Tests Of Suspect Pet Food Kill 7 Animals

[RamboLiberal]

Source: CBS

As many as one in six animals died in tests of suspect dog and cat food by the manufacturer after complaints the products were poisoning pets around the country, the government said Monday.

A federal investigation is focusing on wheat gluten as the likely source of contamination that sparked a recall last Friday of 60 million cans and pouches of the suspect food, said Stephen F. Sundlof, the Food and Drug Administration's top veterinarian.

<snip>

Menu Foods told the FDA it received the first complaints of kidney failure and deaths among cats and dogs from pet owners on Feb. 20. It began new tests on Feb. 27.

During those tests, the company fed its product to 40 to 50 dogs and cats and seven animals — the mix of species was not immediately known — died, Sundlof said. The contamination appeared more deadly to cats than to dogs, he said.


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/19/national/main2586721.shtml

[kestrel91316]

1. K&R

[Bitwit1234]

2. My cat had to be put to sleep on Feb 19.

My cat was a finicky eater and would eat only Special Kitty from WalMart in the pouches. She kept swelling up and the vet had to drain her. He said she had tumors, althought we did not do exploratory surgery. She finally got so weak I put her to sleep. I had two others who ate the Special Kitty but did not succum, so may be she did have tumors. I just feel guilty because I gave her the cat food.

[A Brand New World]

6. I'm sorry to hear about your cat. Please don't feel guilty. It's

certainly not your fault. It sounds as if you did everything you could have and should have. I just hope they find out soon what the cause is so no other pets die needlessly. I feel sorry for those poor test animals too. But I would imagine they were scheduled to be put to sleep anyway. I just hope they didn't suffer.

[saracat]

38. My kitty Sara was put to sleep Feb. 17th.The vet could not diagnos her illness

I know I gave her Sophisticat and Paws in Dec.She had jaundice and her blood wasn't clotting and she was bellding through the nose. We did an ultrasounf biopsy and blood tests.No answers.

[orleans]

81. saracat, i'm very sorry to hear about your kitty sara. that's very sad. n/t

[kestrel91316]

7. Don't feel guilty. Your kitty got to eat what she liked in the little time

she had left. With a tummy full of cancer, she was gonna go no matter what.

[Vinca]

80. I'm so sorry. How would you have ever known? Don't blame yourself. nt

[Pavulon]

3. how can we make a pr nightmare worse,,,

here's how. fucking morons. I would assume they tissue samples for analysis, but why not use an independent lab, and why go public.

Most people dont like big companies killing animals (even if there may be a reason)

[RamboLiberal]

5. Oh and how about waiting 3 weeks to inform pet owners

How many poor animals suffered and died? And how many are suffering now? And how many heartbroken owners are out there grieving and feeling guilty for feeding their animals your crap?

I hope this put these bastards out of business.

[Pavulon]

10. Yep, they are done

they will change names like valuejet, but hopefully they will close up.

I would be curious as to EXACTLY what the ingredient was and if it has other uses..

[kestrel91316]

9. You are obviously unaware of the EXTENSIVE testing being

done at Cornell University's veterinary toxicology lab.

Do you really think they did this deliberately??? Sounds like it. Oh, yeah, real smart - kill off the consumers of your product.

SOMEBODY screwed up. But don't hate pet food manufacturers for this, unless you are willing and able to do better at it yourself.

[Pavulon]

12. You misunderstood

yes I know about animal testing. My point was that releasing this now and not doing independent testing is stupid. I do not think it was intentional, several people screwed up for something this big..

It just reads poorly.

[kestrel91316]

13. Why is releasing it now stupid??? People have a right to know

what is going on.

There IS independent testing going on, at Cornell's toxicology lab and probably other university vet school toxicology labs. Everybody in my profession is burning the midnight oil to get to the bottom of this.

I am satisfied with how this is going so far. You have to realize it took a certain critical mass of sick animals with unusual circumstances that the owner or vet got suspicious about and thought to contact the pet food folks. Epidemiologic investigations take TIME. It's the nature of the beast.

