Pet-food recall: Updating what we know
By Gina Spadafori
March 31, 2007
- If you’re new to the site, please check out our general information page (includes links to recalled foods).
- If you want to report a sick or deceased pet, click here.
- If you want to know what you can do, please read our call to action
- If you want to read all our recall-related blog posts, click here.
I’ve updated the information on the general information page, adding the new recalls, new numbers and links to more resources.
The most recent numbers from our Pet Connection database: (3/31 8:45 p.m. PT): 2,797 deceased pets (1,546 cats and 1,251 dogs). Remember, these are self-reported numbers, but there is now a widespread acknowledgement that hundreds if not thousands of pets have been made ill or killed by one of the recalled products.
Truth is, no one will ever really know how many there are.
Update: The American Veterinary Medical Association stressed to our Dr. Marty Becker in a phone call last week that in addition to pet-owners calling the FDA, they ask their veterinarians to report incidents to each state veterinarian for further reporting to the FDA. This recommendation is no longer on the AVMA site. From this post at vetcetera, it’s pretty obvious why: Most states were not prepared to either share or collect information from practicing veterinarians.
The inability to quickly share and collect information on animal health has important ramifications to human health. The federal government must put a system into place. Please read our call to action for more on this.
Update 2: From the Associated Press, an excerpt on CNN.com including a quote from Dr. Tony Buffington of the Ohio State University, a renowned expert who is certainly nobody’s idea of an alarmist:
About 70 percent of the wheat gluten used in the United States for human and pet food is imported from the European Union and Asia, according to the Pet Food Institute, an industry group.
One veterinarian suggested the international sourcing of ingredients would force the U.S. “to come to grips with a reality we had not appreciated.”
“When you change from getting an ingredient from the supplier down the road to a supplier from around the globe, maybe the methods and practices that were effective in one situation need to be changed,” said Tony Buffington, a professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Ohio State University.
[Dr. Stephen F. ]Sundlof [director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine] said the agency may change how it regulates the pet food industry.
“In this case, we’re going to have to look at this after the dust settles and determine if there is something from a regulatory standpoint that we could have done differently to prevent this incident from occurring,” he said.
Gosh, what a great idea.
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North America Under Pall of Deadly Pet Food
OhmyNews International, South Korea - 2 hours ago Published 2007-04-01 11:15 (KST)
There is speculation among pet owners of organizing a class action lawsuit against pet food companies who may have been criminally negligent or unwittingly responsible for the poisonings of pets.
http://english.ohmynews.com/ar.....p;rel_no=1
Comment by Steve — March 31, 2007 @ 10:28 pm
South Korea publishes more accurate information than the US media? If only it were April Fools…
And, reading the updated numbers tonight makes me want to take a moment of silence for all the treasured pets that have so tragically died.
We love you and miss you.
Comment by Kim — March 31, 2007 @ 10:46 pm
Amen, Kim.
I dread pulling down the numbers from the database.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — March 31, 2007 @ 10:54 pm
2,800 dead and climbing daily. Oregon reports 33 deaths (the only state that is tracking deaths). Extrapolating Oregon’s number to the USA puts the death toll over 3,000 in the United States. The FDA is clueless. The pet food companies are bringing in the lawyers and PR companies. And the media remains SILENT!
Comment by Ron — March 31, 2007 @ 10:56 pm
The world is clueless. I just read a comment somewhere that it was all rumor. How pathetic. It’s so surreal that people are having trouble wrapping their minds around it.
Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
yeah, okay it’s a rumor that 2000 pets are sick or dead due to tainted food. It’s all in peoples heads that their animal died due to the food. I don’t get people. It’s there in black and white.
Comment by Eskie Lover — March 31, 2007 @ 11:19 pm
They will try to spin it - point fingers - claim innocence and smile and nod and hire movie stars to help promote their poison - I just hope we never forget this and demand higher quality and better laws and enforcement and overseeing and accountability - just so our dead and ill pets can have some justice. We need to do it for the sake of the little ones that have died and will die from this horrible preventable tragic save a few pennies disaster.
Bitter? Yeah maybe and sad and angry and upset and I don’t understand how this could happen in our country - and we don’t even know the bottom line yet.
Our pets deserve better than this……
Comment by Linda — March 31, 2007 @ 11:21 pm
Oregon reports 32 dead as of this morning.
Oregon Veterinary Medical Association website and state updates:
http://www.oregonvma.org/news/recallcases.asp
Oregon has asked all Oregon Vets to report their cases to the State Vet. The link shows what city each of the reported cases is from… alot more detail and CONCERN than we’re seeing nationally.
Comment by Sarah — March 31, 2007 @ 11:26 pm
Also, the Portland Oregonian has done some of the BEST reporting on this from early on.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — March 31, 2007 @ 11:28 pm
Oregon is exemplary in so many ways. They care about their pets and people. They are a model for how things should be.
Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 11:35 pm
As Mahatma Gandhi said “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I hold the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man”
I think we can see the true color of our country when all I can find on the news is about the overdose of some celebrity. I am ashamed of America.
Comment by Brenda — March 31, 2007 @ 11:38 pm
This is interesting. A list of Animal Feed and Fodder Manufacturers…from China
http://www.ecvv.com/manufactur.....odder.html
Comment by Jeanna — March 31, 2007 @ 11:41 pm
Comment by Brenda — March 31, 2007 @ 11:38 pm
I sometimes wonder how some people dress themselves in the morning.
Comment by Nadine Long — March 31, 2007 @ 11:46 pm
Yeah for Oregon!
Comment by Linda — April 1, 2007 @ 12:02 am
I guess this is a good time to mention that I’ve been feeding my pup WELLNESS brand dry dog food (chicken, lamb, or fish) for almost 2 years, and it’s great for her. It doesn’t have the recalled ingredients, any animal by-product, or corn either. I highly recommend it to everyone, and they do make both wet and dry, cat food, and treats. Is there a running list of brands that DO NOT have the contaminated ingredient? if so, what’s the link?
Comment by Gina — April 1, 2007 @ 12:10 am
We are having issues with a Chinese company, they are having issue with American companies it seems. Here is an excerpt from an article. (Is this crap happening here also???????????)
Scandals reduce popularity of foreign brands in China.
Recent scandals have confronted several commercial giants with crises of confidence from consumers, reported Monday’s Beijing Morning Post.
