H1N1 appears to have spread quickly across the country in humans this fall, but domestic pets have managed to stay swine-flu free until now. The H1N1 virus struck again. This time it hit a cat in Iowa.

Dr. Tom Mullaney, DCPAH Associate Director: "It seems to be a rare occurrence, but it tells us it can occur."

Veterinarians at the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center diagnosed the nation's first feline H1N1 case, something no one really expected. Researchers at MSU's diagnostic center for population and animal health say no one knows if this is something we can expect more of.

Here's what we do know: cats are now vulnerable, just like humans. It's significant because no dog or cat had ever come down with any type of human flu, so places like the Capital Area Humane Society are on the lookout for signs of the virus.

Julia Palmer, Capital Area Humane Society CEO: "Disease control is a major concern for us, so we're watching and waiting."

The irony is we can't catch diseases like H1N1 from dogs and cats, but it's little puppies that are most at risk from us.

Julia Palmer: "Certainly if you're ill with any virus or disease, it's best to limit contact with people and pets as well."

So these are the signs to look for- if your pet has a runny nose, fever, loss of appetite or seems extra tired, it's a good idea to get them to a vet, but there's no reason to get rid of them.

Julia Palmer: "There's no real reason for people to think, oh, I have to get rid of my cat, or my cat could give me this virus. There's been no evidence that that's possible."

Because we're the ones infecting them. The cat from Iowa is responding well to treatment.