Pet Food Recall: Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat & Hamster

Kaytee has issued a new recall, this one for Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat & Hamster food due to Salmonella. This is the second recall by Kaytee recently. On April 9 they recalled Kaytee Baby Bird & Baby Macaw Feeding Formula due to high levels of vitamin D.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 30, 2012 – Kaytee Pet Products is recalling a single manufacturing batch of Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster due to possible contamination with Salmonella. The product affected by this recall is identified below and has the following “Best Before” dates:

Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat & Hamster
Material #100502315
UPC Code 71859 00001
Best Before Code 03-Apr-2013 K61
Size 6/5 lb.

Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat & Hamster
Material 100502086
UPC 71859 99995
Best Before Code 31-Mar-2013
Size 25 lb.

Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat & Hamster
Material 100502085
UPC 71859 99994
Best Before Code 31-Mar-2013 K63
Size 6/3 lb.

Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat & Hamster – Petco Stores Only
Material 100502275
UPC 71859 00000
Best Before Code 30-Mar-2013
Size 25 lb.

Product and product lots that do not appear on the list above are not subject to this recall.

No human or pet illnesses have been reported to-date. The recall notification is being issued based on a single manufacturing batch wherein a sample with the “Best Before” date of (lot) 03APR13K61 had a positive result for Salmonella in a random sample test conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat & Hamster product was originally manufactured on January 5 and 6, 2012.  Kaytee is taking immediate action to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers, and to fully investigate the cause.

[...]

Recalled products were distributed to retailers and distributors in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin; and, into the countries of Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, Dutch Antilles, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guam, Honduras, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, and Trinidad.

Consumers who have purchased the Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat & Hamster product with the above-referenced “Best Before” dates are urged to contact Kaytee Customer Service representatives.

A letter and instructions will be forwarded to all Kaytee customers.  Kaytee Customer Service representatives and company veterinarians are responding to inquires through the 1-800-Kaytee1 (800 529-8331) phone number and will answer any questions regarding pets that have been fed the product.  Pet owners can also visit the Kaytee website for more information http://www.kaytee.com/.

You’ll find the recall notice on the FDA website: Kaytee Recalls Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk.

Read more: http://www.petsitusa.com/blog/?p=4995

Pet Food Recall: Diamond Puppy Formula

Diamond Pet Foods has recalled yet another one of their dry dog foods, this time it’s for Diamond Puppy Formula. Here is an updated recall notice. The first list (Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice) was recalled on April 6. The puppy food was added to the recall list today.

Diamond Pet Foods has issued a voluntary recall of Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice dry dog food and Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food. The company took this precautionary measure because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. No dog illnesses have been reported.

Customers who have purchased the following product, in the following states, with the specific production and “Best Before” codes should discontinue feeding the product and discard it:

Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice – dry dog food:

6lb – DLR0101D3XALW, “Best Before” Date 04 Jan 2013
20lb – DLR0101C31XAG, “Best Before” Date 03 Jan 2013
40lb – DLR0101C31XMF, “Best Before” Date 03 Jan 2013
40lb – DLR0101C31XAG, “Best Before” Date 03 Jan 2013
40lb – DLR0101D32XMS, “Best Before” Date 04 Jan 2013

Distributed in:
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Maryland
Michigan
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Virginia

Diamond Puppy Formula – dry dog food:

6oz Samples – DPP0401

8 lb – DPP0401B2XALW, “Best Before” Date 07 Apr 2013
20 lb – DPP0101C31XRB, “Best Before” Date 11 Jan 2013
20 lb – DPP0101C31XME, “Best Before” Date 11 Jan 2013
20 lb – DPP0401B22XJW, “Best Before” Date 06 Apr 2013
40 lb – DPP0101C31XME, “Best Before” Date 11 Jan 2013
40 lb – DPP0401B22XJW, “Best Before” Date 06 Apr 2013
40 lb – DPP0401A21XAW, “Best Before” Date 06 Apr 2013
40 lb – DPP0401B21XDJ, “Best Before” Date 07 Apr 2013

Distributed in:

Alabama
Florida
North Carolina
Ohio
Georgia
Kentucky
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Maryland
Michigan
Tennessee
Virginia

This is the third recall recently for Diamond. As I mentioned above, Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice was recalled on April 6. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul, which is manufactured by Diamond, was recalled on April 26. And, due to the problems with their South Carolina plant, delivery of all pet food manufactured in there was suspended earlier this month.