[carla]

51. Anyone who cares to do a bit of research

CAN do better. Feed your animals raw food. Meat is what carnivores eat, not grain. As for the manufacturers of pet food, they are interested in the same kind of synergy with veterinarians that pharmaceutical corps have built up with doctors and the same kind of relationship agricorps and seed companies are trying to foist on farmers. Research will bear this out as well. A simple start would be to go to your vet and count the number of food products available for purchase at the practice. There are many reasons for this development I am addressing, but the simplest one is profit motive...Trust production in the late-capitalist vein at your own risk, just like one should trust large accounting firms, large energy firms, etc. at their own peril

Best reasons to feed raw are listed at this site...and many others, just google "raw diets for pets"
I will never feed my animals anything else, ever again.


http://www.wilmingtonanimalhospital.com/rawdiets.html

[kestrel91316]

4. This is really making me almost physically ill, reading this article,

and all the posts from vets online.

This has caused, and will cause, SO MUCH SUFFERING.

[Rhiannon12866]

19. I sent the links posted on DU and an e-mail that I got from HSUS about this

to anyone that I know who has pets, which is pretty much everyone, to make sure that they heard about this and checked their food. I am just overwhelmed by the number of brands and this runs the gamut of generic to premium food, so this also scares me to death. My friend, who is in rescue, said that her dogs became ill after eating Science Diet senior. I've fed that to my dogs, since I thought that it was good, as she did. Who would ever imagine that they made everything in the same place?! I feel ill, too.;(

[kestrel91316]

40. the only Science Diet that's got the wheat gluten is some of their

canned chunks in gravy. I don't think the Senior is one of them.

They are not reporting any cases as far as i know (yet).

[Rhiannon12866]

42. Thank you! This wasn't on the list, though some of the Science Diet foods were

which concerned me, since I've used this in the past, though two of my three dogs who were on it lived past 18. :-) But my friend wrote me that she switched both of her dogs over to it and that they threw up for the first 3-4 days that they were on it exclusively. She said that she called PetsMart, where she bought it. And I thank you for the info. My little guy (the one who sticks his tongue out in my sig :D ), who is 13, is on Science Diet A/D, prescribed by his vet, but I'm going to check the ingredients, right now, just to be sure.:scared: And I will also pass this info on to my friend, who already worries terribly about her older dogs. One of them is battling cancer, is a nine-month survivor with specialist care, but both of her dogs became sick.:-( Thank you!:hi:

[Ladydeedee]

49. My next-door nieghbor uses S-D and her animals are doing fine

I guess that is what I will start feeding my animals.

[Rhiannon12866]

57. Welcome to DU, Ladydeedee!

We're so glad to have another animal lover with us!:D

My puppy was on Science Diet when I adopted him and my vet said that their puppy food was fine, but, when I pressed him for a decision, he said that Eukanuba was marginally better, in his opinion, so that's why I switched him. Just stay away from any of those "cuts in gravy" kinds of food, or those in foil pouches, since those seem to be those which are being recalled. Here's the original thread on the pet food recall, FYI, in case you want to check for a particular brand or variety, to be safe...:-)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2769826&mesg_id=2769826

Rhiannon:hi:

[kestrel91316]

75. I feed it to all my cats, and recommend it without reservation to

my clients.

The anti-science flat-earthers around these parts would have you believe that it's worse than three-week-old road kill.

[donco6]

8. I'm so glad my girls eat dry food.

And so sorry for those who lost their animals. For people who have only these companions, it's just got to be torture. I would be devastated if I lost my dogs.

IMG]

[RamboLiberal]

11. Don't forget that they had a crisis with dry food

I believe that was last year? It was a problem with bad corn. So looks like if we use commercial food we play Russian Roulette with our beloved dogs and cats.

[donco6]

15. I use an organic brand - Timberwolf.

It's more expensive, but I guess I just have to trust it's safer . . .

[Ladydeedee]

50. Where can you buy that ??

I havent seen that brand B4

[donco6]

61. I've bought it online at onlynaturalpet.com

And we have some specialty stores here in Denver that carry it.

[TomInTib]

17. I wouldn't feed my dog mass-commercial food.

If you look around, you can find baked food with all-natural ingredients.

I believe that it was the wheat gluten additive that killed these animals.

The baking process will take care of everything but pesticides.

[IndyOp]

21. Baked food?

I feed high-end brands like Sensible Choice and Wellness - are those baked?

