Friday, March 29, 2013

More/Expanded Pet Food Recalls

Please everyone educate yourselves!

http://truthaboutpetfood2.com/recall-barf-diet-brand-lamb-patties-and-combo-patties

Recalls

Recall BARF Diet brand Lamb Patties and Combo Patties

The following recall information was forwarded to me – via a pet food retailer.  This is to inform you of a voluntary recall involving BARF DIET brand which includes our BARF Lamb Patties and BARF Combo patties as noted below:
BARF LAMB PATTIES (UPC 3752800104) Use By Date 072713, Lot 209 Total of 68 cases (Four, 6 pound bags per case. 12 patties per 6 pound bag).
BARF COMBO PATTIES (UPC 3752800106) Use By Date 072713, Lot 209 Total of 42 cases (Four, 6 pound bags per case. 12 patties per 6 pound bag).
BARF COMBO PATTIES (BULK) Use By Date 072713, Lot 209 Total of 42 cases net weight 24 pounds per case.
Please note that some of these products may be included the Variety Pack case.
Please be aware that this is a voluntary recall for potential Salmonella and BARF World has received no reports of illnesses from pet owners or pets on the above-mentioned frozen raw diet product, which was manufactured on 07/27/2012. None of this product has been tested and found positive for salmonella.
Since BARF World routinely produces its products in small batches to maintain freshness and shelf life of the product, this voluntary recall involves only the small number of cases and diet varieties listed above.
There are no other varieties of our diets or sizes involved.  Out of an abundance of caution due to the potential of Salmonella, the recalled product should not be fed to your pets. You may have received this product by ordering directly from BARF World.  The product can be identified by the Use By date of 072713.
Please check your freezer and dispose of any unopened or unused product and contact BARF World for a full refund.
This product  (23 cases of Lamb Diet) was shipped to you from York Cold Storage over 2 shipments on October 18th, 2012 and September 28th, 2012 for further distribution to your customers. The product can be identified by the Use By date of 07/27/13.  Please immediately examine your inventory and segregate/quarantine any product that is subject to recall.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
In an effort to prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and caregivers, the FDA recommends that everyone follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets. A list of safe pet food handling tips can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048182.htm.
If you would like more information on this voluntary recall, please contact Christopher Hampson toll-free at 1-866-282-2273 Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time.

 http://truthaboutpetfood2.com/natura-expands-recall-2


Recalls

Natura Expands Recall

Provided to TruthaboutPetFood.com from a pet food retailer is the following information of recall expansion by Natura Pet Food…
Natura Pet is expanding the recall of specific California Natural, Innova, EVO, Karma and Healthwise formulas as a precautionary measure due to potential Salmonella contamination. Mother Nature and wet products are not included in this recall. No other P&G Pet Care brands are impacted by this recall.
We were alerted to a single case of Salmonella in a 2.2lb package of EVO Turkey & Chicken Cat Food on March 15th and took the precautionary measure of recalling all products produced on the same line within the same time frame. In the course of further examination, Salmonella was also discovered in other packages of EVO Turkey & Chicken Cat Food and Innova Cat Treats.  We are taking the immediate and precautionary action of expanding the current recall to include additional Natura products that were produced between December 14th 2012 and March 24th, 2013 on the same production line. We are also recalling a single lot of Innova Cat treats.  True to our heritage, we will be transparent as we work through this issue.
Plans are in place to increase production and expedite release of product, but some supply disruptions should be expected.
Salmonella and other contaminants pose a great challenge to the food industry.  No company is immune. We assure you that we are extensively investigating, inspecting and taking all actions necessary to ensure that our products meet both your customer’s expectations and ours.
If additional risks are identified, we will take immediate action to protect the health of our pets and integrity of our products. We are committed to doing what is necessary to make the healthiest pet foods in the world.
The attached document lists impacted SKUs with specific lot codes and expiration dates for both the previously announced voluntary recall and this expansion.
What to do if you have this product in your store or warehouse:
Managers or designee should immediately secure all affected SKUs to an isolated location.  Product should be secured/segregated from saleable product.
Distributor partners, please notify your retail outlets and ensure they take the appropriate action to remove the impacted products from the shelf.
Your Natura Sales Representative and/or distributor will be in contact with further instructions.
If you need additional information please call 800.224.6123.  We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause, and want to assure you that Natura Pet is taking all the necessary steps to ensure our product quality meets your expectations.
Global Pet Care CBD Leader
Bruce Eyre
Click Here to view Natura letter to retailers and list of all products involved in the expanded recall.
Click Here to view the Natura statement from their website.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Obamacare - Not just Biting You - but your Pets too!

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/03/11/obamacare-may-bite-you-at-the-vets-office/



Obamacare May Bite You At The Vet’s Office

Dog at vet's office. (Source: CBS4)
Dog at vet’s office. (Source: CBS4)
Eliott Rodriguez Web Headshot Reporting Eliott Rodriguez
MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Pet owners listen up: You may want to start saving more money for veterinarian care this year. The reason goes all the way back to Washington and an unintended consequence from medical reform.
Dog owner Lori Heiselman was surprised where her veterinarian posted a warning on Facebook.
The notice read: “Because medical equipment and supplies will be going up in cost, that extra expense will have to passed on to the customers.”

