Tainted pet food: Multiple contaminants?

The ASPCA announced today that it is not convinced that the clinical signs reported in cats affected by the contaminated foods point definitively and solely to the ingestion of rat poison containing aminopterin (pronounced am-in-OP-tah-rin), a chemotherapy drug.

“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 Animal Poison Control Center. “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.”

Hansen noted that while renal failure is a symptom of aminopterin exposure, certain other symptoms -- such as severe intestinal damage, as well as bone marrow suppression, including "leukopenia," which is a serious reduction in white blood cells -- have not materialized.

He encouraged veterinarians to report their findings to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

The ASPCA noted that though manufacturer Menu Foods reported this week that aminopterin was at the "root" of the recall, the FDA has not formally corroborated this.

Comments

[Renee Polgar]

Hey everyone,

***Important sites about the Food Recall***

Just wanted to pass along two very important and informative websites for those that don't already know about them. Both sites are updated constantly-
http://www.howl911.com/#foods

(when you go to this link, click on the scrolling red text regarding the recall and it will bring you to a great page with a lot of information)
http://www.caninecare.org/

[Linda]

I had heard about this problem several days ago and it is such a worry - now what are we to do. I suppose then it could not be the wheat - something else - one vet site, and I posted the link, that if it was genetically altered wheat - that might be the real culprit.

it was www.animaltalknaturall.com

and the article was ??? I can't remember...something like a alternate point or something. I will look it up again and post it here.

[Linda]

Sorry, thats www.animaltalknaturally.com

[Linda]

March 22, 2007 article, scroll down to it, "Tip of the Iceberg"

on www.animaltalknaturally.com

[traci]

Did someone on this blog say that there was a problem with dry Nutro - has it poisoned some dogs too?

[AnimalEnthusiast]

Thanks for all of the information and different links on the pet food recall. It has been really helpful! Hopefully none of your pets have been affected.

[Just me]

We were asked to pull pig ears off the shelf.Whats next?

[Vicki Wagner]

We DESERVE the truth. Pet owners have been misled for too long about mass manufactured pet food. All pet foods are not alike, I CHALLENGE all pet owners to view a video on my website that gives great detail about the manufacturing processes of mass produced pet food, go to www.pamperedpetzone.com it's what we have been trying to tell people for a long time. If the product you are using does not offer any manufacturing information or is not AAFCO and APHIS certified find something different. I did! Good luck!

[Catherine]

Vicki, thank you for finally bringing HealthyPetNet in to the forefront! I am a long-time client of HealthyPetNet food and due to the recent recall and all of its implications, I am sooo glad that I am! In my opinion, everyone should visit www.pamperedpetzone.com it is a great site full of useful information. Thanks again Vicki!

[Irene]

IMPORTANT!

MORE PET FOOD RECALLS PER CNN AND FOX! Menu Foods is recalling MORE and among them is LASSIE DOG FOOD that someone posted they were "relieved it was safe". WRONG, it contains a deadly contaminant....
I think it was Laura. I have emailed her privately and even though I no longer post on this blog, I think this is important enough to tell everyone who hasn't heard or seen the latest as of about 4pm NYC time today. Lassie Pet Foods is NOT the only one with a problem...just caught my attention cause I know someone on this blog IS feeding it to their pet.

This is so totally frightening and depressing...

[Karen (VA)]

Following up on Irene's post- here is the link to THIS recall.

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/sunshinemills04_07.html

[Laura]

Irene,

Thanks for the e-mail but it was not me. I sent you an e-mail in case you don't read this. My 2 seniors are eating the Alpo Liva Snap treats and are doing fine. Thanks again.

Laura

[Debbie]

Thanks Irene and Ksaren, I haven't seen the news but just checked the website, my dog has treats from Sunshine Mills I just checked, but her are pupcorn and are not on the recall. I just stopped giving her the Pet-Tab vitamins as there was traces of lead in them I think. This is getting out of control with what to give your dog, Vitamins, Treats and food all seem to have something wrong and let's not talk about the cat food. A guy I work with had given his dog the tainted food and found out the next day it was tainted, he rushed her to the vet and this was a rescue we did at our job, he was good enough to take her and give her a good home, imagine the scare he had saving a dog to think it might die, all tests were done and she is OK, thank God.

Will it ever end with manufacturers?

Vicki thank you for the information, it;s good to know people are up on the latest since some of us don;t always see the news.