I have just shared the following with breeders but feel obligated to pass along

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

So skip the parts as they are related to breeding and food ~ or not, but consider putting to your food company or those you consider to the 'written test' as suggested many a time by Karen. Here is the entire original post I made:


irregular cycles, missed conceptions, stillborns, fading
Puppy? Such tragedies and definitely that which represents probably the
hardest part of what we do as breeders. That which many hesitate to talk of
while silently it rips their hearts out.

It has been a while friends. In addition to 'life' I have been spending
much time with some in depth examinations of pet food, specific
ingredients, numerous chemicals we handle often if you are around dogs,
potential alternatives and more. Take it for what you will, I have been
trying to bring this particular look to a more complete status and I have
recently taken an enormous amount of heat from an anonymous (?) source so
have been reluctant in my posts. But as this is flowing in I cannot in good
conscious not share it with those I often share these thoughts with,
especially breeders.

So we all know of ethoxyquin right? Well I'll tell you it is bad enough
that the *not so premium* foods still have garbage in it, but when you
think you are getting a *premium* product at a premium price it really
fires me up. More info. to follow that I do want to share and you may have
even seen this before my day around here but it is worthy of a look for
those that have not seen it.


The excerpt below has been taken from a letter you will want to read on
this site ~ http://www.holisticvetpetcare.com/ethoxyquin.htm by Gloria Dodd
DVM

"Not only are chronic degenerative diseases of pets on the increase, but
breeders complain of increasing frequency and numbers of reproductive
problems: irregular estrus cycles, missed conceptions, stillborns,
“fading puppy” syndrome, increased neonatal deaths and malformed
puppies with missing limbs, organs, hydrocephalus, cleft palates, etc."

Coincidentally a similar excerpt from Jean Dodd DVM ~
http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/Ethoxyquin.htm

"Since the late 1980's, the incidence of chronic disorders in purebred dogs
appears to have increased. These disorders include dysfunction of liver,
kidney and thyroid, reproductive problems, autoimmune diseases and other
immune dysfunction, birth defects in pups, increased stillbirths and
neonatal mortalities, neoplasia, allergies and problems with skin and coat
condition. Most concerns have focused on inbred or closely linebred dog
families."

Now for the cringing stuff because I know so many rely on this product. I
have recently been permitted to view correspondence from Diamond Pet food
to a consumer I know of locally in regards to a no grain food popular among
families and breeders alike, especially for cost. I am not going to name it
because I do not need any legal hassles right now, but I am certain you can figure it
out ~ if not email me privately.

"XXXXXXXXXXX does not add ethoxyquin to any of the formulas.

Fish meal is required by law to be preserved with ethoxyquin. Ethoxyquin is
most effective at preventing rancidity in the highly volatile fish meal.
Rancidity in ingredients can lead to severe illness.

Most of the ethoxyquin is destroyed in the cooking process, requiring other
preservatives to be used. Tests for ethoxyquin are run routinely on
XXXXXXXX products. The results are typically less than 5ppm. The amount
allowed, and considered to be safe, by the FDA is 75ppm."


This was dated July of 2009 and I have since found similar copies of letters posted
around the web. As a follow up we have contacted many manufacturers
verbally and in writing and have asked if they can guarantee that there is
NO ethoxyquin present in their products. Some have replied they cannot,
some have not responded and others have said they can say there is none.

Coincidence in regards to health concerns and breeder noted difficulties
with this chemical? Maybe, but we each deserve to have full disclosure of
our choice and make the decision that works best for us. It is my
recommendation to our puppy families that they initiate written
communication with any company in question and ask them the same question ~
can you guarantee there is no ethoxyquin in your product? You may wish to
do the same or at the very least explore your options and have a plan B.
Look for any fish meal ingredient (in many brands it is in formulas you
would not anticipate it like chicken, etc... and it is present in all 3 varieties of referenced above XXXXXXXXXXX brand), I think you will be stunned
with the results of your closer look.



Dianne
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dianne Carter
Trinity Doodles
http://www.trinitydoodles.com
[e-mail]

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thank you for sharing this information, and isn;t it a shame you aren;t comfortable stating names of the foods containing this chemical. You would only be stating a fact, but I can see where you'd be concerned. Another reason to be doing homecooking!!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have been warning against ethoxyquin in dog food for awhile now. The best foods have labelling that tells you the food does not contain ethoxyquin...Orijen for one.
It's true that if you read through all the ingredients on a label, you will often find some kind of fish meal, even though the food itself is mainly chicken, lamb, or some other kind of protein. I always contact a company if I have any doubts.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Fromm's also states that they don't use ethoxyquin. Of course, we have to trust, hope that the mfgs. are telling the truth.

[Sue]

I just checked Fromm too. I've been using it for a long time. (Salmon). It does not mention ethoxyquin. It's made here in Wisconsin also.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Well, I've just been informed that the food in question is specifically Taste of the Wild, all formulas. Email me if you need to know from whom or where this info originated. But it is certainly from someone we all know and trust......I am grateful to know this so I can cross it off my list of possible foods should I switch. I will be doing even MORE homecooking now. Using some Solid Gold in with homecooked now. Hope it's okay.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, I am now in total shock, because I didn't know that TOTW is made by Diamond Foods. It is one of the foods about which I have less personal knowledge, since my pet supply store doesn't carry it. I also didn't know that the price was a selling point. It's cheaper than Orijen, but everything is cheaper than Orijen.
Diamond Foods was a major player in the 2007 pet food recalls in which thousands of pets became ill and died. They manufacture all kinds of brands, and quality control has been a problem, not to mention the supply chain.
I personally would be leery of using any of their products.

[fergie11]

Damm!!!! - Funny thing though, I was going to the store to buy TOTW today. (Thanks Diane) I did know it was made by Diamond and convinced my feed store to carry it. They will think it strange when I, myself, stop buying it. Oh well.
They like the FROMM so I guess I'll stick with that - same price as TOTW when you buy it in the plainer bags (40#).

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

I switched from Orijen to Go Natural Grain Free. Just because I thought the dogs would like a change.

[Janie]

Okay, I'm convinced.... please suggestions on what to switch to. Karen tell me again what you feed Jackdoodle.
Thanks!

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

I am at work and trying to be available, I can share this with you from a cut and paste response I sent earlier if it is helpful and would add that I did have Fromm on my list also but overlooked its place there. I hope this helps and I will try to pop in later ~

I can tell you that Orijen, ACANA,
Petcurean, Natura, Halo, Trippett and up and coming Mulligans Stew (soon to
present in a kibble that is supposed to be priced at California Natural
type prices and a great option IF your dogs tolerate grain, mine are
questionable) are all okay from Ethoxyquin so breathe =) Of course this is
not to say I recommend those foods, but they are safe. I do have a calcium
issue with Natura specifically EVO, but have not collected enough info to
place it in a cohesive post yet. I am at work and will try to pop in as I
imagine this will be an active post, please feel free to post this response
there for anyone else who may be wondering in case I cannot bump over
there. Have a great day!"

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Natura makes EVO and Innova...I'm sure you can find those near you.

[Janie]

I can't find any of the foods you mentioned any where near me.