Thursday, May 31, 2012

Summer is...fleas season



"There is a purpose for everything under heaven"

Hmmmmmmm.......................What about fleas?



What purpose is there to them....can you think of any?

As a vet, the first thing I think about is the misery they cause known as FAD. Veterinarians recognize FAD (flea allergic dermatitis) by the way it looks and by the location of the itch and the skin sores--typically the rump, the tail, inner thighs and groin.
  • It just takes one flea bite to trigger this miserable reaction in a pet allergic to fleas
  • After injecting its saliva and  introducing allergic proteins into your pets blood stream-the flea jumps off your dog--just like mosquitoes or bees do- once they've caused the allergic reaction.
  • Many pets in Southern California have allergies, and in addition to being allergic to all sorts of things in their environment they are allergic to to flea saliva, developing itching and  rashes lasting several weeks from a single flea bite. This is the reason we usually don't even see the culprit on the pet. 
  • the image is courtey of Google image search engine. Beachvethospital does not claim any copyrights.


If your pet  has FAD, I recommend scheduling a consultation. The intense itching causes skin infections, which will get worse causing your pet misery, and  need to be treated--usually with anti-inflammatory drugs, medicated baths and antibiotics. They will not get better on their own

Since I haven't been able to get God on the phone... unlike other people ,I don't have her on speed dial, so can't ask her why she created fleas-  I will dedicate the rest of this post to figuring out how to best wage war on them  ...as efficiently and quickly as possible. 

Fleas do not live on dogs or cats--you are only seeing the fleas  having lunch! 
this image is courtesy of Google image search engine, beachvethospial does Not claim any copyrights

Think of fleas seen on the pet as the tip of  an iceberg....for every flea sucking blood from  your pet, there are thousands  laying eggs, hatching into larvae in hospitable  warm environments in bedding, furniture, carpeting and outside.....multiplying below the surface.
 Ewwww! 

Step 1> Environmental Control.
If you can see fleas scurrying around on your pet and can afford to hire an exterminator, do!
If not, purchase flea bombs with insect growth regulators (IGR's) to avoid having to retreat the property once the eggs  hatch maturing to larvae & pupate, starting the infestation cycle again a month later.

There are products considered  nontoxic--such as borate, which desiccates the buggers.

Step 2> Treat the pet

I find Advantage, whose active ingredient is imidacloprid ( a nicotine analogue) generally very effective, so long as it is used properly --every 3 weeks; or Advantix on dogs only- monthly.
Advantage Multi contains imidacloprid and an additional ingredient useful as a heartworm preventative, broad spectrum dewormer and occasionally for treatment of sarcoptic mites.

  •  It is important to remember that all the spot-on  products need skin oils to distribute.

Therefore it is not advisable to apply these spot-on's the day the pet is bathed; because the oils have been stripped off by the shampoo.  Wait at least a couple of days after a bath before applying them.

I do not find garlic effective, and high doses are actually toxic to cats and dogs.

  • We are seeing good results in pets, allergic to fleas on monthly flea pills called Comfortis. 

There are reports on the internet associating Comfortis with seizures. My understanding is that combining Comfortis with high sustained doses of ivermectin  ( as a treatment for mites) can lead to seizures due to summation of action on the GABA receptors in the brain.

  • We also stock a little Capstar. It is a pill safe for both dogs and cats offering  very rapid flea kill- 30minutes. The advantage over the other oral medications, in my mind is that while being a systemic drug Capstar only stays in the body for one day.  This means that if there were any side effects-they should be gone within a day, and we have not seen any. The disadvantage, of course, is that the pill has to be given daily which is inconvenient.
  • Revolution is a topical product I tend to use for mite treatment in cats and dogs, more so  than flea control. Yet, we have some clients reporting that Advantage or Frontline stopped working for their small pet, and yet Revolution does a good job. 

We recommend  the owner use what works for their pet--there are likely local areas where fleas have developed resistance to some products and not others; keeping in mind that no product used on any pet will rapidly reduce an environmental infestation. 


Step 3> Repellent
Advantage or Advantix will kill the fleas, but not before they've had a chance to suck blood. In the process of biting the pet, fleas introduce their own saliva containing protein. Though these topical spot-on's do kill the fleas- it is not soon enough to prevent flea allergic dermatitis (F.A.D). 
I find spraying a washcloth with a good repellent pyrethrin product ( I like Ovitrol)  and wiping down the skin areas where fleas tend to get on the pet ( the rear) at least once weekly, helpful in creating a "shield" - repelling the nasty things.


Very important: do not use Advantix on Cats!
It is highly toxic to them causing tremors, seizures and death.
We managed to save one of two kittens last week, whose owner mistakenly applied Advantix for large dogs on. Only the larger of the two, a  black and white named Moustache made it after spending three days in intensive care.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

That's what friends are for

We have several patients in our practice trained to be Seeing Eye Dogs for the Blind. Many caring people raise these puppies to go into service to help people. Besides guidance for the blind service dogs have been trained to help people in many different ways.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Service dogs can even pick up signs of dangers of diabetes in people:

"The dog's accuracy and speed can beat medical devices, such as glucose meters and continuous glucose monitors, according to doctors, owners and trainers. With their acute sense of smell, the dogs—mostly retrievers—are able to react to a scent that researchers haven't yet identified.


For centuries, doctors diagnosed diabetes by identifying sweetness in the urine of a patient. That scent comes from glucose that isn't absorbed when a person lacks insulin, but the chemicals produced during low-blood-sugar incidents have yet to be identified.

"Whatever is being secreted in that drop in blood sugar…we just don't know what it is," says Dana Hardin, a pediatric endocrinologist who works for  Eli Lilly & Co. in Indianapolis. Her goal is to identify what chemical compound the dogs smell, "not only to train dogs but to possibly make a device," she says.

Most of the interest in diabetic-alert dogs comes from people with Type 1 diabetes—and parents of children with Type 1—because they are more susceptible than people with Type 2 diabetes to serious problems of low blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease characterized by the absence of insulin production, and requires daily insulin injections. People with Type 2, which is brought on by a combination of genetics, inactivity and obesity, have trouble processing insulin but don't necessarily require external insulin.

Incidence of Type 1 has been rising in the U.S. by about 2.5% to 4% a year for reasons scientists can't explain, according to several large-scale studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals. The number of people with Type 1 diabetes in the U.S. is between 1.3 million and 2.6 million, accounting for 5% to 10% of the total diabetics.

Type 1 diabetics work to balance their daily intake of carbohydrates with external insulin. Prolonged high sugar levels can lead to complications such as heart disease, kidney failure and neuropathy. But trying to keep sugars at a low level raises the risk of hypoglycemia, which can be lethal, particularly if a patient loses consciousness while driving or alone."



Perhaps it should not be surprising to learn that some dogs share their gift of sight with other dogs as well:


Thursday, May 10, 2012

Pet Food and Pet Treats News


 

Dear Pet Owners:

Please check whether your pets  are eating these foods or these treats.

This post will be updated as news on pet foods and pet treats are published.

Consider subscribing or check  our blog periodically to stay in the loop.

Dr. Ena



http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm343084.htm

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Natura Pet Issues Voluntary Recall of Specialized Dry Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk




Contact
Consumer
800-224-6123

Media
Jason Taylor
513-622-3205
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -March 18, 2013 - Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling specific lots of dry pet food because it has the potential to be contaminated withSalmonella. No Salmonella-related illnesses have been reported.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

-----------------------------------------

Bravo! Recalls 2 lb Tubes of Chicken Blend-Raw Frozen Food Diet for Dogs and Cats (One Lot Code) Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk


Contact:
Consumer:
David Bogner
866-922-9222
E-mail: info@bravorawdiet.com
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 13, 2013 - Bravo! is voluntarily recalling its 2 lb tubes of Bravo! Raw Food Diet Chicken Blend for Dogs and Cats, product code: 21-102, batch ID code 6 14 12, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
The recall involves 2 lb. Bravo! Chicken Blend frozen raw diet tubes (chubs) made on June 14, 2012 only; no other products or sizes are involved. The recalled product should not be sold or fed to pets. This batch tested negative by a third party independent laboratory prior to release for distribution to consumers, however routine testing by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture of product collected from a single retail location tested positive for presence of salmonella. While the testing discrepancy is unclear, in an abundance of caution Bravo is issuing this recall.
The company has received no reports of illness in either people or animals associated with this product.