So Lori is already tightening her belt to pay for the increase in her dog’s care. Though she doesn’t like it, she’s willing to pay more for her pets.
“They’re very important. They’re members of the family,” said Heiselman.
Why the increase? Its part of a new 2.3-percent federal excise tax on certain medical devices that just went into effect. The tax will help fund the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, intended for people, not pets. Manufacturers pay the tax, but a recent survey found more than half plan to pass it along.
Some vets say they can’t afford it. Dr. Mike Hatcher is one of them. He explained, “I’m extremely concerned how this is going to be a hidden tax to our consumers that is going to be passed on.”
How does this work? Medical devices used only on animals are exempt. However, items including IV pumps, sterile scalpels and anesthesia equipment, which are medical devices that have a dual use, meaning they can be used on people and animals, will be taxed. Hatcher said, “Putting off an equipment purchase is something that can terribly affect our clients’ ability to have quality care.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association represents 82,000 vets. At this point, they don’t know how much this new tax will indirectly cost them. The organizations members are waiting to hear from more device makers.
Dr. Mark Lutschaunig is the director of the Governmental Relations Division of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
“Congress never intended for this tax to impact veterinarian medicine and unfortunately it has, and I think that’s very unfortunate that veterinarian medicine now is subsidizing human health care,” said Dr. Lutschaunig.
Congressional sources who worked on the Affordable Care Act said lawmakers tried to exclude vets from being affected by the dual use medical devices tax, but it was too complicated.
Carol Smock knows about complications. She founded a charity that helps struggling pet owners pay for vet care. Smock started Brown Dog Foundation after struggling to pay for her chocolate lab’s medical bills while she was unemployed. Her organization is a 501c3 public charity that provides funding to families who find themselves in similar situations: A sick pet that would likely respond to treatment, but due to an unforeseen circumstance, there is not enough money immediately available to make it happen...........................

Cat Food Specific Recall

http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2013/03/cat_food_recalled_in_25_states.html


http://www.inquisitr.com/571357/cat-food-recall-diamond-pet-foods-pulls-several-products/

Cat food recalled in 25 states due to lack of essential nutrient

Hunterdon County Democrat By Hunterdon County Democrat
on March 12, 2013 at 7:20 AM, updated March 12, 2013 at 7:24 AM





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NEW YORK – Doctors from BluePearl Veterinary Partners are urging people to stop using and return or discard certain bags of cat food manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods after the company issued a voluntary recall affecting 25 states Sunday.
According to a press release issued by Diamond Pet Foods, the company is recalling certain bags of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat Formula dry cat food, Premium Edge Senior Cat Hairball Management Formula dry cat food, Premium Edge Kitten Formula dry cat food, Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula dry cat food and 4health All Life Stages Cat Formula dry cat food after tests conducted by the company indicated the products might have a low level of thiamine (Vitamin B1).
Thiamine is an essential vitamin for cats in maintaining normal nervous system function. Symptoms of thiamine deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, neurological signs can develop, which may include cervical ventroflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, ataxia (wobbly walking), falling, circling and seizures.
Altogether, the products were distributed to customers located in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.
People who have the recalled products should return or discard them immediately.
“If you have fed your cat with the affected product and notice your cat is not acting right, take him or her to your family veterinarian as soon as possible,” said Dr. Laura Gibeon, a senior clinician with BluePearl in Manhattan. “Of course, if it is an after-hours emergency, we would be glad to help at any one of our locations.”
The following products are subject to the recall:
Product Size Production Codes Best By States
Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat Formula 18 lb. bags NGF0703 10-Jul-2013 Massachusetts
Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat Formula 6 lb. bags NGF0802 15-Aug-2013,
16-Aug-2013 Florida, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia
Premium Edge Senior Cat Hairball Management Formula 6 lb. and
18 lb. bags NGS0101 03-Jan-2014,
04-Jan-2014 Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma
Premium Edge Senior Cat Hairball Management Formula 6 lb. and
18 lb. bags NGS0702 10-Jul-2013 Florida, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia
Premium Edge Kitten Formula 6 oz. samples,
6 lb. and 18 lb. bags MKT0901 26-Sept-2013
29-Sept-2013
30-Sept-2013
02-Oct-2013 Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia
Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula 6 oz. samples and 6 lb. bags MKT0901 30-Sept-2013Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina
4health All Life Stages Cat Formula 5 lb. and
18 lb. bags NGF0802 14-Aug-2013,
18-Aug-2013 Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia
Formed in 2008, BluePearl Veterinary Partners is headquartered in Tampa, Fla., and employs more than 1,200 people including approximately 250 veterinarians. BluePearl hospitals are referral-only and don’t provide primary care. Most BluePearl hospitals offer 24-hour emergency care services.
BluePearl is one of the world’s principal providers of approved veterinary residency and internship educational programs.
BluePearl also participates in and conducts clinical trials to study the effectiveness of new drugs and treatments, which give clients access to cutting-edge medicine not yet commercially available and improves the quality of care delivered to our patients.