Cat Blogosphere

Artsy Catsy wrote: Only three days to go until the kick-off of Artsy Catsy’s Thanksgiving-thru-Christmas fundraiser for Care4Cats to help Cat Blogosphere kitties in need and for the Rescue Farm! You can meet some of the kitties and woofies whose lives were saved by the Rescue Farm today at Artsy Catsy.

Kashim & Othello wrote: Hi, Angus is not feeling well and his mum is worried. Please keep him in your purrayers to get well again. thanks & purrrs, K&O

Sammy and Miles wrote: Update: Angus is now in the hospital – please send some purrs to his mom Chrissie.

Today is Frodo’s Purrthday, go leave him’s a message. i’s gotted this info from tha *NEW* Tuxedo Gang Hideout, where they made him a furry nice graphik. Also, i haf a link to Momma Dinah’s two Tuxie kittens, Autumn (aka Hot Lips) and Bond (aka Mr. Moustache), who are looking for a home, preferably together… purrs, KC

Just in… $15 off $50 order for Family and Friends at Cafepress. Woo hoo!  Use code FRFAM2007 when checking out to get the discount. (Not good with other offers).  It’s good from 11/20 through 11/27.  So you can go to http://www.cafepress.com/catfriends and get a deal. Wheeeeee!

Pet ToothPaste Recall. For full details, visit: http://www.itchmo.com/recall-petedge-toothpaste-recall-3865
Fanks again Itchmo!  Yall are so wif it!

Skeeter commented on today’s post and it’s impawtant, so we’s copyin it heer -
WARNING: LC ate anoffer small pom-pom. It took her 3 days to hack it up (an we dint even know she had ate it until we saw it las night), so if there are any around you, maybe get rid of them… She hadda real hard time hacking it back up an it seems dangerous. Me anna The Big Thing was serious concerned for LC for the night.We haf spread a few of them aroun as prezzies, an I am worried about them now, so please collect and dispose of the little ones… The bigger ones are OK. It is just those little grape-size ones that are a tempation to SOME kitties.  (sigh) Skeeter

ACK! We missed gettin the word out about a Cat Product Recall!!!

Hartz Vitamin Care has a recall as of 11/2/07! 
More details at Itchmo here. They never miss it.   Fanks Itchmo!!! 

Full story:
http://www.itchmo.com/read/new-recall-ol-roy-dog-product-recalled-due-to-salmonella_20070606

Doane Pet Care is recalling a specific single lot of 55 pound bonus bags of Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition dry dog food. This product was produced at one facility in Manassas, VA and was distributed exclusively by some Wal-Mart Stores. The press release states:

This product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. People handling this pet food can become exposed to Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with this pet food or any surfaces exposed to this product. Consumers who have the dry dog food bearing the code "04 0735 1" with a "Best By Apr 13 08" should not feed it to their pets. This voluntary recall has been issued because FDA detected Salmonella in the product. Doane Pet Care has not confirmed the presence of Salmonella, despite extensive independent testing of duplicate samples. Nonetheless, the company is issuing this voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution.

This product was distributed in 69 Wal-Mart stores in Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

 Subscribe to Itchmo Alerts: www.itchmo.com/alerts

Rocky wrote: OH NO! NOW ACETAMINOPHEN (Tylenol) HAS BEEN FOUND IN PET FOOD!
The FDA is investigating a Texas laboratory’s finding of acetaminophen in dog and cat food … the highest level found is eight times what a 10-pound cat could safely consume!

"The pain medication is the fifth contaminant found in pet foods during the past 2-1/2 months and can be toxic or lethal to pets, especially cats."

[FIVE? We knew about melamine and cyanuric acid, but what are the other three??]

At least five dog and cat food samples tested contained acetaminophen, and these five were NOT among the 150+ brands recalled since March.

The highest level of acetaminophen was found in a dog food sample submitted by a manufacturer, who got the results well over a month ago and was supposed to notify the FDA, but they DIDN’T DO IT! You can read the full story here.
 

Head’s up kitties! We have noo cat food recalls and dawg and ferret foods, a’cause of the pawsibility of cross-contaminashun.

• Lick Your Chops dry kitten food
• Evolve dry kitten food

UPDATE: More recalls are expekted tooday haf come in.   Keep an eye here or on Itchmo.com for any more that come thru tooday. 

• DOCTORS FOSTER & SMITH LAMB & BROWN RICE FORMULA ADULT DOG FOOD
• SHOP RITE REDI-MIXT DOG FOOD FOR DOGS
• LICK YOUR CHOPS KITTEN & CAT FOOD (Updated heer to haf correkt name)
• SHEP chunk style dog food
• 8 in 1 Ferret ULTRA-BLEND ADVANCED NUTRITION DIET
• Bulk Lamb & Brown Rice Formula Dog Food, Date Code: Feb 09, 08, sold to one consignee SmartPak
• Health Diet Cat Food Chicken & Rice Dinner (Can yoo say not so healthy???)

