Diamond Food / Chicken Soup

[chachi]

Originally Posted by mhorst

Here's another article about Diamond and a pet who is sick and one who died.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/09/tox....ap/index.html

Our little Chase recently had liver problems similiar to the symptoms described in this thread. At the time he was on IAMS. He ended up in the hospital on high doses of antibiotics through and IV, but recovered completely except that his hair changed (the long silver hair on his back fell out and short black hair grew in) and he has gained weight. The vet thought that he had a virus or had been poisoned, but our dogs are inside and in a secure dog run, never loose to be exposed to a poison. Now I wonder if Diamond makes IAMS.

Now all of our dogs are on Hills Prescription p/d because that's what the vet recommended for my puppy, Zoe, and she insists on eating out of the other dog's dishes with them. Our 14 year old spitz mix doesn't mind Zoe being in her dish and it is easier to feed them all the same thing. Does anyone know anything about Hills? Is this a good food? It's very expensive.

My dogs were on that when they were little pups. Its high in calories and the vets usually discontiue it when a pup gets up in weight or isnt sick anymore. At least they do at my vets office.

[hle_625]

OMG I had no idea and I feed my girls Chicken Soup what should I do, do I need to call the vet and if so what do I tell them. I am so scared they dont eat very much of it bc they eat wet food most of the day but every now and then they eat the Chicken Soup. Ok guys give me some advice what do I need to do?

[jbarile]

Originally Posted by Kathryn_V

Playing devils advocate here.... so no flipping out one me guys!

Tests are pending? There is no comfirmed contamination? Is this a greiving owner who is looking for someone to blame? Could this be a dishonest pet owner looking to cash in on the pending lawsuits that are surely to come? Is this the public jumping to conclusions? Who is this source that wrote this latest update?

It is only the one plant that was affected. I for one am not an alarmist... I am not going to make any changes based on pending tests, or assumptions made by anyone. For all we know this cat and dog died of some other cause and we have upset owners looking for someone to blame...... And what do you know?!? There is a food scare going on... It must be the food!

I am very sorry for the death of any amimal, but I would think that with the sheer volume of people feeding CosCo brand dog and cat food... we would be seeing deaths by the thousands, not just one cat and one dog.


(Now for this next bit... let the fur fly!)


And for the record..... I am not advocating the feeding a known toxic substance to any pet! I am, however, a firm beleiver in the idea of not burning someone, or a company, at the stake without solid proof. I feel that Diamond pet foods is doing everything in their power to correct the problem and has taken great procautions to insure the safty of its consumers. I will not jump ship just yet!

Sorry guys.... I cant yell fire with you all.

MHO.... thanks for letting me weigh in.

76 dogs has died

"not just one cat and one dog."




Updated: 05:38 PM EST
Family Cares for Dog Ill From Pet Food
Contaminated Food Has Killed at Least 76 Dogs Nationwide

The company has recalled 19 varieties of dog and cat food.

More Coverage:
Recall Info | Pets

Talk About It:
Post Thoughts


Cocoa must be force-fed with a syringe six times a day since suffering permanent liver damage after eating contaminated dog food.

"I haven't had any time to do anything but take care of her," said Stewart, a 19-year-old nursing student at the University of South Carolina. "She's the No. 1 priority. ... I get maybe four hours of sleep before she wakes me up."

Through relocations from Army bases in Georgia, Oklahoma, Washington and now South Carolina, Cocoa has been a constant companion for Stewart, whose father is serving in Iraq.

When her own daughter died last year, Stewart said Cocoa helped her through her grief. "It was like she understood," Stewart said. "She was my best friend."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that at least 76 dogs nationwide are believed to have died as a result of eating contaminated Diamond Pet Foods.

According to the company, the pet food was distributed to stores in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia and West Virginia.


Products Recalled
• Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food
• Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food
• Diamond Maintenance Dog Food
• Diamond Professional for Adult Dogs
• Diamond Performance Dog Food
• Diamond Puppy Food
• Diamond Low Fat Dog Food
• Diamond Maintenance Cat Food
• Diamond Professional Cat Food
• Country Value Puppy
• Country Value Adult Dog Food
• Country Value High Energy Dog Food
• Country Value Adult Cat Food
• Professional Chicken & Rice Adult Dog Food
• Professional Puppy Food
• Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food
• Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food
• Professional Adult Cat Food

Source: CBS News

Diamond officials say they are doing what they can to help affected pet owners.

