The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) goes by many names: bird flu, avian flu, H5N1, but one thing is constant—this is a highly contagious virus among birds. Not only does it affect birds but HPAI can, under certain conditions, spread to many mammals, including cats, dogs, ferrets, cattle, and pigs.
In this blog, we’ll answer some important questions like:
What are the signs of HPAI?
What are the next steps if I see signs of HPAI?
How do animals, especially birds, contract HPAI?
Please understand that information on the 2024-2025 outbreak of HPAI is still evolving and we invite you to consult with the CDC and USDA websites.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA (HPAI)?
There are no signs of disease unique to HPAI. We start to worry about HPAI when animals acutely exhibit some of the signs listed below and those animals have increased risk factors associated with HPAI. Acute signs of possible HPAI infection in your pet could include:
Neurologic signs: incoordination, weakness; note, water fowl may swim in circles
Respiratory signs: breathing changes, nasal or ocular discharge, red or inflamed eyes
Lethargy: weakness, inability to rouse, overly tired, disinterest in food or toys
There are many other diseases that have the same signs as we list above but the chances of the animal having HPAI increases if the animal has been exposed to wild birds, poultry, dairy cattle, raw milk, undercooked raw diets, and you spot some of the symptoms above, call or visit your primary care veterinarian. If your regular veterinarian is unavailable, call your local VEG pet hospital for advice for your next steps.
HOW DOES HPAI SPREAD?
Here, we’ll explore how the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza spreads within species and from species to species as of this writing. The more humans can educate themselves on HPAI, the greater the chance we can protect our pets and livestock.
Wild birds, mammals, and livestock: HPAI is spread between bird flocks in widespread geographic areas via migration routes. Wild birds then easily spread HPAI to other birds such as commercial and backyard poultry flocks and even pet birds that are allowed access to wild birds. Infected birds can also spread HPAI to wild mammals and livestock (especially dairy cattle).
Pets: Companion animals are most often infected following exposure to infected wild and domestic birds and livestock. The HPAI virus can live in tissues, milk, body secretions, and feces.
Other routes of exposure:
Contact with the virus found on poorly cleaned surfaces, equipment, hands, shoes, and clothing
Drinking raw or unpasteurized milk
Eating raw eggs, meat, or animal products
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR HPAI?
First, let’s alleviate some concern: if your pet is not exposed to wild birds, poultry, or dairy cattle, and if your pet does not eat raw diets or drink raw milk, the chances of your pet having HPAI is almost zero.
VEG VETERINARY HOSPITALS ARE OPEN 24 HOURS
If you think your pet has been exposed and may have the signs we mentioned previously, please visit your primary care DVM. If they are not available, please call the nearest VEG before you come in. Since this disease is potentially infectious to other pets or people, we may ask you to come in through a different VEG entrance.
Currently, there is no approved medication against HPAI but there are other methods of treatment we can administer to your pet.
As of Jan 2025, disease due to HPAI is almost totally confined to wild birds and wild mammals. Previous HPAI outbreaks during the last century have shown that pets that do not have exposure to wild animals do not get this disease. Based on historic data, VEG recommends you keep your pet away from wild animals, raw milk, and meat products to keep the risk of disease in your pet very, very low.
