Accepting responsibility will never happen in the pet food industry.

If sharing from personal experience regarding concerns for a pet food can save even one pet from going through what my pets, and others, have experienced – it is well worth it.  Having test results to back up your concerns are even better, but I will not discount someone's observations and concerns regarding their pet’s experience with commercial feeds.  Our pets tell us more than we realize.  

In regards to proof, we require so much of fellow pet owners and yet so little of the PF companies.  
Donna C

From reading and what I've been told, at first, the symptoms mimic kennel cough.  It is a different pathogen, so even though symptoms are similar, these are two different illnesses. 

Canine flu is a respiratory infection and highly contagious (caused by H3N8 influenza virus).  The milder form is seen with infection to the upper respirator tract and the more severe form is accompanied by pneumonia. 

Kennel cough is caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica/parainfluenza virus complex. 

It was first seen mostly in greyhound racing kennels.  However, since 2005 there have been documented cases in a number of states. 

The above info is covered in more detail in the links I posted as well as the links from menusux.  Most vets are aware of canine flu now. 

Immunologists at the University of Florida’s Vet School first began studying the “canine flu” around January, 2004 as a result of racing greyhounds becoming ill with the virus.  In that case, 8 of the 24 dogs that contracted the virus died. 

Scientists believe the virus mutated from an influenza strain that affects horses.  The canine flu closely resembles kennel cough.


These are three articles that give a brief overview of the canine flu.  Dr. Cynda Crawford at Univ of FL Vet School was one of the leading researchers.  If you Google canine flu, you will be able to find additional articles. 

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/hp/content/local_news/epaper/2006/09/10/m26a_DOGFLU_RAIL_0910.html

http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/canine_guidelines.asp

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/22/national/22canine.html


Hope this helps.
Donna C

(I may comment on this one, after I catch my breath.)
DonnaC  -  aka "the only complaint"

---------------------


http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/03-03-2008/0004766437&EDATE=

 Natura Reflects on Changes in the Pet Food Industry Since the Recalls

 SAN JOSE, Calif., March 3 (2008)  /PRNewswire/ -- The impact of the 2007 pet food recalls was painful for the pet food industry and tragic for many pets. Natura Pet Products, the world's leading manufacturer of healthy pet food and a company that was not implicated in the recall, called upon consumers to continue to ask demanding questions of pet food companies.
. . . . .

    "Because consumers have come to expect leadership, innovation, and 100% honesty and integrity from Natura, we are more committed now than ever to making foods that are not only formulated for the best health of their pets, but manufactured with the strictest standards for safety, reliability, and consistency," said Atkins.
 . . . . . .

    "Our strict quality management programs, in both our dry foods manufacturing plants and at the canned foods facility are unequaled in the industry. As a result of these programs, we are certified by the most respected food safety and quality control agencies in the United States," said Atkins.

I believe this article is in the current issue of Bark magazine.  It was written after the authors attended the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association (APPMA) convention (Feb 08). Just noted a few of the topics covered in the article.   It’s also online. 
DonnaC
 

http://www.thebark.com/ezine/living_health/marion-nestle-futureofpetfood.html


The Future of Pet Food  - The view from inside Global Pet Expo
By Marion Nestle, PhD, and Malden Nesheim, PhD

-  get a quick overview of where the pet industry—worth $43 billion a year in products, food and veterinary services—is headed.

Increasingly, pet food looks like human food. Pet food makers are not only using “human-grade” ingredients, but ingredients good enough for humans to eat—sliced chicken breasts, fish filets and the like. ….

Pet foods are marketed just like human foods. Practically all the small pet food companies are going organic, natural, environmentally green, kosher, gluten-free, vegetarian or functional (with herbal supplements and antioxidants). Package labels read much like those on human foods, with many of the same buzzwords: anti-aging, heart health, weight loss, joint health, anti-allergenic.

Misinformation is rampant. As noted previously, we viewed some nutritional claims as erroneous, unlikely or unhelpful. ….

Interesting article:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080613/ap_on_go_co/congress_food_safety

It is disturbing when a company that produces a food product is not interested in receiving a sample of a product in question, especially when it is a food product.  I've heard this story too many times.  I got a similar response from Natura with the chunks discovery.  They were uncertain if they wanted a sample submitted, they absolutely refused photographs of the subject chunks and the executive posted I would not send a sample, even though it had sat on a manager's desk for several weeks with no action taken. 

I agree with Leslie.  It has now come to the point where decisions of doing business with a company are not based only on a good product, but also on how that company deals with their consumers.  You would think they would have learned that after reading it on this forum.  But, as previously posted, if they wanted to, they would.
DonnaC

The deal with Nutro and Search Dog Foundation is a matter of marketing, not PR.  An endorsement of a product actually is the responsibility of Marketing as they handle establishing and managing the partnership between product and person/group.  Public Relations is actually a by-product of the endorsement.

Search Dog Foundation is basically a “brand.”  The organization has a division whose purpose is to license that brand or basically seek to form partnerships with related products (such as pet food) where that company would give them money and/or free product. Search Dog is a 501c3 and they receive no government funding.  Thus, the endorsements/partnerships are critical to allowing them to rescue dogs, train them and then pair them with firefighters. 

