Catmanager received a letter from Hill’s (makers of Science Diet) today informing me (actually the letter wasn’t addressed to me but to “Our Valued Retail and Professional Partners”; yeah, right) about the pet food recall. Is late really better than never? This just seems insulting.
Now, to be fair, I should point out that the letter implies I would have heard earlier from Hill’s had my practice been in possession of any of the recalled products:
If you have not received notification from Hill’s, then the Savory Cuts you currently have in your possession are outside the scope of this voluntary recall.
Catmanager hopes veterinary practices that were in possession of affected Savory Cuts at least heard from Hill’s prior to last Wednesday, which is when the letter I received was dated.
Also to be fair, I should acknowledge that the Science Diet recall was precautionary. Hill’s did the right thing by withdrawing food that was manufactured at the same plant as the rest of the recalled foods even though neither they nor Menu had received reports of illnesses in cats eating Savory Cuts. What remains unclear is whether Hill’s supplied their own ingredients to Menu Foods or relied on that company to procure ingredients. On VIN/VSPN one person has reported a conversation with a Hill’s rep in which the rep said that Hill’s supplied its own ingredients. Catmanager hasn’t seen that claim verified, however. In fact, several posts on VIN/VSPN by a Hill’s official seem to carefully avoid the issue. Catmanager suspects that if Hill’s were supplying its own ingredients it would be taking great pains to advertise that fact.
So why do I feel it’s insulting to receive a letter from Hill’s nine days after the recall was announced? (Aside from the fact that it’s nine days after the recall was announced.) The letter concludes by noting that we might be asked by consumers about the safety of the Savory Cuts products. Why couldn’t Hill’s acknowledge that many consumers are greatly concerned about with this question? That, in fact, the question is actually more along the lines of “Are any Science Diet products safe to feed my pets?” Then the letter asks us to believe
that those products that remain in the marketplace have been manufactured with the hightest quality ingredients and production protocols to “help enrich and lengthen the special relationship between people and their pets.”
I really want to believe this statement. And I have NO evidence to the contrary. But given what I’ve learned about Hill’s in the past week, I’d like more than bland assurances.
Specific questions I’d like answered:
- Why didn’t Hill’s notify us sooner?
- Even if Hill’s knew my clinic didn’t have any affected products, what about my clients? How were we supposed to notify them?
- Why was the Hill’s notification letter signed by the vice president of sales? (A letter from their head veterinarian, vice president of quality control, or the president of the company would have carried more weight. A letter from sales just implies that their primary concern is $.)
- When did Hill’s know about the recall?
- What is the basis for Hill’s claim that their nonrecalled Savory Cuts products are safe?
- Does Hill’s supply their own ingredients to Menu Foods or rely on Menu Foods to supply them? If the latter, how does Hill’s ensure quality control? (Are they inside Menu’s factories? Do they supervise the cleaning of equipment prior to manufacture of Hill’s products? Do they test and monitor the raw ingredients?)
- How can we believe that their foods are made with the highest quality ingredients? (Just because they say so isn’t going to cut it.)
- Why were we told that Hill’s doesn’t farm out their production?
- Why is Hill’s making diets that place marketing concerns (cuts and gravy foods are apparently highly popular with customers) before the health of cats and dogs (again, why is wheat, a well-known allergen, in these and other foods made by Hill’s)?
27 March 2007 at 2:19 am
[...] Update: vetcetera gets a letter from Hill’s. [...]
27 March 2007 at 11:54 am
Here are my exchanges with Hill’s beginning with the latest to the earliest (read from the bottom up). I have also spoken several times with the FDA who is currently deciding on whether to test the left over cans I have in my possession of the Hill’s Prescription Diet Feline c/d and k/d wet products in the 5.5 oz. cans. I have found Hill’s to be evasive and dismissive and am waiting for a call from their “technical specialist.” I believe that Hill’s is avoiding the recall of any of its Prescription Diet products but that they are in fact involved as well.
(SECOND FOLLOWUP)
____________________________
To: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
From: dmauch@verizon.net
Date: 3/26/07
Thank you for what is essentially your non-response to my recent email. I’m not quite sure why you are choosing to be totally evasive and non-cooperative in addressing my inquiries but I shall try once again.
Let me acknowledge the following for both our benefits:
1) Your recall is voluntary.
The ingredient referred to in the Menu Food recall, aminopterin, is not registered for usage in the United States.
2) Your recall does not affect any Hill’s® Prescription Diet product, and Hill’s® Science Diet® Canine dry, wet or treat product or
any Hill’s® Science Diet® Feline dry product.
3) This voluntary recall does not affect any product in Canada.
4) The voluntary recall by Hill’s does involve five Hill’s® Science Diet® Feline products in the forms of “chunks and gravy.”
6) No other Hill’s products besides the Savory Cuts “chunks and gravy” were manufactured with Menu Foods.
7) Menu Foods is not producing any foods for Hill’s at this time.
9) Hill’s Pet Nutrition, does not use this product in it’s US facilities.
Now I shall reiterate the questions I asked in my last email.
1) We would like to know specifically if you have tested the following referenced lot numbers for toxins and if not, do you intend to? (Prescription Diet Feline c/d #T2030604 4400 and #T2030603 4400 with a “Best Before 05 2008 & Prescription Diet Feline k/d chicken #T0431650 9453 with a “Best Before 12 2008).
2) Were either of these two lots produced by Menu Foods?
3) Kindly let us know whether Hill’s intends to investigate the Prescription Diet products referenced above and if they already have, please provide us with the lab results.
We look forward to your answers.
Sincerely,
Don Mauch
_________________
From: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
Subject: Response to your e-mail we received today
Date: March 26, 2007 10:51:30 AM EDT
If your e-mail does not pertain to the voluntary recall, we will e-mail you
within the next two weeks with a response. We do apologize for the delay
in response.
Please do not respond to this e-mail, but rather send any additional
questions through our website at HillsPet.com.
