Bird flu?

[PamR]

I know this was discussed earlier this year, but it’s come up in the news again so was wondering if I should be concerned about the raw food my cat eats.
She eats a frozen chicken preparation made by a local (San Francisco) pet store. And a local raw frozen turkey product from another company.

Jeffrey's Chicken and Veggies Recipe for Cats — Jeffrey's Natural Pet Foods

Fresh Cat Food and Treats Made in San Francisco - Voted Best Pet Food Store and Best Pet Food Delivery in the Bay!

www.jeffreyspets.com

Thoughts?
Thanks.
Pam

 

[NancyK]

Good question. I have been getting emails from Perfectlyrawsome.com that are scary. They are saying to avoid feeding poultry and cook their food. Raw meaty bones are a big part of what I feed and avoiding poultry would be impossible. I do have bone meal on hand from cows but hate to resort to that. So far I am not buying into the fear but interested in what others think. The media thrives on instilling fear in us but I was surprised at the response from Perfectlyrawsome.com.

Nancy

 

[NancyK]

This is my current feeling about bird flu...

 

[Dr. Jeff]

wondering if I should be concerned about the raw food my cat eats.

Great question!! I'll start to answer by saying that my own kitties are still eating raw variety (mainly Viva and Small Batch).

In my opinion the real issue is being ignored. And as Nancy aptly points out, part of the reason is money.

The issue is that we currently do not nurture energetic and immune balance. And as we continue to focus on the germ and not inner resilience, susceptibility to germs like avian flu, SARs/covid, yeast, and even Staph will get worse and worse.

This article dives a bit deeper:

A Way To Connect Modern Veterinary Medicine And Ancient Wisdom: An Introduction To Terrain Theory - Holistic Actions!

www.holisticactions.com

 

[NancyK]

It appears that the testing of the Northwest Naturals cat food was done on a single OPENED bag!!! Just one more reason to take this all with a grain of salt.

Ending 2024 with the WORST Pet Food Regulatory Failure

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Agree with Dr. Jeff that susceptibility plays a huge role. However, the virus from the food and from the cat were an exact match, so that particular cat had that particular strain and according to necropsy that was the proximate cause of death. Why that individual cat was so susceptible, while hundreds of others who ate that food were not affected, is really what we're all about here!

The majority of our pets are *not* perfectly healthy. Moreover, health is multifactorial, and while many factors are within our control, many are not (air pollution, multiple generations of genetics and epigenetics, etc.).

So while we know the medical paradigm is fatally flawed, and we are doing our best to change it, we still have to deal with reality as it comes.

Here is my take on the bird flu thing from my newsletter (meant for a more general audience than you guys): https://littlebigcat.substack.com/p/special-bird-flu-alert
This my best guess on how to approach it, based on the best evidence I can find at this point. As more evidence comes to light, no doubt the considerations will change.

As always, the best defense against any pathogen is a strong immune system, and that is what we are striving to achieve for our pets!

 

[NancyK]

Here is what Perfectly Rawsome has to say on this subject.

