CAT owners in Clydebank have been warned to be on their guard after a UK vets' body said more than 300 felines had died from a rare condition.

Several popular brands of cat food were withdrawn from sale in June as a precaution, amid fears they could be linked to a spike in reported cases of feline pancycopenia across the UK.

Now the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) says it's aware of 528 cats having the disease, with a 63.5 per cent mortality rate – meaning at least 335 cats have died after being diagnosed with the condition.

But the RVC says that is likely to significantly underestimate the spread of the disease, and the number of deaths, since that number is based on cases treated at its own hospitals and information provided by a small number of vets.

A spokesperson said: "This data probably represents only a percentage of cases, as many cats may not be presented to a veterinary practice and/or investigated by a vet.

"Only a small percentage of the vets in the UK are actively reporting to the RVC at this time.

"The data from our survey is provided by third parties and has not been independently verified and is correct when provided by the vets concerned. Therefore, the percentage of mortalities may change after submission of the information."

Batches of Applaws and AVA cat foods – the latter a Pets at Home brand – as well as some Sainsbury's hypoallergenic foods, were recalled as a precaution by their manufacturer, Fold Hill Foods, in June, sparking an investigation by the RVC and the Food Standards Agency.

However, the cause of the spate of deaths has yet to be confirmed.

Here is the full list of cat food products that have been recalled.

Applaws Cat Dry chicken - 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg packs

Batch Code: GB218E5009

All BBE dates

Applaws Cat Dry Chicken & Salmon - 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg packs

Batch code: GB218E5009

All BBE dates

Applaws Kitten Dry Chicken - 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg

Batch code: GB218E5009

All BBE dates

Applaws Cat Dry Chicken & Lamb - 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg

Batch code: GB218E5009

All BBE dates

Applaws Cat Dry Chicken & Duck - 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg

Batch code: GB218E5009

All BBE dates

Applaws Cat Dry Ocean Fish - 350g, 1.8kg and 6kg

Batch code: GB218E5009

All BBE dates

Applaws Cat Dry Senior Chicken - 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg

Batch code: GB218E5009

All BBE dates

AVA Adult Mature Chicken 7+ - 2kg and 4kg packs

All batch codes

All BBE dates

AVA Adult Chicken - 300g, 2kg and 4kg packs

All batch codes

All BBE dates

AVA Adult Fish - 2kg packs

All batch codes

All BBE dates

AVA Kitten Chicken - 300g and 2kg packs

All batch codes

All BBE dates

AVA Senior Chicken 12+ - 2kg packs

All batch codes

All BBE dates

AVA Sensitive Skin & Stomach - 1.5kg packs

All batch codes

All BBE dates

AVA Weight Management - 1.5kg packs

All batch codes

All BBE dates

AVA Hairball - 1.5kg packs

All batch codes

All BBE dates

AVA Oral Care - 1.5kg packs

All batch codes

All BBE dates

AVA British Shorthair - 1.5kg packs

All batch codes

All BBE dates

AVA Persian - 1.5kg packs

All batch codes

All BBE dates

AVA Maine Coon - 1.5kg packs

All batch codes

All BBE dates

by Sainsbury’s Hypoallergenic Recipe complete dry cat food with Salmon 1+ Years - 800g packs

All batch codes

All BBE dates

by Sainsbury’s Hypoallergenic Recipe complete dry cat food with Chicken 1+ Years - 800g packs

All batch codes

All BBE dates

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Information for owners

1. My cat has been eating a recalled food brand, what shall I do?

Do not feed your cat any more of this food. Please contact the product manufacturers for brand specific questions. Further details can be found here: food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-36-2021

You could discuss with your vet whether you would like a blood test performed looking at the levels of red and white blood cells and platelets in your cat’s blood as decreases in these levels are seen if your cat is affected with pancytopenia.

2. My cat is ill and I think it might have this problem, what should I do?

Please contact your vet so they can examine your cat and discuss further investigation as necessary. You may also want to contact the product manufacturers for brand specific questions if your cat has been eating one of the recalled diets. Further details can be found at food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-36-2021

The RVC are trying to gather information on all affected cats, so if your vet thinks your cat is affected then please ask them to complete our survey to allow us to learn more about this syndrome – rvc.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/pancytopenia). If you give your vet permission for us to contact you, we may be in touch to ask you some questions, but we will not do this if you would rather not be contacted.