If you feed your pup Purina, you might want to go check the bag of food before you give them another serving. Nestlé Purina PetCare just announced a voluntary recall of prescription dog food. The food may contain elevated levels of vitamin D, which can be detrimental to canine health.
Purina Recalls Dog Food
The Feb. 8 recall was prompted by two different dog parents, who contacted Purina to report confirmed cases of vitamin D toxicity in the pups. The dogs were on a diet of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental (PPVD EL), which is a prescription dry dog food.
“Once taken off the diet, each of these dogs recovered,” Purina said in a recall notice.
Vitamin D is as essential for dogs as it is for humans, but too much vitamin D can result in “vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination and excessive drooling to renal (kidney) dysfunction” in pups, according to Purina.
The potentially toxic food was available by prescription only in the U.S. The recall includes 8-pound and 20-pound bags with production codes 2249 1082, 2250 1082, 2276 1082, 2277 1082, 2290 1082, 2360 1082 and 2361 1082.
If you have a bag of dog food that fits those specifications, Purina says you should “throw it away in a container where no other animals, including wildlife, can get to it.”
You can also request a refund from Purina.
Signs of Vitamin D Toxicity in Dogs
If you were feeding your dog this food, keep an eye out for signs of Vitamin D toxicity, which includes vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination, excessive drool, and/or weight loss, according to the FDA. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.
“We apologize to pet owners and veterinarians for any concerns or inconvenience this situation has caused,” Purina said. “As pet experts and pet owners ourselves, the health and well-being of pets is our top priority.”