Local media reported that various foreign firms were found in March to be turning out shoddy goods which posed threats to human use. The firms include KFC, whose sauces are accused of containing cancer-causing Sudan-1, SK-II, whose cosmetic products reportedly have hazardous contents and Johnson & Johnson’s, whose baby lotion products were found to be problematic.
Despite strenuous efforts to return to normal, the firms have found their popularity decline greatly in less than one month.
http://english.people.com.cn/2.....78555.html
Thank you Pet Connection for being here for so many of us. I will keep tightening the screws any way I can for answers we need NOW. You are giving great advice, so keep it coming.
Comment by DeeAnn — April 1, 2007 @ 12:12 am
This is for Gina Spadafori.
I’d like to help you on moving this story forward. I have some experience in dealing with the press in new stories that have a big company component. (See Spocko v. Disney)
I’m at spockosemail at gmail.com
And it looks to me that one big question that needs to be answered in this story now is. Why does the FDA refuse to name the company that imported the tainted wheat from China?
I just watched the 11 o’clock news and the action taken and the responses like “We don’t know. It might be weeks until we know” were really pathetic when pets are dying. And your readers can smell a rat.
One of your readers below has done some EXCELLENT research that you might want to direct reporters to when they call you.
I’ll do my part over at Spocko’s Brain.
This comment is from JACKIE:
Comment by Jackie — March 31, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Comment by spocko — April 1, 2007 @ 12:22 am
Ok, I don’t know what to do now. I have suspected since the news of this recall came out on the 16th, that other foods must be involved. My cat, Nick, started refusing 9 Lives Tender Slices and Fancy Feast; Whiskas pouches and Special Kitty pouches just prior to the recall. I took him to the vet on Monday the 19th for blood work and a urinalysis. His white count came back low, but not dangerously. Also urine was very dilute…he had been drinking lots of water too. Vet felt he was ok, but to return if any new symptoms arrose or the increased water intake lasted longer than this coming Monday (4/2). He hasn’t eaten any of the Special Kitty, Whiskas or 9 Lives since the recall. He ate Fancy Feast for a few days (had wheat gluten and I took him off) and I bought a few cans of Natural UltraMix which he ate…I now know they are made by Menu. He has been eating only Natural Balance wet and dry since the 20th. He has been sleeping more than usual the last three days, although today pretty active. (He is only 18 months) He is still drinking just as much water. And just a little while ago he threw up all over my carpet.
I have 6 children (not furkids…real ones) and I am no stranger to long nights with sick kids. I don’t know whether I should go to bed or not. Do I hope that he will be ok, or do I watch him all night long? Right now he is running around, getting into everything. Do I take him to the vet tomorrow or wait till Monday to call (my vet isn’t there on the weekend)?
Also, how much water is normal for a 10 lb. cat to drink?
By the way, he is on Zithromax and has been since March 13th for an unrelated virus. He has not had any issues with it, no upset tummy or diarrhea.
Comment by Amy Boda — April 1, 2007 @ 12:33 am
Is anyone on, I need advice?
Comment by Amy Boda — April 1, 2007 @ 12:42 am
Kitty still drinking lots of water (went to vet on 3/19 kidney levels ok, but urine very dilute and white count low). Now threw up all over my carpet.
Hasn’t eaten anything but Natural Balance wet/dry since the 22nd. Not sure what to do here. He seems ok, running around and playful. He has been sleeping more than normal the least few days though.
Comment by Amy Boda — April 1, 2007 @ 12:45 am
Amy will your kitty eat boiled chicken? Try meat baby food. Drinking lots of water and vomiting has a BIG concern right now. I also put my cats on steam distilled water to keep any chemicals out of their system that I can.
Comment by DeeAnn — April 1, 2007 @ 1:11 am
Amy, I would take him back to the vet and at the minimum I would get another urinalysis and blood work done. My dog’s levels were fine one week and the next week he was much worse. It can change that fast. From December thru Feburary I was at the vet twice a week getting a complete urinalysis, complete blood work, and a urine protein/creatinine ratio. This all started a week after he ate some of the recalled brands. When he seemed to be doing better, the vet put him on a once a month lab work schedule, but his results this past week weren’t as good as we hoped, so he’s going back on 2-3 weeks. Kidney disease has to be monitored closely because they can crash so fast.
Comment by Sandy — April 1, 2007 @ 1:17 am
Amy: My Vet said kidney failure or poor function is noted when the urine is not sufficiently concentrated. If your cat has dilute urine, it could be an indication of kidney failure or reduced kidney function. So I’m surprised the Vet said kidney function was ok.
I definitely second the previous posts saying to get him back to the Vet… and I would add ASAP. Hope he recovers soon.
Comment by Sarah — April 1, 2007 @ 1:40 am
The FDA now says Melamine, a plastic ingredient was the cause. Naturally, their primary mission is to protect industry from lawsuits and criticism. It will probably fool a lot of people. Despite the fact that Melamine has little or no toxicity! The FDA suggests that “there is little information in scientific literature about the effect of Melamine on dogs or cats”. This is a deliberate distortion of the facts! Try Wikipedia, Pesticideinfo.org, or
DSM (a manufacturer of Melamine).
From Wikipedia: “Melamine is not known to be toxic in humans. According to animal studies, large amounts may ultimately lead to kidney stones, cancer or reproductive damage.” Thats massive amounts of a corrosive substance that EVENTUALLY lead to death.
* You would smell the ammonia like odor from across the room.
* It would leave a strange oily film over the food.
* Your pet wouldn’t eat the horrible stuff.
* Your pet would die of kidney stones or cancer, probably several months later.
The FDA are not amateurs. They know this is not true and are trying to take the heat off of Menu Foods for what really happened by sowing confusion and dissent in the media.
http://www.jiminy.org/article.php?article=29
Comment by Ben Preven — April 1, 2007 @ 1:48 am
Thank you petconnection.com and others for all the hard work. I am tired of the main stream news under-reporting or worse, spreading disinformation and minimizing the event for the benefit of the companies involved.
I’d also like to know why the ASPCA seems so out of touch with all of this? I see commercials every day / night asking for donations from them and they are looked at as an authority of sorts on Pet Welfare, and yet they are as bad as the Mainstream News.
The tone of their latest press release seems to only want to downplay the event and not warn of what the true nature of this event is.
