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]

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think Sue just provided the link for the Fromm's rating. Another source is www.dogfoodanalysis.com to check individual food ratings.

[Janie]

How can we be sure Fromm Salmon does'nt have ethoxyquin in it also?

[F, Calla & Luca]

See my post above--page 1 --about disclaimer on Fromm's site.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The Fromm Four Star line is excellent. I was feeding Jackdoodle the Salmon a la Veg, and he did very well on it.

[Janie]

Karen, the link Sue posted was from Whole Dog Journal.

[Janie]

F Parker,thank you. I had read it earlier today but had forgotten. I am having a sick day and the TOTW information has got me all rattled.I did find a store that sells Fromms...it is thirty miles away... sigh.

[Shanthala Rajagopala]

Karen, Dianne...Makes sense now. So, they are probably quoting it as law but there is no proof. And if there are alternative preservatives then i can understand that other fish meal based products are okay.
Karen, I had not chosen Orijen because of its high protein content though I had heard all good things about it. So, this is not a problem?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Absolutely not. In fact, it is beneficial for the skin & coat. It has really helped Jack.
Although I am not a proponent of RAW or RMB feeding, many people swear by it, and that's a 100% protein diet. The only possible caution with high protein levels would be for young puppies..

[Shanthala Rajagopala]

Thanks Karen and Dianne...I don't know what I would do without this site and these helpful advices. My dogs are 10months and 1yr old...so, they should be able to handle the high protein, then. I will transition to Orijen immediately...I am lucky that a local petmart started getting Orijen this month.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

And this:

[PDF] US EPA: Pesticides - Ethoxyquin Reregistration Eligibility ...File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
The primary target organs affected by ethoxyquin in experimental animals are the liver and the kidneys. Dogs are more susceptible to ethoxyquin toxicity ...
www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/0003red.pdf - Similar

and

From the FDA:

August 14, 1997 FDA REQUESTS THAT ETHOXYQUIN LEVELS BE REDUCED IN DOG FOODS

In letters dated July 31, 1997, to manufacturers of ethoxyquin and trade associations for the pet food industry, FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) requested that the maximum level for ethoxyquin in complete dog foods be voluntarily lowered to 75 parts per million (ppm). Under the current food additive regulations, ethoxyquin is allowed at levels up to 150 ppm in complete dog foods (Title 21, Part 573.380 of the Code of Federal Regulations). However, after recently completing a scientific review of a voluntarily-submitted study from the Monsanto company, CVM has reason to believe that the 150 ppm level may not provide an adequate margin of safety in lactating female dogs and possibly puppies.
The results from this study show that ethoxyquin levels above the current tolerance in dog foods produced no adverse reproductive effects. There was, however, an increase in a dark, reddish-brown pigment in the liver of female dogs immediately after completing a 6-week lactation. The liver pigment was identified as protoporphyrin IX, a normal intermediate in the synthesis of heme. This pigment was also associated with elevations in liver-related enzymes in the serum of a few animals. During lactation, the female dogs consumed two to three times more food as a percentage of body weight than they did at maintenance, and this increased food consumption likely contributed to the increased pigment deposition in the liver and in the elevated serum enzymes. The increased pigment deposition and serum enzymes in lactating female dogs may be reversible when food consumption returns to maintenance, but it still constitutes a finding that must be further investigated.

The Pet Food Institute has undertaken a study designed to show that ethoxyquin is an effective antioxidant at levels between 30 and 60 ppm in a complete dog food. FDA is closely monitoring the progress of this study. If new information becomes available that questions the safety of ethoxyquin at 75 ppm in dog food, or shows it to be an effective antioxidant at levels below 75 ppm, CVM will consider further action.

Further information on this subject is available from FDA/CVM's Division of Animal Feeds, 7500 Standish Place, HFV-220, Rockville, MD 20855 or by calling [phone].

[Shanthala Rajagopala]

I found this from Orijen fish formula review on dogfoodanalysis.com

** Manufacturer-provided statement on use of Ethoxyquin: "All ingredients are purchased ethoxyquin free and we maintain written quality protocols and supplier agreements to this effect. All ORIJEN fish meals are preserved exclusively with NATUR-OX (a blend of rosemary and mixed tocopherals), and our fresh fish are truly FRESH -arriving without any preservatives what-so-ever."

[Janie]

What if I just cooked some chicken added in brown rice and pumkin for tonight and worry about it tomorrow. Do you think it would make them sick since I have not fed them chicken before?