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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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 Mon Jan 09, 2006 4:47 pm Family Cares for Dog Ill From Pet Food |
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| Quote: | Contaminated Food Has Killed at Least 76 Dogs Nationwide
By JOHN C. DRAKE, AP
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Jan. 9) - Caring for her ailing 9-year-old chow has taken over Shanika Stewart's life.
Cocoa must be force-fed with a syringe six times a day since suffering permanent liver damage after eating contaminated dog food.
"I haven't had any time to do anything but take care of her," said Stewart, a 19-year-old nursing student at the University of South Carolina. "She's the No. 1 priority. ... I get maybe four hours of sleep before she wakes me up."
Through relocations from Army bases in Georgia, Oklahoma, Washington and now South Carolina, Cocoa has been a constant companion for Stewart, whose father is serving in Iraq.
When her own daughter died last year, Stewart said Cocoa helped her through her grief. "It was like she understood," Stewart said. "She was my best friend."
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that at least 76 dogs nationwide are believed to have died as a result of eating contaminated Diamond Pet Foods.
According to the company, the pet food was distributed to stores in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia and West Virginia.
Diamond officials say they are doing what they can to help affected pet owners.
"It's going to take some time to take care of all these customers, and we're going to do it," said the company's chief operating officer, Mark Brinkmann.
The company has recalled 19 varieties of dog and cat food because tests showed high levels of aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxic chemical that comes from a fungus found on corn and other grains that causes severe liver damage in animals.
The company recalled products manufactured at its Gaston, S.C., plant from around September to November 2005. Based on sample testing, Diamond has narrowed down the exposure to food produced on Oct. 11, Brinkmann said Thursday.
The FDA and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture have launched investigations.
Stewart's other dog, a 2-year-old pit bull named Chulo, died last month just hours after being diagnosed with liver failure. It was only then that the family learned of the recall.
Stewart initially thought Cocoa had refused to eat because she was depressed about losing Chulo. After the recall, the family vet confirmed aflatoxin poisoning in Cocoa, Stewart said.
Steve Shrum, president of the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians, said vets around the state were confused when puppies began showing signs of liver problems usually seen in older dogs.
"It takes such a small amount, and there's pretty much nothing you can do with the process that will inactivate that toxin once it gets in the food supply," he said.
Diamond has promised to reimburse pet owners for vet bills and other costs associated with the aflatoxin poisoning, which officials now believe may include pets in Europe and other areas outside the country where the food is distributed.
The company set up a call center staffed with veterinarians. The call volume peaked at about 2,000 calls a day last week, Brinkmann said.
Stewart says she has not spoken with anyone at the company despite several calls. The family has filled out an online form explaining their situation.
"You don't get anybody to talk to and tell your story," she said. "It's like they're not concerned. To me, it's like they're saying, 'Oh well, we'll get to it when we get to it."'
Brinkmann was sympathetic.
"We're going as fast as we can," he said. "I grieve with her, and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure we can do right by her."
01-09-06 15:17 EST
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. |
I'm sooooooo glad Noelle is so fussy and will only eat Purina.
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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TrekkieMage
Office Junkie
Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 5335
Location: Hiding
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| Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:17 pm |
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This is aweful...I'm glad our two are happy and healthy and have not been anywhere near that stuff. On the other hand, at least they've admitted they made a mistake and as soon as they realized it they took action. It should never have happened in the first place, but they are doing something about it.
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Brightstar82
Rear Admiral
Joined: 08 Apr 2005
Posts: 4394
Location: A Borg Cube....Where Else?
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| Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:19 pm |
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oh god thats terrible. I hope no other dogs get sick 
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webtaz99
Commodore
Joined: 13 Nov 2003
Posts: 1229
Location: The Other Side
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| Tue Jan 10, 2006 9:17 am |
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One of the horrible secrets being kept by Big Money in America is the deplorable state of food processing. And as bad as things are in factories that make food for humans, I am too scared to even imagine how bad things are on the animal side. I suspect things go into pet food all the time that only slip by unnoticed because animals are so tough.
<EDIT>
Don't forget that "Mad Cow Disease" comes from feeding cows TO cows! I bet anyone from the 12th century could tell you that is a bad idea.
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"History is made at night! Character is who you are in the dark." (Lord John Whorfin)
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Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
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| Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:01 pm |
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I guess I got to watch what I feed even my cats aye. I definetly don't want them dying off.
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