----------------------------------------

Recall -- Firm Press Release


FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Premium Edge, Diamond Naturals and 4health Dry Cat Food Formulas Voluntarily Recalled Due to Possibility of Low Levels of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)







At your request, I'm sending you this special alert.
On February 21, 2013, The Honest Kitchen announced it was recalling five lots of its Verve, Zeal and Thrive dog foods because they may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.
To learn which products are affected, please visit the following link:
Please be sure to share the news of this alert with other pet owners.
Mike Sagman, Editor
The Dog Food Advisor
P.S. Not already on our dog food recall notification list? Sign up to get critical dog food recall alerts sent to you by email




On February 15, 2013, Nature's Variety announced it was recalling a single batch of one of its raw dog food products. Fragments of clear plastic may be present in some bags and could pose a potential choking risk to pets.
To learn which products are affected, please visit the following link:

Please be sure to share the news of this alert with other pet owners.
Mike Sagman, Editor
The Dog Food Advisor
P.S. Not already on our dog food recall notification list? Sign up to get critical dog food recall alerts sent to you by email


Dog Treats Recall Alert!!!

Dear Dog Owner,
At your request, I'm sending you this special alert.
On January 9, 2013, there were two voluntary recalls announced due to possible contamination with antibiotic residue.
To learn which products are affected, please visit each of the following links:

Please be sure to share the news of this alert with other pet owners.
Mike Sagman, Editor
The Dog Food Advisor
P.S. Not already on our dog food recall notification list? Sign up to get critical dog food recall alerts sent to you by email.

Dog Food Recall, Possible Contamination

Breeder’s Choice Pet Food is recalling a single manufacturing batch of its AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dog Formula due to possible Salmonella.
2 of 2
Breeder's Choice Pet Food Recalls AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dog Formula
This information is provided by the FDA.
Breeder’s Choice Pet Food is recalling a single manufacturing batch of Breeder's Choice AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dog Formula due to possible contamination with Salmonella. The product affected by this recall is identified below and has the following "Best Before" dates:
Product Code/SKU/ Material #UPC CodeSizeProduct Name/DescriptionBest Before Code (day/month/yr)
10000650740 5290702043 826 lb.AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dog Formula28 Aug 2013
29 Aug 2013
30 Aug 2013
 
Product and product lots that do not appear on the list above are not subject to this recall.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people exposed to Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
No human or pet illnesses have been reported to-date. The recall notification is being issued based on a single manufacturing batch wherein a sample with the "Best Before" dates of August 28, 29 and 30, 2012 had a positive result for salmonella. The AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dog Formula product was originally manufactured on August 29, 2012 and distributed on August 30 and 31, 2012. Salmonella testing was conducted by Silliker, Inc. (Southern California Laboratory). Breeder's Choice Pet Foods has taken immediate action to remove the product from all applicable distribution centers and retail customers, and is fully investigating the cause.
Recalled products were distributed to retailers and distributors in the states of California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Virginia, and Washington.
Consumers who have purchased the AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dog Formula product with the above-referenced "Best Before" dates are urged to contact Breeder's Choice Customer Service representatives.
A letter and instructions have been forwarded to all Breeder’s Choice Pet Food customers. Breeder’s Choice Customer Service representatives and company veterinarians are responding to inquires through the 1-866-500-6286 phone number and will answer any questions regarding pets that have been fed the product. Pet owners can also visit the Breeder’s Choice Pet Food website for more information http://www.avoderm.com/.
Related Topics: AvoDermBreeder's ChoiceDog FoodLaguna NiguelRecall, and Salmonella


http://losalamitos.patch.com/articles/dog-food-recall-possible-contamination#photo-11325775




August 25, 2012

Bil-Jac Limited Product Withdrawal

We have requested that a select number of retailers withdraw one small batch (256 cases) of 6 LB Adult Select Formula Dog Food from their warehouses and stores. We have had a few reports of mold in bags from this batch that was caused by higher moisture content in the food. We know the entire batch has not been affected, but have requested the entire small batch to be removed from warehouses and stores. Only batch number 1792-02 (Expiration 27 DEC 13) is affected, all in only 6 LB bags

