The Procter & Gamble Company reported yesterday that it is voluntarily recalling two specific lots of its prescription Iams brand renal dry cat food due to potential Salmonella contamination. A U.S. Food and Drug Administration analysis recently identified a positive result on 5.5-pound bags of Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal with Lot Codes 01384174B4 0 and 01384174B2 0. Both have the UPC Code 19014 21405 1. Lot codes can be found in the lower right corner on the back of the bag. Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal is available by prescription through veterinary clinics. No illnesses have been reported, according to the Cincinnati-based company. P&G is asking consumers who have purchased the above cat food to discard it. Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain, according to the company. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. P&G urges pet owners to contact their veterinarian if their pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms. People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product, according to P&G. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare provider, according to the company. For further details or to receive a product refund, call 877-894-4458, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. EDT. <HOME>
