01/10/2025
ATTENTION CAT OWNERS: Please read the following report from the Alberta Association of Veterinary Medicine in regards to Avian Influenza Virus Infections in Cats.
Please be cautious of the risks with feeding a raw diet, including letting your cat hunt and eat wild birds outside.
"The number of cases of H5N1 avian influenza in United States poultry flocks continues to increase and has resulted in spillover into raw pet food supplies. There are at least two reports of cats in Oregon and California with severe illness or death linked to eating raw pet food with subsequent recalls and recommendations against feeding raw pet food. Despite reports of possible importation into BC, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed that no affected product had been imported. However, this case serves as an important reminder of the risks associated with feeding raw pet food. Additional information is also available through the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System, including a reminder that influenza in all species of animals is a federally reportable disease that must be reported to a local CFIA District Office.
As a reminder, Alberta’s provincial laboratory is able to provide testing in certain situations where cats present with compatible clinical signs (cats with livestock contact (dairy/poultry); multiple cats affected; high risk exposure). Please contact us if you feel you have a situation that falls within any of the following:
A cat or cats presenting with neurological signs or severe respiratory signs or sudden death that has contact with poultry or dairy cattle, regardless of contact with people.
Cats presenting with neurological signs or severe respiratory signs or sudden death where multiple cats are affected, cats have outdoor access, and has close contact with people, regardless of contact with poultry or dairy.
A cat presenting with neurological signs or severe respiratory signs or sudden death that has close contact with people and either has a known or highly suspect episode of scavenging a dead high risk wild bird (ducks, geese, gulls and raptors) or is fed a raw food diet containing poultry.
In other cases, influenza testing is likely available in respiratory panels at most animal health lab testing providers. Contact the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian at 780-427-3448 if you would like additional information."
