Oregon felines euthanized following ingestion of bird flu-infected raw pet food

At least two felines in Oregon were euthanized this month after ingesting raw pet food that tested positive for avian influenza, leading agriculture officials to issue a health advisory on Friday regarding certain pet food products.

Authorities from Oregon and Washington have reported that the bird flu virus was found in samples of raw pet food produced by Wild Coast LLC, based in Olympia, Washington.

Both cats, which resided in different households within Multnomah County, fell ill after consuming the contaminated raw food. Following discussions with their veterinarians, the pet owners made the difficult decision to euthanize their animals due to the severity of the illnesses, as officials stated.

In response to the illnesses, veterinarians notified state officials, leading to the collection of samples from the affected cats as well as open containers of the pet food. Subsequent testing by both state and federal laboratories confirmed the presence of the bird flu virus in both the felines and the food. Moreover, officials in Washington state tested unopened containers and also detected the virus.

The specific source of the contamination has been identified as Wild Coast’s Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula, particularly from lots #22660 and #22664, which carry best-by dates set for December.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has documented that dozens of domestic cats, including at least 24 this year, have contracted the H5N1 virus, primarily after consuming raw pet food or milk contaminated with the disease.

Pets infected with the H5N1 virus may exhibit various symptoms, such as fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, red or inflamed eyes, and discharge from the eyes and nose. Additional signs of infection can include breathing difficulties and neurological issues, which may manifest as tremors, seizures, or even blindness.

Pet owners who suspect their animals have consumed raw food or milk, or have had contact with outdoor birds, are advised to reach out to a veterinarian without delay.

While there have been no reported human cases of bird flu associated with handling raw pet food, there remains a risk of infection as the virus can potentially enter through the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Since 2022, avian influenza has been spreading among wild birds in the United States, and for the first time last year, the virus was found in U.S. dairy cows. To date, it has affected over 960 cattle herds across 16 states.