​ BIOSECURITY ANNOUNCEMENT​ Raw feeders, take note – Avian Influenza (H5N1) is on the rise and could pose risks to your pets.​ Here’s what you need to know…​ Avian Influenza (H5N1) primarily affects birds. The food sources related to poultry are the most impacted. H5N1 has been found in raw poultry during outbreaks, particularly in the early 2000s and more recently in 2022-2024. Here’s a breakdown of common food sources affected by H5N1: Chicken Turkey Duck Quail Pheasant Goose Wild Game Birds Eggs Poultry that has been infected with H5N1 can carry the virus in its raw meat, especially in areas where the virus has been detected in commercial or backyard flocks. Cooking poultry at the appropriate temperature kills H5N1, rendering it safe for consumption. While H5N1 can be present in the eggs of infected birds, the virus does not typically infect the egg yolk. The virus primarily infects the shell of eggs rather than the yolk or the white. This is because the virus is typically transmitted through contact with contaminated feces or surfaces, such as in infected poultry environments. Therefore, the cracking of an egg is the source of cross contamination of the virus. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while H5N1 has been found in poultry and eggs during outbreaks, the main risk comes from handling and consuming raw eggs that have come into contact with the shell, which could be contaminated with the virus from an infected bird’s feces or environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the H5N1 virus primarily affects the outer surface of eggs, and contamination is typically limited to the eggshell. Therefore, properly cooking eggs (until both the yolk and white are firm) can eliminate any potential risk of infection, as heat destroys the virus. H5N1 primarily affects birds however recent developments indicate that H5N1 avian influenza has been detected in U.S. dairy cattle. The first confirmed case occurred on March 25, 2024, on a dairy farm. It has since spread to 95 cattle herds across 12 states. Additionally, raw milk tested positive for H5N1 in November and December 2024. However, standard pasteurization effectively eliminates the H5N1 virus, ensuring the safety of pasteurized milk. A significant portion of beef in the U.S. comes from dairy cattle, particularly in ground beef and processed products. According to industry estimates, up to 20% of U.S. beef may come from dairy cattle. Beef samples from affected states were tested for H5N1 and it was confirmed on May 1, 2024 that there were no virus particles present. This is a biosecurity concern for animals and humans alike. Biosecurity is a set of practices that prevent the spread of harmful organisms, such as disease-causing agents, from entering or leaving a place where they could be a risk. Biosecurity measures are important for protecting animals, people, the environment, and the food supply. The CDC issued a report in July 2024 that highlighted concerns around H5N1 in dairy cattle and farm cats. The domestic cats on the dairy farm contracted the virus after consuming unpasteurized milk from cows infected with the virus. The cats displayed neurological symptoms and later passed due to the virus. A voluntary recall was issued by Northwest Naturals in cooperation with Oregon Department of Agriculture of Salem on December 24, 2024 following a domestic house cat that passed away after contracting H5N1. Laboratory testing from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Oregon State University confirmed the cat died after consuming Northwest Natural’s 2lb Feline Turkey Recipe and that the frozen raw pet food tested positive for H5N1 in Washington County, Oregon. The recalled product is packaged in 2-pound plastic bags with “Best if used by” dates of 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/2026 B1. The product was sold through distributors in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, MN, PA, RI and WA in the United States, and British Columbia in Canada. Cats should not be fed any products from affected farms that have not been thoroughly cooked or heat pasteurized to kill the virus. Cats should also be kept from hunting and consuming wild birds. At this time, it is presumed that dogs are less susceptible to the virus however the FDA advises that similar precautions be taken for canines to prevent cross-species and mammal-to-mammal transmission (prevent the of transmission to humans and other species). It is important to note that Northwest Naturals is High Pressure Pasteurized (HPP) which does not utilize heat. Therefore, this pasteurization method is not effective at eliminating the virus. It was confirmed on May 16, 2024 that cooking meat neutralizes the virus. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) inoculated a very high level of an H5N1 Influenza A virus into 300 grams ground beef patties to determine whether Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) recommended cooking temperatures are effective in removing the virus. The patties were cooked to three different temperatures (120ºF, 145ºF, 160ºF), and virus presence was measured after cooking. There was no virus present in the patties when cooked to an internal temperature of 145ºF (62ºC) or 160ºF (71ºC) which is FSIS’ recommended cooking temperature for beef. However, the FSIS’ recommendation is 165ºF (74ºC) for poultry. Other processing methods such as freeze drying and low heat dehydrating will not render the virus non-infectious. Therefore, commercial freeze dried and dehydrated products are also at risk for transmission. Cooking raw meat is the only processing method that inactivates the virus. Thoroughly cooking all raw products that are fed to cats is highly recommended to avoid the risk of H5N1 infection because of their increased susceptibility to death. Furthermore, cooking poultry and beef products that are fed to dogs is strongly encouraged until further data is obtained on cross-species transmission. Poultry is a large component in raw diets due to providing an economic protein source in addition to serving as the primary source of essential calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium through Raw Meaty Bones (RMB). However, cooking whole RMB is not advisable due to the risk of intestinal blockage and perforation. The only method that is safe to cook RMB is when the bones have been finely ground and with the skin removed to reduce the total fat. Cooking fine ground RMB eliminates the risk of bones becoming brittle and splintering which is the primary cause of intestinal perforations. Alternatively, a calcium supplement is required if RMBs are not fed in the diet. These supplement options include: Bone Meal* Dicalcium Phosphate* Tricalcium Phosphate* Seaweed Calcium Calcium Carbonate Calcium Citrate Egg Shell Calcium** *Bone meal, dicalcium and tricalcium phosphate are the only calcium supplements suitable for growth development, gestation, and lactation life stages. Dicalcium and tricalcium phosphate are synthetic forms of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium where bone meal is a natural source made from dried bones. **Home made egg shells must be dried in the oven at a minimum of 145ºF (62ºC) to eliminate the virus. Once the shells are thoroughly dried, they can be ground into a powder and utilized as a calcium source in home prepared diets. Home cooked diets require consideration of the nutritional depletion that occurs in the cooking process. This is not to say that cooked diets are not nutritionally sufficient but there are nutrients that decrease with cooking. The common nutrients that decrease with cooking include: B Vitamins Nutritional yeast is the whole food source that increases B vitamins in home cooked diets. Alternatively, a synthetic B complex supplement is needed. Magnesium Supplementation is recommended in home cooked diets for cats due to their high requirement for magnesium and how cooking severely depletes this nutrient. This is not a major concern for dogs because their recommended allowance for magnesium can be fulfilled with magnesium rich grains, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. Potassium Supplementation is recommended in home cooked diets for cats due to their high requirement for potassium and how cooking severely depletes this nutrient. This is not a major concern for dogs because their recommended allowance for potassium is lower than cats and can be fulfilled with potassium rich grains, vegetables, and fruit. Sodium Canned fish is a whole food source that can be strategically used in home cooked diets to increase sodium intake. Alternatively, adding in non-iodized table salt is needed. Furthermore, it is recommended to cook all commercial raw food. The commercial food label should provide macronutrient percentages for moisture, protein, fat, and fiber. Cooked fat must be drained from commercial raw food that exceeds 11% to avoid pancreatitis due to cooked fats. Freeze dried raw food can be hydrated with boiling water at a minimum temperature of 145ºF (62ºC). Low heat dehydrated chews and treats should be “oven blasted” at 165ºF (74ºC) however most commercial dehydrated foods have undergone this process. However, it is recommended to contact the manufacturer to inquire about the dehydration temperatures used to create their product. References FDA Updates on H5N1 https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/investigation-avian-influenza-h5n1-virus-dairy-cattle?utm_source=chatgpt.com AVMA Statement https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-virus-type-h5n1-us-dairy-cattle Northwest Naturals December 2024 Voluntary Recall https://www.nw-naturals.net/12-24-24-voluntary-product-recall/ CDC Data on H5N1 in Dairy Cattle and Barn Cats https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30/7/24-0508_article USDA H5N1 and Safety of U.S. Meat Supply https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock/testing-and-science/meat-safety NEED HELP?​ Certified Canine Nutritionist​ If home cooking for your pet is overwhelming, Perfectly Rawsome has options that can help alleviate your stress. 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