Pet-food recall: Lab finds additional contaminants
By Gina Spadafori
June 5, 2007
Karen Roebuck of the Pittsburg Tribune-Review, another of those terrier-tenacious reporters who’ve been on this story from the beginning and has never let go, reports that a Texas lab has found addtional contaminants in pet food – acetaminophen, a drug better know by the brand name Tylenol (and deadly to cats). Readers here will already be aware of similar findings, from commentor Don’s reports, in the comments here and on his own Web site.
From the T-R:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating a Texas laboratory’s finding of acetaminophen in dog and cat food, an agency spokesman said Monday.
“We’re very interested in being able to test these samples ourselves to determine the levels of those contaminants,” said FDA spokesman Doug Arbesfeld. “What’s significant is these things are there. They don’t belong there.”
The pain medication is the fifth contaminant found in pet foods during the past 2 1/2 months and can be toxic or lethal to pets, especially cats. It is not known if any animals became sick with acetaminophen poisoning, or died from it.
“We were looking for cyanuric acid and melamine, and the acetaminophen just popped up,” Donna Coneley, lab operations manager for ExperTox Inc. in Deer Park, Texas, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review yesterday. “It definitely was a surprise to find that in several samples.”
Emphasis mine. FIVE CONTAMINENTS. Can you name them? We’ll be back with the answer later. Here’s the rest. Do you think the FDA will consider this “newsworthy” enough to hold a briefing? Christie’s flying fingers are ready to live-blog, if so.
And my head-exploding contribution for the day, from the article
The highest level of acetaminophen was found in a dog food sample submitted by a manufacturer, she said.
Coneley declined to identify the company but said its officials were given the results “well over a month ago.”
Comment by Kim — June 5, 2007 @ 7:37 am
Is acetaminophen the *redacted* fifth ingredient?
Comment by Robert — June 5, 2007 @ 7:46 am
Good question Robert!
I have a problem with them saying it would take 6.5 lbs of tainted food in 24hrs to kill a 20lb dog. (did i get the numbers right?!)That’s crap! What if the dog is already compromised in some way? how do we know the high amount they found is the highest out there? does this include the other 4 in the ‘assumption’?
none of this is acceptable at all and I’m sick of them trying to say ‘don’t worry’ (essentially).
•self censors while head explodes•
congrats on the positive articles!!!
Comment by straybaby — June 5, 2007 @ 8:03 am
This is a good overview on acetaminophen and cats from the ASPCA:
http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/vettech_0103.p
Comment by Kirsten — June 5, 2007 @ 8:04 am
Don’t know if this has been posted yet or not but
http://www.boston.com/news/glo.....elmed_fda/
Comment by Terri — June 5, 2007 @ 8:07 am
Well, now that it’s “out” they’ll *HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!!*
Comment by Kat — June 5, 2007 @ 8:36 am
I sincerely hope the class action firm & folks suing over the quality of the pet foods in Miami Dade Courts immediately subpoena’s that labs test results and the name of the company.
At this point in time, I am becoming a believer that there truly are more pfi’s involved in “silent’ recalls.
Comment by Ann H — June 5, 2007 @ 9:07 am
Have we heard anything from Duane about the acetaminophen? Are we “over the top” again by worrying about a chemical toxic to dogs and horribly toxic to cats?
Comment by Robert — June 5, 2007 @ 9:12 am
Why would anyone put pain medication in our pet food?
Is this an act of terrorism? Can’t be a mistake….
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 9:13 am
Oh Robert, we’ll always be ‘over the top’ to him.
Comment by Kim — June 5, 2007 @ 9:19 am
This is the most extensively studied compounds in commerce today:
“HAGERSTOWN, Md. — An environmental group asked the federal government Tuesday to ban a class of toxic chemical compounds that are found in industrial and household detergents and are believed to cause male fish to develop female characteristics.
The Sierra Club also asked the Environmental Protection Agency to bar the use of these products in areas where wastewater treatment plants aren’t equipped to remove nonylphenol ethoxylates, or NPEs.
http://tinyurl.com/yw3htw
Guess who sells it too?
http://www.alibaba.com/member/redinc/selllead.html
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 9:46 am
Shouldn’t there be immediate release of information - why would a Company want to continue to hide its findings…wouldn’t this be considered a conspiracy or perjury. Even worse for a Company that wants to play “Blind” to performing immediate analysis for the purpose of playing their cards correctly or pretending to be innocent - that’s no excuse - they aren’t babies… they would seem to be experts to the fullest extent. This would seem to subject them to many types of lawsuits the longer they wait and ultimately withhold timely information from consumers, investors/shareholders, etc. that need to make important decisions while they stall. Some consumers are having to buy freezers to store evidence, pay vets, safekeep products for future discovery, have food analyzed by labs for themselves and their pet companions, etc., and related mental anquish not knowing whether they continue to poison their families or pets, etc…the list is endless the longer they wait for discovery to fully protect and make their consumers and investors whole again. Mutual Funds also have a duty to ask questions for discovery purposes to protect their investors, etc….These companies don’t need us civilians to support their efforts at this time…it’s the other way around to the fullest extent…it’s survival for our civilization - a life and death matter for God’s children and his planet, Earth.
Lord, Please help us .. Amen.
Comment by Bee — June 5, 2007 @ 9:51 am
How screwed up *is* this, that people have to pay private labs to test because the FDA *won’t*?
And I am not buying that “overwhelmed” line of crap because the FDA can and has shown up with guns drawn, search warrants and hand cuffs at the ready *when it suits them*, usually to bully some citizen with a small store who might, just might be annoying to the big drug companies!
The FDA can do what needs to be done or they can get gone.
Comment by E. Hamilton — June 5, 2007 @ 9:52 am
Comment by straybaby
finish the sentence ….
a 20-pound dog would have to eat more than 6.5 pounds of food in 24 hours to be poisoned, UNLESS IT ATE THE SAME CONTAMINATED FOOD DAILY.
Do most dogs eat the same food day after day??? Answer: Yes.
Comment by Donna — June 5, 2007 @ 9:53 am
Have we heard anything from Duane about the acetaminophen? Are we “over the top” again by worrying about a chemical toxic to dogs and horribly toxic to cats?
Comment by Robert — June 5, 2007 @ 9:12 am
The one thing that I want to hear Duane Ekedahl say is: ‘Due to the intense public pressure, I herewith announce the disbandment of the PFI, and my retirement.”
I hope he says it when the news get out that Menu Foods INCOME Funds went belly-up.
Comment by MaKo — June 5, 2007 @ 9:57 am
Hmmm, you know, maybe we need to start speculating again. Or do what Spocko did with the chicken…
Get these companies to come out and say “It wasn’t us” - so then we can figure out who it *was* by process of elimination.
Based on an the quantity of the anecdotal reports I’ve seen posted online - Nutro, Beneful and Iams top the charts as the most likely. Guess I’ll keep adding more of those anecdotal reports to my blog until someone comes clean.
Comment by Kim — June 5, 2007 @ 9:58 am
Actually, acetaminophen is the sixth contaminant found. So far we have aminopterin, melamine, cyanuric acid, amilorine, amiloride and now acetaminophen. Of the bunch, only the first and last are especially toxic.
Comment by Don — June 5, 2007 @ 10:03 am
And to think at one time, we were worrying about the flea collars in their food.
Comment by elliott — June 5, 2007 @ 10:18 am
Re: the mysterious “fifth ingredient”
I look forward to any scientists reading this to give us their take on the 5th agent (not ingredient per se). Curious as to their take on either urea/biuret or benzoguanamine (a standard used in testing) as the 5th agent.
The following are excerpts from the documents that reference the “fifth” ingredient. I went back to the FDA’s press briefing transcript and the 2 FDA documents that are pertinent. Links are provided for each document.
(1) Here’s the Q & A from the May 10th press briefing:
“OPERATOR: Thank you. Once again, to ask a question please press *1. And our first question comes from Sandra Young of CNN.
REPORTER: Yes, hi. Thank you for taking my call. I have a question about the protein surveillance assignment memo on your website dated May 1. In the table number 1, the chemical sample testing per assigned product, there are five agents. They are, the last one is redacted. I’m wondering if you can tell us what that mystery agent is, what that fifth contaminant is that was being tested?
DR. ACHESON: It’s redacted for a reason. I will have to check into that further, but at this point on this call I’m not able to specifically answer that question.
DR. MICHAEL ROGERS: Just to add to that, we’ve routinely answered questions about the duration of this assignment, and that’s information we don’t’ want to disclose. The assignment is currently in place and will be indefinite. But also about the variety of tests that we intend to engage in, it’s a scale of test that we routinely do, but that’s not something that we want to disclose.
transcript
(2) Here’s the May 1 ‘Protein Surveillance Assignment” memo that the reporter was asking about, and “Table 1” with the 4 agents we know about and a space for the redacted agent (not necessarily an ingredient per se):
Ingredients tested:Wheat Gluten,Corn Gluten,
Rice Protein Concentrate,Soy Protein Concentrate
AGENTS:
Melamine
Cyanuric Acid
Ammeline
Ammelide
# # #*
* #.(EVIDENTLY REDACTED)
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/protsurv.html
(3) The memo above above then goes on to reference “GC-MS Screen for Melamine and Cyanuric Acid”, which is the protocol required for testing by the FDA:
See Section C: Instrument Parameters
This chart is abridged:
Group:
Urea / Biuret
Cyanuric Acid
Ammelide
Ammeline
Melamine
Benzoguanamine
Note that the footnote under Urea/Biuret says the following: Urea and Biuret are not formally part of the screen but they are related to the compounds of interest and may be detected.
Also note that benzoguanamine is described as a STANDARD used in testing, as described in the document.
See Section D. Peak Identification and Results
The approximate retention times of the tri-TMS derivatives are as follows (minutes):
Cyanuric Acid 9.2
Ammelide 10.0
Ammeline 10.7
|Melamine 11.2
Benzoguanamine 13.4 (di-TMS derivative)
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/GCMSscreen.htm
Comment by Maureen — June 5, 2007 @ 10:22 am
Coca Cola is spending $20 million to clean up seven of the worlds rivers:
(Now what have we been hearing about the negative effects of Soda Drinks?)
