In recent weeks increasing numbers of cats have presented to vet clinics around the UK with a severe, often fatal illness. It's characterised by a blood picture called pancytopenia, where pan = all, cyto = cells, penia = loss of (find out more about this condition below). This outbreak of illness is affecting cats everywhere, including one of my client's poor cats and my own cats have eaten suspect batches too. I really feel for you if your cat has been involved in this sad situation and send my sincere condolences for any lives lost. I wanted to let as many people know as possible what to look out for and how to avoid this happening to their cat both now or in the future - as much as is ever possible with this sort of thing. FAQs Which cat food brands are affected? Applaws, Sainsbury's own brand & Pets At Home's AVA cat food are involved and are manufactured by Fold Hill Foods Limited. The food ranges span all sorts of age groups from kitten food to senior cat food and specific breed foods too. These are all subject to an urgent recall by the Food Standards Authority. A list of affected batches and expiry dates is available here. Cat foods affected by the recall bear a manufacturer's factory reference code on the bag of GB218E5009. *Update 18/06/2021: The list of batch numbers has been updated and now Wilko has withdrawn their own branded cat food as a precaution as it's made in the same factory. What should I do if my cat has eaten any of these affected foods?
What can I do in future?
More about pancytopeniaWhat is pancytopenia?
It's a very serious depletion of blood cells produced in the bone marrow and leads to low levels of red blood cells (RBC, erythrocytes), white blood cells (WBC, leukocytes) and platelets (PLT, thrombocytes) in a cat’s bloodstream. Low red blood cells make a cat anaemic. Low white blood cells make a cat’s immune system unable to fight infection or inflammation and increase the risk of sepsis. Low platelets can affect the blood’s ability to clot, increasing the tendency for bruising and haemorrhages, including pin-point sized bruises (called petecchia). How is pancytopenia detected? Through a blood test that specifically checks for these three cell types – RBCs, WBCs and platelets. This usually forms the basics of a “haematology” or CBC (Complete blood count) also called FBC (full blood count). Pancytopenia can be further assessed through bone marrow biopsies. What usually causes pancytopenia in cats? It's not a particularly common blood picture in cats, but when it does happen it's usually caused by cancers like leukaemia, infectious diseases (like the panleukopenia ‘enteritis’ virus in your cat’s routine vaccinations), immune system defects, high levels of the hormone oestrogen, and some drugs (eg chemotherapy agents) as well as poisons. In this particular outbreak of cases, a link has been emerging between affected cats and eating certain brands of commercial cat food - so some sort of food contamination seems the most likely line of interest. What symptoms have been seen in affected cats? Vets across the UK have seen nearly 400 affected cats and this is rising as more people with cats and vets learn about the issue. Most cats have displayed symptoms for about 48 hours before seeing their vet and the most frequent signs seen are being quieter, not seeming themselves and being fussy with their food or not eating at all. Bleeding (such as from the gums, nose, ears, bowel, bladder) and bruising has also been seen in many cats. Last updated: 28th June 2021 Has your cat eaten food potentially contaminated with Mycobacterium bovis (TB)?Following on from an investigation into multiple cats diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), fellow cat vet Professor Danièlle Gunn-Moore and the team from the University of Edinburgh have issued an urgent alert to people feeding Surrey-based company Natural Instinct. The company recalled the product back in December 2018 voluntarily after it was eaten by thirteen cats that went on to develop TB. Natural Instinct has advised people with the product to return them for a refund. Here is a direct link to details released on Natural Instinct's website.
