Regina, Sask. (Rural Roots Canada) – A domestic cat has died after contracting a case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in southeastern Saskatchewan.
The government of Saskatchewan says that on April 20, the cat became severely ill with sudden neurological and respiratory issues. It died later that same day.
The cat was tested, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the presence of the H5N1 strain of HPAI.
The cat had been known to spend time outdoors, which increases the chance of exposure to infected wild birds or contaminated environments.
Avian influenza, also known as ‘avian flu’ or ‘bird flu’, is a contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems of many bird populations. While HPAI is commonly known to infect wild birds and domestic poultry, it can affect other mammals, including cats and dogs. Exposure may be higher during the spring migration, when waterfowl and other wild birds return.
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In December, a dog in Alberta died after contracting HPAI, the first reported dog case in Alberta, according to the Alberta SPCA.
Pet owners can reduce the risk by keeping cats indoors, dogs on leashes, preventing pets from hunting or scavenging wild birds, avoiding contact with sick or dead birds, and not feeding pets raw poultry or raw meat from unknown or potentially contaminated sources. If you have a pet with outdoor access and develops signs of neurological or respiratory symptoms, contact your veterinarian. Signs may include difficulty breathing, coughing, weakness, extreme lethargy, loss of coordination, tremors, seizures, other neurological signs or sudden unexplained death.
Farm and barn cat populations should also be monitored, particularly on dairy and poultry farms, according to the Alberta government’s website. Infected cats can be the first sign that HPAI is present on the farm, and they could transmit the virus to other animals, including humans.
If you find sick or dead wild birds on your property, avoid direct contact. You can report any sick or dead wild birds to your provincial government.
