RECALL EXPANDED TO INCLUDE SOME DRY PET FOOD

[piesRsquare]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070331/ap_on_go_ot/pet_food_recall

Hill's Prescription Diet "m/d" DRY food has now been recalled. NO OTHER PRESCRIPTION DIET HAS BEEN RECALLED.

WASHINGTON - Federal testing of recalled pet foods turned up a chemical used to make plastics but failed to confirm the presence of a cancer drug also used as rat poison. The recall expanded Friday to include the first dry pet food.

The Food and Drug Administration said Friday it found melamine in samples of the Menu Foods pet food involved in the original recall and in imported wheat gluten used as an ingredient in the company's wet-style products. Cornell University scientists also found melamine in the urine of sick cats, as well as in the kidney of one cat that died after eating some of the recalled food.

Meanwhile, Hill's Pet Nutrition recalled its Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry cat food. The food included wheat gluten from the same supplier that Menu Foods used. The recall didn't involve any other Prescription Diet or Science Diet products, said the company, a division of Colgate-Palmolive Co.

Updated Pet Food Recall Info: http://2blackcats.wordpress.com

P.S. I apologize for my blog not being updated the past few days...been dealing with the vet regarding one of my cats and tainted food. His kidneys are okay but he has blood in his urine...bladder infection.

[Gregorian]

1. I just started feeding my cat that! THANK YOU.

I swear I'm going to find out Bart died from this. But I am not going to let my other cat go.

Kick!

[AZBlue]

3. I'm so so sorry.

Was he on that when he died? Do you still have the bag? If so, good luck going after them - they deserve whatever they get!! And I'm keeping my fingers crossed and thinking good things for your other kitty.

[Gregorian]

5. It's what the vet gave me when I brought Bart in.

He got sick in early December. I'll never get over it. He was the center of my life. But there was a huge thread in the pet forum on it. It's life. We live. We love. We die. I will get less sad as time goes on.

I'm still waiting to locate the remaining cans of food I fed Bart. I'm not even sure it's what caused his death. But it threw the vet for a loop. They said it was his heart. But he was hyperglycemic, I think. And they gave me that diet pet food.

[AZBlue]

12. I'll tell you what I told nicknameless in another thread.

I kind of know what you're going through - I lost Sally in September 2005 and it still hurts some days. Most days now I'm so filled with thankfulness that she was in my life, but some days the tears come, out of selfishness because I still want her here. It's weird though - in some ways I feel closer to her now than I did when she was alive because I know she's happy and healthy and feels safe - and is still with me in a lot of ways. You are right - you will get less sad as time goes on - but you'll never forget him. And you're lucky to have had him in your life - and he's lucky to have had you!

[Gregorian]

16. We think alike.

And it's good.

Thanks. It's exchanges like this that make me realize we're in this together.

[underseasurveyor]

4. Oh I'm sorry to hear about Bart.

:hug:

I learned what's really in pet foods, thanks to Lorien's posts in the 'Pet' section of DU, and I use to feed Hills SD thinking it was the best choice for my cats and dogs. One dog and one kitty regularly threw up like clock work every three or four weeks. I've been feeding my babies Natural Balance and Artemis brands for a few years now and not only did the vomiting completely stop but their coats are silkier and shinier, they're more energetic. Just generally healthier all the way around.

If you haven't already go to the Pet section and check out Lorien's posts on pet food. There are links and recommendations for better foods that you might try your kitty on.

peace
robin

[Gregorian]

6. I have been in the pet forum.

There was a giant thread on Bart. And I will always appreciate the outpouring of support from all of them. I feel a bit selfish that I never visit and give support myself.

Now I'm just going to start searching for a better diet for Farnsworth. And he needs it. He's 23 pounds for cat's sake! A very special cat. We're also brothers, like with Bart. Gosh, it still really hurts. And thanks for your concern. I love DU.

[CountAllVotes]

7. I'm beginning to wonder about the dog I had

she got very sick and they never did know what was wrong with her. The vet said he did not know what was wrong but in the end, it was blamed on the other problem she had. Maybe this was not the culprit after all?

She got sick and died at the beginning of September 2006 and the problem seemed to be bladder related but all tests came back negative for infection. Maybe this problem with the food has been going on longer that they are admitting and maybe this is why she got so sick.

I'm going to call next week and ask for a detailed explanation of the blood panel with the (?) next to it I have on her. Was something perhaps not quite right with her blood work and they didn't tell me about it?

I guess I'll never know the reality but if the food was the reason she got so sick and she is now gone. I'll be so upset if it turns out that perhaps it was in fact the food that had been fed to her. :(

:kick:

[Gregorian]

9. Oh dear.

And all of this talk has made it resurface for us. The sadness and loss. Gosh, I feel for your loss too.

I don't know whether to pursue answers or to just leave it. They are gone. There's no getting them back. What an empty feeling. All we can do is try to stay up.

[CountAllVotes]

15. yes that whole thing was just awful

I'm still far from being over it believe me. Not a day passes that don't think about her, especially now because it has been exactly one year ago today that I got her, sick and abused dog that she was, the poor thing. :(

I think you are right, the time has come to let it go. I can't do a whole lot more about it but I have done what I could do. One thing is for certain, she did not die in vain regardless of why she died given the circumstances.

[Gregorian]

17. Oh my.

I don't think I can find the words.

You brought your life to that dog. You gave (gosh, it's hard to say this without getting overwhelmed. We're in this together.) your friend love and happiness and hope. You probably made your dog's life, in the end.

We do the best we can. Despite life's troubles. Love really is the answer.

Let's hope there is reunion. But for now we have each other.

[Maraya1969]

11. .....

:hug:

[CountAllVotes]

14. thanks you guys!

