Any problems with Nutro yet??

I just ran into this.  This is totally freaking me out.  My mom's dog died just last week and now her and the vet are having second thoughts about what really happened.  The dog was just fine last month during her vet visit.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--petfoodrecall0322mar21,0,5560445,print.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork

I haven't had any problems yet but I feed the dry stuff from the 40 lb bags. According to Nutro's site, they contracted out the can and pouch foods because their own facilities aren't geared up for wet food manufacturing on a scale that they would need. There is no problem with the dry kibbles. And even with some foods manufactured by a contractor, it still must submit to their QC, which is tightening even as we speak.
 
As Kennelkeeper pointed out, Menu is a canadian company and they are not bound by an requirement to only buy ingredients from Canada or America. So, they found a cheaper price on bulk shipment from outside the US, where the substance ban is not in effect. So, whatever money they saved will be more than swallowed up in the recall and subsequent lawsuits. Companies like Nutro will survive because the bulk of their product line is dry kibble, which they make themselves in California and Tennessee.
 
Still, everyone will take a hit on this one. No doubt, several will look into home cooking or raw. That's fine, too, find your comfort level and be glad that your pets are not impacted.
 

I spoke with the local Nutro rep today. Many people don't know that Nutro was bought out a year or so ago by an investment firm. Anyway, the rep said they are no longer to refer to themselves by the initials of the investment group but to state that they are from Nutro. What I think will happen is that Nutro may buy back the company from the investment firm. It could have been that outside management that led to a decision to sub-contract out certain food items simply on a bottom line profit analysis. If Nutro buys back the company and they had to raise their price to pay for quality ingredients, I would not mind a bit. My purchase price would probably only go up by a dollar and I can handle that.

Also, if such a decision was made by the investment group, Nutro might have grounds to sue them for negligence and mismanagement, especially if everyone's jobs were likely to disappear if the company couldn't remain solvent. And maybe Nutro might learn its lesson that businessmen in a board room do not necessarily know as much about making dog food as they would like to think and that it's more than just profit analysis.

ron! Where have you been? lol

(sorry, off topic)

Still around.
 
I also wanted to add that here's how Nutro could get their company back. As it stands, Nutro could be subject to lawsuits and has already lost untold amounts in the recall itself. The investment firm will be fully liable. Or they could relinquish, sell at a loss, as it were, and Nutro could buy back at a reduced price and regain total control. This might tick off some investors but it would be reassuring to consumers. And it's consumers that will keep the company in business by continuing to purchase their product.
 
The aflatoxin scare did not stop some people from feeding food made at the suspected plants. So, these food companies, Nutro included, that have allowed others to make their decisions and make some of their stuff will probably make some high level changes. One of them would be to quit dealing with companies that are denying any problem at all.
 

Alright, Polly's blood test came back normal and her urine was normal as well.  They did say there were some crystals in her urine indicating her struvite  levels were mildly elevated.  Overall, everything looks normal though, which is great news. 

The vet then suggested to feed her Science Diet Puppy dry--well, I started out that way (that's what they were feeding her before I got her) and quickly changed, and I know how many here feel about Science Diet.

Before the recall she was on Royal Canin small breed puppy with Nutro Natural Choice pouches to wet.  Right now she's on Royal Canin small breed puppy with Blue Buffalo to wet.  Would what I'm feeding her elevate those levels?  I'm a newbie here so all your experience would help regarding what this means if anything.  I am NOT going back to Science Diet--she pooped 6-7 times a day on that stuff.....