DEAR READERS: The outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in U.S. dairy cows has been confirmed in 200 herds in 15 states, and now the virus has been found in pet cats. Previously, cats on dairy farms had contracted H5N1 after drinking infected milk, but two of the six pets now identified in Colorado were indoor animals.

“The identification of H5N1 in indoor-only cats is a big concern” because it is unclear how they became infected, says Meghan Davis, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

It is possible that these indoor cats were infected by mice in their homes, or by contact with an infected person with mild symptoms such as pink eye. Outdoor cats are at more obvious risk because of potential contact with infected birds. Cats seem especially susceptible to this strain of influenza, and there are legitimate concerns that they may become a significant source of transmission of this highly infectious virus to humans.

Tips for all pet owners: Don’t feed them raw milk (or any raw animal-based food products), and watch for changes in behavior. Read more here: scientificamerican.com/article/bird-flu-is-infecting-pet-cats-heres-what-you-need-to-know.

ELEPHANT SEAL H5N1 INFECTIONS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN

A mass die-off of 17,000 elephant seal pups and mothers in Argentina caused by a highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 avian influenza serves as a warning that mammals -- including humans -- are vulnerable to the virus, says Marcela Uhart, a wildlife veterinarian at the University of California, Davis. The virus had adapted well to marine mammals, which then transmitted it -- along with its new mammal-adapted mutations -- back to birds, posing risks to people and other mammals.

This subtype of H5N1 avian influenza, which has encircled the globe in recent years and was recently found in various birds in Antarctica, is “quite a baffling virus, and there’s still a lot we need to learn about it,” says seabird ecologist Norman Ratcliffe of the British Antarctic Survey. Some research projects have already been scaled back to avoid spreading the virus further. While many infected birds have died, some Adelie penguins and an Antarctic cormorant are among the ones that have survived -- raising concerns that healthy birds can carry and transmit the virus to new locations. (Full story: Science.org, March 28)

DEAR DR. FOX: I had written to you a while back regarding our 17-year-old orange tabby, Rusty, and his dewclaw injury. Sadly, he went downhill and never bounced back from that; we saw it as almost the equivalent of a human breaking a hip. He had to be laid to rest last October.

We have discussed getting another cat, but we fear spraying or other territorial behaviors due to Rusty having lived in our home for so long. He had the run of the house, and had many favorite nesting spots. He never had accidents or made messes, other than hairballs, but he “marked” every table corner and chair leg with the corner of his mouth! Also, we have wall-to-wall carpets, which I know will retain pet scents even when we believe they are clean.

Given all this, my question is: How long do you believe Rusty’s scent will remain in our house? -- C.M.C., Cumberland, Maryland

DEAR C.M.C.: I am saddened to hear of Rusty’s passing.

Most cats regularly mark their home environments with their saliva and with the scent glands on their faces and tails. I see no way to completely remove these scent markings, beyond the basic steps of laundering linens and giving furniture a wipe-down with Nature’s Miracle enzyme cleaner.

While your home will inevitably still have some residual scent from Rusty for some time, you can still welcome a new cat into your lives. Feliway, the feline pheromone plug-in room diffuser, should help a new cat feel less threatened in its new environment.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR READERS: Dog owners may be tempted to think that because animals eat “raw diets” in the wild, the same is appropriate for their canine companions. But wild carnivores and carrion eaters have acidic stomachs that probably aid in killing potentially harmful bacteria in the animal parts they consume. Dogs, after millennia of domestication, may not fare so well.

A warning from the American Veterinary Medical Association:

“The AVMA recognizes public interest in feeding raw diets to dogs and cats. However, the AVMA discourages feeding any raw or undercooked animal-sourced protein (e.g., meat, poultry, fish, egg, milk) to dogs and cats because of their risk to human and animal health. ...

“Animal-sourced proteins of concern include beef, pork, poultry, fish, and other meat from domesticated or wild animals, as well as milk and eggs. Several studies reported in peer-reviewed scientific journals and product recalls have demonstrated that raw or undercooked animal-sourced protein may be contaminated with a variety of pathogenic organisms, including (various species of) Salmonella, Campylobacter, (and) Clostridium; Escherichia coli; Listeria monocytogenes; and Enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus. Dogs and cats may develop foodborne illness after being fed animal-sourced protein contaminated with the organisms listed above if adequate steps are not taken to reduce or eliminate pathogens.

“Apparently healthy dogs and cats can develop subclinical infections with these organisms and pose a risk to other animals and people, especially young, elderly, pregnant, and immunocompromised individuals. People handling contaminated raw pet foods are also at risk of becoming sick.”

To read the full statement, visit: avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/raw-or-undercooked-animal-source-protein-cat-and-dog-diets.

I feed my dog some plant-based raw foods, and she enjoys nutrients from organically certified blueberries, grated carrots, zucchini, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and sprouted mung beans.

