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The Cats Mother
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« Reply #15 on: October 02, 2009, 08:52:42 PM » |
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My sympathy and concern is with anyone who has bought this food and fed it to their cat and is in the "wait and see" situation.
I'm not sure if anyone has picked up on this here (sorry I am very bleary eyed and tired today) but the email alert I got from Susan Thixton today shows her story updated to show that the thiamine issue has been pinpointed to a 12 minute timeframe within the relevant batch production. I think that is interesting. Overheating maybe...something like that? Something that should have been added at that point and wasn't? I'm sure the manufacturers are looking into it carefully so that they can write a positive spin and cover their a---s.
Reading that, and about the lack of good publicity, leaving the retailers to tell their customers etc... that all brought back terrible memories for me.
I'm not in America so the recalls aren't relevant to my personal circumstances but I like to keep tabs on the PFCs now. Some are imported here though I don't buy any now, but I could sure warn others if appropriate.
Susan and you guys all do a fantastic job.
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5CatMom
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« Reply #16 on: October 03, 2009, 03:34:48 AM » |
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So Diamond can pinpoint the "manufacturing error" to a 12 minute timeframe?
Then WTH can't they test the premix, or require that their supplier test the premix, BEFORE it's turned into dangerous food and shipped out to unsuspecting pet owners?
This is just another good reason to make your own food. Using commercial food is like playing Russian roulette, IMO.
5CM
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What is man without the beasts? If the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected - - - Chief Seattle
We are the caretakers of our creatures . . . the peacekeepers of our planet
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The Cats Mother
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« Reply #17 on: October 03, 2009, 04:29:06 AM » |
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I agree with you wholeheartedly, 5CatMom. Until pet food is taken every bit as seriously by the relevant authorities as is human food, then my pets get human food.
I think it works out cheaper actually. And I enjoy doing it for the most part, like cooking for a family.
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shadowmice
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« Reply #18 on: October 03, 2009, 07:20:53 AM » |
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This is a list of actions that I would like to see PFCs take when they realize they have a problem with their food instead of the silent withdrawals they seem to prefer. If they are truly concerned about the safety of the animals I would think this is the least they can do. Preferably of course, their QC processes would prevent bad product from ever reaching the stores and people's home. But in those situations when the processes do fail, as they clearly have been lately, then actions like these would help mitigate the damage done.
1) Post affected product name and lot details on their website. Provide accurate information regarding the problem, suspected scope of the problem, and geographical regions affected if known. This info would be posted in an readily discoverable location, ideally the very first page of the website. (Tip: hiding it under the About Us section does not really constitute such a location IMO).
2) Provide the same product details and description of the problem to the FDA for posting on their website.
3) Provide the same product details and description of the problem to all their distributors and stores, and get them to hold back anymore product from being sold. Work with these distributors and stores to contact as many of their clients that purchased the affected product as they can.
(Is it fair that the stores have to do this work? No, but with some of these club programs they have they do have the information available to at least contact those people enrolled).
4) Have all their “ambassadors” tweet an alert with the webpage link to the facts about the situation. Get the news out there on all their social networking resources. They presumably work well for selling the product; it would be nice if companies used them when there are problems too.
5) Provide news releases to the traditional media; allocate some of the PR budgets to take out ads, particularly in those regions most affected, to ensure the word gets out. It’s not enough to just leave it to the media to report it; not all outlets will bother to do so. And not everyone has access to the internet. Cover ALL the bases.
6) If not already done, determine and report the cause of the problem and then provide information regarding the steps being taken to prevent a recurrence of the situation.
Not sure what steps can be taken to alert the veterinary community specifically, but that is, of course, extremely important so vets know what to look for and can address appropriately.
Something like this situation where animals have been made seriously ill by the product, the news should be getting blasted out on every source available. It seems like they seem to think, since it only appears to affect a small region, that it is not something that needs to go public. Ah, no. As Sandy mentioned: what about those who don't realize the food is at fault and the fateful decision is made to euthanize the pet when it is a treatable condition. It would devastate me if that happened to me and my family.
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3catkidneyfailure
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« Reply #19 on: October 04, 2009, 01:14:56 PM » |
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http://vetmedicine.about.com/b/2009/10/03/diamonds-premium-edge-cat-food-recalled-due-to-thiamine-deficiency.htmJanet's Veterinary Medicine Blog By Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, About.com Guide to Veterinary Medicine since 1999 Diamond's Premium Edge Cat Food Recall Due To Thiamine Deficiency good description of symptoms and treatment if your kitty is ill shadowmice: couldn't agree with you more on what needs to be done in the event of Class I Petfood Recall of any size!
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« Last Edit: October 04, 2009, 01:17:18 PM by 3catkidneyfailure »
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3catkidneyfailure
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« Reply #20 on: October 05, 2009, 09:58:22 AM » |
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JJ
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« Reply #21 on: October 05, 2009, 10:30:58 AM » |
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Is it just me or does there seem to be some type of vengeful kind of thing going on against cats lately? First the blasted food with radiation now this deficiency of the thiamine issue (if that is the only reason this food is deficient). Not discounting the puppy food recall but sure seems to be affecting the beloved cats out there in a big way......
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May your troubles be less,
Your blessings be more,
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door
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bug
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« Reply #22 on: October 05, 2009, 11:12:52 AM » |
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Is it just me or does there seem to be some type of vengeful kind of thing going on against cats lately? First the blasted food with radiation now this deficiency of the thiamine issue (if that is the only reason this food is deficient). Not discounting the puppy food recall but sure seems to be affecting the beloved cats out there in a big way......
Sadly, I think it's just immense stupidity, sleeping on the job and a general lack of concern on everyone's part (those that run, and work at, PFCs). |
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My little babies, you'll always be in my heart. Mom will see you later. Look after each other, ok?
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bug
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« Reply #24 on: October 08, 2009, 11:39:48 AM » |
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Well now it's bordering on the scale of a recall and they should make it so. Never mind doing this piecemeal as reports come in from around the country -- and maybe beyond.
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My little babies, you'll always be in my heart. Mom will see you later. Look after each other, ok?
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menusux
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« Reply #25 on: October 08, 2009, 01:47:23 PM » |
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http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Veterinary+news/Diamond-Pet-Foods-recalls-two-dry-cat-food-product/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/632761?contextCategoryId=378DVMNews October 8, 2009 Diamond Pet Foods recalls two dry cat-food products in New York "Diamond Pet Foods voluntarily recalled two brands of dry cat food from the Rochester, N.Y., area after confirming that they were deficient in thiamine. "A Diamond spokesperson says the problem was discovered after pet owners and veterinarians called in about cats showing neurological symptoms. The affected products are Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball Cat with the following date codes: RAF0501A22X 18-lb. bag, RAF0501A2X 6-lb. bag, RAH0501A22X 18-lb. bag, RAH0501A2X 6-lb. bag. "Pets that consumed the recalled products should be immediately taken to a veterinarian, according to the Diamond spokesperson. "Last year, Diamond Pet Foods settled a class action lawsuit related to contaminated dog food in 2005 for $3.1 million. The manufacturer refunded money to consumers who bought Diamond-brand products tainted with the mold aflatoxin and covered veterinary bills."
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catbird
Administrator
Hero Member
Posts: 9410
Never underestimate the power of crazy cat ladies!
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« Reply #26 on: October 08, 2009, 01:59:44 PM » |
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Well, now it is being called an actual recall! Will sticky the thread.
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The problem with cats is that they get the exact same look on their face whether they see a moth or an axe-murderer--Paula Poundstone
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menusux
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« Reply #27 on: October 10, 2009, 06:36:35 AM » |
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http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S1183603.shtml?cat=572WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY October 9, 2009 Cat dies apparently from pet food "A major pet food maker has recalled two brands of dry cat food in the Rochester area. But it wasn't soon enough for a Rochester woman whose cat died apparently from eating the food.""Lovely Lilly. I miss you so. And I don't understand why she had to go." Amy Parnell read from a poem she wrote after four-year-old cat Lilly died last month. "A more loving kitty I have never known. Your purrs ring loud in my ears. Our time together was much too short, but the love we shared will last forever." "Parnell has three other cats. She described Lilly as a plain old domestic short hair cat. Parnell noticed something wrong one day when Lilly didn't come to eat with the other cats. "I found her and she was kind of curled up with her head on her chest. When I got her to open her eyes, her pupils were very dilated. And she wasn't able to stand," said Parnell. "I picked her up and she fell right over." "Parnell says her cat died apparently from eating Premium Edge cat food, which was found to be missing thiamine, also known as vitamin B-1. The company discovered the problem after a number of pet owners and veterinarians called in about cats showing neurological symptoms. The company said it did not find any toxins in the food.
"Parnell said her veterinarian did a bunch of tests, but couldn't figure out why a healthy four-year-old cat was seriously ill. "And they all felt that letting her go would be the thing to do because the cost would have gone into the thousands of dollars. It's hard. I'm buying her and my cats expensive cat food, thinking I'm doing something really good for them. And it ends up taking her life. It's kind of hard to swallow." "Parnell bought the cat food at a store in Stone Ridge Plaza in Greece. The company says vitamin B-1 deficiency would only have been a problem if the food was fed by itself and not mixed with other cat food. And Parnell said that apparently was the problem. Lilly was finicky, and it was the only pet food her cat lilly would eat.
"The company has asked all retailers to pull the Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball Cat foods with the following codes (RAF0501A22X 18lb., RAF0501A2X 6 lb., RAH0501A22X 18 lb., RAH0501A2X 6lb) from shelves.
"Symptoms of thiamine deficiency:
- Ventroflexion (bending in a downward position) of the neck
- Muscle weakness
- Ataxia (wobbly walking)
- Seizures
- Fixed, dilated pupils
- Paralysis of the muscles around the eye"
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petslave
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« Reply #28 on: October 10, 2009, 06:41:17 AM » |
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How very sad. This statement by the company really makes me mad,
"The company says vitamin B-1 deficiency would only have been a problem if the food was fed by itself and not mixed with other cat food. "
Isn't the food supposed to be complete? Did it say on the bag, "NOT to AAFCO standards as a complete food, feed your cat something else too"? Many people feed their pets one food at a time. That's what many of the companies push on us all the time in their advertising.
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menusux
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« Reply #29 on: October 10, 2009, 06:54:59 AM » |
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From the Diamond Premium Edge page: http://www.premiumedgepetfood.com/products/cats/dry_foodAdult Cat Hairball Management Chicken, Salmon & Vegetables Formula " Optimal nutrition for cats that are prone to weight gain or cats that suffer from hairballs. The natural vegetable fiber will help move hairballs through the digestive system, keeping your cat free from irritating hairballs. Enhanced with antioxidants, omega fatty acid balance, and additives for digestive health, this formula offers great taste and great nutrition."Finicky Adult Cat Chicken, Salmon & Vegetables Formula "This formula contains higher levels of fat and flavoring than our Hairball Management formula to entice a choosy cat to eat regular meals. Enhanced with antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and digestive health supplements, this formula offers optimal nutrition for optimal health." Senior Cat Chicken, Salmon & Vegetables Hairball Management Formula "This recipe is specifically designed to enhance the health of your senior cat. With lower fat and added L-carnitine to promote lean body condition as well as natural fiber to control hairballs, this formula will keep your cat happy and healthy. Added antioxidants, glucosamine and chondroitin, and proper urine pH, this formula provides optimal nutrition for optimal health." http://www.premiumedgepetfood.com/faq/#154Premium Edge FAQ's Do I need to supplement my pet's diet? "Do you need to? No. All of our pet foods are complete and balanced. If you want to though, you can – with caution. In most cases, supplements will do no harm. However, it is important to remember that human supplements may contain things that are harmful to pets and you should always check with your veterinarian prior to using any supplement for your pet." I think this statement on the Diamond Premium Edge website sums it up: http://www.premiumedgepetfood.com/pet_care/cats/nutrition/32/"Reputable companies formulate their foods for the best health of your dog or cat." |
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