Recall Support

[hsiw]

I know that there is already a link here about the Pet Food Recall but I am hoping that someone can help me find more information. I have been calling, I have been searching online- and I dont know. Does anyone know if a class action lawsuit has been filed yet? I see online lots of places that are thinking of it. Does anyone know if kidney failure is reversible or the survival rate of severe renal failure? Does anyone know anyone who has gotten a reimbursement for pet bills? Has anyone been called back by Menufoods regarding this issue? I called the FDA, Nutro, & Menufoods and they all were voicemail or took my name to call me back.

I have statistics, but is bloodwork enough to prove this? In october her createnine levels were 1.1 for a normal range of .5-1.7 and NOW they are 9.7! Her BUN/Creatanine levels are 130 in a normal range of 7-27. In October they were 22! Everything was fine at her senior check up, she was in great health. That was before I changed her diet to Nutro. I have spoken to two doctors, I don't know what type of proof or written statement I should get from them. If anything happens to Lucy, I don't know what I will do. Nothing could pay for this.

~~~

Starting yesterday, Lucy has been vomiting and dizzy and not herself. Today I decided to check again the pet recall list. Her food has been added. Last week I was reassured by Petsmart that since her food was not on the list, it was safe.

Tonight, I took her to the emergency clinic and they told me she had renal failure with 85% kidney failure. She is staying the night, I coughed up $500 and will know tomorrow if it is even worth the trouble of a week of diluting her kidney. She will NEVER be back to normal. The best case scenario: a year of her life, with daily injections to flush her kidney out.

She had her senior check up less than a year ago and they said she was in PERFECT condition, no problems at all. She has been eating Nutro Ultra Senior for months now that she has been refusing dry food. Without dilution, she may not last a week. I am so angry at Petsmart whose website insists they have NO customers who have been affected. I am upset at Menufoods who says only 16 customers have been affected. Do the research, look online and you will find thousands of people with DEAD pets. You will find families who have lost ALL their cats and pets at once. And only 3 people are suing and it claims that those three have unrelated deaths. BS! They just have good lawyers that can wiggle out of it.

I have spent hundreds to thousands on Lucy because she likes to eat chocolate, she likes to eat cat poop, she had ear infections with a burst ear drum a few months ago. And what causes her to be sick now? Something I can't control, something that can't be fixed. I spend extra money to make sure she is getting the BEST FOOD I can afford, and it disappoints me that this is what happens. She is the healthiest beagle I have seen at 15 and my vet was shocked at how healthy she was. Wait till he hears tomorrow (he isn't open weekends, so she is at an emergency clinic).

I have left my name and number with both Menufoods, the company who somehow got rat poision into the canned food, and Nutro, the individual company of food she ate. What can be done? No amount of money will EVER pay for Lucy to get better. This really is a shame. I just don't understand. How could something like this happen?

[mrsD]

This is really hard. Older cats and dogs get kidney failure.

I talked to my son this weekend. Here is his timeline for his Aimee:

This is a young cat, found on the street with an abdominal hernia. That was fixed, and he adopted her thru a rescue operation. They did NOT tell him of
her kidney issues.

A couple of months after he took her home she had two urinary tract infections.
Prompting Xrays, blood work, and finally a special ultrasound of her kidneys.

As it turns out she has congenitally malformed kidneys, so then he started feeding her a kidney formula. He gives Eukanuba pouches too, mostly to the other cat, but Aimee eats it sometimes.

So just before Xmas Aimee starts vomiting, and getting very lethargic. He takes her to an ER vet who did kidney tests along with other stuff, and said her kidneys were FINE. Then they say she has bacterial hepatitis. She recovers with IVs for 3 days.

So last week he took both cats to the vet for rabies update shot, and Aimee gets blood work for kidneys and she is back to high levels measured BUN and creatinine. But no higher than the first testings.

So he is puzzled why she showed normal at the ER place. Bad testing? poor diagnosis?

It has to be hard to prove anything. Who keeps the empty cans/pouches for evidence if the damage occurred before the announcement? Cats get renal failure easily/commonly..esp with age. So do small dogs. How to distinguish renal failure that would have come anyway from this incident?

And we don't even know if this issue has been in the works before. Do we have PROOF that this is the first and only shipment from China? NOPE.

You make some very valid points... maybe others here have more to offer?

I really feel for you and other pet owners who are going thru this decision making process. Keep all receipts-- maybe you have the food receipts at least? (we keep all receipts in this house for income tax purposes).

[moose53]

((((((HSIW)))))),

I'm sorry to hear about how sick Lucy has become :(

http://chocolate-moose.p5.org.uk/MINIS/huggiebears-mini.gif

You might find this information helpful:
http://www.howl911.com/

I agree, there's something fishy about the numbers that we're seeing in the news. They're saying that something like 16 animals have died. I know Menu Foods did a trial about a week ago in which 6 or 7 animals died (that's about a 20% death rate, based on the number of animals they tested). Between my local news and the people who lost animals in newsgroups that I belong to, like NeuroTalk, that's a heck of a lot more than "16" -- it's more like thousands.

I did a quick search through Google News, and it looks like there are now about three class action lawsuits started already -- one in Canada and two in the United States. There's a Yahoo-Health Newsgroup that's been formed about the class action lawsuits -- you might want to join that group and see what you can find out.

If you use the link that I posted above (http://www.howl911.com/), you can find out how to post to an online database (for tracking purposes), how to notify your local branch of the FDA. I would also notify your local Attorney General's Office.

If you have any packaging or labels from the food that you gave, Lucy, keep those. Keep any sales receipts that you might have. Keep any vet bills.

It sounds like people are just now starting to pull together to figure out what to do about this. If you work together with other people that are in the same boat as you, it might help you collect your thoughts and get organized. Oh, I would also send a registered, certified letter to Menu Foods and ask how they intend to reimburse you for vet bills:

Paul Henderson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Menu Foods GenPar Limited
8 Falconer Drive
Mississauga, ON L5M 2C1 Canada

I don't know about the long-term implications of kidney failure. I had an old-old cat -- Fluffy -- that was diagnosed with kidney failure (brought on by old age, not poisoning). He lived for almost 6 years after the diagnosis. I finally put him down a week before his 22nd birthday because he seemed to be suffering too much.

I don't know what the implications are for your Lucy. I would make sure that I had a good, honest, caring vet who will keep me informed about what's best for Lucy. And hookup with as many other people are you can that are going through the same thing that you and Lucy are. Together, the burden is easier. And together, you're all stronger.

I love cats. I had 5 elderly cats up until about 8 years ago. They all died older than 16 years, except for one. I now have 3 brothers that are 8 1/2 years old. I thank God every day that my "bad feelings" about Science Diet foods 9 years ago prompted me to no longer give my pets canned cat food. They've all been eating Purina Urinary Tract dry since they were weaned from their Mother.

I wish you and Lucy the best. I hope Lucy's able to lead a long, productive, healthy life. Hugs for both of you.