If your e-mail is in response to the Menu Foods recent recall, please read
the following information. This does not affect any Hill’s® Prescription
Diet product, and Hill’s® Science Diet® Canine dry, wet or treat product or
any Hill’s® Science Diet® Feline dry product. This voluntary recall does
not affect any product in Canada. The voluntary recall by Hill’s does
involve five Hill’s® Science Diet® Feline products in the forms of “chunks
and gravy.” No other Hill’s products besides the Savory Cuts “chunks and
gravy” were manufactured with Menu Foods.
Menu Foods is not producing any foods for Hill’s at this time. The
ingredient referred to in the Menu Food recall, aminopterin, is not
registered for usage in the United States, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, does not
use this product in it’s US facilities.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Announces Voluntary Participation in Menu
Foods’ Nationwide U.S. recall of Specific Canned Cat Foods.
Topeka, KS (March 16, 2007) – In response to the recent Menu Foods, Inc.
nationwide recall of wet pet foods, Hill’s® Pet Nutrition, Inc. has
announced a voluntary precautionary recall in the United States of a very
small number of canned cat products that are co-manufactured by Menu.
Hill’s is voluntarily recalling the following products:
1. Science Diet® Kitten Savory Cuts® Ocean Fish 3 oz. and 5.5 oz.
2. Science Diet® Feline Adult Savory Cuts® Beef 5.5 oz.
3. Science Diet® Feline Adult Savory Cuts® Chicken 5.5 oz.
4. Science Diet® Feline Adult Savory Cuts® Ocean Fish 5.5 oz.
5. Science Diet® Feline Senior Savory Cuts® Chicken 5.5 oz.
No other Hill’s products are affected by this recall.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., is taking this precautionary step to protect
the health and well being of your pets. Hill’s has received no reported
cases of illness. Consumers of other pet food brands manufactured by Menu
Foods have reported a small number of cases of cats becoming ill with loss
of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy which are potential signs of kidney
failure.
This voluntary product recall involves discontinuation of all retail sales
and product retrieval from consumers. Consumers should stop using the
affected products immediately. Consult with a veterinarian if any symptoms
are present in your pet. All Science Diet products carry a 100 percent
guarantee, and consumers can receive a refund for recalled products. For
more information, consumers can contact the company at 1-800-445-5777 or
visit http://www.HillsPet.com for details.
Hill’s is recalling the following product codes. Product codes can be
found at the bottom of the can. Only relevant code numbers have been listed
(‘X’s indicate irrelevant numbers).
1. 1. BESTBEFORE 09 2008
M06XXXXXX 4414
2. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4416
3. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4415
4. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4601
5. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4603
6. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M25XXXXXX 4457
7. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4414
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., has informed the Food and Drug Administration.
The company regrets any inconvenience to its consumers, retail customers
and veterinarians.
FIRST FOLLOWUP
______________________
To: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
From: dmauch@verizon.net
Date: 3/24/07
Thank you for your response reiterating your assertion that your Prescription Diet Feline c/d and k/d formulas were not involved in your “voluntary” recall. This assumes further, of course, that neither are the subject of investigation relating to the cause of our cat’s identical symptoms and eventual death from kidney failure all coinciding with the identical timing of Menu Food’s recall.
While our initial inquiry to you cited the purchase of the Prescription Diet Feline c/d as 8/11/06, we came to understand that a a more recent purchase of the same product had in fact been made on 12/12/06 containing the #T2030604 4400 and #T2030603 4400 with a “Best Before 05 2008.” Interestingly, our cat began to show ALL of the same initial symptoms of kidney failure in late January which was diagnosed by our vet on February 20th when his food was switched to Prescription Diet Feline k/d chicken #T0431650 9453 with a “Best Before 12 2008.” The switch made his symptoms worse. He was euthanized the following March 6th.
We would like to know specifically if you have tested the above referenced lot numbers for toxins and if not, do you intend to?
We have cans left from both our purchases on 12/20/06 and 2/20/07 and would be happy to engage the services of an independent testing lab to determine if either contain any toxin that may have been the cause of our cat’s kidney failure. We would prefer however for Hill’s to undertake this course of action on their own.
Kindly let us know whether Hill’s intends to investigate the Prescription Diet products referenced above and if they already have, provide us with the lab results.
Sincerely,
Donald Mauch
Cc: U.S. FDA
109 Holton St
Winchester, MA 01890
________________________
From: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
Subject: Response to your e-mail regarding product recall
Date: March 19, 2007 5:37:45 PM EDT
This is in response to your e-mail regarding Menu Foods recent recall.
This does not affect any Hill’s® Prescription Diet product, and Hill’s®
Science Diet® Canine product or any Hill’s® Science Diet® Feline dry
product. The voluntary recall by Hill’s does involve five Hill’s® Science
Diet® Feline products in the forms of “chunks and gravy.”
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Announces Voluntary Participation in Menu
Foods’ Nationwide U.S. and Canadian recall of Specific Canned Cat Foods.
Topeka, KS (March 16, 2007) – In response to the recent Menu Foods, Inc.
nationwide recall of wet pet foods, Hill’s® Pet Nutrition, Inc. has
announced a voluntary precautionary recall in the United States and Canada
of a very small number of canned cat products that are co-manufactured by
Menu.
Hill’s is voluntarily recalling the following products:
1. Science Diet® Kitten Savory Cuts® Ocean Fish 3 oz. and 5.5 oz.
2. Science Diet® Feline Adult Savory Cuts® Beef 5.5 oz.
3. Science Diet® Feline Adult Savory Cuts® Chicken 5.5 oz.
4. Science Diet® Feline Adult Savory Cuts® Ocean Fish 5.5 oz.
5. Science Diet® Feline Senior Savory Cuts® Chicken 5.5 oz.
No other Hill’s products are affected by this recall.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., is taking this precautionary step to protect
the health and well being of your pets. Hill’s has received no reported
cases of illness. Consumers of other pet food brands manufactured by Menu
Foods have reported a small number of cases of cats becoming ill with loss
of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy which are potential signs of kidney
failure.
