- Joined
- Apr 9, 2007
- Messages
- 598
- Purraise
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There is a report on an (what appears to be) a cat-only discussion forum based in New South Wales, of a small number of cats allegedly suffering from a paralytic condition caused by the over-irradiation of Orijen cat food upon its importation into Australia.
Posters on the site have not referenced any media reports. One poster suggests that some form of public announcement is to be made "sometime next week". (That poster uses the title "Administrator".)
There are several references in the thread indicating that the cause of the problem is NOT the Orijen product itself, but the irradiation process used by the Australian government's 'food import safety' department/authority. There is a suggestion that the product was over-irradiated.
None of the posters have indicated that their own cats have been so affected.
Some of the posters (apart from the "Administrator"), IMO, appear to have some "inside knowledge" of the report, but seem very reluctant to divulge details.
If it were not that this site appears to be a well-established one and that an apparent authority on the site seems to be confirming some of the information, I would not be posting this. I lived through (what was for me) the terror of the NA recalls last year, watching for weeks as new products were added to the recall list. I well know the anxiety I experienced...and would not wish nor want to cause such for any other kitty parent.
The report on that forum may be bogus - if basically true, it will undoubtedly have inaccuracies - certainly, if correct, there are many details missing.
Knowing of, and having felt the harm done by the delay for weeks/months of the release of information here in North America last year, I cannot not make this post tonight - even if the purported public announcement is "only" days away.
The only point of my own that I'll add is that the connection between irradiation and limb paralysis appears to be scientifically accurate. Through Google (using: irradiation,paralysis,cat), several science papers are available documenting it, among which is this (allow time to load).
Posters on the site have not referenced any media reports. One poster suggests that some form of public announcement is to be made "sometime next week". (That poster uses the title "Administrator".)
There are several references in the thread indicating that the cause of the problem is NOT the Orijen product itself, but the irradiation process used by the Australian government's 'food import safety' department/authority. There is a suggestion that the product was over-irradiated.
None of the posters have indicated that their own cats have been so affected.
Some of the posters (apart from the "Administrator"), IMO, appear to have some "inside knowledge" of the report, but seem very reluctant to divulge details.
If it were not that this site appears to be a well-established one and that an apparent authority on the site seems to be confirming some of the information, I would not be posting this. I lived through (what was for me) the terror of the NA recalls last year, watching for weeks as new products were added to the recall list. I well know the anxiety I experienced...and would not wish nor want to cause such for any other kitty parent.
The report on that forum may be bogus - if basically true, it will undoubtedly have inaccuracies - certainly, if correct, there are many details missing.
Knowing of, and having felt the harm done by the delay for weeks/months of the release of information here in North America last year, I cannot not make this post tonight - even if the purported public announcement is "only" days away.
The only point of my own that I'll add is that the connection between irradiation and limb paralysis appears to be scientifically accurate. Through Google (using: irradiation,paralysis,cat), several science papers are available documenting it, among which is this (allow time to load).