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Bird Flu and PETS:
Bird Flu in Animals and Pets. (Part 3)
Your ANIMALS AND PETS
- how safe are they and what precautions you can take.
FACTS ABOUT BIRD FLU in ANIMALS
Is my dog or cat safe
from H5N1?
Are other pets or
animals close to homes safe?
What about feeding birds
at duck ponds?
Faeces on eggs or where are walk - is
there a danger?
What are the symptoms of H5N1 in animals?
Bird Import Ban
IS MY DOG OR CAT SAFE FROM H5N1?
NO. Various animals including cats, marten's, (weasel-like mammal), monkeys and
many tigers (especially in Vietnam) have been infected. It is presumed that animals contract H5N1 by ingesting contaminated birds
although so many tigers were infected it is questioned whether a tiger-to-tiger
infection happened. The animals begin to cough, have high fever and build fluid in the lungs - in other words,
they have flu-like symptoms. In Germany, cats and dogs within the control zones
(where dead birds were found) are required to be indoors or on a leash. If your
pet gets a fever, take it to the vet right away.
ARE OTHER PETS OR
ANIMALS CLOSE TO HOMES SAFE? | Top
Birds are currently the most risk area. Whether small, caged pet birds or swans,
geese, ducks and chickens running free around the yard or farm, these animals
are at risk from H5N1.
WHAT ABOUT DUCK PONDS -
SHOULD I FEED BIRDS? | Top
All birds are at risk! When feeding birds one should wash their hands afterwards
and take precautions when in contact with wild birds.
FAECES ON EGGS OR WHERE I WALK -
WHAT IS THE CONCERN | Top
Wash bird faeces from eggs and wash your hands after handling eggs. Make sure
that eggs are properly cooked to kill both bird flu virus and salmonella
bacteria. Try to avoid walking through excess amounts of faeces on paths, around
ponds or anywhere else birds congregate. Walking bare-foot is not in itself
risky but obviously germs can be transmitted to other places until washed or
disinfected.
BIRD FLU SYMPTOMS IN BIRDS
| Top
The Swiss Center for Veterinarian Medicine compiled the following:
* Birds have little appetite and have little energy
* They develop a high fever (the normal body temperature of birds is around 40
C)
* Bird flu in birds causes the number of eggs to decrease and feathers become
abnormal. Egg shells can be abnormally thin or even non-existent
* Birds have difficulty breathing and opening their beaks
* Swelling on the body, neck, legs and feet can occur due to body fluid build-up
* A bluishness can occur on a birds skin and crest
* Diarrhoea or a watery, slim can be noted in faeces
* Coordination and motor-skills can become affected
* Also, the number of deaths of domestic birds, once a farm is infected, is very
high. This is a very important indicator.
More than 15% of a bird flock can die in a single day before the above symptoms are noticeable.
BIRD IMPORT BAN
| Top
There is currently a ban on the importation of birds and bird products from
H5N1-affected countries. The regulation states that no person may import or
attempt to import any birds (Class Aves), whether dead or alive, or any products
derived from birds (including hatching eggs), from the following countries:
Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Peoples' Republic of
China, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam and
other infected countries.
Poll Results: Our
Quick Poll for May 2007 asked, "Should Pets Be Vaccinated?"
Yes : 50%
No : 50%
Some 1400 votes from various countries.
Next: » Q & A :: What you can do? What are the plans and costs?
All Articles in this series:
» 1) Bird Flu and me - facts, risks, can I get it and can I stop it?
» 2) Basics on Bird Flu - What it is, history, what is a pandemic?
» 3) How is human influenza A (H5N1) and Pneumonia treated?
» 4) Pets and Animals - Can my dog or cat get H5N1, symptoms?
» 5) Summary - what are the plans, costs and what can I do?
» 6) Preventing viral infection spread - important tips.
» 7) Definitions for H5N1, avian or bird influenza.
Video Presentation:
(YouTube video - 1:35 min)
» Voice
of America reports on Bird Flu mutating in cats, dogs and other animals.
As H5N1 spreads, FAO and CDC leaders speak out on its activity and
possibilities. (Opens in a new window.)