And cuz this is all deepressin, let’s say somefin cheery too. Reemember what KC announced…

GRRRRRReat Noos, Effurrycat: The 165th Carnival of the Cats is being held HERE, The Cat Blogosphere, this SUNDAY! Me n KC are sooper excited. 

Recall by Royal Canin due to trace amounts of a melamine derivative identified in limited number of products:

From Itchmo -  UPDATE: Since issuing the release, RC updated the date codes involved. The new info is: “products with Best By date codes between July 28, 2007 to April 30, 2008 are being voluntarily recalled.”

Sanjee’s comment: &*())(*&^%$, they can’t even get their recall info rite at Royal Canin!!!

ST. CHARLES, Mo., May 11 /PRNewswire/ — Royal Canin USA is announcing today the voluntary nationwide recall of eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products and seven Kasco dry dog and cat food products.

This announcement is based on the company’s ongoing extensive review of its manufacturing and quality assurance testing procedures, which identified trace amounts of a melamine derivative from tainted Chinese rice protein concentrate provided to the company by domestic ingredient supplier Cereal Byproducts, headquartered in Illinois.

“We deeply regret the concern and anxiety this announcement today will cause our loyal customers and the entire pet community,” Olivier Amice, President and CEO of Royal Canin USA, said. “While a very limited number of Sensible Choice and Kasco products in this recall tested positive for trace levels of a melamine derivative, Royal Canin USA is voluntarily withdrawing these products out of an abundance of caution and because we are fully committed to the welfare of our customers’ pets.”

Royal Canin USA has no confirmed cases of melamine related illness inpets eating Sensible Choice and Kasco products affected by this recall. Last month, Royal Canin USA announced it will no longer use any Chinese vegetable protein suppliers.

The following eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products and seven Kasco dry dog and cat food products with date codes between July 28, 2006 to April 30, 2007 are being voluntarily recalled:

SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) (available in pet specialty stores nationwide)
   – SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) Chicken and Rice Adult (Dry Dog Food)
   – SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) Chicken and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
   – SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) Lamb and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
   – SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) Chicken and Rice Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
   – SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) Chicken and Rice Large Breed Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
   – SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) NATURAL BLEND Adult (Dry Dog Food)
   – SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) NATURAL BLEND Senior (Dry Dog Food)
   – SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) NATURAL BLEND Puppy (Dry Dog Food)

   KASCO(R) (available in pet specialty stores nationwide)
   – KASCO(R) Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
   – KASCO(R) Hi Energy (Dry Dog Food)
   – KASCO(R) Maintenance (Dry Dog Food)
   – KASCO(R) Mealettes (Dry Dog Food)
   – KASCO(R) Mini Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
   – KASCO(R) Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
   – KASCO(R) Cat (Dry Cat Food)

Based on today’s announcement, pet owners should stop feeding their pets the eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products, seven Kasco dry dog and dry cat food products listed. Pet owners should consult with a veterinarian if they are concerned about the health of their pet.

The safety and nutritional quality of Royal Canin USA pet food is our company’s top priority because we understand that the health of pets comes first. Pet owners who have questions about the voluntary recall of Sensible Choice and Kasco dry pet food products and other Royal Canin USA products should call 1-800-513-0041 or visit our web site at http://www.royalcanin.us.

All Sensible Choice and Kasco products have a satisfaction guarantee and the company will refund or replace the diets that are part of this recall announcement.

See the Royal Canin website for more information.

Sad Noos:

Rest In Peace, Sweet TeaCup

Pleeze leaf condolences on him’s bloggie, Bad Kitty Cats. [fanks to Grr, Midnight & Cocoa fur letting all of us know.]

One aukshun fur TeaCup haf ended. Lilly Lu aukshuned hers famous pink dot bandanny and tha winner is Tara, Princess Meezer. Con-cat-ulashuns!

Don’t furr-get, u’s can still get a Squiggle Worm, just click here fur dee-tails. 

Cat Happy emailed a new alert from Itchmo.com: Fish Fed Melamine-Tainted Feed, Rice Protein Actually Wheat Gluten. An anufer alert from Itchmo: FDA warns staff of melamine cancer risk

George wrote: George from The Crew has a question about shared responsibility for all cats living in 2 parent families and would appreciate your answer.

Still confused about how all this pet food recall happened? The Pet Connection suggests this article for info. We fink it goes ofur the major points.

