Bills prescription diet recall question - YorkieTalk.com Forums

dottiesyrky · 02-25-2019, 12:32 PM

I see that Hills only recalled certain canned foods. However I wonder if kibble could also be affected? I called Hills and it seems that recalls usually result from customer complaints! As the last recall was only the end of January this year, it could be that kibble or other foods could be toxic but not yet reported?
If it was a vitamin pack that had the excess D, could it not also get into kibble?
The reason I wonder this is that my dog was drinking and urinating more water than usual later last year. Vet tests could not find a reason. He was fed only Hills prescription ID low fat kibble and was well.
Has anyone else had similar symptoms with this kibble? Hills did not seem to be able to answer my question. I do not wish to change food and possibly cause GI issues. He has done so well for six years on this food after a mild case of Pancreatitis.
I would appreciate any comments on my thinking.

Lovetodream88 · 02-25-2019, 06:12 PM

Did the vet check vitamin D levels? Did you share your concern with the vet?

dottiesyrky · 02-25-2019, 07:46 PM

Thanks for your comment. No, I did not know about the recall until yesterday. The vet uses Hills, so perhaps he believed Hills when they said kibble was ok. I will see the vet on Wednesday. (He is out tomorrow and I have the flu today.). I started reading the effects of vit. D and that is what made me wonder. So I did not suggest a vit D test before, but I will.. Also when I called Hills they were not helpful and assured me that it was only canned. It took some time to get the agent to take my name and number and report my issues. They only recall after complaints from customers. As the recall was very recent it is possible that kibblevould have a similar issue, perhaps not bad enough to complain? On web searches I did read of some dogs dying from kibble. I also read that the same supplier of the vit pack was used by other dog food companies. My query could be completely wrong and I hope it is. When the vet diagnosed a kidney disease I believed him at the time, but when I saw the Hills recall and the toxic effects of excess D, I thought I would talk to him about it.

Lovetodream88 · 02-26-2019, 10:38 AM

Sadly yes all dog food recalls are done voluntarily by the company and Hill’s dragged their feet on this one and several are sueing them now. I think wet foods and dry foods don’t really come in contact with each other when being made but I’m not completely sure. Honestly I would talk to the vet about it and if there are still concerns Royal Canin and Purina also make their versions of those prescription foods that you could switch to. Even if the vet doesn’t have it they can write you a prescription and you can order it online like at Chewy.com

dottiesyrky · 02-26-2019, 11:17 AM

Again, thank you Taylor for your wise words.
I think Hills indicated it was due to extra D in a mixture they got from an external supplier. I thought that perhaps the same vitamin mixture could have also been used for the kibble. Anyway, I feel that the issue may have been months ago and that now both the canned and kibble are being closely monitored for quality!! However it is scary that this can happen with especially the prescription diets. I could change to other food, but don’t want to in case my dog gets GI issues with a change. I hope that from now on Hills will pay extra attention to the ingredients and quality testing and control, in house.
I hope I feel well enough tomorrow to see the vet and discuss this. He must know about the recall, and I would like to know what his experience was with his patients who ate the recalled food.
Not only this but my dog has a corneal ulcer in one eye that looks difficult to treat. So anxiety is high here and harder to bear as I feel so sick!
He is ten now and my last dog died at 11.5 years of acute kidney failure, thus my extra concern.
I do appreciate your concern and help, thank you.

sandy simpson · 02-26-2019, 02:30 PM

My Jojo was on that hills id for a sensitive stomach. I took him off that food. He is doing well on Lifes Abundance dry and Fromm turkey and pumpkin pate. I am Done with hills. That company caused dogs death! I will not support that ever.
I really like Fromm. My yorkies like it.

Lovetodream88 · 02-26-2019, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

Again, thank you Taylor for your wise words.
I think Hills indicated it was due to extra D in a mixture they got from an external supplier. I thought that perhaps the same vitamin mixture could have also been used for the kibble. Anyway, I feel that the issue may have been months ago and that now both the canned and kibble are being closely monitored for quality!! However it is scary that this can happen with especially the prescription diets. I could change to other food, but don’t want to in case my dog gets GI issues with a change. I hope that from now on Hills will pay extra attention to the ingredients and quality testing and control, in house.
I hope I feel well enough tomorrow to see the vet and discuss this. He must know about the recall, and I would like to know what his experience was with his patients who ate the recalled food.
Not only this but my dog has a corneal ulcer in one eye that looks difficult to treat. So anxiety is high here and harder to bear as I feel so sick!
He is ten now and my last dog died at 11.5 years of acute kidney failure, thus my extra concern.
I do appreciate your concern and help, thank you.

