Pet-food recall: Hill’s … is that it? Hello? FDA? Hello?
By Gina Spadafori
March 30, 2007
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I’m still having a hard time understanding this.
The FDA said this morning that there was a possibility the tainted ingredient could have gotten into a dry food product. But they wouldn’t/couldn’t tell us which one because the investigation was ongoing. Hills has now recalled a dry food product. Hello, FDA? Is that the only one? Or are you still looking at others you can’t tell us about? Could you at least tell us that?
Here’s what’s making my head hurt:
Can you imagine what would be going on now if the FDA had said there was a human product that could possibly sicken or kill, but that they had decided they couldn’t tell us which one? Would we accept their explanation that they thought they got all the problem food, and that we shouldn’t worry?
What am I missing here? Why can’t they come clean? Who are they working for? Silly me, I though it was us!
From the PetConnection database (5:30 p.m. PT): 2,603 deceased pets (1,449 cats and 1154 dogs). Remember: These are self-reported numbers.
Final note: I’m beat. Christie’s a night owl and will probably clear any posts waiting for moderation and check for any updates. Otherwise … that’s it for tonight.
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Technorati Tags: pet food recall, dogs, cats,veterinarian, veterinary
I really don’t think Hills is the food or company they referred to. Otherwise they’d have already known that Hills was going to step forward, and would just have announced it then.
Every cat owner I know is cooking chicken tonight instead of giving them commercial food. It’s the only way any of us can get any peace.
Comment by Kim — March 30, 2007 @ 6:57 pm
I confess that I am surprised at how little progress we have made in identifying the toxic contaminant in these pet foods. Would it take this long to identify a toxin and its vector/source in the human food supply in the USA? Specifically…
How many technicians and how many labs are testing the tainted pet foods? How many FDA labs, in particular? Are they working nights and weekends? How many human-hours have been expended so far (in actual testing, not administrating)? How many samples have been processed over the past two weeks?
How does the magnitude of the effort in this situation compare to the effort that would occur in a situation where humans were being poisoned?
Comment by David — March 30, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
NOW……….WHAT ABOUT DOG COOKIES?………………….ARE THEY INCLUDED …OR…DO WE HAVE TO WATCH MORE DEATH TO TAKE PLACE ,BEFORE ANYONE STEPS UP?… MURDER BY POISON IS MURDER ,ISN’T IT?
Comment by R&L JAMES — March 30, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
Hills should be applauded for being the first (though extremely late) to admit its use of Chinese wheat gluten/flour in its dry food and recalling it. How much longer will the other dry food cartels wait to come clean and possibly save lives?
Comment by Sandro — March 30, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
Does the deception ever end?
I was at a pet show last weekend trying to forget my loss and look for some natural foods for my surviving cat. There was a booth setup by a company “by Nature” distributed by Blue Seal. Their pitch is:
“We are a small New England Company that makes high-quality foods and treats for pets. We are rooted in the tradition of the family farm. We live up to our 130-year heritage of providing diets of the highest quality, using only ingredients that deliver the best nutritional benefits to your pet.”
I told them about the loss of my beautiful cat to Nutro pet food and how I was really angry that Nutro was repackaging Menu Foods pouches. The guys gave me this song and dance about how natural their products were and how they were a small, New England company.
Guess what? Their food pouches say in very small print “Product of China / Produit de la Chine” on them!!!
Comment by MFEMFEM — March 30, 2007 @ 7:23 pm
“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration raised more questions than it answered Friday, in updating pet owners about the recall of millions of cans of tainted pet food.”
This lead in from Clinton Bennett, CBS 11 News Producer about sums it up.
Comment by Steve — March 30, 2007 @ 7:26 pm
Guess what? Their food pouches say in very small print “Product of China / Produit de la Chine” on them!!! Comment by MFEMFEM — March 30, 2007 @ 7:23 pm
Looks like you almost got snagged by one of those snake oil product evangelists doing booth duty. Good Eye MF.
Comment by Steve — March 30, 2007 @ 7:32 pm
Melamine is also the major metabolite of cyromazine (Trigard) and other insecticides! We need to search for insecticide levels as well! Of course the US has established maximum residue standards but only in 2005 did the EPA and the China ICAMA sign a letter of intent to train and certify Chinese labs, for pesticide data requirements, including maximum residue limits. Aw, what the heck - why bother testing yet when imported is such a deal! Just hope for the best and slap a trusted brand on it and they’ll buy it! We’ve got a problem if there is no incoming inspection here! Cyromazine is also used for flea control and cats are more likely to develop toxic reactions - cats are more affected by this recalled pet food too! Even imported poultry and all meat byproducts need testing for insecticides such as cyromazine-treated feed residue. It could add up!
Comment by Sue Dunn — March 30, 2007 @ 7:37 pm
Here’s a classic just posted on Hills
“Looks like the start of a good trend. pull all this crap off the market. who’s buying it anyway? i suppose all the vets now are calling all the petowners the prescribed this rotgut bottom of the barrel putrid worthless low quality high profit food to. Wonder what kind of a line they’re using?
Sounds like Hills is worried about lawsuits. Vets too. may they come back to life as mistreated pets.”
I know not all Vets are bought and paid for but no one gets out of this Menu fiasco unscathed.
Comment by Steve — March 30, 2007 @ 7:38 pm
Ouch
http://www.howl911.com/petfoodrecall_china.htm
Comment by Steve — March 30, 2007 @ 7:41 pm
HILLS RX FOODS are for pets that are sick,so u buy the rx food to get your pet better and your pet dies on u.when is all of this gonna stop? how many more pets have to die because of this? scary
Comment by MARY ANN — March 30, 2007 @ 7:45 pm
http://www.howl911.com/petfoodrecall_china.htm
Thanks for that Steve, I think :-/
Looks like the Monsantos of this world are having a field day selling banned chemicals to unregulated countries such as China.
Comment by Sandro — March 30, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
It looks to me like the entire pet food industry is a snake pit full of lies, deception, and greed. Who can you trust? We know know that many of the top brand foods are relabeled form the likes of Menu Foods, high priced “premium natural” food is made in China and put in trendy packaging and pitched on web sites with bucolic New England towns in the background:
http://www.bynaturepetfoods.co.....out_us.php
I suspect many good vets have simply bought the marketing and sales pitches of the top brands, assuming that since they are big or prosperous they must be good. It appears no one, no regulatory agency, no independent organization has ever carried out any meaningful oversight of this big $$$ industry. I suspect a lot of meat is being cooked at home for pets tonight - I know my cat is eating turkey that I cooked (I hope it isn’t a “Product of China / Produit de la Chine”.
Comment by MFEMFEM — March 30, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
I’m a vet tech. I have 5 cats, all eating science diet-Hill’s, various kinds. I can tell you that another thing that totally sucks about this whole situation is that THEY are not notifying Vet offices about this at all. We learn about it from our clients—their calls—the 11pm news. This whole situation just is not good. I’m educated, informed and yet terrified that the recall-voluntary or not is not enough….
Comment by kim — March 30, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
What dry foods are you guys concerned about? I have to work tomorrow and am expecting many more calls. Really surprised we haven’t had a death related to this yet, that we know about anyways. + at my clinic.
Comment by kim — March 30, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
Comment by MFEMFEM — March 30, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
I wonder who’s cooking at the White House tonight?
Comment by Nadine Long — March 30, 2007 @ 8:02 pm
Comment by kim — March 30, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
My now deceased dog was fed 3 different prescription foods from my vet for about four months: Eukanuba Low-Residue Adult, Hill’s Prescription Canine t/d, and Hill’s Prescription Canine w/d.
Comment by Nadine Long — March 30, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
t/d-small bite or regular? w/d chicken or plain?
Thank you for your help——where are you in the US? I’m in MIchigan.
Comment by kim — March 30, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
Also, just so everyone out there knows—-when I recommend foods, I don;t do it beaue I care about profir. I do it beause it’s what I do for my own cats——I think that earlier comment was not fair, and yes….I did spend my evening calling those clients who had purchased m/d dry to inform them to stop feeding it, and to come in for bloodwork, and urinalysis. I happen to feed my cats the canned m/d, so I had a minor heart attack when I first pulled up the Hill’s website.
Comment by kim — March 30, 2007 @ 8:13 pm
My cat has eaten Hill’s Science Diet for years. She suddenly fell ill in January. The vet diagnosed severe kidney failure and advised she would die soon. I began a regime of subcutaneous fluids and no more Science Diet since my cat refused to eat it anyhow.
Almost three months later, my kitty is still alive and thriving!
And now news of poisoned pet food. Was my cat poisoned? I have to wonder now. I fear this contaminated food goes beyond the recalled products…
Comment by Janelle — March 30, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
Wondering why the veterinary community is not speaking up? They have been almost silent during this recall. Are some of them subsidized by the pet food companies?
Comment by Cindy — March 30, 2007 @ 8:23 pm
Why have vets been so silent during this recall?
Comment by Cindy — March 30, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
NOt the one I work for. I think we’re all trying to figure out what to look for in this whole mess, what to tell other pet-parents etc. We’re honestly not in-the-loop, thanks to whomever. Unfortunately we get our information the same way everyone else does, with the exception that when it-the news-breaks we are often seeing other patients.
Comment by kim — March 30, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
Comment by Cindy — March 30, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
Could it be because vets sells lot if pet food? I hope that is not the reason.
Comment by MFEMFEM — March 30, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
The last vet I had for my Chihuahua puppy made a point to reprimand me for about 15 minutes on how bad a pet owner I was for feeding my baby table food. I mean he ripped me apart because I didn’t feed her the crap he was selling in his office…IAMS or Science Diet! What is up with that? How wrong can anyone be? Do they honestly not know any better or is there some kind of commission they earn for getting us to buy commercial, not made for human consumption, dog/cat food?
Who can we trust?
And what is up with IAMS and their cruel animal testing? What good has come of the butchering and neglect of innocent defenseless creatures for purportedly creating a supreme dog food, when the reality is, despite their testing, their dog food is poison? How ironic!
Comment by Surfsista — March 30, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
We sell pet food, yes. But not a lot. Like I said earlier, all 5 of my cats eat science diet. I really wish they—those involved in this recall—would do more to keep the vet offices more in the know. I was painicked 2 weeks ago just like everyone else—explatives and all as I watched the news. I just want to know all I can so I can help all of our patients to stay healthy.
Comment by kim — March 30, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
Comment by Surfsista — March 30, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
It’s like feeding kitty tuna fish only, from what I understand, human foods do not contain vital nutrients for dogs or cats. For instance, cats need taurine etc.
I always supplement my kitties with a multi-vitamin.
Gary
Comment by Gary — March 30, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
Why have vets been so silent during this recall?
Comment by Cindy — March 30, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
Lots of reasons. Probably to busy practicing general veterinary medicine to have time to do the serious research they need to do to really get a grasp of this scandal. Or if they’ve just discovered they’ve been recommending poisons to their clients as food they may be in shock.
Comment by Steve — March 30, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
BOth points are right.