This voluntary product recall involves discontinuation of all retail sales
and product retrieval from consumers. Consumers should stop using the
affected products immediately. Consult with a veterinarian if any symptoms
are present in your pet. All Science Diet products carry a 100 percent
guarantee, and consumers can receive a refund for recalled products. For
more information, consumers can contact the company at 1-800-445-5777 or
visit http://www.HillsPet.com for details.
Hill’s is recalling the following product codes. Product codes can be
found at the bottom of the can. Only relevant code numbers have been listed
(‘X’s indicate irrelevant numbers).
1. 1. BESTBEFORE 09 2008
M06XXXXXX 4414
2. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4416
3. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4415
4. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4601
5. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4603
6. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M25XXXXXX 4457
7. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4414
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., has informed the Food and Drug Administration
and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on this issue. The company regrets
any inconvenience to its consumers, retail customers and veterinarians.
Please do not respond to this e-mail, but rather send any additional
questions through our website at HillsPet.com.
_______________________
To: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
From: dmauch@verizon.net
Date: 3/17/07
Our 15 year old, altered male cat had always been in excellent health with the exception of being prone to crystals in his urinary tract. A few years ago, our vet, Dr. Kenneth Roberts of Pembroke, MA prescribed Hill’s Prescription Diet Feline C/D in the 5.5oz cans. Since then, we had fed him a combination diet of both wet and dry versions of the Feline C/D. We would rotate between the chicken and seafood flavors.
In late January 2007, we opened up the second case of Feline C/D purchased on 8/11/06 [we later discovered a more recent purchase on 12/12/06] and we observed that our cat began to lose interest in eating the wet food. We also observed that the food had a distinctly dryer consistency and tended to flake apart unlike the first case and the cases we had previously purchased. In fact, our cat would often reject the food after he had taken it in his mouth.
Between the first and third week of February our cat became noticeably thinner, his fur matted, extremely lethargic to a point where he could no longer jump up onto a chair, and was vomiting his food shortly after eating. What he did digest resulted in diarrhea, and excessive urination. Often he was not able to reach his litter box in time.
On February 20, 2007, we brought him to Dr. Roberts who ran a CBC and chemistry profile on him and checked his thyroid. The tests indicated that 2/3 of his kidney function had shut down and Dr. Roberts prescribed Pet Tinic and immediately changed his diet to Hill’s Prescription Diet Feline K/D chicken in the 5.5oz cans. Our cat ravenously consumed the first can of the new K/D and about 3-4 hours later vomited. Between 2/20/07 and 3/06/07, he continued to lose weight, became even more lethargic, and totally lost control of his bowel movements, which were comprised of diarrhea. He consumed large amounts of water and urinated the same.
On 3/6/07, we made the decision to euthanize our cat.
While we understand that your voluntary recall at this time, does not apply to Hill’s Prescription Diet products and is confined to several Science Diet products, we bring our situation to your attention due to the coincidental timing and symptoms surrounding the loss of our cat. We also understand that Menu Food makes Science Diet products with a wheat-based gluten while Prescription Diet products are made “in-house,” using a corn-based gluten.
Nevertheless, from reviewing the material surrounding the Menu Income Fund recall, it would not appear as though anything is definite in terms of the actual cause. We, therefore feel that it is reasonable to conclude that until further research is undertaken, many possible causes remain on the table along with the possibility that the Prescription Diet products we used may also be involved.
Finally, we would acknowledge the fact that many 15-year old cats are increasingly more prone to kidney or renal failure but reiterate that our cat was in the best of health, showed absolutely no signs of ill-health or otherwise and could be described as acting like a kitten up until late January.
We look forward to your comments.
Donald and Irene Mauch
296 Main Street
Norwell, MA 02061
(781) 659-9764
27 March 2007 at 12:49 pm
Don, Iowa State is the lab that is testing food. Link is at http://www.howl911.com But I’d hang on until the Cornell lab or whoever else is finished testing ingredients. While they could confirm that aminopterin was/wasn’t in the food you have, they’d be reinventing the wheel to look for other stuff.
Catmanager: Purina recalled Mighty Dog pouches of food, not because they were made at Menu Foods, but because they also had switched to a new supplier. This is the way it is supposed to work. When the Diamond recall happened, they tested every single bag of food in the factory BEFORE it was shipped out. But then they knew it was aflatoxin so that was easy. Obviously since they still don’t know exactly what is happening companies don’t want to say anything. My guess is they cannot absolutely refute contamination.
How not to do it:
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/16977666.htm
27 March 2007 at 1:23 pm
Thanks Cathy.
Just received an additional followup this morning from Hill’s and I have onve again responded accordingly. There really seems to be something up here.
_________________
From: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
Subject: Response to your e-mail we received today
Date: March 27, 2007 8:56:41 AM EDT
If your e-mail does not pertain to the voluntary recall, we will e-mail you within the next two weeks with a response. We do apologize for the delay in response.
Please do not respond to this e-mail, but rather send any additional questions through our website at HillsPet.com.
If your e-mail is in response to the Menu Foods recent recall, please read the following information. This does not affect any Hill’s® Prescription Diet product, and Hill’s® Science Diet® Canine dry, wet or treat product or any Hill’s® Science Diet® Feline dry product. This voluntary recall does not affect any product in Canada. The voluntary recall by Hill’s does involve five Hill’s® Science Diet® Feline products in the forms of “chunks and gravy.” No other Hill’s products besides the Savory Cuts “chunks and gravy” were manufactured with Menu Foods.
Menu Foods is not producing any foods for Hill’s at this time. The ingredient referred to in the Menu Food recall, aminopterin, is not registered for usage in the United States, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, does not use this product in it’s US facilities.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Announces Voluntary Participation in Menu Foods’ Nationwide U.S. recall of Specific Canned Cat Foods.
