The veterinarians at Bluestar Pet Hospital & Grooming in St. Johns and Jacksonville, FL, have developed a particular interest in nutritional consulting. We appreciate that proper nutrition, which evolves with your pet’s needs, is an integral part of their sustained health and well-being. We are proud to be an authority that you can trust for the latest, credible information on everything from animal companion dietary “trends” to announcements issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) related to recalled pet food products. The correct information is empowering and can be applied to protect your pet from health threats and keep your dog or cat tail-wagging or purring best.
Should you be worried about pet food recalls?
When the pet food manufacturer announces a recall or another safety alert, the FDA posts it as a service to the public. You can find these announcements on the FDA.Gov website. And you can search the recalls and alerts notices by product type (filter by “animal and veterinary”). We also urge you to contact us with any concerns or questions that you may have about your pet’s food.
As an example of a recall encompassing several labels, this spring, Indiana-based Midwestern Pet Foods issued a recall of some dog and cat foods marketed under brands that included Earthborn Holistic, CanineX, Venture, Unrefined, Sportsmix Wholesomes, and Pro Pac. You can search for specific recalled products, all of which had the expiration year of 2022 (and months ranging from April to September). These and other pet food recalls have occurred due to the risk that the animals who consume these products will develop dangerous or life-threatening foodborne illnesses. In this particular case, the products were thought to be contaminated with Salmonella. A common disease-causing bacterium, Salmonella, may infect pets who eat contaminated food. Humans can be infected if they handle contaminated pet food, especially if they don’t wash their hands after handling it or if they don’t properly clean surfaces that come in contact with salmonella-containing foods.
We encourage you to monitor your pet for changing behaviors. Salmonella infections may cause:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Blood in the diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Disinterest in food
Request an Appointment
Be aware that infected pets can appear healthy and still be carriers. They can still pass the bacteria on to other pets and people. With these and any additional recalls, it is important to contact us without delay if you notice any symptoms associated with certain products. We prioritize and accommodate emergency cases and have sophisticated in-house diagnostics to pinpoint problems quickly. Accurate diagnostics support prompt resolution of symptoms and conditions. Call us today with your concerns or questions. You can reach us at (904) 720-4275 or (904) 720-4272.
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Dr. Venkat Gutta
Bluestar Pet Hospital & Grooming
At Blue Star Pet Hospital and Grooming, Dr. Venkat Gutta provides high-quality and modern veterinary services to all your furry friends! At Bluestar, Dr. Gutta and his team are committed to providing your pets with both a full-service Veterinary Hospital and a modern grooming salon (St. Johns location only) for dogs and cats. Our primary commitment is to provide your companion animals with the highest quality medical care. Dr. Gutta strongly believes in treating your four-legged companions as family members and providing them with excellent yet affordable veterinary care. At Bluestar, we also think that it is important to educate you, as a pet owner, and ensure that the unique needs of you and your pet are met at all times. Through Bluestar, Dr. Gutta and his team serve clients in Durbin Crossing, Jacksonville, St Augustine, St Johns, CR 210, and other areas. Whether it is pet vaccinations, surgery, techniques, advanced diagnostic testing, or even flea and tick control products, we give you access to the best and most cutting-edge treatments and technologies. At Bluestar, we believe that your pet is the STAR!