Latte wrote: Hi everyone!  I know the wedding is later but I need your purrs right now.  I had a bad scare this morning and had to go to the vet because they thought my tail was broken.

Drs. Fosters and Smith Recall Expanded – May 4th, 2007
Due to possible cross contamination with other foods, Drs. Fosters and Smith is recalling three additional formulas: (2 dry for dogs, 1 wet for cats)
    * Drs. Foster & Smith Dry Adult Dog Food Lamb & Brown Rice FormulaTM
      6lb (#12965), 15lb (#12966)
      with a "BEST BY" date of FEB 09 09
    * Drs. Foster & Smith Dry Adult Dog Food Lamb & Brown Rice FormulaTM
      6lb (#12965), 15lb (#12966), 30lb (#12967),
      30lb Case Pack 2-bag (#13870), 30lb Case Pack 4-bag (#13871)
      with a "BEST BY" date of FEB 26 09
    * #27046-CKN Country Classic DinnersT – Chicken Stew (canned cat food)

For all the latest news, go to: www.itchmo.com

RIP REDFORD. Sad noos from SJ Reidhead (The Pink Flamingo): Redford died yesterday morning. He was suffering from a rare birth defect.  As sad as that is, at least it was not pet food poisoning that could be effecting everyone in the family, nor an something that could infect everyone else.

WEDDING TOMORROW: Latte wrote: I wanted to remind everyone that tomorrow Cheysuli and I will be getting married and every cat is invited! The ceremony will be held at 4pm EDT and will be reported on our blogs. The reception will be from 5pm EDT- ???. There will be a chatzy room set up and you can find all the info about logging in by checking either my blog or Chey’s blog tomorrow.  Please stop in if you can because every cat and their friends are welcome! 

Magoo, Bella, Dolce and Baci commented: We should see if Jody will let us have an auction to name the Momma and the kittens. I say we start the bidding at $10.00 per kitten. So if you want to bid you have to pick which kitten you want to name or the Momma,the name and your bid.

• White and black short hair female?
• Striking tabby male?
• Striking dark striped tabby male?
• Black tux female?
• Brown tabby female?
• Momma Cat?

To show that I mean business: Striking dark striped tabby male = Scooter McTabby $20.00

What does effurybody fink? Wanna auction ta name Jody’s new fambly? Let us knows ‘n i’ll makes a speshul post fur it.

Yao-Lin wrote: THIS is what every cat should do when their human’s go away!

SJ Reidhead wrote: Report on Redford isn’t good. The lab reports are in. When I called earlier today, Jerry was afraid we were dealing with cat food liver failure.  Yep, after losing Georgie to liver failure I don’t mind admitting I panicked.  Add to it the loss of Brunhilda and we did not have a good day. Read the full report here. And stop by an leaf a comment, purr or purr-rayer fur Redford.

Tipper wrote: Tipper and Max from The Crew are inviting everyone over on Sunday, May 6 to have chicken and ice cream to celebrate their purrthdays

Itchmo Safety Alert: ASPCA says avoid all non-US protein supplements
[Click to view recall news or recalled foods]

This is the most sweeping safety recommendation on the pet food recalls issued by the ASPCA. ASPCA Says: Avoid All Non-US Protein Supplements. "Crisis Not Over"! This is the headline of their press release: "As Pet Food Recall Expands, ASPCA Warns Crisis Not Over: More Cases May Be Seen." Many of you have already called manufacturers, and a recommendation from the ASPCA the same.  "We are strongly recommending that pet parents immediately investigate, via their pet food manufacturer’s Web site or by calling them directly, where the ingredients—specifically protein supplements—are sourced from." Given the current situation and until this crisis is resolved, the ASPCA is recommending pets be fed products containing U. S.-sourced protein supplements only. They also recommend that your pet sees a vet if any recalled food was consumed, not wait until they show symptoms. And extend fluid treatments if the pet is found sick.

Mom Robyn did a new page on "What to Feed the Kitties" fur us ta use. Fanks, Mom Robyn.

UPDATE ON SMARTPAK PET FOOD RECALLS 5/4: On May 2, SmartPak recalled all orders of LiveSmart Adult Lamb and Brown Rice. This product tested positive for presence of melamine in a test received on May 2. After their first recall of LiveSmart Weight Management Chicken and Brown Rice, SmartPak sent all of their other dog food for testing, and Adult Lamb and Brown Rice came back with positive results. SmartPak is saying that this is odd because this particular dog food doesn’t contain any rice protein concentrate, wheat gluten or any of the other ingredients that are on FDA’s import watch list. They are saying it may be cross-contamination.