Comment by kim — March 30, 2007 @ 8:37 pm
A week ago I received a call from an FDA representative returning my call. I explained to him I had already spoken to my district coordinator and gave him all my info. One pet died from kidney failure on 2-20-07. The other pet diagnosed with kidney failure on 3-19-07, both dogs ate the recalled food. He also told me that he had a cat that was showing signs and also had been fed some of the food. He told me (a week ago)that he received an e-mail that day that they were expanding the recall to include some dry food. I didn’t get his name, only the phoned number he called me from. He stated he was only going to feed his cat table food. I have been cooking my pet only human food. She is doing amazing. Symptoms are gone, and is doing fine, although vet says kidney failure is permanent. She is much bigger than my other dog, and preferred people food to dog food. My other dog ate his dog food daily like a good little boy. I am devasted by his passing.
Comment by Denise — March 30, 2007 @ 8:38 pm
I took my 15 year old cat to the vet this morning She was sooooooo sick and had all the symptoms of kidney failure. I could not stand it so I told him to put her asleep. The Vet office assured me that Meow Mix was not on the recall list. I called them back to find out where I could have her food tested. When they called me back, I was told, once again that Meox Mix was not on the list. Wouldn’t you think they would at least need to check?
Comment by Laree Thomas — March 30, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
I know our vet’s office was fielding a constant stream of recall-related calls during the first week following the recall. (Mainly because I spent a great deal of said week at said vet’s office with the gato.) So many people came in for bloodwork (precautionary and otherwise), that they were hardly able to keep enough of the testing supplies in stock.
I’m thinking that mostly, they’re just busy. Additionally, at this point in time, they don’t really have all that much more information about this than we do.
Comment by Gwen — March 30, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
I came back on to check for other recalls. Network, Cable, all news seems silent. Hoping more dry would come forward. This waiting game is a killer - in more ways than one.
Comment by Linda — March 30, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
Had to take my 2nd cat involved in this crap to the vet to do another set of bloodwork - this time he is having an outside lab do a TOTAL chemical CBC - can’t wait for this and I hope to hell his numbers are coming down. What’s up with the CEO of Menu saying the products produced after March 6th are ok??? How in the world can he promise that when it took a month to let us know??? IDIOT!!!!
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — March 30, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
I have been making sure everytime breaking news happens about this case that I call my vet’s office and let them know. I hope they don’t mind the phone calls because I don’t intend to stop. If it is something relevant, you can bet your bottom dollar that I am calling.
Comment by Adrienne — March 30, 2007 @ 8:49 pm
Adrienne-THEY APPRECIATE IT!!!!
Comment by kim — March 30, 2007 @ 8:51 pm
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — March 30, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
I said it once I’ll say it again. I wouldn’t trust Paul Henderson’s word if you payed me one million dollars to do so. The guys a totally clueless NITWIT who shouldn’t be in charge of a big company like this. He’s a menace to society.
Comment by Steve — March 30, 2007 @ 8:54 pm
I lost one of my 8-year-old cats in mid-Feb due to odd circumstances which were characterized by kidney failure that led to system-wide failure. My vet was very surprised by the reaction of the cat to IV glucose, which failed to help her recover.
We only feed our cats dry food (Nutro, usually, although they may have been eating Iams at the time, senior diet usually).
Our vet did not feel a necropsy was really necessary, but he was unable to diagnose the cause. Our other cat had a upper-respiratory cold (from which she recovered, later) a couple weeks before this cat fell ill, so it may have been an adverse reaction to a viral infection…But we still are concerned that it was not the virus (or a combination of a viral infection and mild poisoning.)
I am anxious to find out if the wheat gluten may have been in any of the dry foods, and will be watching the news closely. We have not contacted the FDA, yet.
Comment by Chris Knight — March 30, 2007 @ 8:55 pm
My cat stopped eating for 5 days, she wouldnt drink either, March 1st, she didnt eat anything listed on the LIST, however she did have moist cat treats made by PRIORITY, which is on the list! The vet wont think thats even a possibility because its not on the list!!!
I beleive the list is bigger, they are liars! If I hear that the compnys who say they are safe arent, I cant imagine what Ill do. My cat is better after sub q fluids at home, antibiotics and pepcid! She is 19 and healthy again! I cant get her to eat anything other than Friskies, I hope Im not hurting her!
Comment by Kelly — March 30, 2007 @ 9:05 pm
I don’t know what to think now. I have 5 cats and they are all on Prescription diet either C/D or I/D. I have looked at the ingredients on both bags and don’t see “wheat gluten”. Although Hills came out today about one of their products I just can’t trust anything anymore. I don’t believe we have gotten the whole truth. I have to protect my pets - so tonight I went to the grocery store and purchased all kinds of items, fish, chicken liver, veggies, rice, etc. to make homemade food for them until I feel that it is safe for them. I just can’t take the chance.
Comment by Lois — March 30, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
Sounds like the Vets are getting bombared with the bulk of this nightmare and the pet food companies are hiding behind them with variable information.
Comment by Laree — March 30, 2007 @ 9:13 pm
I am feeding my dog, Kobe, Hills Prescription Diet k/d - dry food. This is because he just got out of the hospital for Kidney failure due to the menu foods recall. He was eating Nutro Natural Choice.
Should I keep feeding it to him? I cringe every time I see him take a bite of it.
Any advice? I have to feed him special food now, because of his Kidneys! What do I do?
Comment by Kellie — March 30, 2007 @ 9:14 pm
I lost 2 cats within 6 weeks after switching their food to Hill’s I/M. I’ve not heard where that particular food was recalled, but they both suddenly developed renal failure and died. I remember now that the vet asked several times with both of them if they ingested rat poison. I’m sickened that I participated in their deaths. My 18 year old siamese was my best buddy, and I still get upset when I think about holding his lifeless body….senseless!
Comment by Dianne Turner — March 30, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
Well Anderson Cooper had a small segment on his 360 program and I must admit I was disappointed, it was pretty wimpy. He had a vet on from ASPCA who said they had a couple of pets they were treating & they responded very well to treatment making it sound like this whole thing is nothing. No questions on Menu Foods, nothing on FDA, just had all the standard stuff most of the news places are showing briefly, NO SUBSTANCE!
I am getting very worried that this is going to die with none of us getting any answers and Menu Foods walking off looking squeaky clean. Can anyone give me any feeling of reassurance that this wont happen? I hope I am the only one feeling discouraged tonight.
Comment by Sandi K — March 30, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
***IMPORTANT*** NEWS FLASH… I just heard on my local nightly news that a woman took her golden retriever to the vet with all the same symptoms being reported from ingesting the poisoned food. Her vet tried the following medication: LEUCOVORIN and it worked! Her dog is back to his old self, happy & healthy. However, LEUCOVORIN CAN NOT be given to cats, ONLY to dogs. For those of you who have a dog suffering from MenuFoods poisoning, you may want to mention this to your vet. God Bless!
Comment by laura — March 30, 2007 @ 9:23 pm
Sandi - You have to keep hammering away at your local newspapers and TV stations. That is what I have been doing. Everytime something new comes up, I will fire off another email or phone call. Additionally, I send emails to CNN, Fox, ABC, CBS, MSNBC, NBC, and anyone else I can think of imploring them to continue running this story. It’s not much but it gives me a feeling that I am trying to help in some small way.
Comment by Adrienne — March 30, 2007 @ 9:29 pm
I have a 2 1/2 year old Vizsla that is showing slight signs of being sick… Only 1 catch. She is, and has always, only eaten Iams Dry food. We bought a new bag of food about 2 weeks ago, and she began getting sick about 5 days ago. I got her onto cooked rice and chicken and she was doing well/better… So I started mixing Iams dry again over the last 24 hours and now she’s getting sick again. I’m thoroughly confused and very worried. My wife and I are going to take her to the vet tomorrow for testing. I’ve been researching the topic (which we knew about) for hours looking for info related to their dry food. And while they’re still stating that it’s clear for the time being; there are reports saying that they can’t rule out the dry food either yet. Please let me know if anyone else is suddenly having problems with their pet and Iams dry foods. If her results come back in bad shape, I will let everyone know and report my scenario to the FDA.
Comment by Kristian R. — March 30, 2007 @ 9:30 pm
I’ve switched to Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance allergy formula http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/
and if I could only find someone close selling Paul Newman’s own http://www.newmansownorganics.com/pet/home/
it’s a trustworthy company, run by a man with enough integrity to donate ALL his profits, has NO connection to Menu Foods…and there’s NO WHEAT (etc) in it….http://www.newmansownorganics.com/pet/what/
Somebody in Albany NY better start filling the shelves with Newman’s own.
Comment by Lori Lee — March 30, 2007 @ 9:31 pm
As of today, no more dog treats of any brand for my two sheppards.
Comment by Terry — March 30, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
This message is for Kim with the 5 cats, my cat Chester is home recovering from the tainted food and I was told to feed him Hills k/d wet and dry and the eukanuba renal wet(Chester likes that stuff better) could you please find out if that food is ok? My vet is taking all of this recall stuff seriously, and he said the food is safe. I do trust him, he brought my cat back from the brink. Maybe you might find out something he does not know. I hope you don’t, but in case you do, I could help spread the word! Thanks!
Comment by Jennifer — March 30, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
As of today, no more dog treats of any brand for my two sheppards.I am ever so grateful that I have been feeding my dogs people food,prescribed by vet, for years. They get 1/2 burger each, cup of pinto beans,cup of green beans, cup of spaghetti each.I also give them a slice of cheese, and a little bit of yogurt.
Comment by Terry — March 30, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
Boy you’v just saved my cats life..
i just bought some of those “by nature” food pouches. i was looking at ‘em and just happened
to catch you article on the toxic waste dump
our ceo bottom feeders have made of China?
yep.. sure enough right there in the fine print on the bottom of the packet “product of china”
tommrow im going to call the store and warn ‘em? this $h!t is gonin in my burnbarrel!
amazing?? it says londonderry N.H. (sleazy little town anyway, i used to live there!)
beware , the criminals are busy.. i wasn’t
convinced that they’r was THAT much bull$hit
in the pet food industry? im now a believer!
Comment by johnypaycut — March 30, 2007 @ 9:46 pm
On March 3rd our diabetic and blind rat terrier had become violently ill after a two hour nap. Before that I had taken him on a long energetic walk. After the walk, I fed him his usual Science Diet W/D dry dog food and gave him his insulin injection. When he awoke he could barely stand and began vomiting. He was sick every hour on the hour throughout the night. By morning we decided to end his suffering and had the vet put him down. This was a week before any media reports of pet food contamination. Just a few days before I thought to myself that he would be with us for quite some time yet and then out of the blue he was so weak and sick.
I am still in shock and miss him dearly. The last thing we wanted to chance was a long stay at the vet office for an outcome that he would not have survived. I know he is in a much better place but I have always had the feeling deep in my heart that it wasn’t his diabetes that made him so ill on March 3rd.
Growing up our pets were always fed table scraps. Maybe we should boycott all pet foods at this point.