[TomInTib]

33. Those aren't baked.

Lotus is, though.

So is Flint River Ranch and many others.

Of course, they are a bit more expensive, but I will do just about anything for my dog's betterment (like feeding him pumpkin - the wonder food).

The high-end such as you feed and Iams, Science Diet, Avoderm, etc., are still "molded" in the final process.

They are fine foods, but not optimal.

google "dog food",baked

[carla]

52. Nice photo!

But if you love them so much, consider switching to real meat...dogs don't eat grains.

[KittyWampus]

73. donco, those are gorgeous, happy animals. Are they a specific breed?

they look like the perfect size for a dog. Not too small, not too big.

[donco6]

82. They are American Rat Terriers.

Gracie is about 12 lbs. and Greta is about 8 lbs. They are just so much fun. They love to play, good watchdogs, very affectionate (Greta loves to sit in your lap and watch TV). We take them to the mountains quite often and they busy themselves with sniffing out mice. We just love them.

[Sequoia]

79. What pretty dogs you have.

[soothsayer]

14. prolly GM wheat.

[silvershadow]

20. That's what I was thinking. n/t

[Eurobabe]

56. First thing I thought of when I read "wheat gluten."

People, we and our pets are all guinea pigs for the Archer/Daniels/Midlands, Monsantos, etc.

[crikkett]

60. is gm wheat even in production?

I thought it was scrapped or still in testing.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

16. This would mean that there a many, many more deaths from this than what's currently reported.

If what they found holds true and 1 in 6 of the pets who ate this died between Dec 3 and March 16 the numbers are painfully higher than the formal count of 9 cats and one dog.

[LisaL]

18. I have been feeding my cats food that is on the recall list-I

did not notice anything. I wonder how much of the food was affected.

[bleever]

22. Look for the product code, and compare it to the recalled lots.

Mainly east of the Rockies so far. Use the google to check on the exact product and lot numbers.

ed: link to product codes at the link in the OP.

[LisaL]

24. I am obviously not feeding it to them anymore. I mean I fed it to

them before I found out about the recall. I already looked at the lots.

[pushycat]

86. Many cases in L.A., few in Oregon, my vet said yesterday. eom

[RamboLiberal]

23. Watch your local news - bet you hear several tearful cases of

owners and vets reporting deaths or serious illness of cats and dogs. I've seen several reports here in Pittsburgh. Multiply that and I'd bet there is one helluva toll nationwide. Was this food also distributed in Canada? Just wondering if there are cases there as well.

[OhioChick]

25. I hope that those whom have lost their pets (or will)

will have some legal recourse, as well as the mounting vet bills from those who are currently ill.

[LisaL]

26. Pets are considered property, so I doubt people could get

reimbursed for the loss of companionship or that sort of thing.

[OhioChick]

27. Just noticed the dates:

"Menu Foods told the FDA it received the first complaints of kidney failure and deaths among cats and dogs from pet owners on Feb. 20. It began new tests on Feb. 27."

Damn shame. Consumers should have been made aware of this much, much sooner.

[RamboLiberal]

28. Some important advice from a vet posted at ABC

If owners believe that their pet has been eating the food, Becker says that they should bring their pets into the vet's office immediately.

Cats, Becker says, can lose 80 percent of kidney function before showing evidence of a problem. But once the animal reaches this tipping point, the problem becomes apparent. By this time, treatment may come too late.

"If their pet ate this food, or if the owner even thinks it did, we can give that cat or dog massive amounts of fluids to flush this out," he says.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=2963443&page=3

[LisaL]

30. Oh great. Now I have to take the cats over for flashing?

They seem fine.

[DemoTex]

29. Why KILL animals in tests?

For Christs-sake, my mom is dying in an Atlanta hospital and they didn't have to kill a bunch of small mammals to find out she has MRSA and esophageal shingles. Biopsies. Cultures. Pathology. Petri dishes.

[LisaL]

31. They can't figure out what is causing it. But since animals died

after eating the food they pretty much know the food is deadly. If they waited for Petri dishes they would still not know if the food is bad since they don't know how this food kills.

[DemoTex]

34. Circular reasoning, IMO.

Animals already died from the pet food. Why kill more? Pull the food, and run qualitative analyses on the suspect batches. So what if it takes a couple of days? The product is off the shelves and banned. Unless. Unless. Unle$s. Unle$$. Eureka, I think I understand!