PIG WELFARE CONCERNS FROM MINNESOTA TO CHINA

I took note of a full-page photo in the Aug. 26 Minnesota Star Tribune’s Scene at the Fair section, which depicted a newly born piglet in the fair’s Miracle of Birth Center being petted. Pigs are highly sentient animals, and sows giving birth seek seclusion and security -- neither of which they are afforded at state fairs, with milling crowds witnessing the birthing process. The disconnect between being moved to touch such an adorable creature and then proceeding to eat various pork products is evidently a cultural norm.

This disconnect persists in China, as well: According to the August 2024 edition of the British Veterinary Association’s journal, Veterinary Record, farm animals in China are often viewed as “production tools” or “animal-based protein products.” On July 2, the South China Morning Post reported about a 26-story pig factory in central China with the capacity to produce 1.2 million pigs per year.

It is notable that as of March 2024, Smithfield Foods, which is owned by the Chinese WH Group, controls more than a quarter of U.S. pig production. Smithfield is the largest pork producer in the U.S., raising and slaughtering nearly 18 million pigs each year.

A CAT BOOK TO INSPIRE ALL

I encourage all who love cats, as well as nature photography, to seek out the book “Rescue Cats: Portraits and Stories” by animal photographer Traer Scott. It features full-color portraits of cats alongside their stories, many of which include recovery from injury, illness, starvation and neglect.

Per the book’s description, “‘Rescue Cats’ pays tribute to these amazing felines who have undergone remarkable transformations and found their forever homes while conveying the profound impact of rescue and adoption. For cat lovers, photography enthusiasts, and advocates for animal welfare, this joyful cat book is a poignant reminder that every rescue is a chapter in a larger story of compassion and redemption.”

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR READERS: Many illnesses and behavioral problems in dogs, cats and other companion animals can be prevented, and others cured, by their caretakers adhering to five basic principles. These qualities combine to ensure animals’ health and overall well-being.

Companion animals need:

-- the right relationship

-- the right breeding/genetics

-- the right nutrition

-- the right environment, and

-- the right holistic veterinary care.

It is every animal lover's responsibility to recognize these as basic animal rights. Doing so will prevent and alleviate much animal suffering, as well as reduce many animal health and behavioral problems (and therefore the veterinary and other costs associated with them). It would also lead to a reduction in animal abandonment and euthanasia.

Regrettably, according to a 2023 global assessment of pet homelessness, 15% of pet owners are considering giving up their pet in the next 12 months. Reasons given include personal health challenges, housing restrictions and time pressures. Almost half of the people surveyed said they had lost a pet in the past. (For details, see stateofpethomelessness.com.)

The duty-of-care principles bring out the best qualities in people by enhancing the human-animal bond. Animals will enjoy a higher quality of life and a better relational/emotional experience. The guidelines also provide an ethical compass of responsibility and compassion to advance the moral and character development of children. In learning how to respect and care for other animals, children enhance their sense of self-worth and refine their ability to empathize with other sentient beings.

As St. Francis of Assisi told his followers, “Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission: to be of service to them wherever they require it.”

CROPPING DOGS’ EARS HAS MULTIPLE DRAWBACKS

The practice of cropping dogs’ ears is illegal in many places, and has the potential for negative outcomes even when it is legally performed. These include pain and stress for the dog, along with the possibility of postoperative complications. The American Veterinary Medical Association opposes ear cropping when performed solely for cosmetic purposes. (Full story: Dogster.com, July 11)

The American Kennel Club should stop allowing dogs with cropped ears to enter the show ring.

DEAR DR. FOX: We’ve always given milk to our cats with zero problems. I give milk to my 11-year-old cat in the morning with her food -- just a few teaspoons. She drinks it first, then eats the cat food.

But some people say this is not good for them. And online, I'm reading that most adult cats are lactose intolerant and milk will make them throw up or get diarrhea. I don't understand. -- D.L., Maryland Heights, Missouri

DEAR D.L.: Some cats are not lactose intolerant -- as yours is obviously not, given the lack of problems you have witnessed. There is sufficient genetic diversity in cats, and in their gut bacteria, that most cats can do well on most foods.

That said, there are exceptions. Dairy products are on the list of foods that can cause allergies or food intolerances in felines. If you gave your cat more than the small amount of milk she is accustomed to, for instance, she might well have loose stools.

If she is on an all-dry-kibble diet, I would advise you to continue giving her a little milk. Many cats have a poor thirst-hydration regulatory system, as they were originally a desert-adapted species. Cats eating only dry kibble can develop health problems like cystitis from not consuming sufficient fluids. That is why I advise a diet of primarily wet food for cats, with a little kibble as a snack.

What kind of milk do you give your cat -- skim? Fat-free? Be sure not to give a cat raw milk, which could come from a cow infected with the H5N1 influenza virus. This virus has been infecting wild and domesticated birds and mammals. It has sickened and even killed several cats on dairy farms, as well as indoor-outdoor cats who consumed infected birds and rodents.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)