From Beijing:
…..Clay said Coca-Cola was encouraging sugar cane producers to conserve water, and was looking at sugar alternatives.
Though Isdell played down the China connection, saying the initiative was a global effort, water is a major problem for the Asian country. Scarce across much of its north and polluted and overused elsewhere, water could constrain China’s future development if not effectively managed, environmentalists say…..
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19045993/
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 10:28 am
Well - apparently IAMS seems to think the pet food recall issue is all over and done with - they have certainly buried the information on their website - they recently sent me an email with their latest propaganda about how great their pet food is which is why it is “recommended by 4 out of 5 veterinarians, as confirmed by a recent survey” and all their food has a money back guarantee. Does me a lot of good if it poisons my pets doesn’t it. After all the things I have learned during this recall - from my own research and from information on this and other websites, I will not be feeding my furbabies IAMS.
Comment by Deborah — June 5, 2007 @ 10:36 am
I sent a copy of this link (reporting acetominophen) to my vet. As usual - with word being slow to get out - I figure at least WE can help keep our vets informed.
Comment by The OTHER Pat — June 5, 2007 @ 10:45 am
Once again - what about Del Monte? They currently have a shipment of poisoned gluten waiting at a warehouse with their address on it- which they say they did not order or purchase. Whoops - someone just sent it to them as a gift.
Comment by Kristi — June 5, 2007 @ 10:47 am
Where does Benzoguanamine come into the recall?
Comment by Jill — June 5, 2007 @ 10:48 am
From itchmo
The governor of Hawaii (pictured in red suit) has signed a bill to make intentional cruelty against animals a felony. This means that anyone who tortures, mutilates or poisons a pet could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Fine idea and that means that if any poison is still on the shelf in Hawaii and it kills or sickens a pet then the arrests can finally start!
I would devote my life to inventing new therapy and machines to keep some of the people alive long enough to serve the *very* long prison sentences they so richly deserve!
And at 10 grand a death I think even Purina and Iams would feel the sting.
Comment by E. Hamilton — June 5, 2007 @ 10:50 am
Comment by Jill — June 5, 2007 @ 10:48 am
“Where does Benzoguanamine come into the recall?”
Benz. is a standard that the lab is asked to add to the testing.
I think I screwed things up with a huge URL in a previous posting. I’m sorry Gina and Christie.
Comment by Maureen — June 5, 2007 @ 10:58 am
Now this is an odd thought. Coca Cola wants to clean up the rivers in China. Does Coca Cola make “Coke” soft drinks in China (have a factory there) and what water do they use in their sodas? If it is water from China’s Rivers - well it might be suspect. Just musings!
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 10:58 am
Comment by Deborah — June 5, 2007 @ 10:36 am
I am freakingly furious about IAMS and their Premium Pet Poison … they have the audacity to have their (beeeeeeep) TV ads out, showing happy healthy little animals, playful, while the voice-over tells me that Iams is for life.
‘For life’ - that’s exactly how long my cats will suffer from the effects of Iams’ blasted greed and carelessness. Quality control my derriere!
If they had reacted in a timely manner, I *would not have fed their poison to my cat while he was already on IV*
Remember how fast they sent out their legal cavalry to Itchmo when he dared to report - in all caution - about the cyanuric acid in an opened bad of dry dog food?
If only they had reacted that fast when they learned about the poison in their food!
If only they would react that fast in compensating pet owners!
If only they would spend their advertisement money in a fund for after-care for compromised pets!
Yeah: Iams - Premium Pet Poison ‘for life’
(snortle)
Comment by MaKo — June 5, 2007 @ 11:01 am
I just reread the Apr. 24th transcript from the FDA press briefing. I’d forgotten this. Will anyone be held responsible for anything in this unconscionable fiasco?
Gina’s question: “Is there a protocol for the disposal of these contaminated ingredients or products? Where is the stuff going after it has been pulled out of the food stream?”
David Elder answers: “The disposition of the recalled material is going to be an obligation of the recalling firm pulling it back and ensuring that it does not reenter any type of food supply, human or animal. And they will need to dispose of it in accordance with State and Federal Environmental Laws. A possible way of doing so could be at a landfill or could be by incineration, but the recalling firm will ensure that the disposition is done appropriately and FDA WILL WITNESS THE DISPOSITION TO MAKE SURE THAT NOTHING GETS BACK OUT THERE INTO THE FOOD SUPPLY.”
Comment by Maureen — June 5, 2007 @ 11:04 am
Coca-Cola to open 6 new bottling plants in China.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Financial Times Ltd.
(From Business Daily Update)
Author: The Coca-Cola Co plans to open six new bottling plants in China, two of which have already been set up and undergoing trial operations, said an official with Coca-Cola China. Zhai Mei said the two bottling plants, one in the northeastern city of Changchun…
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 11:05 am
Comment by Kim — June 5, 2007 @ 9:58 am
Don’t forget Meow Mix. There are reports on various other boards/blogs. I found them back in April. My cats were puking Special Kitty - DRY, back in Feb. My dogs were sick on Beneful too.
Comment by Kat — June 5, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Kat - I haven’t noticed/seen/looked for Meow Mix yet. Consider it ‘on my list’. If you happen to know where reports are, send ‘em my way please. thanks!
Comment by Kim — June 5, 2007 @ 11:14 am
Where is Homeland Security during this crisis?
DHS Wants Cell Phones to Detect Chemical, Radioactive Material
http://tinyurl.com/ypxtrx
Seems that DHS should work on getting a cell phone sensor that would detect poison in our food supply - before we eat the toxic waste? Sounds like a plan to me.
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 11:17 am
DHS has plenty of poison sniffers and damned if I want to pay for modification to MY phone when I am already paying taxes for a do diddly FDA.
Take the money out of the pay of the liars first!
Comment by E. Hamilton — June 5, 2007 @ 11:21 am
More Beef E-Coli woes - sold at Alberstons and….
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19034775/
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 11:30 am
Comment by MaKo — June 5, 2007 @ 11:01 am
I completely agree with you about IAMS - we just missed the bullet on this one - I am so sorry about your babies and all the others that are sick or worse….
IAMS sent out a survey right after the recall started and I took it and told them exactly how I feel about this entire situation…I told them the only way to ever even attempt to earn back trust was to own up to what has happened, put processes in place to insure it doesn’t happen again and to take RESPONSIBILITY and I felt they and the other companies involved should setup a fund to compensate pet parents for treatment for the affected pets and to pay for testing for all pets who ate the foods….OF COURSE I AM SURE THEIR MARKETING DEPARTMENT COMPLETELY DELETED MY SURVEY RESPONSES…..
What bothers me most with these companies is that they are not stepping up and taking responsibility….they keep blaming everyone else….well it’s their product on the shelf so ultimately it’s their RESPONSIBILITY….it’s such a simple concept - “Personal Responsibility - Corporate Responsibility” but unfortunately it just doesn’t fit with “Corporate Greed” - let’s get rich and who cares about the consequences…..we’ll let someone else clean it up or pay the price….
Comment by Deborah — June 5, 2007 @ 11:32 am
Turkey waste will power electric plants. And here is another reason not to sell toxic food to turkeys:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18847427/
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 11:40 am
Iams had $5 off coupons in the Sunday paper this weekend, off of 4lb bags! They’re practically giving it away. They should be using this slogan - “We kill pets for cheap”. ::::sigh::::
Comment by Kim — June 5, 2007 @ 11:41 am
Huh, you know what, I might use those coupons to buy some bags (there were 3 coupons in the Parade section) - just to keep those bags away from any other pets whose owners don’t know any better.
Comment by Kim — June 5, 2007 @ 11:43 am
Every Iams ad I see on TV just infuriates me more!
Where were the ads saying what sypmtoms to look for?
How many pets are *still* suffering and the owners have no idea what is wrong?
How many deaths could Iams taking action have prevented?
How mush pain could *any* pet food company doing the right thing have spared us?
How many months have we begged and pleaded, to no avail?
The tests are being done, by citizens, at their own expense because this parasites cannot be trusted to even clean up their own mess.
Iams must *enjoy* inflicting pain and death because they have done nothing, nada, zip to stop it.
Well, I tell every single human being I can reach about it, I carry print outs with info and hand them out.
Iams has given me a new hobby, how much money can I stop people from giving them for poison and death and suffering. Everyday, *every single day* I do not sleep until I have cost them at least one customer and then I hand the tools to that former customer to inform others.
The money that paid for just one, just *one*, of those TV ads could have stopped so much suffering.
Comment by E. Hamilton — June 5, 2007 @ 11:50 am
Chinese pharmaceutical companies also have taken over much of the world market in the production of antibiotics, analgesics, enzymes and primary amino acids. According to an industry group, China makes 70 percent of the world’s penicillin, 50 percent of its aspirin and 35 percent of its acetaminophen (often sold under the brand name Tylenol), as well as the bulk of vitamins A, B12, C and E.
http://tinyurl.com/2e8wk6
Comment by Steve — June 5, 2007 @ 12:07 pm
Pfizer Central Research, did a study on acetaminophe poisoning in dogs, rabbits, rats and monkeys. Dogs did not do so good:
“Of the four species, the dog hepatocytes exhibited the highest level of APAP-induced cytotoxicity.”
The Hepatocytes are the chief functional cells of the liver and perform an astonishing number of metabolic, endocrine and secretory functions. Roughly 80% of the mass of the liver is contributed by hepatocytes.
The stuff is just as toxic to dogs as cats.
Comment by Kristi — June 5, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
“However, a 20-pound dog would have to eat more than 6.5 pounds of food in 24 hours to be poisoned, unless it ate the same contaminated food daily”.
Quote by Dr. Wilson Rumbeiha, a Michigan State University pathologist, who is working with the FDA on the pet food contamination investigation.
