Pet food recall update, Thurs 3-22-07

[kestrel91316]

Let's post new info here on one thread...........if you have affected pets or if you have questions, or news links to post.


From our friends up north:

Ontario Veterinarians urge pet owners to check pet food labels & monitor pets for signs of acute renal failure
21.mar.07
from a press release
TORONTO -- The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) is urging pet owners to check pet food labels against the list of foods recalled by Menu Foods, and to monitor their cats and dogs for signs of acute renal failure.
"The association has received a lot of calls from veterinarians with patients which have eaten the recalled foods, and which have suddenly shown signs of acute renal failure," says Dr. Reg Reed, President of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association. "Acute renal failure can be fatal. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential."
Over the past few days, OVMA has received dozens of calls from veterinarians who are seeing a sudden increase in acute renal failure, predominantly in cats.
"It is imperative that pet owners check their pet foods against the list
provided by Menu Foods on that company's web site (www.menufoods.com/recall),"
says Dr. Reed. "Each brand listed on the web site has a number of products that have been recalled. Pet owners need to check the brand name, then the product name, then the lot number."
Pet owners who are or have been feeding a pet one of the foods on the Menu Foods list are advised to:
Stop using any pet food with the recalled lot number immediately.
Keep any full/empty cans/pouches.
Monitor their pets for symptoms of any health problems. See a veterinarian immediately if they observe any of the following symptoms of acute renal failure - vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, decreased or increased output of urine, difficulty urinating, more or less frequent urination, increased drinking or decreased drinking.
While there is currently no conclusive evidence that the recalled food has caused renal failure in any Canadian pets, the recalled food has been linked to a number of pet deaths in the United States, and Ontario veterinarians are concerned about the recent drastic increase in acute renal failure cases - especially cases occurring in younger, otherwise healthy cats.

[kenny blankenship]

1. I've always had nagging thoughts about pet food

Who is making sure that it's really safe and nutritious for the animals?

[CountAllVotes]

3. I ordered some dry organic cat food & treats

Still waiting to get it. I hope the cats like it because I lost my dog to cancer and I know they dump all sorts of awful junk in pet foods generally speaking. I can't help but think if the food caused my dog to die so young.

We need to treat our pets as we do ourselves. Feed them decent food at the very least.

:kick:

[kenny blankenship]

7. see...I got nagging doubts. gnawing, nagging doubts

the ingredient sourced by Menu Foods which is involved in the kidney failure is protein from wheat gluten. I don't know what was wrong with it, but apparently something was wrong with it or it's the wrong thing to feed dogs and cats. Here's where the doubting starts: there's nothing about "wheat gluten protein" that's incompatible with "organic" (unless the organic product announces "100% FREE of wheat gluten " on its label somewhere). You'll find wheat gluten protein in lots of "organic" products down at your local "healthfood" store or even in the "healthfood" section of the supermarket. Some things are labeled "gluten free" because some people have an intolerance for wheat gluten like some other people are lactose-intolerant. (This is a reaction of the bowel lining unrelated to the kidney damage issue involved in the pet food case). Sometimes wheat gluten is added to a product, as in this pet food case, sometimes it is the product itself. There is a traditional "meat substitute" product in healthfood stores called seitan, an Asian preparation kind of similar to hard tofu, except where tofu is made from bean curd, seitan is made entirely from wheat gluten. I'm not saying "organic" pet food will definitely have wheat gluten in it, but it could have wheat gluten and still be labeled "organic". What I'm getting at is there's no knowing at present what's safe and good. As consumers of pet food, who don't actually even eat the food in question, we have nothing but marketing angles and catchphrases to go on--or rather to be led by.

