Veterinary Group Says More Than 100 Pet Deaths Blamed on Recalled Dog and Cat Food

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

Veterinary Group Says More Than 100 Pet Deaths Blamed on Recalled Dog and Cat Food
03-27-2007 4:04 PM
By MARK JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer

ALBANY, N.Y. (Associated Press) -- At least 471 cases of pet kidney failure have been reported in the 10 days since a nationwide recall of dog and cat food and about a fifth of those pets have died, a veterinarians' information service said Tuesday.

The maker of the recalled pet food has confirmed the deaths of only 16 pets.

Paul Pion, founder of the Veterinary Information Network, which counts 30,000 veterinarians and veterinary students as members, said Tuesday the number of reported kidney failure cases had already grown higher than the 471, but he said he wouldn't have an updated tally for a few days.

Of the reported cases, he said, 104 animals have died. The network's survey results were earlier reported by the Los Angeles Times.

Read more: http://omaha.cox.net/cci/newsnational/national?_mode=view&_state=maximized&view=article&id=D8O4OE800&_action=validatearticle

[youngdem]

1. Still seems VERY low

I bet the final total is a couple thousand pets. The test at the lab paid for by the manufacturer showed a very high morbidity, so it stands to reason there should be many more deaths than this 100 figure. Millions of animals ate this stuff every meal for months.

[havocmom]

2. Figure a lot of older pets, dying from renal failure would not be unusual

so many deaths from the poison probably not attributed to that cause.

[youngdem]

3. I'm sure you are right

I'm sure we will never know the full extent of the damage, nor will we ever know how many cases in which the poison was at least a co-morbid factor.

[emilyg]

4. vets

not all vets have reportred to date. there will be many, many more deaths.

[WePurrsevere]

5. Add to this how many people can't afford to take their furkid

to a vet because they're already struggling to make ends meet. Add to that senior furkids that die and people put it down to being "old".

Those of us who have furkids trust the pet food manufacturers to produce and sell a quality product that is healthy for our furry friends, they have betrayed that trust. x(

[FlaGranny]

6. Took my doggie to the vet yesterday

for immunizations. I asked her if she had any cases. She said not. Said they had a couple of suspected cases but they turned out to not be kidney failure.