Topeka, KS (March 16, 2007) – In response to the recent Menu Foods, Inc. nationwide recall of wet pet foods, Hill’s® Pet Nutrition, Inc. has announced a voluntary precautionary recall in the United States of a very small number of canned cat products that are co-manufactured by Menu.
Hill’s is voluntarily recalling the following products:
1. Science Diet® Kitten Savory Cuts® Ocean Fish 3 oz. and 5.5 oz.
2. Science Diet® Feline Adult Savory Cuts® Beef 5.5 oz.
3. Science Diet® Feline Adult Savory Cuts® Chicken 5.5 oz.
4. Science Diet® Feline Adult Savory Cuts® Ocean Fish 5.5 oz.
5. Science Diet® Feline Senior Savory Cuts® Chicken 5.5 oz.
No other Hill’s products are affected by this recall. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., is taking this precautionary step to protect the health and well being of your pets. Hill’s has received no reported cases of illness. Consumers of other pet food brands manufactured by Menu Foods have reported a small number of cases of cats becoming ill with loss of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy which are potential signs of kidney failure.
This voluntary product recall involves discontinuation of all retail sales and product retrieval from consumers. Consumers should stop using the affected products immediately. Consult with a veterinarian if any symptoms are present in your pet. All Science Diet products carry a 100 percent guarantee, and consumers can receive a refund for recalled products. For more information, consumers can contact the company at 1-800-445-5777 or visit http://www.HillsPet.com for details.
Hill’s is recalling the following product codes. Product codes can be found at the bottom of the can. Only relevant code numbers have been listed (‘X’s indicate irrelevant numbers).
1. 1. BESTBEFORE 09 2008
M06XXXXXX 4414
2. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4416
3. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4415
4. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4601
5. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4603
6. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M25XXXXXX 4457
7. BESTBEFORE 08 2008
M28XXXXXX 4414
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., has informed the Food and Drug Administration. The company regrets any inconvenience to its consumers, retail customers and veterinarians.
_____________________
To: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
From: dmauch@verizon.net
Date: 3/27/07
Once again your canned response reflects your complete disregard for addressing my past and repeated inquiries. I shall reiterate them once more and hope that you will take the time to respond in a thoughtful and respectful manner. The fact that Hill’s continues to remain evasive and provide generally scripted rather than specific answers to my inquiries increasingly suggests that there are additional Hill’s products which may be involved including the Prescription Diet Feline c/d and k/d wet brands produced between 12/12/06 and 2/20/07.
Yesterday, in a telephone conversation with a Hill’s representative, I was assured that a “technical,” representative would be calling me back with regard to my inquiries. I trust that this will happen.
Here again are my previous inquiries:
1) We would like to know specifically if you have tested the following referenced lot numbers for toxins and if not, do you intend to? (Prescription Diet Feline c/d #T2030604 4400 and #T2030603 4400 with a “Best Before 05 2008 & Prescription Diet Feline k/d chicken #T0431650 9453 with a “Best Before 12 2008).
2) Were either of these two lots produced by Menu Foods?
3) Kindly let us know whether Hill’s intends to investigate the Prescription Diet products referenced above and if they already have, please provide us with the lab results.
I look forward to a more substantive response.
Sincerely,
Don Mauch
27 March 2007 at 6:52 pm
For anyone who may have had a similar experience as mine with respect to Hill’s Prescription Diet Feline c/d or k/d wet seafood or chicken 5.5 0z. cans purchased between Decemebr ‘06 and March ‘07, Mike Sweeney of the Winchester, MA office of the U. S. Food and Drug Administration suggests that you do the following:
The FDA intends to test ONLY those products on which they have received the most customer complaints and concerns as well as the recalled products. Thus, since they have not as of yet, had “enough” complaints about the Hill’s Prescription Diet Feline c/d or k/d, they do not presently intend on testing them. Given the fact that it certainly does not appear as though Hill’s intends to test them either, Mr. Sweeney suggested three necessary courses of action:
1) Call your local office (http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html) of the FDA and file a report. It is easy and straightforward. They have assigned report takers who have several scripted questions they will ask you.
2) Call Hill’s at 1-800-445-5777 and also file your report and ask them if they intend to test their Prescription Diet Feline wet brands.
3) Call your local vet and request that they contact your local FDA office and file a report on your behalf concerning Hill’s Prescription Diet products.
Otherwise I’m afraid that this product line will fall between the cracks and pet owners will continue to think they are playing it safe.
Don Mauch
27 March 2007 at 9:50 pm
Don,
I am so sorry about the loss of your cat. This has been so heartbreaking. This is maddening that we can’t get answers. I have called Hill’s in regard to the canine K/D wet twice. Each time receiving a different answer as to whether Menu manufactured for them. The first time I was told that yes Menu did manufacture K/D but in a different plant. The second time I called I was told no, they did not manufacture any of the other wet foods other than the ones on the recall list but did so in their own Hill’s plant. Interesting if you look up on a map how close the two plants are to each other in Kansas. Do they share the same ingredients?
I thought you might like to know what has been going on with my dog. I have had the same experiences with my dog which has one kidney. He has been on Prescription Diet K/D for two and a half years
Since January I like you, noticed a change in the canned wet food in appearance and smell. It was dry and flaky. Back in early Dec. I found the food to have black specks in it and I returned it to my vet. I was told they didn’t have any more K/D available because Hill’s had actually stopped manufacturing for a while in Dec. This was around Dec. 15 or so. So instead I bought and fed Purina NF to him until I was able to get the K/D again several weeks later. I buy in bulk 4 or 5 cases at a time and I do have all my receipts to refer back to as far as a time line.
I have repeatedly mentioned to my vet I was concerned about Hill’s foods (since January) way before the recall was issued. Both of my dogs were not doing well on it from January on. I have had both of them at the vet monthly or more since January for digestive upsets, breathing problems, urinary symptoms, flares of arthritis and other related issues. Only my male dog has kidney issues.
