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LETTER
Pet owners deserve the truth
16/04/2007 11:48  - (SA)  

  • Pet food scare: Public reassured
  • Dog food: Company warns owners
  • No clarity yet on pet food
  • SA cat food 'is fine'
  • SA faces pet food shock
  • Dog food scare 'now over'
  • Dear Editor,

    In response to "SA faces pet food shock", permit me to comment as follows.

    The doctor clearly lives under the misconception that pet owners in South Africa are a gullible and uninformed bunch of nitwits.

    While, as he claims "contamination appeared to be coincidental", surely the South African Veterinary Association cannot plead ignorance to the fact that a class action lawsuit has been instituted against Royal Canin Canada on March 20?

    The claim seeks compensation for all pet owners who have bought their dog or cat food since August 2004, which contained excessive amounts of Vitamin D causing severe illness and death (renal failure) in pets.

    The doctor confirms that pet food companies import their products in most instances. Accordingly, it would be his duty to investigate and confirm whether the 19 dogs that died from renal failure were fed and poisoned by a product imported from Royal Canin Canada.

    I also urge all vets to check their records dating back to August 2004 for an increase in renal failure in pets that have been fed Vets Choice. We, the pet owners deserve the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!

    Ingrid Blank,
    Merrivale

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    Disclaimer: News24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24.

     
     

     
         
      Maybe Table Scraps Are Better
    16/04/2007 12:57
    My dog has been living off pretty much anything for the past 17 years. He eats table scraps, chocolates, chips and drinks swimming pool water. And he's now 17 years old and still kicking. Out of the three dogs I have had, the two expensive ones 'Husky & Dalmation' which had to eat "special vet food" they all got sick and would die. So maybe table scraps and swimming pool water is the answer. - Dale
     
      Pet owners deserve the truth
    16/04/2007 13:57
    I would like to strongly urge Royal Canin/Vets Choice to be more forthcoming and open about this crisis. I have four Bouviers and a Jack Russel who are extremely well trained that have been in hospital since last Thurday night. Thanks to our brilliant veterinary service I four dogs back and one still very sick, with a bill rapidly approaching R 20 000.00. We however need to know the results ASAP as we need to still treat a very ill thouroughbred Bouvier and get him home!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Barrie Greenwood-Selby
     
      Pet owners
    16/04/2007 14:27
    Can these vet costs be claimed from the vet as he is the one selling this food? I personally have never felt that animal food made in South Africa and sold only at vet's is worth the price. - Annie
     
      Dogs are family!
    16/04/2007 14:29
    The uncertainty surrounding the safety of animals eating dog food bought from vets is very troubling. I had always imagined that vet- approved food would be the safest option and would provide the best nutrition; now I have this nagging feeling that my dogs may be in danger and I wonder whether some vets may not have a vested interest in supporting these manufacturers!!! It would be comforting to have immediate tests carried out on all brands of dog and cat food sold in SA...and SOON. - Heather Ellis
     
      quality of pet food
    16/04/2007 14:54
    The pet food industry started in the USA where food not good enough for human consumption where reparcelled as pet food. In the USA there is no law prohibiting road kill to be used in the making of pet food. At vetschools classes regarding nutrition are given by people from the pet food manufacturers. Many people have questioned the quality contol measures used by these companies but have always been ignored. Imagine the problems faced in South Africa!! Deon - Deon de Kock
     
      DO NOT FEED YOUR DOGS CHOCOLATE!!!
    16/04/2007 15:06
    The theobromine in chocolate makes it poisonous to dogs. Even though they might not die from it, they might have severe pain or indigestion, something you may not notice. - LM
     
      Hope - Feed RAW
    16/04/2007 15:12
    I am a RAW feeder and advocate the feeding of a species specific diet for our carnivore pets. I have a wealth of free information, articles and books written by world renowned Vets on the subject. I changed my 5 dogs over a couple of months ago and am in the process of converting my 4 cats. The changes in their health, condition and mental health have been phenomenal. Joni - Joni van der Westhuizen
     
      That is why I do not have a dog..
    16/04/2007 15:22
    Possibly because my kids will be mistaken for a dog, I do not have one and I will never have one. - No dog
     
         
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