Barb

[hsiw]

Thanks for the replies mrs.d & barb. Your advice is so helpful. I have already started a file for all this, keeping all papers as I go. I have asked for copies of the bloodwork from the vet offices (i have seen 2 so far, an emergency and her regular one). Tonight... I got a call back from Nutro!! The woman assigned my case gave me a fax number, took my information down, and asked me to fax her everything I have and said I can fax more as I get more bills. She said they will look over my papers and call me back later. I hope that they can recognize she was fine in October. I started her on Nutro around November because she started to refuse dry food since her teeth are bad (even though I keep getting dental work done on her).

Moose, you really are lucky you switched foods. I keep blaming myself for switching her to Nutro wet food. I should have gone to the vet and asked why she won't eat dry food anymore. I should have tried another brand. Or maybe I should have stuck with Pedigree 3 years ago when I decided to change brands.

Luckily, our vet is great. He was not in tomorrow, and I met the female vet that works with him and she seemed great also. They helped make me feel a little more optimistic and I think I may sleep a little better tonight. Except I won't be able to sleep with Lucy tonight because she is still being observed for the next few days. I am anxious to speak with him, he is always honest.

I will check out that website you mentioned moose, and see what it says. I already contacted the state FDA branch and left a message. I also contacted one of the US class action suits (the one in Wisconsin) and gave them all my information. I am waiting to hear back from the FDA and Menufoods. I also think it would be better to find others in a similar situation so we can work together to find some sort of conclusion.

Luckily for us, we have 10 extra cans of the tainted can food. So I have a bunch of evidence. They want me to send them one for testing. Somehow I see them trying to prove me wrong. Who knows what will happen? I will let you all know.

Mrs.D I am sorry to hear about your sons cat. You did not mention what happened next? Is she alright, going through testing? And thank you moose for giving me some optimisim about Lucy, another 6 years would be wonderful!

[Chemar]

hsiw

I am so sorry to hear about your Lucy:(

I do hope you are able to obtain the funds from them as compensation to pay for the expensive treatment Lucy will need

[mrsD]

My son does not know what to think anymore. This cat has been very puzzling.

He says she is doing fine--actually getting FAT, since the kidney formula is high in fat to replace some of the protein. He is only feeding dry right now.
I've encouraged him to start making some chicken food for them since he
likes to cook. But so far he hasn't tried that.

Aimee has such complex issues, it would be impossible to link the food to her
kidney situation. I use this as an example of how hard it would be for some people to prove. (when his own vets have had trouble diagnosing her even).

It appears that the most straightforward presentations would be the easiest.
That is an animal who had just had a check up...and then suddenly becomes ill.

I am really sad to read that you are going thru all of this. It is very stressful.

[hsiw]

I got sad news tonight. Tomorrow I will have to make a decision of what I should do. The vet said the newest bloodwork is showing INCREASES in her levels and since they are not decreasing like they should, that means the damage is permanent. It means she is basically on life support, can not survive without the IVs and pain killers. She also has ulcers inside her making her vomit a few times every day. Based on this, it would be a waste of money and lead her only to suffering to keep her alive -unless there is some miraculous miracle, which I doubt.

I am very angry. I am devastated. I can not believe. I can't help feeling guilty. I should have stopped the food last week when I first heard of the recall. Even if it was not on the list & even though the Petsmart manager said it was safe... which it was not and was added this weekend to the list as proof. Bf's mom told me to stop giving her the food, I didn't listen when I should have.

We are thinking of filing a lawsuit. I wish I could fly straight to the White House and camp out in a tent outside, i am so upset. HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? I just dont understand- if it was baby food, that would be a whole different story, wouldn't it? So, about the lawsuit- do you think that if we euthanize her tomorrow, they will say that the food did not lead to her death? That *I* led to her death since I chose to end it? Does that mean I need to make her suffer (which of course I will not)? Do I need a necropsy to be completed (does anyone know how this differs from an autopsy?)?

I am going to try and get my vet to help me out and write a letter for proof, but when I asked him if he thinks the food led directly to her renal failure, he said that he doesn't see any other explanation and would like to connect the dots and put two and two together based on the recent recall situation. It sounds as though he doesn't want to outright admit it and say yes. He did say it was acute renal failure, which if it were chronic Menufoods would say that it wasn't caused by the food.

I am flabbergasted how the reported deaths are still so low! 15 cats and 1 dog? Yeah right. If you go on yahoo and search for the class action group you will see THOUSANDS of people mourning their pets, some lost MULTIPLE pets at the same time. I am lucky Charley eats another food, even though I am now skeptical about dry food since many unofficial reports of Iams Dry Food are surfacing.

I think I went on enough of a :Soapbox: for tonight. I just love my Lucy so much and I want them to pay for what they have done to us. I don't understand how they can get away with this. And if I have anything to do about it, they definitely won't.

[moose53]

((((((Wish)))))),

I wish there were something I could say to make it easier...

I know how hard it is to put animals down because of old age combined with illness ... what you're having to face is an obscenity.

I listened to the news tonight and they're still reporting that very low number but "the experts" are all saying that that number is gonna grow into the thousands. I think it already has :(

Wish, never doubt that the care that you have given Lucy and the love were the best. Without you, she would have been lost. You trusted that a company that's been providing a product that was necessary FOR LIFE would be made with the same quality and care that you would have made the product. It's a hard, painful lesson to learn.

Follow through with everything as far as you can -- education, lawsuits -- until you feel peace in your heart. Little Lucy's gonna become one of the angels that's gonna prevent thousands and thousands more animals from dying. Lucy's a very special little soul.

BIG HUGS (and love).

Barb http://chocolate-moose.p5.org.uk/MINIS/holding-hands.gif

[~KELLWANTSANSWERS~]

{{{{{{{{wish}}}}}}}}}
I am so very sorry to hear this sad news about your lucy.

I hope you can find a way to make them pay for all her medical bills and such.
Take care~
:grouphug:

[mrsD]

I am sorry you have to do this final solution. I've been there 3 times, and know it hurts terribly.:hug:

It really is much harder knowing you are the instrument leading to the decision, even tho it is not your fault the food was tainted.
All of us feed our pets, and those pets in turn trust us. It is very very hard accepting this accident because of those feelings.

Yes, I would get the necropsy...get proof of the lesions in the GI tract, and other evidence.

I am really upset about the public management of this issue. While horrible things do happen in our food chain, or even with air conditioners (Legionaire's infections), and even cruises...this one seems to be obviously minimized in the media. The denial that seems to hover over this is making people more angry and will backfire I suspect. The more they lie, the more I suspect other contamination.

Just goes to show how inadequate our FDA is.

[Chemar]

(((((((((hsiw))))))))))

I just ache for what you are going through, and for what your precious Lucy is suffering.:(

this whole thing has even wider ramifications which I dont think have been discussed yet...........
apart from us pet owners being freaked about the petfood supply.........

