Dog food recall

Hy-Vee dog food issued a voluntary recall throughout the Midwest Feb. 22. The company is recalling certain bags of Hy-Vee Complete Dog–Complete Nutrition and Hy-Vee Complete Dog–Bites, Bones and Squares after random routine testing performed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture found higher-than-normal levels of alflatoxin in some samples of the food. Alflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxic chemical contaminant found commonly in corn and other foods that has been linked to liver damage. People who have the recalled product should return or discard it immediately.

The food was produced at a Kansas City plant operated by Pro-Pet LLC., according to the release.

Altogether, the products were distributed to customers located in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin between Oct. 26, 2012 and Jan. 11, 2013.

Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, fever and yellowish eyes. If you notice your dog experiencing any of these, contact your veterinarian immediately.

“If your pet has been receiving one of these products, and isn’t acting right, take him or her to your family veterinarian as soon as possible,” said Dr. Jen Myers, a medical director of BluePearl in Minnesota. “Or if it is after-hours, get them to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.”