Two Cats In Oregon Euthanized After Eating Raw Pet Food Contaminated With Bird Flu

Here’s a sad story: Two cats in Oregon were put down this month after eating raw pet food infected with bird flu. So, agriculture officials have now put out a health alert about the products. 

Apparently, the virus was found in some raw pet food made by a company called Wild Coast LLC, based in Olympia, Washington.

The cats fell ill after eating contaminated raw pet food

These two cats lived in different homes in Multnomah County, Oregon, and both got really sick after eating the contaminated food. 

The owners, after talking to their vets, made the tough decision to euthanize them because the illness was just too much for them to handle.

Vets confirm bird flu in both cats and food samples

After the cats got sick, the vets reported it to the state officials. Officials went ahead and collected samples from both the cats and the food containers that were open. 

Tests at labs confirmed the bird flu was in both the cats and the food.

Bird flu virus detected in specific raw pet food products

Officials in Washington state also tested some unopened containers of the same food and found the virus there too. 

Turns out, the contaminated food came from Wild Coast’s Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula, specifically lots #22660 and #22664, with best-by dates in December.

Many cats were infected with H5N1 after consuming raw food

According to the U.S. Agriculture Department, a lot of cats — at least 24 this year — have been infected with H5N1. 

A lot of these cats got sick after eating raw pet food or raw milk that had the virus in it.

So what are bird flu symptoms, and what can you do as a concerned pet owner?

Pets who get this virus show symptoms like fever, being super lethargic, not eating much, and red or swollen eyes. 

They might also have discharge from their eyes or nose, difficulty breathing, or even tremors, seizures, or blindness. 

If your pet’s had raw food or gotten near outdoor birds, you should really get in touch with a vet ASAP.

No human cases linked to handling raw pet food

As of now, there haven’t been any human cases of bird flu linked to handling raw pet food. 

But the thing is, people can get it if the virus somehow gets in their eyes, nose, or mouth, so it’s always a good idea to be careful.

Bird flu keeps spreading among wild birds and livestock

Bird flu has been spreading in wild birds in the U.S. since 2022. It was also found in U.S. dairy cows for the first time last year. Over 960 cattle herds in 16 states have been affected by the virus.

So, if you’ve got pets, especially ones that eat raw food, keep an eye out and please don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet if you’re worried. Better safe than sorry!