What are the current treatment recommendations for pets suspected or confirmed to be infected with the 2009 H1N1 flu virus?
At this time, we recommend you treat these cases the same way you would treat pets with any other viral respiratory infection: with monitoring and supportive care. As with any viral infection, secondary bacterial infections may occur and may require antibiotic therapy. The decision regarding the use of antivirals, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), should be based on the severity of the animal’s illness and your best clinical judgment. Please keep in mind that these products are not FDA-approved for use in pets and there is limited research or clinical information regarding the efficacy, safety and dosing of these products for pets. Inadequate dosing of antivirals could increase the risk of treatment failure, adverse events and/or antiviral resistance. The necessity of antiviral treatment should be weighed against these risks.