Foods can become contaminated with Mycobacteria when the tissues of animals (like cows and deer) infected with TB enter the food chain. The vets involved with the outbreak have referred their findings to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Food Standards Authority (FSA) to try and confirm whether the food was the source of infection but the manufacturer has admitted that some of the ingredients used in the food were not inspected in line with EU requirements. Although this does not in itself prove the food was infected with the offending bacteria, I thought I'd summarise the findings from the study published today in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery and let you decide as it paints a pretty convincing picture. A statement from the company says: “Everything we do at Natural Instinct is done so with the best interests of our customers and their pets in mind. We can assure our customers that Natural Instinct followed, and continues to follow, every food standard, hygiene regulation and best practice required to produce raw pet food in the commercial market place. As a responsible manufacturer, we are regularly inspected by the Animal and Plant Health Authority (APHA). We have complied with all of the necessary requirements, and consequently APHA have confirmed they are satisfied all standards have been met by us. Even though we no longer manufacture and sell the Venison cat product, we are continuing to work with Food Standards Agency as part of the investigation into the Venison cat food product.” So why is this newsworthy? M. bovis is one of several species of Mycobacteria that can cause tuberculosis (TB) in mammals. We typically associate it with cows (or bovines - hence the latin name "bovis"), but many animals are susceptible including rodents, deer, cats, dogs and humans and who could forget the badger. Previously late last year, at least thirteen cats across England had been confirmed to be infected with the specific Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) type of TB. This number has now climbed significantly to over ninety cats and could rise further now that an official report into the first thirteen cats has been released today. Cats have been known to contract TB infection in the past but its typically the skin meets rodent route of transmission. I have diagnosed several cats with the skin form of TB over my career both in the UK and Australia so it is not unheard of. There was a few years back a cluster of cases in Newbury, just outside The Cat Vet's own territory in Berkshire. These pet cats were believed to have caught their form of TB through hunting (usually small rodents) where infection is introduced through wounds made in the cat's skin by rodent bites and scratches. This typically presents as a wound that does not heal and is poorly responsive to routine antibiotic choices dispensed by your vet. In recent years a lion and three lionesses were euthanased at Paignton and Whipsnade Zoos after contracting TB through eating contaminated carcasses. The main distinguishing and alarming factor about the newest cases of TB in felines is that they have affected numerous pet cats and their humans are potentially also at risk of infection. It currently looks highly likely that these cats have ingested the infectious organism in food rather than through their skin. This would explain why in this outbreak many cats have developed potentially fatal gut disease rather than the usual skin disease. Once in the body TB can spread systemically (throughout the body, a bit like cancer can) and often ends up in the lymph nodes and lungs. It can lie dormant for many years so any potential exposure should be born in mind for that cat's future health checks. What we currently know about the recent outbreaks...
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How common is TB in cats? It is thought that about 100 in every 100,000 cats could be infected with different types of Mycobacteria with 15% of these cats having the same type of M. bovis TB found in the recent cases. Before any members of the trigger-happy badger cull brigade start putting cats in their sites, it is important to clarify that cats tend to be an end stage host so are at minimalrisk of infecting herds of cows. How is TB diagnosed in cats? A tissue sample can be tested for the presence of Mycobacterial DNA using a technique called PCR (polymerase chain reaction). A blood sample to check whether a cat's immune system has been exposed can also be used to help raise suspicion of infection in ill cats. This test is an IGRA test (Interferon Gamma Release Assay). Tissues can also be cultured to see whether any Mycobacteria are present. It may sound like there are lots of ways to diagnose TB infection but it can still be difficult to conclusively diagnose. What symptoms should I be on the lookout for if my cat has potentially eaten TB infected meat? When TB infects the gut (gastrointestinal system), symptoms usually occur within six months and can include any (and not necessarily all) of the following:
Some cats that become infected can appear healthy as the bacteria can lie dormant but they may well go on to develop the disease later in their life. If your cat has been exposed to this food and becomes unwell at any stage of its life thereafter, then you should alert the vet so that tests can be run. Can I catch TB from my cat? The short answer is YES but before it creates panic, prejudice and cat abandonment, this statement needs to be qualified. TB is transmitted between humans and animals through coughs, sneezes and skin wounds. The risk of you catching TB from a cat is extremely low. There have to date been only six confirmed cases of humans catching the M bovis bacteria from their cats. To be at risk of becoming infected you firstly need to assume that your cat has itself contracted TB and this is still a relatively uncommon disease with around 100 cases of Mycobacterial infection in cats reported each year - the vast majority of which are the skin form of the disease. Let's say for instance that your cat is an indoor-only cat and is not on a raw diet. In this situation your chance of catching TB from your feline companion(s) is minuscule. For cats known to have been potentially exposed to the infection through an outdoor lifestyle or those fed raw diets, the risk to humans seems a bit higher than previously thought. Furthermore, cats known to be infected with TB pose the highest risk for cat-human TB infection. Humans and cats that have weaker immune systems are at an increased risk if expose to TB. This would include pregnant ladies, people on chemotherapy or organ transplant medications, the very young and elderly, or those with FIV, HIV or other significant illness. To put it all into perspective, current evidence suggests that around 1% of all TB cases in people in England are caused by the M. bovis type of bacteria and most of these are contracted from drinking unpasteurised cows milk rather than close contact with cats. I fed this food to my cat – what should I do? If your cat is currently well then do arrange a checkup and discuss a way forwards with your local vet. If your cat is off colour or showing any other signs of being unwell (see above symptoms), you should make contact with your local vet immediately. If my cat is infected can it be treated successfully and recover? Importantly, treatment for TB in cats is tricky as it depends on on how severe the infection is and how soon it is detected. Treatment involves a lengthy courses of antibiotics and these are not always successful. This needs to be considered when choosing to treat cats diagnosed with TB for the cat's own welfare and also since prolonged close contact with infected cats will increase the chances of humans becoming infected. Is feeding cats a raw meat based diet (RMBD) food safe? The outbreak of this previously rare form of TB in cats highlights the potential hazards involved with the increasingly popular trend for marketing and feeding "natural" raw diets. Choosing to feed your cat a food that many feel better reflects the food of a wild carnivore (also known as BARF "Biologically Appropriate Raw Food" or "Bones and Raw Food") is certainly not without its risks. One advantage to feeding a dry/pouch/canned food is that the cooking process used for these diets kills infectious agents like TB. Unlike some bacteria that can be killed by freezing meat, this does not eliminate the risk of infecting your cat with potentially fatal Mycobacteria. As with any diet or medication change, there are other a lot of factors that need to be considered when contemplating feeding raw food to your cat. What may sound like a simple, wholesome choice brings different risks versus feeding the more popular commercial wet or dry food diet. It's important to understand that this diet choice could not only affect your cat, but your family too. I am not anti-raw food feeding per se, but good intentions and hope are not good enough reasons to ignore the risks involved. Batch contamination and accidental nutrient toxicity and deficiency are happen across the spectrum of raw home prepared foods through to dried kibble so risk will be present no matter what diet you choose to feed your cat. I always suggest that you look at the evidence for and against choices involving your cat's health and well-being. Choose a reliable source (not self-professed "cat people", family, friends, neighbours, pet shop owners or Dr Google!) and do so under the guidance of a veterinary surgeon who knows your cats' full medical history. Want to learn more about becoming a better cat person?
Sign up for FREE expert advice direct to your inbox! Bonfire Night and firework season is upon us! Are your cat's microchip contact details up to date? Do you have a plan?
Take a look at my dedicated advice on Reducing Stress For Cats This Firework Season and also download the app and send an alert direct to Petlog (the microchip database) and Facebook.
Your guide to a vet-free Christmas & New Year
When we think of risks to our cat we often tend to think of all the physical or poisonous things but actually by far the most common threat to your cat's health at Christmas is STRESS! It's easy with all the hustle and bustle of the festive period preparations to forget about the impact that unexpected changes within a home can have on cats.
There are a lot of things we humans do at this time of year to make it a special time for our families. We also need to think about what would make it a safer & less stressful time for our furry family too. Many of our Christmas decorations, household changes (eg moving furniture & accomodating guests) can actually create “extra” stress for your cat. Have a look at my Christmas Hazards advice for more information on how to keep your cat safe and stress free this festive period. Did you know that 1 in 3 cats will develop CKD (chronic kidney disease) in their lifetime? What about the fact that 90% of cats over the age of 12 have painful "wear & tear" arthritis?
With early diagnosis & treatment, it's far from the doom and gloom that you may imagine with such a disease. These days, cats with CKD can live long and happy senior years with the right diet, improving fluid intake and other supportive medical care. Cats (and especially older cats) don't seem to like having single diseases. The older they get, the more likely a cat is to have in excess of 3 or 4 illnesses all going on at the same time, just to keep you and us cat vets on our toes! Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease, aka DJD to its friends) is extremely common in cats. It's partly because they're such inquisitive, agile animals and can jump down from great heights so their joints do an awful lot of shock absorption. If they're overweight in their youth and adult life, then their joints go through even more wear and tear with every step, leap and landing. Cats are masters of disguise, so rather than complain about being in pain, they simply change their behaviour to minimise or avoid it! It can become tricky when cats diagnosed with kidney disease also have signs of arthritis because the first line medication that can provide pain relief, improved mobility & quality of life, can also put the kidneys under extra pressure.
Put simply this combination of nutritional support can significantly improve quality of life for cats, so it's a no-brainer. Oh and worried your cat won't like it? It has has an appetite improving feature called (E.A.T). By measuring food preferences in cats with CKD, Hill’s have apparently identified the specific aromas and flavours that stimulate food intake and have applied it to their kidney foods. They also offer a money back guarantee.
