Deaths from pet food recall may be worse than being reported

[RamboLiberal]

Source: KXLY.com

<snip>

At the North Idaho Animal Hospital in Sandpoint, Dr. Marty Becker says the phones are ringing constantly with pet owners calling, worried they fed their dog or cat one of 95 brands of "Cuts and Gravy" style food recalled last week.

“I would say the overall mood across the country is still panic,” Dr. Becker said. “Because it's not like a threat you can see. You can protect your dog or cat from an oncoming car or angry dog but this is an invisible threat.”

Dr. Becker says that when news of the pet food recall began to spread he knew he needed to start tracking just how widespread the problem is. On Sunday Dr. Becker began compiling reports in a database on his website petconnection.com. On the website pet owners who believe their animal has been affected by the tainted food fill out a short form.

“I think we are going to be surprised by two things. Number one the problem is much larger than being reported right now, and number two it may be confined to more metropolitan areas,” Dr. Becker said, explaining that in metropolitan areas pet owners are more likely to use this kind of food.



Read more: http://www.kxly.com/news/?sect_rank=1§ion_id=559&story_id=9484

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http://petconnection.com/

Update: As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, nearly 250 pets have been reported as dead to our PetConnection database.

***

Pet-lovers are understandably worried about the massive, voluntary recall of many brands of pet food and reports of pet deaths. Involved are house brands sold by retailers and products from pet food companies. The recall involves "wet" food in cans or pouches.

At PetConnection, we are tracking the number of sick pets, and we're asking for your help. We're also keeping on top of the situation on our Web log.

Report a sick pet to our database
What you need to know about renal failure
Read the latest on our blog
Check the list of recalled foods

Menu Foods, a company manufacturing pet food brands for many companies, has announced a massive recall of pet foods. The affected product lines at this time are restricted to "wet" foods in cans or pouches, with more than 48 dog food brands and 40 cat food brands represented -- more than 60 million containers in all.

We're asking pet-lovers whose pets have been made ill or have died to fill out the simple form below. We're not lawyers, and we're not forming a class-action suit. We're pet-lovers, veterinarians and journalists who are trying to get an accurate idea of the scope of this tragedy. And that's why we need your help.

Please take a few minutes and fill out the form below. You'll be helping us to help other pet-lovers.

You should also report your pet's illness or death to the FDA.

Check out the latest information on our Web log, including links to the lists of recalled products. Also, advice from Dr. Marty Becker on what you should do if you have recalled food in your home.

http://petconnection.com/recall/index.php

[kestrel91316]

1. As Marty well knows, worried owners are not the most reliable

reporters for this disease syndrome. Veterinarians need to make a diagnosis based on objective criteria on physical exam, with history and lab data taken into account. Owners are going to be calling every sick animal a case of poisoning.

There already exists a reporting system for animal disease outbreaks, and it has been ramped up in recent years due to bioterrorism concerns. Los Angeles County has already issued one formal report to veterinarians, and more will follow. It will take time to gather and organize the statistical data.

Maybe Marty means well, but his longstanding penchant for shameless self-promotion rubs me the wrong way, I guess.

[salin]

14. question...

dry dog food - not Science Diet - but its offshoot that is now only sold (to my knowledge) through vets. Really big chunks of food rather than kibble and we serve it in water (because the dog doesn't drink much water during the day - but when we serve his food wet he drinks the water with it - and he does it immediately so there is no "sit time" regarding the food in water.) From what I have read - he should be cool, right? Thanks.

[Gregorian]

2. Which brands? What are the foods that are problematic?

I'm having a heck of a time getting the most basic info. I've searched the forum and the links.

[nodehopper]

3. here

http://www.menufoods.com/recall/index.html

[Gregorian]

6. Thanks. I had found it once, but couldn't find it again.

[kestrel91316]

4. NO dry foods are involved. NO pate-style foods are involved.

It is ONLY the fake meat chunks/slices/flakes in gravy style, made with wheat gluten, that are involved. Pouches and cans.

I'm telling my clients to not feed ANY of that type of food, regardless of manufacturer.

If you have a sick pet and are wondering if it's due to the recall list foods, then you need to check lot numbers.

Also, even if your pet is well and you know it ate some of the recalled food, you need to consult your personal vet about screening tests for subclinical disease.

[Gregorian]

7. Thank you. It looks like none of those were what my cat ate.

But I really have to wonder. He died of something mysterious. Today's the 90 day anniversary since he died, and I'm still just lost without him. Like a pound of flesh was removed.

