Veterinary Services
01/25/2025
On January 24, the Oregon Department of Agriculture announced that a cat in Washington County recently tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza (HPAI—more specifically, avian influenza type A H5N1). The outdoor cat with a history of exposure to wild waterfowl (ducks and geese) was examined by a veterinarian after exhibiting symptoms, including a fever, runny nose and eyes, lethargy, difficulty breathing and loss of appetite. The cat was diagnosed with pneumonia and the veterinarian notified the ODA of the suspected case. Andrea Cantu-Schomus, an agriculture department spokeswoman, told the Capital Chronicle that the cat was so ill that it had to be euthanized. (Note: This is a different case than the Washington County cat that died in December as a result of eating now recalled food.)
The confirmed diagnosis was achieved through a collaboration between ODA, the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ODVL) at Oregon State University, and the USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL). While a complete genome sequence is pending, preliminary tests confirm the H5N1 virus the cat contracted was not the strain circulating in dairy cattle in other states. To date, Oregon has no confirmed cases of H5N1 in cattle.
Cats, including both domestic and wild cats, such as tigers, mountain lions, lynx, etc., are particularly sensitive to H5N1 avian influenza, and care should be taken not to expose these animals to the virus. Dogs can also contract H5N1, though they appear less susceptible to the virus than cats. Tips to help protect your pet from H5N1:
* Do not feed your pet undercooked or raw meat, including uncooked or freeze-dried meat-based diets, treats, or animal products.
* Do not feed your pet raw (unpasteurized) milk or colostrum.
* Keep pets away from wild birds, poultry, and cattle (especially in areas with known H5N1 outbreaks).
* Prevent pets from eating birds or other wild animals.
* Wash your hands after touching raw meat and after interacting with poultry, livestock or animals outside your household.
* Consider changing clothing and shoes after interacting with animals or birds with unknown health status and before interacting with your own pets.
Seek veterinary care if your cat or dog appears to have any of the following symptoms of illness, especially if the pet has eaten raw or unpasteurized foods or has had contact with wild birds or poultry:
* Fever
* Lethargy
* Low appetite
* Reddened or inflamed eyes
* Discharge from the eyes and nose
* Respiratory distress
* Neurologic signs, like tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness
Veterinarians must immediately report any suspected cases of influenza in animals to the Oregon Department of Agriculture at (503) 986-4711.
