Columbia River Natural Pet Foods of Vancouver, WA, has voluntarily recalled 933 packages of Cow Pie fresh frozen meats for dogs and cats, produced in August 2017, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which may affect animals eating the product as well as humans handling contaminated product or coming into contact with surfaces exposed to contaminated product.

The affected product is 2-pound packages of Cow Pie with lot code 81917, and processing date August 19, 2017 printed on an orange sticker affixed to the bag. 

Cow Pie is a fresh frozen meat product intended to be fed raw to dogs and cats. Cow Pie was distributed in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington through retail stores and direct delivery. To date, no illnesses have been reported in relation to this recall.

Listeria monocytogenes is one of the leading causes of human death from foodborne illness. Healthy people infected with Listeria monocytogenes should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, aches, fever, and diarrhea. Infections can also spread through the bloodstream to the nervous system, including the brain, resulting in meningitis and other potentially fatal problems. Pregnant women are more susceptible to Listeria infection, which can result in spontaneous abortion. The young, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems also are more vulnerable. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Although uncommon, pets with Listeria monocytogenes infections may display symptoms such as mild to severe diarrhea, anorexia, fever, nervous, muscular and respiratory signs, abortion, depression, shock, and death. Animals that recover may become carriers and serve as potential sources of infection to other animals. In addition to the possibility of becoming sick, such infected animals can shed Listeria monocytogenes through their feces onto their coats and into the home environment and thus serve as sources of infection to humans and other animals in the household.

If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. Customers should discontinue use of the product and may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-360-834-6854, Monday-Friday, from 8 am-4 pm PST.