Latest news with #JulieLevy
Forbes
24-03-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Cats Are Getting Bird Flu. Here's How To Protect Them
Wild birds can give cats H5N1 bird flu, which can lead to serious complications and death. The bird flu that is driving up the cost of eggs is also infecting cats, so cat lovers should take steps to protect them. The current strain of bird flu – avian influenza type A (H5N1) – is 'quite serious' for cats, according to Julie Levy, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM, the Fran Marina Endowed Distinguished Professor of Shelter Medicine Education at the University of Florida. 'This new version that is connected with dairy cows is very severe,' she says. 'And the cats are striking because within days of exposure, they developed severe neurologic signs and died. It definitely seems to be that cats are especially sensitive compared to many other species.' The neurologic signs include staggering, blindness, confusion and paralysis. Cats infected with bird flu can also have respiratory signs that range from a mile upper respiratory infection to pneumonia, she notes. Currently in the United States, the Midwest and the West have the highest risk for cats contracting bird flu. Dozens of domestic cats have tested positive for H5N1 bird flu. Additionally, 20 big cats died late last year at Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington from bird flu. Dr. Levy suggests checking the USDA's map that reports confirmed cases of bird flu in mammals to stay abreast of outbreaks. She also recommends the Worms and Germs blog by Dr. Scott Weese at Ontario Veterinary College's Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses. The H5N1 bird flu virus is shed in feces, saliva, urine, nasal secretions and milk. So an important way to protect pet cats from bird flu is to keep them indoors. 'Reducing exposure to the outdoors is important because it's carried by wild birds – especially waterfowl,' she cautions. 'Getting exposed to wild birds or their feces around bodies of water is now a high-risk activity for cats that go outside.' Wiping the paws of an indoor/outdoor cat after they've been outside likely won't help, according to Dr. Levy. 'It's just not possible to get enough cleaning in there, and then they're going to get their fur contaminated and they lick their fur so quickly. That's something about cats: they're super fastidious about cleaning, so anytime they get a hair out of place or step on something, they're going to lick it off right away,' she says. Cats are fastidious about grooming themselves, which makes it easier for them to contract bird flu. Food is another big risk factor. Levy recommends only feeding cats cooked food. 'We are recommending not to feed raw milk or meat products, particularly poultry and dairy, and that includes 'freeze-dried' or 'high-pressure pasteurization.' Those are terms for raw food, and those have been shown to be capable of transmitting the virus,' she says. For instance, earlier this year, two cats died of bird flu linked to raw poultry pet food from Savage Cat Food (one ate the food, another had contact with a sick cat who ate it), according to the New York City Health Department. The company issued a recall. To protect outdoor, free-roaming cats, including those helped by Trap-Neuter-Return programs, Dr. Levy recommends feeding and caring for cats in a way that does not encourage them to mingle with wildlife. 'For example, if you put out too much food for the cats, especially if they're fed at night, the cats will eat and then they'll leave and then the raccoons will come or the other species will come, birds will come and share that space. And that is a way to spread disease,' she says. 'So we definitely want to feed the cats only enough that they will consume right away and not leaving plates or trash around that will attract wildlife.' She also suggests moving any feline feeding stations away from bodies of water, like ponds, as well as dairy cows and poultry like chickens, geese, ducks and turkeys. Backyard chickens can put pet cats at risk of contracting bird flu. While this might seem like a prime time to start raising backyard chickens for eggs, it's problematic for people trying to protect their cats – though it is possible, according to Dr. Levy. 'Follow the public health recommendations to confine the birds. Try to protect them from interacting with wildlife, especially wild birds, covering the tops of their coops and pens so that the wild birds can't get in and poop in there,' she says. Additionally, don't let backyard chickens roam free throughout the day, where they might encounter areas that wild birds have been. Of course, do not let cats mingle with backyard chickens. 'We want to separate the cats from them until this is over,' she says. If you suspect your cat has bird flu, call your veterinarian first – don't just show up. 'They need to prepare so they are safe. They're not going to have you sitting in the waiting room with the cat,' Dr. Levy says. 'They need to wear PPE like gloves, outer clothing, a mask, eye protection and shoe covers.' People transporting cats that potentially have bird flu should also wear an extra layer of clothes and PPE, she notes. While wearing protective equipment is advised to reduce the spread of bird flu, Dr. Levy stressed that people should not surrender their cats to shelters if they suspect they have bird flu or if they're afraid of contracting it. 'With cats and dogs, it's more likely that a person infected with influenza would infect the pet than vice versa,' she says. 'And the good news is that if these cats can be nursed through it, they only shed virus for a couple weeks, so it's really a short time of care before they're safe again.' She believes it's probable that shelters and veterinarians are seeing cats who are the most severely affected right now, so in the future, we might learn that some cats were infected but had minor signs or no signs and just recovered on their own. Protecting cats from bird flu protects them from serious illness and death while also diminishing ... More the chance for the H5N1 version to combine with another bird flu strain and potentially mutate into something worse. Ultimately, by protecting cats from being exposed to bird flu, we can also help prevent animals from being infected with two strains of influenza at the same time – which can lead to mutations that are much worse. Dr. Levy feels strongly that the public needs to know that bird flu is a 'real concern,' so we must do our part to protect our cats and communities from the virus. 'We can control a lot of the risk factors for cats,' she says. 'But what we can't do is control the migration of wild birds. So we have to be hypervigilant about protecting ourselves and our animals from exposure to wild birds.' Animal shelter experts from the University of Florida and other universities maintain a living document with guidelines and protocols for cats with possible H5N1 infections. The CDC shares updates on its bird flu page.
