Washington State has issued a warning to pet owners after at least two domestic cats in King and Snohomish counties were infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The infections are linked to potentially contaminated Wild Coast Raw pet food, which has also been associated with severe illness in cats in Oregon.
One of the affected cats was euthanized due to its severity, while the other is receiving veterinary treatment. Pet owners are advised to visit the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s recalls and health alerts webpage for more information on specific lot numbers.
HPAI can cause symptoms such as respiratory distress, weight loss, and decreased appetite in cats. If your cat has consumed the affected product and shows these symptoms, contact a veterinarian immediately.
To prevent transmission, keep sick animals isolated and wear face masks when handling them. It’s also recommended to wash hands thoroughly after contact with infected animals or contaminated products.
Currently, the Washington State Department of Agriculture does not recommend feeding raw pet food or raw milk to animals due to the risk of HPAI infection.
Source: https://komonews.com/news/local/washington-state-department-of-agriculture-wsda-indoor-cats-contaminated-raw-food-wild-coast-veterinary-treatment-animal-disease-diagnostic-laboratory