According to Susan Thixton, of TruthAboutPetFood, Diamond also manufactures the following pet foods, although she wasn’t able to confirm if they are made at the South Carolina plant.

Solid Gold
Canidae/Felidae
Natural Balance
Kirkland (Costco Brand)
Chicken Soup
Taste of the Wild
4-Health (Tractor Supply Brand)

Read More: http://www.petsitusa.com/blog/?p=4988

Pet Food Recall: Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul, manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. According to the Washington Post, the food was manufactured at Diamond’s South Carolina plant. Food manufactured at that plant was suspended earlier this month due to concerns over salmonella.

Diamond Pet Foods is recalling one production run of Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food. One bag of the product has tested positive for Salmonella, and the recall of the four production codes is being conducted as a precautionary measure.

We encourage consumers who have purchased Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food with the specific production codes and best before dates to discard the product. Diamond Pet Foods apologizes for any potential issues this may have caused our customers and their dogs.  No dog illnesses have been reported.

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula – dry dog food:

35 lb – CLF0102B31XCW,    Best by Date 27/JAN/2013

35 lb – CLF0102B31XCW,    Best by Date 28/JAN/2013

35 lb – CLF0102B32XWR,    Best by Date 28/JAN/2013

6 lb – CLF0102B3XALW,     Best by Date 28/JAN/2013

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food is manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods and was distributed in Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia, who may have further distributed the product to other states, through pet food channels. The company is working directly with distributors and retailers who carry these products to remove them from the supply chain.

See the full release here: Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Issues Voluntary Recall.

Natura Invites Pet Parents To 'See Beyond The Bag'

APRIL 11, 2012 | BY ALLISON CERRA

FREMONT, Neb. — Natura Pet Products has launched a website that gives pet parents insight on where the company's pet food ingredients are sourced and how the formulas are made.

Natura — whose portfolio includes Innova, Evo and California Natural brands — said SeeBeyondTheBag.com shares the regions where Natura's ingredients are sourced through interactive maps and also presents a narrated video tour of the company's own plant in Fremont, Neb. Website visitors also can view a timeline of Natura's brand milestones and discovering the safety and quality checks that take place at Natura's Fremont Innovation Center, which has received numerous certifications from food safety and quality control auditing organizations.

"Natura has among the highest standards in the industry, and because of this, we're proud to be able to offer pet owners innovative resources for learning more about their pets' food," Natura VP marketing David Everson said. "The See Beyond the Bag site highlights our Fremont facilities, our innovative product development capabilities and our high-quality sourcing standards, which we believe distinguish us from our competitors. We make these key investments because we strive to provide the healthiest pet food in the world."

Read More: http://www.drugstorenews.com/article/natura-invites-pet-parents-see-beyond-bag?ad=supplier-news

My Pet Won't Stop Eating Grass. What's Going On?

Who hasn’t wondered, “Why does my pet eat grass?” The truth is there isn’t one clear reason. What we do know is that eating small amounts of grass can be a harmless, albeit curious, thing for a perfectly healthy dog or cat to do. But when nibbling turns into gulping great hunks of the stuff — and grassy vomit hits the kitchen tile — it’s time to wonder what’s going on.

Causes

Your vet may consider several reasons your pet is eating grass, including these:

1. Behavioral drives. Pica is a word used to describe eating things that do not serve a biologic or nutritional purpose — such as when a pet eats paper or plastic. It may be that the behavior feels good or there is some other behavioral reason. But a medical issue, such as a neurologic disease, can cause pica, so it shouldn’t be completely written off without discussing with your vet.

2. Nutritional cravings. Even though a dog or cat may be eating a nutritionally complete diet, that doesn't mean that cravings for certain things (such as grass) don't occur.

3. Idiopathic causes. Idiopathic means simply that the veterinarian doesn't know the exact cause. But you should continue to watch the situation.