USA Today
28-02-2025
- General
- USA Today
What to do when you find a stray cat: Veterinarians share advice on care and feeding
What to do when you find a stray cat: Veterinarians share advice on care and feeding Show Caption Hide Caption Passengers delighted as cat on the loose explores plane's cabin A cat was seen walking around the airplane's cabin during its departure. It eventually was reunited with its owner at the back of the plane. Stray cats are all over the nation, roaming people's backyards and sometimes redistributing themselves to a new home. Experts told USA TODAY caring for community cats can improve the population's health and prevent kittens. Videos of people feeding stray cats are all over the internet with users marveling at a cat's affection, a stray moving into a woman's home and some even demanding food. Adorable as they may be, stray cats do require specific care that one veterinarian said is upheld best by the community. "Any time the community can step up and help out the animals and the people that love them, without burdening the shelter, it's a big win," said Dr. Julie Levy of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Best veterinarian hospital? USA TODAY wants to know what pet owners think Trap, neuter, return Anyone who comes across a stray cat should always try to capture it and bring it to a veterinarian's office or a spay clinic, Levy said. The practice is called trap, neuter and return. "We like people to understand that the cats are supposed to go back where they came from, not like taken and dumped somewhere in the woods, in a park or something," Levy said. "That would be inappropriate to do for the cats." If it's unsafe to return a cat back from where it came from, she added the best outcome is to place the feline in a working cat home such as a farm or a business. That requires a whole acclimation process, so many doctors consider it a last resort. Not all stray cats need to be taken in. Levy said anyone who comes across one should check its ear for a slight clip. Clinics and veterinarians use that to show the public a cat has been neutered and can remain outside if it's not in danger. The best veterinarian hospitals? Vets can help USA TODAY rank top animal hospitals If a stray doesn't have its ear clipped, Levy said to check for a tattoo in the cat's genital region. If the animal has it, she said it's likely someone's pet and people should post about the cat on social media and pet-finding sites, and then notify a local animal shelter. Cat owners can prevent their pet from becoming a stray by keeping it indoors and registering its microchip, said Dr. Tiffany Kutner, medical director at the North Carolina-based shelter and clinic Safe Haven for Cats. "It's the new adopter's responsibility to register that microchip to themselves so that if their cat does get out and get scanned by a veterinary hospital, they know who to call," she said. Feeding stray cats is acceptable Notice a stray cat that appears to be hungry? Experts told USA TODAY that feeding the animal is OK if it's stray and not feral. A feral cat is not friendly to humans, said Christi Metropole, executive director and founder of the nonprofit Stray Cat Alliance. "A domestic animal needs to be fed by humans," Metropole said. "Cats depend 100% on humans. There are a few outliers who maybe can live on mice, but that's very unusual." Stray cat advocacy group Ally Cat Allies suggests that people create outdoor shelters for the cold months. The shelters can be made of plastic tubs insulated with styrofoam and hay. People do not have to take in the cats, Metropole said, but giving them food and water can help keep the strays healthy. However, if people don't want a stray to return, Safe Haven Shelter Manager Cat Wursta said to avoid feeding the felines. "The biggest thing is trying to find that cat's home," Kutner said "Because more than likely – seven, eight times out of 10 – it's owned by somebody." Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at knurse@ Follow her on X @KrystalRNurse, and on BlueSky @