[LisaL]

35. I guess you don't understand how it goes.

They got reports that some animals have died. They don't know for sure if the food is causing it. There can be many other things that would cause an animal to die from kidney failure, not just the food. They do the test, give the food to the animals, and the animals die-now they know the food is causing it.
Then they recall the food.
As for qualitative analysis-as I understand they are trying to find out what exactly is causing it but haven't been able to figure it out so far.
If they had waited for qualitative analysis to figure this out the food likely still wouldn't have been recalled.

[DemoTex]

36. I guess I don't know. I'm just a lad from the woods.

But I'll guess my point missed you.

[LisaL]

37. No, you are missing the point. By the way many animals are

euthanized in shelters every day.
Why aren't you crying over those?

[DemoTex]

41. I am. Crying, that is.

I am not missing points.

[tbyg52]

89. So recall it on strong suspicion, just like would happen with people food!

And, to continue the analogy, when there is a suspected problem with people food, do we round up a few *people*, feed it to them, and see who dies? I rest my case.

[OhioChick]

32. Q-and-A: What pet owners need to know

USA TODAY's Elizabeth Weise consulted the FDA, American Veterinary Medical Association president Roger Mahr and others for answers:
Q: What's the problem?

A: The FDA says contamination in pet food manufactured by Menu Foods causes kidney problems in some cats and dogs.


FDA: Expects death toll to rise; probe expands

Q: What are the symptoms?


A: Lethargy, drinking lots of water, frequent urination, not eating.

Q: How is it treated?

A: Once the contaminated food is stopped, many animals will heal on their own. Others with more kidney damage may require IV fluids.

Q: What is the culprit?

A: It's unclear, but the FDA says wheat gluten, used as a protein supplement and binder in wet-style pet foods, appears to be the source of the contamination.

Q: How can wheat gluten cause kidney failure?

A: It isn't clear yet. One possibility is a fungus in the wheat produced a mycotoxin, some of which are known to cause kidney damage, but that's pure supposition, says Larry Cowgill, veterinary nephrologist at University of California Veterinary Medical Center-San Diego.

Q: How many animals are affected?

A: No one knows for sure, but it's likely in the hundreds if not thousands. There is no national public health system for pets. The contamination appeared more deadly to cats than to dogs, says the FDA. The website PetConnection.com started compiling a database Sunday and within hours had reports of 150 cats ill and half of them dead, says writer Gina Spadafori.

Q: What should I do?

A: First, check to see if your pet actually ate the food involved, packaged in cans and small foil pouches. Consumers should stop using the affected products and consult with veterinarians if their animals are showing symptoms.

Q: If my pet was affected, can I sue?

A: Probably not. Under the law, pets are generally treated as property, and an owner can only request compensation to replace them, says Mary Randolph, author of Every Dog's Legal Guide (Nolo Press). While a few judges have assigned damages to owners whose animals were injured or killed, the cases are rare, and all were in lower courts, so they don't set precedents.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-03-19-qanda-food_N.htm

[saracat]

39. Bastards! More than 7 animals have died suspiciously on DU alone.

[DBoon]

43. Is Trader Joe's OK?

It isn't on the list, but I'm concerned that it might turn out to be a repackaging of one of the affected brands.

Our dogs are OK, thank god - I assume it would be prudent to keep them on kibble for now until we know for sure.

[merh]

44. pedigree and cesar dog foods

sheba and whiskas cat foods are okay according to pedigree's website. http://www.pedigree.com/home.asp

[ends_dont_justify]

47. I'm friends with the owner of a wildlife group for rehabilitating animals

Says she was warned *any* gravy food may not be safe, because she said the manufacturer had a hand in a lot of mainstream foods as well. Not sure if it's factual, but it'd be better to be safe than sorry. If the FDA can't even protect people...

On edit: Wanted to clarify I meant gravy food for pets ;)

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

55. I'm glad Whiskas is okay.

My cats used to get Nutro wet food, but at some point they decided they only liked Whiskas. For once, their switching tastes in wet food every few months has worked out for the best.

They're still on Nutro dry though and that worries me, even though I know dry food hasn't been affected.

