Cat food recalled for lack of nutrients

(WTNH) -- Doctors from BluePearl Veterinary Partners are urging people to stop using and return or discard certain bags of cat food manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods after the company issued a voluntary recall affecting 25 states.

Below is a press release from BluePearl Veterinary Partners:

According to a press release issued by Diamond Pet Foods, the company is recalling certain bags of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat Formula dry cat food, Premium Edge Senior Cat Hairball Management Formula dry cat food, Premium Edge Kitten Formula dry cat food, Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula dry cat food and 4health All Life Stages Cat Formula dry cat food after tests conducted by the company indicated the products might have a low level of thiamine (Vitamin B1).

Thiamine is an essential vitamin for cats in maintaining normal nervous system function. Symptoms of thiamine deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, neurological signs can develop, which may include cervical ventroflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, ataxia (wobbly walking), falling, circling and seizures.

Altogether, the products were distributed to customers located in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.

People who have the recalled products should return or discard them immediately.

"If you have fed your cat with the affected product and notice your cat is not acting right, take him or her to your family veterinarian as soon as possible," said Dr. Laura Gibeon, a senior clinician with BluePearl in Manhattan. "Of course, if it is an after-hours emergency, we would be glad to help at any one of our locations."

The following products are subject to the recall:
Product -- Size -- Production Codes -- Best By -- States
Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat Formula -- 18 lb. bags -- NGF0703 -- 10-Jul-2013 -- Massachusetts
Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat Formula -- 6 lb. bags -- NGF0802 -- 15-Aug-2013, 16-Aug-2013 -- Florida, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia
Premium Edge Senior Cat Hairball Management Formula -- 6 lb. and 18 lb. bags -- NGS0101 -- 03-Jan-2014, 04-Jan-2014 -- Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma
Premium Edge Senior Cat Hairball Management Formula -- 6 lb. and 18 lb. bags -- NGS0702 -- 10-Jul-2013 -- Florida, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia
Premium Edge Kitten Formula -- 6 oz. samples, 6 lb. and 18 lb. bags -- MKT0901 26-Sept-2013, 29-Sept-2013, 30-Sept-2013, 02-Oct-2013 -- Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia
Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula -- 6 oz. samples and 6 lb. bags -- MKT0901 -- 30-Sept-2013 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina
4health All Life Stages Cat Formula -- 5 lb. and 18 lb. bags -- NGF0802 -- 14-Aug-2013, 18-Aug-2013 -- Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia