Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, all of whom are at particular risk from exposure and should avoid handling these products.

Salmonella symptoms may include fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea in both dogs and humans. Anyone experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek immediate medical attention.

Owners of dogs exhibiting these symptoms should also seek veterinary assistance.

Hartz Mountain Corporation is recalling 74,700 8-oz bags of Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats for Dogs, lot code BZ0969101E, UPC number 32700-11519, which were imported by Hartz from a Brazilian supplier, Bertin S.A., and which were distributed to a number of customers in the United States. While regular testing conducted by Bertin (prior to shipment to the US) did not detect the presence of Salmonella in any packages of this product, random sample testing conducted by FDA did indicate the presence of Salmonella. Hartz is aggressively investigating the source of the problem.

Although Hartz has not received any reports of animals or humans becoming ill as a result of coming into contact with this product, Hartz is taking immediate steps to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers. Dog owners having purchased this product should check the lot code on their bag, and, if the code is not visible, or if the bag has lot code BZ0969101E imprinted thereon, they should immediately discontinue use of the product and discard it in a proper manner.

Consumers can contact Hartz at 1-800-275-1414 at any time with any questions they may have and for information on how to obtain reimbursement for purchased product.

Veterinarians are trying to discern whether roughly a dozen dogs testing positive for hypercalcemia and consuming the same high-end diet is merely coincidence or a problem with the pet food in question.

The reports have cropped up on the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), an online community for the profession and parent of the VIN News Service. In message board discussions, veterinarians have revealed cases of hypercalcemia secondary to vitamin D toxicosis occurring in dogs that eat a single brand of dry pet food: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Diet, chicken flavor. In each of the cases, veterinarians report that dogs’ conditions have improved after switching brands.

So far, nothing concrete has identified a causal relationship between the food and illnesses in dogs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while reportedly alerted to adverse events tied to the food, has not prompted a recall, though the VIN News Service has been unable to reach officials with the regulatory agency directly.

Officials with Wilton, Conn.-based Blue Buffalo report that “tens of thousands of dollars” and hundreds of hours have been spent analyzing various batches of dog food, including samples from bags directly linked to specific cases of dogs testing positive for hypercalcemia and vitamin D toxicity.

Richard MacLean, vice president of business affairs, says one thing is certain: Test results thus far have shown nothing unusual about the product’s formulation; amounts of calcium and vitamin D, in particular, are within the company’s specifications and well below levels that might be considered toxic. The company’s focus has been on Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe, manufactured in April 2010 with a best-used-by date of July 2011. Vitamin D toxicity, or hypervitaminosis D, induces bone loss and abnormally high serum calcium levels, which could result in kidney stones and the calcification of organs like the heart and kidneys if left untreated.

“We really do take very seriously our commitment to providing health nutrition to pets,” MacLean says. “From the moment this issue came up, we are looking to find out if this is something we can do something about.”

Dr. Joy Mueller, a veterinarian in Santa Rosa, Calif., says the condition isn’t one that an owner will likely miss. Recently, her two-year-old Australian shepherd became lethargic, releasing copious amounts of extremely dilute urine throughout her house and drinking large amounts of water. Heeding the red flags, she tested the dog’s blood and noted elevated calcium levels and a low platelet count. Hypercalcemia is often associated with kidney cancer and lymphoma.

Yet after ruling out possible problems with kidney function, Mueller turned to the Blue Buffalo Wilderness chicken and turkey flavored dry food that the dog had been eating for two weeks and changed brands. The result was dramatic; the dog’s condition improved within 24 hours.

Mueller came to the association between the food and her dog’s condition independently of the VIN discussions on the topic, though she did not test her dog for elevated levels of vitamin D and cannot be certain that toxic levels of it prompted the animal’s illness. Still, she e-mailed the VIN News Service last Friday to spread the word about her findings to other veterinarians.

Reflecting on the turn of events, she says: “Vitamin D toxicosis was not my first thought. Various types of cancer including kidney cancer were the big rule outs. I wasn’t thinking food until I switched him.”

While Mueller believes that the food is tied to her dog’s condition, she suspects the reaction was idiosyncratic.

“It’s such a dramatic response that if a large number of dogs that ate this food had it, you would hear about more cases,” she says. “You can’t miss it peeing all the time and going through gallons of water.

“I suspect this has more to do with the dogs than the food,” Mueller adds. “I’m thinking beyond vitamin D. There may be dogs that have a genetic predisposition to the developing this condition after eating this food. It’s quite a mystery.”

Dr. Kathryn Cochran, a practitioner in Michigan, agrees. She reports that dogs of two different clients were examined in the practices where she works on June 30 and July 16. Both presented with hypercalcemia and test results showed high levels of vitamin D.

Another common thread: Both ate Blue Buffalo Wilderness Diet, chicken flavor, purchased at a PetSmart in Traverse City, Mich.

Cochran’s employer, Dr. Charles Morrison, posted the cases on VIN, and called the company. As a result, Blue Buffulo’s MacLean reports that seven bags were pulled from the Traverse City PetSmart, and tests were conducted on two. He reiterates that nothing unusual has come back on any of the samples analyzed by the company’s labs.

Cochran reports that the dogs have since recovered after being switched to a different brand of pet food. She notes that Blue Buffalo has been proactive about paying for tests, sending out claim forms and preparing to make restitution to owners if the product is found to have caused illness. She’s concerned that other cases might not be identified.

“I’ve been tearing my hair out trying to get people to talk to me on this,” she says. “Maybe there are more cases out there like this.”

Experts in the field of diagnostics think so, too. Dr. Kent Refsal, an endocrinologist with the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health at Michigan State University, works at one of the only veterinary labs in America running tests for vitamin D toxicity.

“So if a veterinarian has an animal with an abnormality of calcium, they go through a list of differential diagnoses,” Refsal explains. “Our tests can help sort through that. In terms of the kind of test outcomes we get, we do not see many instances that raise concern for vitamin D toxicosis.”

Considering the rarity of such events, Refsal took notice when the sample from Cochran tested positive for elevated levels of vitamin D.

Three weeks later, when Refsal received two samples in the same assay run from dogs in Texas showing evidence of vitamin D excess, he contacted the clinics in question and was informed that the dogs were eating food from Blue Buffalo.

Since then, Refsal reports that similar tests results from two dogs in Colorado have Blue Buffalo-produced food as the common factor. The lab, he says, has  contacted the Michigan Department of Agriculture with the findings, though the VIN News Service could not immediately reach agency officials concerning the cases.

“If someone is presented with a question of vitamin D toxicosis, you first wonder whether the animal has been put on some kind of unusual dietary supplement. Our assay is just an indicator of vitamin D intake. It does not specify the source of it,” Refsal says.

Apart from diet, there are other possible explanations for hypervitaminosis D in animals, including exposure to vitamin D analogs like calcipotriene-based psoriasis creams or pest control products made of cholecalciferol.

Veterinarians like Mueller say those explanations are highly unlikely, and even MacLean, of Blue Buffalo, believes that it’s possible that there is a relationship between the food and the handful of sick dogs eating the product.

Yet, he cautions, no one has scientifically proven the link. He also notes that reports of at least three other dogs exhibiting signs of hypercalcemia and elevated vitamin D levels without a connection to Blue Buffalo products have surfaced on VIN.

MacLean reiterates that the company’s tests of its dog food have come back as low to mid-level for vitamin D content.

“Everything that we have suggests that it’s not our food,” he says. “We have 30,000 bags of this stuff out there and literally a dozen animals that have a common symptom. On an incident rate, that doesn’t invite the conclusion that there’s something defective about the product.”

Thank you to VIN News for bringing this to the attention of pet owners!

These bags have the potential to contain salmonella, although no illnesses have been reported.  No other Iams pet food products are affected.

The Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care cat food in question is sold in blue 6.8-pound bags.  These bags feature a code date of 02304173 (B1-B6) and the UPC number 1901403921.

If you have this product, please discard it and call P&G toll-free for a product replacement at 800-862-3332 Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST.

P&G has worked with its retailers to remove the affected product from stores in the area.  P&G believes that only three bags may have been purchased recently by consumers in the area.  Yet, as a precautionary measure, the company is initiating this retrieval.

People handling dry pet food can become infected with salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product.  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 have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain.  If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting.  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.

FeedNaturalPetFood.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2010
Customer Inquiries: (800) 664-7387
Other Inquiries: JAMES WITCHER, COO (806) 322-2806

Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is recalling all lots of its 10 oz “Beef Filet Squares” for dogs and “Texas Hold’ems” pet treats because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products.

People handling the treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle.

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 immediately.

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 immediately.

The “Beef Filet Squares” & “Texas Hold’ems” were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the US. These individuals have been notified and have activated their recall procedures.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Consumers who have purchased 10 ounce packages of “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs” & “Texas Hold’ems” are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-664-7387 M-F 8:00 – 5:00 CDT.
http://www.merrickpetcare.com/about_us/news_article.php?tid=436

The firm recalled at least 60 million cans and pouches of pet food in 2007 after contaminated products from China got into the company’s supply chain and caused some animal deaths.

The company survived, but the recall cost it tens of millions of dollars, produced big losses, led to cancelled contracts and battered its unit price.

Owners of about 45 per cent of Menu Foods stock already have agreed to sell their shares to Simmons.

Shareholders will get $4.80 per unit in cash if the deal is approved, a 65.5 per cent premium over the closing price on the last trading day before the Fund’s announcement it was putting itself up for sale.

A vote by unit holders on whether to approve the deal is expected in September. If approved, the deal is due to close in the fourth quarter.

In March 2007, investigators banned imports of wheat gluten from the Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. in China after finding melamine, a chemical used in plastics, countertops, glue and fertilizers in samples of recalled wet and dry pet food and treats. The chemical was also found in cats that died after eating the contaminated food.

Several other pet food makers in North America also had to recall their products after receiving contaminated wheat gluten from the same source.

Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is extending its July 2, 2010 recall of 10 oz. “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs (Texas Hold’Ems)” pet treat (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10084TL7 BEST BY MARCH 24, 2012) to also include 83 cases of “Texas Hold’ems” (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10127 BEST BY MAY 6, 2012) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling the treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle.

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 immediately.

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 immediately.

The Beef Filet Squares (Texas Hold ‘Ems) were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the US. These individuals have been notified and have activated their recall procedures.

The treats are sold in 10 oz. plastic bags marked with “Lot # 10127 Best By May 6, 2012” on the top of the bag and on a sticker applied to the bottom.

No illnesses have been reported to date for either lot of product. A sample tested positive for Salmonella.

Consumers who have purchased 10 ounce packages of “Texas Hold’ems” are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-664-7387 M-F 8:00 – 5:00 CDT.

Source: http://www.merrickpetcare.com/about_us/news_article.php?tid=434

The following dry pet foods are included:

Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas
All dry sizes and varieties
Best By Dates: 01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes

Eukanuba Naturally Wild
All dry sizes and varieties
Best By Dates: 01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes

Eukanuba Pure
All dry sizes and varieties
Best By Dates: 01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes

Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin
All dry sizes
Best by Dates: 01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes

The affected products are sold in veterinary clinics and specialty pet retailers throughout the United States and Canada. No canned food, biscuits/treats or supplements are affected by this announcement.

A full listing of UPC codes can be found at www.iams.com.

These products are made in a single, specialized facility. In cooperation with the FDA, P&G determined that some products made at this facility have the potential for salmonella contamination. As a precautionary measure, P&G is recalling all products made at this facility.

Consumers who have purchased the specific dry pet foods listed should discard them. People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. 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 have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. 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.

For further information or a product replacement or refund call P&G toll-free at 877-340-8823 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST).

Just a reminder: some people food can be toxic to pets so before you give in to Fluffy’s begging, be sure the foods you are feeding are safe!
Animal Poisons and Toxic Substances To Pets

You can find this poll on the right side menu on every page of our blog!

Poll Closed Friday, July 30, 2010 
Here Are The Results:

Do You Feed Your Dog People Food?
No, I never give my dog people food. (27)
Sometimes I feed my dog a few scraps. (48)
Sometimes I give my dog leftover bones. (17)
I always feed my dog whatever I’m eating. (38)
I don’t have a dog. (13)
Total Votes: 143

Imagine being a dog that has been starved and abused or used for fighting. Then, when your owner realizes just how sick or injured you are, you’re dumped in Houston’s infamous Corridor of Cruelty and left to die a slow and certain death.

“It’s basically a dumping ground for live and dead animals,” said Hoffman.

“My journey began with a simple, yet desperate email, my “Call To Action”, on August 26th, 2008. I could no longer tolerate what was happening. Every day unwanted animals are literally being thrown away in what I dubbed the “Corridor of Cruelty and Neglect”. What could these animals have done to deserve such a fate? We all know the answer: NOTHING! I had to do something to help them.

No, this is not happening in some slum in a 3rd world country, but right here in Houston, TX. This must stop. I need your awareness of this tragedy – I need your help. 

If I did not send out this email, I just couldn’t live with myself. I have to try and get them help. Please forward this message.

There is an area of town just east of I-59 off Little York. Its about a quarter mile strip of road that I call the Corridor of Cruelty and Neglect…..you can veer off to the left or right at any point and find much of the same EVERYWHERE – pain and suffering . It is overwhelming and hard to leave the area without tears in one’s eyes . I’m writing this email in hopes that a few or alot, or even one person will go to this area and rescue a stray dog. There are many and they are always there. You will find mixes and purebreeds of all kinds: boxers, labs, shepherds, pitbulls, bull dogs, rottweilers, dalmatians – mostly larger dogs. But you’ll also find small ones and plenty of puppies too. Some have mange, some have broken bones, and some are pregnant. Some are emaciated and ALL ARE HUNGRY. Some will come right up to you and some will run the other way. They live in wooded areas and travel through the ditches and across busy intersections. They get hit by cars and keep on going…..they scrounge in the few parking lots there are for food scraps. They don’t want to live like this. They are scared and lonely. They want to be saved and have a home.

If you drive down Little York east from I-59, you’ll come to a railroad track. Hang around there for an hour and you will find someone to rescue . If not (for some unusual reason), proceed further east on Little York and stick around the Auto Zone for an hour or so. Or start off on Langley – the street that runs beside the Home Depot just off the I-59 feeder and south of Little York. The undeveloped streets off of Langley are a favorite dumping ground for the people in this area. Here they throw away trash and animals on a regular basis . If you are the least bit patient, you won’t drive away empty-handed.

I’m BEGGING for help for these animals. Apparently the dividing line for the county and city Animal Controls is Little York and I wonder if that means that sometimes these poor lost souls don’t even have the chance to be euthanized and put out of their misery . I live across town. I don’t want to go out there but I do. I have rescued 7 dogs over the past one and a half years from this area. I know that’s not many but if another person, and another, and another can just go in and get one more out and safe …..its one less in that area adding to the ever growing desperate and suffering population there .

So if you are a rescue group that can “squeeze just one more in”, or if you are that co-worker that’s been wanting to help a homeless dog, or if you are the independent rescuer that just had a few successful adoptions and can take on another, or if you are that pet owner whose loved one just passed on and you need a new friend, or if you are a Good Samaritan that needs a good deed to do, or if you are a person with influence that can figure out a way this city can solve this HORRIBLE problem ……please go by and see my friends….your friends that need you……

I’ve attached photos of 4 dogs that have gotten “ out of this hell ” in the past week. Let’s make that number 40 or 400 – it can be done. I wouldn’t be sending this out if I didn’t believe that. I know more has to be done and that rescuing these animals is just applying a bandaid on the problem. I know that the answer lies in the passage of spay/neuter and other laws . I know our Mayor and city officials have to get involved if places like this will ever get cleaned up. If you drive through this neighborhood….everywhere you turn are sad and neglected dogs in backyards chained to posts, to trees, to sheds, to fences. It is the most HEARTBREAKING THING I know of right now……….While I was out there this past Saturday and Sunday looking to rescue a momma-to-be and others…..my 12 year old daughter was beside me. She summed it up well when she turned to me with pain and tears in her eyes and said ….”Momma, the SPCA needs to be called on this whole neighborhood……… ” Yes dear, yes it does………

 
Visit Corridor Rescue for more information on volunteering and adoption and please make a generous donation to this incredible non profit organization.