Purina Cat Food Recall Due to Thiamine Deficiency

Nestle Purina PetCare decided to voluntarily recall a lot of its Purina Veterinary Diets Overweight Management Feline Formula canned food.  The company decided to recall it after the FDA received a consumer complaint regarding the subnormal thiamine (B1) content in the food.  Thiamine is an important vitamin for felines.  Vitamin B1 helps a cat's body turn carbohydrates into energy and helps keep a feline's heart healthy.

The lot being recalled includes 5.5 ounce cans with the, "Best By," date of June 2013.  The cans contain the production code 11721159 and the UPC code 38100-13810.  You can find the production code and, "Best By," date on the bottom of the can.

Purina says that cats fed exclusively from this lot of food for a number of weeks may be at risk for a thiamine deficiency.  Symptoms of feline thiamine deficiency include loss of appetite, dilated pupils, salivation, weight loss, and vomiting.  In more severe cases of thiamine deficiency, cats may present with seizures, aggression, falling, loss of coordination, and wobbly walking.  Cats may also present with cervical ventroflexion, where a cat's neck is rigid, sits near the chest, and cannot be raised by the cat.

If your furry friend is displaying signs of vitamin B1 deficiency, please take him or her to the vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Sources:

CatChannel: Purina Recalls Vet Diet on Thiamine Deficiency

Cat World: Thiamine (Vitamin B1) Deficiency in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment