FORT WAYNE, IN, August 23, 2025

 

Dr. Meredith Pawlowski, DVM, medical director of the Heartland Feline Wellness & Research Institute, has issued a public warning regarding a newly identified feline health concern now being referred to as Tomatitus Felinus.

 

According to Dr. Pawlowski, the condition first appeared in her clinic earlier this month when multiple cats were brought in with discolored paws and faces. “At first, I suspected food dye or chemical exposure,” Pawlowski explained. “But after consulting with colleagues in Michigan, Ohio, and California, it became clear that this is a rapidly emerging problem affecting cats across the country.”

 

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Signs & Symptoms

 

Cat owners are urged to monitor for the following indicators of Tomatitus Felinus:

 

• Bright orange discoloration around the mouth, nose, and paws

• Unusual aromas, often described as “savory” or “herb-like”

• Compulsive paw-licking, typically following human mealtimes

• Persistent begging behaviors, particularly when Italian cuisine is present

• Sudden bursts of loud purring, especially near garlic bread

 

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Protecting Your Cat

To minimize risk, Dr. Pawlowski recommends:

 

1. Securing all pasta dishes containing red sauces.

2. Avoiding unattended food left on counters or tables.

3. Instructing children not to share noodles with family pets.

 

“If your cat has already developed signs of Tomatitus Felinus,” she added, “wipe the face and paws with a damp cloth, remove any noodles clinging to fur, and monitor for repeat exposures.”

 

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Nationwide Response

 

Other veterinary professionals are echoing Dr. Pawlowski’s concerns. “We’re seeing more and more cases every week,” said Dr. Alan Mendoza, a veterinary epidemiologist at the Great Lakes Pet Health Network. “The data suggests nearly 99.9% of cats who come into contact with certain pasta dishes display symptoms within hours.”

 

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The Truth Revealed

 

Not everyone in the veterinary community was convinced by the initial reports. Dr. Leonard H. Crampton, Professor of Veterinary Virology at the globally respected Cambridge Institute of Comparative Pathogens, is known internationally for debunking medical hoaxes and exaggerated animal health claims.

 

“When I first heard about Tomatitus Felinus, I assumed it was another internet-fueled panic,” said Dr. Crampton. “Orange faces? Savory aromas? It sounded absurd. But as a scientist, I couldn’t dismiss the reports without investigation.”

 

After reviewing dozens of case submissions, lab photographs, and even conducting controlled observation trials, Dr. Crampton issued his final statement:

 

“There is no evidence of viral transmission, no pathogen present, and no cause for alarm. What we are witnessing is simply cats enthusiastically burying their faces and paws in marinara sauce. The condition is cosmetic, not contagious.”

 

Dr. Pawlowski admitted that while the conclusion was anticlimactic, it was reassuring. “At the end of the day,” she said, “your cat is not infected. They’re just… messy pasta thieves.”

 

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About Heartland Feline Wellness & Research Institute
Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Heartland Feline Wellness & Research Institute is dedicated to advancing feline medicine, promoting preventative care, and raising public awareness of emerging health concerns affecting companion animals.

 

Media Contact:
Emily Richards, Communications Director
Heartland Feline Wellness & Research Institute
press@heartlandfeline.org | (260) 555-0199