His one kidney was removed because of a deformity from birth. So he doesn’t have the acute case of kidney failure commonly found in animals normally on K/D. But to keep it healthy and reduce all risk the vet has prescribed he eat the kidney diet. His BUN and creatinine tests have been very normal up until yesterday.
He and my female have progressively gotten more ill since January. I also started feeding my male dog more this winter due to it being cold outside and he needing more calories because he seemed to be losing weight. So he started getting three cans instead of two cans a day. I removed my female dog off of the K/D in December since I was having trouble finding the K/D for the male. She started eating the J/D canned once it became available in January hoping it would help her arthritis. In January he was diagnosed with stomach inflammation which we did four more contrasting x-rays two weeks ago to try and figure out what was going on. He took Pecid and antibiotics, last week he had mucus in his stools which has now turned into diarrhea so he is back on antibiotics and more Pecid. He has had some loss of appetite as I have always left out the dry K/D for them to free feed in addition to the wet food I was feeding. (Which interesting to note both of the dogs have refused to eat much of the last bag I bought for some strange reason.) In January he vomited on occasion after eating, he had some urinary problems and has shown some signs of neurological symptoms. But had a normal BUN and creatinine in Febuary. I had full blood panels run on them both last Thursday. My male’s BUN was 10 and creatinine was 1.8. Female’s was also normal. But she was waking me up crying to go outside at 4AM every night she was eating J/D and also K/D the past month. Once I stopped feeding her the food she stopped crying to go out. I last fed K/D Friday night which was also the last time she woke me up crying. Her arthritis has disappeared after discontinuing the food. At one point, she could barely get up off her bed when eating the J/D (joint diet). Interesting to note that she seemed a bit ill along with my male Saturday night as both of their stomachs turned a deep pink or were flushed. She has seemed to recover at this point so far. But Saturday night my male’s gums became blood red from the normal pink color and he has refused to do much of anything since Sat. except lie around inside. Which this dog loves to be outside in the yard and has suddenly lost all interest in being outside. He also as of Saturday started filling up with fluid/bloating in his abdomen, frequently vomiting after eating and has had more trouble urinating and drinking more water. Yesterday I took him back to the vet (Monday)five days later, his BUN is 12 creatinine 2.1!! He is also running a temperature of 102.8 now and passing orange urine. His condition is rapidly declining as he is lying in the bedroom right now not wanting to do anything. His urine test seems to test ok but they are doing a direct abdominal withdrawal of urine tomorrow and culturing it along with another ultrasound of his internal organs. Maybe this is all just a weird fluke?
I have noticed that all the cat formulas and also the K/D dog formula have “rice” in it. Could this also be a tainted ingredient? I hope this helps and please if you can give me anymore information I would appreciate it. My vet believes at this time it is not possibly food related but he also knows I have been increasingly concerned about the food. He has even mentioned that to me several times. I am so scared my dog is going to lose function of his last kidney. I am sick to my stomach over this and finally lost it today crying. I slept on the floor with this dog when he came back from having the first kidney removed. I can’t bare the thought of losing him at 5 1/2 years old. after all he has suffered.
If you would like to email me direct my email is cindysvision@adelphia.net
Hope this helps in your search for answers. As I don’t have a direct answer to give you what is going on with my dog I do have the symptoms that he is suffering.
Again, please accept my heart felt sympathy for your loss.
Kindest regards,
Cindy
28 March 2007 at 7:30 pm
Our four-year-old house cat was diagnosed with kidney failure on March 1st. 2007. It has not been exposed to anything environmental that would predispose it to such a desease, and the only food we have fed it has been Hill’s Prescription t/d (a dry chow). We took our cat off the food as a precaution, but it seemed a long-shot at the time that this could be a cause. Not so now. I called Hill’s twice (the first time they were unwilling to take a report) and I’ve also contacted the Southern California branch of the FDA. Blood tests and ultrasound confirmed kidney failure. Although it still may be due to a congenital cause, I have plenty of the food left, and would like to know one way or the other. Unfortunately, the prescription diet is not a big seller, so I too fear that my complaint may just fall between the cracks. It should not take many consumers to form a statistically significant complaint that would warrant an investigation. I read on another forum from a lady in Houston that fed her cats a Hill’s prescription diet in February, namely Prescription c/d; three out of her four cats subsequently fell ill. My cat is responding to the subcutaneous therapy, but the damage is irreversible and the prognosis is grim. Disappointingly, our vet did not even call us regarding the recall, even though we spent over $1,200 on the diagnosis and treatment just one week prior to the recall announcement.
Tom
28 March 2007 at 7:45 pm
Tom,
I would not at all be opposed to filing a motion to compel Hill’s to test their Prescription Diet brands. But at this point they’re obviously playing a delay game by burying their heads in the sand and by the time such a motion made it through the court system with all of the expected appeals from Hill’s, the damage will have been done.
I find that my vet is very much in a defensive mode due to their close vendor/manufacturer relationship with Hill’s so they are not going out of their way tp be facilitative.
I do think that when all is said and done, the inevitable will be a severe loss of market share for the manufacturer’s who have turned a deaf ear to their long time loyal customers – Hill’s being the first!
Don
28 March 2007 at 7:47 pm
[...] fact that they were involved in the recall and also what we’ve learned from a website called Vetcetera. Long ago, when my human worked for a veterinarian she believed in Hills. As a kitten that [...]
28 March 2007 at 8:32 pm
[...] the most important thing when a disaster strikes. I have been reading a blog that discusses the response of Hills to the recall. Everything about the response is completely impersonal and out of touch of the [...]
30 March 2007 at 3:22 pm
UPDATE ON HILL’S:
Slowly but surely, Hill’s is finally joining with its competitors in revealing more details about their “co-manufacturing” relationships with Menu Foods and others. Their careful choice of words is understandable considering their overriding desire to protect a multi-billion dollar industry.