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





August 6, 2012

Raw Food diets for pets and bacterial contamination

Interesting discussion on VIN http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=23673

& at the AVMA ( American Veterinary Medical Association)
http://atwork.avma.org/2012/07/18/the-facts-on-avmas-proposed-policy-on-raw-pet-food-diets/

I believe that raw unprocessed foods offer many benefits to our pets' health.
  • Heating or processing destroys nutrients 
  •  Cooked bones are unsafe, unlike many raw bones --which are a reservoir of nutrients such as calcium and glucosamine
  • The compromise I reached between losing nutrinets to prolonged cooking/ heat and exposing people to bacterial contamination (present on all commercially raised meat)
  •  is to boil the meat for 4 minutes

Note: this method will NOT work for ground meat, which should be avoided both for human and pet consumption. anyways.

The  suggestion is based on the graph
 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3282150/figure/fig2/

in the following food safety study:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3282150/?tool=pubmed


The following are good guidelines to follow when handling multiple drug resistant commercial meat









  • hand washing after handling raw foods
  • regular washing or disinfection with a mild bleach solution of bowls, food preparation surfaces and implements
  • avoidance of cross-contamination by use of separate preparation surfaces for separate ingredients
  • proper storage of raw ingredients in the refrigerator or, for extended periods, the freezer
  • disposal of unconsumed meal portions
  • avoidance of exposure of young children, the elderly or the ill to raw food ingredients









  • 

    If You Feed Sweet Potato Treats to Your Pet, Please Read This!

    July 20 2012 | 43,947 views | + Add to Favorites


    By Dr. Becker
    It seems there’s another dog snack from China to worry about: sweet potato treats.
    According to the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) 1, vets are now reporting health problems linked to sweet potato treats similar to those related to chicken jerky treats also made in China.
    Test results on sick dogs show kidney problems similar to the symptoms of Fanconi syndrome. Most dogs recover, but there have been some deaths related to the chicken jerky treat problem.
    Symptoms may show up within hours or days after a treat is eaten and include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and increased thirst and urination.
    If you’ve fed your dog either chicken jerky treats or sweet potato treats made in China and your pet has fallen ill, I recommend you contact your veterinarian – especially if the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours or are severe.

    Pet Treats to Steer Clear Of

    The brands currently implicated in the sweet potato treat problem are:
    • Beefeaters Sweet Potato Snacks for Dogs (16 varieties of yam-related treats)
    • Canyon Creek Ranch Chicken Yam Good Dog Treats (Nestlé Purina)
    • Drs. Foster and Smith (exact item not specified)
    • Dogswell Veggie Life Vitality (4 varieties)
    Keep in mind that although the problem treats are often identified as “jerky” treats, they also go by a host of other names, including tenders, strips, chips, wraps, twists, and several others.
    Per Poisoned Pets 2, in 2010 the FDA found that a sweet potato dog treat made by a certain company in China was contaminated with phorate, a highly toxic pesticide.
    There is speculation there could be problems with pork treats and cat treats imported from China as well.
    For more information on why you need to be vigilant about reading pet food labels, making phone calls to manufacturers, and really doing your homework on what you’re feeding your dog or cat, read my article Pet Food and China - More Cause for Concern?

    If You Feed Your Pet Commercially Prepared Treats …

    PLEASE don't buy any treat made in China. Not chicken jerky treats, chicken tenders, chicken strips, chicken treats or sweet potato treats. Play it safe. Buy only food and treats made in the U.S. Buying pet food made in this country won't remove all risk of winding up with a tainted product, but it will certainly improve your chances of keeping your pet safe.
    Consider making your own sweet potato treats at home. Try to buy produce locally and make sure to wash the sweet potatoes or yams thoroughly. Then slice them nice and thin, arrange on a baking sheet, and cook in a 300º oven for about 45 minutes. Let the slices cool and store them in plastic bags.
    For homemade chicken jerky treats, buy some boneless chicken breasts, clean them, and slice into long, thin strips – the thinner the better. Place the strips on a greased or non-stick cookie sheet and bake them for at least three hours at 180 degrees. The low temp dries the chicken out slowly and the strips wind up nice and chewy. Let the strips cool, and then store them in plastic bags or another airtight container. You can also freeze them.
    References:

    http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/07/20/sweet-potato-dog-treats.aspx?goback=.gde_3831805_member_136750301




    Another pet food recall!