“Advises Consumers Not to Panic—Not All Dry Foods Contain Wheat Gluten”
“To add to the fast-breaking developments, Hill’s Pet Nutrition voluntarily recalled its Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry cat food late on Friday—its only product containing wheat gluten—which it believes may have been contaminated by infected wheat gluten from the same supplier.” - ok, how about the fact that we have no idea who used the “bad” supplier (who remains unnamed by the FDA) and who doesnt
“In general, the ASPCA recommends high quality, premium pet foods for most pets, since they are research-based formulas that include specific nutrients for your pet’s well-being.” - Really? How many of us out here thought IAMS, Science Diet rx and Eukanuba etc were high quality before the curtain went up on them?????? This recall has little to do with the supposed “quality” of the food, Hill’s is a Rx Food !!!
more whining to come…
http://www.aspca.org/site/Page.....ess_033107
Comment by Scott — April 1, 2007 @ 2:08 am
“Ironically, melamine itself has a relatively high safety margin,” said Dr. Hansen. “Studies have shown that at significant doses, it causes a pronounced diuretic effect in dogs and rats, as well as the development of crystals in their urine, but without evidence of kidney damage.” - Ok, so…. your contradicting what the FDA and Menu Foods are saying, that melemine is causing all the deaths?
“Cats, however, are a very sensitive species, and can react adversely to many chemicals and drugs even at lower doses. Because of their unique physiology, we suspect that they may also be more sensitive to the adverse effects of melamine.” - since this statement, Dr Hansen is now quoted in every mainstream news report as minimizing the event since “only 1 dog has died and 15 cats, cats are more delicate”
Comment by Scott — April 1, 2007 @ 2:13 am
My dog has been on the medi cal gastro food for 5 years. He is a 5 year maltese. I am terrified to feed him that food as it is made at Menu Foods in Canada. After reading some this site and others I am not confident it is not his food that has made him sick. The vet says it is 100% safe. However, without sending it out for testing I do not beleive them. Does anyone have any suggestions on food types. I would rather make him my own. I just do not know who to trust. He has gone into kidney failure before and the vet said it was something I let him get into. I am so careful with my little man. Thank you for being here and my prayers are with you all.
Comment by Christina Grinham — April 1, 2007 @ 2:31 am
My cat was about 10 years old when in 2002 started feeling sick and vomiting after eating can food, so i took hime to vet and he said to put him on good quality dry food, so I decided to buy good staff like IAMS orange bag for $12 per pound. And my cat started screaming and crying all night in constant pain and in the moring he was limp and lost the use of his back legs. It was the most horrible night in my life and I blame the crooks that poison our pets with low quality junk they put in thier food, it is the same way they poison our kids with junk in McDonalds. This is criminal behavior and class action should be filed. I have not recovered yet from the death of my cat,,KAKA..Ava.They make millions by selling the public garbage from China,,,jail term from the CEO>>>
Comment by ava — April 1, 2007 @ 2:56 am
What if this wheat is from the GE test farms? I found the following at date May 2006 http://www.findarticles.com/p/....._n16419341:
“GE Provides New Farming Technology
General Electric (GE) and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture have reached a strategic partnership designed to meet the huge demand on the country’s agricultural resources. The core of the new technology is a silicone-based additive called Silwet Super Spreader, developed and marketed by GE. Silwet additives afford farmers the potential to dramatically reduce their use of water and can lessen chemical waste. Under the cooperation framework, pilot zones will be established across China to test and promote the new type of pesticide sprays targeting various agricultural produce. Farmers will also be trained to tailor their pesticide spray practices in order to make full use of the new technology.” GE would certainly want to keep it quiet and would be powerful enough to do so. Does anyone know if the formula for Silwet is anything similar to meladine?
Comment by Anna — April 1, 2007 @ 3:02 am
I need some advice here if anyone is willing. My job keeps me away, sometimes for 24 hours at a time. I have ordered dry food from a company called Flint River Ranch for my three cats, two of whom are in renal failure from the Iams. I have been cooking for them but I can’t continue on like this for long as time is an issue. Anyone have any info on this company and their affiliates, if any?? I appreciate it!!
Comment by jm — April 1, 2007 @ 3:50 am
Christina -
I wish I knew myself, I am looking out for my kitties and in the same boat as you, worried.
This link will help, it’s a good list of foods that SO far are NOT on any recall list.
http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210
I hope it helps
Comment by Scott — April 1, 2007 @ 3:50 am
jm - i am not familiar with them, but Flint River Ranch is on the “NOT on recall list” , so, hopefully it’s safe.
according to http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210
Flint River Ranch -
No products made by Menu Foods
Manufacture their own foods with US suppliers
No products contain wheat gluten
however, what makes us all concerned is the sheer amount of disinformation and run-around given out by FDA and such. For example - while the supposed contaminated wheat gluten originated in China, it was sold by a US supplier to Menu Foods AND now it seems others as well
If it does turn out to only be in the wheat gluten, then avoiding any products with that would be safe, imho
Comment by Scott — April 1, 2007 @ 3:57 am
AMY PLEASE GET YOUR CAT TO THE VET ASAP. LOOKUP A 24-HR VET.
Comment by kay — April 1, 2007 @ 4:25 am
Just went looking for some info about the Silwet that Anna had mentioned. There are 17 different levels of this Silicone and numerous sub-levels. I’ll start going through the MSDS data later today for more answers.
For the pet parents that still have your four-legged loves — hug them for me.
Comment by Sunshine — April 1, 2007 @ 4:59 am
this breaks my heart to see the latest update.does menu foods or any pet food CEO expect us to go out and buy any food that was made by menu again? IT WILL BE VERY COLD DAY IN HELL BEFORE I EVER FEED MY DOGS ANY FOOD WET OR DRY WHO USED MENU FOODS. 2,800 DIED BECAUSE OF MENU FOODS.
Comment by MARY ANN — April 1, 2007 @ 5:22 am
VITAMIN D EXCESS?
http://torontosun.com/News/Can.....8-sun.html
Comment by Nadine Long — April 1, 2007 @ 5:24 am
As far as I know Nadine, Royal Canin has not been recalled this round. I believe they did have some products recalled because of Vitamin D …about 1-2 years ago.
So far how many thousand dead and no mention of Royal Canin.
Re-read the article, you’ll see the spin;
The LAWYER says, “I can’t give you accurate numbers … ” then the LAWYER goes on to give a medical opinion…and why was the LAWYER getting phone calls he felt the need to defend “someone”, does he work for Menu Foods?