Here is Hill’s latest attempt to prepare their customers for what will surely result in a full admission that some if not all of their Prescription Diet wet products have been “co-manufactured” with Menu Foods:
__________________
From: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
Subject: Response to your e-mail we received today
Date: March 29, 2007 2:53:53 PM EDT
“In light of the recent recall by Menu Foods, you may have questions regarding Hill’s involvement with co-manufacturers. Our use of co-manufacturers is extremely limited to produce smaller volume, niche products or to manage capacity. In these limited cases, we will contract with co-manufacturers who specialize in this type of production. For our limited co-manufacturing, the formulations are specific and proprietary to Hill’s, and are not duplicated by other brands that may also have products manufactured by the same co-manufacturer.”
“In our own plants, we adhere to tightly structured, high quality control process and audit standards. Before any co-manufacturer is allowed to produce for the Hill’s name, they must demonstrate that their manufacturing processes meet our high standards in terms of quality and control. Hill’s involvement in the Menu recall is extremely limited involving less
than one half of one percent of Hill’s total product line.”
__________________________________
Does Hiil’s use of the terms, “smaller volume, niche products” refer to their off-the-shelf Science Diet brands or could they refer to their Prescription Diet brands with restricted sales channels through vets and hospitals?
Is Hill’s proud of saying, “less than one half of one percent of Hill’s total product line,” is involved? Have they computed the number of dead and sick pets this equates to?
It is obvious that Hill’s legal department is in full damage control mode at ths point and yet, I think it is safe to draw a number of conclusions. YES! Prescription Diet wet products such as Feline c/d and k/d have in fact been co-manufactured by Menu Foods and YES, we will discover that they should have been recalled at the same time Hill’s Science Diet products were recalled.
For now, I sent Hill’s the following response to their latest drivel by reiterating the same questions that I have been asking them for several days now:
____________
To: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
From: dmauch@verizon.net
Date: 3/29/07
Thank you for your latest response to my email. You stated in your response the following:
“In light of the recent recall by Menu Foods, you may have questions regarding Hill’s involvement with co-manufacturers. Our use of co-manufacturers is extremely limited to produce smaller volume, niche products or to manage capacity. In these limited cases, we will contract with co-manufacturers who specialize in this type of production. For our limited co-manufacturing, the formulations are specific and proprietary to Hill’s, and are not duplicated by other brands that may also have products manufactured by the same co-manufacturer. In our own plants, we adhere to tightly structured, high quality control process and audit standards. Before any co-manufacturer is allowed to produce for the Hill’s name, they must demonstrate that their manufacturing processes meet our high standards in terms of quality and control.
Here are my follow-up questions:
Were any of the Prescription Diet (“smaller volume, niche foods”) Feline c/d (#T2030604 4400) or k/d (#T0431650 9453) wet 5.5 oz. cans of seafood or chicken with “Best By dates of 5/2008 and 12/08 respectively co-manufactured with Menu Foods?
If yes, does Hill’s intend to perform toxicolgy testing on any Prescription Diet brands co-manufactured with Menu Foods?
Thank you for your assistance.
30 March 2007 at 6:05 pm
March 31, 2007
Directors
c/o Office of the General Counsel
Colgate-Palmolive Company
300 Park Avenue
11th Floor
New York, NY 10022-7499
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As a long time and loyal customer of Hill’s Pet Nutrition products, I am wondering if your Board would be willing to intervene with respect to the following matter. Without going into all of the details of the loss of our family pet, my repeated requests for some very simple information have been met with little more than evasive, vague, and indifferent responses on the part of Hill’s. Promised calls from Hill’s “technical,” representatives have never materialized. After several days of my repeated requests, only yesterday did I finally receive word that Hill’s does in fact “co-manufacture,” some of its products on an “extremely limited,” basis with respect to its “smaller volume, niche products.”
I have been attempting to ascertain as to whether or not these “co-manufactured, smaller volume, niche products,” included at any time, any of Hill’s Prescription Diet Feline c/d or k/d wet products? I have provided Hill’s with specific dates and lot numbers as well as offered to send them the 5.5 oz. cans should they desire to test them for toxins. I simply cannot understand Hill’s refusal to provide me with a simple “yes,” or “no,” answer.
Kindly refer to my most recent response to Hill’s email below in which I pose the same questions I have been asking now for the last several days. Your assistance would be most appreciated as I am sure that you believe that the concept of “loyalty,” works both ways. Not only does “loyalty” drive market share, it preserves it during tough times.
Sincerely,
Don Mauch
dmauch@veriizon.net
From: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
Subject: Response to your e-mail we received today
Date: March 29, 2007 2:53:53 PM EDT
I apologize for the delay in responding to your e-mail. We understand the concern the recent recall has been for you and your family.
In light of the recent recall by Menu Foods, you may have questions regarding Hill’s involvement with co-manufacturers. Our use of co-manufacturers is extremely limited to produce smaller volume, niche products or to manage capacity. In these limited cases, we will contract with co-manufacturers who specialize in this type of production. For our limited co-manufacturing, the formulations are specific and proprietary to Hill’s, and are not duplicated by other brands that may also have products manufactured by the same co-manufacturer
In our own plants, we adhere to tightly structured, high quality control process and audit standards. Before any co-manufacturer is allowed to produce for the Hill’s name, they must demonstrate that their manufacturing processes meet our high standards in terms of quality and control. Hill’s involvement in the Menu recall is extremely limited involving less than one half of one percent of Hill’s total product line. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., has informed the Food and Drug Administration.
The company regrets any inconvenience to its consumers, retail customers and veterinarianI apologize for the delay in responding to your e-mail. We understand the concern the recent recall has been for you and your family.
