Over the past several months, there has been an alarming spike in the number of deaths of cats in the United Kingdom. Atleast 330 cats have died from a rare illness that could be linked to toxins in cat foods that have been recently recalled. The condition, called feline pancytopenia, is when the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets decreases rapidly and results in serious illness, according to the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London.
With symptoms ranging from moderate (tiredness, lack of appetite) to severe (bleeding from the mouth, collapsing, blood in feces or urine), the illness can prove fatal for cats, says Blue Cross for Pets. One potential cause of pancytopenia comes from mycotoxins, or “toxic compounds that are naturally produced by different types of fungi,” according to the Royal Veterinary College. Mycotoxins can grow on crops “before or after harvest,” as well as on “cereals, nuts, spices, dried fruits, apple juice and coffee, often under warm and humid conditions”—stoking concerns that the pancytopenia cases may be related to what these cats are eating. As of Monday, Aug. 2, at least 528 cases of feline pancytopenia have been reported, according to the RVC. The RVC said the mortality rate among reported cases is 63.5% and the actual number of cases is likely much higher.
While the link between cat food and pancytopenia remains unverified by officials, pet food manufacturer Fold Hill Foods raised eyebrows after recalling several of their products as a “precautionary” measure in June. “There is concern on the safety of the products listed above,” reads the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) announcement of Fold Hill Foods’ recall. “There has been an increase in cases of pancytopenia in cats and there is a possible link to the cat food products listed above.”
