Diamond Pet Foods of Meta, Mo., recently reported that 21 cases of thiamine deficiency in cats have been confirmed since the company’s September voluntary recall of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball products. The cases have been confined to the New York and Pennsylvania areas and no other reports have been received since Oct. 19, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company first announced the recall on Sept. 23, stating that the products were deficient in thiamine, an essential ingredient for cats, according to the FDA. Symptoms of deficiency can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. In the first stage, cats may show decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. Neurologic signs can develop later, including ventriflexion of the neck, wobbly walking, circling, falling and seizures. If left untreated, it may lead to death, according to the FDA. Cat owners are urged to contact their veterinarian if their pet has consumed the recalled product and have any of these symptoms. The affected products were distributed in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Samples taken by the FDA indicated that there were additional lots with insufficient levels of thiamine since the initial recall information was provided. The affected date codes include RAF0501A22X 18-lb. (BB28NOV10), RAF0501A2X 6-lb. (BB28NOV10), RAF0802B12X 18-lb. (BB30FEB11), RAH0501A22X 18-lb. (BB28NOV10), RAH0501A2X 6-lb. (BB28NOV10, BB30NOV10, BB08DEC10). Consumers who have purchased the affected lots are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For details, call 800-977-8797. No other complaints have been reported on any other product manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods, according to the FDA. <HOME> Related news: Diamond Recalls Some Premium Edge Cat Food in Eastern US