We can’t complain about the lack of press reports, and then attach ourselves to crappy press reports
Comment by Lori Lee — April 1, 2007 @ 5:51 am
April 1, 2007
“There was a sizable amount of melamine. You could see crystals in the wheat gluten,” said the FDA’s top vet. Amazingly, no one noticed. Not at Menu Foods, not at Hills, not at Purina, not at Del Monte — all companies who are busy touting their high quality.
http://www.itchmo.com/read/mel.....n_20070401
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 6:41 am
SENATOR DURBIN (D-IL) PRESS CONFERENCE ON SUNDAY 03/31/07
Sen. Dick Durbin plans to hold a press conference to discuss the pet food crisis. The press conference is scheduled for Sunday, 04/01/07, in Springfield, IL at 1:30 p.m. (CDT).
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 6:46 am
Article containing info about how to participate in a Class Action Suit and what you will need to do.
With a continuing rise in the number of pets harmed or killed by tainted pet food, the next inevitable phase of the calamity is unfolding: Lawsuits.
http://www.registerguard.com/n.....cityregion
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 6:49 am
DEE ANN,how true i think bottle water saved my dogs they ate the bad food nutro nc pouches and i think the good water flushed out the poison in their systems. i was lucky,the 2,800 who lost a pet weren’t.
Comment by MARY ANN — April 1, 2007 @ 6:55 am
Has anyone notice not one single PET FOOD BRAND has volunteered to set up any community resource and assistance programs to help people?
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 7:05 am
There needs to be criminal investigations.
If thats not obvious by now it never will be.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 7:13 am
I found this looking for ANY notice in the press other than the business wires that there had been another recall. There isn’t any. Press is still stuck on Hills or Alpo.
Seems odd this writer didn’t tie in the pet food recalls and the problem of trackability.
All I can say to Del Monte is, well, we’re asking NOW!
Tracking your banana
http://www.theolympian.com/131/story/74193.html
“The more transparency in the food chain, the better,” said Michael Pollan, (http://www.michaelpollan.com/), a leading investigative food writer and author of the recent book “The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals.”
“It’s an interesting way for companies doing food sustainably and justly and humanely to make a statement and distinguish themselves and essentially say, ‘Look, we’ve got nothing to hide.’
“And I think that that could have a very positive effect on the industry, if they start competing on the basis of transparency rather than price.”
[..]
The web is not the only tracking tool for foodies. The Consumer Information Lab at the University of California, Berkeley, (http://tinyurl.com/2flnlz) is in the process of developing a cell phone application that consumers can use to retrieve instantaneous information about products before making a purchase.
[..]
Nobody’s ever, to my knowledge, said, ‘Where was this grown?’” said Thomas Young, Vice President R&D and Agricultural Services at Del Monte Fresh Produce Company, about Del Monte customers.
“That certainly is important to us, to know exactly where all of the fruits and vegetables that we sell are grown,” he said. “And if our marketing colleagues tell us that this is important, then my group in R&D would make that (traceability) happen. And so far, people buying Del Monte haven’t said that.”
Comment by Cathy — April 1, 2007 @ 7:14 am
As of 9:18 AM EDT, the Del Monte recall is still not on the FDA site.
Comment by Cathy — April 1, 2007 @ 7:19 am
Comment by Cathy — April 1, 2007 @ 7:19 am
These battles have been going on for the past 40 years. In the past 6 years most if not all of what was accomplished in consumer safety has been tossed in the trash. What we see here is what happens when government trashes regulations and allows big business to regulate itself. One disaster after another.
Blind Faith is not in our best interests when people like Menu Foods and their cronies are in charge.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 7:24 am
I couldn’t find the Del Monte recall on the delmonte.com site either. I thought someone last night said it was on there. Can someone post a link?
Comment by Robin — April 1, 2007 @ 7:25 am
We have to decide what kind of World we want for our children and grandchildren and pets and ACT.
Otherwise the Menu Foods of the world will decide for us.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 7:27 am
Comment by Robin — April 1, 2007 @ 7:25 am
http://news.google.com/news?lr.....amp;tab=wn
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 7:30 am
Well Steve, that definitely confirms it. Melamine was used as a cutting agent in the Chinese wheat gluten. There needs to be an investigation into criminal negligence on the part of these manufacturers and the FDA needs to clamp down on imported food stock.
Comment by Sandro — April 1, 2007 @ 7:32 am
Thanks, Steve, for the google news link. I must not have been clear: is there anything on Del Monte’s site itself?
Comment by Robin — April 1, 2007 @ 7:33 am
There needs to be an investigation into criminal negligence on the part of these manufacturers and the FDA needs to clamp down on imported food stock. Comment by Sandro — April 1, 2007 @ 7:32 am
Absolutely. I agree 100% and citizens need to calmly and methodically start contacting Congress and representatives and demand them to make it so.
This is inexcusable.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 7:35 am
Strange how everything is connected…to oil. I wondered why we were importing wheat gluten from China and read in the Menu press release that supply was tight. In yesterday’s paper the business headline was that the largest corn sowing since 1944 is causing shortages in other grain crops. Our government analyzes everything to make sure it benefits corporations before they take into account the many consequences of their actions. Ethanol is a great deal for government subsidies, bad for taxpayers and now pet owners it would appear.
Comment by Lance — April 1, 2007 @ 7:36 am
Comment by Robin — April 1, 2007 @ 7:33 am
http://www.delmonte.com/
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 7:40 am
never mind- found it
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/ph.....-mediaroom
Comment by Robin — April 1, 2007 @ 7:42 am
Comment by Robin — April 1, 2007 @ 7:33 am
Here’s the release:
http://www.delmonte.com/petfoodrecall.html
Comment by Laura — April 1, 2007 @ 7:43 am
Speak on Your Pet’s Behalf
The recent recall has opened a lot of peoples’ eyes and angered many. Perhaps you don’t think you’re the activist type. Perhaps you think someone else will fix the problem. We thought the same way before all this happened as well. Our baby was never affected, but at the heart of humanity is our desire to help those who cannot help themselves.
http://www.itchmo.com/read/spe.....f_20070401
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 7:49 am
Self regulation in the food industry shouldn’t exist in any way, shape or form. If saving 10 cents a pound on wheat gluten has them dealing with unregulated countries and not increasing their inspection methods, imagine what they’ll do for 1$…
Comment by Sandro — April 1, 2007 @ 7:51 am
I’ve stopped feeding my 3 cats any commercial pet food (all exposed to Priority, a recalled food.) Two are down with kidney failure, the other is fine for some inexplicable reason. Thankfully.
