Pet Food Recall: Vet poison control center suspects other toxins involved

Pet Connection ^ | 3/28/2007 | ASPCA

[sweetiepiezer]

“We’ve seen reports coming in from all around the country that animals that were eating the contaminated foods are definitely suffering from renal failure,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president with the ASPCA, who manages the ASPCA’s Midwest Office, including the APCC. “But the data that we’ve been collecting do not conclusively prove this connection, which is why we strongly recommend that those involved in the investigation continue to search for additional contaminants.”

[sweetiepiezer]

At www.petconnection.com they ae listing over 2,300 animals reportly have died. They have a datbase and if you lost a pet, they are trying to get an accuate count, even though menu foods is saying a lower count. ASPCA saying there may be other toxins involved also. My dog of 16 years is on this list, I am heartbroken. Why, why, why did they do tests in Dec. and found that 9 cats and one dog died, how long beofre this did they know about it. The general public did not know until March 16th, too late for my dog and pets or "property" as they put it.

[kjam22]

You know the thing is..... it's bad to lose a pet. But how many years are we from something major like this happening in our own food supply?

[edcoil]

Stuff came from china, china does not care about dogs. God only knows what they put in the stuff.

[Sue Perkick]

You know I'm not big on conspiracy theories, but it makes you wonder. What if......

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I think it's a PETA plot!

[randog]

...china does not care about dogs.

I'm sure they complain when they're under- or over-cooked.

[sugarsmak]

Hopefully it won't turn up in the dried food. :(

I've been using Nutro Dry.

[3AngelaD]

I am so sorry. I can imagine how heartbroken you must be. This company was criminally careless in not thoroughly testing thie NEW SUPPLIER'S product BEFORE including in the food and selling it. That Chinese supplier and the manufacturer should be barred from the American market in perpetuity. I'd be looking around for a lawyer, preferably junkyard dog type lawyer, if you will pardon my pun. I feed my beloved Yorkie a special Yorkie food made by Royal Canin that is superb. Thank heavens they have nothing to do with Menu.

[Gorzaloon]

ASPCA saying there may be other toxins involved also.

The trouble with toxicology, or any analysis, is that often when there are low concentrations involved, someone has to be looking for suspected compounds. Many have different analytical protocols and separation parameters. One cannot just squirt a sample into a GC MassSpec or do FTIR and have everything answered.

Just as an example, when kidney failure is mentioned, people might look for oxalic acid or glycols, and completely miss an inorganic nephrotoxin such as antimony.

It is possible everything about this incident may never be known completely.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

Oh Geez Sue, take off the tin-foil hat! J/k i thought the same thing and frantically checked to make sure there were no dry foods on the list, my pug is my first born.

After thinking about it I agree, what if it was planned, but I also don't think the dogfood industry is monolithic enough for that to work. Probably someone trying to get "discount" ingredients or mixing machine usage without proper cleaning, or atleast that's gonna be the official story..... But we'll know better won't we? ;o)

[Sue Perkick]

There were rumors last week. Then I didn't hear any more about it. I know Bil Jac is not part of the recall at all. I started mine on that when this started.

[NoGrayZone]

Hmmmm, sounds like PETA to me, don't they kill animals pretending to care for them?

[Sue Perkick]

We'll probably never know the truth. The companies are going to scramble to avoid the class action suit that's probably coming.

[aomagrat]

tinfoil hat on:
This is a terrorist practice run. It they succeed in contaminating pet food, then they will go for people food.
:tinfoil hat off

[cripplecreek]

I'm surpised at how little mention of China's part in this has gotten in the news. We certainly wouldn't want to screw up a good deal even if it kills us.

Wheat gluten is used in people food too.

[WestCoastGal]

So very sorry about your loss.

Mine died 12-27 but the dumb vets here didn't know what it was. There were no blood tests done so I can't be sure what the problem was. He did have Cushings Disease and was elderly but went downhill in 24 hours.

What I would like to know from everyone what IS THE BEST dogfood {DRY} out there. One that we can be sure does not use wheat from China etc. I know some of the big ones have had problems over the years even with dry food getting mold.

[duckman]

"This is a terrorist practice run."
This is exactly what I thought. As far as I know there is still no knowledge of how the poison got into the mix.

[Kimmers]

The loss of a pet is always so hard but for you to lose your pet in this manner has to be that much harder.

I also question why it took them so long to come out with the information.

You have my sympathies....So sorry

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

Wheat gluten

Rats would surely be resident in facilities that process this from the grain......seems like rat poison (probably strychnine) would also be present, since they easily learn to avoid traps.

Wheat gluten is mostly an asian product, it appears:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheat_gluten_(food)

[arbee4bush]

I feed my three small dogs (2 yorkies and a pom) the Nutro Ultra canned food. What I have left has the recalled UPC numbers. I am watching them like a hawk and hope they will be ok.

This whole thing was handled so wrong. I order this food online and know that the company I bought from knew I had the recalled products......and the waited over 3 weeks to contact me. Now they are calling and emailing (afraid of lawsuits?) Luckily, I read FR and saw the report and went to the website to check. I now make their food myself. No more bought foods, no matter how expensive and 'wholesome'.