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Is Your Pet At Risk For H1N1 Flu?

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Oct 29, 2009 11:05 pm US/Eastern

Is Your Pet At Risk For H1N1 Flu?

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Is your pet at risk for H1N1 flu?

According to a local veterinarian, most pet owners don't need to worry, but it depends on what kind of pet you have.

Earlier this month, a sick ferret in Oregon tested positive for H1N1. It's reported the animal likely got it from its owner.

In late August, three pigs at the Minnesota State Fair tested positive.

Dr. Mike Hutchinson with Animal General Hospital in Cranberry says pet birds could be at risk.

So if you have H1N1 and have a pet ferret, pig or bird, he has some advice.

"Try not to handle them – try to be around them as little as possible if you do have that kind of illness in your house," he said.

While there have been no cases of dogs getting H1N1, they do get something else – it's called dog flu – or H3N8.

"It mutated from a horse flu and after five mutations became a dog flu – it's a new virus in dogs - it does not infect people," Hutchinson said.

There is a vaccine for dog flu but right now, Hutchinson believes it is not necessary to have your dog vaccinated.

"We're not giving it yet because in our area it hasn't been a big issue," he explained. "When I say our area - western Pennsylvania - it's in Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania is one of the 30 states that is seeing a lot of it - but it's mostly shelter situations and kennels."

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