[pyrnet] Fw: KING5.COM INVESTIGATORS/Nylabone recall

["Barb Bowes" <bamb@monmouth.com>]

Received this on another list. Those who use this product for
their dogs, be careful.  Barb Bowes

<<KING 5 Investigators


KING 5 investigates a potential danger to your pets; company
pulls product
11/22/2001
By Chris Ingalls, KING5 News
Is your dog biting off more than he can chew?
The KING 5 Investigators have learned of a troubling pattern
among one of the most popular dog chews on Seattle area store
shelves.
One of the most trusted names in dog chews is Nylabone. For 40
years they've made some of the most popular dog chews.
But there is growing evidence that some of their product lines -
like one made from a gummy material - could be harmful, even
fatal, to your dog.
At the Renton veterinary hospital she manages, Gail Scott has
declared some chew toys off-limits. "I gave this one - one
similar to this - to my own dog," she said, holding up a
Nylabone. Now added to her list is the Nylabone "plaque
 attacker," the kind that she gave to her Doberman Sting.
"He had broken the whole end off and it was going down this
throat. But I retrieved it quickly and of course took it away
from him," Scott said. "Had it been swallowed, probably within
days, this could have been lodged somewhere in the intestinal
tract and probably had to be retrieved surgically."
But even surgery couldn't save Timber.
It was only after the champion Alaskan malamute died in Virginia
that a vet discovered a chunk of plaque attacker lodged in his
stomach.
In Texas, the same fate was in store for Rambo, a little poodle.
The vet retrieved two pieces of what appeared to be Nylabone
products, after Rambo's agonizing death. "What really got me is
when the vet told me he screamed, and then died," said Harvey
Hannah, Rambo's owner.
Virginia attorney Debra Corcoran said she's uncovered more than a
hundred cases where dogs may have been injured or killed after
swallowing Nylabone products.
She blames the company's line of flexible chew toys. They're
marketed under names like Gumma-Bone and Plaque Attacker.
Some vets say they're made of an indigestible material, and
plaque attacker has a knobby surface that can lodge in the
digestive tract.
"This is a gas pocket in the stomach outlined here," Rambo's vet
said, pointing to an X-ray.
Rambo's x-ray highlights another problem. Nylabones don't show up
on X-rays, so vets, like Rambo's can't tell what's making the dog
sick.
"When it hung up - the intestine keeps moving - so it kind of
knotted up like an accordion," the vet said.
The KING 5 Investigators have obtained a half dozen letters
Nylabone sent to customers whose dogs were injured. The company
calls the cases "...most unusual..." or an "...isolated
incident..."
In a letter to KING 5, Nylabone said "...the Plaque Attacker
(registered trademark) is safe ..." "however, all polymer dog
chews, regardless of manufacturer, can present problems when they
are inappropriate in size or have become old and worn."
In Timber's case, Nylabone settled for an undisclosed dollar
amount the day of trial.
Attorney Debra Corcoran is now preparing a class-action lawsuit,
but some people who've lost their pets want quicker action from
Nylabone, whose products can be found in pet shops just about
anywhere.
"Take it off the market - or at least change your packaging and
put on warning labels," asked Harvey Hannah, Rambo's owner.
Late this week - that's exactly what's happened. Nylabone sent
KING 5 this letter saying that after ten years on store shelves
it's pulling the Plaque Attacker.
The company says it will replace Plaque Attacker with "...a new,
improved product shortly."
But it won't say how soon - or exactly what changes will be made.
We'll be watching for it - and we'll let you know how it
compares.
The following is the text of the letter sent by Nylabone to the
KING5 Investigators:
Nylabone products, a division of T.F.H. Publications, announced
that it is replacing its Plaque Attacker line of dental dog
bones.
"When used properly, the ASPCA approved Plaque Attacker Bones are
a safe and effective aide in reducing problems associated with
periodontal disease in dogs," said Glen Axelrod, President and
C.E.O. of T.F.H. Publications. "However, all polyurethane dental
dog bones, regardless of manufacturer, can present problems when
they are inappropriate in size and have become old and worn."
The Plaque Attacker line of dental dog bones included the four
sizes of Dental Bones made from polyurethane plastic which were
introduced in the early 1990's. The produce is designed to
massage a dog's teeth and gums through specially designed dental
tips on a traditional dog bone shape to prevent canine
periodontal disease. When improperly monitored during use, the
bones can become frayed and worn, with the possibility of large
pieces being bitten off and becoming lodged in a dog's intestinal
tract.
"We are highly committed to pet safety and, while a typical small
piece of the product will normally pass through a dog harmlessly,
we take any amount of customer concern seriously. As such, we are
discontinuing and removing all four sizes of our Bones in the
Plaque Attacker line from stores and will introduce a new,
improved product shortly. We will continue to work very closely
with our veterinarian experts and the ASPCA to define, circulate
and publish guidelines for the proper use of polyurethane dental
pet products industry wide," said Axelrod.
Nylabone Products, a division of T.F.H. Publications, is a
leading manufacturer of premium dog chews and dental devices.
Since their introduction in 1955, Nylabone dog chews have grown
to be the most recognized dog chew among veterinarians, clinics
and kennels. Nylabone Products carry the ASPCA seal of approval.


© 2001 KING Broadcasting Co., A Belo Subsidiary