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CSU Tests For Swine Flu In Pets

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Nov 11, 2009 7:28 pm US/Mountain

CSU Tests For Swine Flu In Pets

Reporting
Mike Hooker
DENVER (CBS4) ― If someone's pet is feeling a little under the weather, it might have swine flu. That's not as crazy as it may sound. Colorado State University is starting to test samples from cases in which pets tested positive for H1N1.

At CSU a freezer holds test swabs taken by veterinarians from pets feared to have contracted the H1N1 flu from their owners.

"So far we've received maybe about five samples. We've only received cat samples so far," Dr. Kristy Pabilonia at the CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Pabilonia says the samples are being tested for H1N1 after several companion animals in other states caught swine flu from people.

"We've seen a cat. We've seen a few ferrets," she said. "There have been no dog cases, so really very limited right now."

An important question is whether pets can transmit flu back to people. Researchers say so far it doesn't look like that happens.

"We're not seeing it go back from animals into humans yet," laboratory technician
Christina Weller said.

Weller runs samples and if the test indicates flu it'll help the vet treat the pet. Pabilonia said if someone gets sick they can help their pet stay healthy.

"Just limiting contact; having the healthy people in the house take care of the animal would be a good suggestion," Pabilonia said. "We've only seen a limited number of cases, so it's prudent to not be overly concerned at this point."

Pabilonia said if an animal is sick and its owner has been sick with the flu, they should visit a vet to make sure the animal has a quick return to good health.

CSU's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is part of a national network of labs doing testing of major outbreaks of illness in animals.

Additional Resources

CBS4's H1N1 Survival Guide contains hospital and clinic information for getting a vaccination -- many of them free. It also contains many useful links, sections and the latest articles and video clips about the swine flu. Visit the H1N1 Survival Guide


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