Iams Response to Sunday Express in UK

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IAMS RESPONSE TO SUNDAY EXPRESS STORY IN THE UNITED

KINGDOM (UK)

 

 

A recent story in the Sunday Express was inaccurate

and contained misleading and sensationalist

allegations about animal cruelty and we are appalled

by this misrepresentation. Here are the facts:

 

The Iams Company made a firm and binding decision that

we would not consider or sponsor any new studies that

required the euthanasia of dogs and cats.

We made this decision two years ago as we could

continue to make crucial health advances without such

studies because certain key findings had already been

made and new, alternative research methods had been

developed (e.g. MRI for examining bones and joints).

Early in our efforts to develop nutritional health

advances, we sponsored research at veterinary schools

at North American universities. This research answered

vital questions about animal health. Based on those

answers, we have been able to make many discoveries

including nutritional advances in:

Canine/feline kidney disease, which resulted in our

specific veterinary diets, available only by

prescription. These diets make a significant

difference in the lives of cats and dogs with renal

failure, a chronic and fatal illness that affects 15%

of dogs and 25% of cats.

Skeletal development, which makes a big difference for

large breed dogs, where painful and debilitating

developmental bone problems can occur in up to 40% of

puppies.

Since reaching this decision, we have started no

further studies of this nature anywhere in the world.

We knew that some long-term research projects were

underway. These have been completed, and the data

analysis continues, as the information adds

significantly to advancing knowledge of companion

animal health.

Our efforts have always been guided by a strict code

of ethics that exceeds the highest standards of the

Animal Welfare Act of the US and the US Department of

Agriculture.

The newspaper article described normal veterinary

health practices in unnecessarily emotive terms. For

example:

A skin biopsy – which is a common diagnostic test in

both human and veterinary medicine – was described in

the article as " regularly given chest wounds. "

Giving an animal standard veterinary vaccines was

described as being " injected with live virus

vaccines. "

Putting cats on a standard veterinary low fat diet was

described as being " starved. "

Other leading pet food companies have also sponsored

studies over the years. Iams openly publishes our

findings so that other researchers can help improve

the health and well-being of dogs and cats without

repeating research projects. The Iams Nutrition

Symposia regularly bring together experts from 80

universities and 136 veterinary hospitals, from over

40 countries, who then return home to apply the

knowledge in their own practices.

No attempt has ever been made to suppress the fact

that this research has been carried out. It has been

presented, published, and part of the public record

for the past 12 years. All of our feeding studies have

had to meet very specific criteria: The results must

help veterinarians and pet owners to nutritionally

manage important pet health conditions and the

benefits to dogs and cats worldwide must be genuine.

The studies must be unique, relevant and truly

pioneering – in other words, no existing research

could answer the questions raised. The care of animals

is of paramount importance, and animal well-being is

always our top priority. At Iams, we stand behind our

research and our 55-year track record of enhancing the

well-being of dogs and cats by providing premium

quality nutrition. We are proud that our science has

been available and used by others and that we have led

breakthroughs in companion animal health.

 

We invite anyone with questions to call us toll-free

in the US at 800/525-4267 or visit our website at

http://www.iams.com. We also invite you to read some

verbatim comments from Iams customers about how our

research has changed the lives of their four-footed

family members. Click here to see a statement from the

American Kennel Club (AKC) in support of Iams.

 

 

 

 

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