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RSPCA Australia’s Chief Science Officer, Suzie Fowler provides practical advice to the public on how to minimise the risk of exposure and transmission, as well as steps people can take to help keep their pets protected from bird flu.

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00:00We have found that it's now in Australia and it's spreading amongst native birds on Australian
00:05shores which means that unfortunately we're going to start seeing it crop up more and
00:09more across all states and territories in Australia and the reality is this is now our
00:14norm.
00:14We do have bird flu in Australia and we're not going to be able to eradicate it.
00:21There is an opportunity now to protect your family and your fairy companions from bird
00:26flu.
00:26One of the main things is keeping them away from wildlife and so for your pet dog that's
00:32probably taking them for a walk, making sure that they're staying on leash where there is
00:36wild birds and other wildlife present.
00:39For your cats it can be a time to start considering keeping them contained at home.
00:45For some cats that's going to take a little bit of an adjustment period for them to get
00:48used to being contained at home.
00:50So the RSPCA recommends not feeding raw food to your dog or cat, that's not only because
00:55of bird flu but due to other viruses and bacteria that can cause illness and disease in your
01:01cats and dogs.
01:03So if poultry does become infected it's really important to make sure that chicken products
01:09are cooked including eggs and other poultry meat as well.
01:14Some of the clinical signs that you could see in your cat might be a snuffly nose, runny eyes,
01:21there are other symptoms as well, breathing difficulties and in cats they can also have
01:26neurological symptoms.
01:27So they can perhaps be a little bit wobbly on their feet or suffering seizures.
01:31So these are the sorts of things to look out for and whilst the risk is low it is important
01:36that you do get veterinary attention if they're showing any of those signs.
01:39So these are the things that you can see in your cat's eye to make sure you can see it
01:43when you are a pet or a pet or a pet or an animal.
01:47If you want to get a pet or a pet or a pet or a pet or a pet or
01:49a pet.
01:55So this is a pet or a pet or a pet or a pet or a pet or a pet
01:56or a pet.
01:56You
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