What To Do at Home

Owners who observe their pets frequently nibbling grass probably don’t need to rush to the emergency room. Rather, they should watch their pets to gain more information about the grass eating. Ask yourself:

• Does my pet eat grass voraciously?
• Does he vomit or feel sick afterward?
• Is there pattern? For example, does it also happen on days when he doesn’t eat all of his food?

If you answer no to the first two, there’s probably no need to raise the issue with your veterinarian. If the answer to either is yes, it’s worth paying attention to No. 3.

Armed with this information, owners can then present their findings to their veterinarians.

What Your Veterinarian Will Do

Your pet’s doctor will begin looking for a medical condition at work in the grass consumption. The goal is to figure out if it is a sign of a minor ailment, a more serious disease, or nothing more than normal albeit slightly eccentric behavior.

Normally the vet will start with the least invasive test and move on to more expensive, more invasive tests as needed (which will depend on the severity of the symptoms). From least to most invasive:

• Fecal examination (to check for parasites)
• Blood work: CBC, blood chemistry
• Urinalysis
• X-rays
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Barium study (a type of x-ray study for examining the intestinal tract)
• CT scan
• Endoscopy with biopsies
• Exploratory laparoscopy with biopsies

Few grass-eaters are likely to have ever suffered an exploratory laparoscopy to surgically look into the contents of an abdomen and biopsy the gastrointestinal tract, but severe symptoms could theoretically lead a veterinarian to decide this is the best approach.

Not every grass-eater has a serious medical problem, though. For many pets who want to sample the lawn, the prescription may be to let them go right ahead. Just make sure the grass is not treated with any chemicals that could be harmful if your pet eats them.

This article was written by a Veterinarian.

Information provided by: http://www.vetstreet.com/care/my-pet-wont-stop-eating-grass-whats-going-on

Top 10 Spring Tips For Pet Owners

Content Provided By American Veterinary Medical Association

American Veterinary Medical Association (ARA) - Planting a garden, spring cleaning, fertilizing the lawn -- we all have lots of work to do with the coming of spring. But pets also have health and safety needs this time of year that their owners should know about.

"I see it all the time in my clinic in the springtime. Animals get into fertilizers and pesticides, those used on a home or on a farm, and it makes the animals sick," says Dr. James Cook, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. "People need to be aware of these potential hazards. Along with better weather, the spring brings with it the use of a number of common lawn chemicals and the blooming of plants that can be hazardous to pets."

Here are the AVMA's top 10 spring hints for pet owners:

*Fleas and ticks 
They can be tiny, little more than a pinhead in some instances, but they grow and spread quickly once they find a host. The preventative treatments that you may have discontinued in the winter should start early in the spring to keep your pet's coat, and your home, free of pests.

*Lawn fertilizers 
Lawn fertilizers are very toxic to pets. Store fertilizers in a place far from where your dog or cat -- and children-- can get at it. After applying it to your lawn, follow manufacturer instructions on how long you should wait before allowing your pet into the area. If you see a sign posted on a lawn that tells you to keep your pets off, abide by it.

*Pesticides and herbicides 
It's probably not surprising that these chemicals can be toxic to your pets, but, even when they're not lethal, there are some long-term health concerns. Studies indicate the use of pesticides and herbicides may be tied to increased rates of specific forms of cancer in dogs. If your pet is exposed, wash them with soap and water immediately and call your veterinarian.

*Cocoa bean mulch 
It's becoming common to mulch a garden with the fragrant spent shells of cocoa beans. But just like chocolate, dogs like to eat them and they are toxic.

*Lilies 
Lilies are a flower common in the spring, and they are very, very toxic to cats. Cats will often chew them, and even small amounts can lead to kidney failure and death.

*Rhubarb leaves 
Rhubarb makes a fine pie and it's a staple in many vegetable gardens, but the leaves are poisonous and can cause kidney failure. For a complete list of plants and plantings that can be dangerous to pets, visit www.avma.org.

*Rat and mouse poisons 
Controlling vermin becomes an issue again in the spring. Be aware that the same properties of common rat and mouse poisons that make them irresistible to pests will also attract your pet. If consumed, these can be fatal to your animal.

