Justine Lee

Check out breaking news updates at my blog!

Cat food problem (Updated 10/2/2009): Premium Edge Dry cat food - severe thiamine deficiency resulting in neurologic signs!
Beware! Premium Edge Dry cat food problem - there's a thiamine (vitamin B) deficiency, and it's resulting in neurologic signs in cats! Please spread the word!

ATTENTION ROCHESTER AND SURROUNDING AREA DVM's
I just received confirmation that the Premium Edge Cat food is deficient in thiamine (the level in the tested food was 1.5 ppm - should be >5 ppm). These cats should be supported in the hospital, if needed, on IV fluids and injections or oral supplementation of thiamine until their neurologic signs resolve and they are eating well. Please let me know if you have any cases - we are trying to compile a list for the company. Again the foods are Premium Edge Finicky Adult and Hairball with 0501 in the production code. Have the owners bring in the bags - we would like the product info to confirm the cases for reimbursement from the company.

We are currently seeing cats (13+) with acute neurologic signs that are due to a yet unidentified problem with PREMIUM EDGE CAT FOOD. The cats were all eating either the Finicky Adult Cat or Hairball formula. Best by dates on the 6 and 18lb bags range from October to December BUT all the sick cats were eating food with 0501 in the production code. Premium Edge is produced by Diamond Pet Foods. We are working closely with the company to figure out what is making these cats sick. We have also been in contact with toxocologists and nutritionists at Cornell.

Symptoms have included; decreased appetite prior to neurologic signs, vomiting, vestibular-like ataxia, dull mentation, a subtle positional ventral nystagmus, dilated pupils,decreased to absent PLR and menance, blindness, seizures, head & neck weakness with ventral flexion, postural rigidity, circling, increased respiratory rate, hypothermia. Overall labs have been unremarkable.

So far MOST of the cats have responded to supportive treatment with fluids and have slowly improved over 36-72 hours. As of this email, there have been no reported deaths directly related to the clinical signs. What we need from the veterinary community...PLEASE be on the lookout for any cats that fit this description. Treat supportively and give them time to recover. Have the owners bring in their bags for the product info and codes (this is critical for proving you have an affected cat). Save a sample of the food labeled in the freezer in case additional samples are needed. Please email me or contact me at Stone Ridge if you see a neuro cat that is eating Premium Edge food. The company has indicated they will financially cover these cases. I will be happy to assist in any way I can and can put you in contact with the company's VP and or DVM's if you have additional questions. Dr. Simon Kirk has see a large number of these cats as VSES as well and would be available if you have questions.( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , VSES 424-1277)

I will update everyone with testing results as they are made available.

My contact info:
Stone Ridge Veterinary Hospital
550 Center Place Drive
585-227-4990
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thank you - Susan Hubbard, DVM