Tainted pet food removed from shelves, N.J. alerts dog and cat owners

TRENTON - The N.J. Dept. of Agriculture has contacted the state’s network of animal care providers to watch for a potential life-threatening illness among dogs and cats. The department has been informed that Diamond Pet Food has removed its dog and cat food from sale after a dangerous toxin was found in a product manufactured at the company’s facility in Gaston, S.C. That plant supplies pet foods to N.Y., Pa., Del., Md., and other East Coast states, as well as N.J. Since Dec. 13, there have been reports, primarily from the Rochester, N.Y., area, of about 14 dogs becoming sick after being fed a Diamond Pet Food product. Six of those have died to date. Testing by N.Y. officials has confirmed aflatoxicosis as the probable cause of death of three of the animals. Aflatoxicosis results from ingesting aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxic chemical produced by the growth of fungus on certain food and feeds. “The N.J. Dept. of Agriculture is monitoring the situation in N.Y. State and has informed the state’s animal care providers of the potential problem,” said Charles M. Kuperus, N.J. agriculture secretary. “We urge all pet owners to watch for signs of illness in their pets if they used the contaminated product and to contact their veterinarians immediately should their pets get sick.” Testing of Diamond Pet Food samples from the homes of the affected dogs in N.Y. revealed at least one sample containing two and a half times the toxic level of aflatoxin for dogs. High-level aflatoxin exposure produces acute liver problems, which cause internal bleeding. There can be excessive fluid build-up in tissue, alteration in digestion, and problems with absorption and/or metabolism of nutrients. No animal species is immune to the acute toxic effects of aflatoxins, including humans; however, humans have an extraordinarily high tolerance for aflatoxin exposure and rarely succumb to acute aflatoxicosis. Diamond Pet Food suggests that pet owners call their veterinarian immediately if their pet shows any of the following symptoms of illness: sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea. The products removed from sale are: 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, and Professional Adult Cat Food. For more information, call 609-292-3965.