Is it possible to give my pets the flu?

1. 76

   Victoria Lynnposted 12 years ago

   Is it possible to give my pets the flu?
   
   Can my cats or dog catch the flu from me?

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2. 84

   jandeeposted 12 years ago

   Well we were all catching the Bird flu !  Maybe it is possible so let us hope some expert will come along and tell us.

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   1. 76

      Victoria Lynnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, birds! My boyfriend has a bird, and he was careful not to get too close when he had the flu. I wonder if we can make our pet birds sick, too? I'm sure the experts will come along and help us out! :-)

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   teaches12345posted 12 years ago

   Great question but I have no answer.  I had a cat with allergies once -- that was interesting.  I hope someone has an answer or theory.

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   DrMark1961posted 12 years ago

   Hi Victoria, as far as I know, it really depends on what type of flu you have. Some of them will transmit to dogs and cats, some will not. I think the disease is pretty self-limiting, not fatal, and can be treated just like you would treat any mild respiratory infection in a dog. With your little dog I do not even think it would be a concern, and unless you have a Persian cat I do not think it would be that big a deal. (If you have tabbys or cats with normal noses breathing with a stuffy nose should not be an issue.)
   Where I live I still treat cases of distemper (dogs that were never vaccinated) so the influenza vaccine is not even available, and I do not think anyone would buy it if it was.
   Final thoughts--if you have the flu, drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest, and try not to sneeze in your dog´s face!!!!

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      Victoria Lynnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Dr. Mark! I was hoping you'd find this question. All of that is good to know. I haven't sneezed in my dog's face so far, but he's by my side wherever I am.So are the cats--no Persians. Good to know!  Do you know about pet birds, too?

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      DrMark1961posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I am not an expert on all the types, but I do remember birds are much more sensitive to several of the varieties. They have very little lung capacity and will become congested and die quickly. A bird w flu needs oxy tent or incubator.

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   3. 76

      Victoria Lynnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Dang! My bf has a bird that he talks to, whistles with, but he stayed away from him when he was sick. Good thing! Thanks, Dr. Mark!

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   catgypsyposted 12 years ago

   From what I've read, it's possible, but not probable. Great question! I always worry I'll pass something onto my cats, but in most cases it's pretty rare.

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   fpherj48posted 12 years ago

   LOL...Vee...I have often wondered about this.  I remember asking my Dr. AND the Vet if I could catch a bug from my cat.....not the other way around....and guess what?  I do not remember what they said.    Now, had I brought my cat with me, he would have remembered!!.......I'm happy to see the Dr's answer to your question.
   My kitty had the "sniffles" just the other day!   But I'm A-OK!   Great question, Vee!

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   1. 76

      Victoria Lynnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, Effer! I was happy with Dr. Mark's answers, too! :-)

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   francisassissiposted 12 years ago

   There are many medical practitioners in my family and I learn that certain flu is immune to certain multi cellular organisms.
   
   I mean that if your flu is new to the immune system of your pet, then your pet gets sick,

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