my son has OCD/anxiety/panic etc which has been very low for alost 7 years now
however
this whole thing (following so soon after the p nut butter/lettuce/spinach etc scares) has triggered a major flareup in him, where he is suffering panic at eating or drinking anything for fear it is poisoned...to the point of not even being able to take the supplements that actually help him with this!
I am taking him in for an emergency acupuncture/reflexology etc session as I know that will help boost his endorphins and serotonin and hopefully calm him enough to break this cycle

I wonder how many other people are now also suffering paranoia about food safety

[hsiw]

Here is a photo so you can see how beautiful my Lucy is.

[Doody]

Here you are (((Wish))). I've been wondering about Lucy. I am so very sorry, and please don't blame yourself. You've been a very good mom to Lucy.

I hate fighting overwhelming battles, but this is one I'd try to put some fight into.

I agree that I would have whatever test I need for proof.

Once I had a dog named Lucy, she was a border collie. I lived on a farm and the neighbor farmer shot her for bothering his sheep. And in my 57 years I've had to put down to many precious animals, and it does hurt so much. I'm still emotionally recovering from putting down one of my cats last year. There are so many humans who just cannot conceive of or understand just how important animals are and deserve rights. They do so much for us and out of pure love.

(((Wish)))

[Chemar]

Wish

Lucy is heartbreakingly cute

I have you and her in my thoughts and prayers today

:hug:

[Lara]

(((wish)))

[mrsD]

what a tragedy! Are you the same "wish" from Secret Garden? Is this the
same beagle? The one who was on SAMe (Denosyl) ?

My heart is just breaking for you and Lucy! :Sob:

I recall some very cute pictures of that beagle in the past.

[hsiw]

Yes mrsd that is me. I have more photos from today if I get the time later to upload them online.

Today I got good news and bad news. Right before the vet was going to euthanize her he gave us a speech about how he believes in miracles and has seem some crazy stuff before- so just in case he was going to do another blood check. And lo and behold, her levels turned around and started to decrease. the day before they were skyrocketing higher and higher and now they are showing some improvement. So he said it isn't fair to do it today when she is trying to fight it off. So he said we need to give her another 24 hours watch.

This is good news and I am ecstatic. But that is why its bad. I am getting my hopes up and he said it is one in a thousand chance of her turning around completely. So tomorrow I will get another update and visit her again. Today we brought in Charley (her much younger brother) and he is A-ok except for some allergies and a steroid shot.

So we are waiting and I have missed 6 classes so far this week and worrying about school now and catching up. I am doomed to another restless night and constant worrying. I can't help but feel hopeful and now this added optimisim might just make the downfall even worse.

I got some great homemade food recipes which are so easy to make from the vet. If your interested I will post them online, you really don't need much to make them.

[Chemar]

oh wish I do hope this is a real recovery for Lucy!

Please do start a thread with those homemade recipes! That would be really great and the rest of us can then add to it with our own recipes

keeping you and Lucy in my thoughts and prayers!:hug:

[Doody]

(((Wish))) I am SO glad to hear from you. I thought about you all day and night as was my daughter and we all prayed for you and Lucy. Maybe this is really really good news, you just never know.

There are several stories on the internet of people going to heroic measures for their animals that have been affected by this. One I noted especially was a woman with a cat who now has to have IV all the time. But she chose that as opposed to putting her down. It shows a picture of her with an IV bag in the background!

Makes me wonder if I should really check in to pet insurance.

I hope and pray Lucy recovers even more today.

and YES I would like to hear your recipes if you don't mind! Thanks!

[Doody]

I'd love to see a thread with food recipes for our beloved pets! Great idea Chemar!

[Bobbi]

I'm pulling for you and for Lucy.

I'd also like to see the recipe thread :).


Before this recall, my dog was eating Eukanuba canned food - purchased for her at the suggestion of her doggie doctor and from his office. She ended up at doggie doctor ER - dehydrated and going into renal failure; she was, later, dx'd with pancreatitis :(. This was before any recall. The Eukanuba was immediately out-the-door.

Out of a litter of 8, not a single one of her siblings has pancreatitis, but she does. (Her "parents" and grandparents also were not effected by pancreatitis). I'm so glad that I saved the records from her visit to ER. I'm taking them to her doctor this weekend and am going to ask about that food. I've heard similar from other people (though I don't know them personally) speaking out about their pets also becoming terribly ill prior to this recall. (Each trip to the doctor, labs are run to keep a close eye on her levels.)

[~scrabble]

(((wish))) ((((Lucy)))

[hsiw]

Bobbi, I have heard that Eukanuba IS on the list too (for wet food). You can check out the list at www.menufoods.com/recall and go down to Dog Products. You should call them up and also Eukanuba and leave your name and number and they should call you back with instructions on how to get your vet bills reimbursed. About 10 years ago we had another beagle named Howie who died of pancreatitis. We got him after we had Lucy for about 5 years and I think they got along better together much more than Lucy and Charley (she hates Charley). Unfortunately, we spent thousands of dollars on Howie and it took a LONG time to pay off and he passed away soon after. We never found out the cause of the pancreatisis but the doctor suggested table food, which we don't give that often or the possibility of him eating from trashcans.

These vets problems are so terrible. I am going back to the vet this afternoon, our vet won't be there today so I will get the female vets opinion today. If anything, we will have to wait until tomorrow anyways since I prefer to do the procedure with our regular vet and he won't be in at all today.

When I get home later, I will be able to post those recipes- they are on my refrigerator now but I havent tried any yet.

If Lucy is ok (cross my fingers) she will need to be on an IV drip for a VERY long time (possibly at home) and I will have to give her weekly or daily injections, which they will teach me how to do. She will also be only allowed special food designed for kidney problem dogs. It will be a very long battle, but I am willing to do it for her.

[mrsD]

I vote for giving Lucy a chance... more than just a day. Say a week.

BTW how old is Lucy? That might have a bearing too. Were you still giving her
the SAMe? The reason I ask is that SAMe is a methylation agent and may have been protective to some extent. The poison is a folic acid antagonist which would block methylation chemistry. Just a thought.

Best wishes for Lucy today. I truly hope it all works out for you. :hug:
We have a poster Yorkiemom on PN, who has a dog with kidney issues and she
takes care of them herself. You might want to PM her and get more details.

[Farm Wife]

first, I really hope Lucy is doing better. Hugs for you both.

second, the FDA has released a report saying they found a toxic plastic chemical in the dog foods, melamine which is used to make plastic dishes, etc.

they did not find the "rat poison" in the samples they tested. gosh, what are they going to come up with next? and who do you believe.

I'm sorry I don't have a link to this, I just heard it on my local news.

Hugs and Prayers

[mrsD]

the plot sickens ( as we say around this house)

Here is the link to the FDA info:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070330/ap_on_go_ot/pet_food_recall

All the more reason to make your own food!

