Jury still out on Vets Choice

THERE is still no clarity on whether it’s safe to feed dogs Vets Choice dry food, which was recalled by the manufacturer on Thursday.

The results of lab tests on the food were expected by Friday, but by yesterday the Windhoek Veterinary Clinic, which is the main retailer of the brand in Windhoek, had received no word from the manufacturer, Royal Canin South Africa. Vets Choice was recalled in Namibia and South Africa after 19 dogs in Cape Town and Johannesburg suffered acute kidney failure.Vet shops were ordered not to sell the brand until further notice.Dog owners who had already bought the product were advised not to feed it to their pets until the all-clear is given.The Cape Argus quotes Barry Hundley, Executive Director of the Pet Food Industry Association in South Africa, as saying samples of the food were sent to Germany for analysis.Dr Guy Fyvie, spokesperson for Hill’s Pet Nutrition in South Africa, told the media on Thursday that the recalled Hill’s products were never distributed in South Africa.So far, Vets Choice is the only pet food sold in Namibia that has been recalled.The more expensive Royal Canin range of dog and cat food, made by the same company, is not included in the recall.According to vets, the symptoms of kidney failure include vomiting, lethargy and excessive thirst.If your pet shows these symptoms, it needs to be taken to the vet immediately.Vets Choice was recalled in Namibia and South Africa after 19 dogs in Cape Town and Johannesburg suffered acute kidney failure.Vet shops were ordered not to sell the brand until further notice.Dog owners who had already bought the product were advised not to feed it to their pets until the all-clear is given.The Cape Argus quotes Barry Hundley, Executive Director of the Pet Food Industry Association in South Africa, as saying samples of the food were sent to Germany for analysis.Dr Guy Fyvie, spokesperson for Hill’s Pet Nutrition in South Africa, told the media on Thursday that the recalled Hill’s products were never distributed in South Africa.So far, Vets Choice is the only pet food sold in Namibia that has been recalled.The more expensive Royal Canin range of dog and cat food, made by the same company, is not included in the recall.According to vets, the symptoms of kidney failure include vomiting, lethargy and excessive thirst.If your pet shows these symptoms, it needs to be taken to the vet immediately.