Comment by Gordon Szczubelek — March 30, 2007 @ 9:48 pm
Thanks Laura. I’m taking my young dog in tomorrow for blood work - if he has a problem related to kidney and wheat gluten, I’ll mention it to my vet.
Comment by Linda — March 30, 2007 @ 9:48 pm
My heart is so heavy and has been for the past few weeks. This is all such an atrocity…and unfortunately I believe that decisions to reduce the cost of producing pet foods has led to this. For 6 years I worked for the American Animal Hospital Association in Lakewood, Colorado and read everything I could get my hands on about pet nutrition and manufactured dog foods (I have an adopted Chow Chow who is my best buddy). Being educated about this from my position with AAHA, I have always made certain that my buddy had the best, most premium, healthy food I could afford (as well as the best health care available). Today, I see that I was wrong about the food part. Periodically I have fed my dog home cooked meals of boiled turkey, rice and occasionally mild vegetable when his stomach was upset. Two weeks ago I began feeding him nothing but home cooked meals. I will continue to do this with the nutritional advice of my veterinarian and my gained knowledge until he breaths his last breath.
I will not comment on the decisions that pet food manufactures have made on what and where they purchase their by-products and for whatever reasons they make that drives those decisions, it is not my place. I will, however, refuse to buy their products or be convinced that they have ‘identified and have corrected the problem’ for here on out, until I take my last breath.
Comment by Mtnchik — March 30, 2007 @ 9:56 pm
Comment by Kellie — March 30, 2007 @ 9:14 pm
Kellie, Many of us are enduring the same trial you are. We’ve been dragged into a serious problem not of our own doing and we don’t know how to make it go away. No one knows who to trust. It’s terrible. Now that brand is not on recall according to Hills release today. It is the feline m/d. Unless you can talk to your vet right now and express your concern call your Vet’s office tomorrow and ask about other feeding options. Express your concern about the product. That your uncomfortable with the Hills brand. Mention the recall. Come here often so you can stay on top of the situation. Here is the info link below.
Hills Pet Nutrition, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Single Product, Prescription Diet™ m/d™ Feline Dry Food Only Product Containing Wheat Gluten.
http://www.hillspet.com/menu_f....._en_US.htm
Comment by Steve — March 30, 2007 @ 9:56 pm
The FDA does not work for us - they are protecting their own sorry little fannies, or should I say fat fannies from sitting on them so long and not doing their job. Their main concern is how to keep their jobs and keep the FDA from looking like a bunch of fools - their job is not to protect pets or people. The main interest is how to make their agency grow, their paychecks grow, all the while staying out of hot water until it bites them in those fat fannies - like it is now doing.
Now it is damage control. I’m sure they are playing a tough hand, so their main concern is to protect the pet food companies at the price of our dying pets. Some Sopies choice uh?
Comment by Linda — March 30, 2007 @ 9:58 pm
Oh, that’s Sophie’s choice - well at least Sophie loved the children. The FDA only loves itself.
Comment by Linda — March 30, 2007 @ 9:59 pm
I know this is an old article (March 22, 2007), but re-reading it today, it looks completely different than when I read it the first time:
http://www.iht.com/articles/20.....s/pets.php
Comment by Jamie — March 30, 2007 @ 10:00 pm
Laura — why can’t LEUCOVORIN be given to cats? Our cat has been on IV for two weeks now and is just now starting to improve. Any info would be helpful, even just the name of the station you were watching, maybe they have something on their website. Thanks.
Comment by michelle — March 30, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
I hope I am the only one feeling discouraged tonight. Comment by Sandi K — March 30, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
It’s the end of round one. Take advantage of this lull to recharge. They aren’t fooling anybody this thing is just getting started.
Comment by Steve — March 30, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
Just check your ingredients list for wheat gluten, if in on the list, think twice before you feed it. Wet or dry.
Then think again whether you want to give one more penny to a company, in this case, Hill’s, that put profit over quality, whether your particular type of Hill’s -or Iam’s or Eukanuba- was on the recall list or not.
Granted, our choices will be limited and we will definitely pay for the quality products we want…but that 20 cent can of Special Kitty left someone with a huge vet bill and a dead animal.
Makes you want to make your whole family a Gluten free family, doesn’t it?
Comment by Lori Lee — March 30, 2007 @ 10:03 pm
If more companies pull their dry food, will there be enough left on the shelves to feed the pets? I hope we don’t have a panic run on non-wheat gluten organic pet foods. It could happen.
Comment by Linda — March 30, 2007 @ 10:04 pm
On the subject of veterinarians not being more up-in-arms about this horrific travesty… Why doesn’t someone start a website that ONLY licensed vets can access specifically to report daily animal deaths due to kidney/renal failure? Or even to exchange treatment techniques that are successful. Websites are designed & up & running in no time at all these days. It seems so simple and clear to me. Why isn’t something like this being done? If these doctors banded together and spoke out their voice would be deafening. I get the feeling the vet world is dragging their feet cause “you don’t bite the hand that feeds”…
Comment by laura — March 30, 2007 @ 10:05 pm
ok, so here is an idea if you don’t want the story to die. everyone should send many emails to oprah.com pointing her staff to this site. she is a dog lover. I am not a huge oprah fan, but so many people are and at times you just do what you can to get the word out.
Comment by dan — March 30, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
If more companies knowingly are selling this poisoned wheat gluten and they don’t voluntarily come forward, if the FDA has to force their hand, I won’t ever buy any product they make - never.
Comment by Linda — March 30, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
Vets seem to be blaise about it - at least my vet office is. I’m taking my young dog to a new vet tomorrow for a blood test. When I talk with friends and people at work about this, they shrug and don’t even bother to look at their pet food label checking for wheat gluten. You know what this tells me - They trust the pet food companies to do what is right - past and present and future too.
Comment by Linda — March 30, 2007 @ 10:09 pm
We just bought Paws Professional for our dog, we checked the ingredients in the store. It doesn’t have any wheat in it. I hope it is ok, since they still haven’t told us 100% that it is the wheat. Hope we’re not poisoning her, as we accidently did our cat feeding him special kitty. He died Feb. 16, before any of us knew about this mess.
Comment by Darlene — March 30, 2007 @ 10:09 pm
Holy CRAP! After reading the Australian Report (linked above at howl911.com), I don’t know what to feed my 4 cats, my 1 parrot, my two fish, my husband, my two teenage girls, or myself!! That is the scariest thing I have read in a very long time! I mean, do you remember the whole “Iran-Contra” deal years ago? We have come to expect that the US is selling weapons, but have we ever faced the knowledge that the US is selling all this poison and it is ending up right back on our (and our pets’) plates? My mother was raised in the age of DDT in our milk. She died in 1989 of cancer at the age of 54. I thought we understood what that crap does?
I am not a fan of conspiracy theories. I like things in black and white, in front of my face so I can make an informed, intelligent choice in any matters. Right now I feel like…..DDDDUUUHHHH!!!
My aunt lost a 4 month old puppy to Nutro. She is an emotional and psychological train wreck. I am worried about her. I emailed every TV station & newspaper I could find. I sent them to station owners, producers, reporters, managing editors, anyone I could. I got a call back from a local TV station within 12 hours (over night). I happened to mention, among many things, that our local Wal-Mart still had recalled products on the shelf. They wanted to interview me, but in the end dropped the story because they went to the Wal-Mart and didn’t find anything. That was not the point of my email, but the only thing they were interested in was getting the local Wal-Mart in trouble! I pointed out at least a dozen other conflicting and confusing issues about the recall that need to be investigated (what happened to INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING?). Disappointing to say the least. I never heard from anyone else.
Comment by PJ — March 30, 2007 @ 10:12 pm
I’m seriously thinking we should buy wheat from local sources, grind it ourselves and make our own bread, cereal, pasta, etc. At least you kind of know what you’re eating that way.
Comment by Darlene — March 30, 2007 @ 10:14 pm
Checkout the book “Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food”. It was written in 1997 about the pet food industry. Today, 10 years later, and things have gotten worse! I’m scared that if the FDA is doing such a horrible job protecting our pets, can we trust them to protect us?
Comment by Deb — March 30, 2007 @ 10:31 pm
To MICHELLE - The Leucovorin story was on my local 11pm ABC News Central FL. Go to WFTV.com
I was repeating what was said in the report: Cats CAN NOT take leucovorin. Hopefully, your vet will know about it. If not, I’d find one that does. God Bless!
Comment by laura — March 30, 2007 @ 10:32 pm
Doesn’t the US pay farmers NOT to grow wheat?
Comment by Lori Lee — March 30, 2007 @ 10:36 pm
“In general, there’s a tight supply and we had to seek additional products to meet our needs, that’s why we looked at bringing in additional suppliers,” said Randall Copeland, Menu Foods’ vice president.
It is still unclear how the chemical got into the wheat gluten.
Menu Foods says its investigation into the toxic ingredient that caused the recall is continuing. “This is a subject of very great interest to us and our lawyers and you can expect we’ll be following up,” said Henderson.
Don’t these morons get the fact people aren’t interested in Wheat Gluten in pet food now?
Comment by Steve — March 30, 2007 @ 10:40 pm
Darlene,
I’ve removed all wheat and its derivities from my house. I haven’t started to grind my own wheat yet, but that sounds good to me. Local grown is okay. I won’t buy imported Organic anything.
I don’t buy China products either - this is new for me.
Comment by Linda — March 30, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
They are only interested in the bottom line. Things have to change or we won’t buy their pet food - even with assurances that all is well.
Comment by Linda — March 30, 2007 @ 10:46 pm
Another ditty, not about the food, but equally disturbing and I’m sure somehow related. While cleaning out every shred of anything commercial cat related last week, I found 3 tubes of Advantage for cats in the back of a drawer. I could not locate an expiration date anywhere on the package, crimp, tube or anywhere, so called Bayer. “There is no expiration date” she said. “There always has been” I said. “Maybe for veterinary purposes, but there is no experiation date.”
What the hell does that mean? Doesn’t it HAVE to expire at some point? Or is it made from plutonium?
Comment by Lois Kimball — March 30, 2007 @ 10:48 pm
The vets over vaccinate, the food is poison - the meds are questionable. The vets are making money, the pet food companies are cutting corners and getting rich. Pets are dying - gee what could be the great motivation here - GREED!
There’s no moral high ground here. Just plain old greed.
Comment by Linda — March 30, 2007 @ 10:55 pm
Nothing again today in the San Francisco Chronicle. Nothing on the news. It is unbelievable. What world do these people live in that they think this will not eventually touch them.
Comment by Lois Kimball — March 30, 2007 @ 10:57 pm
I feel that simply avoiding foods with wheat gluten is not a solution. That’s today’s problem, next week it could be some poison in the food from an entirely different ingredient.
I’d like to know why some animals have had kidney problems and others are fine.
I fed my cats Nutro Natural Choice. I stopped that when the recall was announced and gave them baby food instead. They still have have acess to dry food whenever they want. I have no way of knowing of the brand I feed them is the subject of the latest FDA investigation. What the heck am I supposed to do?
Does anyone have a recipe so that I can make my own dry food? How would I get taurine in it?
To the person with the 15 year-old cat that was eating Meow Mix: the food might not be the problem. Cats don’t drink enough water and as a result, many of them develop kidney problems later in life. Either way, it’s awful to lose your pet.
Comment by Phins — March 30, 2007 @ 10:58 pm
Does it bother anyone else as it does me that menu Food’s plants continue to crank out food all the while nobody is for sure what the problem is?
Comment by Erv Server — March 30, 2007 @ 10:58 pm
LAURA - thanks, I’ll be at the vet tomorrow to visit, sadly not to bring home, and this article will go with me. I know my vet is on top of this stuff, but there aren’t enough hours in a day and she seems to be receptive to the info, what little there is out there.
Comment by michelle — March 30, 2007 @ 10:59 pm
What the hell does that mean? Doesn’t it HAVE to expire at some point? Or is it made from plutonium? Comment by Lois Kimball — March 30, 2007 @ 10:48 pm
Alway purchase your Advantage from your Vet. There was an issue of counterfeit Advantage that somehow got into U.S. markets.
# Why is EPA taking this action?
EPA is responsible for assuring that all pesticides sold in the United States do not cause adverse effects under EPA-approved label use conditions. The counterfeiters have placed foreign labeled applicator package inserts in counterfeited Advantage and Frontline retail cartons printed to resemble the U.S. -registered products. Frontline products, among other things, may be missing instruction leaflets bearing directions for use required under U.S. law. Further, the Frontline applicators may not be in the required child-resistant packaging. In addition to the inadequate labeling and packaging, consumers cannot be assured that the counterfeiters inserted the appropriate size applicator for the animal pictured or otherwise indicated on the retail carton of either the Advantage or Frontline products. So, use of the counterfeit products may put the treated pet at risk.
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/.....roduct.htm
Comment by Steve — March 30, 2007 @ 10:59 pm
I was hoping you were still awake Steve, tiger that you are. It was purchased from a vet, (duh - I am not an idiot) just got separated from the printed attached script at some point. Just had the little tubes in their little foil enclosures.
Furthermore, wouldn’t the Bayer woman have suggested that possibility (counterfeit) and not simply stated, “There is no expiration date.”
Or do YOU work for Bayer. :)
Comment by Lois Kimball — March 30, 2007 @ 11:05 pm
Have a sick or already deceased pet and you want their food tested? Call the FDA now. They are interested in testing any batches not already on the recall list. At least that is what they told me when I reported my dog’s death. I told them I only had cans with lot numbers different than what’s on the recall list. They said they still were interested in testing the food.
Comment by Dee — March 30, 2007 @ 11:06 pm
My previously healthy 5 year old cat has been struggling with kidney failure since mid-February. He ate Hills t/d. I know it’s not on
the list - maybe it should be.
Comment by Pat — March 30, 2007 @ 11:07 pm
My vet too was not interested in reporting my pet’s death, although the support staff at the clinic were very helpful in getting copies of my records and encouraging ME to call the FDA.
Comment by Dee — March 30, 2007 @ 11:11 pm
There’s no moral high ground here. Just plain old greed. Comment by Linda — March 30, 2007 @ 10:55 pm
Nothing new there. The fact remains is we have Menu, The FDA, Cornell, and New York State Lab reporting conflicting information. I don’t think this is over by a long shot. Only just beginning.
Comment by Steve — March 30, 2007 @ 11:11 pm
Maybe this does have to do with a terrorist act, what if something was added to a supply of wheat thinking it was for human consumption. I don’t think thats too outrageous to consider
Comment by Erv Server — March 30, 2007 @ 11:15 pm
May some restful sleep come to you with broken hearts.
Thanks to this site and others who had the guts to state the truth.
This battle will be long and grueling. Never give up. Never give in.
Comment by Lois Kimball — March 30, 2007 @ 11:16 pm
What is it going to take? Why is it that they don’t know what ingredients they have in which foods? Why is it that just now Hill’s is pulling their feline DRY FOOD??? Do they not have it listed in their computer in Logistics in their Supplier Base? I have spent $2,000 on vet bills in the past 2 months and guess what? Nobody can find out why? So I continue to spend more? Maybe it’s a conspiracy. Should I call the FTC or the FDA?
Comment by Heidi — March 30, 2007 @ 11:16 pm
Linda, me too. I went to the library and got some cookbooks about how to go gluten free and cook and all without it. I read that some people actually have more energy and all without gluten. I have to wonder how much of the fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and other problems are caused by the food we buy and chemicals we are surrounded by. I know that a few years ago I developed asthma from chemicals, and about 15 years I was diagnosed with fibro. I’m not even 40 yet!
Comment by Darlene — March 30, 2007 @ 11:19 pm
You have to wonder if our poor animals that died and are sick aren’t the canaries that used to be used in mines to warn of danger, as when they died, you knew that there was something wrong and needed to get out of there. It’s all so sad.
Comment by Darlene — March 30, 2007 @ 11:22 pm
Be strong. My heart is hurting for everyone.
Comment by Darlene — March 30, 2007 @ 11:25 pm
Laree,
our cat ate Meow Mix almost exclusively before he started to get canker sores then he got the soft stuff, mostly special kitty. This is the first time I’ve heard anyone mention Meow Mix. You should report this to the FDA. When the FDA lady called my sister yesterday, she asked a lot about what dry food he ate. We didn’t have any meow mix left, we had whiskas and Deli-cat and the special kitty with the exact recall numbers. We had to put our cat down in Feb. I’m sorry for your loss, I know how it feels, our kitty was so sick the last week, it broke my heart, and I’m still very emotional about it. He was 15 years old too, and a valued part of our family.
Comment by Darlene — March 30, 2007 @ 11:33 pm
I DON’T TRUST THE FDA OR ANY OTHER AGENCY. THEY ARE ALL ABOUT MAKING MONEY!! WHEN THEY START LOSING THEIR BELOVED PETS, THEN MAYBE THEY WILL CHANGE THEIR TUNE!! I THINK THIS IS A SABOTAGE, BECAUSE OF OUR POLICYS IN IRAQ. WHEN THE HELL IS THIS GOING TO END?? WE NEED TO GET THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION OUT OF THERE!! I THINK WE WILL ALL END UP WITH POISIONING, GOD BLESS THE PET OWNERS AND THEIR BELOVED PETS!!!
Comment by ann gates — March 30, 2007 @ 11:36 pm
The pet food industry has allowed companies to get away with misleading the public with their loosey-goosey labeling laws. We have been fooled into believing certain things about pet foods by the bells and whistle tatics of these big corporations. P & G, Colgate/Palmolive, Nestle, Mars, etc all have their grubby little fingers in the pet food pie.
There are very few small, family-owned companies around anymore that produce high-quality pet food. The public gets caught up looking at the ingredient panels of their pet food but fails to ask themselves if those ingredients were “fresh” to begin with and how they were handled before they got to the manufacturer. AAFCO allows “carbohydrate splitting” by companies so they can use a variety of grains, which if the percentages of those grains were added up, it would be #1 on the ingredient panel. Have you ever seen your pet food fall into the water bowl? It swells and expands enourmously. That’s because these manufacturers use extruder machinery which is a fast, cheap why to make dog food and it only allows them to use a little real meat thus using several grain or “meal” ingredients. There are only a few companies that do not extrude their food which makes the food more palatable and digestible. Another hoax pulled over the public is this no preservative added scam. If a pet food manufacturer purchases ingredients from a wholesaler, there are already preservatives in it otherwise it will go bad. But AAFCO does not require the pet food manufacturer to tell the public what those perservatives are. If you think your pet food doesn’t have chemical perservatives just because the manufacturer says they didn’t put it in, then you have been mislead. Almost all pet food is good for one year from the manufacturered date and folks, there is NO natural perservative yet that can hold a product fresh that long.
I hope there is pressure on AAFCO to change some of the labeling laws so we know the truth about what’s in pet food. Until we pressure AAFCO and these pet food companies for the truth, we will continue to be blinded by their smoke and mirror shows.
Comment by A.J. — March 30, 2007 @ 11:45 pm
There are many good vets out there, like mine, VCA Noyes in Barrington, IL, as well as Animal Emergency of McHenry County, IL. They both treated Bubbles, and I have let both of them know what happened. They have been wonderful.
Comment by Pamela J. Betz-Baron — March 30, 2007 @ 11:58 pm
I am having a melt down! I cannot handle this anymore! Why are they making all of us and our pets suffer! This is just WRONG! What happened to Morals and Ethics!?
My friend, who lives in Northern California, was talking to a vet today who told her “not to worry about the Eukanuba WET pouches she is feeding her dog. This is really only a problem on the East Coast.” What a moron!
Also, I still tell everyone I know about what is going on. So many people are SOOOO unaware! Even when I tell the the numbers, they say “oh, i didn’t know it was that bad. I thought that only 16 animals have been affected. Thats what I’ve heard.”…I feel like they almost don’t believe me!
I am so upset I don’t know what to do!
My 6 month old baby boy is back at the vet today & tomorrow getting more fluids! He was on IV’s last week and his toxic levels started to go down. Now, they are up again, even higher than when I first brought him in! I am scared and don’t know what to do with myself!
I want to help in any way I can to stop what is going on and make those companies pay for what they are doing and have already done!!!!
Comment by Jeanna — March 31, 2007 @ 12:17 am
Veterinarian Uses Drug to Treat Dogs Sick From Tainted Food
http://www.wftv.com/news/11459819/detail.html
Could just a regular Vitamin B maybe help protect our dogs from toxins in dog food? I am sure this is more concentrated but my 4 dogs have been eating the canned Nutro Ultra Holistic on the list but they always get a vitamin B also. urinalysis showed there is no damage. Interesting article.
Comment by Barbara — March 31, 2007 @ 12:17 am
Get some sleep, gals. You’ve done great. Everyone else sucks … eggs.
Comment by Shari — March 31, 2007 @ 12:53 am
Jeanna wrote: “My 6 month old baby boy is back at the vet today & tomorrow getting more fluids! He was on IV’s last week and his toxic levels started to go down. Now, they are up again, even higher than when I first brought him in! I am scared and don’t know what to do with myself!”
Can I ask what his levels were originally and how long was he on treatment the first time? And when you say “his toxic levels started to go down” how low did they get before they started going up again?
If you don’t want to answer it’s ok I’m just going through some of the same things but we’re only on the first treatment and are wanting some examples of the levels, how high they were and how low they got after treatment. We are so scared as you can imagine and only want to help our baby girl not prolong her suffering.
Thank you for any information you are willing to share.
Comment by Amy — March 31, 2007 @ 1:17 am
My 2 kitties got sick and died in mid feb., within days of each other. They were on T/d, K/d and Medi-cal wet kidney diet food.
Comment by Catherine — March 31, 2007 @ 1:32 am
NEW RECALL: NESTLE PURINA’S ALPO PRIME CUTS IN GRAVY. Purina, the slimeballs, released their press release in the middle of the night. Thanks to Itchmo (www.itchmo.com) for catching this. See Itchmo’s site or http://www.howl911.com details and a link to the press release.
