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Pets at Home recalls cat food due to low thiamine levels
Pets at Home has sent a notification to all vets to be aware of the atypical symptoms and potential for thiamine deficiency.
Vets urged to be aware of the atypical symptoms of deficiency
 
Pets at Home has recalled four of its dry cat food products after tests confirmed that they contain lower levels of thiamine (vitamin B) than is specified in the recipe.

The affected products are:
  • AVA Veterinary Approved Grain Free Mature 7+ Cat Food Optimum Health (2kg).
  • Product code: 7120400

  • AVA Veterinary Approved Grain Free Mature 7+ Cat Food Optimum Health (4kg)
  • Product code: 712401

  • AVA Veterinary Approved Grain Free Senior 12+ Cat Food Optimum Health (2kg)
  • Product code:712402

  • AVA Veterinary Approved Grain Free Adult Cat Food Indoor/Neutered (1.5kg)
  • Product code: 712407

Writing on its Facebook page, the retailer said that it became aware of the problem when three cats became seriously unwell after their owners switched to the affected products.

‘All three cats exhibited symptoms of sudden collapse, fitting, widespread twitching and general unsteadiness which are not the classic symptoms of thiamine deficiency’ they write.

‘As pet lovers ourselves we recognise that you will be concerned about your own cat. If you have concerns that your cat may be showing any of these symptoms after switching to one of the four affected products then you should stop feeding and seek immediate veterinary advice.’

Pets at Home has sent a notification to all vets to be aware of the atypical symptoms and potential for thiamine deficiency. Point of sale notices have also been placed in all affected stores and information has been made available on its website.

The retailer urges anyone who has purchased any of the listed products to return it to where they bought it for a full refund or call 0200 328 4204.  

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.