Reply from Nature's Variety

[Yorkieville200]

This is the reply I received from NV regarding the bone fragment in the raw medallions cutting Kia's mouth. No mention was made of her mucousy stool.

Dear Ms. Dungan,



Thank you for contacting Nature’s Variety with your concerns about our Raw Chicken Medallions.



As part of the complete and balanced diet, we do include bone in our Raw diets. This is with the idea that feeding Raw to our pets simulates what they would catch in the wild. Raw bones are an important part of a dog’s and cat’s ancestral diet. We include ground bones in our raw diets in the proper proportion that a dog and cat would have enjoyed in the wild. Raw bone is an excellent source of minerals, essential fatty acids, proteins and enzymes. They are also a balanced source of calcium and phosphorus, and a natural source of chondroitin (for joint health).



We are sorry to hear that your Yorkies have had problems with the bone fragments in the Raw medallions and if you find that the product will not work for you, please feel free to return the bag to your retailer for a refund or exchange of the product.



Our mission is to provide pet owners with superior quality pet nutrition products as well as exceptional service and value. It is important in this process to continue to receive feedback from our consumers and again thank you for your time.

Sincerely,







Customer Service

Nature’s Variety

[CupofDog]

Well, that doesn't help! I am also a raw feeder and I used to use NV medallions.

The mucousy stool could be a number of things. Overfeeding, upset tummy, etc. Its not really a bad thing unless there is blood. Try adding some probiotics like plain yogurt or Petflora to your yorkie's food to rebalance the gut. Also, grab some enzymes (I use Prozyme) and add them to your yorkie's diet daily. They aid in digestion and assist in making sure your Yorkie gets all the good nutrition in the raw meat.

As for the bones - definitely return that bag! Have you tried Primal? I switched from NV to Primal and am much happier with the results. The Prozyme and Probiotics will help as you switch. Stay strong! Don't go back to kibble! Dr. Billinghurst's is also good raw food, as is Steve's Real Food. Let us know how it works out!

[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.

[Javathon]

That was such a generic answer. Shame on you NV.

[Yorkieville200]

Originally Posted by Javathon

That was such a generic answer. Shame on you NV.

Yes, I agree, and it is very sad that they seem to care so little, but that is on them, I feel I have done what any animal lover should do; I have warned our YT family. I have not criticized the product. (I've used the prouct in the past, with no problem, and told them so. I just felt there was an issue with this one batch.) I have returned the food to my pet store and they have taken action to protect another dog from having a problem.

If they were worried that showing concern might cost them money; that's not why I wrote to them. I didn't want anything from them. I take care of my own. My Vet didn't charge me a cent; he loves my girls.

And lastly, I am just relieved my tiny Kia is ok.

Sheila

[Javathon]

Well as long as after the dust has settled your baby is fine. I thank you for the warning. In the event they would have shown the least bite of worry for your baby, then things would be different. I don't have my baby yet, but was going to use NV as some as a get him. Looks like my search will continue. I have 5 weeks left before my baby is with me.

[MyFairLacy]

I guess I'm not sure what you all expect NV to do? They grind the bones which many believe makes them safer to eat than a whole raw meaty bone. But when you grind something you are bound to get fragments of different sizes, and I guess there is always the potential for fragments to be sharp. They can't remove the bones from their products because it would totally defeat the purpose of a raw diet. This is the first time I've heard of a dog getting a cut from a bone fragment in the medallions...I'm sorry it happened, but I think there is a risk with any food, toy, or treat you choose to give your dog...no matter what it is. There is always going to be the rare possiblity that something wierd could happen with any product. I just don't think bone fragments are a big risk personally...I've been extremely happy with NV raw and have seen great results in my own pets from it (and have heard great results from others as well).

[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.

[MyFairLacy]

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.

I wanted to say I'm always grateful for those who post their experiences and I am sorry Kia got a cut from the bone fragments.

But like I said, wierd things always have the posibility of happening no matter what we do or what we give our dogs

[Yorkieville200]

Originally Posted by Javathon

Well as long as after the dust has settled your baby is fine. I thank you for the warning. In the event they would have shown the least bite of worry for your baby, then things would be different. I don't have my baby yet, but was going to use NV as some as a get him. Looks like my search will continue. I have 5 weeks left before my baby is with me.

Thanks, I'm glad she's fine, too. I think there are a lot of members here, very well versed in raw feeding. Talk to Ann. Wylies Mom. She is a wealth of knowledge.

Sheila

[Yorkieville200]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I guess I'm not sure what you all expect NV to do? They grind the bones which many believe makes them safer to eat than a whole raw meaty bone. But when you grind something you are bound to get fragments of different sizes, and I guess there is always the potential for fragments to be sharp. They can't remove the bones from their products because it would totally defeat the purpose of a raw diet. This is the first time I've heard of a dog getting a cut from a bone fragment in the medallions...I'm sorry it happened, but I think there is a risk with any food, toy, or treat you choose to give your dog...no matter what it is. There is always going to be the rare possibility that something wierd could happen with any product. I just don't think bone fragments are a big risk personally...I've been extremely happy with NV raw and have seen great results in my own pets from it (and have heard great results from others as well).

I didn't want them to 'do' anything for me. I would have liked them to perhaps show some concern, request to see the bone framments. My Vet was certainly interested in seeing the bone fragments. Check the batch #, make sure they didn't have a quality control issue.

I'm glad your happy with the NV raw. I have not criticized the product. I have only posted my recent experience with it. I have used the product in the past with no problem.

I am not sure why you seem to be upset with me for posting it.

[chachi]

Sheila I am sorry Kia got cut. Thats why I wont feed the raw diet. I am too worried about the bones. Thanks for informing everyone of your experience

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Yorkieville200

I didn't want them to 'do' anything for me. I would have liked them to perhaps show some concern, request to see the bone framments. My Vet was certainly interested in seeing the bone fragments. Check the batch #, make sure they didn't have a quality control issue.

I'm glad your happy with the NV raw. I have not criticized the product. I have only posted my recent experience with it. I have used the product in the past with no problem.

I am not sure why you seem to be upset with me for posting it.

I'm not upset...just wondering what everyone expects the company to do about it. They must have bones in the medallions. I just read a comment saying shame on NV and in the other thread you said that your store will no longer carry NV because of this and I think that's a little extreme. I also re-read that you noticed the cut three hours after your dog ate..so are you postive that it was the medallions that caused the cut? Like I said, I'm sorry your dog got a cut from it....but there must be bones in the food and I feel like NV raw is very healthy for my dogs.

[Yorkieville200]

Originally Posted by chachi

Sheila I am sorry Kia got cut. Thats why I wont feed the raw diet. I am too worried about the bones. Thanks for informing everyone of your experience

Hi, Lisa.

Thanks. I just wanted anyone feeding NV raw to check for larger than noraml fragments.

Sheila

[Javathon]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I'm not upset...just wondering what everyone expects the company to do about it. They must have bones in the medallions. I just read a comment saying shame on NV and in the other thread you said that your store will no longer carry NV because of this and I think that's a little extreme. I also re-read that you noticed the cut three hours after your dog ate..so are you postive that it was the medallions that caused the cut? Like I said, I'm sorry your dog got a cut from it....but there must be bones in the food and I feel like NV raw is very healthy for my dogs.

The shame on you, was in reference to the generic responce. I have read about many people that are super happy with NV. I'm also not talking about the NV food, just the responce.