[Chemar]

ACK!!!!:eek:
from that Yahoo News report:
The apparently melamine-contaminated wheat gluten also was shipped to an unnamed company that manufactures dry pet food.

:Sigh: :thud:

[hsiw]

That is crazy, even more reason to make homemade dog food. I am posting the recipes now.

I am going to the vet again at 3pm today to speak with her about the new bloodwork levels. We'll see what happens.

[hsiw]

I'm not sure if this was already posted, but just in case it wasn't:

http://www.itchmo.com/read/voluntary-dry-food-reports_20070328#more-239

This link shows unofficial reports of DRY FOOD causing illness and renal failure.

[Doody]

Oi vey. Well, maybe it's why my cats never have liked Iams. :(

http://www.iamscruelty.com/

[Doody]

And another.

http://www.peta-online.org/feat-iams.asp

[hsiw]

Ok so we just got back and we scared off the substitute vet asking her so many questions, and we didn't get to say bye since she "disappeared" off to an appointment.

To sum it up quickly: her levels are just about the same. Which can be taken good or badly.

So I recorded the past weeks levels and am trying to analyze them and what we should do. The two kidney levels are called Creatanine and BUN (Blood/Urine/Nitrogen) and go as follows:

3/26
BUN 130
CRE 9.7

3/27
BUN >180
CRE 8.4

3/29
BUN 160
CRE 6.7

3/30
BUN 161
CRE 6.4

I found a few people online with pets that had levels similar to these and pulled out of it. They mentioned it took a few weeks to get them back to a somewhat normal range. Just so you all can get an idea, Lucy in October 2006 her normal levels for BUN were 22 and CRE 1.5. Now they are skyrocketed. I hope that they keep going down, but I know that with permanent damage it is just as likely that they stay the same which means Lucy will have to be put down soon. I can't help but hope they keep lowering. She had been vomiting last night, which is not good either and worries me (she is on Maalox & Pepcid now) BUT she looked alot better today and wagged her tail when she saw us. I feel hopeful but I know that the outcome of this is pretty much a 50/50 chance of going either way.

[Pamster]

And another.

http://www.peta-online.org/feat-iams.asp

I was stunned at that video they had of the testing facility! :eek: :eek: :eek: I used their form to send off letters to Iams and Menu Foods about it too...Disgusting and shocking fail when you see the way they treat those poor animals. Thank you for posting the link to that story with the testing facility video Doody. I had no idea it was that horrific. :(

[hsiw]

The vet called today to say that even though her BUN and CRE levels seem to be going down, her phosphorous levels are remaining the same, at a very toxic level despite doubling the IV drip. So she is at a 15.8 when she should be between 3 and 7. He suggested putting her down today because he said he wasn't sure how humane and ethical this is anymore, since the finances keep building up and Lucy is very toxic all over (rancid smelling, yellow skin, infected eyes, stomach ulcers, vomiting still). So I made the decision to wait until Monday and see what happens over the weekend (they are closed Sundays). Do any of you know about phosphorous levels?

[Doody]

(((Wish))) I haven't been able to stop thinking about you and your Lucy. I just feel so bad for you.

I know the first link is a pet food web site, but it discusses phosphorus levels and kidney failure. I also realize that your problems isn't related to feeding him the wrong dog food over a long period of time and is entirely different. But they do explain how the phosphorus levels work.

http://www.pedigree.com/dogsandpuppies/adult+dogs/health+care/health+problems/caring+for+dogs+with+chronic+kidney+failure.asp

http://pets.yahoo.com/pets/dogs/hn/easing_age_related_health_problems

http://www.dogaware.com/kidney.html

[Doody]

((Wish)) and others. Here is information for you on the kidneys. http://www.petconnection.com/renaldisease.php

Please also look at this page where you can report your stricken pet. http://www.petconnection.com/recall/

And, their homepage has lots of valuable information. http://www.petconnection.com/

Hugs for everyone.

[Lara]

Thanks, Doody.
That's great information you've posted. :hug:

I'm still confused about the melamine issue. I was just checking out the WHO site about melamine and the info. they had on there just doesn't add up to why these cats and dogs would die suddenly. It seems to me to point more at long term issues and exceptionally high doses.

I know this might sound weird, but I just decided to see if I could buy some Melamine online just trying to see more about it. One supplier from China "imports and exports chemical products, mainly organic and inorganic chemicals, medicine, pesticide, dye intermediates, feed, food additive and other refined chemical products." Sorta makes me wonder and also hope they're not all stored or manufactured in the same place.

[Doody]

You're welcome ((Wish)). Yes, Pet Connection does look like a good site to keep updated. It says on one of their pages:

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books.

http://www.petconnection.com/recall_basics.php

[hsiw]

Thanks Doody, I am going to check out the websites now. I have been spending hours and hours, every free second I have trying to learn more about this. It is a bit exhausting, but really important to know whats going on. Lara, you would be amazed at what kind of things can be bought over the internet.

[hsiw]

I am nervous about tomorrow. I am eager to know if her levels have gone down. I am frightened they haven't and the vet will again suggest me end her suffering- and my gut tells me to wait and wait and wait. I can't help but worry how tomorrow will turn out, how this week will conclude.

I am also tired of preaching. I have done hours of research, days of reading. I am exhausted by this entire pet food recall. I have learned more about kidney failure than I want. I can speel (sp?) off any information you need to know about this on a whim, I can list to you all the brands recalled and all the ones not on the list. I can tell you on the hour updates the second they are announced. And well, I am tired of trying to convince others of the urgency of this situation. I feel it is hopeless. So many of my friends and family members keep thinking that this just can't happen to them. They don't care to realize that it can. And I feel it is pure ignorance. Maybe they don't understand what I am going through, or have empathy towards the situation. Whatever it is that makes those people continue feeding their pets dog foods that are causing renal failure, or just simply ANY commercial pet food. I just don't understand WHY anyone would risk it. Yes I am getting on my :Soapbox: now. I don't wish this on anyone, really. I just wish everyone could understand how close to home this national problem is. My brother doesn't even know what food he gives his cat and doesn't even care less. My aunt is giving her dog food that is recalled but the dry version which has unofficial reports of kidney failure. I tell them, but why listen to me? They thank me for my information and keep feeding it to them. While I am here cooking homemade dog food for 2 hours long. I guess it just boils down to how much you care about your pets. I guess.

Its just frustrating when I am going into $2000 of debt, going to the vet's office everyday thinking I am putting Lucy to sleep, and worrying about if she will ever get out of there alive. I would give anything to rewind time and change what has happened, had I known. And some of you know now already, you know what is going on-but you continue to do it. And this is not aimed at anyone in particular on this site. Just everyone I come across in my life who continues to tell me that *their* pet food is safe, even when it really isn't, because no pet food is safe anymore. Why would you trust any company with the life of your pet when soo many are out there dying?

