Mary Allen
Bird flu is a viral disease that primarily affects birds. At least that’s how it was for a long time. In the meantime, the bird flu virus has changed.
And at least since the last bird flu epidemics, many dog owners have been asking themselves how dangerous bird flu can be for dogs. Can our four-legged friends also be infected with bird flu?
In 1997, the first cases of bird flu were detected in humans. Other infections have been observed in pigs, horses, cats, and dogs.
Restricted areas are declared during a bird flu epidemic. There you must keep your dog on a leash.
Avian influenza is caused by a virus
Bird flu is caused by the influenza A virus. This type represents the most dangerous virus in the influenza group. It is also known as avian influenza.
Mainly chickens and related birds are affected. This makes the disease a major problem for chicken farms. Avian influenza is one of the notifiable animal diseases.
However, the virus can also be transmitted to wild birds. This case is subject to reporting.
In Europe, the most violent outbreak to date occurred in the winter months of 2016/2017. At that time, numerous breeding animals had to be killed in Central Europe.
Is H5N8 dangerous for dogs?
Not all bird flu is the same. Different viruses exist. Almost twenty different types of influenza A virus are currently known.
- Influenza A virus H5N8
Since 1983, the bird flu H5N8 has repeatedly broken out in poultry farms in Europe. - Influenza A virus H5N1
Since 1997, the H5N1 virus has spread to humans more frequently. - Influenza A virus H7N9
Since 2013, the H7N9 virus has spread to humans more frequently.
The virus that caused fear at the turn of the year 2016/2017 is called influenza A virus H5N8. This variant reached Europe via migratory birds from Asia.
Exclusion zones and stable duties followed. There was a general ban on free running for dogs.
There are no known diseases in humans or dogs from this virus strain. However, there are numerous diseases caused by other virus strains such as H5N1 and H7N9.
Beware of bird flu
The risk of contracting the disease depends on the type of virus. The H5N8 virus is not dangerous to humans or dogs. Nevertheless, our dogs can spread the virus.
When cases of bird flu are reported, you should be very careful when feeding poultry raw. Ideally, avoid poultry until the viral epidemic is over.
When walking your dog, you should always leash it around birds. This is especially true in the vicinity of streams, rivers, and lakes.
Always make sure that your dog does not approach dead birds. Wild animal droppings also pose risks. Clean the dog’s paws after the walk.
Avoid the restricted areas with your dog.
Avoid restricted zones and restricted areas
A restricted area is an area around where a sick animal was found. It reaches three kilometers. The observation zone is 10 kilometers in radius.
Within these zones, there is an absolute leash obligation. Even cats are not allowed to run free in these zones.
It is better to avoid these zones completely. In this case, pay regular attention to reports in the media.
Symptoms of influenza illness
There is no vaccination against bird flu for dogs. Therefore prevention is very important. A disease and its course always depend on the animal’s immune system.
Watch your bitch closely. If she shows signs of flu, take the pet to your vet as a precaution.
The symptoms are similar to those of normal flu:
- High fever
- muscle and limb pain
- diarrhea
- breathing problems
- loss of appetite
- languor
- conjunctivitis
Do not worry. Diseases caused by bird flu are hardly documented in dogs and are by no means common. That could change with the next modified virus strain.
This is why strict hygiene regulations are so important during an outbreak. So that the bird flu does not become dangerous for dogs for as long as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do chickens get bird flu?
Infection usually occurs from animal to animal. Spread of the virus by stable flies, people, migratory birds, etc. is possible. Inanimate vectors such as transport boxes, equipment, and vehicles are often involved in the spread.
Can dogs get bird flu by eating chicken?
Our results demonstrate that dogs are susceptible to infection with the avian influenza (H5N1) virus and can shed the virus from the nose without showing apparent signs of disease.
Can dogs get bird flu from eating bird poop?
Next time you’re walking your dog in the woods or park, pay attention to bird poo because a vet has warned it could make your dog unwell. There are two main illnesses a dog can pick up from ingesting bird droppings: Histoplasmosis and chlamydia psittaci.
Can dogs get sick from birds drinking their water?
Dogs are at risk of contracting Avian flu or cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic disease if they ingest bird droppings. It doesn’t mean that every dog that drinks from a bird bath or mud puddle gets sick, but it is a risk.
What happens if my dog eats a bird with bird flu?
Can dogs get sick from birds?
Some birds carry Salmonella in their intestinal tracts and dogs could become infected from eating them. This is a bigger problem in cats that hunt birds – salmonellosis in outdoor cats are also referred to as songbird fever.
Can dogs get Covid 19?
Pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. The risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to people is low. Do not put masks on pets; masks could harm your pet.
How do you know if a dog is Covid?
Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pets
Some signs of illness in pets may include fever, coughing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, lethargy, sneezing, nose or eye discharge, vomiting, or diarrhea.