PET WELLNESS
Making Sense of the Pet Food Recalls
While the sum total of affected products is estimated at less than one-tenth of 1% of the total amount of pet food available on the market, the findings of the investigation will ultimately be a source of great concern for every pet owner.
MAKING SENSE OF THE PET FOOD RECALLS
by Ward Swan
exclusive to SPCA.com
Latest update: August 23, 2007 (scroll down for information on Wal-Mart's recent melanine discoveries)
By now, many American (and Canadian) pet owners are aware of the FDA warning regarding the safety of certain varieties of wet and dry pet foods. Unable to explain a recent spate of mysterious pet illnesses and deaths, usually stemming from kidney failure, several companies in the pet food industry have voluntarily recalled certain brands of pet food, prompting more speculation than hard answers.
The presence of melamine and imported gluten in specified brands of wet and dry pet food is presently considered to be the source of the threat. However, it is important to state that the amounts of melamine (a chemical used to make plastics) found in the recalled foods has not been conclusively proven to have any effect on even small pets, leaving scientists puzzled over exactly how the afflicted animals became stricken. The wheat gluten, a protein source, was imported from China and is also under investigation for its role in these perplexing incidents.
Stephen Sundlof, the FDA's chief veterinarian, told The Associated Press that there was "a sizable amount of melamine. You could see crystals in the wheat gluten," referring to tests made on the recalled foods by the FDA and Cornell University. Sundlof also confirmed the presence of melamine in the kidneys and urine of cats that had died from eating the recalled foods.
However, Sundlof also said the FDA had not located any relevant studies of melamine's actual effect on cats, currently considered to be the most susceptible animal to the recalled foods. The only related results came from a single 1945 study that tested it on dogs, which suggested that the chemical increases urine output when fed to dogs in large amounts, but did not conclusively label the substance as toxic.
Still, it is well known that identical substances can have very different effects on cats and dogs. For example, the flea and tick repellent Permathrin is considered safe to use on dogs but lethal to cats. There are documented cases of canine fatalities related to the recalled food, however, so dog owners would be well advised not to disregard the current recall as feline-specific.
The FDA investigation has traced the melamine to wheat gluten that Menu Foods, Nestle Purina PetCare Co., Del Monte Pet Products and Hill's Pet Nutrition purchased from an unnamed U.S. supplier. The latter three companies have voluntarily recalled a limited number of products since Friday, March 30th. Menu Foods began recalling certain foods on March 16th. The FDA has indicated that the recall may escalate further, depending on whether other pet food manufacturers also bought wheat gluten from the same supplier.
While the sum total of affected products is generally estimated at less than one-tenth of one percent of the total amount of pet food available on the market, the findings of the investigation will ultimately be a source of great concern for every pet owner.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO OUR READERS
This SPCA.com article details the current state of the pet food recall, paying particular attention to supplying SPCA.com readers with the most up-to-date information affecting the welfare of animals. We will continue to provide you with important updates as new findings become available. Please be aware that more brands may be listed as the investigation continues, so keep a close eye on your pets, visit this site regularly for news updates, and see a veterinarian immediately if you notice your animal exhibiting any unusual symptoms.
Thanks to your continued support, the SPCA is able to provide you with important news regarding the safety of your pets. Thank you again for your donations – every little bit helps.
THE RECALLED PET FOODS:
Nestle Purina PetCare Co. (http://www.purina.com): 13.2-ounce and 22-ounce ALPO Prime Cuts cans and 6-, 8-, 12- and 24-can ALPO Prime Cuts Variety Packs, with four-digit code dates of 7037 through 7053, followed by the plant code 1159. Those codes follow a "Best Before Feb. 2009" date. Check the bottom of the can or the top or side of the multi-pack cartons for this information.
Hill's Pet Nutrition (http://www.hillspet.com): Hill's Prescription Diet m/d Feline Dry Food.