Comment by Nikki — March 31, 2007 @ 1:59 am
I know my three dogs are sick from eating K/D dry, wet, J/D wet and the last of the three has been eating Purina dry and Alpo cut and gravy which was just recalled this AM. All three have the same symptoms even though the other foods haven’t been recalled yet. I am sick to my stomach as my one collie with one very healthy kidney had an ultra sound yesterday for intestinal ulcers. Both dogs have had urinary issues but with negative tests for bacteria. Diarrhea, some vomiting, lack of thirst at first and now drinking tons of water, a few seizures and a lot of abdominal pain which they are on Pepcid, Antibiotics and other stomach meds. I have been telling my vet over and over it was the food since the 1st of January. I have spent countless amounts of dollars taking them to the vet the past two weeks nearly every day. Maybe tomorrow he will listen to me and treat my poor dying dogs. DON’T FEED YOUR DOG or CAT HILL’S PRESCRIPTION DIET !!!! Make a kidney diet at home. Purina canned also uses Menu foods to make their kidney formula. Don’t use any of them. If anyone else is experiencing the same symptoms on any of these foods please write me ASAP at:
cynthiaghall@hotmail.com
I need evidence to convince him to treat my dogs and each day that goes by the less chance they have. I am certain now they they have been poisoned. The missing link was the urinary issues that didn’t fit with the other toxin. But fit with the melamine. Please help if you can.
Comment by Cynthia Hall — March 31, 2007 @ 2:08 am
Yep, Purina slimeballs released this recall dated March 30….hmmmm…Popped up at 2:30AM Central Standard time March 31. Now who do we trust? (As if we could ever trust any of them!)
A search of wheat gluten on their site reveals 180 products:
http://search.purina.com/searc.....sp_f=UTF-8
I have much loved pets,2 dogs and 10 cats, ALL eating purina products. I WON’T sleep well tonite.
I don’t think this is over yet, folks…
Comment by Laurie — March 31, 2007 @ 2:17 am
Wheat gluten, corn gluten. It doesn’t matter. Foods that have been co-manufactured between the pet food firms and Menu Foods, wet or dry, canine or feline, have been routinely substituted for one another regardless of what anyone claims. If melamine is the primary culprit, then it has found its way into most of these products and we won’t know how many or which ones until the FDA, Menu Foods, and the pet food companies come clean. Do’t expect this to happen until the courts compel their legal departments to do so.
There is no solace here since there is no credibility left. I’ve lost my cat and have returned my Hill’s Science Diet Mature Adult 7+ dog food to Petco and ordered Flint River Adult Kibble Plus for my two 12 & 13 year old Labs. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed.
Comment by Don Mauch — March 31, 2007 @ 5:18 am
To: LOIS K. I was puzzled by the same “lack of exp.” date on my cat’s flea med. so I called the co. & was told there is NO exp. on topical flea meds. This co. was Advantage.
Comment by laura — March 31, 2007 @ 6:16 am
Does anybody have recommended pet food receipes or receipe books? I don’t trust anything over the counter now.
Comment by Deb — March 31, 2007 @ 6:29 am
If a product doesn’t work, boycott it. Don’t buy it, anymore. Money talks, and it’s the only sound that corporations hear. My mother fed our dog, regular cooked chicken, beef, rice, green beans, etc., and the dog lived to be almost 20 years old. Recently, we spent a fortune to have two knee surgeries performed on our present dog, who was then put on an expensive prescription diet. Now, I’m wondering if my dog will die from it. I’m fed up. I’m going back to the good old days of common sense. Mom knew best. Besides, our food is cheaper than the dog food.
Comment by Diana Barnum — March 31, 2007 @ 6:38 am
You don’t need a recipe. We feed our dogs raw, generally chicken (the bones don’t splinter unless cooked). I realize many people are put off by raw meat so just get any human meat and cook it for them. Dogs are carnivores and can’t digest carbohydrates (including wheat gluten!)so just feed meat. Since they aren’t getting the calcium and minerals from bones found in a raw diet, find a good quality multivitamin for dogs. If you are interested in learning about raw feeding, there is lots of info on the internet.
Comment by Janet Hudson — March 31, 2007 @ 6:39 am
I work at a chicken processing plant in the Southeast. We buy good quality breast meat to put in our products. We have a truck container out back where we dump meat scraps, breading we sweep off the floor, and other waste. It is not in an air conditioned area and you know how hot the summers get. When the container fills up after a few days, you know who picks it up? The animal feed company.
Comment by Janet Hudson — March 31, 2007 @ 6:50 am
LEUCOVORIN is folinic acid a form of a vitamin B. This was suggested by the vets at VIN for treatment.
http://www.drugs.com/mtm/leuco.....table.html
Here is the VIN page for treatment of aminopterin poisoning. I begged VIN to put this link on their vetpartner page (for consumers), but so far I don’t see it. Not every vet stays glued to the internet so it is important for clients to have this information available to take to their vet. I hope VIN is listening. If there is information that could help save pets please make it available to the consumers ALSO. (Hello hello?)
http://tinyurl.com/2od87e
Comment by Cathy — March 31, 2007 @ 7:01 am
INFORMATION from another vet: just saw segment on Today Show/NBC where they had a west coast vet with some NEW info:
* Check pet food labels for AAFCO stamp.(Stands for American Assoc. of Feed Control Officials) this is a way to be sure(?) that ingredients are labeled correctly. (I got the impression that since not all pet food companies carry this stamp on the label,it may be a way to be a step closer to knowing what exactly is in that product.)
* The vet said to AVOID the foods if the label lists:
~ wheat OR wheat gluten
~ BHT
~ Ethoxyquine
~ BHA
~ PRO———— ?
SORRY about that last “ingredient”. They flashed the list so quickly I could only write the first 3 letters.
Anyway, I hope this helps someone. As for me, I found a great little store in Longwood, Fl. called Annabelle’s that sells ONLY holistic pet foods from many companies. The store owner is very knowlegable so I will spend time with her & pick her brain. Apparently her biz is off the hook since this recall. I don’t doubt it.
Comment by laura — March 31, 2007 @ 7:11 am
To: DEB
Go on line to Dr. Pitcairn. He & his wife have been writing home made dog/cat food recipe bks. for years. They’ve just come out with a 3rd edition “Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats”. There are several out there. Just google “dog food recipes” or “cat food recipes” & you’ll see. Good luck!
Comment by laura — March 31, 2007 @ 7:19 am
Laura, WRT The vet on the Today show:
PRO…..
is probably propylene glycol.
BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin are all preservatives.
Propylene glycol is used to keep those chewy pet foods moist.
Comment by Cathy — March 31, 2007 @ 7:24 am
OK NOW THAT WE KNOW ITS IN SOME OF THE DRY DOG FOOD WHATS NEXT? DO WE AS A CONSUMER WAIT UNTIL THE DEATH TOLL KEEPS RISING OR DO WE TAKE A STAND AND MAKE THEM TAKE IT ALL OFF THE SHELVES. LET’S START A PROTEST NOW. LETS CARY SIGNS LIKE THEY DO TO PROTEST TO STOP THE WAR. LETS STOP THIS NOW. LETS MAKE THEM TAKE IT ALL OFF THE SHELVES NOW. WE CAN STAND INFRONT OF THE SUPERMARKETS AND PROTEST FREEDOM OF SPEECH NOW. ISN’T THAT OUR RIGHT AS A U.S. CITIZEN? OR DO WE HAVE TO SIT BACK AND TAKE THIS AND OUR PETS TAKE THE BRUNT OF IT? YOU CAN EMAIL ME AT
POPEYEBIRD94@YAHOO.COM. WHAT DO YOU THINK? I’M INTERESTED TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS?
Comment by Georgeann Heckman — March 31, 2007 @ 7:28 am
The best way to protest is to stop buying their food. Until about 100 years ago, dogs ate people food!
Comment by Janet Hudson — March 31, 2007 @ 7:37 am
Ask you vet to show you the textbook he/she used in vet school to learn about nutrition. Note that it is written by ….. drum roll here….. HILLS SCIENCE DIET! Ask your vet to tell you who pays for all the trade shows he/she attends. HILLS SCIENCE DIET! Ask your vet what the profit margin is for the food that he/she sells in the office! Ask your vet why he/she is prescribing food with nothing good in the first 4 ingredients. This is akin to a dentist opening a candy store in the front of his office. There are some wonderful vets out there that have seen past the Hills mentality. Search them out! Switch your foods and your vet.
Comment by Deb — March 31, 2007 @ 7:57 am
All pet foods have the AAFCO approval on them so that doesn’t mean much. All dry foods have chemical preservatives in them folks whether the manufacturer lists them or not because AAFCO allows that. I wouldn’t listen to a vet about animal nutrition unless he/she has a degree in animal nutrition. They don’t get much schooling in nutrition otherwise. Holistic foods are a scam to get you to pay more for pet foods. Those are extruded foods that swell up in water meaning you are paying for mostly a grain-based food. I only fed one type of dry food and my dogs were as healthy as could be and I never, ever fed canned food.
Comment by A.J. — March 31, 2007 @ 7:58 am
These are a few suggestions, based on years of experience, and professional veterinarian advice. It sometimes takes interviews with 5 or 6 vets, before you find the right vet for your pet. Puppies love the boxed Beech Nut Rice Baby Food mixed with warm milk, eggs, cottage cheese, and cooked ground chicken, which is GOOD for them! Dogs with kidney or stomach problems need bland foods, such as cooked chicken, rice and cooked broccoli or canned green beans. Dogs love corn flakes or Cheerios in milk for breakfast. They love yogurt, hamburgers, hot dogs, cheese, Breyer’s vanilla ice cream. Go back to the BASICS. Avoid the wheat, and stick to the oats, corn, green vegetables, meats and dairy. Don’t give them fried food, too many potatoes, or “canned or frozen corn kernels”, just corn flakes cereals. Above all, always make sure your pet has, at least two giant bowls, of fresh, clean water, changed at least twice a day. You really don’t need a PHD. It’s about as holistic as you can get. What do you think your great-grandparents fed their dogs?
Comment by Diana Barnum — March 31, 2007 @ 8:00 am
Dogs can’t digest any grains or vegetables. Sugar is very bad. They’re carnivores, just feed them meat. Very simple. A multivitamin with minerals is good, too.
Comment by Janet Hudson — March 31, 2007 @ 8:39 am
I’m having a heck of a time keeping up with this… I thought I was keeping on top of everything… I got rid of the recalled foods and bought DRY foods from Purina thinking that it was safe.
I don’t trust a DAMN THING with any of those companies! I DON’T CARE WHAT IS ON THOSE RECALL LISTS!! THEY CAN ALL KISS MY ASS!
I trust ALL OF YOU!! THAT’S IT!! We need to stick together on this. We are the ones with the pets who are sick and dying. WE KNOW what we have been feed our kids and what has been making them sick!
The FDA needs to get ALL the information out there NOW and stop protecting the deep-pocket corporations who are continuing to profit while our kids are dying!
I depend on each and every one of you to help me keep my kids alive and healthy. I’m getting more confused everyday (especially this morning) - I feel like screaming… I feel that at any moment I’m going to make the wrong decision and one of my kids is going to pay the price for it.