He's gone. I don't think trying to figure it out at this point is going to matter much.

[roseBudd]

24. My asymptomatic HCM runt eats Iams dry but his pill treat is Fancy Feast Salmon & Shrimp in gravy...

It is the only canned food he'll eat and he loves it enough to report for pilling, he gets about 2/3 of a can per day, as he had dropped to 7.5 lbs. He feels like he is back up to 8.5 since the Fancy Feast.

[Rhiannon12866]

31. My rescued cat was prescribed special food from the vet, but she wouldn't eat it.

Cats can be very finicky, I know. The only food that she would eat was Fancy Feast, grilled, chicken or turkey, not even the other grilled varieties. So that's what she got. You do what you have to do, LOL. I'm glad that you found out what your cat will eat and what works for him, and that he's gained weight and is doing much better. :-)

[roseBudd]

35. Fancy Feast is like crack, even food purists resort to Fancy Feast when their cats

are anorectic

[LisaL]

25. Both my cats have been eating Nutro chunks in gravy

food but they are fine.
Seems really weird. The food companies can't figure out what is causing it. I doubt the food I fed my cats was affected in any way because one of them has very delicate health so if there was something wrong with the food I bet he would be sick. It (whatever it is) could have gotten into some batches but not the others.

[roseBudd]

36. Still the gravy aspect is what worries me as mine will only eat tiny chunks swinning in gravy

I tried Iams Salmon that claims to have gravy, but it looks like pate to me and he won't eat it.

[kestrel91316]

5. I'm getting sick just reading about all the cases other vets are

seeing (vet website). A vet clinic in NJ lost their feline mascot due Eukanuba pouches.

[RamboLiberal]

8. The B*stard company started hearing complaints in December!

Starting in December, concerns began filtering back to the company through toll-free customer lines about the "cuts and gravy" style pet food.

Callers complained their animals had fallen ill after eating the food, although no direct link was established.

One large customer in the United States initiated its own recall after receiving complaints and put future orders for the products on hold.

Menu Foods supplies its products to 17 of the top 20 retailers in North America for sale under store labels such as Master Choice, Compliments and Select, and also manufactures under contract for several national brands.

Concerned consumers were also referred to the Nestle-Purina pet-care hotline at 1-800-551-7392, which was swamped with calls on Friday.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/565102.html

[redacted]

9. Thank you Rambo for posting this critical story

We're going to post the video link separately in GD with a backlink to this thread.

[AX10]

10. Thanks!

:hi:

[Shakespeare]

11. I believe it--just here in LA, there've been several reported. n/t

[Xithras]

12. Has anyone reported the CAUSE yet?

I've heard a few passing references to "contamination", but nothing really definitive yet. Was it bacteriological? Chemical? Tainted meat? Insufficient machine maintenance?

How did this happen?

[kestrel91316]

13. Word in the veterinary grapevine is that they are looking very

closely at the possibility of fungal contamination of grain stocks for teh wheat gluten.

They are having a hell of a time because some mycotoxins can be EXTREMELY difficult to detect.

[Rhiannon12866]

15. Wow, this is scary.

Thanks so much for keeping us informed...:hi:

[kestrel91316]

16. ........Anything I can do to help. ....

[Rhiannon12866]

17. You're keeping everyone here informed, which is a great service.

Thank you for the information and the advice!:hi:

[kestrel91316]

19. You're welcome. None of my patients are affected (yet) so

instead of treating renal failure cases I'm posting here. Many of my colleagues are apparently overwhelmed with cases.

[Rhiannon12866]

21. That's good to hear. I wish you all the best with this.

From what I first read, it sounded as if only cats had been affected, so far, but it now sounds much more widespread, very frightening. My puppy was neutered and had a small hernia repaired on Thursday, but no one from my vet's office called to find out how he was doing and they normally do that if one of my pets is just treated for something, so I'm wondering if they're really busy. I'm hoping not. I have to make an appointment for the beginning of next week for a re-check and to have his stitches out, so I'll ask about this when I call. It's a small animal practice and they have a lot of clients.:scared:

[redacted]

18. Kestrel have you seen this report? They say no contamination can be found.

http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070321/APF/703212891

[kestrel91316]

20. They haven't found heavy metals (easy to find). They haven't

found ethylene glycol (antifreeze) or other similar coupounds (easy to find). They haven't found mycotoxins YET, but they can be extraordinarily difficult to detect, I understand.

Fungal contamination/mycotoxin has NOT been definitively ruled out, AFAIK.

