The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has warned pet owners that a connection may exist between contaminated raw pet food and recent cases of avian flu in domestic cats, with two cases confirmed in King and Snohomish counties, as reported by The Seattle Times. One of the cats affected by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been euthanized due to severe illness, while the other is receiving veterinary care. According to a public health alert cited by KOMO News, initial "presumptive positive" results were provided by the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, followed by confirmatory testing from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
Furthermore, the WSDA has detected the H5N1 avian influenza virus in additional animals, including cattle. They highlight the potential human risks, stating, "People can become infected if the virus enters their eyes, nose, or mouth—such as by handling contaminated pet food or touching contaminated surfaces, especially without thoroughly washing their hands afterward," as noted by an article from CIDRAP. Symptoms of avian flu in cats can include lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, and hypothermia, potentially escalating to pneumonia, neurologic abnormalities, and respiratory infection. Pet owners whose cats exhibit such symptoms are urged to seek veterinary care promptly.
"This is a difficult situation, we love our pets, and it's devastating when they fall ill," WSDA field veterinarian Zac Turner, DVM, said in the news release. "If your cat is showing symptoms, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible," he told CIDRAP. The WSDA has advised against feeding pets raw food products or raw milk in response to this incident.
Owners who suspect their pet may have consumed the implicated Wild Coast Raw pet food are advised to contact their veterinarian immediately and inform the veterinary clinic before arrival, owners are encouraged to share any relevant information about their pet's diet to facilitate better diagnostic and treatment efforts the advice comes on the heels of the presumed link between the raw food and the HPAI cases, as detailed by The Seattle Times.
