TruthaboutPetFood.com

Yes - I did mean 4/1/12 - its changed above now - thank you!

And I was curious as to why DNA testing too.

As a pet parent I would like to share with you my thoughts: I can tell you that Susan has heard this story before, but last night, the story was verified.

She is not an irresponsible journalist, but one of the very few in this business not subsidized by Big Pet Food.

She remains one of the last remaining handful of reliable sources for information that pet parents have. And one of industry's soundest critics.

She does not wish to unnecessarily alarm pet parents, unless she has done the research and confirmed whether the story can be verified and there is a valid reason to issue a note of caution. 

As a journalist and citizen activist it is important to remember that writers like Susan provide an invaluable counterpoint and voice to the endless stream of industry whitewashing and lack of government efficacy and transparency.

With an industry motivated by greed, there is an inherent danger that their motives are not in your pet's best interest, but are motivated soley by economics.

Having said that, the courts are sometimes the place where citizens have an opportunity to have redress. Our criminal justice system can be used as a platform to expose an injustice, not for the purposes of economic gain, but to expose the corrupt practices of an industry that profits from selling the waste products of the human-food industry.

The courts may be the only leverage consumers have to bring publicity to an industry that thrives on secrecy and lies.

As far as acquired Fanconi syndrome - it is real and it is deadly. Anyone who makes the mistake of perpetrating the industry's lie that the cause of acute renal failure is the fault of the consumer because they fed their dog too many treats (poison), needs to read the article I just finished on the malevolent origin of CJT "feeding guidelines". It will make your blood run cold.

I have the greatest respect for the work she does, so should you. Because you never want to shoot the messenger.

NV - I had taken a break from posting replies here, feeling that I've just been way too opinionated lately. And maybe that is still the case. But your comment bears a response. Because you do seem to represent profit oriented retailers and resellers. Thank you though for sharing your perspective. At least you're participating in the discusstion.

Which helps explain why there isn't enough scrutiny - and more importantly - caution given to pet product issues. If I had a "business" and the "best interests" of "my" customers foremost in mind, the very first thing I would do is protect them from even the possibility of a risky product. Jerky treat issues have been around for a very long time. This isn't just a casual cause and effect wild goose chase. Nor should it be. The onus of safety should always be on the manufacturer and the FDA protecting the consumer, and not in reverse! They should be willing to "certify" these products and stand behind them, or take the consequences. An owner's pet is irreplaceable.

I can assure you that (relatively speaking) if the same quantity of children suffered the same ill effects from the brands and imports of baby food there would be a national uprising! But pets are still property and never warrant the same level of investigation or media exposure!!

First of all, there are plenty of USA made products from which to choose. In this economy (as you've referenced) we have no business supporting Chinese exports when small businesses need all the help they can get. Second, the Chinese have a demonstrated record of poor quality control (to be kind) so why reward the behavior. And third, for the added cost and inconvenience of doing local shopping, I want to trust my local merchant, period. That's supposed to be the "added value" feature. And finally do you suppose all 600 (recent) cases reported involved owners who weren't monitoring the regular food intake of their pets or didn't understand the concept of giving a dehydrated treat, etc.? And that 600 Vets didn't know enough to understand the probably cause and effect between the treats and the diagnoses?

I hope you continue to read (or monitor) this website, and even do some quick searches on past pet food issues (I direct you to the articles on the 4-D's and rendering), other proven carcinogene ingredients still being added to products, and the number of heart breaking pet owner experiences who needlessly lost pets due to their blind faith in deceptively advertised commercial pet food (Beneful, Purina [sadly], Pedigree, Ol Roy) amongst the biggest offenders.

The real questions are: should any pet owner have to worry about damaging the reputations of these corporations by sharing their experiences with bad pet food and illnesses/death? And hoping to protect other owners? Or should these corporation have to worry about what the food is doing to pets over the long term? Will most CPF sustain your pet for a number of years? Or will a proven 50% of all dogs die prematurely from cancer? Poor genetics or poor environment?

And finally whatever happened in this world - and most especially in America - for people just doing the RIGHT thing for a change!

As a pet owner who's 3 dogs all became sick after eating Waggin Train brand chicken jerky, I would like to say that the fight against Purina (and other brands using china-sourced chicken) is most definitely NOT about money. It's about saving other dog's lives. We want the companies to recall their products until the testing is completed. I belong to a group that is working towards a recall. The members of our group had 62 dogs that were sick after eating chicken jerky in the last 3 months. Almost half of those dogs died. Sadly, we have more names to add today and the numbers keep growing.

Great response about Fanconi  Jennifer.  My chihuahua had all the symptoms of acquired Fanconi Syndrome first time round from the poisonous Chinese chicken jerky at the end of 2007.  I actually believe it builds up over them and then the kidneys spill over all the toxins and they become sick rapidly.  Trouble is the signs can be subtle at first.  If your dog is peeing in excess and drinking in excess get your vet to test for glucose in the urine.  If glucose is in the urine I know the vet will want to test the blood to make sure it's not diabetes.  But if it is only in the urine Fanconi Syndrome is the only thing it is!  As Jennifer said most vets don't have a clue and don't have a blood gas machine.  I found one that was 90 minutes away (a friend of mine has a Basenji and recommenede me there).  With the help of Dr. Gonto's protocol and me making sure Rosie followed this rigidly, we were lucky - she got better.  It took about a year for her blood gases to return to normal.  I know others were not so lucky and with a vet that doesn't know how to treat it it's very difficult.