SPOKANE-- The H1N1 virus can spread to household pets.
The medical community says it isn’t concerned about it, but veterinarians say influenza viruses are usually species specific so these cases are unexpected and fascinating.
So far, the H1N1 virus has been confirmed in two ferrets, a flock of wild turkeys, and a house cat. The cat’s owners were also sick with the virus. The cat recovered and there is no evidence it passed the virus back to any people.
Veterinarians say it is possible to spread certain viruses to your pets and vice versa, but it is extremely rare. It is so rare that most would say you shouldn’t board your animal in a kennel just because someone on the house is sick. It may just cause more stress for your pet.
Dr. Greg Benoit from the SouthCare Animal Clinic on Spokane’s South Hill says it is tough to know how seriously the virus can affect pets because it is so rare. But there are other respiratory viruses out there that can pose a threat so it is a good idea to keep an eye on your pets throughout the flu season.