This is info I found American Veterinary Medical Association website on Acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen (Tylenoltm) -XXX Top
XXX - Emergency! XX - Highly Dangerous X - Dangerous
Tylenol is, of course, a human over-the-counter analgesic medicine used to relieve pain. In people, after the pills are taken, the ingredients are broken down in the body by enzymes in the liver. In people, Tylenol is generally a safe and useful painkiller. Cats, however, have less of the enzyme required to detoxify the drug following ingestion. As a result, there are many dangerous metabolites, or break-down products of acetaminophen that bind to red blood cells and other tissue cells, resulting in the destruction of these cells. There may also be direct damage to tissue cells from the painkiller. As little as one regular strength tablet (325 mg) can poison a cat to the degree that it can develop noticeable clinical signs of illness. Two extra-strength tablets are likely to kill a cat. Dogs (particularly small dogs) are also susceptible to significant tissue damage from as little as two regular strength Tylenol and repeated doses increase the risk significantly. Signs develop quickly and can include salivation, vomiting, weakness and abdominal pain.
Due to the significant toxicity to pets in relatively minimal dosages, the recommendation is clear - Tylenol should not be given to dogs or cats. Other, safer, drugs are available for pain relief; talk to your veterinarian about your own pet’s specific needs.
It looks like tylenol is dangerous to dogs too. Why is it I can’t read anything any more with out researching to see if it’s the truth? Perhaps we have a reason to be paranoid. Any time news comes out about the pet food, we only hear part of the truth or a complete lie (16 deaths) in the news. And the same goes for human food. I am disgusted by the propaganda they feed us about all of this. I am grateful to Pet Connection and Itchmo for telling us the truth.
Comment by Ann Jackson — June 5, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
A qualifier - acetaminophen is super toxic to dogs, and off-the-charts toxic to cats.
Comment by Kristi — June 5, 2007 @ 12:25 pm
Good for you E.!!!
Comment by Kim — June 5, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
Comment by Donna — June 5, 2007 @ 9:53 am
so right! i think my head explosion happened before i finished the sentence . . .
Comment by straybaby — June 5, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
I’m a little confused here. Has dry IAMS for dogs tested positive for any toxic poison?
I know ITCHMO was requesting an unopened bay of the 20lbs size dog food…..
And another question, who is putting this pain killer in the IAMS and I didn’t think they got their products from China? Do they?
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
I think we are jumping to the conclusion that the bag with the acetaminophen is IAMS. I still have money on my favorite: Del Monte.
Comment by Kristi — June 5, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
Thanks. I’m on hold with IAMS right now to ask about where their Corn Gluten comes from. I did read the info. at ITCHMO on the lab tests etc. IAMS says that all of their products are manufactured in the U.S. but I do wonder if any ingredients come from China. They say they do not use Wheat Gluten or Rice Protein Concentrate but are silent as to the Corn Gluten. And I didn’t see much recall news on the website at all - but I could have missed it. Their site says a wait no longer than 2 minutes but so far its been fifteen.
I also e-mailed Coca Cola to find out where the Coke we buy in the U.S. is manufactured and if any ingredients come from China…
Could some Chinese manufacturers be dumping anything “white” into their glutens? Such a scary thought - what color is arsenic?
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
New 30 minute melamine-cyanuric acid lab test (reduced from 6 hours).
Applied Biosystems today announced the release of a new food testing method intended to help public health laboratories and food manufacturers improve food safety. The new method to test for the chemicals melamine and cyanuric acid, called Food Testing Method for Melamine and Cyanuric Acid, is designed to increase the accuracy and reduce the amount of time to identify the harmful food contaminants melamine and cyanuric acid from 30 minutes to less than six minutes.
More here: http://tinyurl.com/2avgup
Comment by Nadine Long — June 5, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
Coca-Cola’s establishing additional plants in China?! *sigh* Thank goodness I recently decided to kick my caffeine habit, eh?
No purchases from Menu, Iams, Nutro (they killed my kitten!), now Coca-Cola…. why, my shopping list just keeps getting easier and easier! :)
Comment by A.C. — June 5, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
Why just Coke? Think of all the other beverages! I checked a large number of shelves at WalMart yesterday and just about everything is from China! WalMart is simply an overpriced “dollar store”! A toxic dump. I wonder if the EPA someday will deem WalMart locations as Superfund sites. (Interesting connotation in semantics!)
Comment by Nadine Long — June 5, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
I just spoke with IAMS. About the green bag dog food, the lady said that none of their products are sourced outside the U.S. She said that even the Corn Gluten is made in the U.S. as well as all vitamins. No ingredients are from China. She also said that they have tested everything and their tests show no toxics.
Their only problem was the wet from MENU.
Now if this is true, then the problem is a U.S. problem and could it be terrorism?????? Remember the Anthrax? Or someone pulling a cruel joke like what happened with the Tylenol murders. Stranger things have happened!
I’m just not sure we know enough to blame IAMS. I only asked about the Green Bag Dog Food IAMS.
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
Nadine comment 1:17 pm
Well I wondered about the water source in Coke because I found and posted an article where Coca Cola is cleaning up polluted rivers around the globe (Spending 20 million and usually a company will not clean something up unless it helps them in some way) and in particular China where they own many bottling plants (6 and maybe more)- and I wondered what Water they put in the Coke they sell…..
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
I am still curious on how pet food companies can make the claim of no ingredients sourced outside the US.
I recall several people stating on these blogs that certain ingredients were not even available in the US. Taurine for one.
Any thoughts?
Comment by Donna — June 5, 2007 @ 1:23 pm
Turn on Ophrey..
Comment by Bee — June 5, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
Here’s Taurine for Sale - Alibaba and it has arsenic in it.
http://tinyurl.com/2mcakg
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
Turn on Oprah…
Comment by Bee — June 5, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
What’s on Oprah. I don’t get it here at work or at 1:30 pm PDT
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 1:30 pm
Linda,
This taurine has arsenic in it and “As a kind of food additive, taurine is widely used in infant dairy products and drinks.” Wonderful!
Comment by Robert — June 5, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
I have wondered for a long time why we were “soft peddling” this situation with China and the toxic food.
Trying to make a bad situation good, or a scary situation a little better….China is a dragon with one very long fiery breath…..sparks of war?
http://tinyurl.com/26ulep
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
Remember that in sufficient quantities acetaminophen/Tylenol is toxic to people too. People have died from taking too much of what is thought of as an innocent pain reliever. People who have compromised liver function (like heavy drinkers) are especially vulnerable. According to the Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia, “Acetaminophen overdose is one of the most common poisonings worldwide.”
A reminder to never, ever, exceed the dosage amount or frequency on any kind of medicine, vitamin, or supplement—for humans or others.
Comment by Debra — June 5, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
Robert - I thought the same thing.
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
I am so sad to have to say this, but I don’t know if we can even be sure that what the pet food companies tell us when we correspond with them is the truth anymore. I don’t suggest that the folks manning the phone lines would purposely say something they knew to be a lie, but face it, they are mainly customer service reps and PR folks who are just saying what they are told the facts are by higher ups. I am at the point that unless I am speaking to the owner of the company or to the guy in the lab coat who has actually done the tests on the ingredients, I am still suspicious about what is in the pet food and where it actually came from. It’s a terrible feeling to be this cynical, but for me it has come to this after the events of the last three months.
Comment by elizabeth R. — June 5, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
I have to give My cat Taurine. I get it at the vets. The cat has a bad heart. I thought I was saving him. Now i’m not so sure. this is what web site is on the bottle. Let Me know what You all think?
http://www.petag.com
It doesn’t even sound good.
Comment by Trudy Jackson — June 5, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
Trudy….Ummmmmmm…………
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 1:48 pm
My daughter just bought some hamburg at Wal-Mart. All it says is- all natural ground beef chuck. Should i be worried? I don’t eat it, but they do. the numbers don’t match any i’ve seen, but i live on the east coast, Not out west?
Comment by Trudy Jackson — June 5, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
You mean the E-Coli? I think it was at Albertsons and some Valu Mart but not “Wal Mart”…..when in doubt I call the store.
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
I’m just not sure we know enough to blame IAMS. I only asked about the Green Bag Dog Food IAMS.
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
Linda,
I blame Iams for the ‘select bites’ pouches which were manufactured by Menu. Since Iams has not exactly been forthcoming with what other foods are produced where by whom, I simply apply the ‘you don’t tell - you have something to hide’ logic.
The itchmo-cease-and-desist-lawyer-letter showed me that my suspicions are probably not unfounded: there was no ‘look, we do this here and that there, and here is this and that’, there was only:’keep your mouth shut! That’s rumours! Nothing to see here…’
Trust-inspiring it is *not*.
I said it before, and I repeat myself here, but almost 5000 (self-reported) dead animals tell me ‘guilty until proven innocent’.
Additionally, I am not a court of law, I am a consumer. I don’t need ‘beyond reasonable doubt’, for me suspicion is enough - and there is enough suspicion.
Comment by MaKo — June 5, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
I’m not sure that even food companies know where their ingredients are coming from anymore. There are so many layers of suppliers that it seems easy to disguise the point of origination. Doesn’t excuse them - they should be darn sure they know where their stuff comes from. We’re so obsessed now with saving a buck that health and safety are totally compromised.
Comment by Carol — June 5, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
I don’t know about the IAMS Green Bag and I was feeding it to my dogs before the recall - and they were drinking lots of water and getting bloated so I stopped feeding it. I do wonder and that was why I called. But just based upon the information she gave me on the phone, nothing from China, then I do have more questions.
Now the pouches are something different.
I’d like more information. But If I am in doubt, I don’t feed it.
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
Well, like I’ve said, I was feeding Hills Z/D when My cats got so sick and some died. And last week, one cupful of Beneful and My dog ended up in the hospital. none of these have been recalled.
Comment by Trudy Jackson — June 5, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
My post at 1:18 about IAMS. They use Corn Meal not corn gluten. Don’t know if that matters or not….the way things are switched around, products are supposed to be xyz and turn out to be zyx…
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
Trudy why did your dog end up in the hospital from the one cup of Beneful?