I understand this can be super frustrating. I would be so upset if this was the brand of prescription food I used. I also get not wanting to upset GI issue to. I was so upset this happened with prescription food because it is suppossed to be so highly watched and stuff. Callie is about to be 12 and every little thing with her makes me soooo tense. I hope thing works out.

Lovetodream88 · 02-26-2019, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandy simpson

My Jojo was on that hills id for a sensitive stomach. I took him off that food. He is doing well on Lifes Abundance dry and Fromm turkey and pumpkin pate. I am Done with hills. That company caused dogs death! I will not support that ever.
I really like Fromm. My yorkies like it.

The majority of dogs on prescription food can’t just come off of it and go on just a regular food like that. That in fact could kill or make some dogs very very sick.

dottiesyrky · 02-26-2019, 05:03 PM

Thank you Sandy S. I had to feed my boy the Hills ID low fat after he had Pancreatitis. He has done well on it for several years and although I would have preferred a food with nicer ingredients, I fed the food as it did him good and he loves it!!??
I am so disappointed that the recall happened, even if it turns out to only be the canned.
I can only pray that Hills has improved their quality control and monitoring of external vendors. So hope the food will be ok from now. I guess I will never know as the D issue could have happened many weeks ago. Again thank you for your input and I hope your baby does well on his current diet.

sandy simpson · 02-26-2019, 06:56 PM

Im sure Hills will be ever so cautious who supplies their food. Im sure they lost alot of business. How can we trust a company that didnt disclose a mess up right away? My heart hurts when one dog dies from that careless mistake.
I hope your sweet dog is over his illness and is healthy. Mine are doing well. Daisy is a tough dog. Its Jojo with the sensitive stomach and anxiety.
Meet you back on Yorkie Talk!

dottiesyrky · 02-26-2019, 07:35 PM

Hi. I hope we are right assuming Hills will take more care in the future. I think the thing that I learned that concerned me was that they waited to get enough complaints before they took the issue seriously. It was not Hills who tested incoming products for quality. Now they say they will do this. When I called Hills about the possibility of kibble having a silmilar issue, the agent did not want to know. He was just dealing with calls re the canned foods. I did insist that he report my query to the right people, but don’t know if he did. I don’t know how many complaints are needed before they take action and show interest.
To be so lax with quality of their foods, especially prescription foods that vets and dog owners depend on, is terrible.
I wish the customer service were better. I felt there was not serious interest in clients’ comments.
I do pray that your GI sensitive dog does well on the regular food.

dottiesyrky · 02-27-2019, 11:47 AM

I talked with the vet today and his opinion was that my dog’s issues were not due to vitamin D excess. He was interested in hearing my experience with Hills customer service. He did not know of any dog getting sick after eating Hills food. But he might now consider food as a reason for dog illness after what I told him about Hills and their reason for recalls. He was surprised that they did not do in house testing of ingredients and just used the vendor info. However they say they will check from now on. So it looks like I shall have to look elsewhere, other than Hills, for my dog,s urinary symptoms.
It is sad that Hills allowed the excess D into canned food and killed many dogs.

02-25-2019, 12:32 PM	#1
dottiesyrky Donating YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SW USA Posts: 2,505	Bills prescription diet recall question I see that Hills only recalled certain canned foods. However I wonder if kibble could also be affected? I called Hills and it seems that recalls usually result from customer complaints! As the last recall was only the end of January this year, it could be that kibble or other foods could be toxic but not yet reported? If it was a vitamin pack that had the excess D, could it not also get into kibble? The reason I wonder this is that my dog was drinking and urinating more water than usual later last year. Vet tests could not find a reason. He was fed only Hills prescription ID low fat kibble and was well. Has anyone else had similar symptoms with this kibble? Hills did not seem to be able to answer my question. I do not wish to change food and possibly cause GI issues. He has done so well for six years on this food after a mild case of Pancreatitis. I would appreciate any comments on my thinking.

02-25-2019, 06:12 PM	#2
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,247	Did the vet check vitamin D levels? Did you share your concern with the vet? __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

02-26-2019, 10:38 AM	#4
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,247	Sadly yes all dog food recalls are done voluntarily by the company and Hill’s dragged their feet on this one and several are sueing them now. I think wet foods and dry foods don’t really come in contact with each other when being made but I’m not completely sure. Honestly I would talk to the vet about it and if there are still concerns Royal Canin and Purina also make their versions of those prescription foods that you could switch to. Even if the vet doesn’t have it they can write you a prescription and you can order it online like at Chewy.com __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