[Mojorabbit]

62. Thanks for this

my cats are picky and whiskas in the pouch are their favorites.Whew!

[Raine]

92. Thank goodness

these are OK so far, cause that is what I feed my dog and also the stray neighborhood cats that I feed.

THANKS for posting this.

[carla]

53. The only "ok " food

is a raw meat diet. Go out and buy chicken, beef, lamb heart, and do some research about how to combine these in healthy proportions. Carnivores don't eat grains or baked goods...think about it. The result will be a long, healthy and happy life for your pets and joy in your own life and fewer visits to the veterinarian. SERIOUSLY.

[Coventina]

63. That's a gross oversimplification.

For one thing, there is a big difference between the digestive system of dogs and cats. What you posted is much more true for cats than it is for dogs.

Dogs are omnivores, like people. Cats are obligate carnivores, they must get most of their nutrients from meat.

Dogs are a different story. They are natural scavengers and will eat all kinds of things, including poop. This is because their digestive systems are highly efficient and can extract nutrients from very nutrient-poor substances.

Giving them nothing but meat tends to make them overweight and subject to heart and kidney problems, just like if a human ate only meat.

Dogs can be vegetarian, and be perfectly healthy (with care, just like with humans). However, the same is not true of cats.

[carla]

65. Oversimplification is your explanation.

http://rawfed.com/myths/omnivores.html
"Myth: DOGS ARE OMNIVORES.

This is false. Dogs are carnivores, not omnivores. Dogs ARE very adaptable, but just because they can survive on an omnivorous diet does not mean it is the best diet for them. The assumption that dogs are natural omnivores remains to be proven, whereas the truth about dogs being natural carnivores is very well-supported by the evidence available to us."

and here:
http://www.pitbulllovers.com/health-articles/your-dogs-diet.html
"The first thing to keep in mind when considering a dog food is that dogs are carnivores.

Many people think that dogs are omnivores because they are scavengers. They will eat just about anything when they are hungry or if food is scarce.

One thing you don't see Wolves doing is raiding a farmer's grain field no matter how hungry they may be. Their jaws are designed to rip and shred not grind."

Pet food suppliers will designate dogs as omnivores to justify the grains in their kibble. Dogs are domesticated wolves. You can breed any dog with a wolf and get viable offspring.

My meat eating Australian Cattle Dog is the epitome of health, good weight, no bad breath, small defecation, brilliant teeth. Our vet is very complimentary of our care and has never once suggested any other diet. Simple minds are easily convinced, complex minds require much more evidence. Do the research.

[Coventina]

70. Obviously, you love dogs and want what is best for them. Bravo to you.

And I will say that the high-quality meat diet you are giving your dog is far superior to the mystery-meat by-product sludge that makes up most commercial pet foods. If it's working for you and your dog, that's great.

But lay off the offensive language about simple minds. I just finished writing my thesis about dogs, so I am pretty darn well read on the subject, and just because I may say something you disagree with, it doesn't make me simple-minded.

Dogs are NOT wolves. At this point in evolutionary development they are cousins, and not very close ones at that. There have been many biological changes since the two branches separated from a common ancestor. There are brain differences, teeth differences, digestive differences, developmental differences....the list goes on. The bottom line is that what a dog needs and what a wolf needs are two different things.

[carla]

74. Try again

Gross oversimplification not offensive?
What exactly are the details of your thesis that you have missed so much? What evolutionary developments? What biological changes? Any links I can read?

http://www.wolftrust.org.uk/wolfdogs.htmlAre Dogs Wolves?

"The cross breeding of wolves and dogs produces fertile offspring - strong confirmation that wolves and dogs are the same species. However, some experts maintain that wolves and dogs are sufficiently different to classify them as separate species, respectively Canis lupus and Canis familiaris.

Other experts assert that differences are insignificant and therefore dogs should be classified as a subspecies of wolf, namely Canis lupus familiaris. In fact, genetic analysis shows that wolves and dogs are 99.8% genetically identical (Wayne). That is, dogs and wolves cannot be told apart genetically."

and
http://rawfed.com/myths/changed.html
Myth: DOGS ARE TOO FAR REMOVED FROM WOLVES/HAVE BEEN CHANGED TOO MUCH, AND THEREFORE CANNOT HANDLE A RAW DIET .

