Peg, how is the darling Rufus this morning?

I am truly amazed the FDA reacted so quickly!  I had given up any hope about them until I saw this post!  In any event, would you mind posting exactly what dog biscuits had the problems you reported?  Other stores may still be selling them and it's always good to get the word out.  If you still have the lot code numbers and best by dates, that would also be a big help!  Rancid oils and molds can cause a ton of problems in our furkids and you can never be too careful any more. 

Does anyone have an update to the FDA problems at Evanger's that started in April?  Here's the FDA notice about the emergency operating permit they ordered on Evangers:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01825.html

I can't seem to find any updated info on this and whether the FDA ever lifted the ban.

My one big guy really likes the Aunt Jeni's raw rabbit the best and could eat it all the time.  I was concerned about his having so much rabbit, although we rotate 3 other flavors, because I've heard that raw rabbit is lower in taurine than other meats.  I also reviewed the guaranteed analysis posted on Aunt Jeni's site for the taurine in the rabbit, and it was within the recommended range but not by much.  The rabbit also contained the lowest amount of taurine when compared to the chicken, turkey or beef.

So I emailed customer service at Aunt Jeni's to ask if I should be supplementing the taurine or not, because there's no way I want to stop feeding the rabbit to my big guy.

I received a very responsive email from the Animal Scientist at Aunt Jeni's, who stated that they use heart meat which is a very good source of taurine, so I don't have to supplement any.

By the way, Aunt Jeni's also only uses rabbit from the US, and none from China!  This was a big plus for me in trying it in the first place.  The rabbit, as well as all of their meats, are hormone and antibiotic free, mostly grass fed.

I've read where about 70% of the fish consumed in the US is from China.  The FDA rejection list that's put out monthly shows a lot of fish from China being stopped from import because it's filthy; contains contaminants; pesticides; etc., yet only 1% or so of our imports are even checked.  But at least you can read the labels for the country of origin when buying fresh fish and I avoid all fish from China for these reasons.  It's really hard to find shrimp from anywhere except China and Vietnam where I am in California.

I've heard from several members at itchmo over the past couple of days that the new "clarifications" on the rules has PO'd all of them and several have stopped posting now and the others are barely visiting any more.  The mods at itchmo have the right to ban you if you criticize them now.  Geez already. that's rather drastic and extremely paranoid.  The rules at thecatsite.com (which itchmo copied) say if you disagree with a mod, here's two main mods that you have a right to complain to.  Not at itchmo, they left that part out.

Oh, poor dear Rufus.  So sorry to hear this Peg.  If it's bright red blood in his stool, it's more likely not cancer.  Black tarry stool can be a sign of cancer, but usually when you can see the red blood it's not.  If he's had diarrhea for a while, could just be an irritated colon.  How have you treated him in the past for the diarrhea?  I've had this problem and used Flagyl with some success. Is he eating okay and active?  What are the urine problems now, the frequency?  I'm sure Angel Vet will get a handle on this in no time.  Please try not to worry until you can see her.  Prayers and wishes for Rufus to get better real soon.

There's been a lot in the "news" lately about Purina Beneful dry food having maggots, here's The Consumerist's article:
http://consumerist.com/5052707/purina-isnt-bothered-by-dog-food-infested-with-fly-larvae-maggots

Are you saying you found maggots in the Pedigree food you have?  If so, can you please post the specific product name; the lot code; and the best by date so others can be alerted?

Have you notified the store you purchased it at?  Make sure you speak to a manager and file a written complaint.  Give them the same information I listed above so they can inspect those bags.

It sounds like you have already contacted Purina, and it doesn't surprise me they are in denial about any problems.

ETA:  If you can upload a photo of the food showing the maggots that would be great.  The only way to get the word around is through forums like this.

I also experienced feline hyperesthesia earlier this year with one of my cats.  We had just lost our two girls within about 30 days of each other, one was 20.5 years old and the other was 18.5 years old.  I think the stress of missing his two playmates was just too much for him, and for about 6 weeks on and off he had the typical symptoms of this condition.  It may have been an allergy to his food, but I think it was coincidental to the girls passing on.  After about six weeks it stopped and hasn't returned now for about 4 months.

At first I did think it was an allergy to his food, as we feed him a raw diet with different sources of chicken and it seemed like he had the symptoms appear when he ate the chicken as opposed to the turkey, hen or duck.  So it may have been the chicken raw food batch at the time.

So hard to determine what the cause is with this condition because food allergy and stress can both cause it.  He hasn't had it return for some time though so hopefully he's over it now!

I hope Kaffe will post some of her recommended home made diets here.

The posts that I see missing are from "Samantha" or JustMe from itchmo, one of the main moderators there.  She must have just deleted them because they were there yesterday.  Do you see others deleted? 

I saw the "clarification" on the forum rules posted the other day, and found it funny that they copied almost verbatim the forum rules from thecatsite.com.  Of course with their own weird twist on censorship.

Oh, what a darling picture of Kaffe and also my favorite!  Thank you for sharing him with us once again!

Thanks, Peg, Bonkers said she's tried the lamb and chicken for her kitties and they liked them.  I'm going to order this weekend!  

Thanks, Peg, I will definitely try them now with your recommendation.  Did you buy them online, and if so, where?  That's a great idea about the "crumbs", perfect to sprinkle over their wet food.

Thanks again, and I'll make sure we refrigerate it!