The Government of Saskatchewan says the highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed in a cat in southeast Saskatchewan.

In a news release it says the cat was reportedly normal on the morning of April 20, 2026, but became suddenly, severely ill with sudden neurological and respiratory signs and later died the same day. Testing at Prairie Diagnostic Services and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the presence of bird flu – specifically the H5N1 strain.

The province says the cat was known to spend time outdoors, which increases the chance of exposure to infected wild birds or contaminated environments. And while bird flu is normally associated with wild birds and domestic poultry, infections can occur in mammals, including cats and dogs and the risk of exposure may be higher during spring migration, when wild waterfowl activity increases.

Pet owners should contact their veterinarian if a cat or dog becomes suddenly or severely ill, especially after outdoor access or possible contact with wild birds. Signs may include difficulty breathing, coughing, weakness, extreme lethargy, loss of coordination, tremors, seizures, other neurological signs or sudden unexplained death.

And if you find wild birds that are sick or dead in Saskatchewan, report it to the Ministry of Environment Inquiry Centre (at 1-800-567-4224)