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More deaths expected from tainted dog food FDA announced Friday it will investigate; 23 pets have died so far.

By JODY ROSELLE
Gannett News Service
December 31, 2005
Food alert

Avoid, or remove from sale, the following dog and cat foods made at Diamond Pet Food's facility in Gaston, S.C.:

Professional Chicken & Rice Senior Dog Food.
Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food.
Professional Adult Dog Food.
Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food.
Professional Puppy Food.
Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food.
Professional Adult Cat Food.

The Diamond or Professional pet food affected has a capital "G" as the 11th or 12th character of the date code, indicating it was made at the Gaston facility, and carries "Best By" dates from March 1, 2007, to June 11, 2007.

ITHACA - Ann Bliss continues to grieve for the five young cocker spaniels that recently died after eating some contaminated Diamond-brand dog food.

"I did have 12," said Bliss, owner of Hill Top Kennel in Marion, Wayne County. "I have lost five with two more still being treated."

Veterinarians fear that the grieving - and the casualty list - could grow, as pet owners who may not have heard the news continue to dish up tainted food for their animals.

"Some of these dogs were fed this food beyond the initial report on the news," said Sharon Center, a professor of internal medicine and liver specialist at Cornell University Veterinary College. "I suspect there are people still feeding this food."

Bliss was one of numerous consumers affected after she fed her animals a batch of the food contaminated with aflatoxin, a byproduct of the growth of Aspergillus flavus fungus on corn or sometimes rye grass.

Highly toxic, the fungus can cause cancer in the long term.

On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration confirmed that the contaminated dog food sold in 23 states - including New York and Pennsylvania - has killed nearly two dozen dogs and sickened 18 more.

Veronica Stanton Chicago, IL

More deaths expected from tainted dog food FDA announced Friday it will investigate; 23 pets have died so far.

By JODY ROSELLE
Gannett News Service
December 31, 2005
Food alert

Avoid, or remove from sale, the following dog and cat foods made at Diamond Pet Food's facility in Gaston, S.C.:

Professional Chicken & Rice Senior Dog Food.
Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food.
Professional Adult Dog Food.
Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food.
Professional Puppy Food.
Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food.
Professional Adult Cat Food.

The Diamond or Professional pet food affected has a capital "G" as the 11th or 12th character of the date code, indicating it was made at the Gaston facility, and carries "Best By" dates from March 1, 2007, to June 11, 2007.

ITHACA - Ann Bliss continues to grieve for the five young cocker spaniels that recently died after eating some contaminated Diamond-brand dog food.

"I did have 12," said Bliss, owner of Hill Top Kennel in Marion, Wayne County. "I have lost five with two more still being treated."

Veterinarians fear that the grieving - and the casualty list - could grow, as pet owners who may not have heard the news continue to dish up tainted food for their animals.

"Some of these dogs were fed this food beyond the initial report on the news," said Sharon Center, a professor of internal medicine and liver specialist at Cornell University Veterinary College. "I suspect there are people still feeding this food."

Bliss was one of numerous consumers affected after she fed her animals a batch of the food contaminated with aflatoxin, a byproduct of the growth of Aspergillus flavus fungus on corn or sometimes rye grass.

Highly toxic, the fungus can cause cancer in the long term.

On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration confirmed that the contaminated dog food sold in 23 states - including New York and Pennsylvania - has killed nearly two dozen dogs and sickened 18 more.

Chicago, IL

i am a single mother raising a teenage daughter. I do household domestic work for income. All medical expenses are out of pocket from Dr's visits, to testing and prescriptions like antibiotics antidepressants, and feminine needs. I want to show my daughter that we can achieve anything as long as we DO NO"T GIVE UP. So I am seeking further assistance wherever I can.

C. Freedom, Mesquite, TX

I am a single parent raising a teenager, and do domestic work in homes. It is difficult trying to share my daughter's life, keep an income, and manage medical bills. With everything coming out of my pocket from doctors visits to prescriptions from antibiotics, antidepressants, and medications for injuries, and feminine treatments. I work as hard as possible yet keep falling further behind. Yet as an example to my daughter I WILL NOT GIVE UP, so I am looking for additional assistance. In this day and age every little bit helps.

Cindy F., Mesquite, Texas

I have significant health issues with no prescription plan.

jen, pa