From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2007-07-24 00:58:52 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] More on the botulism recall
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, ferret-l@LISTSERV.FERRETMAILINGLIST.ORG
The lists of products have increased. For the LONG list of human=20
products, please go to the URL provided. The human reports vary=20
between saying 2 in hospital and 2 possibles, and 4 in hospitals in=20
the U.S.
The data on ferrets and botulism largely comes from 1981 and before,=20
and a hefty portion of that is from raw fed fur fitch (and to a=20
lesser extent other raw fed ferrets). Until learning about that I=20
had not realized that raw meats could be a source of botulism. The=20
reason I am including that note is because of the info on how=20
botulism presents in ferrets included in the FDA press release=20
below. (Among humans one usually things of improperly canned, low=20
acid foods.) High heat for long enough destroys it. See
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/botulism_g.htm
for that sort of info.
Here are some snippets from the latest press release to help people=20
here including dog foods because some use those for treats for=20
ferrets. The stars are mine to make sure you do not miss that section
>
> There have been no reported illnesses linked to Natural Balance=20
> canned pet food, but Castleberry=92s recommends that all these=20
> products should be discarded. While botulism can affect some pets,=20
> dogs and cats are inherently resistant. The disease has only been=20
> seen occasionally in dogs and has not been reported in cats.
******************************************
> Ferrets are highly susceptible to botulinum toxin. The incubation=20
> period can be two hours to two weeks; in most cases, the symptoms=20
> appear after 12 to 24 hours. Botulism is characterized by=20
> progressive motor paralysis. Typical clinical signs may include=20
> muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing,=20
> visual disturbances and generalized weakness may also occur. Death=20
> usually results from paralysis of the respiratory or cardiac=20
> muscles. Pet owners who have used these products and whose pets=20
> have these symptoms should contact their veterinarian immediately.
******************************************
>
> Consumers with any questions should visit Castleberry=92s Web site=20
> (www.castleberrys.com). A toll-free hotline is also available for=20
> consumer questions at 1-800-203-4412 or 1-888-203-8446.
> In addition, the following canned Natural Balance brand pet food=20
> products, which Castleberry=92s co-packs for Natural Balance, are=20
> being recalled. These include:
>
> Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Irish Stew With Beef, Potatoes &=20
> Carrots, 15 oz can (UPC 2363359860)
> Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Chinese Take Out With Sauce With=20
> Vegetables and Chicken, 15 oz can (UPC 2363359861)
> Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs HOBO Chili With Chicken & Pasta,=20
> 15 oz can (UPC 2363359863)
> Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Southern Style Dumplings With=20
> Chicken & Vegetables, 15 oz can (UPC 2363359862)
> Consumers should not use these products even if they do not look or=20
> smell spoiled. Consumers with these products should dispose of them=20
> by double bagging in plastic bags that are tightly closed before=20
> being placed in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside=20
> of the home, according to the Food and Drug Administration.=20
> Additional instructions for safe disposal can be found at=20
> www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm.
Notice that they increased the number of things covered including=20
adding many human products so it might pay to check carefully into=20
any Natural Balance food they make just to be safest. Better safer=20
than sorry.
For more info:
> http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html
> http://www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.html
Sukie (not a vet)
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/