In Portland, Oregon, officials have confirmed that two cats got avian influenza after eating the same raw pet food. The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) found the virus in cats from different homes that consumed a batch of Wild Coast Raw food, which is made in Olympia.
The affected products are from the “Free Range Chicken Formula” with lot numbers 22660 and 22664, which are set to be good until December 2025. Sadly, the illnesses were so severe that both cats were humanely euthanized.
Earlier this year, an outdoor cat in Washington County also tested positive for bird flu after coming into contact with wild birds.
Christine Knopp from Oatfield shared that two of her eleven cats have died. One cat, Gandalf the Pink, was the first to show symptoms like high fever and difficulty walking. Knopp described her heartache during Gandalf’s final moments. Another of Knopp’s cats, Hattie, died on Valentine’s Day and tested positive for the virus.
As she waits for more test results, Knopp aims to spread awareness about the symptoms of this illness. “I want to warn others about the signs because this can escalate quickly,” she said.
The ODA has shared guidelines for pet owners to keep their animals safe:
- Don’t feed pets raw or undercooked meat, including freeze-dried options.
- Avoid giving pets raw milk or colostrum.
- Keep pets away from birds and wild animals.
- Wash hands after handling raw meat or animals.
- Change clothes and shoes after interacting with unfamiliar animals before seeing your pets.
- If your pet shows signs of illness, contact your vet. Be sure to mention any exposure to raw food or wild birds.
- If you suspect your pet has H5N1, reach out to your vet immediately and inform them of any risk factors.
Knopp has also created a fundraiser to help with her pets’ veterinary costs.
