Pet owners in Oregon are being cautioned after a number of cats contracted bird flu from a brand of raw pet food.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, has issued the warning following an investigation into the outbreak. It was found that several indoor cats in Oregon became sick with highly pathogenic avian influenza.
In early February, several indoor cats fell ill with bird flu in Oregon, and all their owners chose to euthanize them due to the severity of the illness. Investigations revealed that all the affected cats had consumed Wild Coast LLC Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula Lot #22660 and #22664, which were set to expire in December 2025, before showing symptoms.
Samples were collected from the infected cats, both before and after euthanasia, as well as from open containers of the raw pet food. Testing by the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University and the National Veterinary Services Laboratories at the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that the bird flu was present in both the food samples and the infected cats.
Symptoms of bird flu in pets may include loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, nasal and eye discharge, difficulty breathing, tremors, seizures, blindness, and more. If a pet shows any of these signs, it is critical to seek veterinary help immediately.
Although none of the cats’ owners contracted the illness through direct contact with the raw pet food, it is still possible for humans to become infected. The virus can be transmitted if someone touches their eyes, nose, or mouth after handling contaminated food or surfaces without properly washing their hands.
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