It states on the Nutro site that when you purchase their products you help support Search Dog.  It also states “For this new exclusive sponsorship, we’ve pledged over $500,000 in cash and dog food over three years.”  To a group like Search Dog, I would think this would be substantial.  Also, if this is an exclusive sponsorship, then it is most likely contractual and they may not be able to get out of that contract without penalty. 

If you look at the Search Dog Foundation website there is an icon for “Corporate Club” and two selections.  One is for “Licensing, Marketing & Sponsorships”.  This allows for product endorsement (for a fee they promote your product), etc. 

There is also a “Corporate Canine Club.”  Search Dog actually lists 8 corporate partners. Interesting that one of them is Iams.  However, they also have PetEdge and PetCo as corporate partners.  The corporate sponsorship allows for adopting a dog ($10,000) and special PR events. 
DonnaC

I’m not confused at all.  I was referring to your statements. 

Any company who produces products that test positive for contaminants, is responsible for pet illness or has production issues that result in blue plastic, hair, feather fragments, metal shards, etc. in the product is not worthy of my trust or my consumer dollars.  The aforementioned issues should not happen with quality pet food or any food/beverage product for that matter. 

No one deserves to have their pet die or become ill simply because it ate a commercial food.  No one deserves to live the nightmare of wondering what exactly their pet has been exposed to, deal with continuing illness or be concerned for the long-term impact on their pet’s health.  No one deserves to spend their own time and money battling an industry that assumes absolutely no responsibility. 

I am thankful every day, every moment that my dogs are still alive.  And I often reflect on the email a friend sent me the day she returned from the vet after months of closely monitoring her very sick pet and researching through all hours of the day and night to find answers.  I was out of town and emailed reminding her to let me know about the vet visit.   Her response was simply “she came home in my heart.”   

Trust – no way!  --  because no pet owner deserves what these companies have put us in the midst of. 
DonnaC

Your posts seems contradictory and confusing.   
DonnaC

I disagree with your assessment of “open discussion” in regard to the Innova issue.  Natura’s President came to the Itchmo forum as a result of my test results being posted on-line.  The information was posted on July 1, 2007.  Atkins’ first response was on July 3 where he attempted to state I would not provide samples to them.  (They had received my samples on May 24, 2007 – signature verified.)  Atkins’ second post was on July 23 where he provided the results of their analyses.  Also, note my lengthy response giving clarification to the comparison of their analyses and mine and how the test protocols were not “apples to apples” comparisons. 

IMO, this was in no way “open discussion.”  At best this was a textbook example for public relations – controlling information and potential damage.   

Another member here posted “we've had the CEO's of Natura and Nature's Variety replying to our posts during their most recent PF issues.”  I have only been able to find two posts from Natura.  The most recent discovery with Natura was the significant levels of potato toxin contaminants detected in analyses completed at a State Department of Agriculture.  I have seen no public company response to those results.  Nor was there any response to other reports of concerns for pet illness, foreign matter in products or photographs posted on the lengthy thread.  Remember the repeated response "there is only one complaint"? 



Absolutely agree.  Open discussion should be a two-way street of on-going communication, but this would only work if both parties have the same interests/goals in mind.  However, the bigger, more critical consideration is one side of the discussion is attempting to protect the interests of their company.  This is a matter of revenues, profits and shareholder value. 

DonnaC

I find this concept interesting – “as the importance and value of pets in families grow”. 

APPMA estimates the pet industry will realize over $43 billion in sales during 2008 and pet owners account for over 60% of US households, with many having multiple pets. 

Corporations realize the value of including pets in their advertising and marketing campaigns even though their products have nothing to do with pets.  Even politicians bring their family pets into publicity photos. It captures America’s attention and gives us a common bond. Pets are seen as valuable additions to ads in order to sell products for companies, yet they are not realized as important and valuable to us? 

Remember the story regarding Petsmart “thrives selling hotel services”?  The CEO was quoted saying his company benefited from the “humanization of pets”; they allowed phone booths in the day cares to allow humans “in tough shape” to hear their dog; and he referenced the choices people now have for pet care as a “guilt reliever for the human who has to abandon their pet for a short time.” 

Petsmart (in Feb. ’08) was surpassing $1 billion in sales every quarter, with a reported $4.23 billion in sales the previous year.   That’s a slightly smug attitude from an executive whose impressive salary and compensation package exists only because of us tough-shape, guilt-ridden pet owners. 

http://itchmoforums.com/news-recall-related/petsmart-thrives-selling-hotel-services-t3527.0.html

What about the pet food companies and other pet related businesses?  How much money do we put in their pockets each year?  The same executives, sales managers and customer service reps who elude our tough questions and requests for help are the very ones who benefit from our hard-earned dollars. 

Our pets are valued if they can be used to sell products for a company or, in regard to the pet industry, as the sole reason for revenues. 

Then, why are our pets not seen as important and valued members of our families who deserve to be protected? 
Donna C

That's not surprising.  A company can/will control the information they provide to consumers, however, they cannot control the information, concerns, research, findings and experiences we share with each other on this forum. 

It is unfortunate, though, that we have people on Itchmo that are capable of greater research and discovery than the industry. 
DonnaC

I think any information that continues to be revealed is beneficial to the cause. 

I would also hope it helps people to understand that this is not just an issue with Menu and ingredients from China.  Test results and pet illness has proven that.
Donna C