The idea (not an idea you advanced but an idea of the currently reigning ideology) that the marketplace could fix this on its own--meaning that, because they are seeking value for their dollar, consumers will go out of their way to avoid unhealthy products and seek out good healthy pet food--and thus the market will correct itself is already proved inapplicable and irrelevant. You say for example you are switching to "organic" pet food--a different marketing label. But that label itself has no relevance to whether the product is ACTUALLY healthy for the animal. An "organic" pet food could very well be loaded with the same ingredient from the same supplier. All you have to go on is the assertion from the vendor that this product is different and better, and the assumption that "organic" equals "healthy". This is not to fault you in any way, but you are like the rest of us: we are trapped in marketing angles, and making what amount to blind choices, in the absence of really reliable independent data and research. If you aren't gnawed by doubts yet, consider that many people who had their dogs or cats recently die on them had been "going out of their way" as consumers for years and spending above average amounts of money for IAMS/ Eukanuba petfood, unknowingly feeding their animals something that made them sick and die. They THOUGHT they were making a conscientious and wiser choice than the average consumer, who just grabs bags of Purina petfood. They were the supposed "self-correcting marketplace" rewarding a better product with a higher retail price. They were responding to marketing angles, packaging and catchphrase labeling, "Veterinarian tested!" which all led them to believe that this product would be better than the average competing product for the animal they loved. As it turned out, though, they were much worse off than the average schmoe who just buys the food with the most shelf presence in the supermarket, and buys it for the simple reason that everyone else buys the same stuff. The person who unthinkingly plunks down their money for "meat by-products" came out way ahead of the ones who laid awake at nights wondering what was the best and safest petfood. Putting our faith in "Breeder and Veterinarian Tested!" or "Organic" --or for that matter "The Nationally-Leading Brand!"--is no substitute for reliable research information from a source that has no financial interest in influencing our choices in petfood.

That independent, disinterested source of reliable information is critically missing. We don't eat petfood but as consumers who buy it we have a right to expect that the product, like any other product, is at least safe. What we need, if you hadn't guessed where I was going with this yet, is government sponsored and directed research on domestic animal nutrition--along the lines of human nutrition studies, not farm animal studies--and more testing and effective government regulation of petfood products.

[kestrel91316]

9. Protein is NOT THE PROBLEM, kenny. As yet, there are merely

strong suspicions about the wheat gluten in the food. Nothing has been proven yet.

If it's the wheat gluten, my money is on a fungal toxin.

[kenny blankenship]

13. I didn't say it _definitely was _ the problem

I said there was either something wrong with it (a defect, such as you might encounter in an otherwise fine ingredient) or it was the wrong thing altogether. I didn't claim to know. I thought that was a pretty strong disclaimer of authoritative knowledge. Apparently I needed to say something like nobody especially not me knows what is going on yet in caps and boldface. What I did say and now underline was that there was no reason to think, unless the label on the package claims that there is no wheat gluten at all in the product in hand, that buying an "organic" labeled product was going to free one from the possibility that the same ingredient is not in that food. I didn't say it would necessarily be in an "organic" petfood, only that the marketing label "organic" didn't logically preclude it.

I was talking about DOUBTS not presumed knowledge. I can see how you might overlook that. I only wrote doubts twice in the "subject" line.

Moreover the point is not wheat gluten protein or Red Dye #2 or DDT or any particular suspect ingredient. The point is, who is making sure that pet food is safe? If the government is already involved then they aren't doing enough. (It's been a while since I've read the labels on cat food cans, but I once did and don't remember seeing any mention of FDA certifications, quantified nutritional content statements, etc.) In the absence of reliable research and effective regulatory oversight we consumers are completely in the dark. We go where advertising demographic profiles and budgets blow us. People who devote thought and care to the subject of their pet's food aren't very much more likely, therefore, to do well by their pets than those that have never thought twice about it. There is no market corrective mechanism possible in the absence of reliable information for consumers to make choices on. For example, the only reason I haven't been feeding my cat IAMS canned catfood, and possibly endangering her life, is because she won't eat it when I do. That's the only reason--dumb luck that happened to work out OK for me in this case. Other people and other cats weren't so lucky. The owners weren't being negligent. In many cases they were people making an effort, and paying extra, to get the "best thing", or what they thought was the best thing based on their susceptibility to "upscale" marketing techniques (some of the brands involved that I recognize are not upscale brands). Like I said in my first post on the subject, I've always had nagging doubts about what I'm feeding my cat. The doubts don't go away because information I can trust is scarcely available. For example it was news to me that the FDA had purview over pet chow. Maybe I could dig something up in a FDA or USDA library if I file a FOIA request. But I have not yet run across anything illuminating about diet in my day-to-day as a cat owner and frequent purchaser of cat food. My choices have been essentially blind as most everyone else's. And it appears that even in-depth knowledge about pet nutrition won't save me when food producers include dodgy ingredients because they don't fear being slapped down by G-Men. The situation needs attention, and not just at a personal level.

[kestrel91316]

8. FDA regulates pet food safety and when Bush allows them,

they monitor.

He has tried to cripple the FDA, unfortunately. Can't let a few sick pets get in the way of corporate profits, you know.

