Can Pets Get Swine Flu?
April 30, 2009 by Peggy Rowland
Filed under Pets
During the swine flu outbreak, have you started to wonder whether your pets may also be in danger?
The ASPCA announced today that the swine flu doesn’t appear to be a threat to dogs or cats. Currently, there’s no data that demonstrates any risk of dogs and cats contracting the new strain of the virus.
However, Dr. Louise Murray, the Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Hospital in New York City, cautions that owners of pet pigs and farmers should monitor their animals closely during the outbreak. For the protection of both humans and pigs, pet pigs and swine farms should be isolated from the public.
Owners of African pygmies, Vietnamese potbellies or other pet pigs can have their pets vaccinated against Influenza type A.
If you have a pet pig, have you taken special precautions to protect it from the flu?
(Image via stock.xchng)
i have got suspected swine flu and am being treated with tami flu. i have 2 pet gunipigs, should i stay away from then, what is the risk of me passing it on to them? i need to go and feed them nut im worried that i might put them in danger x
Rebecca, it’s unlikely you’d give swine flu to your guinea pig. If it would make you feel better, avoid contact until you call your vet’s office. However, if you do that, please get someone else to feed your guinea pig for you! : )
Guinea pigs aren’t actually related to the swine that are in danger of getting swine flu. They are members of the rodent family.