"It's going to take some time to take care of all these customers, and we're going to do it," said the company's chief operating officer, Mark Brinkmann.

The company has recalled 19 varieties of dog and cat food because tests showed high levels of aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxic chemical that comes from a fungus found on corn and other grains that causes severe liver damage in animals.

The company recalled products manufactured at its Gaston, S.C., plant from around September to November 2005. Based on sample testing, Diamond has narrowed down the exposure to food produced on Oct. 11, Brinkmann said Thursday.

The FDA and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture have launched investigations.

Stewart's other dog, a 2-year-old pit bull named Chulo, died last month just hours after being diagnosed with liver failure. It was only then that the family learned of the recall.

Stewart initially thought Cocoa had refused to eat because she was depressed about losing Chulo. After the recall, the family vet confirmed aflatoxin poisoning in Cocoa, Stewart said.

Steve Shrum, president of the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians, said vets around the state were confused when puppies began showing signs of liver problems usually seen in older dogs.

"It takes such a small amount, and there's pretty much nothing you can do with the process that will inactivate that toxin once it gets in the food supply," he said.

Diamond has promised to reimburse pet owners for vet bills and other costs associated with the aflatoxin poisoning, which officials now believe may include pets in Europe and other areas outside the country where the food is distributed.

The company set up a call center staffed with veterinarians. The call volume peaked at about 2,000 calls a day last week, Brinkmann said.

Stewart says she has not spoken with anyone at the company despite several calls. The family has filled out an online form explaining their situation.

"You don't get anybody to talk to and tell your story," she said. "It's like they're not concerned. To me, it's like they're saying, 'Oh well, we'll get to it when we get to it."'

Brinkmann was sympathetic.

"We're going as fast as we can," he said. "I grieve with her, and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure we can do right by her."

[StewiesMom]

Originally Posted by hle_625

OMG I had no idea and I feed my girls Chicken Soup what should I do, do I need to call the vet and if so what do I tell them. I am so scared they dont eat very much of it bc they eat wet food most of the day but every now and then they eat the Chicken Soup. Ok guys give me some advice what do I need to do?

Chicken Soup wasn't recalled so I wouldn't worry about it.

[BabyFidgette]

I saw on MSNBC that the Diamond Food that was recalled had corn in it. It was the CORN that was poisoned. Chicken Soup does not have corn in it, so I would deduce that it would be okay. Anyone agree?

[alpayton]

Originally Posted by BabyFidgette

I saw on MSNBC that the Diamond Food that was recalled had corn in it. It was the CORN that was poisoned. Chicken Soup does not have corn in it, so I would deduce that it would be okay. Anyone agree?

Here's what I posted in another thread about this...and I do NOT want to start a problem with anyone...it's just MY OPINION!

I don't want to start a riot or anything, but with my chinchillas, I feed a feed that is milled here in Kentucky and the feed that I feed does not contain corn. HOWEVER! That doesn't mean that whatever was milled right before my feed was milled didn't contain corn and the residue wasn't left on the machinery for when my feed was milled. Reason I say this is because just today I opened a new 50 lb bag of feed to find at least 10 pieces of what? CORN! Hmmm...wonder how that got in there? Get what I'm saying? Is there any reason to believe that there could be cross contamination? If there is, and I were at any time feeding Chicken Soup, I would not be feeding it today or tomorrow. Meaning, if the same mill that milled the corn containing bad feed milled the Chicken Soup (non corn containing feed), that's enough to make me say, NOPE...not gonna feed it! That's a risk I'm just NOT willing to take with my animals!

[Muffie's Mom]

Amen! I second that!

Just to prove a point on a different product, yesterday we opened a bag of frozen pole beans, and it had a large piece of brussel sprout in it.

So, things to happen, and I opt on the side of safety and precaution for my Yorkies.

This is just MY opinion. Everyone can make their own decision about what to do.

[hunniebunnie]

Diamond's recall website says:

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus, on corn and other crops.

although Chicken Soup does not have corn, i'm concerned about what "other crops" can be because Chicken Soup does contain rice and barley. I'm also concerned that lax handling of crops at one plant may be reflected at other plants as well, just not readily found yet.

i was going to switch Bunjee to Chicken Soup but I've stopped, even though the sample package i have did not come from Gaston. i'm not tossing it out tho. i'm just going to hang on to the 1.5 lbs sample package until Diamond sorts out their mess. if news breaks that the Chicken Soup i have has been affected, then i'll toss out the sample package. if it is determined that what i have is safe, then i'll consider the switch again or use the remainder of the sample package as treats.