I don't know if you remember the story or not but it was a sad and very tragic one indeed. I hope it was not the food, that is all I can say. :cry:

[AZBlue]

2. Sending good thoughts and vibes to your sick kitty!

And you!!

[piesRsquare]

20. Thank you so much, AZBlue!

And Erev--my sick kitty--thanks you, too!

:hug:

[rebel with a cause]

8. Well, this has done it.

I am going tomorrow to buy some cheap meat to feed my two old ladies. There is no use taking a chance on them getting poisoned, they might as well get the same chemicals that we do in our food supply. I'll probably get some cheap canned vegetables to add to some of it to make it a little more balanced.

Anyway, they have been on so much medication that one of them will not eat dog food now. She will not eat anything that a human is not eating, I am their taste tester. We now have to wrap her pills in some of our food to get her to take them. A few months ago it was her sister who was doing this when she was on chemotherapy and having to take medications with it. These dogs are way too smart for my own good. ;-) I don't see spending every spare penny we have on keeping them alive and then killing them with their dog food. Call me crazy, but.......I love my 10 year old puppies.

[Patchuli]

10. We have to care very tenderly

for our seniors, although they are always our babies, huh? My Storm cat is 14 and we lost our 17 year old Midnight a year ago last month,(yes that is she in the picture 'cause she lives on by indomitable will and force!) Storm is lonely for her but he of course, has other catty company.

Bless your lil ol' girls' hearts. I hope they live long and continue prospering! :toast:

[rebel with a cause]

13. Thanks and the same to your kitties.

We had a storm today and I was laying down on my hospital bed. Both dogs got up there with me, and I was thankful that I was not sitting in the recliner, because they both try to get on my lap when it lightnings. They are lab mixes. ;-)

I don't know how long labs usually live, but I dread the day one of mine dies, because I don't know how my kids will handle it much less how the sister dog will deal with it. I am use to death, they are untested with it. They will probably take their going harder than mine. ;-) No, I am just joking about that. I know for a fact how they feel about my going. My kids took my health scare hard, and the two dogs sit watching the door for the two+ weeks that I was in the hospital.

Hope Storm stays strong for a good many years still to come. And hope my one dog, who has a problem with cats (long story), never crosses her path. :)

[Iceburg]

21. That's exactly what I did... and for the first time in nearly a year

our beloved fur dotter Murphy (a 7 yr old Aussi) has stopped throwing up yellow bile. Our other fur partner BJ (a 3 yr old flat coat retriever cross) started heaving yellow bile in the past month but less frequently. Approximately 2 weeks ago both dogs became VERY ill -- severe vomiting and diarrhea. In addition their 4 month old fur cousin Chester, an Airedale had similar symptoms but more persistent and more severe. The vet alleges that Chester has beaver fever. Our beaver fever tests were negative.???

All three dogs were on dry food: (Nutro, PC Nutrition First) Murphy & BJ, Chester (Kirkland/Diamond)

It is now Day 6 on their new home-cooked meals plan -- no vomit and normal stools (albeit smaller). Both dogs now sleep through the night -- formerly this was an anomaly.

In the past 2 years the Aussi has had a variety of problems beyond the vomiting, including seizures and after a multitude of tests she was diagnosed as a having thyroid problem and is now on thyroxine. I have her blood work done every 3 months so it will be interesting to see if there is any change in her thyroid levels in a month.

Further, in 2002 we lost a very healthy Springer spaniel (Nell) due to sudden onset "Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia" (IMHA), 3 weeks after passing her annual wellness check! Within 3 days of the first symptoms (vomiting, pale yellow gums) her PCV was down to 11 percent, reticulocyte count 1to 3 percent --insufficiently regenerative. Ultrasound findings: cystic area in the liver, hepatomegaly; edema of the gallbladder; splenomegaly. She was transfused but was not able to increase her PCV. We halted the transfusions after 2 days and brought her home to be put to sleep on her favourite bed in front of the fire surrounded by her family.

I know switching to home-cooked meals was a bold step but given the vast outpouring of information on sick pets with similar symptoms, and the revelations about the lack of regulations in the industry and personal experience with digestive problems I just could not in all conscience continue to put my babes at risk.

Looking back I cannot help but think that somehow Nell's IMHA was food related. I do recall the vet asking at the time whether or not she could have consumed something poisonous like rat food or antifreeze. I assured her that we had absolutely NO poisonous substances around the house simply because of the risk. I don't recall what brand we were feeding her but I cannot help but feel that I may have been responsible for her premature death because I chose to feed her unregulated substances.

[Pachamama]

18. No other ones have been recalled? Last week this was considered "safe" too...I'm not sure what to

believe or trust anymore when it comes to the health of my pets....

I am so upset about all this...I was making wet food for the last few weeks for my cats, thinking all along thank goodness for the dry....now this bit of news....I don't know what I can trust, but I'm so outraged and don't know if I'll ever want to buy any of these foods again....

[Pachamama]

19. Anybody catch in that article on Yahoo that 70% of all Wheat Gluten for pet & HUMAN food is imported

from either the EU or Asia??????

Holy sh_t!!! :puke:

So, has any of this suspicious wheat gluten from China gotten into our food supply? What human foods have Wheat Gluten added to it????

How long before we find out that we are all eating these chemicals that are harming our health? Or that our children are eating it?

[rebel with a cause]

22. We are eating chemicals both imported and home grown

at an alarming rate, and there is very little we can do about it. I know people here that do not eat anything that is purchased in a grocery store. They have the luxury of growing their own food and hunting for their own meat. But as the water is polluted, the fish are affected. And the wild animals such as deer sometimes eat crops that have been chemical treated. I don't know if even they are completely free of the chemical effect. As for the rest of us, we have no choice but to eat what is provided because we have become a nation of comsumers and that is how our government sees/treats/uses us.