[kestrel91316]

2. From FDA:

NC Dept of Agriculture just sent out a fax - Dated 3/21/07

"From an FDA conference call held at 1pm today, the FDA has provided the following case definition for field investigation/cases:
veterinary-documented renal failure, necropsy results if animal died, food consumed within 1 week of death (illness), and intact, unopened cans of the food. If you suspect you are seeing cases that meet this general case definition, FDA has requested that you contact them at the following e-mail address:
[e-mail]"

[WiseButAngrySara]

4. Thank you SO much kestrel91316 for your valuable time

and info.! My beloved 16 1/5 year old Penney died in September, but I'm passing your informatin to neighbors, family and friends.

kestrel91316, :yourock:!

[WiseButAngrySara]

5. Any more info about the etiology, crystal mystery etc?...n/t

[kestrel91316]

10. Nope. But you guys will be the first to know when I have

anything more.

[druidity33]

22. do you know

If anyone is asking whether this could have been GM wheat? Is it possible to test for that? Do you know whether they will be testing for agricultural toxins as well? Who is responsible for figuring this out (FDA?)...can anyone be held accountable?

Sorry to pile up the questions, but you seem the most knowlegable person here in regards to this topic...

thank you for keeping us up to date...

[kestrel91316]

26. Cornell and one other university, I forget who, have their veterinary

toxicology labs working overtime on this. Toxicology studies take a LOOONNNNNGGGG time to do, for reasons unbeknownst to me. They just do. You can't hurry them, either.

Mycotoxins can be very difficult to detect, according to one toxicologist, and I certainly am not one to challenge THAT.

What agricultural toxins would you be thinking of? If you are thinking pesticides or herbicides, I think they have been largely ruled out due to the ARF scenario. It doesn't fit the known pattern for pesticide/herbicide toxicity - those tend to be neurotoxins and hepatotoxins for the most part.

The FDA has launched a big investigation of this thing. I am comfortable that they, and outside vets and labs, are doing everything possible to solve the mystery. They all want to be the ones to figure it out and publish their results, so they can be FAMOUS, lol. Competition among academics is a good thing.

[druidity33]

28. good to hear. thanks. n/t

[kestrel91316]

6. Got a phone call from a client a few minutes ago:

A client just contacted me to ask about his cat who had to be euth'd August 2005. He was suspicious that it might have been this ARF syndrome.

Signalment: 8 y, F/S DSH, indoor only, 5 other cats in home

History: Acute vomiting and lethargy 3 days, prior excellent health per owner; cat had been obese (21 lb) on exam 2-05; diet consisted of commercial canned/dry with significant amounts of Authority cuts-and-gravy style (she only consumed the gravy) - none of the other cats in the home consumed it.

PE: Wt 16 lb, severely depressed, truncal wasting, T100.4, dehydrated, slight icterus?

We suspected hepatic lipidosis but were wrong.

Lab results: BUN 223, Creat 28.2 (yes, 28.2!), PO4 19.0, K 8.7
No urine sample available pre-treatment. Possible renal shutdown.

Worst case of renal failure I'd ever seen. Given the PO4 and weight loss, I assumed it was chronic. We euthanized the cat due to extremely guarded to poor prognosis and limited finances of owner.

Was this another case that doesn't quite fit the mold? Could whatever is in the food have caused a more chronic form over weeks, with acute exacerbation by a particularly badly tainted package? Has this thing been going on a lot longer, or intermittently? Do they need to look at the supply line going clear back into 2005????

I rarely see acute renal failure. I advise my clients to not feed junky foods, off brands, gimmicky stuff like chunks in gravy. This is the ONLY case of this for me. I have absolutely no current cases.

Things that make me go HMMMMMM.

Off to go contact the FDA.

On edit: FDA must be completely overwhelmed. Their phone message says to just leave a phone number for someone to call back, but the mailbox is full. This is the Southern Cal Consumer Complaints Coordinator hotline.

[libnnc]

11. in the last 3 years, we've lost 3 pets

Two dachshunds (one 15 and 17), the 17 year old had been eating pouch food as a treat. He was in such bad shape, (had gone blind, very arthritic, had stopped eating dry food) we thought we were doing something good for him.

His "sister" the other dachshund, developed brain lesions and we had to put her down. I don't think she ever got the pouch food. My orange tabby (indoor/outdoor) had eaten pouch food as a treat off and on--she disappeared and never came home.

[smokey nj]

12. I just saw this at crooksandliars. It seems that Menu foods was aware that the food was dangerous

and shipped it out anyway. Several cats died after routine taste tests.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/03/22/menufoods-knew-products-were-deadly-and-shipped-them-out-anyway/

[kestrel91316]

14. According to someone's ALLEGATION in a lawsuit they

waited 2 weeks after the test subject deaths to recall the food. IF this is factual, then that's very bad. But I don't necessarily believe every allegation I ever see in a legal complaint and I hope others don't either.

