Pet Food Vet

05/03/2024

There are hundreds of complaints by pet owners as well a dog and cat deaths. As you know many recalls begin with consumer complaints, which are generally filed with the FDA. Samples are submitted and tested. However, our biggest challenge are the *unknown* contaminants, which is why the Melamine recall of 2007 killed over 3000 pets across every brand of pet food. If we don't have a test for it or don't even suspect a non-food toxin, then many pets will sicken as may pet owners. In the PBB contamination of livestock feed in Michigan in the 1970s, dairy farmers and their families got sick because they consumed the milk products of their own cattle. It took months for the contaminant to be figured out (see movie BITTER HARVEST by Ron Howard). I got my Masters in the topic, so I could go on.

27/02/2024

Pentobarbital in pet food. Is that a real thing? Post your comments below. Also, in the comments, I quote a sentence from the FDA. Check this 'archived article' from 2002 FDA research about this topic.

The low levels of exposure to sodium pentobarbital that dogs might receive through food is unlikely to cause them any adverse health effects.

25/02/2024

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/questions-answers-contaminants-pet-food I am not impressed with the FDA 's answers about contaminants. Take a look and ask me why.

FDA CVM Q&As about Contaminants like Pentobarbital in Pet Food.

25/02/2024

Here is my favorite recommendation of human-grade fully nutritious cat and dog food: www.RaisedRightPets.com/DrDebonis , and save 20% with this code PETS20

Family owned human grade pet food company that works with veterinarian, Dr. Karen Becker to formulate limited ingredient recipes that are low in carbs.

28/01/2024

WHY REPORT PET FOOD ISSUES? Right now there is a recall on baby applesauce that babies ate fine, until it was contaminated with lead and chromium. It was found because parents reported this on the FDA website, THEN the FDA did tests and found the toxins in the cinnamon. Spices are GRAS ( GenerallybRegardedvAs Safe), so it took the FDA some time to determine it was the cinnamon that was contaminated and tbey were finally able to trace the source back to a new Guatemalan packer who decide to add weight and color to cinnamon. Reports are exactly how pet foods and human foods are recalled, not because the pet and human food companies tested food that accidentally left their facility. Why do you think there is an Adverse Event Portal on the FDA Website to report pet and human food adverse events? I am a veterinarian with my Masters of Food Safety. Everyone must report adverse events so we can keep our food supplies for both humans and pets safe. I applaud every one who comes forth and takes the effort to do so.

26/01/2024

Some.people don't want to believe anything is wrong with their chosen pet food, and that's OK. That's their choice..They question why no data, evidence, or facts? The facts are that this is how a food recall starts. Food companies begin a recall based on customer complaints, not by testing food that has already left their facility for sale. Car seats, faulty navigation systems in cars--- all of these start with conaumer complaints. Food is no different.
Many pet owners are reporting illness and death despite heroic efforts.for their pets that have eaten certain brands.
I am a veterinarian with my.Masters in Food Safety and access to food safety resting labs. I am starting the process to test ossibly contaminated foods next week. There are hundreds of tests for food safety toxins, pathogens, heavy metals, and other contaminants. Even the FDA is challenged to test all of these items. Do you remember the melamine pet food recalls of 2007? I do. I had been practicing for 25 years by then and watched with horror as the AVMA emailed us veterinary members sometimes 3 times a day with updates of veterinary and owner reported BRAND NAMES ----- no contaminant was identified at that time because it had never been seen before. It took hundreds of veterinarians putting their heads together over the course of 7 months to identify melamine. So for 7months we did not know anything more than brands which included Hills and Purina. Do you think we should have kept quiet and let pets die? As it was, over 3000 pets that we know of died from melamine. If pet owners and veterinarians hadn't reported and worked on the melamine issue, the FDA would not have known to work on it also.
Right now there is no doubt in my mind that there is a contaminant. I am certified to write pet food safety plans for pet food companies and I have also worked in the slaughter houses for the USDA-FSIS. I know what goes on behind the scenes and I do know that despite good intentions and safety plans, unscrupulous people do impact our food supply chain. Melamine was a counterfeit protein and was a case of food fraud for profit.

