LEBANON - A Lebanon cat has died in what is believed to be the first confirmed H1N1 feline fatality in the U.S., according to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association.

The OVMA gave this account:

On Nov. 4, a 10-year-old male cat was brought to the Animal Clinic in Lebanon, with labored breathing.

A member of the family had been sick with influenza-like illness approximately one week earlier.

On initial examination, the cat’s temperature was 101.7 F. There was no coughing or sneezing and its respiration was rapid and shallow. Radiographs revealed results consistent with pneumonia.

On Nov. 5, the cat’s respiratory rate worsened. The cat was admitted and treated with oxygen and medication.

On Nov. 7, the cat died. It was later confirmed that the cat was positive for pandemic H1N1 by Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

In addition to this case, there have been two other cases of confirmed H1N1 infection in cats in Iowa and Utah. Both cats recovered.

A Nebraska ferret with the virus died last month. Four Oregon ferrets tested positive and have recovered.

Three other cats in the Oregon household also became ill with different degrees of sneezing and coughing. None of them had an elevated temperature. Nasal swab samples were collected and yielded no other positive results for H1N1.

Transmission

In these cases it is believed that the cats caught the virus from humans in their households who were sick with influenza-like symptoms, according to the OVMA.

The association recommends that people who are ill with influenza-like symptoms wash their hands, use alcohol-based hand cleaners, cover  their mouths and noses with tissues when sneezing, and avoiding touching a cat’s eyes, nose and mouth while sick.

Dr. Emilio DeBess, Oregon state public health veterinarian, cautions owners and veterinarians that it may be possible for cats to transmit this virus to humans. Coughing and sneezing can spread the virus which can remain infectious for about a week outside the body. Thoroughly wash your hands when handling sick pets or when you are sick.

Symptoms

While the outcome of this case is unfortunate, cat owners should not panic, according to the OVMA. The number of confirmed cases of H1N1 infection in cats is quite small compared to the U.S. cat population.

Watch for symptoms and seek veterinary care for cats that show signs of respiratory illness when there has also been recent influenza-like illness in humans in the same household.

Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, lethargy, or conjunctivitis (swelling and redness of the membranes around the eyes). In these instances, the cat should be examined by a veterinarian, especially if there is a recent history of influenza-like illness in the household.

Treatment

As with people, treatment is supportive, which means treating the symptoms and letting the virus run its course. If a diagnosis of respiratory illness is made, your veterinarian can suggest medications and treatment to make your cat more comfortable.

Updates

The OVMA will update this information as needed on its Web site at http://oregonvma.org/. It also posts updates on its Twitter and Facebook pages.

The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association is a nonprofit membership association of veterinarians helping people give animals a high quality of life.