As the current dairy outbreak shows us, H5N1 can affect different species. Part of the Board of Animal Health's work to safeguard the health of animals is to always look for new cases with strong testing and surveillance. Veterinarians are pivotal in the success of disease surveillance. While often associated with birds, recent research underscores the importance of considering H5N1 testing when diagnosing sick animals including cats and dogs.

While relatively rare, cases of H5N1 in dogs and cats have been documented. Clinical signs may include:

• Respiratory distress.
• Fever.
• Lethargy.
• Gastrointestinal issues.

Because of the overlap with other companion animal illnesses, such as canine influenza and feline upper respiratory infections, maintaining a high degree of suspicion is crucial for early detection.

Veterinarians who suspect H5N1 in dogs or cats should email the Board at companion.animal@state.mn.us for more information.

Harmful algal blooms

The following is a message from our friends at the Minnesota Department of Health.

Warmer weather in Minnesota means a greater risk of harmful algal blooms. Blooms most often occur in late summer but can happen at any time including the spring, early summer, and late fall. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) advises veterinarians to be on the lookout for possible illnesses and deaths related to harmful algal bloom (cyanobacteria) exposure.

What should I know?
Pets and other animals can be exposed to HABs when they wade in, swim in, or drink from contaminated waterbodies. They can also be exposed to the toxins when they lick algae from their fur while grooming.
Symptoms animals experience during illness depend on the type of toxin present in the water and how the animal is exposed. The severity of the illness depends on the amount of water and algal cells ingested, the animal’s body size, the amount of food in the animal’s stomach, and the sensitivity of the species and individual animal.
Common symptoms generally begin minutes to hours after exposure to toxins and include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Difficulty breathing
• General weakness
• Liver failure
• Seizures

In the worst cases, animals may suffer convulsions and/or die. MDH requests veterinarians report suspected or clinically diagnosed cases of HAB-related illness to the MDH Waterborne Diseases Unit.

Reporting forms for animals along with additional resources for veterinarians, including clinical features, differential diagnoses, and treatment options are on the MDH website.
Report cases by phone to 651-201-5414 or 877-676-5414 or by fax to 1-800-233-1817.