I find it appalling that we are asked to continually use our animals as guinea pigs in this complete fiasco created by MenuFoods and the FDA. I won’t be doing that anymore. I’m making their food now. If I can’t eat it, they won’t be eating it. And any pet food manufacturer involved in any way with these recall will never get another penny of my money.
Gina, is there any way you can at least give us a ballpark number of the amount of ill pets in the database?
Comment by Sharon — April 1, 2007 @ 7:54 am
Just found out the Alpo I have been feeding my dogs has become part of the recall. Purina will never receive another penny from me. I have decided to feed them strictly rice and chicken for now but that can’t last forever! Does anyone know of any organic pet food suppliers that would be considered “safer?”
Comment by Laneie — April 1, 2007 @ 7:55 am
Comment by Sandro — April 1, 2007 @ 7:51 am
This goes beyond our pet foods. These executives would rather put an extra 10 cents in their pocket then bother to check whats being put into their products. Then when something terrible happens. They hide like cowards and let their PR firms and Lawyers try to salvage things.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 7:56 am
Comment by Sharon — April 1, 2007 @ 7:54 am
Our pets aren’t the only ones being used as guinea pigs. I’ll never purchase another Del Monte food product from this day on until HUGE changes are made. Food labels aren’t enough now.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 7:59 am
I’m surprised no Celebrities have joined the cause. You would think they would have at least a little time to spare?
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/p.....68x502.jpg
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 8:01 am
Sorry that link doesn’t work correctly.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 8:02 am
This is just the tip of the iceberg, human foods will be next. The goverment does not care about it’s people or pets, just the almighty dollar!! The meat industry, since this administration took over, has had many problems. people that were paid to protect us and make sure our products are clean and safe are being fired from their jobs so that big ceo’s, can take home millions a year in personal wealth. God help us all!!
Comment by ann gates — April 1, 2007 @ 8:03 am
When companies are faced with rising costs - energy, transportation costs, environmental clean-up etc., employee benefits, costs of failing products, competition etc. they look to cost manufacturing costs -
Menu did it.
Others do it.
My local Natural Food Co-op is doing it - buying raw products from China like Pumpkin Seeds and selling them in bulk, along with other products, with an unidentified place of origin - China.
This is all economics and survivial in the marketplace. They want the same profit margin before the rising energy etc. costs - for a profitable growing company - looks good to the shareholders.
It has nothing to do with quality or consumer safety. They are in business to make a profit - nothing else. No warm good feelings here.
Well we have power to. We won’t buy your junk poison stuff. You have to do better!
Comment by Linda — April 1, 2007 @ 8:03 am
I am starting to get a feeling the big stall on FDA’s naming the Chinese wheat gluten supplier might have something to do with the human food chain…Suppliers such as ADM have cross markets, which means they supply both animal and human grade raw material.
Comment by Sandro — April 1, 2007 @ 8:05 am
Comment by Sandro — April 1, 2007 @ 8:05 am
China demands US rethink on duties
“The action of the US goes against the consensus reached by leaders of both countries,” said Wang Xinpei, a spokesperson at the Ministry of Commerce. “The Chinese side strongly demands the US to reconsider this decision and make prompt changes.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ft/200.....0537160567
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 8:16 am
DITTO!
Comment by Linda — April 1, 2007 @ 8:17 am
My dog was diagnosed with kidney sludge in August, 2006. By December, he was diagnosed with large kidney stones. Now I am wondering if this has to do with melamine in dry dog food? He only ate a prescription dog food—but I realize that his doesn’t mean a darn thing! Any suggestions?
Comment by Margaret — April 1, 2007 @ 8:18 am
I think we should completely CUT all food trade IMMEDIATELY with China until they clean up their act and get with the program. I don’t care if they think they own us because they loan us money.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 8:18 am
People we do not need to be Radicals to bring change.
What we need to do is be responsible citizens, and commit to a cause. And act on it.
The future is up to us. If we let these Corporations continue to get away with crimes, the future is indeed bleak.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 8:25 am
We have to be very careful with China. We need them - as a friend in time of need. And I do believe that the time will come - to fight world terrorist or something equally grave - the solution is not so simple.
We can as consumers not buy China and put pressure on the Gov. here to make changes - but the U.S. needs to act wisely and very diplomatically with CHINA.
Comment by Linda — April 1, 2007 @ 8:26 am
You be the Judge
Criminal negligence
In the criminal law, criminal negligence is one of the three general classes of mens rea (Latin for “guilty mind”) element required to constitute a conventional as opposed to strict liability offence. It is defined as:
careless, inattentive, neglectful, willfully blind, or in the case of gross negligence what would have been reckless in any other defendant.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 8:28 am
Comment by Linda — April 1, 2007 @ 8:26 am
I understand we need friends and allies but it is time the people of the United States of America takes charge of their own destiny we do not NEED anyone. They need us. We are not dependents.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 8:34 am
Scientists Create New Crossbreed of Cat and Dog
UCLA is looking to commercially develop this animal as a potential pet in the next 5 years. World peace is clearly at hand. Who will be the first celeb to have a “cag” in her purse?
More information after the jump.
http://www.itchmo.com/read/sci.....g_20070401
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 8:36 am
But they are pets - and sad to say most states consider them personal property - like a wallet or sofa or something - not quite the same - as we can’t mutilate them or neglect them - but evidently the food companies can poison them.
Comment by Linda — April 1, 2007 @ 8:36 am
SENATOR DURBIN (D-IL) PRESS CONFERENCE ON SUNDAY 03/31/07
Howl 911 received an email today alerting us of Sen. Dick Durbin’s plans to hold a press conference to discuss the pet food crisis. The press conference is scheduled for Sunday, 04/01/07, in Springfield, IL at 1:30 p.m. (CDT). We are asking anyone with video of this conference to please let Howl 911 and our readers know where and when this video can be accessed.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 8:40 am
Yeah, “willfully blind” for 10 cents a pound is what I’m thinking…
Comment by Sandro — April 1, 2007 @ 8:44 am
We haven’t heard from any of the ‘08 candidates, have we? Perhaps it’s a good time to find out what they all really stand for… big business vs the well being of the people (including our pets, of course). They’re all so busy talking about healthcare. Certainly, the safety of our food chain is a powerful place to start. Pet parents… it’s a huge voting block. I hope I’m not being too idealistic with this thought. I, like everyone else, am so overwhelmed with grief and anger. I tried hillaryforpres blog but couldn’t figure out how to send a comment… not much of a techie. Can someone else try. And the other top candidates, too.
