BY: SAMANTHA BARTLETT, DVM

Although the chance of seeing a feline case of H5N1 is low, practitioners should have a plan in place for recognizing, isolating, and treating cases. The emergency management approach can be adapted for almost any scenario and includes identifying and developing needed plans, making sure you have the right equipment and supplies, training your staff on the plan, practicing for the event and conducting an after-action review to improve the plan for next time. 

A checklist of items to know in preparation for such as case includes contacts within the state animal health agency for mandatory reporting and case management guidance, roles and responsibilities within the clinic for managing a case from the moment it walks in the door, treatment and end-of-life decisions and handling of remains. An isolation area should be available away from other pets in the hospital. The correct PPE and disinfectants are on-hand, you know which samples and tests are needed for diagnosis in your state. Make a plan for monitoring and addressing illness in an exposed staff member. Make sure your team is trained on the plan and knows how to adapt for situations outside of the plan. Conduct a review with your staff after a case to discuss what went well, what could go better and make changes to the plan for next time. 

More information and checklists can be found at https://www.aaha.org/trends-magazine/publications/feeling-ready-scenario-based-planning-for-hpai-h5n1-in-small-animal-practice/.