Recall — Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Select Krasdale Gravy Dry Dog Food 5lb Bags Voluntarily Recalled in Five States

Contact:  Renee Kopkowski (908) 850-7935

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — FRANKLIN, Tenn. — August 21, 2007 — Mars Petcare US, Inc. today announces a voluntary recall of select five pound bags of Krasdale Gravy dry dog food sold in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and

August 21, 2007

Wal-Mart: Melamine Traces in Dog Treats

By JON GAMBRELL   Associated Press Writer

Tests of two Chinese brands of dog treats sold at Wal-Mart stores found traces of melamine, a chemical agent that led to another massive pet food recall in March, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.Wal-Mart Stores Inc. quietly stopped selling Chicken Jerky Strips from Import-Pingyang Pet Product Co. and Chicken Jerky from Shanghai Bestro Trading in July, after customers said the products sickened their pets.No recall was announced at that time, but Wal-Mart said in a statement Tuesday that customers who bought one of the products should return it to the nearest store for a refund.Company spokeswoman Deisha Galberth said 17 sets of tests done on the products found melamine, a contaminant that’s a byproduct of several pesticides.“There were very small amounts of melamine found,” Galberth told The Associated Press. “The amounts were so small the laboratory recommended more testing.”Galberth had said late Monday that Wal-Mart pulled the products off store shelves based on the customer feedback but wanted to complete the testing before announcing anything publicly.More than 150 brands of pet food were recalled earlier this year after U.S. inspectors said wheat gluten from China that was used to make the food was tainted with melamine. An unknown number of dogs and cats died.Since then, other Chinese products including tires, toothpaste, seafood, juice, and toys decorated with lead paint have been recalled or have come under scrutiny.Galberth said she couldn’t say if the amount of melamine found in its dog treats would be enough to sicken or kill a dog that ate the suspect products.

The Delaware County (Pa.) Daily Times reported last week that a woman claimed her 2-year-old Chihuahua died after eating some of the products. According to the report, an autopsy found the dog died of an infection caused by toxic bacteria.Wal-Mart’s statement Tuesday said customers should be especially wary of jerky from Shanghai Bestro Trading with the UPC number 0087784900006 and item number 839751.The Food and Drug Administration did not list the two Wal-Mart products on its recall Web site Tuesday. As recently as 2005, the FDA blocked some pet treat imports from Pingyang Pet Product Co. because of contamination with salmonella.Galberth said she was not aware of the FDA’s previous concerns with Pingyang but said the company was working with the FDA and manufacturers. She said she did not immediately know where the Chinese companies were based.Bentonville-based Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, pulled the products from shelves July 26 and placed a computerized block on all cash registers to prevent workers from selling the products. Galberth said she did not know how many stores sold the treats.“Generally, we won’t do a pull-and-hold unless most stores are impacted,” she said. “There’s a high likelihood many of our stores would have been impacted by this one.”___On the Net:Wal-Mart Stores Inc.: http://www.walmartfacts.com

If you have a dog… read this and PLEASE send it on

Written by:
Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
Danville , Ohio

This week I had the first case in history of raisin toxicity ever seen at MedVet. My patient was a 56-pound, 5 yr old male neutered lab mix that ate half a canister of raisins sometime between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM on Tuesday.  He started with vomiting, diarrhea and shaking about 1AM on Wednesday but the owner didn’t call my emergency service until 7AM.

I had heard somewhere about raisins AND grapes causing acute Renal failure but hadn’t seen any formal paper on the subject. We had her bring the dog in immediately. In the meantime, I called the ER service at MedVet, and the doctor there was like me - had heard something about it, but….    Anyway, we contacted the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center and they said to give IV fluids at 1 times maintenance and watch the kidney values for the next 48-72 hours.

This is a very sad case - great dog, great owners who had no idea raisins could be a toxin. Please alert everyone you know who has a dog of this very serious risk.



Poison control said as few as 7 raisins or grapes could be toxic. Many people I know give their dogs grapes or raisins as treats including our ex-handler’s. Any exposure should give rise to immediate concern.

Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
Danville , Ohio

Even if you don’t have a dog, you might have friends who do. This is worth passing on to them.

Pet food Warning: Here we go again! 

There is a risk of botulism poisoning associated with the following pet foods;

Natural Balance Canned Eatables Dog Food produced by Castleberry’s Food Company of Augusta, GA.  They are: 

Irish Stew with Beef Dog Food 15 oz Code 23633-59860 

Chinese Take Out with Sauce with Vegetables and Chicken Dog Food 15 oz 

Code23633-59861   

Southern Style Dumplings with Gravy with Chicken and Vegetables Dog Food 15oz  

Code 23633-59862

Hobo Chili with Chicken Pasta Dog Food 15 oz Code  23633-59863  

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01670.html). 

Human illness associated with eating Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce has been recently documented.  

The incubation period can be hours to days but in most cases, symptoms appear after 12 to 24 hours. Botulism is characterized by progressive motor paralysis. Typical clinical signs may include;

• Muscle paralysis
• Difficulty breathing
• Chewing and swallowing
• Visual disturbances
• Generalized weakness
• Death usually results from paralysis of the respiratory or cardiac muscles.

Ferrets are highly susceptible to botulism toxin.  

Pet owners who have used these products and whose pets have these symptoms should contact their veterinarian immediately. 

While the previous recall and the known illnesses are linked to “best by” dates of April 30 to May 22, 2009, the firm has extended the recall to include all products listed irrespective of “best by” date. The firm is cooperating with FDA in the recall of these products and has ceased processing and distribution.  In addition, Castleberry’s is recalling other products containing meat.

The USDA is also warning the public not to eat certain brands of Castleberry’s products containing meat. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_033_2007_expanded/index.asp 

Consumers who have any of these products or any foods made with these products should throw them away immediately. Double bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home. Additional instructions for safe disposal can be found at www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm. 

Castleberry’s recommends consumers with any questions or concerns about this recall should go to Castleberry website (www.castleberrys.com) or call Castleberry consumer hotline at 1-800-203-4412 or 1-888-203-8446.  Consumers with questions can call FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD. 

1.        Klaffky, Nancy: Connecticut Veterinary Medical AssociationE-Mail- Mon, 30 Jul 2007 11:59 am