Advance Dermocare dog food linked to deaths of several family pet deaths

A POPULAR premium dog food linked to the deaths of several police dogs is now believed responsible for several fatalities involving family pets.

A POPULAR premium dog food linked to the deaths of several police dogs is now believed responsible for several fatalities involving family pets.

The Sunday Herald Sun has learned that at least two pet dogs have died after eating Advance Dermocare, which was on Saturday pulled from shelves at 500 pet stores nationwide by its manufacturer.

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Advance Dermocare dog food has been pulled from shelves at 500 pet stores nationwide.

At least three pet dogs were on Saturday seriously ill with the incurable disease megaesophagus.

Two of them were likely to be euthanised if their condition did not improve.

The disease causes a dog’s oesophagus to become abnormally enlarged. The animal loses its ability to swallow or absorb nutrients.

Devastated owners — who bought the “top shelf” food because they believed it was better for their pets — said they watched their cherished animals “waste away”.

They are demanding answers to ensure no more animals are harmed.

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Veterinary experts are urgently testing samples of the dog food in a bid to find the cause.

Anthony Brown, from Melbourne, who was forced to have his pet Rooney put down a fortnight ago, said the seven-year-old dalmatian had lost half his body weight within weeks.

“He was skin and bones — we couldn’t work out what had happened,’’ Mr Brown said. “It just came out of the blue.”

Anthony Brown was forced to have his pet Rooney put down a fortnight ago.

The family spent $9000 in X-rays, biopsies, surgery and medications.

Vets finally diagnosed Rooney with megaesophagus.

“It was upsetting watching our otherwise healthy dog fade away,” Mr Brown said.

“We bought the food from the vet thinking it was top shelf. We need to find out what is causing it so it can’t happen again.”

Issues with Advance Dermocare were sparked after the recent death of a Victoria Police dog. Eight others are sick, with two expected to be euthanised.

Labradors are among the dog squad breeds affected by the illness. File picture: David Caird

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The disease has now killed almost a dozen police dogs in several states.

Another pet owner Paul O’Shannassy — whose three-year-old Irish setter Paddy died within three days of becoming sick — said it was “very quick and unexpected”.

Other owners were anxiously watching the condition of sick pets.

Adelaide residents Laura and Aaron O’Toole told the Sunday Herald Sun vets may have to euthanise their family dog, nine-year-old Stan. The adored labradoodle won’t eat or drink and has lost 5kg since falling ill more than a week ago.

“It’s pretty much a death sentence,” Ms O’Toole said.

“We take him to the vet every day so he can be put on a drip. They pretty much told us that there won’t be a good outcome.”

Aaron O'Toole poses for a picture with his parent's dog Stan, 9. Picture: AAP/Matt Loxton

Labradoodle Stan, 9, won’t eat or drink and has lost 5kg since falling ill more than a week ago.

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Manufacturer Mars Petcare Australia has voluntarily recalled Advance Dermocare dry dog food in 3kg, 8kg and 15kg bags.

“We are deeply concerned to learn that a number of dogs have been affected by megaesophagus,’' a spokeswoman said.

“We are voluntarily recalling these products as a precaution while we get to the bottom of the issue.”

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@AneekaSimonis