Do we have primary source material on this timeline?

[smokey nj]

16. There's also this from CBS news.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/20/national/main2587087.shtml?source=mostpop_story

An excerpt from the article:
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.

[AZBlue]

32. They actually waited almost four weeks.

They became aware of the problem on February 20th.

[kestrel91316]

15. Excerpt from BIG info update from vet website I monitor:

Q: When was the problem first noticed?
A: There are conflicting answers to this question.
The version we’ve heard most consistently is that at the end of February, a new flavored pet food produced by Menu Foods, for an undisclosed company, was undergoing feeding trials and several cats in the feeding trial developed renal failure.

Q: Why was the recall not initiated at that time?
A: Since the renal failure was observed only in cats on the as-yet-unreleased trial diet, Menu Foods believed this “problem” was isolated to that single new food that was not yet on the market. This food was withdrawn from further testing and never marketed. There was no indication at that time of a more generalized issue.

Q: Why did it take another month for the problem to recognized and reported to the FDA and the recall initiated?
A: The details of this timeline are sketchy. One scenario that seems plausible is that the wheat gluten suspected of being the source of the offending agent did not enter the manufacturing process until December and that it takes up to three months for pet food to reach store shelves after manufacture. This explains the lag time between initial detection in the laboratory setting and the general population.
This timeline is contradicted by information provided in this Associated Press story that claims Menu Foods had reports of pet deaths in mid-February.

Q: What is known about the cause of the problem?
A: WE DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
The cause at this stage remains unidentified. Substances that have been preliminarily ruled out include:


ethylene glycol
cholecalciferol
other glycols, including diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc.
heavy metals
ochratoxin
several solvents and cleaning products known to be used on the machinery used in the production of these foods
several pesticides
Mycotoxins have not been ruled out, although preliminary testing failed to identify the presence of mycotoxins. However, some mycotoxins are extremely difficult to identify. Investigations are currently under way in an effort to identify a cause.

Q: Will a cause be identified?
A: While it is hoped that a cause will be identified soon, it is possible that no cause will be found, or the inciting agent will remain unidentified. Remember that we do not know why grapes or lilies are nephrotoxic and these have been studied for much longer.

Q: What is the basis of the implication of gluten as a cause?
A: Gluten is not nephrotoxic. However, Menu Foods observed that a new gluten source or batch was used in December, when the recalled food was manufactured. Thus, they suspected that the offending “agent” may be associated with this particular batch of gluten. However, without knowing the “toxin” involved, it may be difficult to definitively determine the source.

[KT2000]

20. My guess is GMO Wheat

is causing this.
A novel protein created by the GMO process could be wreaking havoc on the kidneys of these cats and dogs.
The unknowns of the GMO process include the creation of novel proteins. Splicosomes cut up the RNA, rearrange it and then reassemble it. It is not presently known how and when the splicosomes are called into action - GMA advocates just hope for the best.

There are also add-on molecules - phosphate, sulfate, sugars and lipids that link up with proteins. It is not known, when and where the proteins pick up these molecules. The effect on health is not known.

[kestrel91316]

21. The trouble with this is, with the FDA gutted and hogtied, we will

never find out the real cause if it IS some GMO novel protein issue. They can't allow us to find out. Too much corporate profit at stake.

[KT2000]

27. Yes

insurance companies will not cover GMO products or processes. The money issue would go right to the corporate bottom line. They have NO cover on these products.
Government would cover this up for sure.

I was poisoned by purchasing bolts of fabrics that (unbeknown to me) had been transported in pesticide containers - someone saved a little bit of money! I am sure idiotic things like this are happening with GMO products as well.



Thank you for all your help on this issue at DU!

[kestrel91316]

17. Tainted pet food suspected in cat deaths at N.H. shelter

http://news.bostonherald.com/national/northeast/view.bg?articleid=190132

[kestrel91316]

18. Long Island family whose dog died sues over pet food recall

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--petfoodrecall0322mar21,0,5560445,print.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork

[piesRsquare]

19. Been Posting Relevant Updates, Info, etc

here: http://2blackcats.wordpress.com/

Condensed info, relevant links, lists of safe food, etc.

[kestrel91316]

23. Thanks for spreading the word.

[piesRsquare]

25. Same as you,

duty to the public. I'm a Veterinary Technician (among other things).

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

24. Many thanks for keeping us UTD

While the local media has given this some coverage, we would not otherwise have access to this info if not for your efforts.

