Erstellt am 10.01.2006 - 21:49

www.vet.cornell.edu/news/articles/diamondPetFoods.htm_


News on Aflatoxin
Dogs keep dying: Many owners remain unaware of toxic pet food,
Cornell News Service, January 6, 2006
Even though Diamond, Country Value and Professional brand dog foods have
been recalled for containing highly toxic aflatoxins, they have caused at least
100 dog deaths in recent weeks, say Cornell University veterinarians, who are
growing increasingly alarmed. <_more_
(http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Jan … g.ssl.html) >
College of Veterinary Medicine develops protein tests to accurately diagnose
pet food-poisoned dogs,
Cornell News Service, January 6, 2006
While dogs keep dying from eating pet food tainted with aflatoxin, Cornell
University's College of Veterinary Medicine is announcing it has developed
protein tests that accurately indicate a dog's liver failure caused by the
toxin. <_more_ (http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Jan … s.bpf.html) >
UPDATE 1/5/2006, 4:00 p.m.
* Dog owners may want to seek veterinary testing for animals that have
been fed affected lots of food even if they are apparently well. Recent
experience has shown that apparently healthy dogs can develop liver damage after
2-3 weeks. Please check the Diamond Pet Food website
(_http://www.diamondpet.com/_ (http://www.diamondpet.com/) ) for updates on their recall lot numbers.
* Some ill dogs have been tested and are not suffering from toxicosis,
but have previously undiagnosed health problems that produce similar
behavioral and clinical signs. A veterinarian is the best person to determine the
cause of your animal's illness.
* Tests that may prove helpful to diagnose whether or not aflatoxin is
suspected are included in the link to Diagnostic Testing for Suspect
Aflatoxicosis (_http://diaglab.vet.cornell.edu/news.asp_
(http://diaglab.vet.cornell.edu/news.asp) ).
UPDATE 12/23/2005, 2:00 p.m.
* Cornell has received tissue samples from referring veterinarians for
testing. Tests done by the Animal Health Diagnostic Center and by the Section
of Anatomical Pathology suggests additional dogs have died of aflatoxin
poisoning.
* If your dog has been eating food from the suspect lots of Diamond
Food, call your veterinarian. Have tests done for liver function; even
apparently healthy dogs can have liver damage.
* As the news of the potentially contaminated food spreads, more owners
are contacting their veterinarians - and Cornell is receiving more calls. We
encourage pet owners to contact their local veterinarian as he or she knows
your dog the best and can suggest referral to Cornell if warranted.
* The Cornell University Hospital for Animals has now seen 8 cases of
liver damage related to aflatoxin exposure. One of the affected dogs being
treated at Cornell died.
* Toxicologist, Dr. Karyn Bischoff, traveled to the Rochester area on
December 21 to consult with veterinarians who have been dealing with affected
dogs.
* As of December 23, no cases have been seen or confirmed in cats,
though some of the samples of the cat food did test positive for the toxin.
Cornell animal hospital caring for dogs poisoned by contaminated commercial
food that has killed several pets, Cornell News Service, December 23, 2005
At least 14 dogs from the Rochester area have suffered liver damage and
several have died after eating commercial dog food contaminated with a fungal
toxin, according to veterinarians at Cornell University's Hospital for Animals
at the College of Veterinary Medicine, where seven dogs are being treated for
food poisoning. <_more_
(http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Dec … gs.kr.html) >
For additional information check back and also visit...
Information for Pet Owners _Diamond Pet Food Information for pet owners_
(http://www.vet.cornell.edu/news/article … Recall.htm)

Treatment Advice for Veterinarians from Mendon Village Animal Hospital
_http://www.mendonvillageanimalhospital.com/whatsnew.html_
(http://www.mendonvillageanimalhospital. … tsnew.html)

NYS Agriculture and Markets _http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AD/releaseList.asp_
(http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AD/releaseList.asp)

Diamond Pet Foods _http://www.diamondpet.com/_ (http://www.diamondpet.com/)

Erstellt am 10.01.2006 - 21:52

Aflatoxine
Aflatoxin B1
Aflatoxine gehören zu den Schimmelpilzgifte (Mykotoxine). Zur Gruppe der Aflatoxine gehört das Aflatoxin B1. Aflatoxin B1 ist ein blauer, kristalliner Feststoff. Er ist der am stärksten Krebs erzeugende Pflanzenstoff. Insgesamt sind heute 6 verschiedene Aflatoxine bekannt: B1, B2, G1, G2, M1, M2

Aflatoxin B1 wird von den Schimmelpilzen Aspergillus flavus und Aspergillus parasiticus gebildet und kann hauptsächlich vorkommen in Reis, Nüssen, Leber, Nieren, Erdnüssen, Erdnussschrot, Baumwollsamenmehl und andere Ölsaatrückstände, Futtermittelzusätzen, gemahlenen Mandeln und Muskatnüssen, Pistazien, Feigen und Getreide.

Gesundheitsgefährdung Beeinträchtigung der Fortpflanzungsfähigkeit möglich
Bewusstlosigkeit
Kann bei Neugeborenen zu Entwicklungsstörungen führen.
Sehr giftig beim Einatmen, Verschlucken und Berührung mit der Haut.

