Pet food recall: Dead pets confirmed, but how many and where?
By Christie Keith
March 17, 2007
Since we began reporting on this week’s massive recall of dog and cat foods, we’ve been hearing anecdotal reports that the number of pets sick and dead from consuming these foods may be far greater than is currently being reported — with cats being most seriously affected.
Our investigation into this story is ongoing. If you are a veterinarian who has treated an affected pet, or the owner of a pet made sick or who has died, we’d like to hear from you. Please contact us at petconnection@gmail.com, and we’ll be in touch.
If your pet has eaten one of the recalled foods but has no symptoms, contact your veterinarian and ask if a simple blood panel and urinalysis to check kidney function is a good idea. If your pet is having symptoms such as unusual thirst or urination, eating less then usual, or lethargy, take him or her to your veterinarian immediately.
For a complete list of recalled foods and up-to-date information on the recall, visit the FDA’s Pet Food Recall Center.
Go to the latest blog post | Go to the PetConnection home page
Just a heads-up..
As of this afternoon, numerous dates and batch numbers have been added to the Menu Foods recall site- including the 12/22/08 sell-by Special Kitty Duck & Rice pouches that resulted in my cat’s kidney failure. Many of the lots now listed were NOT implicated in the original recall.
If you are continuing to feed a recalled brand because the lot number or sell-by on the food didn’t correspond with those posted on the Menu Foods site, it is imperative that you continue regularly checking their site (http://www.menufoods.com/recall) for updates.
That said, I would strongly urge anyone feeding recalled brand food to return or discard any food manufactured by Menu between 12/06 and 3/07, regardless of whether or not the codes correspond with those listed by Menu.
Comment by Gwen — March 18, 2007 @ 1:10 pm
Two weeks ago, I fed my 2 cats IAMS Select Bites as a treat. One refused to eat it and the other one got sick (violent vomiting) right after eating it. I haven’t fed them anymore of the IAMS as I immediately thought there was something wrong with it.
The date code on my IAMS (6144) is not in the range given by P&G. Personally, I do not trust that range. Be very careful if you are continuing to feed a recalled brand even if the numbers don’t match up.
I have a call in to my vet now to see about having my cats tested.
Comment by Alice — March 19, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
You are absolutely right. Personally, at this point, I would avoid all affected brands and varieties until they figure out what these foods have been contaminated with, why, and when.
I’ve noticed Iams brand foods on the shelves at local retailers following the recall.. I would presume that they haven’t been pulled because the lot numbers check out, and that’s a risky move, IMO. I’m thinking I ought to call up and complain.
I hope your cats check out okay, Alice.
Comment by Gwen — March 19, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
I made printable lists for professional pet sitters to print out and take to petsits so they could check wet food before feeding client pets.
Today, I went back in to the Menu foods recall site and found that Menu foods has changed their lists again - both the brands listed (such as added mighty dog) and some of the details (for example, total pet had 2 items listed, and now there are 6).
Shouldn’t they be announcing when a change is made??? Some people have already checked their food - they won’t have any idea that they need to go back every day and check again!
Comment by Kelley — March 19, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
It may help to have some knowledge of where, such as what states- or countries- that illnesses and deaths are occurring. Maybe people should post that information. Obviously, we can’t assume all is okay or all is not okay if there are or aren’t problems reported directly in our area, but still it might be helpful.
Comment by Rob — March 20, 2007 @ 8:41 am
I have three cats. One eats the Special Kitty Cuts in the pouch. The other two eat Special Kitty in the can “which I understand Del Monte makes and is not being recalled” All of the pouches were listed as recalls. I stopped feeding my cat the pouches immediately.He has not shown any symptoms, but he the vet getting his kidneys checked. Im so upset.
Comment by Cheri — March 20, 2007 @ 9:10 am
Sorry Regarding last post Im in North Texas.
Comment by Cheri — March 20, 2007 @ 9:11 am
Im so upset I dont care if they do say they “have fixed the problem” Im still not buying any cat food made or even breathed upon by this company.
Comment by Cheri — March 20, 2007 @ 9:51 am
I think this is aweful as one of my cats I feed Nutro which is on the list, my cat is 23 years old & wouldn’t be able to survive this. I won’t give him the Nutro now which is what I’ve fed him for years (vet recommended). I would like to hear more about the affected pets & what they did eat & from what State they live in. I think if they gave a damn & have known about this since February they would have stopped this before now. I went to Petmart (Spfld,IL) & there still selling all of this food, but they do have lists of the food’s being recalled right by the product. I don’t know what kind of food to buy now for my 3 pets as I don’t believe a word they say.
Comment by Nikki Baptist — March 20, 2007 @ 6:07 pm
One more thing to add is that I’ve tried calling the phone # listed for Menu Foods, that is a joke because you cannot get through. I would like to say that I’m terribly sorry for anyone who’s pet is sick due to this & I hope that Menu Foods gets one heck of a lawsuit. As for my pets, I will sue there butts off if this happens to one of my pets (2 cats, 1 dog). My pets, my children, they are one of the same, they are our family!
Comment by Nikki — March 20, 2007 @ 6:14 pm
I’ve been following this case because my sister’s Labrador suffered from kidney failure from Menu Foods’ pet food. His life is hanging by a thin thread as he’s being poked by needles and intravaneous drips everyday. we’re so sad about this…
Apparently, pet owners may not get much out of suing the company because of how pets are only seen as personal property.
here are a few articles I found interesting:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....00409.html
http://www.class-action-finder.....oducts/49/
Comment by Yas — April 1, 2007 @ 11:08 pm
You know, much as I like WaPo, I wouldn’t necessarily trust what one professor says about the potential of a class action suit. It’s really up to the judge (just ask the tobacco companies, or Merck)…
…although I’m sure Menu would like us all to believe suing them wouldn’t be worth our time.
Comment by Laura — April 1, 2007 @ 11:23 pm