Comment by Joyce — April 1, 2007 @ 8:49 am
Comment by Sandro — April 1, 2007 @ 8:44 am
I worked for an Old Schooler once. Blue Blazer, Grey Pants type. One time out back of the facility I drove up and saw him climbing out of a small dumpster. (Dressed in a Suit) Someone had tossed some coin and small change, about 75 cents in it accidentally. I asked him what was up and he said, “someone threw some money away”. I’m not making this up.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 8:51 am
It didn’t begin as intentional - testing can’t catch or find everything - and even with sophisticated testing now, we still aren’t certain. Genetically altered wheat?
But when the animals began to die in the lab - big wakeup call there.
Comment by Linda — April 1, 2007 @ 8:52 am
JM - re Flint River - I switched to their food a year ago for our dogs and it has been the best thing I ever did. Our adopted pit bull had demodex mange from stress and within 3 weeks, her skin cleared entirely up and she is the prettiest, glossiest black fur. I have had several emails from the owner of Flint River and he reiterated the same info you posted - they do their own food and they don’t price shop ingredients. I trust him, I always try to support the small family owned businesses, they can’t afford to blow it.
Comment by Becky — April 1, 2007 @ 8:53 am
Comment by Linda — April 1, 2007 @ 8:52 am
This was preventable don’t kid yourself.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 8:59 am
My girlfriend works for a vet hospital in illinois.She’s been there for 3 months,and in that short period, they had to euthanize well over 100 cats and dogs due to kidney failure and other symptoms that are identical to the symptoms caused from poisoned pet food.In the last week alone over 20 cats and dogs were euthanized.We all as pet ownwers just recently found out about this a week and a half ago, but it’s been going on for alot longer than that…. Question:How long will it take “THEM” to tell us that human food is poisoned? A week? A month? 3 months? Life is full of risks,but the ones we can’t controll prove to be deadly!!!!
Comment by Dar — April 1, 2007 @ 9:02 am
At some point preventable. But with China’s odd policy towards it own people and their animals/pets sure it was preventable - but from the point of our involvement - our being the United States - I don’t see how we could have tested for it or known about it.
We won’t really know how preventable it is until they tell us the TRUE cause of all the deaths and illnesses.
And even a worse thought - what if it was some strange reaction of several elements working together that was the final straw?
Something here is not making sense - even with the difficulty in discovering what’s wrong with the wheat - do you think China knows for sure? I doubt it.
And if it is the Wheat Gluten and not the wheat itself, then might it have happened during processing and not growing?
Comment by Linda — April 1, 2007 @ 9:14 am
I blame Menu for not telling us sooner and for not stopping production - Menu knew their was a problem based upon timing - new wheat supplier - now deaths. But the element causing the problem - I doubt they knew.
How can one prevent what one doesn’t know about?
Comment by Linda — April 1, 2007 @ 9:16 am
Comment by Linda — April 1, 2007 @ 9:14 am
They knew. It was just a matter of time until an accident happened due to negligence.
Follow the money
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 9:18 am
Just crawled out of bed. Looked for news of the Del Monte recall. Nothing! E-mailed my local paper who is normally very on top of posting breaking news. Will start contacting other local news outlets.
Comment by Dee — April 1, 2007 @ 9:20 am
Since most news outlets only carry AP stories, I contacted AP with a link to the Del Monte press release. I encourage anyone reading this to do the same.
http://www.ap.org/pages/contact/contact_pr.html
Comment by Dee — April 1, 2007 @ 9:33 am
My cat is surviving renal failure, so far. But she doesn’t feel good - she’s not active, sleeps more, and just in general is not her normal perky smarty-pants self.
She wouldn’t eat the food for kidney failure cats, so I’m giving her homemade (boiled chicken & beef), baby food, any canned cat food I can find without wheat gluten. Does anyone know what might make her feel better?
Comment by Eileen — April 1, 2007 @ 9:36 am
Yes, Dee, I agree. MSNBC had a live segment on the pet food recall within the last 45 minutes and did not mention Del Monte at all. LIVE! What is up with that?
Comment by Robin — April 1, 2007 @ 9:46 am
When contacting the AP, include these links:
http://www.delmonte.com/petfoodrecall.html
On Business Wire:
http://home.businesswire.com/p.....ewsLang=en
The AP link again:
http://www.ap.org/pages/contact/contact_pr.html
Comment by Dee — April 1, 2007 @ 9:51 am
I’m beginning to wonder who owns Del Monte… are they in the news business as well as the pet food biz?
Comment by Dee — April 1, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Does anyone know what might make her feel better?
Comment by Eileen — April 1, 2007 @ 9:36 am
Rest and some time. She’s been sick and needs to heal. She knows what she needs to do for herself.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Comment by Steve “China demands US rethink on duties”
How do you think the Chinese would feel about a side serving of melamine tainted gravy with the bear penises they eat as an aphrodisiac :-(
Don’t hit them with duties, get them on their lack of standards and regulations asap! Let’s see how muck they enjoy having to pay for billion dollar safeguards such as the FDA and other regulators.
Comment by Sandro — April 1, 2007 @ 9:58 am
I’m beginning to wonder who owns Del Monte… are they in the news business as well as the pet food biz? Comment by Dee — April 1, 2007 @ 9:56 am
The Media doesn’t want to risk losing Del Monte Advertising revenues. They are to big.
The seven current media conglomerates are Disney, CBS, Time Warner, News Corp, Bertelsmann AG, Viacom and General Electric. These companies together own more than 90% of the media market.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 10:05 am
Comment by Margaret — April 1, 2007 @ 8:18 am
It was necessary to euthanize our dog in early September due to renal failure. Way back then I was suspicious of the food and discussed it with my vet, as the vet had recently changed his diet to a prescription food. The timing was just too coincidental. The dog is gone but I still have the food—-ironically, I saved it for testing, just in case I was right.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 1, 2007 @ 10:09 am
Comment by Nadine Long — April 1, 2007 @ 10:09 am
Other than you, the parent, who will speak for your pet?
* Contact your local representative. Show them this problem is real.