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
Kim: I’ll look for the link. I have a HUGE history file… may take awhile. I know I saw it in 3 or 4 places. One site had numerous comments about various brands making their pets sick.
Also, seeing the $5 off IAMS — HEB had pork on sale about a week before the feed contamination went public.
Comment by Kat — June 5, 2007 @ 2:13 pm
Beneful *killed* my dog.
Comment by E. Hamilton — June 5, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
What did Purina say when you called them about the origin of their ingredients? China or U.S. Some of this problem could be a U.S. problem, just a thought:
Beneful:
Ground yellow corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole wheat flour, beef tallow preserved with mixed-tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), rice flour, beef, soy flour, sugar, sorbitol, tricalcium phosphate, water, animal digest, salt, phosphoric acid, potassium chloride, dicalcium phosphate, sorbic acid (a preservative), L-Lysine monohydrochloride, dried peas, dried carrots, calcium carbonate, calcium propionate (a preservative), choline chloride, vitamin supplements (E, A, B-12, D-3), added color (Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 2), DL-Methionine, zinc sulfate, glyceryl monostearate, ferrous sulfate, niacin, manganese sulfate, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, biotin, thiamine mononitrate, garlic oil, copper sulfate, pyridoxine
hydrochloride, folic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, sodium selenite.
F-4090
http://beneful.com/products/original.aspx
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
Beneful is one of the nastiest products ever to poison a pet and I tell every human being I meet how nasty and deadly it is, foul and unclean is what it is and those that produce it are beyond any forgiveness.
Comment by E. Hamilton — June 5, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
Linda, My husband bought the Beneful by mistake. So I took one cup and mixed it in with their dog food. He vommited all night and all that day. We have 4 dogs, but I’m sure He got most of it. The vet has Him on meds, after keeping Him for awile. The vet did say it must have been something He ate. You think???
Comment by Trudy Jackson — June 5, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
Animal digest is rendered animals.
Nasty.
Comment by E. Hamilton — June 5, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
One cup, gads. Your dog is small yes?
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
And the picture on the package just looks so good….yummy….
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
I am not saying the IAMS is the product that tested positive for the acetaminophen. What I am saying is that I do not like the way they have responded to the entire situation from the beginning. I was feeding my little ones IAMS and the company knew that because I was signed up for their email newsletter. THEY DID NOT SEND ME INFO BY EMAIL REGARDING THE RECALL - I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT OVER THE INTERNET (OUR NEWS MEDIA HERE IN NEW MEXICO HASN’T COVERED IT EITHER AND I HAVE CONTACTED THEM ALL - apparently it isn’t as important as Paris H, Britney or Aliens)
But after I sent them an email asking questions about the recall - they have had no problem sending me lots of “propaganda” regarding how safe their food is. So what I am saying is - WHY DO BUSINESS WITH A COMPANY THAT BEHAVES THIS WAY….SHAME ON THEM!
PET FOOD COMPANIES DO THE RIGHT THING - SHOW SOME COMPASSION - USING THE MONEY THAT HAS BEEN BUDGETED FOR ALL THOSE LARGE AD COMPAIGNS TO COVER COSTS FOR ALL THOSE AFFECTED AND TO MAKE SURE THIS DOESN’T HAPPEN AGAIN - WILL DO MUCH MORE THAN ALL THE “CUTE” TV COMMERCIALS IN THE WORLD……
WE HAVE THE REAL POWER - NO MORE MONEY TO THESE COMPANIES….
Comment by Deborah — June 5, 2007 @ 2:34 pm
I just called Purina and asked about their Beneful and specifically their corn gluten and if any other of their ingredients are from China (if any). I got a call center - she didn’t know but would find out and call me back in 7 to 10 days (and long nights) but some products are from the global market - which ones she did not know, but she would find out.
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 2:38 pm
Yes, Linda, it was a little Doxie.
Comment by Trudy Jackson — June 5, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
Soooo sad. Poor baby. Well something in it is not right and I wonder what I will be told when they call back. I had to give them almost my life story including address etc….
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
What do the rest of You think of this web site?
http://www.petag.com
Thanks,
Comment by Trudy Jackson — June 5, 2007 @ 2:42 pm
Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
Agree—-I blogged here the other day about Coke, all sodas and the origin of “prepackaged” water. U.S. company with plastic bottling facility in China can offer cheaper bottled product. I gave thought especially to the beverages that are “flavored” water or sparkling water mixed products—-actually not being simply water, the labeling criteria may be such that the country of origin of the water is not required!
Comment by Nadine Long — June 5, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
Nadine:
Ewwww……prepackaged water from China??????? Gag a maggot. Am I correct in this assumption????
And then I posted earlier today about some by-products can’t be purified out of the water - namely some NPE in detergent - and then it seems that water even though supposedly purified could still be toxic and with arsenic too……
I knew an ingredient of Soda was harmful but not that Coke had bottling plants in China so they have to use Chinese water right?
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 2:57 pm
Linda,
RE: Iams and Eukanuba
I questioned vet services several months ago and I know others have written on the blog that they have contacted them in the past two weeks.
They told me: the ingredients are supplied by a US distributor….and they are US product. They told me they do not test, they rely upon the distributor to do the testing. I asked about the corn in Euk. I was told it was US corn supplied by a US distributor. So either they are changing their story re:testing …or the persons who were spoken to in the last two months had the wrong info.
I didn’t feel comfortable with hearing a US distributor - knowing the way things have gone the last two months with US distributors like CN for instance. And, if something should be wrong with their product - you know it will be the distributors fault. You might want to ask who the distributors are.
When I asked about source and type re: fish meal, fish oil, vitamins and minerals, etc. I was told it was proprietary info.
Has anyone else spoken with Iams?
Katie
Comment by Katie — June 5, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
Ewwww is right!!!
No one has ever questioned any of this—-any pet food or our own food and beverages. My WalMart visit got me thinking: Where is Sam’s Club soda canned if everything else in the place is from China! What about drinks like Vitamin Water? I can’t even bring myself to buy any of that now.
Comment by Nadine Long — June 5, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
Nadine: The pakages look so pretty.
Katie, oh my. I shudder to think. I was feeding IAMS to my dogs - all except one who had a stomach problem. I think this poison was in almost everything at one time. I’m hoping it’s out now but one really doesn’t know.
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 3:12 pm
I can’t stand this worry all over again. two of four cats have been throwing up this week - one had the runs too. I took him in for testing, but I didn’t know about this. I wonder what kind of testing they would do and if it would be different than the regular blood tests. He also seemed to have abdominal pain during the exam. :(
Comment by Boopadaboo — June 5, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
All of our nerves are about frazzled by now, Boo. It’s the never-ending recall……
I hope your cats get better soon. Hang in there.
Comment by Ann Jackson — June 5, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
Nadine,
Here’s my beverage knowledge . . . Sam’s club soda is bottled by Cott, a Canadian company with production facilities in the US. Vitamin Water is produced by Glaceau based in NY (who was recently purchased by Coke).
Coke products sold in the US are manufactured in the US. There is one exception with Coke. Some distributors in a very limited number of cities import Coke from Mexico. It is made with real sugar instead of HFCS (which is in US products).
However, the ingredients may still come from outside the US.
Comment by Donna — June 5, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
Why would you want to speak with Iams? It is poison, they know it is poison and they are lying pet poisoners.
That pretty much ends the need for anything but a boycott and legal action and criminal charges.
Comment by E. Hamilton — June 5, 2007 @ 3:28 pm
It is my strong opinion that Beneful also killed one of my dogs, caused a 2nd one to start having seizures and the remaining two to vomit bile and all 4 to develop weakness in their hindquarters and become lethargic. This was before the recalls and my vet thought they had been poisoned. Now I know that they had been but it was from their dog food.
Comment by Sandy C — June 5, 2007 @ 3:33 pm
Donna,
Thanks for the info. Cott, a Canadian company with manufacturing facilities in the US? And their ingredients are brokered by a supplier from the Netherlands through a trading company from India who gets product from China? Just kidding. But you get the gyst. Kinda like Menu Foods?
Comment by Nadine Long — June 5, 2007 @ 3:35 pm
New E-Coli Warning: Freshwater beaches (not salt water - fresh)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19053410/
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
Comment by Boopadaboo — June 5, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
“I wonder what kind of testing they would do”
If your concern is with the acetaminophen disclosure today, I would call and mention this news to the vet. The vet should be familiar with symptoms of this type poisoning and will take the appropriate measures. I believe they can tell from a blood test, symptoms, exposure, etc.
Most of all, call you vet and tell him about this news. I feel pretty certain that this news is not widely know at this point in the vet community.
Hope your cats are feeling much better very soon!!!
Comment by Donna — June 5, 2007 @ 3:42 pm
Management of ACETAMINOPHEN poisoning in cats and dogs—-from the ASPCA
http://tinyurl.com/2g4gwc
Comment by Nadine Long — June 5, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
But how could it have gotten in the pet food? Do you think from the U.S. something like product tampering or what, the alternative is so scary that it is difficult to entertain….
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
I have an unopened bag of Beneful poison and bulletproof proof of when and where I bought it and it is going to the lawyer or itchmo or whoever will use the testing to *hang* Purina high and get this poison off the market for good.
I also have several other Purina Poison products and chain of custody is strong and will be used to stop Purina from making claims of a safe product.
IT IS POISON, IT KILLS, PURINA KNOWS IT KILLS AND I HAVE THE PROOF!!!!
Purina does not have *enough* money to buy *me* off because what I want is not money.
I want, I *demand* justice.
Comment by E. Hamilton — June 5, 2007 @ 4:21 pm
‘course it is scary just by the nature of having poison in pet food, whether it is intended, a mistake, or lack of oversight.
Getting pretty depressed on how our sweet darlings are having to suffer and die because the government doesn’t care enough and the companies put money over integrity.
However, I knew from the beginning that we bloggers would make a difference, because bloggers were responsible for the Attorney General being investigated. The committee in charge could not ignore all the bloggers!
