The FDA recalled several pet vitamin supplements. It started with United Pet Groups Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement tablets for Dogs, but has been expanded to include many more pet nutritional supplements for dogs and cats, all due to Salmonella bacteria contamination. The recalled products include various United Pet Group Pro-Pet and Excel branded pet vitamin supplements for dogs and cats, and certain other private label brands of the same pet vitamin supplements in tablet and powdered forms. The contaminated pet supplements are those with expiration dates that include and are between “01/2013” and “06/2013.”
Laboratory testing which apparently is not done until AFTER these pet vitamin supplements are already sitting on pet retail shelves revealed contamination with bacteria called Salmonella. Salmonella is a potentially fatal disease and affects pets and people. Signs of Salmonella infection in pets and people usually present with severe diarrhea and/or explosive bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and spread this disease to other animals and/or people. Pet owners who have touched these tainted pet vitamins can also become infected with Salmonella.
Salmonella can also result in fatality. Other problems Salmonella may cause include heart disease called endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract issues. Pet owners and/or dogs and cats that may have been exposed should contact their veterinarian or physician. Pet owners who have bought any of these contaminated pet vitamin supplements should stop feeding them and contact the pet vitamin manufacturer. Consumers may contact United Pet Group at 1-877-399-5226. Be sure to discard the tainted pet supplements, wash your hands well and practice good personal hygiene.
