PORTLAND, Ore. – Health officials in Oregon and Washington are warning pet owners about the risks of raw pet food following the confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in two cats in Multnomah County.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed that both cats had eaten the same brand of raw food before falling ill.
The owners of the cats euthanized the animals because of the severity of their illness.
State officials collected samples from the affected cats, as well as opened containers of the raw pet food.
Additional unopened containers were sent to WSDA for testing.
The Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the presence of HPAI in both cats and the food samples.
In response to the findings, WSDA issued a public health alert regarding certain lots of raw pet food produced by Wild Coast Raw, a company based in Olympia, Washington.
The alert urges pet owners to check the lot numbers on any Wild Coast Raw products at home.
If the lot numbers match those identified in the alert, pet owners are advised to immediately stop feeding the product to their pets.
Cats, particularly domestic and wild species such as tigers and mountain lions, are especially vulnerable to H5N1 avian influenza, the strain of the virus responsible for the infections. Dogs can also contract the virus, but they appear to be less susceptible than cats.
Health officials are offering several recommendations to prevent the spread of the virus, including:
Avoid feeding pets undercooked or raw meat, including freeze-dried meat-based diets and treats.
Do not give pets raw milk or colostrum.
Prevent pets from eating wild animals or birds.
Wash hands after handling raw meat or interacting with livestock or wildlife.
Change clothes and shoes before interacting with household pets if exposed to animals with unknown health statuses.
Contact a veterinarian if a pet appears sick, especially if the animal has been exposed to raw meat, raw milk, or wild birds.
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