Two Pet Food Recalls 2012

USA mid-May 2012. I am just spreading the word in case the news did not get through to some people. The first case concerns Diamond Pet Foods. It is a voluntary recall as this batch could be contaminated with salmonella. To identify the defective product all you have to do is check the production code on the container:

Please click here to read more.

The other concerns Purina wet food. This product is purchased from veterinarian clinics. It is OM weight management cat food: Purina Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management.

The batch and details are:

Purina Veterinary Diets OM (Overweight Management) Feline Formula, 5.5 oz. can size, JUN 2013 "Best Buy" date, UPC Code 11721159 38100 - 13810.

This is a voluntary recall as well. However it was instigated by a customer complaint. The defect is a too low a concentration of thiamin. Thiamin is an essential ingredient in cat food. Thiamin is vitamin B1. The defective cans should be thrown out. Read more here.

Signs of thiamine deficiency in cats

Problems with balance: falling and rolling over, looking for support on vertical surfaces, crouching low when walking and including seizures are signs of thiamin (thiamine) deficiency in cats. These symptoms also apply to inner ear problems such as labyrinthitis, which fall under the heading of vestibular disorders.

Thiamin deficiency can be caused by feeding your cat a lot of raw fish which contains an enzyme that destroys vitamin B1. Vitamin B1 is thiamin. Another reason is an unbalanced diet.

The cure is to immediately start a balanced diet and injections of thiamin if deemed necessary by your vet.

Cat Nutritional Disorders

It is possible for cat nutritional disorders to affect the central nervous system:

1. Low blood sugar - hypoglycemia - can lead to a "depressed level of consciousness" and seizures, possibly a coma. An overdose of insulin is one cause. See Feline Diabetes.
2. Hypocalcemia - this means low blood calcium. The symptoms are like those described above.
3. Thiamin deficiency - seizures and "when lifted up, cats often flex their necks, dropping chin to chest.."

Reference: Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Guide. See Symptoms of Feline Diabetes.



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