Wild Coast Pet Foods, a company based in Olympia, Washington, is expanding its recall of raw-meat products that might be contaminated with bird flu, following several fatal cases in cats this winter.
The company’s frozen boneless chicken formula has been linked to multiple recent avian-influenza infections in Oregon and Washington. Twelve cats from five Portland-area homes have tested positive for bird flu since December, six of which have been euthanized, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. It’s unclear how many of those cats consumed Wild Coast products.
Common symptoms of bird flu in cats include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, difficulty breathing and eye discharge. The disease is more common among poultry, but it can spread to other domestic animals through direct contact with infected birds or by consuming raw meat or unpasteurized milk that’s been contaminated.
Experts recommend not feeding pets raw meat or raw milk. They also advise keeping pets away from wild birds or poultry and washing hands after handling raw meat or interacting with poultry or dead animals.
Wild Coast’s recall includes its boneless chicken formula in cans of 16 and 24 ounces that have a best-by date of Dec. 25 and a lid sticker with any of the following lot numbers: #22660, #22653, #22641, #22639, #22672 and #22664.
Wild Coast directed customers who purchased the recalled products to securely discard the raw food to prevent any animals from eating them. Customers should contact their place of purchase for a full refund.
— Carlos Fuentes covers state politics and government. Reach him at 503-221-5386 or [email protected].
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