Comment by Evelyn — June 5, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
Linda RE how could it have gotten in the pet food
Sabotage is one possibility. IMO, the pet food companies were spiking food with cyanuric acid, in the same manner as the Chinese were spiking gluten with melamine. Acetaminophen and cyanuric acid are shipped by the box car load, and packaged in the same plants before futher distribution. My take is the cyanuric acid the pet food companies were spiking the food with was cross contaminated with acetaminophen. No big deal if it goes in the swimming pool. Financial suicide and no insurance coverage if it goes in pet food. You’re basically looking at billions in losses without an effective cover up. It’s the difference between saying they didn’t know the legal gluten had melamine in it and saying they didn’t know the cyanuric acid they were illegally using to falisfy protein content was contaminated with acetaminophen.
Pet owners would be the new owners of the companies and all the execs would be doing prison time.
Comment by Don — June 5, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
Don,
I have an unopened bag of beneful, cans of other pet foods, pouches and receipts for everything, a whole collection of poison and I want it OUT of my house and into hands that can use it to hang these poisoners.
Do you have any idea of what would be the MOST effective use for this toxic waste?
You can contact me at the forums on itchmo by PM tomorrow.
I have been wondering if I should offer this crap to lawyer who are pursuing class action but I will send it to ANYONE who will use it to pursue criminal charges as a first choice.
Comment by E. Hamilton — June 5, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
Ewwww……prepackaged water from China??????? Gag a maggot. Am I correct in this assumption????
Comment by Linda*********
Double ewww. Heck, we could probably grow our own maggots in that stuff.
There are actually lots of countries whose water isn’t nearly as pristine as some of ours. I say some, because even here in Oregon, we have some bad water situations. Like in Portland, OR, raw sewage gets dumped into the river quite frequently. Portland has what is called a combined sewer system. Which means when it rains, the storm overflow goes into the sewer drains, combines with the untreated sewage and flows right on out to the river. There are definitely times when that cool looking river really shouldn’t be used as a swimming hole, lol..
It would take a novel to explain why there has been no overhaul of this system, nor will there likely be (no matter what they claim), nor are extreme fines part of the plan. Despite all the neat provisions of the Clean Water Act. And we aren’t the only major city with that kind of sewage drain system.
But to my knowledge, that water isn’t going into Coca Cola; well, at least I’d hope not without being purified, another ewww (now where exactly WAS the Coke bottling plant I used to see over on the east side of Portland?)!
Comment by TC — June 5, 2007 @ 5:14 pm
How many millions of dollars do you suppose has been used at tax payer expense without finding what a hand full of private citizens were able to uncover for around a thousand dollars?
Keep in mind boys and girls the same labs that in three months have been helpless to discover what is in a tin of cat food would be our first line of defense in the event of a biological or chemical weapons attacks.
Gosh, I feel safer already.
Comment by Don — June 5, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
Comment by Don — June 5, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
I guess I’m on information overload — so cyanuric acid can be use to falsify protein levels?
Comment by Donna — June 5, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
Some elements and toxic by-products can’t be purified from water like the NPE’s…..ewwwwwww….
Wait a minute - am I mistaken or missing something..I thought it was China that was putting the pool waste in the glutens - we’re doing it too?
Oh, we’re probably stuffing the glutens with all sorts of strange things too - sickening - haven’t you just wondered how the pet food package labels could report such high protein percentages? They should have put from toxic waste though to be really correct.
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
Have they found Arsenic yet in any pet food? It’s white but I read where it turns gray or black ….starts out white and I’m not sure if it turns gray or black in short order or under heat or what….anything white and deadly seems to show up in pet food.
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 6:06 pm
My list of links for Kim has been ~floating~ around in the ~SPAM~ folder for a couple of hours…
Comment by Kat — June 5, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
I can not be sure what happened because our dog was sickened in March, before all of this came out. His symptoms did not really fit the previous ones listed. But they are almost identical to what is listed for acetaminophen. His liver test is still slightly off. He was drooling, staring, sluggish, acting weird, licking the carpet, ect. His skin is also affected altho I do not see that as a symptom. I wish I would have saved that bag of food!
Comment by DMS — June 5, 2007 @ 7:15 pm
DMS - what were you feeding your dog?
Comment by Kristi — June 5, 2007 @ 7:20 pm
More horrible news (when will it end???). My heart goes out to pet owners affected by the tainted pet foods.
Trackback link:
http://tinyurl.com/23nf9u
Comment by karen — June 5, 2007 @ 7:34 pm
Hi everyone- Not to get too much off topic but all 3 of my dogs have symptoms in the past 2 wks. The chihuahua was running a low fever, lethargic, urinating frequently & had elevated bilirubin, ggtp & eosinohils. Also urine not concentrating & blood in the urine.
The beagle is having accidents in the house & the lab mix was having the runs. I had tried Timberwolf venison & lamb, Wellness supermix lamb & wellness supermix chicken, Canidae lamb, & Evangers pheasant dry foods recently. Can’t prove its due to 1 of the foods but the vet isn’t finding anything else. Just wanted to give you a heads up.
Comment by Leslie k — June 5, 2007 @ 7:57 pm
Beautiful kitty & blog, Karen! Thanks!!
Comment by Kat — June 5, 2007 @ 8:04 pm
E.
You’re right about Iam’s; but I wondered how many other stories they might be spining on the phone lines.
My dog got sick, all the symptoms back in Feb. My vet said food - but it was before the recalls - thought she had gotten into poison. Euk hasn’t been recalled so… but when I stopped feeding it March 28th and put her on home cooked - the symptoms disappeared. Now she’s left pre renal. Has had blood in her urine. Home cooked is now a kidney diet. I still blame her food. Unfortunately, I have food but no bag, no lot#. I’m still going to have it tested for my peace of mind.
Leslie:
My dog had low fever, heavy panting(which vet now believes was do to pain in gut or kidney) excessive water intake, SpG is running 1.011 and last urine was 3+ for blood and RBC’s on the micro. BUN is just outside of normal range. Urine culture negative. Be sure and ask your vet about a culture. Some dogs have had UTI and kidney infections.
Katie
Comment by Katie — June 5, 2007 @ 8:38 pm
Animals give and receive love, they have souls, and go into God’s arms when they leave this earth, and there they wait for us.
Things do not think and love and feel and hurt and cry and become depressed and comfort etc - family members do.
To call them anything less is a dishonor to the heavens above and to what we know to be true in our hearts and souls.
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 8:45 pm
Ooops sorry wrong thread. Oh well!
Comment by Linda — June 5, 2007 @ 8:45 pm
Trudy,
Taruine is essential to a cat’s diet (cats in the wild get it from their prey). Do a Google search for taurine and cats and you’ll find a ton of information. Lack of it can cause serious heart problems or blindness. And it’s virtually impossible to meet the requirement with a cooked homemade diet.
At the Itchmo forums, someone was able to locate a non-Chinese source of Traurine: the brand name is NOW and it can be ordered through a lot of on-line health shops if you can’t find it locally. The NOW brand of taurine is made in Japan. Who would have guessed that we’d be thrilled to find a product made in Japan??
Comment by Ticocats — June 5, 2007 @ 8:57 pm
Leslie - thanks for the info, I hope your dogs get better soon, please keep us updated.
Comment by Kim — June 5, 2007 @ 9:25 pm
Oh no Kat… :-( FEel free to email me if you still have the link pft @ playingbig.com
Comment by Kim — June 5, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
DMS - what were you feeding your dog?
Comment by Kristi — June 5, 2007 @ 7:20 pm
=================
I hate to admit it, but I had run out of his normal food and was feeding him Ol’ Roy dry because I could not get to the pet store. I have never seen this on a recall list, but switched him back to Nutro Lamb and Rice dry after he came home from the vet. He was actually put on Hill’s for Sensitive Stomach by the vet for about a week afterwards. Now I am hearing so much about Nutro, but reluctant to switch him. I briefly did switch to an organic when the incidents related to Nutro first surfaced a couple weeks ago, but I think he was allergic to the chicken. He got horribly itchy and was sneezing the next day. He is a sensitive fox terrier, but from late December to March he was definitely suffering from something, as of yet identified by our vet. I can not remember the name of the elevated liver enzyme or precursor to a liver enzyme. His was way off the charts in March and is just above high-normal now. It has come down about 200 or so points. I will check with the vet again and get the name of the test.
Comment by DMS — June 5, 2007 @ 9:48 pm
Kim: Don’t have it. I never did find the exact site I was looking for, but found plenty of others referencing Beneful, Special Kity, Meow Mix & seems another one or two. I spent HOURS! And, it is all gone. Do not have time to go look all that up again. Sorry.
Comment by Kat — June 5, 2007 @ 9:50 pm
Kim: I started looking everything up at Comment by Kat — June 5, 2007 @ 2:13 pm
Then posted around 5:30 PM. Spent all that time looking those links up. Just when I hit the enter key I thought — “ah, man you shoulda saved it”.
Bryant came home this evening. Next chance to look all that up will probably be Fri or Sat, unless I do just a few at a time.
Comment by Kat — June 5, 2007 @ 9:55 pm
*New York Firm Recalls Chicken Products For Possible Listeria Contamination*
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_...../index.asp
WASHINGTON, June 5, 2007 - The Really Cool Food Company, a Syosset, N.Y., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 140 pounds of chicken products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
The following products are subject to recall:
12-ounce trays of “STOP & SHOP All Natural Grilled Balsamic Flavored Chicken Breast, ALL-NATURAL CHEF PREPARED READY-TO-HEAT MEALS.” Each label bears the establishment number “P-33912” inside the USDA mark of inspection and a “Sell-by” date of “6/12/07.”
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.
Comment by Kat — June 5, 2007 @ 10:13 pm
Kat - your search engine history should have a record of the websites you visited today - maybe? If not, don’t worry, I’ll go google them later.
