Pet Owner Files Lawsuit Against Pet Food Manufacturer, Accusing Them of Fatal Bird Flu Contamination in Cat Food
Here's a revised version of the article:
A feline's life was tragically cut short in Oregon, sparking a lawsuit against Wild Coast Pet Food. Tim Hanson, the cat's owner, claims that the company deceived consumers by marketing their raw chicken cat food as healthy, disregarding potential perils such as contracting bird flu, which ultimately took Kira's life.
Kira, adopted by Hanson in 2021, was often fed raw food, including the chicken that proved fatal. However, the specific health benefits Hanson attributes to this diet remain unclear.
Hanson purchased the Wild Coast Pet Foods brand cat food in January. By early February, Kira stopped eating, prompting a visit to the vet on February 5. A few days later, tests confirmed Kira had contracted bird flu. Due to her deteriorating health, Kira was euthanized on February 9.
Wild Coast, based in Washington, issued a recall on March 1 for its 16 oz and 24 oz frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats. The recall applies to products sold in Washington and Oregon.
The recall notice, posted on the FDA's website, warns pet owners to watch for bird flu symptoms in their pets, such as fever, lethargy, low appetite, eye inflammation, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs like tremors, stiff body movements, seizures, lack of coordination, or blindness. Pet owners exhibiting such signs should consult their veterinarian.
Bird flu has wreaked havoc among cat owners, with many domestic cats outside birds proving highly susceptible to H5N1. Cases have been documented from New York to Oregon, with many more likely going undetected.
So far, no human cases of bird flu have been reported in the U.S. stemming from eating contaminated food. However, cats appear to be getting the virus from consuming raw food. According to U.S. health agencies, both milk and beef are safe for human consumption, even with the presence of bird flu, provided the milk is pasteurized and the beef is cooked to at least medium.
There's no evidence of human-to-human spread of bird flu in the U.S., but there's concern that a mutation could facilitate this. As of now, 70 H5N1 cases have been documented in Americans, with one death. Fourty-one cases are linked to dairy cattle, 24 to poultry farms, two from backyard flocks and wild birds, and three from unknown sources.
Wild Coast did not respond to emailed questions by Friday. Gizmodo will update this post if they respond.
Enrichment Insights:
- The recall affects specific lot numbers with Best By dates of 12/25.
- The products were distributed only in Washington State and Oregon.
- The recall was initiated due to the presence of the HPAI H5N1 virus in affected cats and unopened containers of Wild Coast Raw Cat Food.
- Information about the recall, including contact details for Wild Coast Raw, can be found on the FDA's website.
- In light of the cat's unfortunate demise, technology and science could play a crucial role in the future of pet food production, ensuring full transparency and safety for consumers.
- As more cases of birds flu in domestic cats are confirmed, the health implications for the poultry industry and the need for greater regulation become obvious.
- Kira's tragic story serves as a stark reminder that euthanization might be necessary when a cat's health deteriorates to a point where treatment is no longer an option.
- With the increasing susceptibility of cats to avian flu and the mysterious death involved in Kira's case, it is essential that science and health agencies intensify research on H5N1 to develop effective treatment options and safeguard the lives of domestic pets.
