Dog Food Warning

[BILLY D.]

Dog Food re-call. Eukanuba and Iams have issued a re-call on foods.

The subject foods can cause Kidney failure.

See info at www.menufoods.com/recall

Or call 866-463-6738

Bill

[fabsroman]

Okay, that put a scare in me. According to the article, it isn't just Iams and Eukanuba pet foods. The list is rather extensive based upon the website link.

According to the website link and Iam's website, the food at issue is only wet food. Luckily, I don't use any wet food.

Now, back to watching Maryland play a terrible NCAA basketball game while I try to recouperate from a miserable cold.

[Wahnie]

Woah, I'm glad I clicked that. The food I feed my cat is also on that list. :eek:

[BILLY D.]

Originally posted by fabsroman
Okay, that put a scare in me. According to the article, it isn't just Iams and Eukanuba pet foods. The list is rather extensive based upon the website link.

According to the website link and Iam's website, the food at issue is only wet food. Luckily, I don't use any wet food.

Now, back to watching Maryland play a terrible NCAA basketball game while I try to recouperate from a miserable cold.

Fabs

Remember the big deal over Diamond dog food awhile back? Poor ol' Nulle had just gotten a pallet load for the "doggie hotel".

Scared the hell out of me too. If anything happened to my doggie I'd die. We are inseperable. I love that dog. He's a great pal.

For the cold, Grandmas old reliable Chicken soup always works. Lots of garlic and onions, just don't expect to get too smoochie with Momma.

Bill

[huntingvet]

The entire veterinary and pet health community if watching this closely. My feeling is the recall is much wider than the problem really is. It appears a subcontractor to the manufacturer may be implicated in a bad batch and somehow triggering kidney disease in pets. I'll let you know if I hear anything from my end before it hits the general public.

[skeeter@ccia.com]

HV, what do ya think of Hills prescription diet canine c/d ? Think it is worth the cost? This is dry bag food. Tks in adv.

[huntingvet]

Hills c/d diet alters the pH of the urine. It is indicated for urinary conditions associated with stones and crystals. Not all crystals are stones will respond to this diet. Some breeds are predisposed to bladder stones warranting more concern about crystals, however crystals don't always have to be treated. So it depends on your situation.

There are other brands with similar formulations (Eukanuba, Royal Canin just to new a few) but cost is probably similar.

Sorry for the vague answer.

[huntingvet]

We are still in the very early stages of getting information. There are reports of cats and dogs developing symptoms such as ulcers in the mouth, increased thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea and decreased appetite. Unfortunately these symptoms can easily be caused by other illnesses not just the bad batch(es) of food. The veterinary community is still not in agreement about who to test (all pets who ate the food but no symptoms; those that have symptoms; or only those that ate the food and have symptoms). It appears to be a treatable condition if caught early enough, potentially fatal if too late. We still don't know the exact cause/ingredient or how widespread the problem is.

Will keep you posted as I learn more.

[fabsroman]

My Lord, that is horrible. I would not be very happy if I had been feeding that stuff to my dog.

[skeeter@ccia.com]

thanks HV. My boxer is eatin that for urinary infection. You did answer my question on other food names that does the same diet vs cost.... @ $30 for 20lb but it helps. keep us posted on the other situation.

[huntingvet]

Sorry to bring an old subject up again, but I did promise to add info if I had something that wasn't publicized yet. Below, I'm attaching a FAQ compiled by the practice I work for... I've omitted the practice's name.

Q: What foods have been recalled? A: For a comprehensive list of Pet foods that have been recalled due to potential melamine contamination, please go to http://www.fda.gov or http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/products.asp.

