Recall of Baby Bird Hand Feeding Formula

RECALL issued on Kaytee Handfeeding Formula***

----- Forwarded message from Dr. Susan Clubb -----

Important announcement regarding hand rearing formula with excess vitamin
D. Please do not feed any formula of the lots listed below.

Begin forwarded message:

From: Randal Brue
Date: April 8, 2012 7:58:26 PM EDT
To: Susan Clubb
Subject: IMPORTANT - Kaytee Handfeeding Formula

Susan,
Final lab results were concluded on Friday and indicated
that product was produced incorrectly. Involved was one production
batch of Handfeeding Formula for Baby Birds and one of Macaw Handfeeding
Formula. Both of these have levels of vitamin D3 that may cause kidney
damage, the severity of which will be dependent on the species being
fed, age of babies fed and the duration of feeding. 

Subject: IMPORTANT -Katee Exact Handfeeding Formula 5 lb has been recalled March and May 2013... Final lab results were concluded on Friday and indicated that product was produced incorrectly. Involved was one production batch of Handfeeding Formula for Baby Birds and one of MacawHandfeeding Formula. Both of these have levels of vitamin D3 that may cause kidney damage, the severity of which will be dependent on the species being fed, age of babies fed and the duration of feeding. 

The following packaging code dates are of concern:Product Code/SKU/ Material # UPC Code Size Lot/Serial No. Product Name/Description Best Before Code (day month yr)

100032326 07185947510 6/7.5 oz. A1 Kaytee exact® Hand Feeding Formula Baby Birds 21 Mar 13 through 20 Apr 13100032328 07185947511 6/18 oz. A2 Kaytee Exact® Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird 9 Mar 13 through 19 Apr 13 

100032330 07185947512 4/5 lb. A3* Kaytee exact® Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird 14 Mar 13, 30 Mar 13 and 16May 13100032336 07185947518 22 lb. A4 Kaytee Exact® Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird 21 Mar 13, 13 Apr 13 and 16 May 13

100032337 07185947515 4/5 lb. B1 Kaytee Exact® Hand Feeding Formula Baby Macaw 1 Mar 13, 14 Mar 13 and 19Apr 13

Products and product lots that do not appear on the list above are NOT affected. Please distribute this information as necessary. More details will be distributed by Kaytee in the next couple of days regarding product replacement and evaluation of potential problems. Thanks for all of your help in this issue.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Note from Dr. Sakas: The problem with excessive Vitamin D3 is that it can lead to mineralization of the kidneys in birds with resultant renal failure. The Vitamin D3 aids in calcium absorption, however, when excess amounts in a baby bird hand feeding formula are present, it leads to increased calcium absorption and deposition of the excess calcium into the kidneys, leading to the mineralization and failure of the organs. I have seen this problem in the past with other hand feeding formulas where there has been too much Vitamin D3 and/or calcium, leading to damage to the kidneys of the developing baby birds.

Depending upon how early this condition is identified and treated will determine the prognosis. If it is severe with extensive mineralization the prognosis is poor, but caught early and treated appropriately, the prognosis is much better. It is difficult to be sure how much of the kidney damage is permanent.

We have had a few of our breeder clients who have had problems with the aforementioned hand feeding formulas of the batches recalled. The symptoms have been lethargy, dehydration, some vomiting, loss of appetite, increased urination and ruffled feathers. When we performed blood work we have found elevated uric acid levels (bird kidney function test), elevated sodium and potassium (due to dehydration), one bird had very elevated calcium levels, increased CK (due to changes in muscle tissue probably due to mineralization), and increased white blood cell counts (indicating inflammation/infection). 

The birds have been placed on fluid therapy ("dialysis" to help flush out the kidneys), antibiotics (to treat any infection present), allopurinol (to lower uric acid levels), colchicine/probenecid (to prevent scarring of the liver and kidney), vitamin B complex, and gavage feedings. So far our treatments have appeared to be successful but we will not be sure for some time if the kidney damage done is permanent.

If you have discovered you have been hand feeding your baby birds with the recalled formulas, contact your veterinarian to decide if you need to have blood tests performed on the birds. If the birds are acting sick, be certain to obtain veterinary assistance as soon as possible. 

Kaytee is an excellent company with outstanding products and they have taken the responsibility of getting the word out about the recall. Contact them if you have had problems with your baby birds due to the recalled formula. They will take full responsibility, as any honorable company should. As stated earlier, their other, non-recalled products are still safe to use.

Peter S. Sakas DVM