Guest Author - Denise Lacazette

The daily news reports are rather alarming regarding the zoonotic infection H5N1. They are focused on the potential for a pandemic when the avian flu mutates and begins transmitting from human to human. We have to consider that public panic and hysteria may pose a significant problem for some of our pets unless we demonstrate good animal husbandry by using all reasonable means to prevent contraction of the virus by susceptible animals. Any action we as pet owners can take to make outbreaks and mutations more difficult for the virus should be undertaken. The majority of our exotic pets are not high risk - the highest at-risk animals are free range poultry and birds at wild game operations - but panic and hysteria have no logic.

Tips to consider:

Outdoor access

Carnivores and exotic birds that have access to the outdoors are at a higher risk than animals kept indoors 100% of the time. As of today we know carnivores can get the virus from eating infected carrion; exotic birds can contract it via contact with the feces of infected birds. There are two basic ways of ensuring your pet is protected: you can quit giving it access to the outdoors, or you can construct an outdoor enclosure with suitable protections.

If you choose to build an enclosure, the enclosure should be constructed such that rodents cannot burrow or get in. This will also involve burying mesh as the floor base and constructing a secondary barrier. This secondary barrier helps maintain integrity when either the outer or inner wall is breached (either by a rodent or predator trying to get in or an attempted “jail break”). The roof should be constructed of a solid material so that a bird roosting on it cannot drop feces into the enclosure. Depending on what lengths you wish to go to on the project, you can install clear roofing in sections or sunlights, screening of the outer wall to prevent bugs/mosquitoes, etc. Remember that you will have to be able to keep the interior clean so be sure the access is adequate for you to do that. If the enclosure is small - a cat run for example, and grass is dug up (or dies) provide potted plants (non-toxic such as sprouted wheat grass, catnip etc) in various size containers that can be changed in and out as needed. This project can be as minimal or elaborate as you wish - provided it meets the minimum protection requirements (and hopefully satisfies your pet’s need to be outdoors.) Once complete, invite your neighbors over for a peek at your public health creation. (Quell doubts before it ever becomes necessary).

Indoor Tips

Shoes often touch things we would not dream of voluntarily picking up with our hands. Consider taking your shoes off at the door. Before storing shoes in a closet disinfect shoe bottoms (at minimum). Alternately - consider investing in some hospital shoe booties and use them to cover your shoes until you can slip into other clean, comfortable shoes. (Disinfect removed shoe bottoms as before). Granted if you have a house party neither idea is attractive, but try to minimize the amount of outdoor contaminants by cleaning floors immediately after a party and disinfecting as much as possible before allowing your exotic pets access to the floor. Remember to use pet friendly cleaners & disinfectants – do not kill the animal you were trying to protect!! Throughout the process wash your hands. This has been proven as the single most important thing you can do. Also consider using a natural, organic disinfecting soap versus antibacterial (chemical) soap. Do not contribute to creating super bacteria by overuse of antibacterial chemical products in an attempt to thwart the virus. And finally, if you have had physical contact with birds (especially poultry or waterfowl) while away from home, change your clothes immediately upon returning (or before if possible) to prevent any possible cross contamination. Other diseases besides H5N1 can be transmitted through your physical contact with them.

To some minds these may seem extreme, but if we are storing tuna and powdered milk under our beds it may not be extreme enough! Use common sense and think about how you can minimize the chances of your pet coming in contact with disease carriers. Make informed decisions, resist panic, and always remember that their lives are dictated by you and the government. It is your responsibility to ensure neither of you abuse them by making ill-formed decisions regarding their health or fate.