Blue Buffalo recalls selected dry dog food products

Posted on Sat, Oct 9, 2010 : 9:41 p.m.

Blue Buffalo recalls selected dry dog food products

By Lorrie Shaw

The Blue Buffalo Co.Â has issued a voluntary recall of three of itsÂ dog food products that are distributed nationwide at pet stores, retail and wholesale outlets. According the company, disproportionate amounts of Vitamin D could have been added in the following products: Blue Wilderness Chicken, Basics Salmon and Large Breed Adult Chicken dry dog foods. In a letter to pet owners dated Oct. 8, company president Bill Bishop details the possible error.

The following code dates are being recalled (list by product, bag size, best used by dates):

BLUE Wilderness Chicken (Dog) 4.5 lb., 11 lb., 24lb. JUL1211B, JUL1311B, JUL2611Z, JUL2711Z, JUL2811Z

BLUE Basics Salmon (Dog) 11 lb., 24 lb. AUG2111B, AUG2211B

BLUE Large Breed Adult Chicken 30 lb. SEP 22 11 P, SEP 23 11 P, OCT 26 11 P

Consumers are asked to return unused product for a refund.

Photo by Flickr user mshades

To date, 36 dogs nationwide have been reported to have symptoms consistent with excessive Vitamin D in their systems while being fed these specific recipes.Â

Vitamin D is a useful nutrient to dogs, but excessive amounts of Vitamin D in canines can cause hypercalcemia, a serious, if not fatal, illness in dogs. Hypercalcemia is characterized by higher-than-normal water consumption, urination, upset stomach, reduced appetite and lethargy. If not treated the disease can progress, causing heart damage, renal (kidney) dysfunction and even coma and death.

If your pet has consumed any of these products and is exhibiting the aforementioned symptoms, contact the Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 and your veterinarian immediately.

The FDA has posted a press release on its website with further information.

Lorrie Shaw is a dog walker and owner of Professional Pet Sitting, and is a regular contributor to AnnArbor.com's pet section with her blog, More Than Four Walls, where she examines topics ranging from social issues, behavior and, of course, pet health and safety. Reach her via e-mail and follow her on Twitter @psa2