"This is MOSTLY false. The only truth found in this statement is that humans have changed dogs. BUT, we have only changed their external appearance and temperament, NOT their internal anatomy and physiology."

Dogs are just wolves in dogs' clothing.

[Coventina]

78. Here's a link to a zoologist's blog that nicely summarizes some recent research

http://darrennaish.blogspot.com/2006/10/controversial-origins-of-domestic-dog.html

BTW: if you think "gross oversimplification" is as offensive as calling someone simple-minded, don't attend any academic conferences.

I don't understand why you feel you have to be so abusive to defend your position. We both want what's best for the doggies.

[RobinA]

72. Dogs Eat Poop

You can say that again. Our dog LOVES horse poop, which is pure herbivore. Goose poop comes in second, which appears to be partially digested grass. Partially being the operative word here. Chicken poop is not on the menu, and any carnivore poo, say... cat or fox, gets a disgusted reaction at first sniff. Chickens are omnivores when allowed to be.

[Seedersandleechers]

69. I've been feeding my cats raw since the day they were weaned.

There are a lot of people/vets that are brainwashed by the billion dollar pet food industry. My holistic vet encourages a raw diet and works with me regarding nutrition. Use fresh meats and safe raw meat handling guidelines and your pets are better off.

[carla]

77. My dogs have been raw

since 4 months of age. My dogs heal extremely fast and well when injured. Holistic vets are hard to find. Good that you found one that encourages the right diet.

[RobinA]

71. So....

Dogs in the wild eating a raw meat diet live longer than household dogs? Why do I not think so? Just because an animal eats something in the wild, doesn't mean it's the best thing for him. I'd need proof of this raw meat diet before I'm buying it. Not necessarily disagreeing with you, I don't know, I just question your logic.

[carla]

76. The following links

say it much better than I can. I've had many dogs and fed my earlier canine friends a commercial diet. It's only after being educated about raw diet did I begin to understand why my previous dogs suffered from various maladies. Commercial dog and cat foods are produced by an industry which also needs to convince veterinarians and pet owners about the 'superior quality' of their products. This is done through advertising and funding veterinary schools. Whenever independent research and experience contradicts the corporate/profit making logic, it is swept under the rug and discounted as not being rigorous or reliable. Nothing is more reliable than first hand experience.
My current pets are the only proof I need. My own research confirms my experience.

http://rawfed.com/why.html

http://rawfed.com/myths/index.html

You can also try googling: raw food dog cat

[tbyg52]

90. Personally,

I, in the future, am not going to feed anything but dry or homemade or a super-premium brand like Spot's Stew. And I'm still nervous. I'm becoming more and more convinced that we had one of the early casualties (March 8th).

[thethinker]

45. My cat has been sick

I took her to vet Saturday morning as soon as I saw the news reports. He gave her liquids, antibiotics and did blood tests. I still do not have results of the blood tests.

I really want to know what is in that wheat gluten and how to avoid it in the future.

I think it is hitting cats harder because they are smaller.

[Ladydeedee]

48. My cat is sick too. Why cant these companies be more careful?

I am going to sen the vetenarians bill to the store where I bought the cat food.

[LisaL]

59. Just cause you send it to the store does not mean the

store would pay it. You would be better off if you tried to make the company that made the food to pay the vet bill.

[Pugee]

87. Petconnection is asking people to report sick animals here to try and get some idea of the numbers

http://www.petconnection.com/

[NAO]

46. Thread in GD on poison cat food has nearly 200 posts, very valuable info

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=443453&mesg_id=443453

There are nearly 200 posts in that thread, many from a private practice vet who is providing up-to-date detailed info I have not been able to find anywhere else.

Please consider recommending this thread and giving it a kick so people can get the info they need in time. Sometimes if treated early, the kidney failure can be reversed.

[Eurobabe]

54. So was this WHEAT GLUTEN from a GMO source?

Inquiring minds want to know. What do you want to bet? Wasn't there just an article on DU about the dangers of GMO wheat or rice and the link to kidney failure? If someone finds it, please let me know.

[PaulaFarrell]

58. That would make sense

They must have been usiung wheat gluten for years in their recipes without this occurring. So either they are using a new kind of wheat gluten, or it was contmaintaed in some other way.

