Tim Hanson was devastated when his beloved cat, Kira, fell seriously ill and had to be euthanized. Kira, just four years old, had been playful and sweet until she was introduced to raw cat food from Wild Coast Pet Foods. Unfortunately, the food was linked to a recent bird flu outbreak among cats in the Pacific Northwest.
Hanson believes Kira contracted the illness from this raw food. “We need to hold companies accountable for not warning pet owners about these risks,” he shared. He has filed a lawsuit against Wild Coast, asking for around $8,000 to cover Kira’s veterinary bills and the cost of the food.
The situation has caught the attention of local authorities. Following several reports of infected cats, Oregon officials discovered that multiple cats and unopened containers of Wild Coast raw food tested positive for the same strain of bird flu. In response, Wild Coast recalled their boneless chicken formula, including specific lot numbers, in an attempt to mitigate the crisis.
Kira’s decline began soon after she was switched to the raw food. She became lethargic and stopped eating, leading to a visit to the vet. After testing positive for bird flu, her condition worsened. Common symptoms of this disease include fever, respiratory issues, and loss of appetite. Experts warn that cats can easily contract the virus from raw meat.
Sadly, Kira was not the only victim. At least 12 cats across multiple homes in the Portland area have tested positive for bird flu; six have had to be euthanized. Pet health experts recommend avoiding raw meat until this outbreak is under control.
In today’s digital world, social media is abuzz with discussions about this alarming trend. Pet owners everywhere are expressing concerns about the safety of raw pet food. Many are sharing warnings to help others protect their furry friends.
Hanson’s story is a painful reminder of how delicate our pets’ health can be. “I wouldn’t wish this on anyone,” he said, empathizing with fellow pet owners affected by this outbreak.
For more information on pet safety and bird flu, you can visit the CDC for guidelines and updates.