(WJW) – The US Food and Drug Administration is warning pet owners that more cat food is being recalled as it can be contaminated with avian influenza, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1.
The latest recall applies to chickens large and small in certain Lot Savage Cat Foods, which were sold at retailers in California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington.
According to the alert, in February, the company signed with Colorado’s H5N1, and noticed one cat who had become ill and recovered. The product in question was removed from the market while testing was underway. Then, on March 13, Savage Pet recognized an additional case in New York when the kitten had contracted the avian flu.
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Earlier this month, the FDA warned pet owners of similar recalls of certain lots of Wild Coast LLC’s raw frozen “boneless Freeange Chicken Formula” that were sold at retailers in Washington and Oregon.
“People who feed a recall product should monitor for symptoms of avian flu, including fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, red or inflamed eyes, drainage from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, trembling, stiff body movements, seizures, lack of coordination, or blindness. “People who feed this product should contact their veterinarian immediately.”
The recall comes shortly after the American Veterinarian Association issued a warning explaining that cats are at risk of contracting infections, particularly due to their desire to eat and hunt.
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“Cats are particularly susceptible to severe illnesses and often appear to lead to death,” the AVMA said in a statement. “The risk of cat-to-human transmission is considered to be very low, but it can increase with long-term unsecured exposure to infected animals.
According to the FDA, human infections have not been identified among people who handle raw pet foods, but it can be transmitted when the virus enters a person’s eyes, nose or mouth.
The foods for cats that were recalled are:
Product: Savage Cat Food Chicken – Large and Small Box Size: 84 oz. And 21 oz. Box Lot Code/Best: 11152026 Credits: FDA Product: Wild Coast LLC ‘Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula’ Size: 16 oz and 24 oz Lots: #22653, #22641, #22639, #22672 and #22664 Best: 12/25 Credits: FDA
Click here to view the latest recall notifications from the FDA.
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