Urgent :: Pet Food Recall... Urgent!!! - TOXIN FOUND

[catsarebetter]

I've got two vets, right now, at the same office. One served under a holistic vet at some point, and the other didn't. Both are wonderful vets, and they completely disagree, same vet office.. but one says yes, definitely feed raw, and the other advocates commercial food. He tried to talk me out of a raw diet, and sort of argued with me, and then just determined it was a lost cause and advised to make sure the cats were getting certain things. He was okay with it, albeit not enthusiastic, when we said we were adding a supplement as well.

I guess they just get a basic class on nutrition.. ?

 

[kluchetta]

I've been thinking about this for a while. Here in Colorado, the number one veterinary school is also the number one agriculture school. I don't advocate big conspiracy theories, but I don't think it's a coincidence that our vets here don't recommend a grain free diet...

 

[javern]

I'm getting the impression some of you don't trust your own vet...why patronize them? I think you need to find another vet. Having a good relationship with your vet and being able to trust him/her is one of the most important things you can do for your pet. Websites and forums are just another source of information, what works for others may not be best for your pet, your vet examines and knows your pet in person.

 

[strange_wings]

Originally Posted by Javern

I'm getting the impression some of you don't trust your own vet...why patronize them? I think you need to find another vet. Having a good relationship with your vet and being able to trust him/her is one of the most important things you can do for your pet. Websites and forums are just another source of information, what works for others may not be best for your pet, your vet examines and knows your pet in person.

It's hard to find a good vet, so many do not seek out extra training. This is why good feline only, exotic or even herp vets are harder to find.
There's a difference between a working relationship, willing to listen and work with your vet, trust, and blind trust. When you go to the doctor yourself do you know want to know how they reach their diagnoses? or more information concerning your illness/disease? Many of us feel the same about our pets.

Blind trust isn't good, especially in this day and age, I'll leave that at that since everyone could fill that in one way or another.

Also, no one here diagnoses another's pet, they do offer suggestions and if you look 99.9% of the time the first suggestion and answer is always "make a vet appointment".

 

[misty8723]

Originally Posted by Javern

I'm getting the impression some of you don't trust your own vet...why patronize them? I think you need to find another vet. Having a good relationship with your vet and being able to trust him/her is one of the most important things you can do for your pet. Websites and forums are just another source of information, what works for others may not be best for your pet, your vet examines and knows your pet in person.

I go to a cat only clinic. There are two vets who work there. I go to whoever I get an appointment with. Usually it's the primarily vet. I trust both of them -- to a point. I also trust my own doctor -- to a point. I believe that being informed on any subject is a good thing, and especially when it comes to my cats health, my health, and the health of my family.

I would never try to diagnose myself, or my cats, but knowing what COULD be wrong helps clarify the questions I need to ask to get a better diagnosis and a better chance at catching something in an early stage.

As for food, if I didn't know that vets don't get much nutritional training, I probably would be feeding my cats the junk they push. Just like I once thought Iams was a top of the line cat food - until I did more research.

It's not really a matter of trust, it's a matter of working together with your health care provider and taking responsibility for your own health and the health of those you care for (fur or human).

 

[catsarebetter]

I trust my vets implicitly, but.. honestly, not even MDs are skilled in every aspect of human health care. I mean, that's just sort of an impossibility to me.. there's a reason why there are specialists. I think it's the same with vets. They get a general overview of everything, and then a focus on illnesses, or what have you. I think for the most part that nutrition is something that *most* people consider a given. Most people feed commercial pet food. You really only have to know a small amount (even though some people here are very knowledgable in the subject) about nutrition to be able to determine which cat food is better than another, but who does the research? Commercial pet food has long been a standard. It stands to reason that there wouldn't be a lot of extra information provided about something that is a given.

