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RVC issues update on feline pancytopenia
The RVC is aware of 278 cases of feline pancytopenia in UK cats.

College is now aware of 278 cases of the condition.

More than 270 cats in the UK are now known to have contracted feline pancytopenia, according to the Royal Veterinary College (RVC).

In its latest update, the RVC said that it is aware of 278 cases of the condition, with a mortality rate of 70.2 per cent. The figures are based on cases treated in RVC’s hospitals and information provided by a small number of vets across the UK.

It comes after manufacturer Fold Hill Foods recalled selected ranges from AVA (Pets At Home), Applaws & Sainsbury’s as a precautionary measure, while researchers at the RVC investigate a possible link to the disease
.

Pet owners are being advised by the Food Standards Agency to stop feeding the listed products to their cats and to seek veterinary help if they are concerned about their pet's health. 

An RVC spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are aware of a series of cases of fatal pancytopenia in cats in the UK.

“After noticing an increase in cats presenting with pancytopenia in May, we have been gathering data from UK vets from these affected cats. Based on the evidence to date, the one aspect of these cases that formed a consistent pattern was the diet of the affected individuals."

They continued: "From the data shared, most cats show some non-specific signs for around two days before being seen by a vet. Common signs include lethargy and loss of appetite, although in some cases there are signs of spontaneous bleeding or bruising. We encourage owners to contact their veterinary practice if they are worried that their cat may be affected.

“Given this apparent association with diet, we welcome the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) product recall notice. While we have not definitively established diet as the cause of pancytopenia in these cats, we are continuing to liaise with the pet food industry and regulatory bodies to investigate the matter and identify the possible underlying causes of this extremely serious condition."

To support the efforts of researchers to curtail the disease, vets who have seen cases are being invited to complete RVC's online survey

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Free event for the global unowned cat community

News Story 1
 International Cat Care (ICatCare) has announced a free, virtual event dedicated to caring for unowned cats to explore new ideas and ways of working.

iCatConnect 2025 takes place on Wednesday, 12 November, and is open to everyone working and volunteering with unowned cats. It will include a line-up of 12 international cat welfare experts, who will consider the bigger picture of unowned cats and explore practical, effective, and inclusive solutions.

Following the session, attendees can put their questions to the experts and share their views. They will also hear frontline challenges and real-world case studies shared by contributors working in shelters, TNR, community cat programmes, and veterinary teams from around the world. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.