Comments on: Pet-food recall: What are the numbers?

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 03:52:17 +0000

I switched my dog’s food from Nutro to Natural Balance in late march of 2007 because I didn’t wan’t to take any chances with my dog’s health. Sadie had liver cancer and I was taking her in for cancer treatments since Nov. of 2006. The last treatment she had was in April of 2007. She never recovered from the last treatment. She started to develop jaundice and pancreatitus set in as well as anemia. I had to put my beloved dog Sadie, of 16 years down. To my horror, I found out that the food I switch to; Natural Balance, was on the recall list! She never had a reaction to her treatment like this before. I still have the wet food in a plastic container and some still in unopened cans. I’m finally starting to come out of my shock of losing her, but I still have my moments. I’m thinking of having the food tested to see if it was a contributing factor in her demise. I want to do this because I need closure. I MISS HER SO MUCH!! Does nybody have any suggestions on the best way I should start my investigation?

By: The OTHER Pat

The OTHER Pat — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 02:53:42 +0000

I guess for starters, who takes care of the dog most of the time? You don’t actually have to answer that here, but do answer it honestly for yourself in your own mind. If the honest answer is that your mom is doing most of the feeding and the cleaning and the training and the remembering of when the dog has to go to the vet, then I would guess that you won’t have much chance of convincing her that another pet won’t just mean more work for her.

On the other hand, if everyone in the family is doing their fair share of taking care of your dog (or if - at least - YOU are pulling your weight in that department) then your credibility will be a little better.

Credibility - however - may not do you any good if your mother simply doesn’t *like* rats. And that’s a strong possibility. People who have never had a rat often don’t realize what a wonderful pet they can be. A lot of people can’t get past the tail. While others just can’t wrap their minds around the idea of making a pet out of an animal that’s been traditionally demonized throughout history.

So the next thing to find out is whether your mom has an issue with the idea of a pet rat - dog or no dog.

Finally, think about the genetic heritage of your dog. The dachshund was bred to “go to ground” - that is - to go down into tunnels after prey. Historically, that prey was a badger, but no self-respecting Dachshund is going to turn up his nose at the substitution of a rat!

So bringing a rat into a house with a strong hunting-drive dog like a dachshund requires a lot of vigilance in order to keep the rat safe. And your mother - with good justification - just may not want to deal with that responsibility. Can you convince her you’re up to the challenge? I don’t know. But make sure that you UNDERSTAND the challenge, first.

Sorry I didn’t have an easier answer for you, but there’s a lot to think about here. So think it through, and make sure you’re honest with yourself for the sake of all the critters involved.

By: Ananomious

Ananomious — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:54:29 +0000

my class is doing an experiment that involves rats, and we are getting near to the end of the study(so someone gets to take one of the rats home). We have a mini dauchund and my mom said if we didn’t have a dog she might think about it (i don’t belive her). Do you people have any ideas that will help convince my mom to let me adopt one of the rats?

By: Sharon

Sharon — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 04:47:20 +0000

Fancy Feast seafood and Freekies is what I was feeding my beloved cat….purina is not saying they are one the list but it is all my cat ate. I had to put him down on monday… it was terrible…the night before I stayed up with him all night as he fell and tried to drink in between vomitting…I pray there is a heaven for our pets… I cant believe I gave him his last meal.

By: Jeanna

Jeanna — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 06:12:00 +0000

Oh LFrahm & everyone who is suffering,

Tears are streaming down my face at this very moment! I am so sorry. I am so thankful for these blogs too. I agree with you, definatly take the time to make a report to the FDA. My heart is aching that more cannot be done for our precious family members. I am absolutly devastated! Please, take care and continue to get the support you need. ((Hugs to you))

By: LFrahm

LFrahm — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 04:15:50 +0000

I lost my beloved cat five days ago. I read and posted on the blogs to get my story out. Reading the blogs helped me get through this difficult time. However how hard it may be to get your call into your local FDA, please don’t give up. It will make a difference if you file a report with them. Hopefully there will be accurate numbers of sick and deceased pets and warrant higher regulations on pet foods. You will be making a difference to pet owners now and to the future.

By: amberC

amberC — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:24:15 +0000

We recently lost our boston terrior to kidney failure i had fed her some of the tainted dog food i have been on fox 6 news here in alabama and also in our tuscaloosa newspaper i have a web blog on the fox 6 website and someone listed a statement today that they went into the foodworld in mccalla and found some of the recalled dog food still on the list Please people watch what you are buying if you are going to continue to buy canned or pouched food for your pets

By: Amy Boda

Amy Boda — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:51:22 +0000

Jeanna,
I switched to Natural Balance for my Nick after he started drinking more water and peeing alot (blood work is ok for kidneys but white count is low).He was previously eating Special Kitty pouches. He is a beautiful 18 month old Russian Blue. He took to the dry ok, but is fighting me on the wet (their wet is the loaf variety and he likes the chunks with gravy). I did tell him that this was his only option, however he just clawed at my thigh and meowed while I was cooking (hence he had some of our dinner because I’m a sucker for this cat :) ).
I also received an email from Natural Balance yesterday stating that they only use human grade products from within the US, and they do not outsource to Menu at all. Plus they are wheat free which makes me feel somewhat better. My vet agreed they were a good choice as well. I guess only time will tell, but for the time being I will stick with them.
Good luck to you and your baby, this has been a rough week.

By: Jeanna

Jeanna — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 02:38:35 +0000

Can anyone comment about Dick Van Pattens “Natural Balance” dry pet food? I have heard great things and am desperatly seeking the best food I can give my kitties.

Or, any good recipes for cat food (wet &/or dry) would be apprecitated as well. Everytime I go to feed my babies I am literally TERRIFIED! I second guess EVERY brand out there, even the ones NOT on the recall list. I have lost ALL trust in the pet food industry. My boy is sick and the last thing I want to do is give him anything that could have even the slightest chance of hurting him. What are we all to do? Who are we to trust? And, WHY should we trust them? ERGH! It’s driving me NUTS!

email: jeannac21@hotmail.com

By: Paula Lynn Dee

Paula Lynn Dee — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 23:12:51 +0000

Good grief. I posted a day or two ago, giving the date of my dog’s death as March 19th, (I’ve really been in shock over this). I realized that it was Wednesday, March 14th, and no wonder I didn’t hear about the recall. It hadn’t hit the media yet! I feed outside cats and now worry because I’d been using Special Kitty cuts and gravy for some time now (luckily my inside cats never liked it, so they eat Friskies exclusively. I’m hoping to God I haven’t destroyed some of the cats I was trying to take care of outdoors. They didn’t get S.K. all the time, but still…. not only is the guilt overwhelming as far as my dog, Beau, is concerned, but the under-reporting and lack of concern by some is making me very angry. Now Menu has hired a spin-meister too? Figures. I used to work in Public Relations and there were times when I felt like I needed a bath. Keep up the good work! Paula