Recall: Huge Recall of Iams & Eukanuba For Cats & Dogs

Iamslogo  Eukanubalogo

Procter & Gamble has issued a massive recall in the U.S. of both Iams & Eukanuba foods for cats and for dogs due to salmonella contamination.

________________________________________________________________

Salmonella can cause severe illness in cats & dogs and cross-contamination to humans is possible resulting in serious illness.

________________________________________________________________

If you have affected product, stop using it and discard it. For a replacement voucher, clip the code date and the UPC from your bag and mail to the address below. Include your complete address and telephone number.

If you have multiple affected bags, they want you to include a “register receipt with the code and UPC.”  I think that’s a shitty way to do business!  Other company’s recalls haven’t required this.  Boo on Procter & Gamble—I’m not impressed!

Consumer Relations
Attn: Katie
8700 Mason-Montgomery Rd.
Box 1534
Mason, OH 45040
All replacements will be processed within 4-6 weeks. If you have further questions please contact consumer care at
1-800-208-0172.

 

Eukanuba:

Eukfull

Iams Dog Food:

 IamsDogfull 

Iams Cat Food:

Iamscatfull

 

Heartland Virus, A New Tick-Born Disease

LonestarTick

(image via Tm at Wikimedia)

I freakin’ hate parasites.  They completely skeeve me out and now I have even more reason to detest them.  Scientists have found a virus, previously unknown, found in the nymph form of Lone Star Ticks called the Heartland Virus.  (Heartland Virus study report in New England Journal of Medicine.)

The virus causes fever, headaches, low white blood cell counts (leukopenia), low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), and possibly diarrhea & loss of appetite.  So far, 2 men in northwest Missouri have caught it after being bitten by ticks.  No word yet if cats and dogs can get it.

Take steps to protect yourself from ticks.  And remember to protect your pets from ticks.  If either of you become ill after a tick bite, seek medical help.

Ticks carry a ton of other disease that affect cats, dogs, rabbits, other companion animals, and, of course humans.  The mere presence of ticks on your pet can cause tick paralysis.

Ticks carry a number of diseases including:

Be sure to check out:

Post on the EPA evaluation of topical flea & tick treatments that includes super important safety tips on their use.

Update–Dog & Cat Food Recall: Apex, 4Health, Canidae, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul, Country Value, Diamond, Diamond Naturals, Kirkland, Natural Balance, Premium Edge, Professional, Solid Gold, Taste of the Wild, & Wellness

UPDATE (5/21/12): Another variety of Diamond Naturals has been added to the recall—Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula.  Anyone want to guess when this information was released?  Why yes, it was on FRIDAY the 18th.  Another Dump & Run.  Color me oh-so-surprised.  Creeps.  * See below for update.  

UPDATE (5/8/12): More brands have been added to the recall.  To keep all the information in one place, I’m going to add them to this previous post.  * See below for updates.

This makes me SO freakin’ angry!  More “Dump & Run” press releases where the information is released late Friday so it will get lost in the news cycle.  And what were they announcing at a time when it would get the least coverage?  A HUGE expansion of the pet food recall due to Salmonella contamination from food made in a Diamond-owned factory in Gaston, South Carolina.  It’s gone from 3 brands to 12 brands and that doesn’t include that different varieties made by each brand.

Not only has this recall expansion not gotten much news coverage, but the FDA website doesn’t even have this new information as of Sunday May 6th.  What the hell?!  Also, on the Diamond recall page, they only list some of the brands in the recall, but not all of them.  You also have to dig to discover that some cat food is now included in the recall—Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula and Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula (see below for Best-Before Dates involved).  Again, what the hell?!  Even more disturbing is that at least 14 people in 9 different states have become infected with Salmonella with 5 people hospitalized.  10 of those infected reported contact with dog food.  But even the CDC’s website has totally incomplete information on which brands are being recalled.  Useless.

The plant that manufactured the food included in this recall is the same plant that produced pet food contaminated with aflatoxin in 2005.  The current recall has grown so much not only because of the brands Diamond owns, but also because of all the other pet food companies who contract with Diamond to produce their food instead of producing it themselves.  I am running out of brands to feed our own pets that either haven’t been bought by a large conglomerate or that don’t contract with another company to produce their food.  This recall is precisely the reason I want to feed our cats and dog food made by independent companies that produce their own food and have rigorous quality control.  I’m seriously pissed off!  Grrrrrrrr.

Ok. enough with the ranting.  Here are the all brands being recalled.  (Important note: Don’t assume that if your state isn’t listed that you don’t have product included in the recall.  The press releases state that “Further distribution to other pet food channels may have occurred.”)

  1. 4Health
  2. *Apex
  3. Canidae
  4. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul
  5. Country Value
  6. Diamond
  7. Diamond Naturals
  8. Kirkland
  9. Natural Balance
  10. Premium Edge
  11. Professional
  12. *Solid Gold
  13. Taste of the Wild
  14. Wellness

_______________________________________

Update 5/21/12

* Diamond Naturals

Product Name Size Production Code Best-By Date
 Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula  6 lb  DSL0801  26-Aug-2012
 6 lb  DSL0801  27-Sept- 2012 (Product manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011 and packaged on Sept. 27, 2011)
 8 lb  DSL0801  26-Aug-2012
 8 lb  DSL0801  27-Sept- 2012 (Product manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011 and packaged on Sept. 27, 2011)
 sample  DSL0801

The product was distributed in the following states, further distribution through other pet food channels may have occurred:

  • Colorado
  • Illinois
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Wisconsin
Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 am – 6pm EST.

_______________________________________

Update 5/8/12:

*Apex

Product Name Size Production Code Best-By Date
Chicken and Rice  20 lb ACD0101B32 24-Jan-2013
 40 lb ACD0101B32 24-Jan-2013

Recalled from South Carolina.

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Apex Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 am – 6pm EST.  Their site is apexpetfoods.com.

 

*Solid Gold

Product Name Size UPC Best-Before Date Batch Code Prefix
WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food  4 lb  093766750005 December 30, 2012 SGB1201
 15 lb  093766750012 December 30, 2012 SGB1201
 33 lb  093766750029 December 30, 2012 SGB1201
WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Food  4 lb  093766750050 December 30, 2012 SGB1201
 15 lb  093766750067 December 30, 2012 SGB1201
 28.5 lb  093766750081 December 30, 2012 SGB1201

Recalled from the U.S. and Canada.

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, would like replacement product or have additional questions, can call (800) 364-4863 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM through 5:00 PM Pacific time) or visit solidgoldnorthland.com.

_______________________________________

1. 4Health
2. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
3. Country Value
4. Diamond
5. Diamond Naturals
6. Premium Edge
7. Professional
8. Taste of the Wild

         

To determine if their pet food is recalled, consumers should check the production code on their bag. If the code has a “2” or “3” in the 9th position AND an “X” in the 10th or 11th position, the product is affected by the recall. The best-before dates for the recalled products are December 9, 2012 through April 7, 2013.  The following graphic illustrates how to read the production code and best-before date:

The recall affects only products distributed in the following U.S. states and Canada.  Further distribution through other pet food channels may have occurred.

  • Alabama
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Massachusetts
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia
  • Canada
Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST.  Consumers may also go to a special website, www.diamondpetrecall.com, for more information.

_______________________________________

9. Canidae:

Product Name Best-Before Dates
All Life Stages dry dog food December 9, 2011 – January 31, 2012
Chicken Meal & Rice dry dog food December 9, 2011 – January 31, 2012
Lamb Meal & Rice dry dog food December 9, 2011 – January 31, 2012
CANIDAE Platinum dry dog food December 9, 2011 – January 31, 2012

Only CANIDAE dry dog food formulas with production codes that must have BOTH a number “3” in the 9th position AND an “X” in the 10th or 11th position with best before dates of December 9, 2012, through January 31, 2013 are being voluntarily recalled.

Following is an example of how to read the production code and best before date:

 

The recall affects only products distributed in the following Eastern U.S. states and were manufactured at the Diamond Pet Food Gaston, South Carolina plant. Further distribution to other pet food channels may have occurred.

  • Florida
  • Massachusetts
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like a replacement product or a refund, may contact Canidae Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-800-398-1600, Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5 pm PST. Consumers may also go to canidae.com for more information.

_______________________________________

10. Kirkland Signature:

Product Name Best-Before Dates
Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013
Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013
Super Premium Adult Dog Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013
Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013
Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013
Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013
Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013

To determine if their pet food is recalled, consumers should check the production code on their bag. If the code has both a “3” in the 9th position AND an “X” in the 11th position, the product is affected by the recall. The best-before dates for the recalled products are December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013.The following graphic illustrates how to read the production code and best-before date:

The recall affects only products distributed in the following U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Canada.

  • Alabama
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Canada
  • Puerto Rico
Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST.  Consumers may also go to a special website, www.diamondpetrecall.com, for more information.

_______________________________________

11. Natural Balance:

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

Recalled products may have been distributed in the following states:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Washington, DC
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Iowa
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Massachusetts
  • Maryland
  • Maine
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Mississippi
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • Vermont
  • Wisconsin
  • West Virginia
  • Wyoming
  • Canada
Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact the Natural Balance Customer Service team at (800) 829-4493 or email info@naturalbalanceinc.com.  Or visit www.naturalbalanceinc.com.

_______________________________________

12. Wellness:

Product Name Size Best-Before Date
Large Breed Super5Mix Puppy Health 15 lb, 30 lb, 5 oz sample bags JAN 9 2013 – JAN 11 2013

Wellness notes in their press release that they will no longer purchase any product from Diamond Pet Foods.

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, would like replacement product or have additional questions, may call us at (877) 227-9587 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM through 6:00 PM Eastern time and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM through 5:00 PM Eastern time) or visit wellnesspetfood.com.

_______________________________________


Recall: Advanced Cetyl M For Dogs

Response Products is recalling Advanced Cetyl M Joint Action Formula for Dogs due to possible Salmonella contamination.

The recall includes lot #1210903 & #0128010, which includes 120-count bottles shipped between Jan. 8 and April 2 and 360-count bottles shipped from Feb. 11 to April 2 of this year.

Salmonella can cause serious illness in cats and dogs and there can be cross-contamination to humans causing serious illness in humans.

H1N1 Confirmed In Cat

H1N1

A cat in Iowa has caught H1N1 (swine flue), apparently from his people.  He was treated by a vet and, happily, is recovering.  He isn’t the first pet to get the H1N1 virus.  Two ferrets also contracted the virus.  Only one survived.

Don’t freak out!  This is the only confirmed case where a cat has contracted H1N1 from humans, so it’s likely it’s NOT very common.  You should take the same precautions with your pets that you should be taking anyway.  Read what the CDC says about H1N1 and your pets:

What animals can be infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus?
In addition to humans, live swine and turkeys, we know that ferrets (which are highly susceptible to influenza A viruses) and a domestic cat have been infected with 2009 H1N1 virus. CDC is working closely with domestic and international public and animal heath partners to continually monitor this situation and will provide additional information to the public as it becomes available.

How do companion animals become infected with 2009 H1N1?
All available information suggests that the ferrets and domestic cat with 2009 H1N1 infections acquired the virus through close contact with ill humans. Transmission of 2009 H1N1 virus from humans to animals appears similar to human-to-human transmission

Can I get 2009 H1N1 influenza from my pet?
Available evidence suggests that transmission has been from ill humans to their companion animals. No evidence is available to suggest that animals are infecting humans with 2009 H1N1 virus.

What do I do if I am sick with flu-like symptoms and I have pets?
If you are sick with influenza-like-illness, take the same precautions with your pets that you would to keep your family and friends healthy:

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Minimize contact with your pets until 24 hours after your fever is gone

What should I do if I suspect my pet has 2009 H1N1 influenza virus?
If members of your household have flu-like symptoms, and your pet exhibits respiratory illness, contact your veterinarian.

Is there a vaccine available for my pet?
Currently, there is not a licensed and approved 2009 H1N1 vaccine for companion animals. (There is a canine influenza vaccine, which protects dogs from the H3N8 canine flu virus, but it will not protect pets against the 2009 H1N1 virus and should not be used in any species other than dogs.)

How serious is this disease in companion animals?
Pet ferrets with naturally occurring 2009 H1N1 infection have exhibited illness similar in severity as seen with ferrets exposed to seasonal influenza viruses and 2009 H1N1 virus in laboratory settings, including sneezing, inactivity, and weight loss. The single confirmed cat exhibited respiratory illness and recovered with supportive care.

Additional Information

American Veterinary Medical Association
http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus/default.aspExternal Web Site Icon

United States Department of Agriculture
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/?navid=USDA_H1N1External Web Site Icon