[moose53]

((((((Wish)))))),

http://chocolate-moose.p5.org.uk/MINIS/huggiebears-mini.gif

I hope Lucy gets her own miracle tomorrow http://chocolate-moose.p5.org.uk/MINIS/praying.gif

Hugs (and love).

Barb

[Bobbi]

(((( Hugs and lotsa hope and good thoughts for Lucy ))))

[Lara]

Wish, I'll be thinking of you and Lucy today.

:grouphug:

[Chemar]

((((Wish))))
you and Lucy are in my thoughts and prayers today
:hug:

[hsiw]

I have great news. Lucy's scores have gone down alot! The vet is excited and as long as they continue going down she should be able to come home. I was so scared they hadn't changed, but they did. She looked great- the workers were telling me how different she looked today, like a whole different dog. We were able to walk her around outside and she was trying to climb out of her cage and onto my lap.

Her scores went from (3/30/07) BUN 161 and CRE 6.4 to (4/2/07) BUN 120 and CRE 5.2. Her phosphorus levels changed from (3/30) 15.8 to (4/2) 8.8! (which explains why she is looking so much better--- she is not feeling sick and nauseous anymore)

I can't believe how low they went. Thanks so much for thinking of her. I made a promise that if she was ok I would go to church on Sunday (lol) so I guess I will be going. :rolleyes:

I was hoping to take her home today but her levels are still way too high and hopefully in a few days she can come home and will only need 1 shot per day until (if) they go back to normal. Normally they should be BUN 7-27, CRE .5-1.8, and PHOS 2.5-6.8. Her scores in October were in that range, I hope they can get back in it.

I will post pictures later in the week to show you everything she has gone through.

[FeelinGoofy]

wish, i'm so happy for you and Lucy.... I"ll continue to say a prayer for her
{{{HUGS}}}
vicky

[Chemar]

oh Wish! this is such good news :hug:





ps
Do remember to get all your vet bills and hopefully also a covering letter from your vet re her treatment etc and get it filed with Menu Foods ASAP as they have stated they are reimbursing vet fees for animals who have been dx with kidney probs after eating any of the recalled foods. Also file with the company whose brand is on the food!

[Doody]

Sitting here in my office with tears trickling down my face. ((((Wish)))) I can't begin to tell you how this touches my heart. Positive thoughts and prayers will still continue for Lucy to keep getting better.

I haven't heard such good news in a really long time!

And yes, please remember about the vet bills and don't forget that the last pet site I posted has links to where you report your pets affected by this attrocious disaster.

((((((Lucy))))))

[moose53]

Oh my, goodness!! ((((((Wish))))))!!

I told you that we all can create miracles together here :)

I'm still praying that your sweet fur-baby gets back to even better than before.

I'm glad that Lucy's not suffering. AND, I'm really impressed that the vet is excited about Lucy's progress :cool:

BIG HUGS.

Barb

[Farm Wife]

Add this to the recall lists http://www.delmonte.com/petfoodrecall.html

[mrsD]

Jumping up and down clapping hands ( I don't do this often)...

I am so glad that Lucy is perking up. All that love and the prayers from all of
us have had an impact!

I am so happy for both of you!:hug:

[hsiw]

Thanks everybody...so much for all of your kind words and thoughts. I can't get over the turn around on her stats and results. It is so wonderful! :grouphug: And to think, I was SO close to putting her down on Thursday, good thing the vet decided to do one last bloodwork right before.

[~KELLWANTSANSWERS~]

I am SOOOOO HAPPY:) to hear that your baby Lucy is gonna be ok {{{wish}}}}
Just wonderful news!!!
I will continue to keep her in my prayers...
:hug:

[Pamster]

That is awesome that Lucy is doing so much better! :D :D :D Thank you for sharing hsiw! :D

[hsiw]

I got to take Lucy home today!!!! Now I just have to figure out how to keep her without too much activity since Charley is so excited he wants to play with her. So far its already been a handful. We got home in the rain. I had left Charley outside so he was somehow covered in mud. I put Lucy in my room and decided to give Charley a quick bath in the shower. Now he is hyper and rolling all over my room while Lucy is growling at him and trying to sleep. *phew Hopefully it will just get easier. I will pretty much be at home the entire weekend taking care of her and she will go everywhere I go. It is just so nice to have her here with me. The vet called her "miracle dog" today and told me she isn't following any of the rules of kidney failure (which makes me happy).

She is also detoxing from the IV and antibiotics. So she is on nothing right now except Prescriptions Diet k/d wet food, which makes me nervous since the dry food was recalled. But I guess there is nothing I can do since she has to be on special food after all that. I have to check in with him everyday.

Also, I spoke to Nutro's insurance company Hartford yesterday for 15 minutes and gave her a taped response to everyhting that has happened. I kept it as factual as I could and gave her Lucy's statistics. Later in the week I will fax over Lucy's file and the vets notes and hopefully will get reimbursed for all this. We'll see.

[mrsD]

advanced kidney formula for dogs does not have wheat or wheat gluten in
it:
http://www.nationalpetpharmacy.com/store/product_detail.asp?pf%5Fid=20133912&dept%5Fid=1079&brand%5Fid=339&root%5Fid=

[hsiw]

Oh thanks mrsd, I forgot to check the label on the can. I will make sure to do that before I give it to her.

I am trying to think of something I should make for the vets office, they were so nice and so helpful that I even became friends with all the workers. I am thinking cookies. hmm..

[Doody]

OMG ((((WISH))))! I am SO happy to hear about this! Lucy is HOME! Bless her little heart!

Give her a big kiss on her little snout for me please?

[Lara]

Hey wish,
I'm so happy to read you've finally been able to bring Lucy home. That's just marvellous news!!! :D

[moose53]

Oh, my goodness, ((((((Wish))))))!!

Have to get out my tutu for the **Official Moose Happy Dance**!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/moose53/GIFS/happy-dance-moose-9.gif

Lucy and Charley will both probably calm down once they get their scents "balanced out". I've noticed that when I take one out of three of my kitties to the the vet, the other two act weird for awhile. I think they don't like all the strange scents.

Lucy-girl IS a miracle, huh :hug: Sounds like your vet is pretty darn spectacular, himself :cool:

I've been away for a few days so haven't been able to keep up with everyone. I'm sitting here grinning SO BIG!! I'm glad that Lucy didn't have to pay a bigger price for some company's incompetence.

BIG HUGS (and love) to both of you. And a nice juicy http://chocolate-moose.p5.org.uk/MINIS/dogbone.gif for Lucy.

Barb

[~KELLWANTSANSWERS~]

I don't know how i missed this when i was on earlier....
I am soooo happy to read your baby has finally come home!!!!!
This is truely a miracle.I hope she continues to improve as each day passes!

Making cookies sounds like a very good idea.
