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I’m wondering if it’s very smart to be feeding the magpies and encouraging them around with bird flu going on. Especially with an elderly cat. I can’t find much about the situation in Australia.
I shouldn’t worry but I see they’ve been dropping feathers and pooping in the back yard, and if I tracked something in and gave Melbcat a treat off the floor… Normally I remove my shoes at the door but my guests don’t. And I’ve been a bit slack myself sometimes.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, carpet is gross.
Edit: I still haven’t decided if it’s ok to provide water in Summer. I would but you’re meant to be cleaning it frequently at the best of times and I’m not able to manage. There is water they can get elsewhere.
I say this with absolute kindness - I understand your worry for Melbcat, but if feeding the magpies is bringing you a little bit of joy, I don't think you should let your fear get in the way. I'm sure you're incredibly diligent with giving her treats and wouldn't give her one from the floor if you thought someone might have tracked something inside.
Agree that carpet is gross!
I did give her some on the floor yesterday because she wouldn’t come get on the bed… slack. Luckily she didn’t eat them.
I like feeding the maggies but hope I’m not giving them too much or attracting disease.
Carpet is so gross especially when she keeps throwing up… and also it collects dust. I kind of wish I had a hard floor to sweep and mop clean with machine washable rag rugs (though those might be a trip hazard)
Bird flu (H1N5) is not yet in Australia and you'll know when it is because it's not gonna be great for our wildlife - it will hit chickens or migratory species first though, IM <semi-informed> O. And magpies are 'catholic' feeders; as long as you aren't going overboard or being silly and feeding them rubbish they will be fine with a little treat. And good enough hygiene is ok - even with your and Melbcat's health concerns.
Can lightning strike - yes. Are you significantly increasing that risk by carefully connecting with wildlife - no.
I put out water on a hot day but when it's not summer there's tons around.
source: I'm not a biologist but I work with and hang out with birdos. Also have experience living with immunocompromised peeps so I do understand
I thought it did hit chickens. Thousands got culled
Edit: Oh damn it was like a million. And the infected child. That seems to be contained but I’m trying to figure out how things are now.
Edit: They seem to be contained.
Don’t mind me, I’m wary after the management of covid which we’re still dealing with
Different strain -H1N1 which is around and comes and goes and is obviously a big issue in a poultry farm. It spreads like the flu and my understanding is that if melbcat is not out catching birds the odd bit of dirt from outside is not going to be an issue.
H5N1 is the strain that's decimating birds worldwide currently but not yet here. There have been a few cases of it transmitting to mammals (like pigs and cows and seals I think). It's effects in mammals are not really well known but worrying. If that starts doing the rounds then yeah it's time to watch and act, mainly because we don't know if, how, and how badly it might spread if it does get a grip in mammals.
But for now, I'd say a small group of maggies on your side is probably safer than some of the other shite in your neighbourhood! I would enjoy it.
Nah H1N1 is swine flu which fizzled out in 2009/2010 and is endemic now. I’m worried about the newer virulent strains like H7N3 and H7N9 that have been known to pass between birds and cats, and have a high mortality rate in cats.
Thankfully she’s an inside kitty already so hopefully it should be ok. I’ll be keeping an eye on the health of the maggies and other birds.
Oh yeah sorry wrong code. I'm tired.
All good, I think we’re starting to lose track of the pandemics
Edit: I am also tired and put the wrong strain 😴