Menu Foods (http://www.menufoods.com/recall/index.html): Because Menu Foods' product comprises the ingredients of nearly 100 different brand labels, including Nutro, Iams, Hill's Science Diet and Eukanuba, please click the following links for detailed specifics on the recalled brands: Recalled Cat Product Information, Recalled Dog Product Information, Frequently Asked Questions For Consumers.
Del Monte Pet Products (http://delmonte.com/petfoodrecall.html) : Select product codes of its pet treat products sold under the Jerky Treats, Gravy Train Beef Sticks and Pounce Meaty Morsels brands as well as select dog snack and wet dog food products sold under private label brands. A complete list of affected brands and products is on the site.
Eight In One Pet Products (http://www.eightinonepet.com): All lots of Dingo Chicken Jerky products for dogs, cats and ferrets.
Royal Canin USA Pet Products (http://www.royalcanin.us): Thirteen Royal Canin Sensible Choice dry dog food products have been voluntarily recalled, as have three Royal Canin Veterinary Diet products and seven KASCO dry foods. A full list is on the Royal Canin site.
Royal Canin Canada Pet Products (http://www.royalcanin.ca): Royal Canin Canada has voluntarily decided to remove Sensible Choice Diet and five Royal Canin Veterinary Diet products from distribution.
Sunshine Mills Inc. (http://www.sunshinemills.com): Sunshine Mills has voluntarily recalled certain branded and private label branded dog biscuits. The full list is on their site here.
Natural Balance (http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com): Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods has voluntarily recalled all of its Venison dog products, the Chicken, Beef and Lamb canned dog food, the Venison day cat food and the Ocean Fish Formula canned cat food, regardless of date codes. Read their press release here.
Certain American Bullie A.B. Bull Pizzle Puppy Chew and Dog Chew products have been cited in an unrelated FDA health hazard alert because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Read the FDA press release here.
SmartPak Canine (http://www.spartpakcanine.com): SmartPak has voluntarily recalled a single production run of LiveSmart Weight Management Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food and all orders of LiveSmart Adult Lamb and Brown Rice. Read their press release here.
American Nutrition (http://www.americannutritioninc.com): The FDA has urged American Nutrition to issue a voluntary recall of pet foods manufactured using Wilbur-Ellis rice protein. None of these products is sold under an American Nutrition brand, but are sold through other independent companies. No American Nutrition brands or other products they manufacture for other businesses are affected by this recall. Read their full list of recalled products here.
Doctors Foster and Smith (http://www.drsfostersmith.com): Doctors Foster and Smith has voluntarily recalled their chicken & brown rice formula adult lite dog food and cat food products, as well as their lamb & brown rice formula adult dog food and their Country Classic Dinners Chicken Stew canned cat food. The parent company, Chenango Valley Pet Foods, has also recalled their Lick Your Chops Lamb Meal, Rice & Egg dry cat food.
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul (http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com): This company has voluntarily recalled their Kitten Formula 5.5 oz. cans and their Puppy Formula 13 oz. cans.
Lick Your Chops (http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com): This company has voluntarily recalled their Kitten Formula 5.5 oz. cans and their Puppy Formula 13 oz. cans.
The Scoop on the Wal-Mart Melanine Discoveries
Wal-Mart said this week (August 20-24) that it had stopped selling Chicken Jerky Strips from the Import-Pingyang Pet Product Company and Chicken Jerky from Shanghai Bestro Trading in July, after customers said the products sickened their pets. Wal-Mart said 17 tests showed trace levels of melamine, the same pesticide byproduct behind the widespread pet food recall last March. As of August 23, the Food and Drug Administration had not yet detected any chemical or biological contamination in the Chinese-made products, and there is no official recall, but the SPCA urges consumers to avoid these products for now.
WHAT SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR IN YOUR PET
Signs of kidney failure include:
· Loss of appetite
· Vomiting
· Diarrhea
· Changes in water consumption and urination
· Lethargy
If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms, consult a veterinarian immediately.
