Cats can get H1N1 virus !

[dandysmom]

Found this disturbing news today. Almost scary enough to make me think of getting the first ever flu shot....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091104/ap_on_he_me/us_swine_flu_cat

[calismum]

Never thought that would happen - quite scarey.

[jan]

Has anyone actually had the swine flu jab yet? I would be eligible to receive one being asthmatic but have many reservations as does everyone I speak to - but the thought of my cats being ill too especially with two oap cats - well, it almost makes you one want one ! Jan x:shock:

[angieh]

I've had my jab - and still have a hard red lump to prove it! But I am also asthmatic and have COPD and attend a physio group at the hospital weekly, so considered it not only a safeguard for myself but as being responsible towards other vulnerable people I come across regularly.

I am glad the cat got better - I would not have thought that this species jump would have caused so much surprise. It's gone from birds to pigs and then humans - seems to be a clever and tricksy virus.

[dandysmom]

It's making me rethink my decision; never get a flu shot, but am concerned that Leia might catch it if I do...

[angieh]

If the US is using the same vaccine as here in UK, it is inert and you cannot catch the flu from having the vaccination.

Again here in UK, people aged 60 and over are not being immunised unless they have other underlying conditions - my MIL for example, will not be getting the jab. Older people seem to have a natural resistance, probably from the viral epidemic after WW2.

This is the information (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/Vaccine.aspx) our NHS is providing.

[dandysmom]

People over 65 here can get the H1N1 jab, but at the end of the queue, after all the vulnerable people have had it. Flu season will probably be almost over by then as the vaccine supply is slow!