How very thoughtful of you{{{wish}}}}

[Alffe]

Doing the happy dance here Wish. Cooper sends Lucy his love. *grin

[Chemar]

((((((((((((((((Wish & Lucy))))))))))))))))))))))))))

http://bestsmileys.com/clapping/4.gif

[Babs]

So sorry to hear about your beloved pet. Our two dogs just died of kidney failure. One in February (he was 5) on in March (he was 13 month).
Both went into the vet with backpain and died a few days later of kidney failure. Both dogs were treated with "Metacam" which can cause kidney failure. We are not sure, if the can food (which they only got as a treat once a week) or the meds were causing the kidney failure. Hard to proof, but
we heard that the petfood recall was started in February, but the food was already tainted as early as December, without the general public knowing anything about it.
The are a few class action lawsuits already started in the United States and in Canada.
Our vet told us if the kidneys are failing, it is very hard to get the pets back to life.:hug:

I know, what you are going through and wish you all the best. :grouphug:
If you like me to find you the links for the lawsuits, let me know and I will find it for you.

[Justice]

:( I'm so sorry to hear about your loved one's! These pet food recalls are effecting so many,even me.I'm so worried about if I gave my little Prince Nico anything on that list in the past that I can't remember.Then I see the word "PURINA",and one of his containers of food(hard food) is made by Purina! It scares me,I'm always buying him new treats to try out,and never looking at the brand,just the flavor,and the type of treat! I don't know what signs to look for if he gets sick from any of them,and I would go crazy with out him! He's my support puppy! He keeps me alive!Do you or anyone know what signs to watch for?!

[hsiw]

Hi everyone, again thanks for all the love & support for Lucy through all her tough times. Moose, that dancing moose is SO cute! :)

Justice, most of the signs are dizziness, vomiting, and just acting out of the ordinary. I think that by now, you would have probably seen signs of it. You could get your pets bloodwork done at the vet, just to be certain, if you are worried. The bloodwork will show signs of kidney damage. It may be better to be safe than sorry.

Babs, I got your PM and I am really sorry for your loss. It just seems like too much of a coincidence for both the pets to pass away around the same time. Has your exact type of food been put on the recall list? Brand and type? I dont think your vet should withold those xray/slides from you- are they allowed to do that? Perhaps you could get legal with your vet. They aren't being upfront with you. And like you said, if the pets have kidney damage and take that med- it likens the problem and makes it worse. That means the food is to blame, right? I am glad you are joining a class action suit. Many people here are saying not to join them because you won't get anything out of it anyway and it doesn't bring back your pet or the time you spent, but I think it is nice to know that these companyies are not getting away with what they have done.

[Babs]

Hi Wish,
thanks for your kind words. It helps a lot.
How is Lucy? What did the Vet say?
Is she OK?
Good luck in your new job as well.
Babs:)

[hsiw]

The vet said her levels all went down again (which is good) except for her phosphorus which causes her "icky" feelings which went up a little. Hopefully it is because of her tummy ache and will go away soon. The vet got confused (it was a new one I hadn't met) and I kept telling her she was comparing the new data to old data that wasn't the latest. I was telling her that the phosphorus went up, and she said "no no, it went down, everything went down" so I had to get in and flip the pages to show her that it did go up and that there was a newer bloodwork than the one she was looking at. I don't think she liked that, me telling her she was wrong and it being true. :eek: But oh well.

The new job is going great, I am a bit shocked still at everything I am seeing. I think it will take some time to adjust and get used to all these new people I havent met before. I am working with crowds I am definitely not used to: drug addicts, infants and toddlers, and domestically abused women. Yesterday I spent the day at a confidental secret domestic abuse transition housing location for families who have had domestic abuse in their past. It does a program for the kids with therapy each week. What I did was testing on them to see how the program affects them. But that was just yesterday. Usually I will be testing the infants and toddlers who have drug addict parents, and see how our day care effects them and their development throughout. It is very exciting, and such a great stepping stone to my "career" when that happens. I am also so excited to be starting graduate school in the fall for counseling. :) I really can't compain. :p Thanks for asking! lol

[Babs]

I just went through the website of DogtorJ. Very informative, and lots to read,but it list's all safe and Gluten free Pet foods.
His Tread is: Petfood Recall - The Tip of the Iceberg,
just in case someone likes to know.

[Babs]

I just went through the website of DogtorJ. Very informative, and lots to read,but it list's all safe and Gluten free Pet foods.
His Tread is: Petfood Recall - The Tip of the Iceberg,
just in case someone likes to know.

[moose53]

This is gonna turn out to be bigger than anyone ever thought.

from: http://www.iht.com/bin/print.php?id=5532846



U.S. agency investigating tainted pet food says Chinese firm dodged inspection

By David Barboza

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

SHANGHAI: A Chinese company accused of selling contaminated wheat gluten to pet food suppliers in the United States failed to disclose to China's export authorities that it was shipping food or feed to the United States, thereby avoiding having its goods inspected, according to U.S. regulators.

Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development, one of two Chinese companies at the center of the massive pet food recall after thousands of animals were killed and sickened, had shipped more than 700 tons of wheat gluten labeled as "nonfood" products earlier this year through a third party, a Chinese textile company.

The "nonfood" designation meant the company's shipments were not subject to mandatory inspection by the Chinese government.

The details of the case, some of which were disclosed Friday in a circular released by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States, are just the latest clues that Chinese feed suppliers may have been intentionally disguising the contents of their goods.

FDA officials are now visiting China, seeking more information about how and why an industrial chemical used in plastics and as fertilizer got mixed into pet food ingredients.

The pet food recall is threatening to turn into a major trade issue because of mounting worries in the U.S. Congress about the safety of China's agricultural exports to the United States, the ability of American regulators to protect the country's food supply and the slow pace of efforts by the Chinese government to aid the investigation.

American regulators admit that six weeks after one of the biggest pet food recalls in U.S. history, they still do not know who in China manufactured the contaminated pet food ingredients or where in China the contamination took place.

Though the agency has named two Chinese companies as the suppliers of the tainted vegetable protein, regulators suspect the companies may not have been making the feed but buying it from other feed manufacturers in China. Those producers, regulators believe, may have intentionally mixed melamine into the feed to artificially inflate the level of protein in the bags to meet pet food requirements.

"Records relating to the importation of these products indicate that these two firms had manufactured the ingredients in question," the FDA said. "There is strong evidence, however, that these firms are not the actual manufacturers. Moreover, despite many weeks of investigation, it is still unknown who the actual manufacturer or manufacturers of the contaminated products imported from China are," the FDA said.

Worried that the contaminant could continue to enter the United States and also seep into the human food supply through additives, regulators have blocked all Chinese imports of wheat gluten and warned importers to screen nearly every other kind of food and feed additive entering the country from China, including corn gluten and soy protein.

Last week, the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture jointly warned consumers that melamine had found its way into hog and chicken feed and encouraged producers to destroy the animals, even though there was no clear evidence that consuming meat from the animals was a danger to human health.

American regulators are now under growing pressure to ensure the safety of human and pet food and to get to the bottom of the melamine scare.

