A California man lost two cats to bird flu after they drank recalled raw milk, raising health concerns for pets and owners alike
San Bernardino: It’s a sad story. A guy named Joseph Journell lost two of his cats after they drank raw milk that was recalled due to bird flu. He thought he was doing the right thing by giving them something he believed was healthier.
Joseph’s cats, Alexander and Tuxsie, both passed away in late November. He also had a third cat, Big Boy, who got really sick but is now recovering, though he’s blind and can’t use his back legs.
Joseph had been drinking this Raw Farm milk himself, thinking it would boost his cats’ health. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a deadly mistake. The milk was pulled from stores after health officials found the bird flu virus in it.
He’s been through a lot, spending over $12,000 on vet bills. He’s even asking the milk company for compensation. The owner of Raw Farm disputes that the milk could have caused the illness so quickly, but experts say the virus can survive in milk.
Since early December, nearly a dozen cats in California have died from similar issues. Health officials are warning people to avoid raw milk and unpasteurized products for their pets. Joseph even got sick himself but wasn’t tested for bird flu at the hospital.
He’s feeling better now but is still heartbroken over losing his pets. Despite everything, he still believes raw milk has some health benefits, but he’s not planning to drink it again anytime soon.
