The Cat Doctor of Bedford, MA & Nashua, NH

09/09/2025

Recently, the FDA released a statement on September 3rd, 2025, notifying pet owners of a case in San Francisco in which a cat that consumed RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats (Lot CCS 25 093) became ill with signs consistent with HPAI infection and was subsequently euthanized.

Follow up testing of samples from the deceased cat and the RAWR food it had consumed confirmed the presence of the same genotype of H5N1 in both, and subsequent testing of a retail sample of another lot of this food (Lot CCS 25 077) was positive for the same genotype of H5N1 that had been found in both the deceased cat and the food it had consumed. Importantly, this genotype of H5N1 has previously been found in other brands of raw poultry-based pet foods that were associated with the illness or death of cats.

These findings suggest that the H5N1 found in these RAWR raw cat food lots and the cat that was euthanized due to H5N1 infection after eating RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats came from a common source of contamination. You can read the full FDA statement at https://hubs.la/Q03H9C8f0

Signs of HPAI infection in cats include fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, respiratory difficulty, and neurologic signs, including incoordination, tremors, and seizures. If owners observe a cat demonstrating any of these signs after consuming raw meat and/or dairy products, and in particular Savage Raw Cat Food from the lot # 11152026 or RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats from lot CCS 25 093 or CCS 25 077, they should contact a veterinarian immediately and isolate the affected cat from other pets.

To stay up-to-date on H5N1 and cats visit the link below.
https://hubs.la/Q03H9JgF0

05/12/2025

03/19/2025

Two cats in New York City have tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza infections. One of the cats, an 8-month-old kitten that had eaten a raw chicken-based food, developed a high fever and severe pneumonia and was euthanized. AVMA President-elect Michael Q. Bailey advises against giving cats raw meat or unpasteurized dairy products and says cats should be kept away from wild animals, poultry and livestock. https://www.fox5ny.com/news/nyc-cats-contract-bird-flu

03/01/2025

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu, is circulating now in the United States and much of the world. Specialists at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine have created a virtual resource center where you can find up to date information about HPAI.

It is important to understand how we can reduce our risk of exposure, to protect our own health as well as that of our pets. Reducing exposure will also help slow the virus from evolving into something that is more easily transmissible.

Use the links below to learn how HPAI affects different species (cats, dogs, wildlife, poultry, & dairy) or might affect your health. They contain both general information as well as resources for veterinarians and public health professionals.

https://hubs.la/Q0378NNb0

02/19/2025

ALERT - The Washington State Department of Agriculture and Oregon Department of Agriculture are warning pet owners about the risks of raw pet food after indoor cats in Oregon became ill from HPAI. Officials found the cats all consumed the same brand of raw pet food before becoming ill.

Samples collected from open containers of the raw pet food confirmed the presence of HPAI. This public health notice was initiated in response to these findings. The raw pet food was manufactured by Wild Coast Raw.

Impacted food includes: Wild Coast Raw Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula; Lots #22660 and #22664; Best By Date 12/2025. MORE INFORMATION: https://bit.ly/41j1CL

05/02/2024

Bailey is a 13 year old female cat who has been living at The Cat Doctor since October and she has been a lot of fun to have around, but now we are hoping our clients can help her find a great home! Unfortunately, she dislikes other cats so she needs to be in an only cat household, but almost everyone who sees her here at the office already has other cats. We are hoping that our wonderful clients will pass her information along to any friends who are cat-curious or are between pets right now!

Bailey is healthy, very active and playful right now, but when she came to us she had diabetes and a sensitive GI tract, so she is on a strict canned food-only diet and she needs to stay on that to remain healthy. She claims to be hungry all the time, so she needs an owner who has the willpower to resist her begging between meal times, and who is agile enough to avoid tripping when she is underfoot 😄 We don't know how she would be with a calm dog, but she is probably best for a household without other pets and without small children since she can be a little nippy when she gets overstimulated.

Bailey has a ton of personality and loves to follow us around the office, leaping on and off the counters and furniture. Please ask anyone you know who would be interested to call the Bedford office or contact Dr. Anne at [email protected]. Thanks for your help!

03/11/2024