Why has Pets at Home Ava cat food been recalled, what is thiamine and how many cats have died?
HIGH street giant Pets at Home has recalled a number of dry cat foods and issued a warning after cats became seriously ill amid reports at least one pet has died.
The popular store said several brands of the AVA dry cat food had insufficient levels of thiamine (vitamin B1) which could leave some moggies malnourished.
The Food Standards Agency issued a recall for the product after at least three cats became "seriously unwell".
The Sun Online has also learned one pet cat died after suffering from a fit, with its devastated owners believing the cat food could be to blame.
Safety chiefs warned four lines of the cat food are being recalled after the animals were hit.
Here's what we know...
What happened to those cats affected?
The product was revealed to not have enough thiamine (vitamin B1) in it, causing the cats to become unwell.
Most of the pets became seriously unwell four to six weeks after switching to one of the affected products and required veterinary care.
All three reported cats exhibited symptoms of sudden collapse, fitting, widespread twitching and general unsteadiness .
A statement from Pets At Home said: "An investigation has revealed that, in the four affected products, the level of thiamine (vitamin B1) was much lower than we had specified.
"Testing confirmed only these four products are affected."
What is thiamine and why it is important to cats?
Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is a vitamin necessary for normal carbohydrate metabolism in cats.
Thiamine deficiency results in serious symptoms, many of which are neurological in origin.
Signs include circling, falling, head tilt, dilated pupils, stupor and seizures.
Neurological symptoms may be preceded by symptoms such as vomiting.
Excess salivation, depressed appetite, and weight loss can also be seen.
There are many potential causes of thiamine deficiency including consumption of diet which has
destroyed vitamin B1 during food processing.
Some food recalls have been related to thiamine destruction which occurred during processing and caused inadequate thiamine levels in food.
Food lacking adequate quantities of thiamine may in turn cause a thiamine deficiency for cats eating the food.
How many cats have died?
To date just one pet cat's demise has been linked to the product.
However, Pets at Home has confirmed it is aware of three cats which have suffered severe symptoms after eating the food.
A spokesman for the store said: "We are aware of three cats which, sadly, became seriously unwell four to six weeks after switching to one of the affected products and required veterinary care."
What products are affected?
Product: AVA Veterinary Approved Grain Free Mature 7+ Cat Food Optimum Health
Pack size: 2kg
Product code (under the barcode): 7120400
Batch codes:
6165 – best before 14 June 2017
6181 – best before 30 June 2017
6295 – best before 22 October 2017
6363 – best before 29 December 2017
Product: AVA Veterinary Approved Grain Free Mature 7+ Cat Food Optimum Health
Pack size: 4kg
Product code (under the barcode): 712401
Batch codes:
6165 – best before 14 June 2017
6169 – best before 18 June 2017
6210 – best before 29 July 2017
6252 – best before 09 September 2017
6325 – best before 21 November 2017
7016 – best before 16 January 2018
Product: AVA Veterinary Approved Grain Free Senior 12+ Cat Food Optimum Health
Pack size: 2kg
Product code (under the barcode): 712402
Batch codes:
6161 – best before 10 June 2017
6166 – best before 15 June 2017
6229 – best before 17 August 2017
Product: AVA Veterinary Approved Grain Free Adult Cat Food Indoor/Neutured
Pack size: 1.5kg
Product code (under the barcode): 712407
Batch codes:
6165 – best before 14 June 2017
6166 – best before 15 June 2017
6188 – best before 07 July 2017
7006 – best before 6 January 2018
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