[kestrel91316]

29. Update from AVMA:

Menu Foods pet food recall
March 22, 2007


Data from The Animal Medical Center of New York City

Food-Related Acute Renal Failure

Acute renal failure occurs sporadically in dogs and cats, but an etiologic agent is not often identified. Recently, acute renal failure has been reported following consumption of certain brands of pet foods released to the market beginning in early December 2006. Brands affected in this recall are listed at www.menufoods.com/recall.

Although there is tremendous media interest in this situation, there is no medical information available to veterinarians. To provide information and guidance to veterinarians about the diagnosis, management and outcome of this form of acute renal failure, The Animal Medical Center's Renal Medicine Service has reviewed all chemistry profiles obtained at AMC between March 17-20, 2007.

Owners of pets with azotemia have been contacted to determine if the pets had eaten the recalled foods. During this time period 143 chemistry profiles were performed and 5% of pets who had a chemistry profile obtained in that time period have been determined to have food-related acute renal failure. At this time, AMC has identified 12 cases of food-related acute renal failure, 8 cats and 4 dogs. Age range was 2-14 years with a mean age of 7.4 years.

Based on this survey, we can provide the following limited information about food-related acute renal failure. All pets had at least one clinical sign of acute renal failure: 75% had anorexia, 50% had polyuria and polydipsia, 50% had vomiting and 50% lethargy. The course of the disease before presentation to AMC ranged from 1 to 60 days. Mean creatinine was 7 mg/dl with a range of 2.1-14.8 mg/dl. Mean BUN was 110 mg/dl with a range of 33-210 mg/dl. Three pets were diagnosed on an out-patient basis. Nine animals were hospitalized of which 3 (2 dogs, 1 cat) died or were euthanized despite treatment. Six were discharged from the hospital. Four of these were discharged with persistent azotemia. Our follow-up time is short and the long-term prognosis is unknown.

Dr. Cathy Langston of AMC's Renal Medicine Service has the following recommendations for the diagnosis and management of your patients with acute renal failure from consumption of recalled pet food:

A urine specific gravity is a quick and easy screening test for acute renal failure. If the specific gravity is >1.035 for cats and 1.030 for dogs, acute renal failure is not the diagnosis. If the specific gravity is less than these values, a chemistry profile should be evaluated to determine if the pet is azotemic.

Intravenous fluids should be administered if the pet is symptomatic for acute renal failure. Hemodialysis is indicated in pets with worsening creatinine despite adequate fluid therapy, oliguira, anuria, hyperkalememia or intractable signs of uremia.

[kestrel91316]

30. Medical notice from vet website:

DUers note: This does not specify that only cuts and gravy type food is involved. Not sure why. Good summary of recall brands.


URGENT !
If you have fed your dog or cat canned or pouched food at any time since
November from any of the following manufacturers, please be aware that some
of these foods are under an urgent recall.
The supplier has issued a warning that
these foods may cause kidney damage and
even death in cats and dogs.
If you think your pet may have been exposed, schedule an appointment
for exam, bloodwork, and urinalysis.
If you have any of these products on your shelves, return them to your store.
Check for your product UPC code at the menufoods website. For further
information, go to the website: www.menufoods.com,
or ask us for further information.
If you do not have computer access, we can give you information over the
phone or send it to you by fax or mail. Our staff will be updated daily on this
changing story, so check back with us for further information.
America's Choice Authority Award Best Choice Big Bet
Big Red Bloom Bruiser Cadillac Companion Compliments
Demoulas Market Basket Eukanuba Fine Feline Cat
Food Lion Food Town Great Choice Giant Companion
Hannaford Hill Country Fare Hills Hy Vee Iams
Laura Lynn Lil Red Loving Meals Meijer's Main Choice
Mighty Dog Mixables Nutriplan Nutro Nutromax
Nutro Max Gourmet Nutro Natural Choice Old Roy Paws
Pet Essentials Pet Pride President's Choice Price Chopper Priority
Publix Roche Save A Lot Schnuck's Sophistocat
Special Kitty Springfield Prize Sprout Total Total Pet
Wegmans Western Faimly White Rose Winn Dixie

[piesRsquare]

31. Oh, Shit!

Thank you so much for this, kestrel...will definitely post it on the blog...

http://2blackcats.wordpress.com/

Just got off the phone with the vet...after seeing this notice, one of my boys is going in for exam/test on Monday...

[populistdriven]

33. So has aflatoxin been ruled out or not?

[kestrel91316]

34. Aflatoxin was never on the list of suspects. It causes LIVER failure.

They didn't find ochratoxin, which was high on the list. But mycotoxins are notoriously difficult to test for.