Pancytopenia: Vets Give Advice to Cat Owners Amid Rise in Deadly Diseases UK News

Cat owners are concerned about a recent spike in a rare, life-threatening condition called pancytopenia in cats.

This week, Fold Hill issued an urgent recall on a range of products sold at Pets At Home and Sainsbury’s.

The recall affecting Ava and Applaws cat food products was issued this week as a precautionary measure.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland and Defra advise cat owners not to feed their cats specific cat food products.

As of April 2021, there have been more than 130 cases of feline pancytopenia, a disease that can often be fatal in cats, the FSA has warned.

Pancytopenia is a very rare disease in which the number of blood cells (red, white and platelets) decreases rapidly, causing serious illness.

As of April 2021, there have been over 130 cases of feline pancytopenia. (Canvas)

A government spokesperson said: “In collaboration with the Royal Veterinary College, the Animal Plant and Health Agency and other government departments in the four UK countries, local authorities and the food supply chain for pets, we are investigating a possible link between specific cat foods. products and feline pancytopenia. There is no definitive evidence to confirm a link at this point.

“No unsafe cat food has been identified, but the manufacturer and affected brand owners, based on investigations to date, are taking precautionary measures by recalling and removing cat food products that have been linked to the affected cats.

“There is no evidence to suggest that this outbreak of feline pancytopenia poses a risk to human health.”

Cat owners are asked to seek advice from their veterinarian immediately if their cat is not feeling well or has been fed any of the listed cat foods.

A Fold Hill spokesperson said, “We are voluntarily recalling the dry products we manufacture for the brands detailed in the link below as a precaution.

“We are supporting an investigation by the food and veterinary authorities into a possible safety issue affecting cats. ”

They added, “If you have purchased any of the above products as detailed above, do not give it to your cat.

Veterinarians are concerned

Vets aren’t sure what may be the cause, but a possible link to some dry diets has been identified.

Video Vets Now offers online video consultations to cat owners who suspect their cats may have been affected by pancytopenia.

Owners can make an appointment here and experienced veterinarians are available to discuss any concerns or concerns.

Vets have given advice to concerned cat owners. (PENNSYLVANIA)

Advice from veterinarians

One of the country’s leading emergency vets, Dave Leicester, Telehealth Manager at Vets Now who takes care of a team of experienced vets at Video Vets Now, said:

“Pancytopenia is the medical term used to describe the disease when there are few types of blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets). Pancytopenia is not a disease in itself, but rather a clinical sign that can have many different potential causes such as infection, toxins, or cancer. All three cell lines are reduced either due to increased destruction of circulating cells or decreased production in the bone marrow.

“Common symptoms include lethargy and loss of appetite, although in some cases there may be signs of spontaneous bleeding or bruising, mainly due to the low number of platelets the body needs to form blood cells. clots and repair tissue wear.

“Although there is no specific treatment for pancytopenia itself and the prognosis is, unfortunately, generally very poor, your veterinarian will look for the deficiencies in blood cells and attempt to identify and treat the condition. underlying cause Supportive treatment may include administration of antibiotics and other drugs such as drugs that stimulate the bone marrow and most cases require blood transfusions to replace lost cells.

“We encourage owners to seek veterinary advice urgently if they are concerned that their cat may be affected. If you’re worried, you can book an online video consultation with Video Vets Now, where you can speak to an experienced veterinarian to discuss any concerns or concerns you may have about your cat.