[mr1956]

67. They changed to a new supplier of wheat gluten in late 2006.

[fed-up]

64. my neighbor's kitten died a few weeks ago/kidney issues-will ask about feed :( nt

[roamer65]

66. I know my kitty is safe so far.

He just had a benign cyst removed and they did chemistries on him before the surgery and all was well. My remaining Special Kitty is not the "cuts and gravy" type. I tried giving that type to them once and they urped it. It was years ago. Ever since I have avoided that type of cat food, thank goodness. Looks like I will throw away the remaining SK food just to be safe and switch to Whiskas.

[brentspeak]

68. What about prescription dog food? Safe?

My sister's dog has a bad stomach, and only eats the prescription stuff.

[MasonJar]

83. They killed more animals to test the deadliness of the cans of food.

What is wrong with this world is man! The animals would get along fine if we were gone.

[roamer65]

84. It does not set well with me either.

Enough dogs and cats have been sickened or killed to know that's their is a problem. They didn't need to kill more.

[flvegan]

85. Many pet food manufacturers torture and kill dogs/cats to test their food.

It's fairly routine in parts of the industry.

http://www.iamscruelty.com/

http://www.uncaged.co.uk/iams01.htm

[gravity]

88. They have to find the effects of the food somehow

How else do you expect them to test this? They still don't know for sure why the petfood is so dangerous.

As tragic as this is, it probably saved more pets lives in the end with the recall. Also this does not compare at all with the thousands of dogs that are euthanized each year.

[tbyg52]

91. How do they test such things for people food?

I'm sure it's not by rounding up some people and feeding it to them to see if they die.

[gravity]

94. They round up animals and see if they die

[tbyg52]

95. Great. Well, I guess there may be cases where that's the only possible test

But I bet there are other cases where other testing methods could be used, as in other types of animal testing.

[NAO]

93. Lawsuit in progress...seeks CLASS ACTION status

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/20/national/main2590696.shtml

snip...

(AP) A Chicago woman sued Menu Foods on Tuesday, alleging the pet food manufacturer delayed announcing a recall of 60 million containers of dog and cat food despite knowing its products were contaminated and potentially deadly.

Dawn Majerczyk, 43, said her orange tabby, Phoenix, fell sick last week just two days after he ate a single package of Special Kitty. It is one of 95 cat and dog food brands recalled by Menu Foods of Canada. Friday's recall came two weeks after nine cats died during routine company taste tests of its products, the Food and Drug Administration said.

Majerczyk said she took the 9-year-old cat to its first-ever veterinarian visit the day of the recall. The cat had lost six pounds in four days and was lethargic, dehydrated and nearly blind. She returned over the weekend to have him put down after his organs began to fail. Her suit, filed by Chicago attorney Jay Edelson, seeks class-action status.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/20/national/main2590696.shtml

[NAO]

96. petconnection.com database: 1120 sickened; 502 dead from recall food

As of 5 PM EST, Wednesday March 21, petconnection.com has received reports of 1,120 animals sickened; of those 502 are dead.

http://www.petconnection.com/blog /

Petconnection.com is run by a high profile veterinarian. He realizes - as I hope everyone here does too - that the "10 dead cats" story the media keeps repeating is absolute nonsense. The problem is MUCH larger than this.

Lots of veterinarians have LOST THEIR OWN PETS to acute renal failure and their clinics have seen very abnormally high numbers of unexplained acute renal failure over the PAST FEW MONTHS (the poisoned food was on the shelves for nearly FOUR (4)MONTHS before the recall of 60 MILLION packets was finally issued on March 16.)

If you have had a pet in your family become seriously ill from kidney problems anytime since December - whether the pet is still with you of even if it passed or was euthanized months ago - petconnection.com needs you to enter your case into their database. Their site also directs you to the FDA site, with instructions on reporting the problem to the FDA.

Link to petconnection.com database entry form (with links to FDA reporting site):
http://www.petconnection.com/recall /

I sincerely hope that this nightmare ends soon, and that the worst is behind us - but even with top animal scientists and independent analytical labs working overtime, the STILL do not know what is making the pets sick. And the public perception that it has "killed 10 cats" only makes the problem seem minor, when it is in fact enormous.


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