Recently, we have been hearing a lot about bird flu.
Several flocks in Nebraska have been affected with the disease, and cases of illness have been reported in other states.
“We’ve been dealing with avian influenza for a few years now, and we almost always have this period of increased threats,” said Nebraska State Veterinarian Roger Dudley.
However, it appears that our feline pals may also be vulnerable.
A bird flu death in an Oregon cat has been linked back to Northwest Naturals, a popular raw pet food brand nationwide.
According to the Northwest Naturals website, 17 merchants carry their products in Nebraska, including a little more than a dozen in the metro. So I took to the streets to discover which of these stores had the goods on their shelves.
I visited 11 different pet food retailers on Thursday and saw no damaged products on the shelves.
I visited 11 different pet food retailers on Thursday and saw no damaged products on the shelves.
Some businesses, such as The Green Spot, told me they removed the product from their shelves on Thursday morning, while others, such as Long Dog Fat Cat and Pets Discount, stated that while they carried some Northwest Natural goods, the Feline Turkey recipe at the focus of the recall was not one they stocked.
Unfortunately, tainted food is not the only method for your pet to get sick.
Exposure to wild birds, even if it is as simple as coming into contact with clothing worn near wild fowl or their droppings, can spread avian influenza.
So, if you want your cat to be safe, keep them away from birds, and if they begin to exhibit symptoms of bird flu such as fever, difficulty breathing, or discharge from the eyes and nose, take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible.
“Ensure that there is adequate space from wild waterfowl to avoid contact with them. “Everything you can do to prevent that is beneficial,” Dudley stated.