Raw food diets for pets have come under scrutiny in Oregon and Washington as the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) confirmed the occurrence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in two domestic cats that consumed the same brand of raw pet food. Following the confirmation by the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, both cats were humanely euthanized due to the severity of their illness, according to ODA.
These incidents have prompted action by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), which has issued a public health alert warning of risks associated with Wild Coast Raw pet food, produced in Olympia, WA. Pet owners are advised to discontinue use immediately if they possess affected lots, with details available directly from WSDA. Both the ODA and the veterinarians involved followed necessary protocols in reporting and sampling the cases. However, these findings raise concerns for pet owners, urging a reevaluation of dietary choices for their companions.
Pet owners are encouraged to take precautions such as avoiding feeding raw or undercooked meats, unpasteurized milk, or colostrum; preventing pets from scavenging on wildlife; practicing good hygiene after handling raw meats and interacting with animals; and changing clothing after contact with birds or animals of unknown health status prior to handling one's own pets. In addition, pet parents should monitor their animals closely for signs of illness and report any suspected exposure to raw products or wild waterfowl to their vet immediately, with veterinarians bound to report suspected HPAI cases to the ODA, as per their instructions.
The agencies have also advised the public that all human contacts with HPAI-infected cats are monitored for a ten-day period after exposure. Reassuringly, no human cases of HPAI following exposure to an infected cat have been reported thus far. While this provides some solace, concerns remain. Our homes may shield us from the chaos of the outside world, but they are not immune to the silent spread of pathogenic threats—first to our unsuspecting feline companions and, in turn, to those who care for them.
