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margaritaville · 12-22-2005, 12:28 PM

Tainted pet food that is killing pets in NY could do the same in NJ
Thursday, December 22, 2005 - Millennium Radio New Jersey

Kevin McArdle

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has contacted the state's network of animal care providers to watch for a potential life-threatening illness among dogs and cats. This after Diamond Pet Food Company has removed its dog and cat food from sale after a dangerous toxin was found in a product manufactured at the company's facility in Gaston, South Carolina. That plant supplies pet foods to New Jersey too.

Since December 13, there have been reports, primarily from the Rochester, New York area, of about 14 dogs becoming sick after being fed a Diamond Pet Food product. To date, six of those dogs have died. Testing by New York officials has confirmed aflatoxicosis as the probable cause of death of three of the animals.

"The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is monitoring the situation in New York State and has informed the state's animal care providers of the potential problem," says New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Charles M. Kuperus. "We urge all pet owners to watch for signs of illness in their pets if they used the contaminated product and to contact their veterinarians immediately should their pets get sick."

Testing of Diamond Pet Food samples from the homes of the affected dogs in New York revealed at least one sample containing two and a half times the toxic level of aflatoxin for dogs. High-level aflatoxin exposure produces acute liver problems, which cause internal bleeding.

Diamond Pet Food suggests that pet owners call their veterinarian immediately if their pet shows any of the following symptoms of illness: sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea.

The products removed from sale are:

Diamond Low Fat Dog Food
Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food
Diamond Maintenance Dog Food
Diamond Performance Dog Food
Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food
Diamond Puppy Food, Diamond Maintenance Cat Food
Diamond Professional Cat Food
Country Value Puppy, Country Value Adult Dog
Country Value High Energy Dog
Country Value Adult Cat Food
Canine Club Adult Dog Food
Professional Chicken & Rice Senior Dog Food
Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food
Professional Adult Dog Food
Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food
Professional Puppy Food
Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food
Professional Adult Cat Food.
For more information, please call Diamond Pet Food at (573) 229-4203 or the Division of Animal Health, New Jersey Department of Agriculture at (609) 292-3965.

By: Kevin McArdle

12-22-2005, 12:28 PM	#1
margaritaville Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: west long branch, n.j. Posts: 4,457	ATTENTION Diamond dog food NY/NJ Tainted pet food that is killing pets in NY could do the same in NJ Thursday, December 22, 2005 - Millennium Radio New Jersey Kevin McArdle The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has contacted the state's network of animal care providers to watch for a potential life-threatening illness among dogs and cats. This after Diamond Pet Food Company has removed its dog and cat food from sale after a dangerous toxin was found in a product manufactured at the company's facility in Gaston, South Carolina. That plant supplies pet foods to New Jersey too. Since December 13, there have been reports, primarily from the Rochester, New York area, of about 14 dogs becoming sick after being fed a Diamond Pet Food product. To date, six of those dogs have died. Testing by New York officials has confirmed aflatoxicosis as the probable cause of death of three of the animals. "The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is monitoring the situation in New York State and has informed the state's animal care providers of the potential problem," says New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Charles M. Kuperus. "We urge all pet owners to watch for signs of illness in their pets if they used the contaminated product and to contact their veterinarians immediately should their pets get sick." Testing of Diamond Pet Food samples from the homes of the affected dogs in New York revealed at least one sample containing two and a half times the toxic level of aflatoxin for dogs. High-level aflatoxin exposure produces acute liver problems, which cause internal bleeding. Diamond Pet Food suggests that pet owners call their veterinarian immediately if their pet shows any of the following symptoms of illness: sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea. The products removed from sale are: Diamond Low Fat Dog Food Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food Diamond Maintenance Dog Food Diamond Performance Dog Food Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food Diamond Puppy Food, Diamond Maintenance Cat Food Diamond Professional Cat Food Country Value Puppy, Country Value Adult Dog Country Value High Energy Dog Country Value Adult Cat Food Canine Club Adult Dog Food Professional Chicken & Rice Senior Dog Food Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food Professional Adult Dog Food Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food Professional Puppy Food Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food Professional Adult Cat Food. For more information, please call Diamond Pet Food at (573) 229-4203 or the Division of Animal Health, New Jersey Department of Agriculture at (609) 292-3965. By: Kevin McArdle