OT: Diamond, Kirkland, Country Value, Canine Club and Professional Brands Pet Food

[Guest guest]

Hello All,,

I don't use this food, but this came through on another list, and of

course none of us wants our pets to suffer, so I thought I'd spread

the word on this one...

 

happy holidays,

Jenni

 

 

 

" New Jersey Department of Agriculture

Memo

Veterinarians and Animal Agriculture Constituents

Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M., State Veterinarian

 

December 21, 2005

 

Re: PET OWNERS URGED TO WATCH FOR SIGNS OF ILLNESS AFTER DOG AND CAT

FOOD CONTAMINATION

 

(TRENTON) -- The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has contacted

the state s network of animal care providers to watch for a

potential life-threatening illness among dogs and cats. The

Department has been informed that Diamond Pet Food has removed its

dog and cat food from sale after a dangerous toxin was found in a

product manufactured at the company s facility in Gaston, South

Carolina. That plant supplies pet foods to New Jersey as well as New

York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and other East Coast states.

 

Since December 13, there have been reports, primarily from the

Rochester, New York area, of about 14 dogs becoming sick after being

fed a Diamond Pet Food product. To date, six of those dogs have died.

 

Testing by New York officials has confirmed aflatoxicosis as the

probable cause of death of three of the animals. Aflatoxicosis

results from ingesting aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxic

chemical produced by the growth of fungus on certain food and feeds.

 

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is monitoring the situation

in New York State and has informed the state s animal care providers

of the potential problem, said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture

Charles M. Kuperus. We urge all pet owners to watch for signs of

illness in their pets if they used the contaminated product and to

contact their veterinarians immediately should their pets get sick.

 

Testing of Diamond Pet Food samples from the homes of the affected

dogs in New York revealed at least one sample containing two and a

half times the toxic level of aflatoxin for dogs. High-level

aflatoxin exposure produces acute liver problems, which cause

internal bleeding. There can be excessive fluid build up in tissue,

alteration in digestion, and problems with absorption and/or

metabolism of nutrients.

 

No animal species is immune to the acute toxic effects of aflatoxins

including humans; however, humans have an extraordinarily high

tolerance for aflatoxin exposure and rarely succumb to acute

aflatoxicosis.

 

Diamond Pet Food suggests that pet owners call their veterinarian

immediately if their pet shows any of the following symptoms of

illness: sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat,

yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody

diarrhea.

 

The products removed from sale are:

 

 

Diamond Low Fat Dog Food

Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food

Diamond Maintenance Dog Food

Diamond Performance Dog Food

Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food

Diamond Puppy Food, Diamond Maintenance Cat Food

Diamond Professional Cat Food

Country Value Puppy, Country Value Adult Dog

Country Value High Energy Dog

Country Value Adult Cat Food

Kirkland Signature Maintenance Cat Food

Canine Club Adult Dog Food

Professional Chicken & Rice Senior Dog Food

Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food

Professional Adult Dog Food

Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food

Professional Puppy Food

Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food

Professional Adult Cat Food.

 

 

For more information, please call Diamond Pet Food at (573) 229-4203

or the Division of Animal Health, New Jersey Department of

Agriculture at (609) 292-3965.