As others have said, this situation is evolving. Be vigilant for your pets. Let me know if you suspect issues. Please share this post.

25/01/2024

These pet food remarks on social media are not rumors. They are an outcry by pet parents whose veterinarians are not listening and working up the concerns. The biggest recall in 2021 on aflatoxins was precipitated by a VETERINARIAN! He LISTENED to his pet owner when they brought in the hunting dogs who were dying, he took food samples of the bag of pet food, and sent it to a Toxicology Lab where they reported aflatoxins present. Then this info was sent to the FDA. The VETERINARIAN proactively submitted the sample to an independent lab so he could get the results ASAP so he could treat his patients.
Sure the pet owner had been feeding that food for YEARS without a problem--until there was a problem and his dogs were dying.
I will close with a final question: How would you like it if you went to the doctor and tried to explain that the medicine they prescribed made you violently sick every time you took it?

An adverse event is any undesirable experience associated with the use of a regulated product.

20/01/2024

Dog Food: CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA CVM) collected different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Kiambu infections in people. Epidemiologic and laboratory data showed that a specific lot of Victor brand Hi-Pro Plus dry dog food was contaminated with Salmonella and made people sick. The manufacturer, Mid America Pet Food, recalled this and all other brands of pet food they make. See recalls for more details. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-and-cdc-investigate-cases-salmonella-linked-pet-food-made-mid-america-pet-food-multiple-brands

A total of seven people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella were reported from seven states . Illnesses started on dates ranging from January 14, 2023, to August 19, 2023. One person was hospitalized, and no deaths were reported. The true number of sick people in this outbreak was likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not have been reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

FDA, CDC, and state partners are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Kiambu that is potentially associated with pet food made by Mid America Pet Food.

17/01/2024

Question for USDA Veterinarians: US slaughter facilities to collect by-products (condemned, edible and inedible). Would the USDA have changed to a different denaturing agent that might be the culprit here? Something that would be toxic to some pets?

17/01/2024

Pet Food Consumer Survey Report
Due to an influx of consumer reports of pet food concerns, we are collecting and organizing data as efficiently as possible. If you believe your pet's food is making them sick, please stop feeding that food immediately! Contact your veterinarian or the nearest ER veterinarian. Report concerns to the FDA. Report concerns to the pet food manufacturer. DO NOT send the food back. Please keep it in the freezer in case samples are needed later. The pet food company may offer to reimburse vet bills or pet food bills in exchange for signing a form that you will not take legal action. If there is a class action lawsuit, or you would like to file your own lawsuit, this will prohibit you from participating. Answer this survey NOW if your pets are sick with these symptoms: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S8SMQGD?fbclid=IwAR3Of0q1YtYJi1z23KF4p32rS0hU0fO9f19xZrELKkjJwvW5p2xj341XAvs

16/01/2024

Hundreds of pets in multi-pet households are getting sick when fed certain brands of foods.
For more information check this group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DuncanStrong.

Share this post to all pet owners now.

14/01/2024

Are you upset out the recent reports from pet parents about pet food making all the pets in their household sick? What do you think is going on?

23/12/2023

Get more from Dr. Donna DeBonis, the Pet Food Veterinarian on Patreon

15/11/2023

Massive recall on Victor dog and cat food. Subscribe to my channel for free and share this far and wide: https://www.patreon.com/posts/entire-list-of-92950622?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

30/07/2022

Possible Salmonella contamination of Stromberg chicken treats for dogs. For more info on lot numbers go here: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/stormberg-foods-llc-recalls-chicken-strips-and-chicken-crisps-products-dogs-due-possible-salmonella?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Stormberg Foods is recalling various sizes and batches of our Beg & Barker Chicken Breast Strips Dog Treat, Billo’s Best Friend Chicken Breast Strips Dog Treat, and Green Coast Pets Chicken Crisps Dog Treat products due to a potential contamination of Salmonella.