 

[sillyjilly]

Just wanted to add an email that I recieved today from Nutro:

April 23, 2007


Dear Nutro Customers,

We know many of you have questions about the FDA's latest reports that melamine was found in rice protein concentrate (also referred to as rice gluten). We want to address those concerns as well as provide you with information on our use of corn gluten, which we include in some of our pet foods as an ingredient in the form of corn gluten meal.

Our customers have also brought to our attention confusion that has been caused by the media in reporting the new recall of some Natural Balance pet foods. Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. is not in any way affiliated with Nutro Products nor Nutro's Natural ChoiceÂ[emoji]174[/emoji], MAXÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] or Ultraâ„¢ brands.

I hope the following information is helpful in clearing up any confusion you may have.

Regarding Rice Protein Concentrate:

(1) Nutro uses rice protein concentrate in some of its products because it provides an important source of protein for pets, especially for those with digestive sensitivities and allergies.

(2) Independent laboratory tests have confirmed that the rice protein concentrate (also known as rice gluten) used in Nutro's pet foods does not contain melamine.

(3) It has been reported that the Natural Balance recall is focused on products containing rice protein concentrate provided by Wilbur-Ellis Company. Nutro has NEVER purchased or used rice protein concentrate from Wilbur-Ellis Company in any of our pet foods.

Regarding Corn Gluten:

(1) Nutro uses corn gluten meal in some of its pet foods because it is a source of sulfur amino acids, which are important for skin and coat health. Corn gluten meal also helps as a natural urine acidifier that is important for both cats and dogs.

(2) All of the corn gluten meal that Nutro uses in its products is produced in the United States.

Nutro customers may check Nutro's website (www.nutroproducts.com) or contact our Consumer Hotline -- (800) 833-5330 -- for further information about our products. We will continue to post updated information on our website and our customer service representatives are working diligently to respond to each and every call and email personally.

We understand that the pet food recall has caused continued confusion and frustration and we are doing everything we can to provide you with the information you need about our products. We will continue to keep you updated.

Sincerely,

Dave Kravis
President & CEO
Nutro Products

 

[luckysmom634]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_pet_food_recalls

Please read this...

My cats Rocky and Tigger...Tigger died from this.  Rocky survived with issues to 17 years. On meds for years.

These cats were rescued from a dumpster together...brother and sister.  I was feeding them IAMs.

Tigger was the female...she died within a month of this food contamination.  11 years old.

Rocky survived with kidney damage ...17 years old.

Please be careful who makes your pet food.

I like USA foods.

This probably happened before The Cat Site began

I started using Blue Buffalo...then I found there was a problem with that...So I went back to Purina...Pro Plan

 

[luckysmom634]

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/RecallsWithdrawals/ucm129575.htm

My problem with my cats happened in 2007

 

[amandad]

 
I started using Blue Buffalo...then I found there was a problem with that...So I went back to Purina...Pro Plan

The Blue Buffalo food that is listed on the Wiki site isn't even a Blue food anymore... But, sorry for your loss. 

 

[artiemom]

I am really sorry for your loss...I know you are still hurting from this. I think many pet owners lost their precious babies because of what happened years ago..

It seems to be a very hared thing to comprehend and to get your mind around..It was not your fault..you fed the best food that you could find..

..but.....This is a very old thread. Why are we resurrecting it, and why now?

I am truly sorry Luckysmom, about your kitty.....

I really do feel for you...I know you must feel lost and as if you  did something to your kitties..but your did not..you tried to feed them the best food possible..

Unfortunately, cat food had many recalls and badness during the past 10 or so years...That is why we have to be knowledgable about what we are feeding our precious babies. 

I swear Artie stared his downward spiral from eating Blue Buffalo, but that was a few years ago. I just stopped feeding it to him, as soon as I was suspicious of it...It was a suspicion, but who knows, it may just be that...a suspicion.. and nothing more..or a coincidence. 

who knows...I cannot beat myself up about it..I just have to go on and take the best care of him that I am able to...

again...so sorry,  

 

[luckysmom634]

I am ALWAYS looking for issues regarding potential toxins in my pet food.