Cat catches swine flu

Does the swine flu pandemic pose a threat to your pet? Yes, according to a report out today from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

A cat in Iowa has tested positive for the H1N1 virus, state officials confirmed this morning, "marking the first time a cat has been diagnosed with this strain of influenza," the association said in a statement.

"The cat, which has recovered, is believed to have caught the virus from someone in the household who was sick with H1N1. There are no indications that the cat passed the virus on to any other animals or people," the statement said.

The cat is 13 years old, and state health officials said two of the three family members that own the cat had suffered "influenza-like illness" before the cat got sick.They recovered too.

Before this kitty was diagnosed with the swine flu, the virus had been found in humans, pigs, birds and ferrets, the association said.

It is well known that some viruses can be transmitted from people to their pets so the case of the Iowa cat isn't a surprise. But the case is prompting the association, along with the American Association of Feline Practitioners, to remind pet owners "they should monitor their pets' health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness."