EricV,

Have these people viewed Itchmo and seen any of the pictures posted by others, much less read some of the stories?   How does the Natura rep explain sutures, hair, black chunks and blue objects?   This is not a single incident.


Donna  

Offy,

Are you saying that the meals are rendered like, well, somehow I have the picture of that cow's head still in my mind.

Also, is this a connection to the "wool and hair" checkpoint in the ingredients section on the quality control list that you posted earlier?

I thought I couldn't get any more sick than I have already been.  Somehow I didn't put the meals together with the "R" word. 

Donna

Regarding our pets:
-- Watch & listen to your pets!  If they refuse a food, there is a reason. 
-- Make note of any recurring symptoms (vomiting, eating grass, lethargy, increased water intake, increased urination, incontinence, weight gain, etc.).  These are not the symptoms sometimes associated with transitioning to a new food.  It is something that hangs around longer than a few days or weeks. 
--  Keep a detailed calendar of symptoms, exactly what happens, when and what was fed. 
--  Carefully look at the food as you prepare each meal; also give it a sniff (does it smell ok).

Suggestions regarding suspect product (any brand/manufacturer):
--  If you return the product to the store for a refund, keep 2-3 cups in your possession along with a note of any/all package coding (this was suggested by an independent pet store owner).
--  Keep a copy of the sales receipt.
--  Contact the manufacturer to advise them of your concerns.  Ask if they log and track this information.  Ask if there are any other reports. 
--  If you send a sample to the mfg., ask where they test the samples (in-house or contracted lab).
--  If you see something strange, take a picture. 

I encourage everyone to just be aware of your pets. They tell us more than we sometimes realize. They depend on us.

Donna

Offy,

We had Innova Adult Dry Dog (green bag) - 33# - EXP 04 11 08    

Confirm - it does have "chicken meal" in it.

Hopefully, the others will confirm their product info, but I recall Karma, another Innova adult dry dog (green bag) and Innova & Evo sample bags

Donna

Kittylyda,

It grieves me to hear people say this.  Pet owners are making the best decisions they can possibly make, based on the information we have.  

Irregardless of the company or product or service provided, you need to distinguish between the words presented (marketing and sales) and look for the facts.  Whatever claim is being made, search it out and see if it makes sense.  Don't just take their word for it.  

I don't think there is anyone here that has not gone above and beyond to search for the very "best" for their pets.  You love them and provide the best care possible for them (just look at the amount of money people are willing to spend for the care of their pets).  But we need to understand we are not responsible for the harm that has been done in this situation.  

Donna

  

I wish I could provide enough evidence to satisfy everyone.  I don’t think that’s possible.  To address the most recent comments:

1.  Quoting:  “Sharon I believe, not Vickie, she did say that Donna had never sent in a sample”

--  We shipped our sample as directed to Brian Streit at Natura Manufacturing on May 19 and I have evidence of the UPS shipping records, verifying receipt of package by Natura on May 24, with signature.
--  We are uncertain why Natura’s customer service reps, along with Mr. Atkins, continue to state they do not have our sample.  I have: 
(a)  shipper verification
(b)  Mr. Atkins’ statements by phone, June 13 – (first conversation)   After consulting with manufacturing plant personnel, he stated “they have the sample and they were in the process of testing for this.” 
(c)  Mr. Atkins’ statements by phone, June 15 – (second/last conversation)  He stated they were waiting to get the analysis back.  When asked if our sample had been analyzed, he replied “apparently not, according to Brian, he still had it on his desk.” 
(d)  Mr. Atkins statement he would call us the week of June 18 with the analysis results. 

2.  Regarding Testing – in our June 13 phone conversation with Mr. Atkins he mentioned they were going to send our sample to their lab, MidWest Labs, for further testing.  We expressed our concerns with him regarding this lab and specifically comments made to us by them.  We had emailed MidWest on June 9 asking if they did pet food testing and specifically for acetaminophen.  We received a reply telling us (quoting from email) “There are reasons why we are not testing for acetaminophen and I would be happy to explain over the phone.” 
I am not going to detail those comments here now, but I understand why he would not put his comments in an email response due to the derogatory tone toward the "other" lab, pet owners and the issue in general.

3.  Quoting:  “The person I spoke with told me that they test for cyanuric acid, and since the acetaminophen was only found with cyanuric acid” 

--   One of the analyses mentioned previously posted tested positive for acetaminophen only.  (The cat died.)   Thus, that report refutes the statement that acetaminophen is only found with cyanuric acid.  Laboratories will also confirm this for anyone.
--  The better question regarding Natura's (customer service) comment would be if acetaminophen is only found with cyanuric acid and cyanuric acid is generally used as an ingredient in pool cleaner (or to falsify protein levels in food ingredients), why would acetaminophen (an over-the-counter drug) be added to cyanuric acid??? 

4.  Various comments regarding me not taking my dogs to the vet. 
-  Let me assure everyone that our dogs are very important members of our family and we take every precaution with them as we feel necessary. 

In regard to the comment made by Mr. Atkins in his post on July 3 – he wrote 7 sentences that recapped two 30-minute phone conversations with my husband and me along with whatever alleged discovery he and his company have done regarding our sample.  The symptoms were most prevalent between January and March.  We discussed those with him.  He asked if we took the dogs to the vet during that time.  We said no.  We have been to the vet.  I also have friends who are vets and have been in contact with them during the entire time for their professional input. 


I have made our lives an open book for posters on this blog and anyone else who is monitoring it.  I can offer hard copy proof of shipping confirmations and emails and even my comprehensive notes, but I doubt even those would be enough. 

Personally, I cannot tell you how absolutely terrifying it is to get a call from a laboratory who tells you the premium product you have fed your dogs was found to contain low/trace levels of toxins.  That day we started putting the pieces of the puzzle together.  We will continue to put the pieces together. 

It is just unfortunate that we have found so few people willing to help us research and resolve this issue.  Our only interest is to protect the health of our two dogs.  Currently we are caught between a lab who stands by their findings, a pet food company who has been unresponsive, attorneys who attempt to be intimidating, the FDA's failure to protect and numerous critics.  Thankfully, we have also made a few great friends along the way who have given their incredible support. 

I am glad that others are now more aware to pay close attention to the food as they open the bag and place it in the bowl.  I am glad for those who are currently successful with their feeding program.  I am also glad others have posted their pictures.  This is not a single incident. 

Donna

Thanks to everyone for your support.  I truly appreciate it. 

Donna

TO:  SilverPelt,

(Please note preceding picture posts)

I really find it interesting that the very first post you place anywhere on Itchmo is an attack on me and my analysis.  If you want to accuse me of something, be specific.   That said, I would have to question your motive and who you are doing this for. 

My business sense would tell me that you are simply trying to redirect the attention away from the issue with this product and possibly this is a ruse on your part to get more information.  I have posted enough on this site that I really do not feel the need to explain myself to you. 

I have done my due diligence in attempting to find the truth of why the dog food I purchased had black and beige chunks embedded in the kibble that tested positive for low/trace amounts of two toxins.  I have been extremely disappointed with the manner in which this inquiry has been handled.  A company who prides itself on a 121-point quality control program fell far short in managing a customer inquiry and responding as they said they would. 

Both the private lab and the pet food company received my sample on the same day.  The lab returned the results in one week (as they said they would).  However, over 3 weeks passed and my sample was still sitting on someone’s desk at the pet food company and had not been analyzed.   Let me confirm that I have a copy of a letter that one of those “nice ladies” at their company sent me stating to allow 3-4 weeks for analysis. 

The skepticism you mentioned in your message about “nice, well-mannered people” and “not believing a word they say” also applies to my dealings with this company.  I am certain you would agree.  When a company shows little interest in receiving a sample, refuses photos of the suspect product, does not complete the analysis in the timeframe they promised and will not follow-up as promised, it is exactly as you mentioned. 

In regard to your comment that “better food makes a pet drink more water which is good for the pet’s bladder”, I would encourage you to speak to any of the thousands of people who lost a pet or still have a critically ill pet with renal failure.  An increase in water consumption is often a sign that something is not right.   You also mention that “just switching to a better food of course the pet is going to have” problems.  By the way, we have fed this product for 4 years.   When we received the analysis from the private lab, we stopped feeding any commercial food and began home cooking for our dogs.  The only evidence that demands a verdict is the fact that within a few days all symptoms had completely disappeared. 

I am not, nor have I ever been, employed or affiliated with any pet food company.  I remained silent for over a month after I received the results of my analysis.  I was criticized then because I did not publicize the results immediately. Pet owners desperately wanted to know what I found out as they, too, wanted to protect their pets.   I wanted to give the company every opportunity to respond as they promised, they chose not to do so.   

To answer another post, I think after people saw the pictures they began to look more closely at the food in their possession and began to make discoveries on their own. They also began to more closely monitor their pet’s symptoms, as minor as they may seem.  It is no longer a “one person” issue.  I will continue along with many of you to seek and find the truth. 

Donna

Donna's picture #2 and #3

Donna's picture post 1

Offy,

I didn't notice that when I scanned the page.  So, any ideas on why they would quality check that?

Donna

Annabelle_katie,

The picture I posted has never been identified as suture.  We were trying to find words to describe it and it looks like a wide, flat piece of hard, nylon "something."  If you look at my picture you can see for yourself.  

There are, unfortunately, other pictures that have been posted or referred to that have been identified.  

This is why it is so imporant to closely look at the food you are feeding.  Check it carefully all throughout the package.   And, share your experience.  I think we all have gained something tremendous by realizing we are not alone in what we have found and what we have experienced in regard to symptoms or illness.  

Donna

Important -- I encourage everyone to watch this video.  It is shocking.

Shibadiva, thank you for sharing this.

Donna

HD,

Any pictures you want to share?
Were the Senior and Senior Plus dog or cat foods?

Donna

debsue,

the pictures you just posted, is that Innova?  If not, please identify, if possible.

Thanks,

Donna


p.s.  YUCK !