Blue Buffalo Issues Voluntary Recall On Select Dog Food Products

Blue Buffalo Inc. has issued a voluntary recall on specific production runs of its Wilderness Chicken-Dog, Basics Salmon-Dog and Large Breed Adult Dog products due to higher than normal levels of vitamin D.

“We came to this conclusion after discovering that our supplier had made a scheduling error and produced a vitamin D supplement immediately prior to preparing the ingredients for the Blue products that are in question,” CEO Bill Bishop said today in a letter posted on the company’s website. “We believe that some of the vitamin D supplement may have been carried over into our products, resulting in more vitamin D than is called for in our formulas.”

Bishop noted that the potential of increased vitamin D presents no serious health risk. However, if a dog shows any adverse reaction to the recalled products, the dog should be seen by a veterinarian, he added. Typical symptoms might include excessive water intake and/or excessive urination, and in some cases vomiting.

Bishop said Blue Buffalo will reimburse any veterinary or testing expenses related to illness caused by the recalled products.

Michigan State University issued its own media statement today on the recall saying that veterinarians from across the country had recently begun sending samples from dogs with elevated levels of calcium in their blood to MSU’s Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health. The sick dogs had increased thirst and urination, and some of them also suffered weight loss, loss of appetite and signs of kidney damage, according to MSU.

Endocrinologists with the center noticed the pattern and found a common factor: all 16 dogs whose samples were tested had very high levels of vitamin D in their blood and were fed a diet of Blue Buffalo’s Wilderness Chicken Recipe.

“The only reason we were able to identify the pattern is because of the vast national resource our center has become,” said Carole Bolin, director of the diagnostic center. “Because of our nationwide reach and expertise, we were able to discover this and notify the proper authorities.”

The affected dogs ranged in age from 8 months to 8 years, according to MSU. There were three mixed-breed dogs and 13 purebred dogs. The samples originated from eight states: Michigan, Texas, Colorado, Wisconsin, California, Illinois, North Dakota and Utah.

In addition to the testing, there was either a brief written history and/or communication with the referring veterinarian to discuss the possible sources of excess vitamin D, according to MSU.

Bolin said that dogs seem to recover when the diet is changed and there have not been any reported deaths related to the diet.

For info on returning the product and reimbursement, call 877-523-9114.

10/8/2010 4:47 PM