I just needed to vent and tell you all THANK YOU for carrying my through - whether you knew you were or not. I depend on you.
Comment by Jamie — March 31, 2007 @ 9:15 am
Here’s a silly question. Don’t we grow wheat here in the U.S. where the safety standards concerning pesticides and such are stricter than say, China? I just read that 70% of the wheat gluten sold in the U.S. (including products for human consumption) is imported. Just lost my appetite. By the way, my kitty has had chronic renal failure for about a year now, and was prescribed Hills k/d food. Now I’m worried about what he’s been eating! Poor thing doesn’t have much kidney function left as it is, I don’t want his food to kill him!
Comment by Carol — March 31, 2007 @ 9:16 am
TO: A.J.
What’s the one dry dog food you feed your pets that you swear by? A few of us are curious. Thanks.
Comment by laura — March 31, 2007 @ 9:23 am
Hey, GUYS !!! Go to the Purinavets.com site and read the opening remarks. Purina PROMISES that the ONLY food they make that’s part of the recall is Mighty Dog pouches. UNBELIEVABLE!!! Almost 12 HRS after they announced more of their products were involved they STILL have not updated their site specifically geared to the Vet community… UNREAL!!!!
Comment by laura — March 31, 2007 @ 9:29 am
OWNERS…if you believe your vet isn’t taking this issue seriously enough, isn’t supporting you and treating your pets aggressively enough…for the sake of your pets…
WAKE UP AND FIND ANOTHER VET WHO DOES!!!
My 2 cats are sleeping next to me because 2 weeks ago today the hospital and my local vet were EXTREMELY pro-active in treating them before anyone knew what was happening.
Comment by Sherry — March 31, 2007 @ 9:46 am
My cat was eating Purina One plus some assorted cans and pouches when she went into ARF the end of November. I, too, thought that I was doing the best I could for my cats ~ and now I’m wondering what the best is! My cats are now on Innova Senior Dry because it has ingredients that seem to be safe, dry is made in their own plants and they say they will not be using MF for their cans. I also like their noninvasive testing procedures, if you can believe their website. Think I’m going to get some organic chicken and cook it up for my brood.
Will this never end?
Comment by dottie — March 31, 2007 @ 10:40 am
TO CAROL: About what you’re feeding your cat (with renal failure) If I were you, and I was feeding any of my pets ANY of the food even ASSOCIATED with a recalled product I would STOP USING IT IMMEDIATELY, IF NOT SOONER!!!! Find another “kidney-friendly” food that is NOT a product of a company that is part of the recall. Go on the internet, try to do as much research as possible. Maybe there’s a natural diet you can easily prepare at home until this disaster is over. Try Dr. Pitcairn’s site. Look for homemade pet food recipes. I don’t think we have to rely on a “bag of poison” to nourish our family members!
Comment by laura — March 31, 2007 @ 10:42 am
I am going over to my vet right now, they are giving me a recipe for dogs that need special diet for kidney problems.
I will no give Kobe Hills Prescription k/d diet anymore!
Comment by Kellie — March 31, 2007 @ 11:06 am
Hi Amy,
I saw your questions to me and and wanted to respond. I took my kitty in as a precautionary step because he was eating the recalled Eukanuba pouch food…with the exact codes from the original recall. He wasn’t showing major signs of sickness. Although, he just didn’t seem to feel well. He was less active than usual and I was finding white foamy type spit on the floors. (at the time, I thought he was eating some flowers someone had given me). When I took him in, his levels were in the HIGH zone. Now, I know many animals are a lot worse off than mine, but my vet was still very concerned. He was just in 3 weeks prior for a neuter and all levels were perfectly normal.
Last week, the 23rd & 24th he was on IV fluids all day. So, the levels were as follows:
March 23rd, Day 1. BUN 35 mg, Creatinine 1.8 mg, Calcium 11.4 mg—all HIGH for a kitten
He was put on an IV to flush his system.
March 24th, Day 2. (after 1 full day of fluids) BUN 25 (Normal) and Creatine 1.7 (High, but down .1) and CA 11.3(still high, but not as bad)
They were happy to see him responding to the treatment and thought one more day of fluids should be enough. They did not run another blood test after the second full day of fluids, so I don’t know what his levels were at that point. They had me take hime home at the end of the day. They wanted to see him the following Friday (yesterday, the 30th) to make sure the levels had stayed down. Well, they did not.
March 30th- BUN 38 (Higher), Creatinine 1.9 (higher), Calcium 11.2 (lower, but still high)
So, my vet wanted him on 2 more days of straight fluids. He thought it was very odd his levels had risen again. So, tonight I will pick him up. I will see his current levels at this point. He also said he may want me to feed him KD (which they fed him last night). Now I am FREAKING OUT that he will be poisoned by that!
Just to note, my vet said a lot of the cases they are seeing with sick animals their BUN levels are passing 200 and CREATININE ove 2.0—Like I said, my kitty is not that bad, but I am trying to prevent him from raising even higher. I just want him to be in the NORMAL range.
Hope this helps you in some way.
Good luck to you and yours.
Comment by Jeanna — March 31, 2007 @ 11:07 am
Compare Hill’s Statements made one day apart:
From: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
Subject: Response to your e-mail we received today
Date: March 29, 2007 2:53:53 PM EDT
“This does not affect any Hill’s® Prescription Diet product, …”
Topeka, KS (March 30, 2007) - In accordance with its over-riding commitment to pet health and well-being, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food from the market.
_______
They only respond when they get caught!
D Mauch
Comment by Don Mauch — March 31, 2007 @ 11:07 am
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES…!
_____________
From: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
Subject: Response to your e-mail we received today
Date: March 29, 2007 2:53:53 PM EDT
“If your e-mail is in response to the Menu Foods recent recall, please read the following information. This does not affect any Hill’s® Prescription Diet product, and Hill’s® Science Diet® Canine product or any Hill’s® Science Diet® Feline dry product.”
_________________
Topeka, KS (March 30, 2007) -
“In accordance with its over-riding commitment to pet health and well-being, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food from the market.”
_________________
It’s scary!
Don Mauch
Comment by Don Mauch — March 31, 2007 @ 11:15 am
My cat eats the M/D due to her diabetes. I took her in this morning to get blood tests and the vet wanted to put her on another Hills food. I said no, I wanted to make some myself and could they recommend a receipe that will work with her illness. The receipe they gave me was from HILLS! I am going to check out the book “Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats” Laura recommended. Thanks, Laura.
Comment by Deb — March 31, 2007 @ 11:49 am
To DEB: Here’s some additional stuff I dug up:
Holistic food sites: * EAGLE PACK
*ORIGINS
*INNOVA
* WYSONG
NOTE: On the Wysong site click on “Products”/”Pet Products”, then go to Category List & click on “Supplements” go to “Call of the Wild” product. This to be added to fresh meat meals if you choose to go that route. This is a way your pet can get the vitamins, minerals, etc that they need even if you’re preparing food for them. Read and inquire to be sure. That’s what I do… One more thing, I’ve gone to so many of these holistic/natural sites so I can’t remember where I saw this, but one of the ones I list here makes a claim that diabetic cats are helped by one of their products. Has to do with insulin production. Read and inquire. All the best to you and your sweet baby.
Comment by laura — March 31, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
I have a similar story to Jeanna; In December we tried our 11 year old cat on a small trial size pack of Hills Science Diet for Seniors dry cat food. In January we purchashed a 4lb bag of the hills for seniors food (BB 05,2008) as she seemed to like it. By late january we noticed she had a larger volume of urine than normal in her litter tray. We took her to the vet on Feb 6th as these symptoms hadnt stopped and we started noticing she was drinking more. The vet did a urinalysis and mentioned the concentration of urine was high and they needed to run blood tests. The results came back within “normal” ranges except for Eos levels which were slightly high and the vet mentioned that her pottasium was a little low although still well within “normal” range. They gave us some antiobiotics (coz she might have a UTI…) and suggested we switch her wet food to science diet for seniors also (we were feeding her whiskas), so we did. Two weeks later she went for a check-up urinalysis and still had not improved, they said just keep her on science diet and continue with the antibiotics. 2 months later and she is still drinking more than she used too and urinating larger volumes but has no other sympotoms. I phoned my vet this morning given the new developments in Science diet dry food and they said that its best to keep her on it since we dont what we could change her to anyway and its supposed to be good food. Iv decided to stop her on the dry food until this whole thing is sorted out! This food doesnt have wheat gluten in it but im still suspicious. Anyone else with sick animals who have been on food without wheat gluten?
Its clear that the FDA and pet food companies motivations are profit and politics, its up to us to identify which foods are suspicious via the use of these blogs.
Maybe pet connection could generate an area where we can report in a tick box fashion what food our animals were/are eating and what sympotoms they have? plus a table we can all look at with the results of this questionaire? This may help us identify the foods that are most suspect…..
My hearts go out to all of you with sick or passed pets. This is such a worry for us all.
Comment by mariet — March 31, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
I’m in charge of fifteen families, here in Salt Lake City, Utah. Each family has at least one pet. None of our pets are currently ill, but as soon as I heard about this mess - I sent out what I had learned to everyone here. One food, caught my attention, as a good replacement for all the pet food we are throwing away - Pet Promise, sold at our local Wild Oats store. Now, for some time, both my cats have treated IAMS dry food, as if it were something that needed to be covered in a litter box (very frustrating). They would only nibble on “FANCY FEAST,” - and wouldn’t touch the grilled varieties. I thoroughly read the ingredients - in both the dry and wet varieties - and I am convinced it’s healthy. They began eating it yesterday - My tabby, for the first time in a year - actually ENJOYED his dry, and gobbled down the wet. It even smells different (different-good). Like many of you, I plan to create some dog/cat food recipies at home - and share them with my fellow pet owners. Thanks for letting me share my experiences with you all - very sorry to hear about your losses.
Comment by Jim — March 31, 2007 @ 12:49 pm
I suspect that the reason that information is slow in comming out from the FDA is because of Archer Daniels Midland. ADM is a major contributor to the Republican Party and the Bush Administration. Probabably only a lawsuit will uncover the depth of ADM’s involvement in this scandal and it will not stop with pet food. Chances are very good that ADM is also shipping suspect / offshore food products for human consumption. The government is trying to put a lid on scandal that will make all others seem insignificant for obvious reasons. There is no other explanation for this.
Comment by David — March 31, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
Ok David, how about this scenario? What better way than to get our minds off of Iran when you want to fabricate another war? Could be, that the Bush admin could get a toofer outta this by testing their homeland security system and getting our minds off the Iraq and Iran thing. Are they this corrupt? God I really pray not.
Comment by lori anderson — March 31, 2007 @ 2:55 pm
TO MARIET: You should not ONLY switch foods - YOU SHOULD SWITCH VETS!!!!!!! If my vet didn’t care enough to make some suggestions as to what I could do to both ease my mind AND PROTECT MY PET I’d drop them in a heartbeat. And I’d file a complaint to the licensing board. Unfortunately, vets fall into the “doctors are gods” mind set. They expect you to just take their word as gospel and not question them. Ridiculous! They perform a service - a very crucial service for which they are very well compensated. They work for us - don’t forget that. If you do, your pet’s life may be at stake.
