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Pet reassurance over swine flu

There is no evidence of swine flu infecting pets

PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Elaine Pendlebury, said: “Some pet owners are understandably concerned about the possible effects of swine flu on dogs and cats, particularly those living near farms and rural areas.

“Having discussed the issue with the Pet Health Council we’re pleased to report that at the moment there is no evidence that these pets can be affected by this new virus, so there’s no need for alarm. The virus doesn’t appear to be found in pigs in the UK, so there’s no cause for concern over dogs and cats coming into contact with livestock or eating commercial pet food containing pork.

“However, because the virus could change or spread to animals from an infected person, pet owners should keep themselves updated on the development of this disease.”

The PDSA has detailed plans for dealing with the effects of any disease outbreak, including swine flu, at its UK-wide network of PetAid hospitals and practices.

The charity provides free veterinary care for the pets of people in need. The charity employs over 550 veterinary surgeons and nurses, and cares for more than 350,000 pet patients each year.