PetFAST

PetFAST exists because patterns matter. A single case may be isolated, but multiple reports involving the same product, batch or manufacturer can indicate a systemic problem that puts animals at risk. Your report contributes to a national picture that neither you nor any individual practice could see alone.

When you submit a report:

• You will receive a copy via email immediately after submission
• A copy will be forwarded to the product manufacturer where possible
• The manufacturer may contact you for further information
• You can request in your report that your contact details not be shared with the manufacturer — your report will still be forwarded

AVA and PFIAA will only contact you if further information is required to investigate a trend.

Reading this checklist before lodging your report will ensure you have the information needed to identify possible connections between cases. Download a printable version to use alongside your consultation.

[Download PetFAST checklist for veterinarians (PDF)]

Medical records

• Document clinical course, diagnostic tests, treatments and outcome
• Assign a unique identification number to each patient
• Retain serum and urine samples for further testing where possible
• Client consent is not required to log a case on PetFAST as owner identification is optional. Any subsequent request for client case records by a manufacturer or third party will require prior written client authorisation.

Diet history

• Record all food consumed for at least one week prior to the adverse event, including treats, supplements and human food
• Note all possible access to other food and water sources
• Record total number of animals in the household fed the product and total number showing clinical signs
• Note any other changes that could account for the clinical presentation

Product consumption

• Dates the product was fed
• Consumption and palatability history
• Time of onset of clinical signs
• Date the product was first opened
• Whether the pet was transitioned gradually onto the product

Product details

• Retain all packaging including use-by, best before and packing dates
• Retain purchase receipts
• Note storage method and environment
• Note any unusual smell, appearance or mould observed on opening

Samples and necropsy

• Submit deceased animals for necropsy where possible
• Retain serum and tissue samples in formalin and frozen
• Consult your diagnostic laboratory regarding required tissue quantity, preparation and submission
• Retain at least 4 cans, 1 kg of dry food or 1 kg of fresh food for analysis, stored in airtight bags at room temperature or frozen if fresh
• If submitting food samples for analysis, retain a minimum of 50% as a reserve sample

Client communication

• Notify clients of potential exposure to contaminated food or product recalls
• Recommend discontinuing the suspected food
• Examine all pets with known or possible exposure
• Initiate prophylactic or therapeutic treatment as indicated

What is PetFAST?

PetFAST is a national veterinary reporting system for suspected adverse events related to pet food, pet meat and treats for dogs and cats. It is a joint initiative of AVA and PFIAA designed to identify patterns that may indicate a broader product safety issue.

What sort of cases should I report?
We want to hear from vets treating cases where they have ruled out other possible causes and consider that diet is likely to be causing the clinical signs they are treating. The system is especially designed to monitor unusual, serious or unexpected health problems that you suspect have a significant connection with pet food, treats or pet meat.

It’s important to report cases of thiamine deficiency from sulphite preservatives in pet food as there is little current data on the prevalence of this problem and PetFAST could help with this information gap.

It’s not necessary to report normal gastric signs due to changes in diet that resolve on altering the pet’s food. Allergies and food sensitivities can also be excluded from reporting.

Why can’t pet owners use PetFAST?
We need lots of clinical information to help us identify whether particular cases might be connected, and this needs to be provided by a veterinarian. If you suspect that food or a treat has caused a health problem for your pet, you should visit a vet straight away. You can ask the vet to lodge a report on PetFAST if you both agree that pet food or treats may be implicated.

You can also telephone the product manufacturer to discuss what has happened.

Who decides if there’s a problem and will I be told?
No one will be drawing a conclusion about the individual case you report. It is extremely difficult to definitively establish the cause of a single adverse event. PetFAST is a system to monitor possible trends rather than deal with individual cases. If your case appears to be part of a trend, a veterinarian may be in contact to verify your report or gather additional information. Otherwise, you won’t receive any further communication.

Employees from AVA and PFIAA monitor reports as they are received and notify a joint technical committee if there are at least three similar cases reported that reflect a probable or possible link with food or treats or another cause. A meeting will be called to discuss what steps need to be taken. Actions may include alerting veterinarians to look for and report similar cases, communication with the manufacturer for discussion of the events, or further investigation by a committee member of possible causes.

What should I do if I think a patient has consumed suspect food or treats?
PetFAST has a comprehensive checklist of steps you should take and information you need to gather to report your case to the tracking system.

You’re asking for a lot of information in the report. What if I don’t have it all?
Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to prove a causal connection between food and adverse clinical signs. We need at least a minimum set of information to be able to determine whether there are similarities between particular cases.

If you don’t have all the information, you are encouraged to still lodge a report, but connections may be missed between your case and others reported

Should I report thiamine deficiency cases from sulphite preservatives used in pet meat through PetFAST?
Yes, you should definitely report such cases. By lodging a report with PetFAST, there is the possibility of gathering more reliable data over time on the prevalence of this problem. You should still follow the checklist and you may like to contact the pet meat retailer or manufacturer if at all possible. In many cases they are unaware that the use of sulphites in their food can be harmful to pets.

Who can I call to ask a question?
You can contact the AVA National Office on 1300 137 309.

I want to report a bad reaction to a brand of pet food, where do I do that?
If you observe a bad reaction or an adverse event, you should first take your animal to a veterinarian as soon as possible, who will examine the animal and treat any immediate threats to their health and well-being.

Australian veterinarians have access to a pet food adverse event tracking system called PetFAST.

PetFAST is a system to track health problems in dogs and cats that are suspected of being associated with pet food, treats and pet meat. It is designed to identify possible patterns that might point to a cause.

PetFAST is a voluntary joint initiative of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) and the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA).

Only veterinarians in Australia can make a report to PetFAST. They report details of adverse events that they suspect are associated with pet food, treats or pet meat for dogs and cats.

AVA and PFIAA monitor PetFAST reports for similarities that may indicate a possible problem. If a problem that might affect more pets is identified, a joint committee will meet to discuss what action should be taken.

In some countries, monitoring and acting on pet food adverse events is a government responsibility, but no structure currently exists within Australia’s system of government to investigate possible adverse events relating to pet food.

If you are a pet owner and suspect a problem with pet food or treats, you need to ask your vet to examine your pet and lodge a report if they too suspect an adverse event associated with pet food.

Reports are forwarded to the pet food manufacturer where possible, who may be in contact with the reporting veterinarians to investigate the matter further.