____________________
To: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
From: dmauch@verizon.net
Date: 3/29/07
Thank you for your latest response to my email. You stated in your response the following:
“In light of the recent recall by Menu Foods, you may have questions regarding Hill’s involvement with co-manufacturers. Our use of co-manufacturers is extremely limited to produce smaller volume, niche products or to manage capacity. In these limited cases, we will contract with co-manufacturers who specialize in this type of production. For our limited co-manufacturing, the formulations are specific and proprietary to Hill’s, and are not duplicated by other brands that may also have products manufactured by the same co-manufacturer. In our own plants, we adhere to tightly structured, high quality control process and audit standards. Before any co-manufacturer is allowed to produce for the Hill’s name, they must demonstrate that their manufacturing processes meet our high standards in terms of quality and control.
Here are my follow-up questions:
Were any of the Prescription Diet (“smaller volume, niche foods”) Feline c/d (#T2030604 4400) or k/d (#T0431650 9453) wet 5.5 oz. cans of seafood or chicken with “Best By dates of 5/2008 and 12/08 respectively co-manufactured with Menu Foods?
If yes, does Hill’s intend to perform toxicolgy testing on any Prescription Diet brands co-manufactured with Menu Foods?
Thank you for your assistance.
Don Mauch
31 March 2007 at 4:28 am
HI
I too emailed Hills about one and a half months ago. And also recieved a form email from them. My concern was for the Hill’s c/d diet dry food in canada. We have three cats (had three cats) 2 both ate hills and one eats whiskas. The two cats (both indoor cats) died in december suddenly one week apart. We asked the vet what the chance were they had food poisoning, since we bought the food from the same vet, they said they had heard of no recalls at that time.
I am still looking for answers about the Hill’s c/d.
31 March 2007 at 11:00 am
Lynn,
We would combine the wet c/d with the dry c/d as suggested by our vet. The last case and bag we bought from our vet was on 12/12/06. When we discovered that 2/3 of his kidneys had failed on 2/20/07, our vet switched hime to a combination of wet and dry k/d. He deteriorated rapidly and we euthanized him on 3/6/07. Prior to December/January, he was in excellent health.
Now that Hill’s has finally admitted that their Prescription Diet dry m/d was made by Menu Foods, after admantly denying since the beginning of the recall that the P.D. brands were involved in any way, I suspect that it is only a matter of time before they extend the recall.
If melamine in the wheat gluten from China is the primary culprit, then Menu Foods must have been substituting the corn gluten with the wheat gluten in their c/d and k/d in either or both their wet and dry products – because I know that the combination of both was responsible for poisoning my cat.
Of course, such an admission on the part of Hill’s would open up a real can of worms for them which is precisely why they have refused to answer my simple questions.
I believe they are well aware that product substitutions routinely took place during the co-manufacturing process with Menu Foods. In other words, we, the pet owners were not always getting the ingredients that they claim we were.
Don
31 March 2007 at 5:16 pm
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES…!
_____________
From: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
Subject: Response to your e-mail we received today
Date: March 29, 2007 2:53:53 PM EDT
“If your e-mail is in response to the Menu Foods recent recall, please read the following information. This does not affect any Hill’s® Prescription Diet product, and Hill’s® Science Diet® Canine product or any Hill’s® Science Diet® Feline dry product.”
_________________
Topeka, KS (March 30, 2007) –
“In accordance with its over-riding commitment to pet health and well-being, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food from the market.”
_________________
It’s scary!
Don Mauch
31 March 2007 at 9:03 pm
Take a close look at Hill’s annoucement on 3/27 to the public and their 3/29 (two days afterwards) email to me.
This is simply further proof that they are knowingly lying to the pet owners.
Don Mauch
_____________
Topeka, Kansas (March 27, 2007)
“Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food from the market.”
_____________
From: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
Subject: Response to your e-mail we received today
Date: March 29, 2007 2:53:53 PM EDT
“This does not affect any Hill’s® Prescription Diet product…”
____________
31 March 2007 at 9:11 pm
WHICH IS IT HILL’S – NONE OR ALL OF THE ABOVE???
From: Hill’sPetNutrition_Inc-CA@hillspet.com
Subject: Response to your e-mail we received today
Date: March 29, 2007 2:53:53 PM EDT
This does not affect any Hill’s® Prescription Diet product.
Topeka, KS (March 30, 2007) – In accordance with its over-riding commitment to pet health and well-being, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food from the market.
2 April 2007 at 2:43 pm
It is particularly troubling to read about the FDA’s, the major pet food manufacturer’s, and the investigator’s preoccupation or near obsession with “wheat gluten,” as being the primary toxin-containing host ingredient. As a result, it is allowing companies like Hill’s with the complicity of their vets and hospitals to avoid examining or recalling their so-called corn-gluten based products.
Ignoring the very likely and probable possibility that these companies and/or their co-manufacturing partners such as Menu Foods could have been routinely interchanging the two products without the FDA’s or each other’s knowledge, is contributing to the further illnesses and deaths of scores of cats and dogs.
The fact remains that there is irrefutable evidence from hundreds if not thousands of pet owners who have used Hill’s Prescription Diet, corn-gluten-based wet and dry products who have and continue to report a host of kidney failure symptoms and deaths identical to those experienced by pet owners who have used their wheat-gluten based Science Diet products.
It is time for the FDA, Hill’s, Menu Foods, and the rest of the manufacturer’s to come clean and broaden not only the scope of their investigations, but recall any and all products regardless of whether they CLAIM to be wheat or corn-based glutens, wet or dry, dog or cat, in which the suspected toxins were added within the three month timeframes suspected.
Let’s stop the exclusive obsession with tainted wheat gluten from the Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Company Ltd. and acknowledge the distinct possibility that the wheat and corn glutens could be one of the same. Certainly, the symptoms of renal failure and death have been in our dogs and cats!
16 April 2007 at 6:53 pm
My cat was recently prescribed wet and dry feline k/d in Feb as a precaution (early signs of kidney disease). She’s been very lethargic and not eating much at all. I checked the Hills sites a bunch of times during the recall. I’m glad I found this site. I’ll start her on a new diet ASAP. And recommendations for other foods for cats with kidney problems?
