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Bird flu in pets: Arizona veterinarian calls for calm while suggesting preventive measures

By
Updated  January 6, 2025 6:31pm MST
Pets and Animals
FOX 10 Phoenix

Bird Flu: Veterinarian gives advice to cat owners

As bird flu, or avian influenza, continues to spread, some veterinarians warn that cats are more at risk for the virus. However, there are also ways that will help keep them safe. FOX 10's Lauren Clark has more.

The Brief

    • Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, continues to spread across the U.S.
    • There have been nine positive cases involving cats in December 2024 across the U.S., according to the USDA.
    • No cases of bird flu infection in pets have been reported in Arizona, but experts are urging caution and preventive measures.

PHOENIX - As avian influenza, also known as bird flu, continues to spread, some veterinarians are starting to voice concerns over the virus' impact on cats.

According to officials with USDA, there were nine positive cases involving cats in December 2024 across the country. In Arizona, the virus killed five animals at Wildlife World Zoo, including a cheetah, mountain lion, and three kinds of birds.

Veterinarians say cats are more at risk of the virus. Brian Serbin says cats are more at risk of contracting the virus because of their predatory instincts. 

"Especially outdoor cats that tend to hunt birds," said Serbin.

Serbin, who is the Medical Director for Ingleside Animal Hospital in Phoenix, is also calling for calm. He said so far, neither he nor any vet reporting to the Arizona Board of Veterinary Medicine have seen any infected cats nor dogs.

"At this point, we don’t think it’s a widespread problem. Just take the proper precautions," said Serbin. "The recommendation is to keep your cats indoors, if possible."

While Arizona has yet to see any confirmed reports of pet infection, there are several house cats in California's Los Angeles County that tested positive after eating raw pet food products. Health officials there have issued a warning to cat owners, asking them to avoid any products with raw milk or raw meat. Serbin is urging cat owners to take the same advice.

Serbin also suggests that pet owners take their pets to the vet immediately if they start acting seriously ill.

"The bottom line is if you have any pet that’s not acting right - that is not feeling well - lethargic, especially showing neurological signs, you should contact your veterinarian and have your pet examined," said Serbin.

What is bird flu?

According to the Mayo Clinic, bird flu is caused by influenza type A virus infections in bird species.

Per the website, birds could die from avian influenza in very serious cases.

"Bird flu rarely infects humans, but health officials worry because influenza A viruses that infect birds can change, called mutate, to infect humans and spread from person to person more often," read a portion of the website. "Because a new strain of bird flu would be a new virus to humans, a mutated strain like that could spread quickly around the world."

The Source

  • Information for this article was gathered by FOX 10's Lauren Clark, with supplemental information on bird flu gathered from the Mayo Clinic website.

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