Warning - Cat food recall linked to 209 deaths - details here

[Chihuahuacat]

Hi all,

I just wanted to share this Facebook group:

www.facebook.com/groups/806871953557080/?ref=share

I had my darling cat pass away a few weeks ago completely out of the blue due to low blood count.

The vet mentioned there had been an upsurge in cases and this group suggests it is linked to grain free / hypoallergenic food.

Please please share so now one else has to go through this x

This is a useful page
www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-36-2021-update-1

@Freeholderquestion

Encore isn't part of the recall at the moment, but I've seen that more retailers have been recalling their product as they are produced in the same factory- wilko for example. I've also just seen pictures on Facebook showing that Lidl dry cat food is made there too.

I'll personally be avoiding any food made at that factory (factory code GB218E5009) so it's worth checking the code on your encore packaging.

Omg this is too awful. I am amazed it isn't a bigger news story. Well done for getting the information out there.

@Freeholderquestion
I should also add that I haven't seen anything about wet food being made there, I believe the factory only makes dry food so if it's only wet food you're using that should be fine.

We are offthe the vet this afternoon

We have only had her a few months so we don't know what her "hot weather" looks like

She is lethargic and unhappy occasional vomiting and wet looking poo (but not squishy)

I'd just assumed it was "goodness this is hot, not sure I like it" which of course it may still be!!

I hope she's OK @KatyMac

I am sure its the heat its cooler today and she is more lively

red blood count is high and a small sign of infection so probably ok

Plus she has put on 1.2kg in 2 months so she has to go on a diet! (she was 3.6 now 4.8!!)

Oh, that's good news - sounds like it's something that can easily be treated.

My bag of PAH Bistro has the same factory code! 😳
My cat has been sick 3 times this week and has had diarrhoea too. Oh dear.

@Chihuahuacat - firstly, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for taking the time to post this at what is obviously an incredibly sad time.

For anyone else on here, I’m struggling a bit re some info - and could well have missed where/how to find it.

There seems to be a fair amount of info re links showing which brands seem affected. But I can’t seem to see any information about what exact “symptoms” to look out for.

My cat has been having various tests over the last couple of months. There is “something” not right with his readings, but equally nothing definitive is showing up with further investigation. He’s been on hypoallergenic food for a long time (due to his brother - RIP - needing it). He’s lost weight and his blood results have been confusing. Am trying to understand if this could be a possible contributor? Have got a follow-up appointment and bloods with vet in 1.5 weeks and want to understand this more in case I need to raise it with the vet at our appointment.

Please I know money is tight but anyone that has purchased food that is recalled please don't ever use it.
Dispose of it safely so no other animals will eat it and that means not in landfill either. It is toxic.
People that say they cannot afford to lose the money cannot afford to use the product. It'll cost you in the end not just financially but your cats and kittens may die.

[quote Furries]@Chihuahuacat - firstly, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for taking the time to post this at what is obviously an incredibly sad time.

For anyone else on here, I’m struggling a bit re some info - and could well have missed where/how to find it.

There seems to be a fair amount of info re links showing which brands seem affected. But I can’t seem to see any information about what exact “symptoms” to look out for.

My cat has been having various tests over the last couple of months. There is “something” not right with his readings, but equally nothing definitive is showing up with further investigation. He’s been on hypoallergenic food for a long time (due to his brother - RIP - needing it). He’s lost weight and his blood results have been confusing. Am trying to understand if this could be a possible contributor? Have got a follow-up appointment and bloods with vet in 1.5 weeks and want to understand this more in case I need to raise it with the vet at our appointment.[/quote]
There are a wide range of symptoms, from pale gums and bleeding to them just not seeming their usual selves.

Please stop using the food if it’s one of the affected brands. I’d also get in touch with the vet sooner mentioning your concerns given his recent history. The Facebook group in the first post has lots of information and stories.

I’m so sorry to everyone who has lost a cat because of this, and to those with poorly cats

If you bought it from a UK retailer you will get a refund no problem

And I think me getting the blood test was more about my anxiety than my cat's need to be tested

If there had been a problem then the insurance would have covered it

The vet shares my confusion about a food causing a blood disorder tbh and she is reading all the research as it comes out

Just to let people know, I contacted zooplus.de and they replied very quickly with links to code numbers and information in the uk and said any bought from zooplus.de is not affected as produced in a different factory ( in Switzerland or France usually).

So I am very please zooplus seem to be on the ball

Just checked my bag of Arden Grange and it’s a different factory number.

Some people in my Facebook cat group are getting blood tests done on healthy cats for reassurance. And their vets are happy about this. Not sure if it’s a good precaution or just some vets being happy to take money off people, or maybe for some people they are just worrying so much it’s the right decision for them. Must admit I’d be really worried…my cat is my world.

@catales

Please I know money is tight but anyone that has purchased food that is recalled please don't ever use it. Dispose of it safely so no other animals will eat it and that means not in landfill either. It is toxic. People that say they cannot afford to lose the money cannot afford to use the product. It'll cost you in the end not just financially but your cats and kittens may die.

Don't bin it, keep it safely away from pets in case a sample is needed to be sent to the RVC

@Caspianberg

Just to let people know, I contacted zooplus.de and they replied very quickly with links to code numbers and information in the uk and said any bought from zooplus.de is not affected as produced in a different factory ( in Switzerland or France usually).

So I am very please zooplus seem to be on the ball

My zooplus Applaws stuff starts with the code FR so I gather it comes from France rather than the UK

You are right, I don't know why I didn't think of that. Yes don't bin it. Keep it for potential future tests.

I’ve was feeding our cats applaws dry food until the recall on the 15th June. Just a small amount on top of their wet food. The cats seem fine, good appetite, lively etc. How long after stopping giving them the affected food will they be in the all clear? Is this something that develops in days or several weeks?

@dementedpixie - I assume so. I think it’s just gb starting code numbers.

If it’s any help to anyone, my super fussy cats who only eat applaws biscuits usually, also like purizon if anyone is looking for a temporary replacement until it’s given the all clear. Although they like purizon so much they eat double the amount!

Encore is just about the same as Applaws (same manufacturer). Wonder if they make that elsewhere as it doesn't seem to have been recalled. My cats eat encore and thrive dry although I had bought applaws recently from zoooplus as the small bags were on offer (FR code though)

Morning all - glad sharing this has helped. From my personal experience they don’t know how long the issue takes. My other cat seems absolutely fine in himself but I had him blood tested last week as a precaution and he has low white blood cells so is on a course of steroids. He last ate the food 22 May.

This info graphic is quite good

I’ve also heard that if you have proof of purchase Pets at Home and Amazon May cover cost of blood tests. Nothing from Sainsbury’s yet..:..

My boy is on Royal Canin Sensitivity Control, so not a product on the list. I’m seeing my vet on Wednesday (with my mum’s cat), so I’m going to raise this with her anyway as a precaution.