* Menu Foods may be testing animals with their tainted pet food
* Menu Foods Boycott
* Ask for a congressional inquiry into the Menu Foods recall
* Petition to Require Pet Food Companies to be Held Accountable for Damages
http://www.itchmo.com/read/spe.....f_20070401
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 10:13 am
No one is picking up on the ADM (Archer Daniels Midland)potential as the importer of wheat gluten, as mentioned in an earlier post by Jackie. If we are going to have some clout to press the FDA to disclose who the supplier is and get transparency on this issue, we need to demand to know from the FDA whether or not it is ADM. And we should ask Senator Durbin the same. ADM is domiciled in IL, his home state. He’s having a press conference on the pet food issue this afternoon. Contact him online: http://durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Comment by Maureen — April 1, 2007 @ 10:30 am
It makes sense to me that ADM could be the supplier of the wheat gluten and that is probably the whole reason they don’t want it known yet.
Info on ADM…
Headquartered in Decatur, Illinois, USA, ADM has over 26,000 employees, more than 240 processing plants and net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 of $36.6 billion.
Comment by Adrienne — April 1, 2007 @ 10:47 am
Comment by Maureen — April 1, 2007 @ 10:30 am
ADM has not been available for comment since the Wheat Gluten story first broke.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 10:54 am
I was thinking that too. How long has this pet food been bad. I think I heard renal failure is fairly common and thats why they’re hestitating to post the numbers. Is it common in wild animals? What really causes it? Has our pet food been questionable all along and just happened to have higher levels in recent weeks?
Comment by Linda K — April 1, 2007 @ 11:16 am
There have been many folks here asking about what to feed their pets in light of this tragedy, or asking about particular brands.
For an up-to-date list I urge you to go to:
http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210
The accuracy is not verified by any official, but the site seems to have the best information that I have found to date.
I can think of a handful of brands that are still safe, although that could change. I would stay away from all wet foods by any commercial manufacturer, to be on the safe side. Also, if you see a commercial for a pet food on tv, it’s a pretty good indication that the food is not that great. Most of the true premium brands DO NOT ADVERTISE on tv. Some of these include Merrick, Evangers, Canidae/Felidae, Fromm Family Foods, Flint River, Solid Gold. There are other brands, to be sure, but this is a start. I’ve heard of Kumpi, but my local shop does not carry it, even though it is a local dog food, because it still has too much corn (filler) in it. My dogs are sensitive to corn. It has also been recently verified that Blue Buffalo STILL uses Menadione in their foods and treats:
http://forums.dogfoodproject.c.....#Post33105
While Blue Buffalo is a much better food in general, the use of menadione (synthetic vitamin K supplement) is known to cause various health problems in dogs and cats and according to AAFCO, it should be avoided.
What really matters is that you feed your pet WHAT WORKS BEST. I know many here, including myself, are boycotting all brands that had even a tiny bit of association with Menu Foods, like Innova/Natura. I am lucky that my dogs are doing well on a food that has nothing to do with Menu Foods. If they weren’t, then I might not be able to truly boycott, because the bottom line is I still need to feed what works best for my dogs.
Please check out:http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=main
This website provides an unbiased look at the commercial pet food industry as a whole. Plus, there is a search engine that lists ingredients of MOST dog foods, and what to look out for.
We must take it into our own hands to research what is in our pets’ food. PLEASE do your research, because the pet foot industry as a whole has gotten this corrupt because they know most people won’t do the research. They show fresh cuts of meat and veggies on their commercials with cute puppies, and it’s all marketing and sadly, most people fall for it.
It is time to take the responsibility into our own hands, because the government, the FDA, the ASPCA, AAFCO, etc. is not going to help us. That is obvious.
Comment by Jaycee — April 1, 2007 @ 11:34 am
I’m glad others are checking into ADM. I spent several hours researching them and their products. Their website has a lot of info on all their various wheat products. The fact they will not comment, nor deny involvement, leaves me with no other conclusion then they are likely the supplier. If the FDA will not tell us who it is, we are left to our own research and conclusions. That’s not right, but it’s all we have.
Purina has a more forthcoming Q&A on their site. I’m a Purina Pro Club member. They sent their press release and Q&A via e-mail a short time after the news release was made. I actually believe Purina and Del Monte when they say the FDA notified them about the supplier. The FDA has blood on their hands, plain and simple.
http://www.purina.com/Company/.....purinafaqs
Comment by Jackie — April 1, 2007 @ 11:46 am
Sorry for duplicate posting but I just saw the discussion above re Archer Daniels Midland. Their chairman Dwayne Andreas is the largest political contributor in US history, according to the PBS site. You betcha there’s a connection..
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/.....dreas.html
Comment by Empress 60 — April 1, 2007 @ 11:50 am
What a find, Empress! That explains A LOT!
Thanks. . .
Comment by Jackie — April 1, 2007 @ 11:58 am
For more on what ADM’s been up to in the past 10 years, you can find a report here:
http://www.opensecrets.org/org.....amp;Type=P
They’re only ranked the 85th biggest donor these days - soft money restrictions have eaten into their power. But it still ain’t chump change.
Comment by Laura — April 1, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
Think its only wet dog food? Just lost my second Border Collie also diagnosed with’renal failure’ (Feb.16/07) within weeks from my other Border Collie.
My Misty had a complete checkup two weeks prior her death and everything was normal—including liver-function test, blood serum profile, urin samples. etc. We put her down after two days in the animal clinic due to’renal failure’. When I brought her in, her Vet was at a loss why her kidneys showed ‘white lines’, the white blood count in orbit, and a 20% kidney function.
I fed both of them IAMS dry food, sometimes mixed with canned Pedigree.
Comment by Evie — April 1, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
If you contact ADM, know that Patricia Woertz was named Chairman of the Board in February 2007. The well known Mr. Andreas is no longer chairman. No doubt the company’s lobbying efforts haven’t lessened with the new chairperson. Note that the term “chairman” for Ms. Woertz is ADM’s, from their website!
Woertz’s bio is located at:
http://www.admworld.com/naen/about/leadership.asp
Comment by Maureen — April 1, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
If the rumor about ADM being the supplier gets broad footing, they would be forced to deny it if it isn’t true.
Comment by Sarah — April 1, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
April 1, 2007
Pet-Food Contaminant Might Be In Human Food, Too!
The Huffington Post | David Goldstein: Tainted Wheat Gluten Sold as “Food Grade”,
Del Monte Foods has confirmed that the melamine-tainted wheat gluten used in several of its recalled pet food products was supplied as a “food grade” additive, raising the likelihood that contaminated wheat gluten might have entered the human food supply.
