Too many pet food recalls

It has not been a good month for pet food recalls. Here’s a list dating back to through July. All pet products had nationwide distribution and the possibility of salmonella contamination.

Pets as well as people are affected. Pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.

People may be contaminated if they handle the tainted food and pets. According to the FDA, healthy people infected with salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with contaminated products should contact their healthcare providers immediately.

List of dog food, cat food, and pet supplement recalls.

August 3, 2010 – Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is extending its July 2,2010 recall of 10 oz “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs (Texas Hold’Ems)” pet treat  to also include 83 cases of “Texas Hold’ems” best used by May 6, 2012 because they have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.

On July 31, Proctor & Gamble recalled Iams and Eukanuba veterinary and some specialized dry pet food (both dog and cat) as a precautionary measure because of the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. No salmonella-related illnesses have been reported. Recalled pet food in various sizes include Eukanuba Dog BG Pure, Eukanuba Dog Custom Care, Eukanuba Dog Dry Naturally Wild, Iams Veterinary Dog Formula Dry Bag, Iams Veterinary Cat Formula Dry Bag. You can view the list in its entirety here.

On July 27, Proctor & Gamble recalled two lots of Iams Veterinary Formula Feline Renal food in 5.5 pound bags. These bags were sold through veterinary offices only. Possible salmonella contamination was the problem.

On July 2, 2010 – Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas recalled 86 cases  of its 10 oz “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs” pet treats best used by March 24, 2012 because they have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.

July 2, 2010 – United Pet Group, Cincinnati, Ohio is voluntarily expanding its recent recall of its Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement tablets for dogs to include additional pet nutritional supplement products for dogs and cats due to possible salmonella contamination. The products include various United Pet Group Pro-Pet and Excel branded products for dogs and cats, and certain other private label brands of the same products like Doctors Fosters & Smith for instance. All of the affected products are in tablet and powdered form. These products are being removed from retail stores and consumers should immediately stop feeding these supplements to their pets. The affected products are those with expiration dates that include and are between “01/2013″ and “06/2013.” Hundreds of products are affected. View the list here.

(photo: Lily Greyhound adopted by Karyn Zoldan)