Nestlé Purina Recalls Veterinary Diets OM Canned Cat Food Due to A Low Level of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Just when you think the pet food recalls couldn’t get any worse, they just did. This time it’s another company, Nestle-Purina, and another type of pet food.

Due to a consumer complaint, analysis by the FDA found a low-level of Vitamin B1 in the formula. Which goes to show you it does pay to report adverse events to the FDA. Luckily, this time the problem was easily found and hopefully caught in time before causing any more harm. Unfortunately, the product has been available through veterinarians for 11 months throughout the US and Canada before the discovery, making the likelihood of other cats being affected by a thiamine deficiency quite probable.

Thiamine deficiency is a very serious problem; should your cat develop any of the clinical signs, take them immediately to a veterinarian. Should you experience an adverse event with any pet food, always report it to the FDA and if you have a sample save it as they may wish to perform tests on it.

The press release follows:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 11, 2012 – Nestlé Purina PetCare (NPP) is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of its Purina Veterinary Diets® OM Overweight Management canned cat food, available through veterinarians in the U.S. and Canada. This precautionary measure is being taken in response to one consumer complaint received by FDA. Analytical testing of the product sample by FDA indicated a low-level of thiamine (Vitamin B1). Purina has received no other complaints of thiamine-related or any other health issues related to this product.

Only cans with the following “Best By” date and production code shown are included in this recall:

Purina Veterinary Diets® OM (Overweight Management) Feline Formula
5.5 oz. size can; Best by date: JUN 2013; Production code: 11721159 38100 – 13810

*Best By” Date and Production Code are found on the bottom of the can.

Cats fed this affected lot exclusively for several weeks may be at risk for developing a thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is essential for cats. Symptoms of deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, neurological signs can develop, which may include ventriflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, wobbly walking, falling, circling and seizures. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat is displaying any of these signs. If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency is typically reversible.

This product was distributed to veterinary clinics between June, 2011 and May, 2012 throughout the U.S. and Canada. The product is not sold in retail stores.

No additional Purina cat or dog products are involved in this voluntary recall. No other Purina Veterinary Diets® products are involved, and only Purina Veterinary Diets® OM canned cat food which match the “Best By” dates and production code above are included in this recall.

Consumers who have purchased Purina Veterinary Diets® OM canned cat food cans with these specific “Best By” Date and Production Codes should discontinue feeding the product, and discard it.

At Nestlé Purina PetCare, the safety and efficacy of our products are our top priority. We apologize for any inconvenience due to this recall. For further information or to obtain a product refund, please contact Nestlé Purina as follows:

U.S. Consumers & Veterinarians:
Call toll-free 1-800-982-8837 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time, or visit www.purinaveterinarydiets.com .

Canadian Consumers & Veterinarians:
Call toll-free 1-866-884-8387 Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, or visit www.purina.ca .

Please remember! Report any adverse events immediately to the FDA and if you feel your cat has been affected take them to the veterinarian immediately. A complete guide to reporting a pet food problem can found here on Poisoned Pets and here.