02-26-2019, 11:17 AM	#5
dottiesyrky Donating YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SW USA Posts: 2,505	Hills Again, thank you Taylor for your wise words. I think Hills indicated it was due to extra D in a mixture they got from an external supplier. I thought that perhaps the same vitamin mixture could have also been used for the kibble. Anyway, I feel that the issue may have been months ago and that now both the canned and kibble are being closely monitored for quality!! However it is scary that this can happen with especially the prescription diets. I could change to other food, but don’t want to in case my dog gets GI issues with a change. I hope that from now on Hills will pay extra attention to the ingredients and quality testing and control, in house. I hope I feel well enough tomorrow to see the vet and discuss this. He must know about the recall, and I would like to know what his experience was with his patients who ate the recalled food. Not only this but my dog has a corneal ulcer in one eye that looks difficult to treat. So anxiety is high here and harder to bear as I feel so sick! He is ten now and my last dog died at 11.5 years of acute kidney failure, thus my extra concern. I do appreciate your concern and help, thank you.

02-26-2019, 02:30 PM	#6
sandy simpson YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: santee, california Posts: 2,123 Blog Entries: 1	Dog food My Jojo was on that hills id for a sensitive stomach. I took him off that food. He is doing well on Lifes Abundance dry and Fromm turkey and pumpkin pate. I am Done with hills. That company caused dogs death! I will not support that ever. I really like Fromm. My yorkies like it.

02-25-2019, 07:46 PM	#3
dottiesyrky Donating YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SW USA Posts: 2,505	Thanks for your comment. No, I did not know about the recall until yesterday. The vet uses Hills, so perhaps he believed Hills when they said kibble was ok. I will see the vet on Wednesday. (He is out tomorrow and I have the flu today.). I started reading the effects of vit. D and that is what made me wonder. So I did not suggest a vit D test before, but I will.. Also when I called Hills they were not helpful and assured me that it was only canned. It took some time to get the agent to take my name and number and report my issues. They only recall after complaints from customers. As the recall was very recent it is possible that kibblevould have a similar issue, perhaps not bad enough to complain? On web searches I did read of some dogs dying from kibble. I also read that the same supplier of the vit pack was used by other dog food companies. My query could be completely wrong and I hope it is. When the vet diagnosed a kidney disease I believed him at the time, but when I saw the Hills recall and the toxic effects of excess D, I thought I would talk to him about it.

02-26-2019, 05:03 PM	#9
dottiesyrky Donating YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SW USA Posts: 2,505	Thank you Sandy S. I had to feed my boy the Hills ID low fat after he had Pancreatitis. He has done well on it for several years and although I would have preferred a food with nicer ingredients, I fed the food as it did him good and he loves it!!?? I am so disappointed that the recall happened, even if it turns out to only be the canned. I can only pray that Hills has improved their quality control and monitoring of external vendors. So hope the food will be ok from now. I guess I will never know as the D issue could have happened many weeks ago. Again thank you for your input and I hope your baby does well on his current diet.

02-26-2019, 06:56 PM	#10
sandy simpson YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: santee, california Posts: 2,123 Blog Entries: 1	Dog food Im sure Hills will be ever so cautious who supplies their food. Im sure they lost alot of business. How can we trust a company that didnt disclose a mess up right away? My heart hurts when one dog dies from that careless mistake. I hope your sweet dog is over his illness and is healthy. Mine are doing well. Daisy is a tough dog. Its Jojo with the sensitive stomach and anxiety. Meet you back on Yorkie Talk!

02-26-2019, 07:35 PM	#11
dottiesyrky Donating YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SW USA Posts: 2,505	Sandy Hi. I hope we are right assuming Hills will take more care in the future. I think the thing that I learned that concerned me was that they waited to get enough complaints before they took the issue seriously. It was not Hills who tested incoming products for quality. Now they say they will do this. When I called Hills about the possibility of kibble having a silmilar issue, the agent did not want to know. He was just dealing with calls re the canned foods. I did insist that he report my query to the right people, but don’t know if he did. I don’t know how many complaints are needed before they take action and show interest. To be so lax with quality of their foods, especially prescription foods that vets and dog owners depend on, is terrible. I wish the customer service were better. I felt there was not serious interest in clients’ comments. I do pray that your GI sensitive dog does well on the regular food.

02-27-2019, 11:47 AM	#12
dottiesyrky Donating YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SW USA Posts: 2,505	Update on Hills I talked with the vet today and his opinion was that my dog’s issues were not due to vitamin D excess. He was interested in hearing my experience with Hills customer service. He did not know of any dog getting sick after eating Hills food. But he might now consider food as a reason for dog illness after what I told him about Hills and their reason for recalls. He was surprised that they did not do in house testing of ingredients and just used the vendor info. However they say they will check from now on. So it looks like I shall have to look elsewhere, other than Hills, for my dog,s urinary symptoms. It is sad that Hills allowed the excess D into canned food and killed many dogs.