so got the below link from them. I also googled Ferret and H1N1 and came up with alot of reports about the ferrets and cat. From what I have read on the Veterinary news site this is the first time that this type of virus has been found in a cat. Ferrets have always been able to catch the same viruses from humans and can even pass a flu virus back to humans. Also from the news I have read 1 of the Ferrets has died. The Ferrets were in Oregan and Nebraska and the cat was in Iowa.
Hope the link helps.

Iowa Cat Tests Positive for H1N1

[abbie132]

Oh also a pig tested positive at the Minnesota State Fair. I dont think there is a vaccine out there for pets yet. I could be wrong though.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by brokencrayola

I am sorry I did not post earlier. My daughter is fine, she had a stomach flu going around her classroom. We were not sure what it was for a few days though, but she is doing fine now. Thank you all for asking about her.

So relieved to hear that!

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by Morphous01

Yes, so is there a H1n1 vaccine for pets now?

Morphous01,

I'm not clear here and this is a really important subject to me. Are you asking if there is an H1N1 vaccine for canines? Or are you saying a vaccination is available? If it's the later, do you have a link? I would greatly appreciate documention for a veterinary group.

As I stated earlier, I know a couple of other people on CDF and I have discussed how pets and humans tend to get ill (at least with viruses) at the same time. Since I am responsible for a person who was hospitalized with a severe case of H1N1 and has a pet, I need to find any documentation about this subject.

I don't wish to offend any DVMs who may be following this thread (and I try to scan, at least, the main veterinary journals probably monthly). I have to be honest and admit I've not had the time to review the veterinary literature for a few months. So I'm not current on what the Veterinary Journals are saying.

I know some DVMs are more open to the possibility of cross-species infections than others. Currently, the canine I'm concerned about, is under the care of a DVM who has a rather closed mind when this subject is addressed.

I'd appreciate any links anyone has about this and I'll try to go back through what Veterinary literature I can.

Thanks,

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by abbie132

MSR,
I am a member of the Idaho Ferret group on yahoo so got the below link from them. I also googled Ferret and H1N1 and came up with alot of reports about the ferrets and cat. From what I have read on the Veterinary news site this is the first time that this type of virus has been found in a cat. Ferrets have always been able to catch the same viruses from humans and can even pass a flu virus back to humans. Also from the news I have read 1 of the Ferrets has died. The Ferrets were in Oregan and Nebraska and the cat was in Iowa.
Hope the link helps.

Iowa Cat Tests Positive for H1N1

abbie132,

Thank you for the link and information! I'm grateful for it. As I wrote earlier, I'm behind scanning the veterinary literature and I've got to do it, given a patient for whom I'm responsible! Plus, it may be some of us are overlooking asking questions of human patients and their connection with potentially ill companion animals.

Please stay in touch via this thread. I know it's hard to belong to a couple of different Internet sites and stay current. Even if you can check in a couple of times each week, it would really help.

I know very little about ferrets. Others here may have a tremendonous amount of knowledge and not shared it in this thread.

Also, I honestly haven't scanned the pet section to set what is on CDF regarding these subjects. I've just finished an extended work period, so I'll try to get caught up in the next 24-48 hrs. about these subjects. They are important and I thank you again for posting.

I hope others who have information about pets, given the increasingly important role they have become as Companions in many households, will post information as well. Or, if information is available in the CDF Pet section, post that link (s) so those who are interested can read it.

Thanks

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by abbie132

Oh also a pig tested positive at the Minnesota State Fair. I dont think there is a vaccine out there for pets yet. I could be wrong though.

abbie132,

I did see the information on the pig in MN, but haven't read much about it since the initial testing. If you look back in this thread (probably around page 12-15 or maybe earlier), the documented cases of H1N1 in Canada at the same farm where a female (I believe) also had H1N1 is linked.

I think you're correct about no H1N1 vaccine for animals, but there clearly is for the types of flu they can get. I guess what I'm really wondering and will search the literature for, is whether or not companion animals, in particular, can be carriers via the viruses they get.

Interesting what you posted earlier about ferrets. I wonder if those who have immunosuppressed family members/friends are aware about ferrets and infections? As I stated earlier, I know almost nothing about them.

Thanks for the info.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Checking a couple of veterinary publications today, ultimately I was directed to this site.

"Infection of farmed animals with the pandemic virus"

5 NOVEMBER 2009 | GENEVA -- "To date, extensive testing by laboratories in the WHO influenza surveillance network has detected no signs that the H1N1 pandemic virus has mutated to a more virulent form. Currently licensed pandemic vaccines closely match circulating viruses and are expected to confer good protection."

"Vigilance for changes in the H1N1 virus includes monitoring to detect possible influenza infections in susceptible animals, both mammals and birds, as well as humans. While most influenza A viruses circulating in mammals preferentially infect a single species, cross-species transmission is known to occur."

"Close monitoring needed"

"These recent findings further suggest that influenza A viruses in animals and humans increasingly behave like a pool of genes circulating among multiple hosts, and that the potential exists for novel influenza viruses to be generated in animals other than swine. This situation reinforces the need for close monitoring and close collaboration between public health and veterinary authorities."

"When influenza infections are detected in farmed animals, WHO recommends monitoring of farm workers for signs of respiratory illness, and testing for H1N1 infection should such signs appear. FAO and OIE recommend that animals that are showing signs of illness be examined and properly managed, and allowed to fully recover before being transported or marketed."

The rest of the contents is at the link below:

WHO | Infection of farmed animals with the pandemic virus

Hope this helps.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Here is the latest (and revised from their May or June, 2009) FAQs regarding companion animals and H1N1.

Frequently Asked Questions about the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus and Pets

Hope this helps.....

MSR

[Morphous01]

Originally Posted by Mtn. States Resident

Morphous01,

I'm not clear here and this is a really important subject to me. Are you asking if there is an H1N1 vaccine for canines? Or are you saying a vaccination is available? If it's the later, do you have a link? I would greatly appreciate documention for a veterinary group.

As I stated earlier, I know a couple of other people on CDF and I have discussed how pets and humans tend to get ill (at least with viruses) at the same time. Since I am responsible for a person who was hospitalized with a severe case of H1N1 and has a pet, I need to find any documentation about this subject.

I don't wish to offend any DVMs who may be following this thread (and I try to scan, at least, the main veterinary journals probably monthly). I have to be honest and admit I've not had the time to review the veterinary literature for a few months. So I'm not current on what the Veterinary Journals are saying.

I know some DVMs are more open to the possibility of cross-species infections than others. Currently, the canine I'm concerned about, is under the care of a DVM who has a rather closed mind when this subject is addressed.

I'd appreciate any links anyone has about this and I'll try to go back through what Veterinary literature I can.

Thanks,

MSR

I'm sorry, I was only joking around with you.