Orange County Register

A cat in Lebanon, Ore., is likely the first cat in the United States to have died as a result of the H1N1 virus, Oregon state veterinary officials said.

Raina Dey of the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association and state public health veterinarian Emilio DeBess said the 10-year-old cat likely contracted the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, from a human, The Eugene (Ore.) Register-Guard reported Thursday.

Read The Cat Doc’s column: “Can the family cat catch our colds” for advice on combating illness in your pet.

The cat died three days after being taken to Lebanon’s Animal Clinic with labored breathing on Nov. 4. The Register-Guard said a family member of the cat’s owner was recently sick with a flu-like illness.

The feline became the third confirmed case of a cat with H1N1 after the Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed the animal had the influenza strain.

What should you do if you suspect that your cat has an upper respiratory infection?

According to Dr. Elaine Wexler-Mitchell, our contributing cat expert here at Pet Tales:

• Assess your kitty’s ability to eat, drink, and breathe adequately. If the discharges are clear and the cat is eating and drinking relatively normally, then wiping the eyes and nose clear may be all that is needed.
• If your cat is depressed, not eating, or is having difficulty breathing, then he should probably be examined by your veterinarian.
• If you have a cat that is sick with an upper respiratory infection, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics, antihistamines, nasal sprays, interferon, or even the amino acid L-lysine.
• The most important thing to remember if your cat has an upper respiratory infection is to be patient. Do not have unrealistic expectations on how long you think it should take for your cat to be 100%.
• Try to keep your kitty as comfortable as possible and seek veterinary advice if signs of illness progress.

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