The hospital where I work at just send this email to all employees and is having a handout made for our clients.
The following information was forwarded by David M. Chico, V.M.D.Division of Animal Industry, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets.
From David M. Chico:
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has just been made aware of a serious aflatoxin contamination problem in dog food manufactured by Diamond Pet Food. Since December 13th there have been reports, primarily from the Rochester, NY area, of at least 5 owners with dogs that became sick after being fed a Diamond Pet Food product. A total of 14 dogs have been reported affected, six of whom have died thus far. Testing of 3 of the dogs that died through the New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell University has confirmed aflatoxicosis as the probable cause of death of all three animals. In addition, testing of Diamond Pet Food samples from these households has revealed at least one sample containing 239 ppb, 2.5 times the toxic level of aflatoxin for dogs. Diamond Pet Food has also reported a finding of 250 ppb in one sample.
All animals (including people), birds and fish are susceptible to aflatoxins. Birds and fish are most sensitive to the effects. Dogs are exposed to aflatoxins after ingesting aflatoxin contaminated food. Aflatoxins in the amount of 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg may be lethal. Sensitivity to aflatoxins in the dog depends on individual susceptibility, age, pregnancy status, and nutritional status.
Signs and Symptoms in the Dog
Acute – vomiting within hours of ingesting contaminated food, anorexia, depression, increased water consumption and urine output, and possibly death within 3 days of ingesting the contaminated feed. Dogs may have evidence of bleeding problems such as blood in the stool or vomitus, bruising, or accumulation of blood in chest or abdominal cavities.
Subacute – occurs after chronic ingestion of lower levels over 2 – 3 weeks. Dogs will be lethargic, anorectic, experiencing increased water consumption and urination, changes in liver enzymes, and jaundice. These dogs may die from bleeding disorders.
Chronic – Chronic ingestion of very low levels of aflatoxins may cause immunosuppression, increased susceptibility to infectious agents, and may also be associated with non-specific signs. There is an increased risk of liver cancer in animals exposed to chronic low levels of aflatoxins and in animals that have recovered from acute or subacute poisonings.
Treatment
There is no known treatment beyond removing the exposure source of aflatoxin and supportive care. Acute ingestions of aflatoxin may be treated with activated charcoal if ingestion was known to have occurred in the previous few hours.
The following is a statement being released this afternoon by Diamond Pet Food:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2005
Media Contact:
Mark Brinkman, Diamond Pet Food
573/229-4203
Diamond Pet Food has discovered aflatoxin in a product manufactured at our facility in Gaston, South Carolina. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus, on corn and other crops.
Out of an abundance of caution, we have notified our distributors and recommended they hold the sale of all Diamond Pet Food products formulated with corn that were produced out of our Gaston facility (see complete list below). Please note that products manufactured at our facilities in Meta, Missouri and Lathrop, California are not affected. The Gaston facility date codes are unique from other Diamond facility codes in that either the eleventh or twelfth character in the date code will be a capital “G” (in reference to Gaston).
States serviced by our Gaston facility include Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky (eastern), Main, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Vermont, and Virginia.
We are rapidly analyzing retained samples of all products produced in Gaston so we can isolate specific lot numbers impacted and provide this information to our distributors, retailers and customers as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, if your pet is showing any symptoms of illness, including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea, please consult your veterinarian immediately.
Product quality and customer satisfaction are important to us. We pledge to keep you updated as new developments occur.
Gaston Facility Products Removed From Sale
Diamond Low Fat Dog Food
Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food
Diamond Maintenance Dog Food
Diamond Performance Dog Food
Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food
Diamond Puppy Food
Diamond Maintenance Cat Food
Diamond Professional Cat Food
Country Value Puppy]
Country Value Adult Dog
Country Value High Energy Dog
Country Value Adult Cat Food
Kirkland Signature Maintenance Cat Food
Canine Club Adult Dog Food
Professional Chicken & Rice Senior Dog Food
Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food
Professional Adult Dog Food
Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food
Professional Puppy Food
Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food
Professional Adult Cat Food
Owners of animals that become ill who have been feeding a Diamond Pet Food product are advised to take their animal and a feed sample to their private veterinarian immediately. The NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets will be contacting feed control officials in other states as well.
David M. Chico, V.M.D.
Division of Animal Industry
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
10B Airline Drive
Albany, NY 12235-0001
518-457-3502
David.Chico@agmkt.state.ny.us