All in all, it's definitely worth a try, but always talk to your vet first to make sure it is the right choice for your cat's unique needs. Cats with CKD struggle to stay hydrated so the wet version would always be the best choice, but some cats like a bit of dry food too and there are more calories per bite in a dry food so it may be a good add-on for cats that prefer small amounts of food often. It's a juggling act between maintaining hydration and meeting protein and energy needs. The government has been notified to warn wholesalers, vets, retailers and pet owners that Bio-Tech Solutions has recalled:
The Armitage Pet Care brand is usually sold in local pet shops, supermarkets and online stores like Amazon, Ebay and others. Even small quantities of permethrin can cause severe, fatal poisoning in cats so please warn anyone that you know of who has cats. Anyone who has this product should not use it and either contact Armitage Pet Care or Bio-Tech Solution - details available here. If you have applied this product to a cat then contact your vet without delay. Read more about the signs of Permethrin Poisoning and sign the petition to better regulate the sale of products containing this cat toxin.... Kill the flea, not the cat! Remember that by purchasing a more expensive flea product from a vet, you are actually buying product advice and aftersales service as well as peace of mind in the event of any product recalls. UPDATE from Armitage Pet Care 16/11/2016 At the end of October we were made aware that one packet of Armitage Pet Care Flea Drops for Cat & Kittens contained the wrong product. The VMD were immediately notified of this packing error and we have followed VMD guidance concerning the product recall and communications to ensure that our customers were notified and provided with information to enable them to make their customers aware. A full recall was issued as a precautionary step due to the seriousness of the packing error and all stock within our warehouses has been subject to a full quality inspection. No other packaging errors have been found with our stock, or with products being returned by customers.
It comes in two bottle sizes: 30ml (~1 month supply) & 100ml (over 3 months supply) and it keeps for six months once opened. This is an exciting new option for those cats (& owners) that hate tablet dosing!
Find out more about Hyperthyroidism on the ISFM website.
Simon Davies, Head Designer of ProtectaPet, says:
‘Our products are intuitive with cat owners’ and their needs. We have designed a modular system that can be adapted to all garden shapes and sizes, all boundary types from privet hedge through to brick walls. As a result, we have been highly commended for several British innovation awards and were voted as ‘Cat Product I can’t Live Without’ by readers of Your Cat magazine. But for me, the real accolade is knowing that we have saved so many cats across Britain and around the world as we export to Europe. Watch this space.’ ProtectaPet offers their products in DIY kits available to purchase in their online shop www.protectapet.com or they offer a UK wide installation service. Are you a rex breeder? We can provide you with pamphlets and referral rewards but - best of all – peace of mind that your kitten is going to a safe home. Are you a rex owner? If you would like any advice on cat containment, please call the ProtectaPet cat containment experts on 01782 900117. They are offering customers of The Cat Vet 10% off the online shop and £50 off installations with discount code ‘jolewis’.
Like us they can prefer certain textures or flavours of foods and many are particular about how it is served. This is often interpreted as "fussiness" when the cat is simply being cautious and selective about what it chooses to eat just as we are.
By understanding what cats naturally prefer we can present food in a much more appetizing way and be more successful at tempting even sick and elderly cats to eat. To find out more take a look at the links below:
All cats are special, but Georgie certainly has survived against the odds more than once. He came to us one hot day when I was training as a vet in Western Australia. A dog walker brought in two kittens his dog had found tied up in a plastic bag in some bushes. They still had their umbilical cords attached and were very weak. Being the cat lover that I am I just had to give them a chance. I took them home with me and bottle fed them through the night. The little ginger kitten sadly died within 24 hours but the bigger, noisier tabby one thrived! Needless to say I convinced my parents to keep the poor little orphan and we named him Georgie. He has always been a very special member of our family and travelled with us when we moved to England.
So, the big move day was finally upon us last Friday. Being a perfectionist, I planned the entire day with military precision including ordering in a portable human paramedic-sized tank of oxygen. Even still, the responsibility of looking after Georgie had been weighing heavily on my shoulders in the lead up. I must admit I would have been apprehensive if this was any cat, but the circumstances surrounding this particular cat made it all the more nerve racking. That day was also the first anniversary of the traumatic week this time last year when another of my elderly cats and my beloved dog died within a few days of one another so my emotions were running even higher. Unfortunately despite all our best efforts Georgie's breathing really deteriorated and he reached crisis point. He had consumed the entire oxygen cylinder and we needed more...and fast! For Georgie it was quite literally a matter of life or death. Being a Friday afternoon and having exhausted all other avenues (including our usual oxygen supplier) we had given up all hope. We watched as the pressure gauge on our cylinder was running into the red. Thanks to a very quick thinking brother and sister we contacted Dive Crew in Crowthorne. The team there went beyond the call of duty to help and within the blink of an eye they delivered a tank of oxygen that quite literally saved the day! All our combined efforts finally paid off as Georgie's heart condition is now stable and he's off the oxygen and back to his usual self. All thanks to thinking outside the box and some rather unusual team work! We were touched by Dive Crew's generosity - it's just heartwarming to meet other local people and businesses who also genuinely care enough to bend over backwards to help people and animals in their hour of need. We will forever remember the role they played in ensuring Georgie yet again had the best chance of survival possible! Georgie makes the news: SportDiver article Get Reading article Bracknell News article The real risk of catching this infection from your cat is tiny!
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