*Cleaning products 
Spring cleaning is an annual tradition in many households, but make sure the cleaning products don't hurt your animals. If the label states "keep pets and children away from area until dry" follow those instructions carefully, and store all chemicals out of reach of children and pets.

*Paint and paint thinners 
If you're putting a fresh coat of paint on the house, keep the pets away. Paint thinners, mineral spirits and other solvents can cause severe irritation or chemical burns if swallowed or even if they come in contact with your pet's skin. Latex house paints typically produce a minor stomach upset, but some specialty paints may contain heavy metals or volatile substances that could be harmful if ingested.

*Preventative medications 
Consult with your veterinarian about seasonal medications to keep your pet healthy. For example, in many parts of the country, heartworm medications for dogs are often discontinued in the winter. Springtime is the season to restart this medication to keep your dog free of this parasite. But keep in mind that manufacturer's instructions warn that heartworm medications should not be given without first visiting your veterinarian to ensure that your pet has not developed the heartworm parasite. A simple blood test will give you that peace of mind.

For more information, visit www.avma.org. For a full-length video on common household poisons and hazards, visit www.avmatv.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent 

Read more: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/family/18653577/detail.html#ixzz1sQUPWPSf

Pet food recall: Kaytee Baby Bird & Baby Macaw Feeding Formula

Kaytee Baby Bird & Baby Macaw Feeding Formula are being recalled due to high levels of vitamin D.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 9, 2012 – Kaytee, a Central Garden & Pet brand, is recalling two products, Kaytee exact® Hand Feeding Formula Baby Birds and Kaytee exact® Hand Feeding Formula Baby Macaw, due to high levels of vitamin D. These products are used primarily by bird breeders for feeding baby birds. Baby birds being fed the formula may run the risk of kidney failure when ingesting the product.

The products being recalled were manufactured over a limited range of dates. Products manufactured prior to these dates and after these dates have been tested and are safe for feeding to baby birds. Consumers should inspect the product packaging for the “Best Before Code (date)” to determine if it is affected by this recall.  All distributors have been notified of the recall and have been asked to reach out to their retail customers and to immediately remove the affected products from the shelf.

The recalled lots are listed below:

Kaytee exact® Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird
Product Code/SKU/Material#: 100032326
UPC Code: 07185947510
Size: 6/7.5 oz.
Lot/Serial: No. A1
Best Before: 21 Mar 2013 and 20 Apr 2013

Kaytee exact® Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird
Product Code/SKU/Material#: 100032328
UPC Code: 07185947511
Size: 6/7.5 oz.
Lot/Serial No. A2
Best Before: 9 Mar 2013 and 19 Apr 2013

Kaytee exact® Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird
Product Code/SKU/Material#: 100032330 *100034332
UPC Code: 07185947512
Size: 4/5 lb.
Lot/Serial No. A3
*includes 10 cases of Petco store product
Best Before: 4 Mar 2013, 30 Mar 2013 and 16 May 2013
*30 March 2013

Kaytee exact® Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird
Product Code/SKU/Material#: 100032336
UPC Code: 07185947518
Size: 1/22 lb.
Lot/Serial No. A4
Best Before: 21 Mar 2013, 13 Apr 2013 and 16 May 2013

Kaytee exact® Hand Feeding Formula Baby Macaw
Product Code/SKU/Material#: 100032337
UPC Code: 07185947515
Size: 4/5 lb.
Lot/Serial No. B1
Best Before: 1 Mar 2013, 14 Mar 2013 and 19 Apr 2013

Products and product lots that do not appear on the list are not subject to this recall.

Having a hard time finding the best before code please click here.

This recall is being initiated due to an elevated amount of vitamin D that was unintentionally added in an isolated mixing batch during the manufacturing process.

No other Kaytee bird foods are involved in this recall.

If you have questions, or for reimbursement, call Kaytee at 1-800 Kaytee-1 (800 529-8331) or email kayteehandfeedingbabybirdrecall@central.com.

The entire recall can be found on the Kaytee website or on the FDA website.

Information provided by:http://www.petsitusa.com/blog/?p=4962