Staying on the Right Side of the Regulatory Authorities.

This article provides reviews of the following: principal regulatory frameworks governing the supply of feed products for horses, focusing on the United States and Europe with guidance on compliance; key federal, state, or country requirements to ensure safe and accurately labeled products; rules concerning antidoping with a review of naturally occurring prohibited substances commonly found in feedstuffs; essential information for brand holders of equine nutrition products, practicing veterinarians, independent nutritionists, research scientists, competition riders and racehorse trainers, and those responsible for the direct feeding of horses.

Focus on nutrition--U.S. pet food regulation: hot topics.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Amendments Act of 2007 mandates promulgation of new federal regulations regarding processing, ingredient, and labeling standards for pet foods. Veterinary organizations have submitted comments to assist FDA in this matter. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is also considering changes that will affect state regulation of pet foods, including revision of the AAFCO Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles and feeding trial protocols, an American College of Veterinary Nutrition proposal to mandate calorie content statements on all dog and cat food labels, and new Good Manufacturing Practices regulations for all animal feeds.

Regulation of pet foods in the United States.

In the United States, pet foods (including treats, edible chews, and supplements) are subject to regulation at both federal and state levels. Products found to be adulterated or misbranded are subject to enforcement action. Veterinarians play a key role in helping ensure pet food safety by reporting possible adverse effects to authorities in a timely manner.

Anatomy of a recall.

Pet foods on the market that are contaminated or otherwise present a health risk to humans or animals may be subject to a recall under US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. Legally, all recalls are "voluntary," but there is little incentive for companies to refuse a request by FDA to conduct a recall. While the firm does the bulk of the work, FDA oversees all aspects of a recall to help ensure that violative product is swiftly removed from the market.

Understanding regulations affecting pet foods.

In the United States, pet foods are subject to regulation at both the federal and the state levels. The US Food and Drug Administration has jurisdiction over all animal feeds (including pet foods, treats, chews, supplements, and ingredients) in interstate commerce, which includes imported products. Many states adopt and enforce at least in part the Association of American Feed Control Officials Model Bill and Model Regulations for Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food.

Regulatory aspects of diets, supplements, and nutraceuticals.

The number of pet foods commercially available for veterinary use, both complete diets and dietary supplements, has been rapidly expanding in recent years. Veterinarians use and recommend nutritional products in their daily practice, and this use should meet the ethical constraints of veterinary medical practice and be based on scientifically sound premises. However, it is also important to be aware that nutritional products intended to treat or prevent disease or to affect the structure or function of the body in a manner apart from what is normally ascribed for food are considered "drugs" under the law.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles: substantiation of nutritional adequacy of complete and balanced pet foods in the United States.

The Association of American Feed Control Official (AAFCO) formed the Canine (1990-1991) and Feline (1991-1992) Nutrition Expert Subcommittees to update the requirements for substantiation of "complete and balanced" claims for pet foods sold in the United States. There are two means by which a company may substantiate nutritional adequacy for a dog or cat food. The first means is by formulating the food so that nutrient levels fall within the ranges as established in the AAFCO Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles.

Salmon calcitonin as adjunct treatment for vitamin D toxicosis in a dog.

Calcitonin was used in conjunction with saline diuresis, furosemide, and prednisone in treatment of a dog that consumed a rodenticide that contained cholecalciferol and has been touted as safe for nontarget species. This report shows that the rodenticide is toxic to dogs and that salmon calcitonin is a useful treatment for the often refractory hypercalcemia induced by vitamin D toxicosis.

An experimental model of chronic renal disease in dogs by infusion of microspheres into the renal arterial circulation.

The feasibility of renal arterial infusion of nonbiodegradable microspheres as a model of chronic renal disease in dogs was evaluated. Resin-coated, styrene-divinyl benzene copolymer microspheres were infused into the kidneys of healthy adult Beagles by direct injections of both renal arteries in a single surgical procedure. Injections of 25-microns diameter microspheres had minimal effect on either the clinical status or serum values of the dogs.

Overnutrition: an epidemic problem in pet animal practice?

This review demonstrates that manufactured pet foods contain more than adequate levels of all the essential nutrients needed by normal dogs and cats. Under normal circumstances, therefore, it is completely unnecessary to supplement the rations of these animals with protein, energy, fatty acids, vitamins, or minerals. We have tried to show that, in addition to being unnecessary, supplementation of the rations of normal animals may be quite dangerous, leading to serious--indeed, sometimes fatal--clinical consequences.