FDA Probes Tainted Pet Food: Dogs’ Deaths Blamed on Toxin in S.C.-Made Feed
By Bruce Henderson, The Charlotte Observer, N.C., The Charlotte Observer, N.C.
Dec. 24–A federal agency is investigating contaminated S.C.-made pet food that is suspected in at least eight dog deaths in the Carolinas, with more reported from as far away as New York .
The Food and Drug Administration, which regulates pet food, wouldn’t comment on its investigation. But “the companies are responsible for ensuring that their products are safe and do not contain contaminants,” spokesman Rae Jones said Friday by e-mail.
Diamond Pet Foods on Tuesday recalled 19 dog and cat foods made in its Gaston, S.C., plant after discovering a toxin caused by a fungus that grows on corn, an ingredient of the food. The contaminant, aflatoxin, causes liver failure.
The plant serves the Carolinas and 20 other states. Carolina Veterinary Specialists and Animal Emergency, in south Charlotte, has seen more than 10 animals apparently sickened by the food.
“They’re all having a hard time and we’ve lost a few,” said Dr. Richard Hurt, a veterinarian there. “Nobody’s out of the woods yet.”
The toxin moves quickly and has no antidote. Sickened dogs are lethargic, have yellowed eyes and gums, bruise easily and have swelling heads and necks. They may also have severe or bloody diarrhea.
Vets try to stabilize them with intravenous fluids, plasma, red blood cells and antibiotics while hoping the liver will regenerate, Hurt said.
Camden, S.C., resident Scott Brown’s yellow Labrador, Lacy, had eaten Diamond dog food for two to three weeks when she stopped eating. She went to the vet Dec. 12 and by that afternoon clung to life.
“She could barely lift her head up,” Brown told The (Columbia) State. “Her face was all swollen.” He had her euthanized that night.
S.C. state veterinarian Tony Caver said five cases, including three dogs that died, were believed to be linked to aflatoxin.
Five dog fatalities have been linked, but not yet confirmed, to aflatoxin by N.C. diagnostic laboratories, state veterinarian David Marshall said. That number doesn’t include cases analyzed by private labs.
A similar outbreak in Texas killed about 30 dogs in 1998.
Pet owners shouldn’t panic, Marshall said, even if they’ve been using Diamond food.
Not all recalled bags are likely to be contaminated, he said, and tainted food may carry high or low levels of contamination. The amount of contaminated food eaten and the pet’s age and health, such as pre-existing liver disease, are also factors.
Diamond, dealing with consumer calls, didn’t return calls to the Observer Friday. In a statement, the company said it’s analyzing product samples to isolate specific contaminated lots.
Aflatoxin is the most common toxin formed by mold. Because it’s so prevalent, the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services says, all corn and corn products from processors are checked monthly.
The FDA is responsible for making sure pet foods are safe and labeled correctly. But federal law doesn’t require that it pre-approve ingredients such as meat, poultry and grains that are considered safe, the agency says.
The S.C. Department of Agriculture checks livestock and pet foods for aflatoxin, but Diamond is responsible for monitoring the corn it uses.
Recalled Pet Food
Diamond Pet Food asked distributors to withhold these products made in Gaston, S.C. :
— 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
— 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
What to look for:
A capital “G” as the 11th or 12th character in the package date code, and date codes that say “Best By 01-March-07″ through “Best By 10-June-07.” More information: www. diamondpet.com.
What to do:
Pets that were fed the recalled food should be watched closely, said N.C. state veterinarian David Marshall. If they seem healthy now, they will probably stay that way. If the animal appears sick, he said, it should immediately be taken to a veterinarian for blood tests of liver function.
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