When owning a dog, the goal is to feed him the healthiest food to ensure that he lives a long and happy life. There are extreme instances when the food can make a dog ill and even cause death. Dog food is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ensure that the problem is stopped or prevented.
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Nutro Dog Food
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Nutro dog food claims to be derived from natural ingredients to help dogs suffering from skin problems such as itchy skin, scratching problems or shedding. This dog food also claims to enhance the life cycle of your dog. Nutro dog food offers three types, including Max, Natural Choice and Ultra.
Recall
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Nutro dog food was on the list of more than 150 brands of dog food recalled in 2007 because of melamine contamination, causing many animals to become ill and even die due to the vegetable proteins in products originating from China. Wheat gluten and rice protein were also contaminated and used as an ingredient in the dog food, according to the FDA.
Recent Complaints
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Many pet owners have recently complained about Nutro dog food making their dog ill. There have been complaints of vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and abdominal upset. The FDA continued to investigate Nutro pet foods after various complaints from consumers, while Nutro defended its dog food, insisting it is safe, according to consumeraffairs.com.
During the investigations, numerous veterinarians have been interviewed and stated that it is common for dogs to have sudden bouts of gastrointestinal problems. Dr. Steven Hanson with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals claims that there are no definitive findings that Nutro dog food caused these problems.
Seizures
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A seizure occurs when the brain malfunctions, sending out erratic electrical impulses to the body and causing uncontrolled movements in a dog, known as a convulsion or fit. During a seizure, the dog may experience a lack of awareness, excess salivation, urination, defecation, pacing and running in circles.
Causes of seizures include epilepsy, brain tumor, ingestion of toxins, trauma, hypoglycemia and distemper, according to dog-illnesses.com.
If a dog experiences a seizure more than once a month, he may need to be given an anticonvulsant medication for the remainder of the dog̵7;s life.
Effects
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While consumer complaints continue to claim that Nutro dog food caused seizures in their animals, there has been no evidence, as of 2010, that the dog food is the cause of the seizures.
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