What began as a pet food recall on March 16 involving two factories working for a single pet food maker, Menu Foods, has now expanded to include some of America's leading pet food brands and over 60 million pet food packages.

The two Chinese companies named by American regulators last month have said little publicly since the recall. Both are based in eastern China, near one of the country's biggest wheat growing regions and also one of the centers of melamine production.

Melamine is an industrial chemical that animal feed producers here say has been intentionally mixed into feed to cheat farmers into thinking they are buying higher protein meal, even though the chemical has no nutritional value. A similar practice took place in the United States and in China involving a related compound called urea, but that compound is now more widely tested for and banned from certain feeds in the United States.

"This was standard stuff after World War II, when animal feed was adulterated with urea," said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food and public health at New York University. "This is simple greed. It's like they're adding water to the wheat gluten."

Contacted a few weeks ago, Xuzhou Anying officials denied having any knowledge of how melamine got into one of their packages and insisted that they never exported any wheat gluten to the United States.

But Xuzhou Anying advertised on the Internet as recently as late March seeking to buy large quantities of melamine scrap. "We urgently need a lot of melamine scrap," Xuzhou said in a posting March 21 on a trading Web site called EC21, leaving a cellphone number.

The Chinese government has told American regulators, however, that Xuzhou is not a manufacturer of wheat gluten but purchased its products from 25 different manufacturers.

ChemNutra, the Las Vegas pet food supplier that bought the wheat gluten from Xuzhou and then resold it to pet food makers in the United States, also said it was led to believe Xuzhou was the manufacturer of the product. But ChemNutra officials also say that they received the shipments of wheat gluten through a third party, a company called Suzhou Textiles Silk Light & Industrial Products. A spokesman for Suzhou Textiles denied that the company exported wheat gluten to the United States.

The other supplier of contaminated protein named by regulators is Binzhou Futian Biology Technology, which says that it supplies soy, corn and other proteins and has strong sales in the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia. The company also declined comment.

The Chinese government said last week that it was unlikely melamine could have harmed so many pets in the United States. But on Friday, China banned melamine from use in any vegetable protein for export or for use in the domestic food market.

The FDA says that it has received reports that more than 4,000 cats and dogs died as a result of eating pet food that may have been laced with melamine.

Scientists are now struggling to determine why melamine, a chemical that is not believed to be toxic, may have turned poisonous. Some scientists theorize that melamine mixed with other melamine-like compounds, such as cyanuric acid, to create a poisonous substance.

That possibility may be all the more likely because many animal feed producers in China are not using pure melamine but much cheaper melamine scrap, sold as a waste product from melamine production.


Copyright © 2007 The International Herald Tribune | www.iht.com

[Chemar]

:eek:

My son had a surge of OCD after the petfood recall started, following so soon after the Pnut butter scare, and got freaked about eating anything from a can, jar, package etc.....................

seems his concerns may not have just been OCD but a stark reality:( :mad:

[~KELLWANTSANSWERS~]

I feed my kitties purina and i worry EVERYDAY that it's gonna end up on that recall list as well!!
I also have serious worries about our food!!!
I am so sorry your son has had problems...I am kinda obsessed myself these days..
I hope he feels better soon!

[dawn3063]

( I receive these news letters in my e-mail and thought it would be good to post. I don't feed my dogs their food. I feed prescription diet but I like to keep posted on the recent events.)

http://www.smartpakcanine.com/newsletter/0705a_c_Recall_Update_May3.htm

May 4, 2007

Dear SmartPak Customer,

I am writing to inform you that on May 2nd, we initiated a voluntary recall of all orders of LiveSmart Adult Lamb and Brown Rice. This product tested positive for presence of melamine.

Previously, we had recalled another of our dog food brands, LiveSmart Weight Management Chicken and Brown Rice, which contained rice protein concentrate sourced from Wilbur Ellis. We were not able to determine if our product had been made with a contaminated batch without waiting many days for test results, so we voluntarily recalled the product the same day our contract manufacturer informed us of the potential for contamination to lessen the possibility of harm to dogs.

As part of our efforts to investigate this situation and prevent further issues, we immediately sent all the LiveSmart brand dog foods out for melamine testing.

Those tests came back on May 2nd, and the results surprised us. The LiveSmart Weight Management formulathe subject of our original recalldid not have any melamine detectable in the sample. Nor did LiveSmart Adult Chicken and Brown Rice, LiveSmart Puppy and Brown Rice, or LiveSmart Senior and Brown Rice, all of which tested negative for melamine. This is what we would have expected, since none of these products contain rice protein concentrate or wheat gluten.

But our Adult Lamb and Brown Rice formula did show presence of melamine. This was unexpected, since the product does not contain either of the suspect ingredients, nor any of the additional ingredients on the FDA watch list. All the meat and vegetable ingredients, with the exception of the lamb and lamb meal, originate from United States sources; none originate in China. The lamb and lamb meal we use in the formula is sourced from New Zealand, which has some of the strictest controls in the world, particularly surrounding use of antibiotics.

Once we received these test results, we immediately suspended production of SmartPaks containing LiveSmart Lamb. We pulled the product off the website. We notified UPS to redirect all packages destined for our customers homes. And we initiated this recall after discussing the situation with the FDA. Within hours, 99 percent of the roughly 220 pet owners feeding LiveSmart Lamb via SmartPaks were contacted by live phone contact or message, and/or email. We have had live contact with the majority of affected pet owners, and are continuing an aggressive outreach program to ensure that the notification has been received. To reduce likelihood of pet owners continuing to feed the food, replacement product is being shipped to affected customers free of charge.

It appears that our LiveSmart Lamb formula was produced shortly after another companys food that used contaminated rice protein concentrate, and that resulted in cross-contamination of our food. In addition to working with our contract manufacturer to identify steps that will reduce the possibility for cross contamination, we are testing all batches of finished products for the presence of melamine. We are also reformulating our LiveSmart Weight Management formula to eliminate the use of rice protein concentrate. Although in its pure form, rice protein concentrate is considered a high quality vegetable protein source, given the present situation, we feel that there are other options to ensure high protein levels that carry less risk.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 1-800-461-8898. Our Product Specialists are available from 8:30am to 8pm EST Monday Thursday and 8:30am to 5:30pm EST Friday. Our Customer Service line is open 24/7.

We are all very upset to have exposed our customers and their dogs to this situation. We and other responsible members of the pet community will be working aggressively to implement additional testing and production safeguards to ensure that this does not happen again. I will continue to update our website as more information becomes available.

Sincerely,


Paal Gisholt
President and CEO

[moose53]

This is really starting to make me sick:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=19012

Barb

[Justice]

:grouphug: FIRST I JUST WANT TO GIVE MY DEEPEST SYMPOTHIES TO ALL THOSE THAT LOST A LOVED ONE OR MORE TO THE RECALL SITUATION! I HAVE A PET MYSELF THAT I COULDN'T SEE LIVING WITHOUT,SO I'M TRULY SORRY TO ALL YOU OUT THERE.
NOW,DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE RECALL IS OVER YET,IF THEY'VE GOTTEN ALL THE ITEMS PINNED DOWN,AND GONE,OR IF THEY'RE STILL FINDING MORE,AND ADDING MORE TO THE LIST! I ENDED UP TAKING MY PUPPY TO THE VET FOR A FULL EXAM,AND WORKUP TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH HIM,BECAUSE HE WAS HAVING SOME WEIRD SYMPTOMS,VOMITING,HE WOULDN'T EAT,THE RUNS,IT SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME! LUCKILY,HE WAS FINE! BUT I WAS STILL HAVING MY PANIC ATTACK OVER IT!

[moose53]

Justice,

No. It's not over by a long shot. They're finding "secondary contamination" -- products that were run on the manufacturing lines after the initial contamination are also being contaminated.

Turns out that there appears to be significant fraud and manipulation involved by the original suppliers of the melamine-contaminated grain ... so there's no telling how far this goes back and how widespread it really is.

Apparently, they were putting the melamine in the grain because it mimics "additional protein" in the product.

Since this also seems to be affecting human food, I think it's going to DEMAND that better testing procedures be put in place.

The problem is it's impossible to test for everything. Especially when you throw liars and manipulators into the equation.

I would think that it should be possible to analyze say a pet food product and know what it should look like on a purely chemical analysis and then determine if it doesn't look like that. But, I'm probably being naive and too simplistic.

I have a problem, too, with a company that "manufactures" 95 different brands of cat food and dog food when, obviously, it's all the same brand, except for maybe some additional salt or spices or vitamins. I think that type of thinking -- that you can have one thing and say it's really 95 things -- is a significant part of what allowed this problem to happen.

Barb

[Doody]

PLUS a bunch of it went to feed some hogs in a couple of places. I believe California was one of them. Hogs that were going to market for people consumption. Idiots!!!!! Geesh!

:Demonstration:

[Babs]

Hi Justice,

No it is not over yet. I signed up at

" www.itchmo.com/alert (http://www.itchmo.com/alert) "

and receive an e-mail alert in my mailbox as soon as something new comes up. They are real fast in alerting people.
I knew about the recall of "Natural Balance Venison and brown rice" even before the store who sells it. Actually I phoned them to take it off the shelves. They had to phone the company to make sure that I was right.

It helps knowing that you will be alerted about every new list there is.

Glad to hear that you pet is ok.:)

Babs

[Justice]

PLUS a bunch of it went to feed some hogs in a couple of places. I believe California was one of them. Hogs that were going to market for people consumption. Idiots!!!!! Geesh!

:Demonstration:

So this could start contaminating human foods as well?....This is really getting out of control,I think the manufacturing companies should be looking at more than lawsuits,but criminal charges as well.I look at a persons pet as a member of thier family,just as if they were a human being! This is more criminal than just Oops! You know what I mean?!....I was just lucky that my little "Nico" was not harmed by this,and I still am afraid when I go to buy him new treats,and his food.They say they've pulled all items off the shelves that were recalled,but what about the one's they don't know about yet? You know! I just figure if I don't change what he's been eating for over 6 months,as his food,he'll be okay in that area.But I get pretty nervous picking out his treats,cause you never know,it feels like you're playing "Russion Roulette"! DAMN!:mad:

[moose53]

Well, this is now turning into an environmental disaster:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=19379

"Fisheries" -- that means that this crap will be released into the environment -- salmon and other wild fish -- human food that will never be monitored.

I love how the FDA has stepped right up to the plate and stopped this thing in its tracks. They're still only reporting about 18 pets killed from this stuff.

This makes me so angry :mad:

[hsiw]

moose, after Lucy's entire incident- which is still ongoing with Hartford (Nutro's insurance company), I finished faxing them the papers Friday and we will see what happens next... , but after all this, Menufoods NEVER called me back. The FDA did call me once, but they basically said they had no say in anything and I would have to deal with the pet food company directly, which is what I am doing. It just seems very crooked. They are passing the blame around. Well, the FDA should have checked it, but the pet food company made it and should have inspected, or the FDA should have made sure it was inspected, and then they are saying that China shouldn't have even sent them this stuff - it is the blame game and they are trying to find a scapegoat for all this. What will happen in the long run is what I am waiting for.

I still won't buy food or treats at the pet store. Who knows? Maybe I never will again. Lucy eats Prescriptions Diet K/D canned food, which I am uneasy about but the vet requires her to eat it since she is on a special low protein diet after her kidney failure. Charley is eating homemade food that I make for him every few days, sometimes I make large batches and freeze containers of it. I give him a pet multi-vitamin to compensate for the lack of whatever may be missing from his chicken-rice-veggie stew that i make. I won't ever trust again these companies. I already knew that pet food was ground up leftovers or wasted animal remains, but now it has effected me too close to home. And this only reminds me of the terrible conditions in meat factories as well, as depicted in the book Fast Food Nation or even The Jungle. It is covered up because the highest political figures are in charge and can pay off inspectors or law changes whenever they need to. It is sad. Something good better come from this pet food recall: a reform in the way all types of food are made.

[BJ]

http://www.itchmo.com/read/texas-lab-finds-acetaminophen-in-pet-food_20070605

When will this ever stop? :( Acetaminophen is deadly to cats.

[Yorkiemom]

It was with much sadness that I came across this thread. I too have a dog with renal failure, although it seemingly came on far earlier than those affected by the contaminated food from China. This makes me ANGRY.

My tiny Yorkie is on Purina's canned prescription diet NF for renal failure. She will hardly eat on her own and hated KD, and I have to force food some and also use a litle meat on top of the prescription food, or forget it... I have been able to keep her going now for over a year, with special care. She is on 100 cc daily fluids, similar to IV's, given under the skin, Sub Q. She is also on Prednisone.

I was buying the bags of fluids from the vet, with B-Complex (injected into the bag) and it was costing a fortune-$25.00 a bag. One bag would last about 10 days. I was lucky my husband was agreeable to the expense, but he loves the dog too...

The reason I am posting this, is because I found I was able to save a fortune by getting prescriptions from the vet for the components of the fluid therapy and assembling it at home to administer myself.

My costs have dropped to probably about $6.00 per bag. This means that keeping her going is far more affordable. If anyone needs help with figuring out how to buy this or even do this, please let me know. It is easily done, although I had to go to various drug stores to get the prescriptions filled, since no one store had everything... You need to have a vet, or someone, who is willing to show you how to administer fluids at home, if you don't know how.

During normal times, some pharmacists in our area are a little nervous about selling supplies like this. However, most have heard about this problem with the kidneys and understand what it is needed for. In some states, you may not even need a prescription for some of it.

At first, I had a difficult time sticking her. I studied to be a nurse and had no problem with the idea of sticking people, but my tiny dog??? You get over that quickly...

Anyway, please feel free to PM me if you need help with this.

Cathie