17 April 2007 at 12:03 am
Krystal, If you haven’t done so, please consult with your veterinarian about your kitty’s lethargy and inappetance and before stopping her prescribed kidney diet. Hill’s k/d is not part of the recall, and both symptoms you describe are seen regularly with kidney disease.
Other prescription diets are available for cats with kidney problems, including Royal Canin’s Renal LP. Changing to a nonprescription diet could be dangerous if it provides too much protein (which could further damage the kidneys), so please check with your vet.
19 May 2007 at 11:48 am
I was hoping this discussion would continue, as I personally have concerns about K/D products. Considering that this prescription diet is one of the most popular, can you imagine if they would have to come forward and admit the products being fed to already compromised animals may be tainted? I fear, as we know the recalls continue, that we are not being given the whole truth, and we are losing our precious pets because of information being withheld. How can we trust any one of these companies, and most of all how do we save our friends from the wrath of deceipt?
5 June 2007 at 10:32 pm
Has anyone noticed that Hill’s has changed the name and ingredients for the c/d dry feline? It is now called Multicare and has a different list of ingredients from the old c/d dry.
6 June 2007 at 9:25 pm
Don, I stumbled across your website and the thread about the Hills Science Diet KD with chicken and am horrified. My cat Chloe-Rose died of renal failure on May 12th and I believe it was due to Science Diet KD with chicken. Chloe had had renal failure for 5 years. I very rarely fed her Science Diet K/D with chicken and had given it ot her for months. April 30th I took her to the vet for a check up she had lost a lot of weight but was still eating and tests showed her numbers were stable. The vet recommended I switch her to K/D with chicken. After I fed her that she suddenly stopped eating and became extremely ill. The vet recommended an appetite stimlant. Did not work and took her back to the vet a week later as her condition had deteriorated alarmingly. She was in two days for IV Therapy and supportive care. I picked her up and she was so weak she could barely walk. I had her euthanized a day later on 5/12. I am now convinced it was the K/D with chicken that killed her. I still have some and will check the dates when I get home.
6 June 2007 at 9:27 pm
To clarify, I had NOT given her Science Diet KD with chicken for months. I switched her to it and had to have her euthantized 11 days later.
7 June 2007 at 12:22 am
all my cats 3 have been raised on hills, 7 years old now and have had plenty of health issues. Especially in January took my cat to the vet he was lethargic thirsty all the symptons of acute renal failure . He had been on adult light and then w/d for weightloss canned. His new diagnoses meant k/d prescription. He hardly liked this food
stayed thirsty just not the same I had to take my chances and get him off Hills including my other 2 cats. I put them on Wellnes Holistic canned and dry. I didn’t tell my vet, had his bun levels checked since they’re holding steady. And I have to say I have my over energetic bouncy little cat back , all three cats love this food , no more begging them to eat. All the replys I have read convince me the chance I took may have saved his life. I sincerly hope that this goes to a reader as a thought that there are alternatives for kidney diets that are more natural to a cats health. And like most of you I voiced my opinon about Science diet food long before the recall. The vet would have me believe it was gentics,maybe, maybe not.
god help this message get to you who may need it, New computor user , bought it to keep informed about recalls. Godbless
9 September 2007 at 1:04 pm
[...] terrific site now display this headline http://catmanager.wordpress.com/2007/03/27/mail-from-hills and give comments [...]
16 September 2007 at 3:06 pm
I have been closely following all info regarding Hills Science Diet Foods. In April 07 our 6yr Mini Schnauzer started to show signs of lethargy. We took her to the Vet as she had previously had surgery for bladder stones 2 yrs previous. We had always took urine samples to the vet, to check for blood in urine, she had remained clear. She had been on Hills Science Diet U/D for past 2 years.
On April 23 07 she started to vomit and also was visibly shaking. We took her to Vet on April 24th, Blood work showed high amalyse and high phospherous, she also had a temp of 102.
Vet started IV thought she was having pancreas problems, also was giving tagamet and pain medication, on April 25th vet said she was begining to turn around good, but on April 26th she started to go down hill, was not passing urine, Vet did x rays and ultra sound, which showed inflamed pancreas, but no other stones or any other possible signs of abcess or indications of what could be causing problem. On April 27th Vet called at apprx 9:20am, said she was having trouble breathing and was vomiting green bile and having diarrhea. At apprx 9:45am Vet called and said she was so sorry that she suddenly stopped breathing and died.
I truly feel there was some connection in her problems and the dog food, also in the previous 2 weeks she had suddenly lost 3 lbs. The vet was totally stumped, she could not understand why she went so fast, also the Vet Tech asked when we took her in if it was possible she had food poison, with out knowing of all the pet food recall, I was thinking in terms of her possible eating some other type of food that could have made her sick, we never gave her table food. She just went so fast and I have agonized ever since as to what caused her to die so quickly. I have read several posts of the same type of symtoms and death of other people’s pets on the internet since that time. I will never give another animal Hills again. We loved her so much, she was out Baby Girl, her name was JaeJae. The Vet tried so hard to save her, she was also very upset over Jae.
20 December 2007 at 7:48 am
My male cat must only eat cd because of a history of urine crystals,so I also feed the cd to my other two cats. Over the last few months my cats have lost alot of weight and do not look healthy..took them to the vet and had lab work done and an xray…did not really answer any questions. I deceided to try wellness cat food and all three cats are doing much better. No more Hills for my pets
9 February 2008 at 7:02 pm
Prime What Is a Blogg
Prime What Is a Blogg
Prime What Is a BloggIf your site has huge traffic and you want to monetize your blog, you must be prepared to set aside some space for your advertisers. If you are familiar with loan consolidation, negotiating settlements with cr…
20 June 2009 at 9:45 am
Thank for Nice post.