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[Schwe]

This is a CROSSPOST!

Ok.. I got off the phone with Diamond and its any Diamond food with CORN in it and a BEST BEFORE date ranging from MARCH 1 07 to JUNE 11 07. This batch of food had corn that had grown a fungus and if consumed alot will cause Alphatoxin Contamination. The symtoms of the contamination are: sluggsish or lethargic behaviour, refusal to eat, yellowish tint to eyes or gums and or severe diarrhea with or without blood.
If your bag of Diamond contains corn and has a best before date within those dates afore mentioned.. DO NOT FEED and return it to your retailer for an exchange.
If your dog shows ANY of the signs see your vet immediately and tell them the situation. It is a naturally occuring mold toxin and can be treated..
DIAMOND PHONE NUMBER - 800-442-0402

More Info:
http://www.diamondpet.com/DiamondPet/news.php?data=9

[Barrett]

Wow, that is scarey! I bet there are a lot of bags out there. What if people don't see the recall, there could be thousands of dogs that get sick. When I buy dog food I am on a list so that every 10th bag of food is free. The store has my phone number..this would be one way of finding out about a recall. I hope every vet knows about this so they can recognize the symptoms and ask if the owner buys Diamond brand kibble.

[KennelMom]

We feed Diamond to our kennel kids...and we are about half way through a potentially contaminated bag! ARRRRRGH! So far, no symptoms in any of the 12 pups...I'm just glad I heard about the press release the day they released it!!

[Irish Mom]

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

[ebony923]

OMG we feed Diamond and we have one of the contaminated bags ughh i havent seen any of the signs though.

[ebony923]

If its 22-feb-07 thats ok right???

[tessa_s212]

I have called my dog training instructors, and friends... (who all feed formulas with corn in it!)..

My hands aer shaking.. They feed the dogs that I handle in agility this... *worried*

[KennelMom]

Originally Posted by ebony923

OMG we feed Diamond and we have one of the contaminated bags ughh i havent seen any of the signs though.

From the company:
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). The range of date codes being reviewed are “Best By 01-March-07” through Best By “11-June-07.” Diamond’s quantitative analysis records substantiate that Diamond’s corn shipments were definitively clear of aflatoxin after December 10. As such, “Best By 11-June-07” date codes or later are not affected


They are still testing specific lots to identify contaminated bags. Since we have food with corn from the Gaston plant we are, of course, not feeding that to our kennel dogs. Hopefully they'll release specific lot numbers soon so people will know if they have, in fact, fed contaminated food.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Latest Update on Diamond from News 14 Carolina Staff:

(RALEIGH) - The recall of a potentially deadly batch of dog food has expanded.

North Carolina's agriculture department has turned up dangerous levels of a toxin in a type of Diamond dog food not originally included in the recall.

The state's veterinary division lab says seven dogs have died with signs of liver damage consistent with the toxin.

The newest variety recalled comes in 40 pound bags. It is labeled Diamond Pet Foods Professional for Adult Dogs. It has the code "Best by 29-Jan-07."

In all, 19 varieties of Diamond Pet Food produced at its Gaston, South Carolina plant have been recalled.

[Tiffany0204]

Wow, I see really bad things for Diamond Dog food in the future. Kinda like how people think of Jack in the Box.

[ebrent800]

These are the states that have been affected by the recall, it's very scary to hear about some of the side effects.

http://www.diamondpetrecall.com/



I work for an Emergency & Specialty 24 hour animal hospital and on one of our Internal Medicine specialists send around an email regarding this recall, as he expects that many people that currently are using this food, will be calling at the very least since we are in Michigan... here is an excerpt from his email...


The dog foods affected are Diamond, Professional and Country Value with date codes "Best By 01-March-07" through Best By 11-June-07. Owners should keep these bags of food for analysis if needed.

Briefly, the recommendation is to have any dog exposed see their veterinarian for CBC, Chem, UA, pre and post prandial bile acids.

Assymptomatic dogs should be placed on antioxidants-SAMe, milk thistle and Vitamin E.
Symptomatic dogs should be treated aggressively for acute liver failure.

[bildozer]

Last monday I had to rush my dog Jada to the hospital, She was showing all the symptoms. Lethargis,vomiting,jaundice,and her liver enzymes 10 times what they should be. I have never feed her any of the Diamond food that has been recalled. the only thing that I have changed is her dog treats. Dose Diamond make dog treats ? If any one knows can you post a reply. As for Jada: thanks to the great job from the vet and all the people that work at the hospital. I was allowed to take her home the next day and she is doing great!!!

[Mom2Many]

Yes, Diamond does have a line of dog treats...see here.
Glad to hear your pup is recovering!

[Schwe]

crosspost

Chicken Soup For the Dog Lover's Soul has been added to the recall:
Diamond Pet Food Recall
1/4/06 11:53am ET - Update From AnimalHelp:
Despite claims that the brands below are the only brands affected, We
have received feedback from pet owners who have recently fed both
Cosco "Kirkland" brand pet foods and Chicken Soup Brand Dog Food,
whose pets have exhibited the same symptoms as noted with Diamond
Brands and the aflatoxin contamination.


**Please be aware that while these animals had all the same symptoms
of aflatoxin illness the test results have not been completed yet and
it will be a short time before we know for sure whether their deaths
were caused by the food. There are other illnesses and diseases that
cause liver failure and may be to blame. But because the foods these
animals were eating are all made by Diamond, and the symptoms are
the
same, we want to warn you to be on the lookout for similar illness in
your animals until we know for sure.


Sadly, a 2 year old Skye Terrier died Monday January 2nd, 2006. He
was
eating Chicken Soup brand food and displayed the symptoms of
aflatoxin
illness before he died. The other dogs in this household are also
sick. Liver profiles, toxicology screenings and pathology results are
pending.

Also, a cat death has occured on Tuesday January 3rd, 2006 in upstate
SC. This cat was eating Cosco brand cat food and displayed the
symptoms of aflatoxin illness. Pathology results are pending on this
cat. We know of one other cat who almost died from the same
symptoms
of aflatoxin illness and also was being fed Cosco brand cat food.

Cosco's Kirkland Brand pet foods are made by Schell & Kampeter , who
also make the Diamond Products. Chicken Soup is considered one of
their super premium food, and they also make Nutra Nuggets. Cosco
Kirkland is made at one or more of the Diamond plants.

If you feed your pet Cosco brands - or ANY other pet food brands (it
is possible that other store brands are made at Diamond plants) - and
see illness and symptoms as mentioned here, we urge you to get your
pet to your veterinarian immediately for a liver profile.

We expect the Chicken Soup brands and the Cosco brands will be
added to the official recall very soon if the test results from these two
recent deaths provide proof that cause of death resulted from
ingestion of aflatoxin in the food. We will keep you up to date if
any changes are announced.

[Mom2Many]

Boy that is scary...I know lots of people who feed CSFTDLS, it is supposed to be a decent brand.