Comment by laura — March 31, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
From: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
Subject: Response to your e-mail we received today
Date: March 29, 2007 2:53:53 PM EDT
This does not affect any Hill’s® Prescription Diet product.
Topeka, KS (March 30, 2007) - In accordance with its over-riding commitment to pet health and well-being, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food from the market.
Comment by Don Mauch — March 31, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
My vet wants me to start giving my kitty Kidney Formula Cat Food. I told him I refused to feed him Hills K/D. He suggested Royal Canin LP (low protien). Any thoughts? I know there has been a class action law suit started on Royal Canin for elevated Vitamin D in prescription food that was ALSO causing animals to have Kidney Failure. Anyone know of something else or a Home Made diet that is good for Kidney Care in cats? Thanks for any comments.
jeannac21@hotmail.com
Comment by Jeanna — March 31, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
To Laura: I fed Bil-Jac dry food for years. They are family-owned, process their own food and do not use an extruder. So the food doesn’t swell up in the stomach. I switched back in 1991 after learning the differences and actually SEEING the differences in my dog.
Comment by A.J. — March 31, 2007 @ 4:04 pm
Meanwhile, now they are blaming the cats for being “more sensitive” to chemicals. This article is the biggest tailspin yet:
http://www.comcast.net/news/in.....24757.html
I am getting really angry! We cannot let this go on!
Menu Foods must be stopped!
Comment by Jaycee — March 31, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
For now homemade cat&dog food recipes safe.
Comment by John Ziemba — March 31, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
To: JEANNAC21 — Try the followings sites:
http://www.littlebigcat.com
google: Pawprints & Purrs, Inc.
google: Shirley’s Wellness Cafe (lots to read!)
http://www.healthypetjournal.com
catnutrition.org (recipes)
Search through all these sites. They’ll lead you to some interesting and hopefully useful info. All the best!
Comment by laura — March 31, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
Laura, Thank you so much! I really appreciate all that info!
Question: I notice that most recipes are raw. Does that mean NOT to cook the chicken? Is it OK for cats to eat RAW UNCOOKED chicken? I’m sorry if this is a silly question, but I am new to this whole thing.
Thanks again!
Comment by Jeanna — March 31, 2007 @ 5:56 pm
Hey everyone,
This is a GREAT alternative for those who want to feed their cat a RAW diet but do not have the time (or think they won’t know how or do it right).
http://www.felinespride.com/flash/intro.html
Comment by Jeanna — March 31, 2007 @ 6:18 pm
Comment by Lori Lee — “…and if I could only find someone close selling Paul Newman’s own. it’s a trustworthy company, run by a man with enough integrity to donate ALL his profits, has NO connection to Menu Foods…and there’s NO WHEAT (etc) in it”
FYI, NEWMANS OWN ORGANICS CANNED PRODUCTS ARE MADE BY MENU FOODS. I won’t be using that brand anytime soon, not until they find a new contract manufacturer. I don’t think you should either.
I’ve been trying various wet and dry brands for my 2 cats ever since this Menu Foods recall shit hit the fan. Just in case it helps anybody, here are my results:
Canned: My cats seem to really like Diamond Foods’ Chicken Soup for the Soul and Blue Buffalo Spa Select. They look and smell very similar. The ingrediants are similar. Diamond Foods has all of their brands’ wet foods made by American Nutrition. My guess is Blue Buffalo does as well, as they don’t use Menu, and there really aren’t many other contract manufacturers other than American.
Dry: They love Royal Canin Indoor Light 37. But, it does contain wheat gluten, so I’ve been searching for an alternative. I’ve tried Blue Buffalo Light and Diamond’s Professional Light Hairball. But, they’re not crazy about either of them. They don’t hate them. But, they do not enthusiastically eat them like Royal Canin.
I will try Diamond’s Chicken Soup for the Soul Light dry food next. Diamond makes their own dry foods (Diamond, Professional, Premium Edge, Chicken Soup for the Soul), as well as contract manufacturing for many natural-style premium brands, such as Natural Balance. My guess is they manufacture for Blue Buffalo as well. But, that’s only a guess.
Comment by Gary — March 31, 2007 @ 7:23 pm
“I suspect that the reason that information is slow in comming out from the FDA is because of Archer Daniels Midland. ADM is a major contributor to the Republican Party and the Bush Administration. Probabably only a lawsuit will uncover the depth of ADM’s involvement in this scandal and it will not stop with pet food.”
David, thank you for posting this. For a few days now I’ve been having the same feeling that I did during Katrina, watching those people baking in the heat for four + days waiting for busses out from The Superdome and Convention center in New Orleans. the same rage, the same..I DON’T GET IT.
Well, if you’ve read “The Great Deluge”, historian Doug Brinkley’s book on Katrina, it turns out that buses were indeed lined up 24 hours after the storm - and bus drivers from all over the South had volunteered to come in and drive people out, but FEMA refused to use them, preferring to give the contract to A MAJOR REPUBLICAN CONTRIBUTOR instaed. The people waited three extra days because of this.
What does this have to do with the current scandal? It smacks of the same kind of cronyism and political payback, and again lives are being lost because of it.
Keep the faith people, you are inspiring and THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT. Keep doing everything you are doing, and be relentless in DEMANDING your government act in your interest.
Comment by Empress 60 — March 31, 2007 @ 7:26 pm
I forgot. Here are the web sites for Blue Buffalo and Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers’ Soul:
http://www.bluebuff.com/
http://chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com/
as well as some other Diamond Brands:
http://premiumedgepetfood.com/
http://professionalpetfood.com/
http://www.diamondpet.com/
Maybe they can help you folks find an alternative.
BTW, I have also heard that Diamond manufactures Costco’s dry pet foods. They also don’t contain wheat gluten, from what I understand. That seems like a reasonable low cost alternative to the crappy mainstream brands, as well as those over-priced “premium” brands that are killing our pets.
Comment by Gary — March 31, 2007 @ 7:32 pm
We have used COSTCO’s brand DRY dog food for a few years now. It’s sold only at Costco Membership Warehouses under the name KIRKLAND SIGNATURE. I get my older boxers the 7yrs & Older “Chicken, rice & Egg Formula.” Here are the ingredients:
Chicken, chicken meal,whole grain brn rice, egg product, oatmeal, cracked pearl barley, brewers rice, chicken fat (preserved w/mixed tochopherols & Vitamin E), beet pulp, potatoes, natural chicken flavor, flaxseed, millet, potassium chloride, choline chlorid, carrots, peas, kelp, apples, cranberry powder, rosemary extract, parsley flake, glucosamine hydrochloride, dried chicory root, vit. E supplement, chondroitin sulfate, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, maganese proteinate, maganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vit. A supplement, L-carnitine, biotine, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vit. B6), vit. B12 supplement, riboflavin, vit. D supplement, folic acid.
Only sold in 40lb bags for about $18.00.
Comment by laura — March 31, 2007 @ 8:35 pm
This to me is the prelude of whats to come in the near future… you see how slow the F.D.A.(Fucking Dumb Asses) are slow to respond to all of this,are pets are dying, but do to millions of dollars at stake, they are not doing anything… ingriedients that are used in dog and cat food are also used in some form in human food as well. maybe i’m just paranoid, but i dont trust are government at all!!! to them they consider it population control… i know there are tens of thousands of pets sick and dying and those numbers aren’t being reported by are government controlled media…we as humans may tolerate chemicals in are food for a period of time with symptoms like mild diarrea,headache,but as those chemicals build in our bodies, we all will start having kidney and liver failure like are pets… then what?
Comment by Dar — March 31, 2007 @ 9:14 pm
Just wanted to post and say my dog, Labrador Retriever was sick for about 1 month throwing up and lethargic. I brought him to the vet 5-6 times and fed him rice and hamburger for about 3 weeks. Finally he is fine after the dr prescribed him 3 different meds. One was for a parasite, an antibiotic, and something else…I’ll post more on Monday once I find out what the exact meds were. He was on Hill’s K/D dry for canines.
Comment by Rick Schultz — March 31, 2007 @ 9:20 pm
Being in the medical profession, I find it curious that the testing on the recalled pet food is so confusing after so very many days. Could there be stalling to cover up a more freightening situation? Do we really know for sure that this poison came from China? Do we really know that this poison it is wheat gluten? Is it possible that the mistake was made right here in our own country? Strange how confused the experts are after all this time. I’m sorry, but I suspect something diabolical in this nightmare.
Sonia
Comment by Sonia Easley — March 31, 2007 @ 9:22 pm
These commercial companies were killing my cats a long time ago.. I dug too many holes in the ground from unwittingly serving dry food and brands that had the kiss of death on them (AAFCO).. The FDA has alot more to do than watch out for animals let alone people. That’s why they created the CVM to pass jurisdictional policy to AAFCO with featherbedding these jobs with people associated with these commercial food companies ( I am sure paid off) to let things slide.. I got fed up with it..that’s why I built this company for my cats..it was the best way to make sure they had the best to eat…why shouldn’t yours?? Please come and visit http://www.felinespride.com for an alternate source of nourishment for your guys. I’ve got 21 furry research assistants that say I’m doing things right…your welcome to check us out..
Comment by shelby — March 31, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE: There is a vet out of CA. who apparently knows quite a bit on this subject & can be brought in to consult with your vet if you feel he/she could use the help. Her name is Dr. Lori Pierson, DVM & her site is http://www.catinfo.org
Comment by laura — March 31, 2007 @ 9:54 pm
FWIW, I have an email from Diamond’s vet confirming they do make Costco’s signature dry dog foods and that it does not contain wheat gluten and that they manufactured it themselves and not at Menu Foods. I do think it is a fairly good quality food at a reasonable price….I myself feed my dogs Flint River and I have had several correspondences with their owner about this disaster and am very confident - enough that I am only worried about what my cats were eating. (Purina Pro Plan…switched them to Wellness dry today).
Comment by Becky — March 31, 2007 @ 10:15 pm
Why would anyone trust Diamond making any pet food? Did we forgot about their recall a couple of years ago with the aflotoxins in the corn they used and it killed many dogs? They didn’t test the corn before they used it so I wouldn’t trust their quality control procedures for any brand they make.
Comment by A.J. — March 31, 2007 @ 10:25 pm
Sonia,
I think we may be seeing a big business, all out attempt, the best they can muster at a coverup with no cost or ethic spared, no matter how dirty, with help from high places in the government. In other words, the dirtiest of the dirt showing their wares.
Pretty good huh? got through that without one nasty word!
Comment by Gary — March 31, 2007 @ 10:26 pm
DIABETIC CATS………..ONE LAST ONE before I say goodnite (I’m whipped) This is for you folks caring for DIABETIC CATS. Go to:
http://www.YourDiabeticCat.com
Good night, one and all.