[jbarile]

Originally Posted by StewiesMom

Chicken Soup wasn't recalled so I wouldn't worry about it.

I think everyone should not even use this brand of dog food, even if they say it is not affected! studies are still going on The reason probably being they may have not had any calls related to this product? I dont think you would want to risk your pet to continue feeding this brand at all, switch to another brand just intill the scare is over! the cost is must cheaper

[StewiesMom]

I think that if you don't want to use the brand, then don't. If you've done your own research and feel comfortable feeding your dog Chick Soup, then do it. I made my own decision. I am not going to let 10 million threads started about it scare me into switching food to something that my dog doesn't like/upsetting his stomach. Chicken Soup was not recalled. Chicken Soup was not recalled. Chicken Soup was not recalled. There is no way to check is there is a G in the bag of Chicken Soup because the G does not apply to brands of food that were not recalled. There is no reason to freak out about it if you've done your research. If people don't want to use it they shouldn't, but they need to stop telling me what a bad dog mother I am for feeding it to Stewie!!!

[NewYorkieMa&Pa]

Originally Posted by StewiesMom

. If people don't want to use it they shouldn't, but they need to stop telling me what a bad dog mother I am for feeding it to Stewie!!!

We all KNOW you are good mom to Stewie! I don't think you are a bad mom at all or even close.

We were using a mix of Chicken Soup and Wellness and until this thing settles, we are going to use Wellness alone. Unless of course the pups decide they prefer Chicken Soup. We are holding off on it just until Diamond has conducted all there tests and things get back to normal.

EVERYONE please keep in mind, this is a personal decision we all need to make and no one should attack another person's choice based on your personal perferences.

Let's keep things general and not personal...

[JCarlson2004]

Originally Posted by StewiesMom

If people don't want to use it they shouldn't, but they need to stop telling me what a bad dog mother I am for feeding it to Stewie!!!

OMG who the h*ll said (or implied) that?? Whoever said that should apologize immediately! Shame on you!

Kristy - Stewie is lucky to have such a good mommy as you -- please don't take any of those negative comments personal.

[jbarile]

Originally Posted by StewiesMom

I think that if you don't want to use the brand, then don't. If you've done your own research and feel comfortable feeding your dog Chick Soup, then do it. I made my own decision. I am not going to let 10 million threads started about it scare me into switching food to something that my dog doesn't like/upsetting his stomach. Chicken Soup was not recalled. Chicken Soup was not recalled. Chicken Soup was not recalled. There is no way to check is there is a G in the bag of Chicken Soup because the G does not apply to brands of food that were not recalled. There is no reason to freak out about it if you've done your research. If people don't want to use it they shouldn't, but they need to stop telling me what a bad dog mother I am for feeding it to Stewie!!!

Wow! you read this into everyones concern? " but they need to stop telling me what a bad dog mother I am for feeding it to Stewie!!!"
No where in this thread is "anyone" ever referred you to be a bad mother in your decision to feed your dog what ever you choose??? all these threads are only opinions or recommendations of choices they would make!

[StewiesMom]

Originally Posted by jbarile

Wow! you read this into everyones concern? " but they need to stop telling me what a bad dog mother I am for feeding it to Stewie!!!"
No where in this thread is "anyone" ever referred you to be a bad mother in your decision to feed your dog what ever you choose??? all these threads are only opinions or recommendations of choices they would make!

No, I didn't read that into everyone's "concern" on these posts. My anger comes from the messages I've gotten about how irresponsible I am being for not personally castrating a company who made an honest mistake. I am not fighting about this. I am not getting personal. I am just upset that everyone is freaking out about Chicken Soup and trying to make ME freak out about it, too.

[Carters Mom]

Originally Posted by StewiesMom

No, I didn't read that into everyone's "concern" on these posts. My anger comes from the messages I've gotten about how irresponsible I am being for not personally castrating a company who made an honest mistake. I am not fighting about this. I am not getting personal. I am just upset that everyone is freaking out about Chicken Soup and trying to make ME freak out about it, too.

I don't want to mistake what your post says so I'll ask for a clarification . . .

are you saying that you've gotten PMs from members criticizing your choice?

If so, I think that is awful. You're a grown person and can make your own decisions.

If not, please clarify (if you choose).

Thanks,
Lisa