Local pets dying after eating recalled bird food
Friday, April 27, 2012 at 13:08 CENTRAL TEXAS - Food contamination is causing several animals to get sick, and a hand full have even died.
"We had two cockatiels pass away," Vivian Black said. "They were eating the food, and started acting different. They weren't very active, they weren't begging for food."
Kaytee, a Central Garden & Pet brand, is recalling two products.
Some Kaytee exact Hand Feeding Formula Baby Birds and Kaytee exact Hand Feeding Formula Baby Macaw have been pulled off the shelves due to high levels of vitamin D.
"The baby formula is double dosed with vitamin D," Noreen Gregersen said, adding, "That's probably what started her first symptoms."
Gregersen's 3-month-old Eclectus Parrot is a rare species, and the bird became sick after eating some of Kaytee's tainted food.
"She had vomiting, diarrhea, excessive urination, restlessness, dehydration, and it just escalated from there," Gregersen said.
The owner spent nearly $10,000 on veterinarian bills to keep the exotic bird alive.
"If she doesn't make it, it's going to be devastating. Not just financially, but emotionally," Gregersen said.
If your pet was is Kaytee's baby bird formula and is acting unusual, call your local vet. Animal experts are urging owners to pay close attention to their pets.
"Animals will hide an illness because that's what they'll do in the wild or they're left behind," Black said.
If an illness is detected early enough, it could save your pet's life.
Unfortunately for one Eclectus Parrot it was too late. Gregersen's pet, BabyGirl, was put down Thursday afternoon after having trouble breathing.
Not all of Kaytee's products were contaminated. Products being recalled were manufactured over a limited range of dates.
To find a list of the affected bird food, visit http://kaytee.com/pet-birds/kaytee-exact-hand-feeding-update.htm