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By now, we’ve all heard news reports about the spread of avian influenza, otherwise known as the “bird flu,” in the U.S. The strain that is currently circulating is called H5N1, and it is considered highly contagious. While this virus primarily affects wild bird populations, or domestic poultry like chickens and turkeys, there have been rare documented cases of spread to mammals, including humans and cats.

Is my cat or dog at risk for getting avian flu?

The good news is that the overall risk for contracting the avian flu is extremely rare in cats, and even rarer in dogs. The primary risk factors are eating raw, freeze-dried, or undercooked foods (including raw or unpasteurized milk), and eating or coming into contact with infected birds or livestock. Fortunately, these risk factors are largely controllable: Do not feed your pet raw food or milk; keep your cat indoors; keep your dog leashed and away from areas where they might be exposed to infected wildlife; and clean your dog’s paws if they may have been exposed to infected birds or bird droppings. Remember, even in Brooklyn we live among many species of wild birds, one of the leading natural prey for outdoor felines, so letting your cat roam outdoors (even in a backyard) is highly discouraged. If you yourself come into contact with potentially infected birds or wildlife, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly (and to clean and disinfect bird feeders regularly).

What symptoms should I look out for?

Possible symptoms of avian flu include lethargy; fever; loss of appetite; respiratory signs such as congestion, sneezing, nasal discharge, or difficulty breathing; redness or discharge from the eyes; or neurologic signs such as uncoordinated movement, tremors, seizures, wobbly gait, or behavior changes. These symptoms are common to many other conditions from allergies to stomach bugs. So, the primary reason your vet might suspect possible avian flu would be if you feed your pet raw or freeze-dried food or raw milk, or if your pet has been outdoors where they may have come into contact with infected wildlife or livestock.

What do I do if I suspect my pet has avian flu?

If you suspect your cat may have contracted the avian flu, contact your veterinarian for an exam as soon as possible. Be sure to let them know that you suspect avian flu before heading to the clinic, so they will be able to take precautions to minimize any exposure or transmission to other pets or humans. (These protocols include immediately taking you and your pet into a designated exam room, wearing protective gear such as gloves and gowns, and thorough disinfection after the appointment is completed.) If your veterinarian does suspect your pet has contracted avian flu, they will likely send out a blood sample for testing, which screens for the specific H5N1 virus, to confirm the diagnosis.

Unfortunately, the avian flu can cause severe and life-threatening illness in cats (it’s exceedingly rare in dogs and severity of illness is less documented). While there is no specific treatment or vaccine for avian flu, your vet can provide supportive care to relieve symptoms. In severe cases, treatment may require hospitalization and intensive care. So, the best way to protect your pet is to minimize their risk by avoiding raw foods or unpasteurized milk, and keeping your cats indoors and your dogs leashed.