A 6-year-old male domestic shorthair cat in Wisconsin has tested positive for the H1N1 influenza virus, the first confirmed case of H1N1 in a U.S. pet since January 2010, according to Idexx Reference Laboratories. The Westbrook, Maine-based company confirmed the test result with its Feline Upper Respiratory Disease RealPCR Panel. The American Veterinary Medical Association, which tracks all instances of H1N1 in animals, sent out a media alert today. The cat had been presented to a veterinary emergency hospital due to respiratory distress. A second cat, a 10-year-old female domestic shorthair, from the same household was also taken in but tested negative for the virus. However, “given the strong-positive quantitative real-time PCR result in the first cat, the H1N1 influenza virus is still the presumptive cause of respiratory disease in the second cat,” Idexx reported. “The shedding period of influenza viruses is short, which may have been responsible for the negative PCR result.” Both cats were euthanized after failing to respond to treatment. The owner of the cats had been ill with flu-like symptoms prior to the cats’ illness and is believed to be the source of the infection, according to AVMA. In addition to humans and cats, this strain of H1N1 influenza virus has also been found in pigs, birds, ferrets and a dog. There have been no confirmed cases of pets passing the virus back to people, the AVMA noted. The clinical signs of H1N1 virus infection are likely to resemble those of other common respiratory infections, according to Idexx. However, more severe respiratory disease, including pneumonia, may be possible. Clinical signs may include: Coughing, sneezing and oculonasal discharge Fever, lethargy and loss of appetite Dyspnea, tachypnea and respiratory distress The AVMA urges pet owners to monitor their pets’ health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness. Related articles in chronological order (most recent to oldest): AVMA: Presence of H1N1 Identified in Turkey Flock New York Dog Tests Positive for H1N1 Iowa Cat Tests Positive for H1N1 H1N1 Flu Virus Found in Alberta Swine Herd