Comment by laura — March 31, 2007 @ 10:30 pm
Hey, What happened to everybody??? According to my computer I was the last one to post anything on this site on 3/31 @10:30p EST. What gives??
DIABETIC CAT OWNERS: the following site is a MUST: http://www.felinediabetes.com Go to “Education” and click on “Diet”. You’ll find a comparison chart on alot of the foods (ie. Hill’s special diet) you’re being told to give your cats which are super high in carbs which is apparently very bad for cats and ESPECIALLY diabetic ones. Don’t just blindly trust your vet - do your research & then ask them why they’re recommending that food. This site is great!!!
Comment by laura — April 1, 2007 @ 10:51 am
HELLO!??! Anybody out there????…..
Comment by laura — April 1, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
Hello
Comment by laura — April 1, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
Anybody out there?
Comment by laura — April 1, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
I am here Laura… I just got back on.. I was playing with Nemo.. He is doing so much better today. We stopped giving him the Pounce treats..
Comment by Melinda — April 1, 2007 @ 3:28 pm
OPEN QUESTION: I’m very new to this blog. Is it not strange that prior to my 2 comments today & Linda’s comment @3:28p on 4/1/07, I was the last person to submit an entry on 3/31 @ 10:30p EST? I just find it so improbable seeing as to how busy this blog has been. Any explanations? Anyone?
Comment by laura — April 1, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
To MELINDA: I’m soooooo happy for Nemo ( & you)! What a relief!! Continued good health for the little guy. I’m not giving any of my cats any more commercial treats…NOT even my outdoor kitties!!!
Be well…
Comment by laura — April 1, 2007 @ 4:53 pm
I WONDER IF ANY VET LOST ANY OF THERE PETS TO THIS HORRIFIC CRISIS? THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING WOULDN’T IT, ESPECIALLY IF THEY RECEIVED FREE PERKS AND FOOD FROM HILL’S SCIENCE DIET? I WONDER WHAT THEY WOULD DO?
Comment by Georgeann Heckman — April 1, 2007 @ 5:11 pm
Mariet,
Don’t feed your pet anything from Hill’s. Our cat suffered a seizure and died after eating Hill’s Prescription Dry c/d. Corn gluten is not good for pets either. I don’t know what to suggest. Maybe you could check with the chronic renal failure people on the CRF website. They have lots of ideas. Good luck. Urge everyone to avoid Hill’s. I am sure more recalls are coming.
Comment by Janice — April 1, 2007 @ 5:13 pm
HELP!!! My cat was just on fluids for 2 straight days. Now that he is home, he is SO lathargic and just wants to sleep under the bed. Is this normal? Do you think he is just completely exhausted or sick? Any help or advice would be great! I am in a PANIC and freaking out! This is not his normal temperment at all! PLEASE HELP!
Comment by Jeanna — April 1, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
Laura, check the other blog catagories - this site is alive and well and people are on top of ALL the issues. Click on the “What Have We Here?” caption and you’ll find the most active thread at the moment. It changes all the time. You’re not here alone - I promise!
Comment by Jamie — April 1, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
Jeanna, My two cats are doing really good right now, but it was one day at a time to see little signs of improvement. It’s hard to tell you what is going to happen.
My cats were sleeping 23 out of 24 hours for about 4 days before I saw improvement. The throw up which was not much, and the diarrhea did stop when the suspect food was stopped.
Yes your kitty is probably exhausted and sick and tramatized. What did your vet say?
Comment by DeeAnn — April 1, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
Jeanna, my kitten died last month from kidney failure only to find out it was his cat food that made him ill. His symtoms were extreme fatigue, hiding for hours at at time, not eating, drinking in excess and hardly getting up to play when even the dog tried to get him to move. My family is extremely traumatized by this and if you have any qualms whatsoever bring him back to your vet and get his blood tested to see what his kidney levels are. We brought my kitten in to the hospital after he had all of these symptoms and they took his blood and we waited for results. His kidney values were elevated and was taken in to the hospital for fluids. After 2 days of fluids they tested him again and the levels had not changed. My family decided to put him to sleep to put him out of his misery since he was only a kitten and would have been in and out of the hospital his whole life. Check on the type of food that you gave him and also the codes. We checked everything and it all matched. You are feeling exactly like we felt. Our pets are part of our family and they are not just property as the law seems to think they are. You are not alone!
Comment by Sue N. — April 1, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
Mariet,
My cat also consumed Hill’s Prescription Dry c/d and wet c/d purchased on 1/25/07 and 12/12 respectively. On 2/20/07 the vet diagnosed him with 2/3 kidney failure and switched him to k/d. He was euthanized on 3/6/07. He was in excellent health the first of December.
My hunch is that Menu Foods was providing Hill’s Prescription Diet with the ingredients and were routinely substituting the tainted wheat gluten for the corn gluten in BOTH their wet and dry products and no one at Hill’s was bothering to notice!
I believe that is why Hill’s has stuck their head in the sand because they now know this to be true. They’ll recall on the basis of each product, one at a time, being proven to contain the toxin.
Don Mauch
Comment by Don Mauch — April 1, 2007 @ 6:08 pm
My cat was prescribed Hill’s Prescription Diet dry g/d and ate it for a week or so because he recently has had higher kidney values. When I heard that some of Hill’s Science Diet wet was recalled, I told my vet Friday, Mar. 30, that I bet that other Hill’s foods, namely Prescription Diet, would be recalled and that I was not going to give my cat any more Hills Prescription Diet g/d dry. She said that only the wet Hill’s Science Diet was affected and that I could feel safe about the dry food. I told her that as this story unfolds that some dry would also be recalled. Guess what? A few hours later, some dry was recalled. She told me to hang on to the food. Not me… It’s being returned. The protein levels aren’t any lower on that food than they are on many regular brands. My cat might be eating more protein right now (Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover’s Soul) because it was the only one without the wheat/wheat gluten I could buy until I can find a safe lower protein food, but I refuse to use any Hill’s abcdefghijklmnop… food! Period.
JEANNA - Take your cat back to the vet. Don’t take a chance.
Comment by petlover — April 1, 2007 @ 6:08 pm
Does anybody know if Purina Pro Plan is okay? I feed it to my dog and he seems to be doing fine but after losing my cat I am worried about every kind of food out there. Anybody out there?
Comment by Sue N. — April 1, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
Thanks for everyones comments. The thing is, my cat was at the vet 1 week ago with 2 days of fluids. His toxic levels dropped. But, they wanted me to take him in on Friday (the 30th) to get rechecked to make sure his levels had stayed down. They had gone back up. So, they put him on fluids all day friday and all day saturday (yesterday). They rechecked his levels last night and all were in “NORMAL” range. They let me take him home and said everything should be fine. I am just worried because he is SOOOOOOOO tired today. And, sleeping under the bed…which is very rare.
He has been off Eukanuba since the recall(he WAS eating the contaminated pouch food). I have been feeding him Natural Balance ever since.
I am just worried that his levels could have risen again. Or, he is just SO stressed from being at the vets for 2 days and getting fluids, and getting blood taken twice. He may just be EXAHUSTED. He has no vomiting, no diarrhea, and IS eating. I just need some reassurance or guidance. THANK YOU!
Comment by Jeanna — April 1, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
Also, just wanted to let everyone know: They just recalled Hills M/D in Australia too. I guess this thing is going to go further than just the US…I thought it would.
Comment by Jeanna — April 1, 2007 @ 6:38 pm
Jeanna, When cats are stressed, finding a quite hiding place is what they like to do. Did your vet want another follow-up? Get the cleanest water you can for your pet. I have my on bottled steam distilled water, no chemicals which may be really important right now.
Eating, no diarrhea or vomit is a good sign for you to see. Is he going potty ok? Again does the vet want to do a follow up soon?
Comment by DeeAnn — April 1, 2007 @ 7:18 pm
Hi DeeAnn,
Thanks for the info. My vet said “maybe another blood test in a couple weeks.” So, I thought at the time, that SHOULD be a good thing. I also read that it is hard on a cat when their blood is drawn, and try to do it as little as possible. And his was drawn twice in 36 hours and twice one week prior. So, I am thinking he may just need a break. But, I don’t want to be naieve and think all will be OK if its not.
He is urinating in his box.
Thanks for the suggestion on the water. Do you think reverse osmosis water is good enough? Or, Where do you get bottled steam distilled water?
Thank you so much for your help!
PS…when my cat just ate, he seemed to perk up a bit. But, then went right back to sleep 15 minutes later…this time on his kitty tower…not under the bed.
Comment by Jeanna — April 1, 2007 @ 7:43 pm
“They rechecked his levels last night and all were in “NORMAL” range. They let me take him home and said everything should be fine. I am just worried because he is SOOOOOOOO tired today.”
Like Kim, I too work in a vet clinic. To Jeanna, Many times they don’t sleep very well when they don’t feel well, then when they start to feel better they sleep a lot and sleep deeply because they do feel better now. Let’s hope that is what your kitty is doing.
I’m sorry that some of you have not felt that your vets have been responsive to your concerns. At our clinic I have become the “info person”, checking the internet frequently and letting everyone (vet, staff, clients) know what I find out. As a result, we have stayed on top of the information available. However, the information has been hard to find and we have not received the official notifications that I feel we should have been given. And those that we did get, we got long after I had aleady ferreted it out on my own. I, too have been disappointed with the information coming to us. Also, I called the FDA days ago and have still to receive a call back from them. I will be on the phone tomorrow again working this issue on behalf of our clients and patients. In addition, we are questioning each and every one of our clients in depth about what they are feeding their pets regardless of their reasons for coming into the clinic and informing them of the situation. And, I have called clients immediately when we received notice of any recalled food that we knew the pets were eating, and urged them to bring their pets in for exam and testing. We are also providing any client with any information they may need from us if they choose to join a class action suit. I really do believe we have been as proactive as we can be. We really do care about our clients and about our patients, and we also have pets that we are worried about too. We are all in this together.
Comment by Marilyn — April 1, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
To: PETLOVER…I’m curious why you’re looking for food with the LOWEST level of protein. Virtually all the cat diet savvy sites(holistic, natural, organic,etc) say that cats need a HIGH protein diet w/ fair amount of fat and very little carbs. Even diabetic cats are recommended this kind of diet. Did you read something that contradicts all these vets and feline diet specialists?
Comment by laura — April 1, 2007 @ 8:54 pm
To PETLOVER: I’m curious why you’re looking for a cat food with the LOWEST PROTEIN. All the many sites I’ve gone to and articles I’ve read (by professionals, vets, dietitians)say that cats require HIGH PROTEIN, a fair amount of fat and VERY LOW CARBS. Did you read or hear something that makes you say the contrary? If so, what?
Comment by laura — April 1, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
If you google powdered taurine, you will be able to track down sources.
If you’re going to be feeding home prepared meals you need to make sure they get that, and sufficient calcium—they can’t just get muscle meat for long-term health.
(I’m here trying to invent cat diet 101.)
Comment by lauowolf — April 11, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
Has anyone had a pet affected by Hill’s Prescription feline c/d dry?
Comment by Janice — April 11, 2007 @ 4:20 pm