PET FOOD RECALL UPDATE: OTHER CONTAMINANTS MAY BE INVOLVED
 

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Since Menu Foods, Inc. announced its massive pet food recall on March 16,
the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has been flooded with calls from pet
parents and animal welfare professionals alike. Based on data from these
calls, the ASPCA reports that clinical signs in cats affected by the
contaminated foods are not fully consistent with the ingestion of rat poison
containing aminopterin which, says Menu Foods, is at the “root” of the
contamination issue.
Explains the ASPCA’s Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist, “There are
so many inconsistencies in the purported link between aminopterin and the
animals affected that we urge veterinary toxicologists and veterinary
pathologists at diagnostic laboratories to continue looking for additional
contaminants.”

Pets who are being treated for kidney failure suspected to be related to
contaminated food should stay on their treatment. If your pet has eaten
contaminated food and shows any signs of illness, including loss of
appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in water consumption and
changes in urination, please consult with a veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal
Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. In order to help with
your pet’s diagnosis, you are advised to:


- retain food samples for analysis

- save all packaging and receipts, and document the product name, type of
product, date codes and/or production lot numbers

- document the dates that the product was fed to your pet, how much was
eaten, and the time when you first noticed symptoms
Adverse effects or deaths of pets conclusively linked to eating the
contaminated foods should be reported to the FDA. Additionally, the American
Veterinary Medical Association website contains helpful information for pet
parents and veterinarians.

For a complete list of recalled pet food brands, please visit
http://www.menufoods.com/recall.