OK, alliteration aside, I am back to discuss the very topical issue of the growing concern involving avian influenza A (H5N1). The current administration will likely create an environment of missing and misinformation, much like the last time this executive held government reins.
So, who ya gonna call? Well, your local veterinarian and support staff will have the most up-to-date information on this ongoing outbreak, how to mitigate the risk and when to have your furred or feathered baby seen.
First, let me say this is a dynamic outbreak and as health professionals learn more about the virus, the advice for limiting risk may change. For now, let us sort out the apocalyptic from the anxiety.
This involves pets of all species but most of all feline family members. Dogs are seemingly less affected by the virus but if you have a pooch with immune suppression, you should be just as cautious. The dairy farmers, avian farmers or backyard hobbyists, pet bird folks, and anyone who might participate in a future wildlife rescue as a compassionate layperson need to listen up. Currently, the risk of animal-to-human transmission seems limited to poultry and dairy workers, and no person-to-person spread has been detected. Of course, as the disease circulates, it may mutate and the whole show can quickly elevate from sci-fi drama to horror. For now, the victims of this viral machete-wielding microbe are overwhelmingly birds and cats.
So, how can we avoid illness with our feline and feathered friends? Let’s spread our wings and fly through the birds first. Husbandry and hygiene are key: Disinfect coops regularly, monitor your fowl for anything foul, isolate new flock mates for at least 30 days and consider vaccination, which is available for chickens. And, of course, avoid contact with wild birds by covering coops and removing food sources that may attract some free lunch looky-loos.
Now, a quick pause here to mention if you are visiting a farm or a friend’s house with ducks and you have cats at home, maybe pack a second set of clothes so you can change and wash up before you get super cozy on the couch with your feline.
That brings us to mitigation against feline transmission. Cats appear to be the first extra-host to suffer the most significant mortality, so reducing the risk of infection is paramount. This starts with the great outdoors; if your cat can avoid wild bird contact, that is best practice. I know how impossible it can be to convince a cat to become exclusively indoors, but if you have an amenable feline or plan to kitten up soon, consider indoors only.
As we’ve learned from our ancestors going back millennia, the safest way to consume meat is to cook it. This goes for our pets, too. In recent years, feeding our animals raw diets has emerged as a trend rooted in little more than fashion. This has led to many issues with canine health but it could lead to even more deadly consequences for our felines in this time of bird flu. This includes raw or unpasteurized dairy products, as the research shows the virus circulates in cow’s milk and to a lesser degree in the muscle. The livestock exposure to barn cats is also a great concern, so consider the risk to your mousers.
Unfortunately, this illness in cats quickly progresses with symptoms such as respiratory signs, depression, decreased appetite, fever, and neurological signs such as blindness, incoordination, circling, tremors and even seizures. Supportive care and isolation are the only real tools available for veterinary care. If you suspect your cat could be exhibiting these signs and exposure to avian influenza is possible, you should contact your veterinarian immediately and follow the protocols they advise for safely taking your pet to the practice. You should limit any immunocompromised individuals in the home’s contact with the sick kitty. Although transmission from cat to cat or cat to human has not been seen, play it safe out there!
Finally, humans should follow the old standard of hygiene: Cook all meat to the recommended internal temperatures, clean and disinfect surfaces, and wash their hands. This is always best practice.
If you want to stay on top of the emerging data, I suggest contacting your veterinary clinic for local guidance. You can also find the information on the American Veterinary Medical Association website (shhhh, don’t tell DOGE) and, hopefully, the CDC website. Also, you can check out the Worms and Germs Podcast or blog with Dr. Scott Weese.
Stay purrrfect, Humboldt!
Tanya Schrum (she/her) is a registered veterinary technician with more than 30 years of experience, mainly focused on emergency and critical care medicine. Now retired from floor work, she facilitates continuing education for veterinarians worldwide.
This article appears in 2025 NCJ Pet Photo Contest Winners.