[Auntie Bush]

22. Is it possible that pets could have gotten this bad food as far back

as last April. My Jack Russell almost died. He lost so much weight he was literally nothing but skin and bones. He wouldn't eat anything...not even treats, drank so much water, had terrible pure licquid diarrhea, threw up anything we managed to get him to eat. We finally saved him by putting him on people food, very small portions 5 times a day plus antibiotics. We stopped going to the Vet and brought him home to die...however we saved him...thank goodness! He is a good weight now, still VERY thirsty, has very poor bladder control and needs to be fed three times a day.

Are those the symptoms of dogs who have been poisoned by these foods?

Thank you Kestrel for all the help and advice you've given people on DU regarding this problem. It's so kind of you to be so sharing. :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

23. Was your Jack Russell ever tested for Cushing's Syndrome?

The behavioral symptoms of this are excessive drinking and urination, though excessive eating is the third one, but I've had two dogs diagnosed with with this and my Sara was still a finicky eater. Just something that I've had experience with, so you might want to read about it and ask your vet. My heart goes out to you, since I've had very frightening times with my dogs, as well...

Rhiannon:hug:

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/cushings.html

http://www.kateconnick.com/library/cushingsdisease.html

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?articleid=416

[Auntie Bush]

26. Thanks so much for that information. It was a lot to read and learn.

Most of his symptoms sound like Cushings...but some don't. You have inspired me to take him back to the vet and see if he can be diagnosed.
Thanks again and I'll do some more research. You left me with plenty of information. :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

29. You're welcome. When my first dog was diagnosed with Cushing's,

I did a whole lot of research, so I recognized the behavioral symptoms in Sara and brought it up with my vet and she was tested and it turns out that she had it, as well. What were the chances that I'd have two dogs with this? But I adopt older dogs and it's generally a disease of older dogs, and is often mistaken for just signs of older age. But it is treatable with the right medication and most dogs with it can live a normal lifespan. Actually, I started a support group on Dogster in honor of Sara, for dogs with Cushing's, where we can share information. These are some of the links I posted there. There are two types, same symptoms, but are treated differently, depending on which type. Let me know what you find out. He may not have this, but I thought it was something that you might want to consider and know more about. And if you have any questions I can answer about this, I'm here.

Rhiannon:hug:

[aquart]

33. Oh, Lord, then it's possible my sister did lose cats to these foods.

She was wondering...but thought it was too far back.

They knew in December and didn't recall? They need to see jail.

[Bigmack]

27. My dog is cuter, smarter, .....

and more loving than any other dog in the world.

If he doesn't eat all his (dry) food, we panic.... Should we call the emergency vet?

I hurt for everybody even worried about their dog eating this food.

At the same time, the phone calls, news stories, and general kerfuffel about dog food makes me question the values of a country that seems to be paying more attention to this problem than to people starving in Darfur and getting the shit blown out of them in Iraq.

I suppose we can't do anything about the world's ills.... but.....

Just thinking....

[LisaL]

28. Maybe it's cause many people consider their pets to be their

family members, and if something kills or hurts the family members people tend to get upset. Anyhow, I think this is way more important than who fathered Anna Nicole Smith's baby, which is what all over cable TV.

[Rhiannon12866]

30. I agree with you. My dogs are my family and I took responsibility for them.

So it's my responsibility to make sure that they're okay, nobody else's. My heart goes out to anyone who is hurting anywhere in the world, Darfur, Iraq, Gaza, certainly New Orleans, but I look out for my pets, who are my family members, and I'd be a pretty poor excuse for a human being if I didn't...

Rhiannon:hi:

[blue_kansas1]

32. Re: Deaths from pet food recall may be worse than being reported

I wonder if they are hiding something more insidious, such as gluten from genetically altered wheat? My heart goes out to the victims' families.

Blue in Kansas

[NYC]

34. Genetic engineering of grapes, and fungus.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x471793


* Secrecy, danger surround genetic engineering of grapes
By ERICA MARTENSON
Napa Valley Register (California), Thursday, March 15, 2007

***Web Note: The article below makes a strong case against secret testing of GM crops. Similar cases could be made about the secret testing of crops such as barley and safflower modified with human genes producing pharmaceuticals in Washington State In the grape tests mentioned below the fungus Trichoderma harzianum, providing genes to some of the grapes has been found to infect and injure or kill people with weakened immune systems and that fungus also produces a product causing infertility in males.

[Oreegone]

37. There are a lot of sick dogs & cats

I personally know 3 people who have animals affected, one had to put their dog down.
Very sad, I can not believe how many brands are involved.