Multnomah County has reported its first cases of bird flu infections in cats, with two felines euthanized due to the disease. This marks the fourth cat in Oregon infected by avian influenza since February.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of the infection in cats that consumed raw food produced by Wild Coast Raw, a Washington-based company. The company’s Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula is under scrutiny due to the risk associated with it.
Bird flu can lead to severe and fatal symptoms, including fever, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, and eye or nasal discharge. While dogs are less susceptible, pets should not be fed raw meat or milk, and kept away from wild birds or poultry. Regular hand washing is also advised after handling raw meat or interacting with poultry or dead animals.
Two previous cases of cat bird flu infections were reported in Linn County in 2022. There have been no human cases following contact with infected cats in Oregon, but the risk remains for those who consume undercooked or raw products.
Pet owners are urged to consult their veterinarian if they notice any signs of illness and inform them about potential exposure to raw meat, milk, or wild waterfowl.
Source: https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2025/02/2-cats-in-oregons-largest-county-contract-bird-flu.html