No swine for Fido!

I know that around our house, life has been odd and a bit scary with the whole “swine flu” thing going around.

When I was at the grocery store purchasing more antibacterial hand sanitizer, I started to wonder about the H1N1 and pets. I cannot imagine them not being able to contract this horrible virus when the pets are lying in bed with the kids, and spending countless hours with them.

After much research, I found that Animal health expert says H1N1 flu strain has never been shown to transmit to dogs and cats.

Dogs and cats do have their own versions of pet influenza viruses. The canine influenza virus is a influenza Type A H3N8 virus, and the feline version is Type A H5N1 influenza virus. (The numbers and letters after the type denote the numbers and types of proteins on the surface of the virus.

So, although your pet can get contract a cold and can have other medical conditions, they cannot get the dreaded H1N1. What good news, one less thing to worry about.

For humans, continue to do what you are doing until flu season is over:

• Use tissue to cover coughs and sneezes. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that people stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

So, keep well and no worries for that old pig flu for Fido!