(TRENTON) – The New Jersey Department 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, South Carolina. That plant
supplies pet foods to New Jersey as well as New
York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and other
East Coast states.
Since December 13, there have been reports, primarily from the Rochester, New
York area, of about 14 dogs becoming sick after being fed a Diamond Pet Food
product. To date, six of those dogs have died.
Testing by New York 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 New Jersey Department of Agriculture is monitoring the situation in
New York State and has informed the state’s animal care providers of the
potential problem,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Charles M.
Kuperus. “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 New
York 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 being recalled are:
Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food
Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food (Sporting Dog)
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
For more information, please call Diamond Pet Foods Customer Information Center
at 1-866-214-6945 or go to the recall website at www.diamondpetrecall.net or the Division
of Animal Health, New Jersey Department of Agriculture at (609) 292-3965.
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