    Arrrrrgh!

    Diamond dog food sickens 14 people with Salmonella


    Posted: May 3rd, 2012 - 10:19pm by Doug Powell
    President Obama says he ate dog food as a kid, and there have been lots of outbreaks of Salmonella in pet food making humans ill, either through cross-contamination or direct consumption.
    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports 14 individuals have been infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Infantis linked to dog food.
    Among the 9 patients with available information, 5 (56%) were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
    Multiple brands of dry pet food produced by Diamond Pet Foods at a single manufacturing facility in South Carolina have been linked to some of the human Salmonella infections.
    http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/blog/154672/12/05/03/diamond-dog-food-sickens-14-people-salmonella

    http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm302137.htm?source=govdelivery

    http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm

    http://diamondpetrecall.com/diamond-expands-voluntary-recall/

    Apex
    Canidae
    Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
    Country Value
    Diamond
    Diamond Naturals
    Premium Edge
    Professional
    4Health
    Taste of the Wild

    Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
    Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
    Kirkland Signature Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
    Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
    Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
    Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula (December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
    Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs (December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)

    Natural Balance Foods
    Formula Best By Date
    5 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; March 12, 2013
    15 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; December 14, 2012; March 5, 2013; March 6, 2013
    28 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; December 14, 2012; March 5, 2013; March 6, 2013; March 7, 2013; March 8, 2013; March 12, 2013
    5 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog December 10, 2012; December 21, 2012; December 22, 2012
    15 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog December 10, 2012; December 21, 2012; December 22, 2012
    28 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog December 10, 2012; December 21, 2012; December 22, 2012
    5 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012
    15 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog December 9, 2012; December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012
    28 LB Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog December 9, 2012; December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012
    5 LB Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog December 9, 2012
    28 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Large Breed Bites December 12, 2012; December 20, 2012; December 21, 2012
    5 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Small Breed Bites December 21, 2012
    12.5 LB Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Small Breed Bites December 21, 2012

    Solid Gold WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food, 4 lb, 15 lb, and 33 lb, with a best before date of December 30, 2012 and batch code starting with SGB1201A31X.
    4 lb identifying UPC 093766750005
    15 lb identifying UPC 093766750012
    33 lb identifying UPC 093766750029

    Solid Gold WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Food, 4 lb, 15 lb, and 28.5 lb, with a best before date of December 30, 2012 and batch code starting with SGL1201A32X
    4 lb identifying UPC 093766750050
    15 lb identifying UPC 093766750067
    28.5 lb identifying UPC 093766750081

    Wellness Complete Health® Super5Mix® Large Breed Puppy, 15 lb. and 30 lb. bags and 5 oz. sample bags with best by dates of JAN 9 2013 through JAN 11 2013.



    Update

                                               Pet owners blame six animal deaths on tainted dog food

    June 6, 2012
    By:
    Marc Selinger
    For The VIN News Service

    Excerpt

    Pet owners have attributed the death of at least six animals — five dogs and one cat — to allegedly contaminated food made by Diamond Pet Foods, according to complaints filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    In addition, pet owners have claimed that more than 50 other pets, mostly dogs, became ill after eating Diamond-made products, and that some of the animals required veterinary treatment, the documents show.

    The VIN News Service obtained the reports late Monday through a Freedom of Information Act request. Pet owners filed almost all of the complaints in April and May, a period in which Diamond recalled more than a dozen brands of dry dog and cat food due to concerns about potential Salmonella contamination at the company’s Gaston, S.C., plant.....

    Recall -- Firm Press Release

    FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.



    Mars Petcare US Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Range of Pedigree® Brand Wet Dog Food

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -June 30, 2012 - Today, Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of a limited range of three varieties of PEDIGREE® weight management canned dog food products due to a potential choking risk.

    Affected product may contain small pieces of blue plastic, which entered the food during the production process. The source of the plastic has been identified and the issue resolved. We encourage consumers who have purchased affected product to discard the food or return it to the retailer for a full refund or exchange. While a small number of consumers have reported finding the plastic pieces, we have not received any reports of injury or illness associated with the affected product. The lot codes indicated below should not be sold or consumed.

    http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm310400.htm