(WKBN) — A raw cat food is being recalled due to the possible risk of bird flu weeks after two cats were euthanized, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Saturday.
The Wild Coast LLC product is recalling frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats. The product was distributed in 16-ounce and 24-ounce sizes to pet food retailers in Washington state and Oregon.
The affected lots, which are packaged in small plastic containers with a green label, bear a sticker on the lid with numbers #22660, #22653, #22641, #22639, #22672 and #22664, with a best-buy date of Dec. 25. The recall also includes any raw material with similar production dates and lot codes as #22660 and #22664, both of which appeared in a Feb. 14 public health alert.
Bird flu symptoms in pets can include fever, lethargy, low appetite, reddened or inflamed eyes, eye and nose discharge, trouble breathing, tremors, stiff movements, seizure, lack of coordination and blindness. Owners should contact a veterinarian if they notice any of these signs.
No infections related to handling raw pet food products have been identified in people. However, people can become infected with the virus through the eyes, nose or mouth. Handwashing should follow any handling of the affected product, and contact surfaces should be sanitized.
Last month, at least two cats in Oregon were euthanized after eating raw pet food contaminated with bird flu, prompting agriculture officials to issue a public health alert on Feb. 14 about the products.
Officials in Oregon and Washington state warned that bird flu virus was detected in samples of raw pet food made by Wild Coast LLC of Olympia, Washington.
Two cats living in separate households in Multnomah County, Oregon, fell ill after consuming the raw pet food. After consultation with their veterinarians, owners of the animals agreed to euthanize the pets because of the severity of their illnesses, officials said.
In both cases, veterinarians reported the illnesses to state officials. Staff collected samples from the cats and open containers of food. Tests at state and federal laboratories confirmed bird flu in the cats and the food. Washington state officials also tested unopened containers and found the virus.
For more information about the recall, contact Wild Coast Raw at info@wildcoastraw.com or (360) 591-3543 between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST.
For updates on human and animal bird flu cases across the U.S., visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