Comment by Kim — June 5, 2007 @ 10:15 pm
ExperTox has tested over a dozen samples now, even one from a manufacturer (!) says ABC:
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/st.....id=5366430
The highest level of acetaminophen contamination came from a sample sent in by a manufacturer. It tested at 2 milligrams of the painkiller per gram of dog food.
Due to a confidentiality agreement, the lab can not reveal which pet food samples tested positive for the drugs. At least one sample was Pet Pride cat food. All test results were reported to the pet food makers, which should have been reported to the FDA.
Comment by Kat — June 5, 2007 @ 10:31 pm
My history for yesterday (now 12:33 AM here) is over 100 URL’s
Comment by Kat — June 5, 2007 @ 10:34 pm
I’ll start digging & weeding tomorrow. I’ll post on MY site & send you an email. I won’t be able to spend any concentrated time on it — again for days.
Back to the room addition while Bryant’s home.
Comment by Kat — June 5, 2007 @ 10:39 pm
Coke as more problems than just pond scum from China being used as a “water source”. Prepare to be amazed by aspartame, 13,000 times sweeter than suger. Studies, reports, FDA, corperations, drug companies, politics and food, it’s in depth, go check it out.
http://www.laleva.cc/food/food.html
Comment by Maudigan — June 5, 2007 @ 10:51 pm
The “abclocal” (KTRK news) story has a very interesting comment:
“All test results were reported to the pet food makers, which should have been reported to the FDA. “
If there is a confidentiality agreement, that would be with the lab and the person who pays for the analysis. Why would the lab report “all” test results to the pet food makers?
Either the reporter made a serious mistake in wording or the lab has breached confidentiality with the pet owner who paid for the test.
Comment by JohnT — June 5, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
Woven Plastic Bag from China
I have seen many bags that hold dry dog food getting switch from the traditional paper bag to a woven plastic bag. I have confirmed that the vast majority of these bags are being imported from China. I have also been informed (and seen pictures) on the lack of cleanliness/standards where these bags are being manufactured. Long story short – it is nasty and I believe if you have seen what I have you would not want your pets eating food that has come out of this imported bag. Am I making a mountain out a mole hill? Or are my concerns valid?
Plastic…melamine…China…pet food…plastic bags…coincidence?
Comment by J. Living — June 6, 2007 @ 4:39 am
What would the symtoms be for a dog or cat if acetaminophen was ingested? Similar to those experienced by the the other 5?
Comment by Maudigan — June 6, 2007 @ 5:13 am
Comment by Linda June 5 2007 8:45pm
Linda you should submit your comment to Trudy Jackson for her book. Brought tears to my eyes. Your comment was awesome.
Comment by VJ — June 6, 2007 @ 6:34 am
I, too, am concerned about imports from China and other foreign countries as far as pet food bags. Is anyone checking to see what is contained in these bags, do they use lead in ink, what kind of adhesive? I think the US has all these regulations to protect our animals, but no one is watching or restricting what is being imported……all suppliers want is cheaper!! Also, these polywoven bags will not recycle in 1,000 years!!
Comment by N. Cauthen — June 6, 2007 @ 6:35 am
Comment by Maudigan — June 6, 2007 @ 5:13 am
This may have been posted before:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/a.....page1.aspx
What to Watch For (with acetaminophen)
The symptoms of acetaminophen toxicity develop in stages. Symptoms may occur more quickly or slowly depending on the amount ingested.
Stage 1 (0-12 hours). Symptoms include vomiting, dullness, difficulty breathing, development of brown-colored gums (instead of a normal pink color) and drooling.
Stage 2 (12-24 hours). Symptoms include swelling of the face, lips and limbs, uncoordinated movements, convulsions, coma and potential death.
Stage 3 (more than 24 hours). Symptoms are associated with liver failure and include a painful belly, jaundice (yellow tinge to gums, eyes and skin) and an inappropriate mental state.
Comment by Donna — June 6, 2007 @ 6:55 am
No Maudigan, except for vomiting, it’s not the same. Itchmo did a good write up with several links here: http://www.itchmo.com/read/res.....s_20070605
Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — June 6, 2007 @ 6:58 am
NOTIFY YOUR LOCAL VETS: ACETAMINOPHEN (TYLENOL)
If your concern is with the acetaminophen disclosure today, I would call and mention this news to the vet. The vet should be familiar with symptoms of this type poisoning and will take the appropriate measures. I believe they can tell from a blood test, symptoms, exposure, etc.
Most of all, call you vet and tell him about this news. I feel pretty certain that this news is not widely know at this point in the vet community.
Hope your cats are feeling much better very soon
Comment by Donna — June 5, 2007 @ 3:42 pm
***********************
I just called my vet office to let them know about the acetaminophen findings in foods. They had not heard a single word, but seemed concerned.
I told them to watch for liver as well as kidney damage and gave them Don’s web site to view the actual lab results to date. I’d given them PC, itchmo, and howl911 when this whole ordeal started.
My neighbor’s dog had diabetes, which was being treated, and the dog developed off-the-charts liver values and had to be put down in mid-February ‘07. I think I know why now. My neighbor’s dog and my dog ate the same brand of never-recalled dry food, which has now been found to contain cyanuric acid. I hope this food is also tested for acetaminophen. My dog died the first week in February.
KEEP YOUR VET OFFICE UPDATED.
Comment by petlover — June 6, 2007 @ 7:05 am
DMS, I strongly suggest you look into home cooking. Pet food has become a waste dumping ground. You have a dog, they are very easy to feed. The worst part is finding the things you will need, but once you have all that it’s a piece of cake. Great sources of info and links here at: http://www.petconnection.com/b.....or-dinner/
Work with your Vet but if they won’t work with you then find a new Vet.
Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — June 6, 2007 @ 7:08 am
DMS - for the love of god, don’t start your dog on Nutro dry kibble (Oatmeal, chicken variety). I used that for 2+ years with no issues until the last 6 months. I assume they switched to cheaper ingredients and got caught up in this thing. My dogs got sick (vomiting frothy stuff DAILY, fantastically increased water intake, bad coats, bad breath, rumbling tummies and more), and survived because I pulled them off it in time (complete accident - dry kibble wasn’t implicated at the time, but my experience culminated in one dog with a day’s worth of god awful frightening “almost lost her” cluster seizures, and she wasn’t normal for almost a week - running into walls, didn’t recognize us, wouldn’t quit pacing, and so on).
I did start homecooking in March, and all symptoms ended immediately (including the vomiting, so it was the food) and that is all I will do now, but there must be some better alternatives out there than Nutro, if you need to continue with a commercial food.
Comment by TC — June 6, 2007 @ 7:22 am
Maybe I am a living relic from another era, but how on earth could a vet not know about the acetaminophen showing up in testing?
When I was a professional, I kept up on EVERYTHING in my area. I mean it - I burned the midnight oil as much as needed to keep up on everything current. Maybe vets don’t give a damn. I know human doctors vary from paying no attention at all to those who are totally responsible and as up to date as possible - hard working, dedicated people.
I am having a hard time finding what I consider to be a competent vet, and that would include being up to date. If I had to inform my vet about acetaminophen, it would go on my list of reasons why I need to keep looking for new one. Sorry, having done this for clients myself, it is just what I expect in return from others who also wish to call themselves professionals. I could be too demanding on that, but honestly, if you care about what you do and your clients, it really isn’t hard at all. You want to know as much as possible.
Comment by TC — June 6, 2007 @ 7:29 am
DMS, just know that I care about all the animals.
Local lab finds pet food contaminated with painkiller
Scientist, vet warn food could kill some pets
KTRK By Laura Whitley (6/05/07 - KTRK/DEER PARK, TX) -
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/st.....id=5366430
“You just thought your pet food was safe. Poison has been found in pet food just months after another scare. A Houston doctor says he’s uncovered pet food contaminated with pain medication.
“The pet food you are feeding your dog and cat could kill them. Experts are now warning that the contaminated pet food scare could be far worse than first thought. We’ve just learned a local lab has found food contaminated with a common pain medication — acetaminophen. That’s a deadly combination for pets.
“The doctor who runs the lab believes the problems with pet food are far from over. His finding has sparked a new federal investigation.
“Just one little acetaminophen pill is enough to kill a cat. But according to the lab, this drug was found in at least a half dozen pet food samples.”
(emphasis mine)
DMS, anybody, everybody, there is no telling what is in any pet food at this time.
Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — June 6, 2007 @ 7:34 am
*****The doctor who runs the lab believes the problems with pet food are far from over. His finding has sparked a new federal investigation.
Comment by Peggy**********
I have thought this was far from over too, but it scares me deeper to hear this lab doctor confirm that he feels the same way.
Comment by TC — June 6, 2007 @ 7:39 am
Comment by TC — June 6, 2007 @ 7:29 am
Your points are well taken. However, I believe that the acetaminophen contamination was first disclosed online only very recently by two pet owners who had their own testing commissioned to an independent lab. That said, veterinarians — and most doctors I’ve gone to — know little about nutrition, and what they do believe about it is false. That veterinarians push these products that are not nutritional is shameful.
The acetaminophen finding shines a bright light, once again, on the FDA. The Texas ABC-TV story that people have posted is the most damning so far about the FDA, imo. Obviously the FDA wants the public to think melamine; your pet is safe, your family is safe, the global companies that bring you this stuff are safe, and profitable beyond comprehension.
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/st.....id=5366430
Comment by Maureen — June 6, 2007 @ 7:41 am
DMS - ditto TC. Read about Nutro dry here
http://petfoodtracker.blogspot.....s-for.html
Those are just *some* of the reports about Nutro, there are a whole lot more.
Comment by Kim — June 6, 2007 @ 7:43 am
Clarification
Someone posted earlier regarding the Houston News report concerning ExperTox Labs and the discovery of acetaminophen in pet food samples.
There was a statement that: “All test results were reported to the pet food makers, which should have been reported to the FDA.” There was some confusion as to whether the pet food makers were receiving the results of all tests or just the results of those samples they submitted.
I spoke with the lab manager this morning who clarified the statement referred to samples submitted to them by pet food makers.
