The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has issued a warning after a surge in cat deaths has been connected to pet food.
There are fears the rise in cases of a disease deadly to cats is linked to a number of cat food products that are being urgently recalled.
In their latest update on August 2, RVC are aware of 528 cats across the UK that picked up the disease, called Feline Pancytopenia, with 63.5 per cent of them dying.
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In a popular social media post, one cat owner said on August 3: “Our much loved family cat is on a drip fighting for her life.
A surge in cat deaths is being reported across the country
(Image: Joel Goodman/ MEN)
“We are part of a national tragedy involving a large product recall of cat food
“But I hadn’t heard about it and suspect others may be in the same boat.
“Please be aware and act if you see signs.”
The case numbers of the deadly disease have surged this year.
In an update, less than a day later, the heartbroken pet owner said: “I am very sorry to say that we lost her.
“Thank you for the kind words, we’re just one little family caught up in this – and I think it deserves to be better known to stop it ever happening again.
“But our hearts are all broken.”
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The vet body have analysed the cat food involved in the recall and the Food Standards Agency issued a revised statement listing all the products affected.
What cat foods are affected?
The following products are being recalled over safety fears. In a statement the FSA said: “There has been an increase in cases of pancytopenia in cats and there is a possible link to the cat food products listed [below].
“Pancytopenia is a very rare condition wherein the number of blood cells (red, white and platelets) rapidly decreases, causing serious illness.”
Applaws Cat Dry Chicken
Pack size: 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg
Batch code: NA
Best before: December 2022 to June 2023
Applaws Cat Dry Chicken & Salmon
Pack size: 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg
Batch code: NA
Best before: December 2022 to June 2023
AVA Adult Fish
Pack size: 2kg
Batch code: All batch codes
Best before: All date codes
AVA Adult Mature Chicken 7+
Pack size: 2kg and 4kg
Batch code: All batch codes
Best before: All date codes
AVA Senior Chicken 12+
Pack size: 2kg
Batch code: All batch codes
Best before: All date codes
AVA Sensitive Skin & Stomach
Pack size: 1.5kg
Batch code: All batch codes
Best before: All date codes
AVA Weight Management
Pack size: 1.5kg
Batch code: All batch codes
Best before: All date codes
AVA Hairball
Pack size: 1.5kg
Batch code: All batch codes
Best before: All date codes
AVA Oral Care
Pack size: 1.5kg
Batch code: All batch codes
Best before: All date codes
AVA British Shorthair
Pack size: 1.5kg
Batch code: All batch codes
Best before: All date codes
AVA Persian
Pack size: 1.5kg
Batch code: All batch codes
Best before: All date codes
AVA Maine Coon
Pack size: 1.5kg
Batch code: All batch codes
Best before: All date codes
Applaws Kitten Dry Chicken
Pack size: 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg
Batch code: NA
Best before: December 2022 to June 2023
by Sainsbury’s Hypoallergenic Recipe complete dry cat food with Salmon 1+ Years
Pack size: 800g
Batch code: All batch codes
Best before: All date codes
by Sainsbury’s Hypoallergenic Recipe complete dry cat food with Chicken 1+ Years
Pack size: 800g
Batch code: All batch codes
Best before: All date codes
Applaws Cat Dry Chicken & Lamb
Pack size: 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg
Batch code: NA
Best before: December 2022 to June 2023
Applaws Cat Dry Chicken & Duck
Pack size: 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg
Batch code: NA
Best before: December 2022 to June 2023
Applaws Cat Dry Ocean Fish
Pack size: 350g, 1.8kg and 6kg
Batch code: NA
Best before: December 2022 to June 2023
Applaws Cat Dry Senior Chicken
Pack size: 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg
Batch code: NA
Best before: December 2022 to June 2023
AVA Kitten Chicken
Pack size: 300g and 2kg
Batch code: All batch codes
Best before: All date codes
AVA Adult Chicken
Pack size: 300g, 2kg and 4kg
Batch code: All batch codes
Best before: All date codes
What is pancytopenia
The disease is caused by toxic compounds that are produced by different types of fungi.
They can cause weight loss, loss of appetite and a decrease in healthy blood cells leading to infections and/or bleeding.
As is clear by the terrifying wave of pet deaths, this can be fatal.
What have the Royal Veterinary College said?
A spokesperson for the body said: “The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) continues its investigation into the sudden increase in feline pancytopenia in cats in the UK.
“Currently, we are sadly aware of over 500 affected cats. Investigations into an underlying cause do not suggest a link with common feline infectious diseases, common toxins (e.g., heavy metals, oestrogen) or deficiencies/excesses in vitamins or minerals.
“Results of analyses by the RVC of cat food involved in the product recall published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have been shared with the FSA. We would like to draw your attention to a revised published FSA statement published 16th July.
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“Our investigations are ongoing and we are still collecting data from practising veterinarians, as well as testing food samples associated with affected and unaffected cats to determine the significance of these findings. We have shared our results with the FSA in order to assist them with their investigations into this matter.
“To support our ongoing efforts, we are encouraging vets who have seen cats with unexplained severe thrombocytopenia and/or neutropenia, with or without concurrent anaemia, to complete our survey.”
What you should do if you’re worried about my cat?
Firstly if you have been, you should stop feeding your cat any of the recalled food brands.
You could also discuss with your vet whether you’d like a blood test performed to see if your cat is affected with pancytopenia.
If your cat is ill you should contact your vet as soon as possible and discuss if further tests are necessary.
You can also contact the food manufacturers for specific questions about the product.
Also if your vet thinks your cat is infected ask them to complete the RVC’s survey. They are currently trying to gather more information about the outbreak.
Has your cat been affected by this outbreak? Please get in touch at [email protected]
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