FDA alerts consumers, vets to watch dogs for hyperthyroidism
Federal officials are warning consumers and veterinarians to be on alert for potentially deadly hyperthyroidism in dogs that have eaten Blue Buffalo Co. and WellPet food.
The three separate alerts, posted by the Food and Drug Administration, include test results from three dogs and samples of “BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs” and/or “Wellness 95% Beef Topper for Dogs.”
Investigators are sure the source of the active thyroid hormone in the food is from animal gullets — laryngeal tissue — in which the thyroid glands were not completely removed. However, suppliers or ingredient sources have were not disclosed in the FDA alert. The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits the use of thyroid glands and laryngeal muscle tissue for human food.