The results of an analysis will only be reported back to the person who submitted and paid for the sample to be done.
ExperTox and AccuTrace are affiliates who are currently testing pet food samples for toxins.
Comment by Donna — June 6, 2007 @ 8:00 am
Important news- I just got word from a girl in MA that Her cat has died eating Artemis cat food. the vet said- Melamine Toxicity. When will this ever end? She is devastated.
Comment by Trudy Jackson — June 6, 2007 @ 8:01 am
THANKS, EVERYONE FOR YOUR FEED BACK ON NUTRO. I HAVE BEEN USING NUTRO NATURAL, NOT NUTRO MAX. BUT I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME COMPANY. I JUST WAS SO LEERY OF SWITCHING HIM AGAIN, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE ALLERGY TO NEUMANS ORAGANICS. HE HAS IMPROVED GREATLY SINCE MARCH, BUT HIS SKIN PROBLEMS PERSIST TO A LESSER DEGREE. I KNOW THIS CAN INDICATE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM. I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING MAKING HIS FOOD. IS THERE ANY COMMERCIAL FOOD YOU WOULD CONSIDER SAFE?
I HEARD ABOUT THE ACETAMINOPHEN IN PET FOOD AND AM STILL SHOCKED—DESPITE ALL THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON. I REALLY HOPE SOMEONE GETS TO THE BOTTOM OF IT. THE REALLY SAD THING IS THAT CITIZENS HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THEIR PET FOOD ANALYZED INDEPENDENTLY INSTEAD OFBEING ABLE TO COUNT ON THE GOVERNMENT BODY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE REGULATING THE FOOD INDUSTRY. I GUESS THERE WEREN’T ANY OBVIOUS “INDICATIONS” FOR THEM. OR DID THEY ALREADY KNOW? HOW INEPT CAN THEY BE?
Comment by DMS — June 6, 2007 @ 8:08 am
Trudy - do you have ANY more information? I’d really like to follow up on this.
Which Artemis food? Wet or dry? Post here please, or email me pft @ playingbig.com
THANK YOU!
Comment by Kim — June 6, 2007 @ 8:08 am
Thanks for that clarification Donna!
Comment by Kim — June 6, 2007 @ 8:09 am
And, one more thing, I am not at all convinced that the food for humans is free of melamine or its byproducts. Who knows what else? Will our government ever get on that one?
Comment by DMS — June 6, 2007 @ 8:09 am
Trudy - another question - has your friend reported this to Artemis and the FDA?
Comment by Kim — June 6, 2007 @ 8:11 am
And one more, how did the vet determine it was ‘melamine toxicity’?
http://www.artemiscompany.com/.....asp?idx=24
Per the company test results all came back negative…
Comment by Kim — June 6, 2007 @ 8:13 am
Kim, I’ll email you the whole story, Trudy
Comment by Trudy Jackson — June 6, 2007 @ 8:17 am
Trudy: If she’s done private testing, Don wants the lab reports on his site too…if possible.
Well — that’s FOUR more RECALLS coming down the pike??
Kim: I’ll start looking more of those links up again & post today. If fact, that will be the only page I will list those comments on. So, check back there.
I’ll keep adding to that list & keep looking for that one site that had a fairly large number of comments. My history file goes back 14 weeks, but I can’t find it. I keep adding to my history list as the weeks progress in this. But, I have a HUGE number of links on here.
Comment by Kat — June 6, 2007 @ 8:25 am
My list from yesterday never did post here. :( When I posted, it was around 5:15 - 5:30. I remember seeing Don’s posts when the page refreshed. I keep looking for it, but evidently they don’t want it here.
Comment by Kat — June 6, 2007 @ 8:27 am
Kat, don’t worry about it… I’ll be doing the searches anyway. Just post them if you happen to come across them. And, did you get my email response last night/early this am?
Comment by Kim — June 6, 2007 @ 8:38 am
>My list from yesterday never did post here.
>( When I posted, it was around 5:15 – 5:30. I
>remember seeing Don’s posts when the page
>refreshed. I keep looking for it, but
>evidently they don’t want it here.
>Comment by Kat — June 6, 2007 @ 8:27 am
—
Kat —
“They” never saw it. It wasn’t in the spam filter. I looked for it. Sometimes the Internet gods are capricious. It never showed up.
Would you PLEASE quit harping on this? Posts do sometimes disappear, and do sometimes get snagged by the spam filter, and we are not able to be here every second to check.
A little patience, please, for the bloggers/moderators who have pretty much devoted 24/7 to this for the last 12 weeks.
I swear, my head will explode if I see you gripe about a delayed post one more time. Enough, already.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — June 6, 2007 @ 8:45 am
Anyone having trouble getting IAMS’ direct email link to load? It’s taking minutes and minutes? I’m going to ask them if they’re testing for cyanuric acid and acetaminophen…
Comment by petlover — June 6, 2007 @ 8:52 am
petlover,
their phone number is 1-800-882-1591, and their web site seemed to encounter ‘maintenance’, but might be up and running again
Comment by MaKo — June 6, 2007 @ 9:08 am
Gina - you always say - if it doesn’t show up - WAIT. I waited 2 hrs - then 4 then 16. I never got a response. Thank you for the response.
Comment by Kat — June 6, 2007 @ 9:39 am
Ok. Kim. We are busy this morning working on the room addition. Bryant came in last night. Limited time to work on this for the next few days.
Comment by Kat — June 6, 2007 @ 9:41 am
KIM!! JUST GOT YOUR EMAIL — ;)
That’s an incentive!
Comment by Kat — June 6, 2007 @ 9:45 am
Comment by Gina Spadafori — June 6, 2007 @ 8:45 am
Gina, please don’t let your head explode. We need your head, heart and humor (and your typing hands) for a long time to come; this isn’t over yet.
I deeply appreciate what you and Christie did over the past, what, 12 weeks or so, and what you are continuing to do.
Thank you
:)
Comment by MaKo — June 6, 2007 @ 9:59 am
Anyone know if there are any Chinese companies that manufacture acetominophen AND vitamins?
Just wondering if maybe the acetominophen got into the food via being in vitamins.
Comment by Kim — June 6, 2007 @ 10:02 am
You can find out much on the site “Alibaba” if you google various combinations of words.
Comment by Linda — June 6, 2007 @ 10:04 am
RE: The woven/poly bags: The reason companies have switched to these rather than paper is that they can be re-used time and time again. And of course, do they clean them adequately between re-uses? Who knows . . . . . . . . . . .
Remember the infamous “pink melamine bag”? I’ve had this in the back of my mind ever since . . . .
Comment by The OTHER Pat — June 6, 2007 @ 10:12 am
Kat, I have found Gina to be very responsive to direct emails. Maybe if you’ve waited a *reasonable* time and your post hasn’t shown up, it might be more useful to email her and ask her about it?
Comment by The OTHER Pat — June 6, 2007 @ 10:14 am
The Other Pat: That pink bag bothered me too! I wondered what we were adding here in the U.S.
Comment by Linda — June 6, 2007 @ 10:15 am
Regarding the “ingredients” in Beneful -one ingredient is Menadione (artificial Vit K). This is toxic.
Comment by elliott — June 6, 2007 @ 10:58 am
Thank you Donna and Peggy for the symtoms. I get lost over at itchmo. Still technogeezer with little time to improve. Ah well, got a garden started and baby tomatoes and baby cucumbers already.
Visiting children to our home (big family, big draw, the pool) are amazed at how fast food grows. They are now really ready for the strawberries (strawbabies, as my nephew first called them at 3, he’s seven now, we have yet to drop the term) in the new garden at Auntie’s house.
Comment by Maudigan — June 6, 2007 @ 11:04 am
“Anyone know if there are any Chinese companies that manufacture acetominophen AND vitamins?”
Maybe we should start looking at US companies also. I don’t think this issue remains solely with imports from China any longer. (personal opinion)
Comment by Donna — June 6, 2007 @ 11:13 am
Donna,
I also think there is more going on than what we are seeing. I went to Don’s website this morning ahd he has a quite extensive opinion piece, with links. He may be onto something.
Another thing that has been bothering me, is that the FDA seems to be hiding info on whether the contaminants are in people food. They are entirely too evasive, IMO.
I wonder if they didn’t put out the melamine in the feed fed to chickens and hogs as a red herring to divert our attention?
I do think the melamine fed to animals, fed to people is bad enough, but I still have a gut feeling there is something else, even worse, that they are covering up.
Comment by Elaine — June 6, 2007 @ 11:30 am
There are some comments on Itchmo, 6-5 under itchmo reader reports similar finding at 3:05 pm about there being a massive acetaminophen recall last November. A very strange coincidence.
Comment by DMS — June 6, 2007 @ 11:55 am
Comment by Kim — June 6, 2007 @ 10:02 am
“Anyone know if there are any Chinese companies that manufacture acetominophen AND vitamins?”
Well, chinese herbal remedies have a history of containing unapproved pharmaceutial substances:
http://www.drshen.com/chinesepatentwarnings.htm
Comment by The OTHER Pat — June 6, 2007 @ 11:56 am
Here are a few more pages on the history of Chinese herbal remedies having unapproved pharmaceuticals:
http://medcomres.com/articles/.....icines.htm
http://www.herbalgram.org/whol.....31-235.pdf
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/gen.....090343.htm
Comment by The OTHER Pat — June 6, 2007 @ 11:58 am
Maudigan, :)! I just have to go run and see if we have any baby tomatoes, yet!
We have baby peppers and have been eating lettuce and chard for about a week, radishes for a month. We will harvest our first batch of peas tonight! Some of the corn is knee high, already!! Oh, and I hate to say it, but, the milkweed is taller than I am!! :)
Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — June 6, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
No, no tomatoes, yet; some flowers opening up though. The corn sprouted up over night; it’s almost waist-high. It was almost 6 ft. on the 4th of July last year. That was the first time I understood then saying: Knee-high by the 4th of July. I never knew before then that they were talking about Corn! LOL!
Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — June 6, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
Here’s the link to the FDA announcement of the acetaminophen recall from last November. It is interesting timing…
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/.....01507.html
Comment by Kim — June 6, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
What are the odd that these two things are not related? Huge acetaminophen recall November 2006. Acetaminophen is now in pet food. This is really weird.
Comment by DMS — June 6, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
Maureen - agreed, fair point. Acet. as a contaminant is very new and bright on the radar screen, and I probably shouldn’t have been so quick to ding vets using that as an example.
There are plenty of other instances where I have been in contact with vets who, while being really nice people, were far out of the current information streams or who appear to be soft pedaling this food crisis. Neither vet I used in my one dog’s crisis even suggested food, and one of the two pooh poohed it as internet hype. I am tired of paying for advice that is well behind the eight ball.
I recently moved to a different region of my state, and the vet care is not what I had in the more populated valley (as you might expect, good vets head for populations where they can earn a better living). Let’s see - one vet said both our dogs would be would be blind in 6 months, and gave me a handout on how to adjust the blind dogs to living without sight (2 years ago now. Next vet said the other one didn’t recognize that old age condition that gives eyes a cloudy look). Another said my girl had a mid grade heart murmur and would need drugs soon (no other vet can find it). Two vets in a row misdiagnosed a bad mast cell tumor as completely benign, and because I had a bad feeling, the 3rd diagnosed the tumors and the ensuing ones, and per pathology report, removed with good clean margins. One said upon first exam that my girl’s teeth were so bad in the back, he would be removing most & surely I hadn’t ever had them cleaned (!! - uhhh, yearly until age 11); all the others said her teeth were in very good shape, no, none needing removal. It has been a comedy trying to find a vet here.
I don’t know what else to call the above examples other than dumb. And some aren’t dumb, but seem to just exist in a happy bubble of knowledge that was learned some time ago, and hasn’t been disturbed by much since.
Comment by TC — June 6, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Comment by Elaine — June 6, 2007 @ 11:30 am
I’ve got one more thought to consider.
I spoke to a lady at a testing laboratory today. At the end of our discussion I asked if the FDA had been in contact with them to view or discuss their results. She said absolutely they had not.
Makes you wonder why!
Comment by Donna — June 6, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
I had such strange thoughts last night.
First, Bush won’t let us test for mad cow?? Then He tells Pres. of Russia that He will put missels near Russia. And the Russian Pres. said- No you won’t or you’ll be sorry.
then We are letting all this poisen into our country. To tell you the truth, it’s getting a little scarey.
Comment by Trudy Jackson — June 6, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Comment by Trudy Jackson — June 6, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Bush is a dangerous madman. I say that with the not very impressive credential of one 1973 bachelors degree in psychology! (If I were smart I would have majored in something more practical!) But I think many would say that he’s acting out whatever his demons are in a very dangerous way for our country. The continuing destruction of the FDA and food safety laws are just part of his “war on us.” Our cats and dogs paid first; we have yet to discover how it will take its toll on our health.
Comment by Maureen — June 6, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
DMS - I wasn’t feeding Nutro Max either.
I was feeding Nutro Natural Choice Chicken, Rice & Oatmeal Formula, and that is what caused my dogs many issues.
I really feel for you. I can’t vouch for a single commercial dog food, since I am now homecooking for them. But I still feed the cat a commercial food, Felidae, and so far, she is fine (3 months). They make a dog food called Canidae - you might look into opinions on that by people using it. Good luck.
Comment by TC — June 6, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
Bush is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a global think tank organization, and he is marching to their orders. Check it out and you will understand the things he is doing.
Anyone heard of the Security and Prosperity Partnership agreement he signed with the leaders of Canada and Mexico? There goes the sovereignty of this nation, if we don’t get it stopped.
Comment by Elaine — June 6, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
What does a president in the US have to do to get himself impeached? (I mean, besides consentual sex with another adult.)
Is starting a war under iffy pretenses a reason, or perhaps throwing civil liberties (which are anchored in the constitution) out of the window? Is ignoring the needs and wants of his countries citizens and protecting the interests of multinational corporations against said citizens a reason?
Obviously not.
Well, I sure hope that someone finds him in bed with a consenting adult whom he is not married to.
That would probably get the job done in a whiffy.
Comment by MaKo — June 6, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
Yes, everyone i talk to, and I mean everyone wants Him out. so why in the heck is He still here? He’s going to get us all killed.
Comment by Trudy Jackson — June 6, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
In the link below, if you scroll down to the picture, you can see that some of the most arsenic contaminated water on planet earth is located in China. I have emailed Nestle, who sources fruit juice from China, asking them if they are testing routinely for arsenic. I have not received a response
Comment by ango — June 6, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
Opps, forgot link, here it is:
http://www.fao.org/ag/magazine/0605sp1.htm
Comment by ango — June 6, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
First off - I don’t think we need to worry about Chinese made soda. The soda you get is coming from your local independent bottler. It would not be cost effective for them to bottle soda in Phoenix to send it out of state so they could import their Chinese stuff here. That affects their bottom line. Soda may kill you for a different reason but not that one. Not to say that some of the chemicals like citric acid didn’t come from there - I’m talking poluted water and the actual bottling.
Comment by cheryl — June 6, 2007 @ 9:10 pm
I don’t trust the word SOURCED. That is just a word used for obfuscation. I can call XYZ company and they can tell me they sourced their ingredients in the US - they got it from ABC Co in Akron - call ABC Co and they got it from PDQ Importers in SF. Call there and find out it was imported from King Kong Kittylitter Dogpoo Technology Co in Kung Pao China. No they have never been their in person - they found them on the Internet and got a screaming deal. No, sorry - they never heard of the maxims: ‘you get what you pay for’ and ‘if it sounds too good to be true - it isn’t’.
Comment by cheryl — June 6, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
*Dog Food Produced In Manassas Recalled*
Wednesday June 06, 2007 3:51pm
http://www.newschannel8.net/ne.....29249.html
Manassas (AP) - A pet food maker Wednesday recalled some of its dog food sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores because of concerns about possible salmonella contamination.
The recall by Brentwood, Tenn.-based Doane Pet Care is unrelated to recent pet food recalls connected to tainted Chinese proteins used in some pet food production.
Only a single batch of 55-pound bags of Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition dog food is being recalled. The dog food was produced at a plant in Manassas and distributed to 69 Wal-Mart stores in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Ohio. Forty of the stores are in Virginia.
The company recalled the dog food after the Food and Drug Administration detected the presence of salmonella. People handling the food could potentially be exposed to the bacteria, along with pets that eat the food. The company said no illnesses have been reported.
Affected bags have the code 04 0735 1 and a “best by” date of April 13, 2008.
Doane Pet Care is a division of the privately held, McLean-based Mars Inc. manufacturer of candy and pet foods.
Consumers with questions can call 800-624-7387 or find further information at http://www.doanepetcare.com
Comment by Kat — June 6, 2007 @ 10:46 pm
Well I guess we know how the FDA ‘disposes’ contaminated food and drugs.
FDA: “Oh just send that to the rendering company. They take everything. We don’t care what they do with it, just get rid of it.”
7 months later - ends up in pet food.
FDA: “Out of sight, out of mind. Just act like nothing is wrong. Them taxpaying consumers are too dumb to put 2 and 2 together. It’ll blow over soon. Wanna see my new magic trick?”
Here’s a VERY informative story! So glad China has their priorities straigt. Changing them signs is far more important than cleaning up the poison.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/200.....g_names_dc
Comment by Tammy — June 6, 2007 @ 11:49 pm
FIVE CONTAMINENTS. Can you name them?
Starting at the top there are 8: aminopterin, melamine, cyanuric acid, amiloride, amilorine, ammeline and ammelide (these 2 derivatives found in discarded pet food from the ONE lab that tested for them - fed to chickens or swine, can’t remember now - FDA report), and acetaminophen.
Who knows what else was in that “scrap” melamine used to spike the wheat flour - anything I’d guess. We’re way past the point of looking at single ingredients for toxicity…..it’s a toxic soup.
Comment by CathyA — June 7, 2007 @ 5:39 am
Cathy A: Good name, “toxic soup,” for what’s put into pet food (and probably our food as well).
Didn’t we just have an article posted yesterday about a Chinese person who said that so many different fillers were added that by the time someone got the “product” they didn’t know what was in it? As I said, the unscrupulous manufacturers are cleaning their country of industrial wastes by shipping them to us. We are NO better, trying to find a use for a bio-deisel waste product, glycerin, and performing tests to see how much can be put into poultry feed before the glycerin affects the weight of the birds and hinders their appetites before they go to market! Says it all…
Big business needs to do the responsible thing and dispose of their industrial wastes properly, instead of using our pet food and animal feed as receptacles (and eventually our stomachs from eating meat) for their trash!
What kind of a country do we live in that allows this?
Comment by petlover — June 7, 2007 @ 5:48 am
I have seen a few listing that mention a man named Don Earl of Port Townsend, WA,( whose cat eat the acetaminophen laced food), does he have a website or blog? I want to know what he was feeding his cat who got sick and died!!!!! I have a cat who is my life, and I am getting ulcers over this entire pet food BS!!! My cat refuses to eat anything but kibble (not even tuna). She was eating the iams wet food that was recalled, but she is ok. I am now feeding her purina fancy feast dry food (ocean flavor) and loves it. Shes almost out of food and don’t know what to do! I have heard of pet promise food that is all natural? Anyone have any imput? Thanks so much.
http://www.petpromiseinc.com/
p.s. I took her to the vet and iams paid for the blood work ($50)
Comment by christy — June 8, 2007 @ 12:46 am
christy, don’s site is here:
http://www.petfoodrecallfacts.com/
Comment by explodinghed — June 8, 2007 @ 3:34 am
help!!!!!How do you find the website to complain about meowmix packets!? I have 7 cats, and all got so sick after feeding them with it. Can’t find anyplace to express my concern and find out what happened
Comment by ricki — December 7, 2008 @ 6:26 pm