Q: Why have so many different brands been recalled? A: The first recall was due to a contaminated lot of wheat gluten that was imported from China and shipped from the importer (ChemNutra) to Menu Foods, a separate manufacturer of dry food and several other manufacturers of certain dog treats and wet dog foods. Menu Foods contracts with a wide variety of Pet food companies to produce those companies’ specialized products. Although these foods are produced in the same facility, they are made using ingredients specified by the individual Pet food companies. Despite being produced by one manufacturer, the foods themselves are not identical. Only foods and treats that were manufactured by Menu Foods using the affected wheat gluten source were recalled by the affected companies.
Hill's Pet Nutrition issued a voluntary recall on March 30 of one product manufactured using contaminated wheat gluten. On March 31, certain products manufactured by Nestle Purina were voluntarily recalled. Similar voluntary recalls were issued on April 2 by Del Monte Pet Products and on April 5 by Sunshine Mills, Inc. All of these recalls were related to the same shipment of wheat gluten imported from China.
On April 12, Royal Canin SA (South Africa) issued a voluntary recall due to suspected melamine contamination of corn gluten. This recall only affected South Africa. To date, no contaminated corn gluten has been identified in the US.
On April 17, Natural Balance of Pacoima, Calif. issued a recall of certain products in response to consumer complaints. Testing of the products revealed melamine, but these products do not contain wheat gluten. The suspected source is a rice protein concentrate. The company (Wilbur-Ellis) that supplied the rice protein concentrate has also issued a recall for all lots that have been shipped to Pet food manufacturers.
As a result of tracing the rice protein concentrate shipments, the Blue Buffalo Company recalled products on April 19 and Royal Canin USA recalled products on April 20. Shipments of rice protein concentrate were made to five Pet food manufacturers by Wilbur-Ellis; additional recalls may be announced, pending further investigation. It is important to note that this is an ongoing investigation.

Q: The initial recall list was only for canned or pouched foods. Why has it expanded to include dry food and treats?
A: The initial Menu Foods recall involved a wide variety of "cuts and gravy" type Pet foods manufactured at processing plants in Kansas and New Jersey. Dry foods are manufactured using different processes and at different facilities. The first recall was made in response to consumer complaints of Pet illness and death associated with their food products. Investigation revealed that the likely source was wheat gluten imported from China, and the wheat gluten was traced to the importer (ChemNutra). The importer then traced all shipments associated with that lot of wheat gluten, and notified all companies involved. As a result, those companies voluntarily recalled any products that were produced with this wheat gluten. A later Menu Foods recall resulted from an internal investigation by the company that revealed that a shipment of the contaminated wheat gluten had been delivered to a Menu Foods plant in Canada. The recall was expanded to include all products processed at this plant.
On April 17, Natural Balance foods issued a recall of certain Pet foods and treats in response to consumer complaints. The suspected source was a rice protein concentrate imported from China. The importer, Wilbur-Ellis, issued a recall on April 18 of all rice protein concentrate shipments. The manufacturers that had received shipments were notified. As a result of this recall, the Blue Buffalo Company issued a voluntary recall of certain products on April 19, and Royal Canin US issued a voluntary recall of certain products on April 20.

Q: My Pet has eaten the food that has been recalled. How do I know my Pet is sick? A: Signs of illness include loss of appetite, lethargy, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, sudden changes in water consumption or changes in the frequency or amount of urination. These signs may also occur with other illnesses. Any Pet showing signs of illness should be examined by a veterinarian, even if the Pet has not eaten any of the recalled Pet food. Pets exhibiting any or all of these signs should see a

Q: Is there going to be a shortage of Pet food? Should I cook homemade food for my Pet(s)? A: It is important to remember that all of the recalled products added together represent approximately 1 percent of commercially-available Pet foods. There are still many safe Pet foods and treats available.
Cooking homemade meals for your Pets is not the same as cooking meals for yourself. Dogs and cats have different nutritional needs, which are very different from human nutritional needs. In addition, many human foods, such as grapes, onions and chocolate, can be toxic to Pets. Commercially-made Pet foods have been developed with the guidance of Pet nutritionists and still represent the most balanced diets available for your Pets.

Q: What should I do if I have the recalled Pet food in my house? A: Do not feed the food or treats to your Pet. If the product is unopened, you may return it to the store from which you purchased the food or treats.
If the product is opened, dispose of the remaining food or treats so that your Pet cannot get to it. If your Pet appears normal, consult with your veterinarian and/or monitor your Pet closely for signs of illness.
If your Pet shows any signs of illness and has been fed one or more of the recalled foods or treats, have your Pet evaluated by a veterinarian. Store any opened food or treats away from the reach of Pets, and contact your state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Consumer Complaint Coordinator. For a state-by-state list of coordinators, go to http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html. Please include as much information as possible, including the specific product name, lot numbers, veterinarian's report and diagnosis, etc.
****** hospitals are collecting specific medical information on affected Pets and providing the FDA with this information. If your Pet is seen at *******, you will not have to contact the FDA

Q: What will my veterinarian do? A: Your veterinarian will examine your Pet, and will most likely take blood samples and collect a urine sample to test for kidney disease or other problems. ******* veterinarians have a developed a list of protocols and treatments to ensure your Pet is receiving the proper care.
If the tests determine that your Pet has kidney disease, your veterinarian may recommend treatment including intravenous fluid therapy and medications.

Q: How long will it be before you know what is causing the problem? A: The answer to this question is unknown. Food, blood, urine, and tissue samples are being thoroughly tested for many possible causes. Many of these tests are not rapid tests, and may require additional time to complete. There is always the possibility, however, that the definitive cause of the problem will not be found.

Q: What is in the food that is making Pets sick? A: The cause of the illnesses has not yet been confirmed, and the FDA and laboratories are continuing to evaluate samples and reports of illness or death. The substance melamine has been detected in the affected wheat gluten, corn gluten and rice protein concentrate, but it has not been definitively determined as the cause of the illnesses and deaths. Because the cause is not confirmed, the treatment can not be specifically directed to one cause. Generalized treatment for kidney disease and vomiting is recommended until a more specific treatment can be determined.

Q: What is melamine?
A: Melamine is what is believed to be the cause of the kidney problems in Pets in this recall. Melamine is used to make plastic kitchenware, glues, countertops, fabrics, fertilizers and flame retardants. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it is also a contaminant and a byproduct of several pesticides.

Q: If there is melamine in my Pet's food, will it be included in the list of ingredients? A: No. Melamine is not an accepted ingredient or additive to Pet foods and is considered a contaminant.

Q: Why is there melamine in my Pet's food if it's not supposed to be there? A: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the matter. It is possible that the melamine was added to elevate the protein level of the product, but this has not been confirmed. Melamine is occasionally used as a fertilizer in Asia, and the contamination may have occurred as a result of its use in this manner.

[huntingvet]

Q: Does the problem affect dogs and cats equally? A: To date, it appears that cats are more commonly-affected than dogs, and small dogs may be more affected than larger dogs. This may be because cats and smaller dogs are more sensitive to the causative substance, or because they are more likely to be fed the types of food involved in the recall.

Q: I’ve heard news reports about melamine found in hogs. Do you know any details?
A: A hog farm called American Hog Farm in California was placed under quarantine after the industrial chemical, melamine was found in hog urine at this location. The FDA and the farm are investigating whether the melamine is in the meat. The 1,500-pig farm operates as a “custom slaughterhouse” which means it generally does not supply meat to commercial outlets. However, officials are recommending that anyone that purchased a hog from American Hog Farm should not eat the meat.

Q: What are Pet food manufacturers doing to protect the safety of the food?
A: The Pet Food Institute (PFI) announced the formation of the National Pet Food Commission, an industry-government partnership composed of government officials, veterinarians, toxicologists and food scientists who are committed to maintaining and enhancing the high standards established in this country to protect Pets. The purpose of the new commission is two-fold: (1) to investigate the cause of the current Pet food recall, and (2) to recommend steps the industry and government should take to further build on safety and quality standards already in place.
Phone Numbers to provide Pet owners affected by the recall:
FDA (800) 877-8339
Menu Foods (866) 895-2708
Royal Canin: (800) 592-6687 or (800) 513-0041
Hill’s Pet Nutrition: (800) 445-5777
American Veterinary Medical Association (847) 925-8070

[Nulle]

I lucked out and all our food is ok and no problems as yet. I should have enough to take care of us till they get this mess taken care of.