Grenzwert, Richtwerte,
Einstufungen Letale (=tödliche) Dosis bei Erwachsenen: 1-10 mg/kg
Letale Dosis bei Kindern: 9-18 µg/d
Höchstmengen-Verordnung: 5 µg/kg Aflatoxin B1 und max.10 µg/kg Gesamtaflatoxingehalt im Lebensmittel.
Futtermittel-Verordnung, Toleranz für Handelsfutter:
- Milchkühe 10 ppb
- Schweine 20 ppb
- Mastrinder 50 ppb (Jungtiere 10 ppb)
- Hähnchen 20 ppb (Jungtiere 10 ppb)
- Hühner 20 ppb


http://aflatoxin-b1.de/

Erstellt am 10.01.2006 - 21:56

What products are being recalled?
Recalled products can be identified by the Date Code and "Best By" dates listed on the back panel of the package. Recalled products will have a capital "G" (in reference to Gaston) in the 11th or 12th position of the date code (18 lb. to 55 lb. bags), and "Best By" dates between March 1, 2007 and June 10, 2007. The capital "G" will be in the 9th position on smaller 4 lb. to 8 lb. bags.

Diamond's quantitative analysis records substantiate that shipments were definitively clear of aflatoxin after December 10. As such, "Best By 11-June-07" date codes or later are not affected. Also, products with "Best By" dates prior to 28-Feb-07 are safe.

Products manufactured at our Gaston S.C. facility included in the recall:

Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food
Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food
Diamond Maintenance Dog Food
Diamond Professional for Adult Dogs
Diamond Performance Dog Food
Diamond Puppy Food
Diamond Low Fat Dog Food
Diamond Maintenance Cat Food
Diamond Professional Cat Food
Country Value Puppy
Country Value Adult Dog Food
Country Value High Energy Dog Food
Country Value Adult Cat Food
Professional Chicken & Rice Adult Dog Food
Professional Puppy Food
Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food
Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food
Professional Adult Cat Food

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What products are NOT included in the recall?
Although certain pet foods produced at the Gaston facility have been voluntarily recalled due to potential aflatoxin contamination, a wide range of the plant's products are perfectly safe and still can be purchased from retailers.

Gaston products not part of the recall include:

All Premium Edge products
The complete Chicken Soup product lines
Canine Club
Kirkland Signature Puppy
Kirkland Signature Chicken & Rice Adult Dog
Kirkland Signature Lamb & Rice Adult Dog
Kirkland Signature Mature Dog
Kirkland Signature Maintenance Cat
Diamond Lamb and Rice Adult
Diamond Large Breed Adult 60+
Diamond Large Breed Puppy (Lamb & Rice Puppy)
Diamond Senior 8+
Diamond Kitten
Professional Lamb and Rice
Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food

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What states receive products from the Gaston facility?
The Gaston facility provides products to our customers in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan*, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio*, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee*, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.

*These states receive product from other Diamond Pet Food facilities. Please check your date code carefully. Unless it has a capital "G" in the 11th or 12th position of the date code on the larger 15 lb. to 55 lb. bags, it is not included in the recall. The capital "G" will be in the 9th position on smaller 4 lb. to 8 lb. bags.

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Are products manufactured at other Diamond facilities affected by this situation?
No. Products manufactured at our Gaston facility are the only ones subject to the recall.

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What clinical signs should I look for from my pet?
Symptoms of potential illness in dogs may be difficult to discern, but include:

Loss of appetite
Yellow whites of the eyes, yellow gums, yellow in the belly or areas where hair is very thin
Severe, persistent vomiting combined with bloody diarrhea
Discolored urine
Fever

Please be aware that many other medical conditions have similar symptoms. Your veterinarian will be able to distinguish between these other conditions and an exposure to aflatoxin based on your pet's medical history and current symptoms. Please consult with your veterinarian if you believe your pet is ill, no matter what the cause. If your veterinarian diagnoses and treats your pet because of exposure to aflatoxin, please have your veterinarian contact Diamond Pet Foods toll free at 1-866-214-6945.

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What should I do if my pet consumed recalled products and has any of the clinical signs?
If your pet has consumed products included in the recall and exhibits these systems, please urge your veterinarian to run a liver profile. If your pet is found to have abnormal liver function, please have any other dog you may own that was fed the same food tested for liver function as well. Even if your pet does not show symptoms, monitor it for 7 to 12 days and consult your veterinarian if illness develops.

If possible, please save 1-2 cups of the food for testing and analysis.

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When should I take my pet to the veterinarian?
If your dog has consumed affected products and has clinical signs of aflatoxin, which include loss of appetite, yellow whites of the eyes, yellow gums, yellow in the belly or areas where hair is very thin, severe, persistent vomiting combined with bloody diarrhea, or discolored urine, you should immediately consult your veterinarian.

Because numerous diseases and conditions may have similar clinical signs, your pet could have a problem other than aflatoxin. If your veterinarian institutes treatment for aflatoxin, please have him or her call Diamond Pet Foods toll free at 1-866-214-6945 and ask to speak with one of our consulting veterinarians.

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How can I get a refund?
If your product has been recalled, please take the bag and any remaining product back to the retailer where it was purchased for a full refund. Your retailer will ensure the product is returned to Diamond Pet Food for proper analysis and disposal. Many retailers may offer to replace the product. Please consult your retailer for specific refund or replacement options.

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What is Aflatoxin?
Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus, on corn and other crops. The fungus develops on crops during years with severe high temperature stress and drought.

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Who can I call for more information?
Customers with questions about this situation should use our Customer Help Form.


http://www.diamondpetrecall.net/faq.html#5