15/06/2021
Health alert on dry cat food - please read.
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Please check this link for the foods affected:
https://www.foldhill.co.uk/fold-hill-foods-ltd-is-recalling-a-number-of-products-it-manufactures-on-behalf-of-partner-brands/
If your cat has eaten this food and you are worried please contact your vet direct and discuss this with them
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We would like to make cat owners aware, but please do not panic.
We have become aware of an increase in cats within the UK falling ill with pancytopenia (symptoms below). The Royal Veterinary College London are leading investigations into this.
So far it seems there MAY be a link to one cat food manufacturing establishment, which is used by several different brands.
We must emphasize that IF the cause, this is likely be traced back to a small number of individual batch number/s and date of manufacturer.
However, we feel there is enough evidence at the moment along with the severity of illness caused to advise not feeding dry food with the following establishment registration number: GB218E5009. The photo shows examples of this number on bags.
Again- at present we do NOT know that this is the definite cause, or which individual batch numbers or dates may be effected. We will update you as soon as we hear more from the RVC.
Temporarily use an alternative food with a different establishment number e.g Royal Canin, Hills or Purina ProPlan.
Do not throw your bag away. Do not rush to return bags or contact the manufacturers yet.
Brands manufactured at this establishment include:
Applaws,
Sainsburys,
AVA
Pancytopenia is reduced levels of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Symptoms include: Lethargy. High temperature. Pale gums. Blood in the urine or faeces (faeces will usually be dark black). Small areas of bruising to the skin or gums.
If you notice any of these symptoms contact your vet immediately.
We believe there have been around 80 cases, so compared to the whole cat population a small percentage and we do not want to cause panic. However, severe pancytopenia is usually a rare condition, so this increase is concerning and warrants investigation.
If you think your cat may have been affected please ask you vet to complete this questionnaire: rvc.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/pancytopenia
More information:
https://www.rvc.ac.uk/news-and-events/rvc-news/rvc-study-to-investigate-mysterious-recent-spike-in-severe-feline-pancytopenia-cases