“Yes, it is food grade,” Del Monte spokesperson Melissa Murphy-Brown wrote in reply to an e-mail query.
So is it in human food? The agency whose job it is to tell us … won’t tell us.
Stephen F. Sundlof, director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine said the FDA is not aware of any contaminated gluten that went into human food but said he could not confirm this “with 100 percent certainty.” Wheat gluten is a common food additive used as a thickener, dough conditioner, and meat substitute. It is widely used as an additive in commercial bakery items and special purpose flours.
The FDA announced today that it has traced the contaminated wheat gluten to a single processor, Xuzhou Anying Biological Technology of Peixian, China, but has not released the name of the U.S. distributor who supplied the product to Del Monte, Menu Foods, Nestle Purina, and Hills Nutritional. [emphasis added]
… Public statements have indicated that the contaminated gluten was distributed by a single U.S. company, but since the FDA refuses to name the supplier, it is not yet known if this company also supplies human food manufacturers. It is also not yet known if Xuzhou Anying sells direct to food manufacturers in the U.S. or abroad.
If FDA won’t release the name of the distributor, how do we find out if this is in human food, and which food? People are wondering if their food is contaminated and the government will not let them know?
If this was on the other foot this would be used as agitprop with headlines at Drudge, etc., making claims that all our food is contaminated along with accusations that the Democrats are being paid to cover it up.
Comment by John — April 1, 2007 @ 11:48 pm
RE: Hodgson Mill, Effingham, IL, 800-347-0105
http://www.hodgsonmill.com/cgi-bin/page_viewer.cgi
I sent 2 emails to Hodgson Mill, Inc yesterday & got no response. So, I just called them to find out who their source is for Vital Wheat Gluten.
She says it’s a source in the U.S. I asked where did the supplier get their wheat gluten? She said they would know in 3-4 weeks. I asked her “Why that long???!!! Can’t you just pick up the phone & call to ask where they got it & they will tell you — in a matter of minutes???”
She stated they won’t tell them where their source is. I told her, then I wouldn’t be buying from them. If they won’t tell you — you don’t buy!!!
I told her their website is misleading & their boxes are misleading. They state they are a family operation with their own stone grinding mill, since 1882.
I told her they are misleading the consumers, SunHarvest Foods, Whole Foods & everyone else who trusts them, in the health food industry.
I also told her that Del Monte bought food grade wheat gluten from a US supplier & now have a recall on their hands.
I have been using THEIR product in my home-made pet food recently. STUPID ME!!!
Oh, boy!!!
Kat
Comment by Kat — April 2, 2007 @ 11:08 am
A very interesting development…there has been talk of possible Vitamin D poisoning (hypervitaminosis D)…there is a lawsuit pending in Canada against Royal Canin (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/03/20/pet-food-lawsuit.html) alleging Vitamin D poisoning in a dog. On research I found the following very disturbing glossary entry from http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/402.htm:
“rodenticide poisoning – unfortunately, pets sometimes ingest rodent poisons (house mouse or rat). There are two primary types of agents used in these poisons. The first type, warfarin, is a chemical agent that causes uncontrollable hemorrhage due an inability for the blood to clot as it blocks the ability of Vitamin K to be utilized as a clotting factor. The second type of poison causes an excessive amount of calcium (hypercalcemia) to form in the body – essentially due to ingestion of abnormally high levels of Vitamin D. Both are life-threatening emergencies for pets. Treatment for warfarin poisoning can be successful with blood products such as fresh-frozen plasma, frozen plasma or cryopoor plasma.”
Do you think this might be part of the problem?
Lastly, the following site has some information.
http://cats.about.com/od/catfo.....recall.htm
Comment by Valerie Felter — April 2, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
Sorry about the lack of a link to the lawsuit story, here it is:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/briti.....wsuit.html
Comment by Valerie Felter — April 2, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
hello. thank you to all of you doing some great research to uncover the TRUTH. i am writing because i am overwhelmed and need feedback. i have two 15 y.o cats, one, quito, with kidney, thyroid, heart and liver disease. the other, taño, just dx with kidney value of 36. 30 being the max for ‘normal.’
anyway, been feeding sciene diet k/d mixed with chkn soup for cat lover’s soul, both dry… wet is an inconsistent sell to my boys… guess that’s good now.
i bought wellness dry yesterday but updates tell me that their company is connected to menu foods. i am looking for absolutely no menu foods, no wheat gluten, no wheat, and ideally no corn?, connected food…. for my ailing babies.
quito has been thriving mainly due to adding holistic meds a few years ago. he still takes western meds. gets sub-q fluids. recent labs show progress in kidney disease. vet wants me to push the k/d. i do not want to do that because of hill’s recent recall of their m/d prescription dry. i also bought some raw cat food but so far, i have no takers…
apart from loving them more than i can express, i will not lose my boys to some human-ego-greed crap… especially, after my boys and i have all worked incredibly hard for many years to manage these diseases and still be doing as well as they are…
what in the world, literally, do i feed my boys?? i will only accept human-grade (for what that’s worth at this point). the research i’ve done has me down to the following brands: evanger’s, stella and chewy’s, kumpi, honest kitchen… none of which have anything to address kidney or heart disease…
i read that if i can somehow get them to eat raw, the improvement in digestion can make a huge difference in health improvement. i’ve learned that i need to find something with low phosphorous content. unfortunately, that element isn’t listed on the bag’s/can’s nutrient ratio list.
between, 1. the diseases, 2. their finicky appetites, 3. their advanced age, 4. food-switching process, and now 5. this insanity… i am very scared. i know about holisticat.com. our problem lies in trying to balance the 5 issues. i can’t see risking them not eating for a couple of days to create enough hunger for them to eat…
so unless anyone has any suggestions or other foods/brands, my plan is to start with the best of the best of those brands that i mentioned above, despite that none are for kidney disease; keep working on the raw-food-enticement project :) ; and send recent labs to my holistic vet, hoping there might be another supplement to add (to quito’s current regiment of 4 daily western meds and 4 daily homeopathic/holistic meds, plus sub-qs!)
thanks everyone, for listening.
maria
Comment by maria sierra — April 2, 2007 @ 4:54 pm
=> if you have any suggestions, please feel welcome to write to me at quietstillness@animail.net
thanks again! ;)
maria
Comment by maria sierra — April 2, 2007 @ 5:02 pm