Oregon Public Broadcasting

The H1N1 virus can travel to your pet -- and be deadly, according to research by veterinarians in Oregon. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

Earlier this month, a 10-year-old cat was taken to an animal clinic with a high temperature and shallow breathing.

It died three days later and lab tests show it had swine flu. It's the country's first documented case of H1N1 killing a cat. 

The state's Public Health Vet, Dr. Emilio DeBess, says an infected animals can likely pass the virus back to a human, but he has found no evidence pets are causing any variations to the virus.

Emilio DeBess: "At this point there's no indication that any genetic changes, such as a mutation has actually taken place."

Over the last month, several dozen vets in Oregon have tested about 40 dogs, cats and ferrets that had flu-like symptoms. They all survived, except the cat.

Health officials say the same actions that stop the virus being spread among people, like avoiding close contact, applies to pets too.