Both domestic and wild cats, including lynx and mountain lions, are susceptible to infection by the avian influenza virus (H5N1), and infected cats can develop potentially life-threatening disease.
Cats can be exposed to H5N1 by preying upon infected birds, drinking raw milk from infected cows, and by eating raw foods containing infected poultry and perhaps other meat sources.
With the avian flu spreading across North America, concerns about cats getting ill are increasing. So far, there is no evidence that cats can transmit H5N1 to people, although people have contracted H5N1 from infected cows.
The American Veterinary Medical Association warns that signs your cat may have an H5N1 infection include fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, eye and nasal discharge, inflamed eyes, respiratory trouble, and neurologic symptoms such as tremors and seizures. If you think your cat is ill, contact your veterinarian.
Recent reports of H5N1-tainted raw cat food are just another reason to avoid feeding your cat raw foods, along with the previously documented potential for these foods to be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria and parasites that can infect not only cats, but also their owners. Pasteurizing milk and fully cooking meat appears to inactivate H5N1, and keeping your cat indoors or in a catio when outside will limit exposure to potentially infected wild birds.
