Reply from Nature's Variety

[MsFamousHepburn]

I'm glad to hear Kia is ok!!! I feed NV medallions and haven't had any problems so far. Thank you for the warning! I'll be mushing the medallions up now prior to feeding so I can check for large or sharp bone fragments! Too bad the company didn't show a little more concern over Kia's accident . Sadly, thats to be expected from a large company though.

[Yorkieville200]

Originally Posted by MsFamousHepburn

I'm glad to hear Kia is ok!!! I feed NV medallions and haven't had any problems so far. Thank you for the warning! I'll be mushing the medallions up now prior to feeding so I can check for large or sharp bone fragments! Too bad the company didn't show a little more concern over Kia's accident . Sadly, thats to be expected from a large company though.

Thanks. Kia's doing fine, eating boiled chicken breast and rice. Just check for larger than normal bone fragments, and feel if any fragments are sharp and I'm sure the medallions will be fine. Yes, it's a shame the customer service rep who responded didn't show a little more concern, but not everyone truly cares about animals, even when they work for a pet food company. To some, it's just another job.


Sheila

[Yorkieville200]

Originally Posted by KathyinCali

I just want to say that I appreciate you taking the time to post your experience and most importantly I am relieved to happy to hear Kia is going to be okay.

Hi, Kathy.

No problem, just wanted to make sure everyone checked their medallions carefully before feeding.

Thank you, we're happy Kia is going to be ok, too.

Sheila

[tumismom]

all 3 of my girls are on NV raw and i inspect their food everyday. So far i haven't seen huge bones fragments in their food. I have seen small ones and i know that it is supposed to be there. Tumi and Gracie have been on it for 6months now and i love NV. I just switched my little Tsubi to raw and she also loves it too. I guess you just have to check every time just in case there is a huge bone fragment. So far, i have been lucky.

[Yorkieville200]

Originally Posted by tumismom

all 3 of my girls are on NV raw and i inspect their food everyday. So far i haven't seen huge bones fragments in their food. I have seen small ones and i know that it is supposed to be there. Tumi and Gracie have been on it for 6months now and i love NV. I just switched my little Tsubi to raw and she also loves it too. I guess you just have to check every time just in case there is a huge bone fragment. So far, i have been lucky.

My girls were on it for a very long time, too, with no problems. I really believe this batch was just a fluke, because I have never seen fragments in it this large before. It's wise to check carefully before feeding. My 6.5# Yorkie had no problem, just my tiny girl.

[CupofDog]

Originally Posted by Yorkieville200

I agree. I think I am disappointed in what I feel is a lack of concern on their part, but it's ok, because my store manager was extremely concerned to the point that they will no longer be stocking NV raw. (This is a nice, close-knit community.) The NV kibble was not a good seller in this area and neither was the canned, so those are nearly gone from the shelves. They were very glad we brought the bag in and showed them the bone fragments; felt they were larger than is what is normally in the food. One of the managers is a good friend of mine (we have done a lot of wildlife fostering consulting together) and she had previously had her two dogs on it, but changed because she was not that happy with the results. They were not pleased with NV's reply either.

Right now, Kia's Vet has her on boiled chicken breast and white rice. He adores her, and wants to proceed with caution in regards to her diet. Her stool is much better today. He felt the mucousy stool was gastro-intestinal upset from the food. She had not been over-fed, etc. She's not a big eater, and never over-eats. She's a good eater, but not an over-eater.

I don't believe the bone fragments are an issue for a larger Yorkie, because Sydney who is 6.5#s had no problems with it.

Like I said, Try Primal - a vet tech friend and I were discussing your problem and Primal is more thoroughly ground - never get bone clumps. I don't really trust NV as they have had a number of quality control issues over the last year.

Regarding the stool, try adding Prozyme or another enzyme supplement to her food, even the chicken and rice you are cooking up now. It will help her absorb nutrients, sooth her upset tummy, gut and intestines and give you all around good results. Enzymes are one of the most important supplements you can give your dog, no matter what diet you end up going with! Good Luck!

[Yorkieville200]

Originally Posted by CupofDog

Like I said, Try Primal - a vet tech friend and I were discussing your problem and Primal is more thoroughly ground - never get bone clumps. I don't really trust NV as they have had a number of quality control issues over the last year.

Regarding the stool, try adding Prozyme or another enzyme supplement to her food, even the chicken and rice you are cooking up now. It will help her absorb nutrients, sooth her upset tummy, gut and intestines and give you all around good results. Enzymes are one of the most important supplements you can give your dog, no matter what diet you end up going with! Good Luck!

Funny you mentioned Primal, the store manager & I were just discussing it and they feel it is a safer way to feed raw, too. Thank you for discussing it with your Vet tech friend. It makes me feel better to know they grind it more thoroughly.

Wow, you read my Vets mind, he had me add Prozyme to the chicken and rice ad Kia's stool is fine.

Thanks so much!