20/08/2024
The specialist veterinary team at Edinburgh University are warning vets about an outbreak of TB in raw fed cats.
Although so far only 11 cases have been confirmed, TB is not a condition many vets will think about because it is so unusual, the symptoms are vague and can mimic other conditions and the testing needed for a diagnosis is very specific.
It is also extremely serious, sadly 8 of the infected cats have already been euthanased and it can make humans very ill as well. Which is why it is important that the word is spread.
All the cats so far diagnosed were fed the same raw diet. They were mainly indoor cats and did not drink raw milk, so had no other risk factors that might have caused the disease.
The company impacted is aware but has not yet been named and the vets are at pains to point out that they appear to have followed all the regulatory requirements and that this is simply an inherent risk (albeit thankfully a low one) of raw feeding.
As yet, as far as I am aware, a recall hasn't been issued.
Infected cats have presented with weight loss, coughing (a real concern as this could increase the ability of the disease to spread, particularly to people), abdominal abnormalities and were often very poorly by the time a diagnosis is made. Their blood tests generally only show non-specific changes like a mild anaemia.
Although TB in cats can present with skin lesions, this strain (similar to the last time this happened) appears to mainly cause respiratory signs and abnormalities may well be seen on chest x-rays.
If a lung wash is performed the bacteria might be identified but any vets doing one on a suspicious case must take care to wear PPE to protect themselves.
If you are concerned you might have a case, the team at Edinburgh, which includes Danielle Gunn-Moore and Conor O'Halloran, are very happy to help and advise you.
They have this webpage which is great; https://www.ed.ac.uk/vet/services/small-animals/vet-professional/specialist-services/feline/mycobacteria and advice on suspected cases from this outbreak will be given free of charge.
You can also contact Conor directly on [email protected]
And don't forget that TB is a notifiable disease, so the APHA must be contacted, and they are also a good source of support.
If you are a cat owner who raw feeds and you are worried, the best people to speak to for information and, hopefully, reassurance are your veterinary team and the company who produces the meals you feed.
It is also worth noting the difference between this problem, with a specific subset of infected animals, similar symptoms, a definitive diagnosis, a common diet and specialist vets at the forefront of raising the alert… and the the issues claimed with Purina pet food at the start of this year, which had none of these typical hallmarks of a genuine food related illness outbreak.
For more information about TB in cats, this article from the Edinburgh team, written in 2019, is very helpful; https://www.ed.ac.uk/vet/services/small-animals/information-about-cat-tb **But do note the company mentioned in it is in relation to the outbreak at the time, not this one**
*Letter pictured published with the permission of the Vet Record and the authors.
