The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) have issued a warning to pet owners regarding the dangers of raw pet food following several cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) diagnosed in indoor cats in Oregon. The outbreak, which began earlier this month, has led to the euthanasia of affected felines due to the severity of their condition. Investigations revealed that all infected cats had consumed the same brand of raw pet food, manufactured by Wild Coast, LLC. Authorities are urging pet owners to check lot numbers on Wild Coast products and take immediate action if their pets exhibit symptoms of HPAI.

In response to the alarming situation, officials from both states initiated a thorough investigation into the potential sources of the illness. Samples were collected from the affected cats, both before and after euthanasia, as well as from the open containers of the suspected raw pet food. These samples were sent to specialized laboratories for testing, including the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratories at Oregon State University and the National Veterinary Services Laboratories at the USDA. The results confirmed the presence of HPAI in both the cat and food samples.

Following these findings, the ODA and WSDA promptly issued a public health notice to alert pet owners. Further testing was conducted on unopened containers of the implicated food, leading to specific recommendations for consumers. Tyler Duncan, founder of Wild Coast Pet Foods, addressed the situation in an organizational statement. He acknowledged the complexity of the diagnostic tests and the need for further investigation. Despite some inconclusive results, sealed samples purchased from retail locations provided additional insights, ultimately leading to the identification of two specific lot numbers associated with the contamination.

Pets infected with H5N1 may display various symptoms such as fever, low appetite, lethargy, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs. The departments urge pet owners to seek immediate veterinary assistance if their pets show any of these symptoms after consuming the implicated product. At this time, there have been no reported human infections linked to handling the raw pet food. However, precautions are advised to prevent potential transmission, especially through proper hygiene practices.

Veterinary professionals are reminded that avian influenza is a notifiable disease by the World Organization for Animal Health. They should report any suspected cases of HPAI immediately to the appropriate authorities. Duncan concluded his statement with an apology for the delayed communication and assured continued transparency and updates as more information becomes available. This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and prompt action in safeguarding pet health.