Comments on: Pet-food recall: Source of poison found http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/ Blogging by a team of pet-care experts led by Dr. Marty Becker. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:31:56 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Gaye Merton http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/comment-page-4/#comment-24945 Gaye Merton Thu, 05 Apr 2007 00:07:58 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/#comment-24945 Marie, since your 3/23/07 message about your cat having been hospitalized until blood work came back normal, is it still OK? This is beginning of the 2nd week after my 14-year old came out of hospital, and BUN/Creatinine were back in normal ranges when he was released (had been skewed way out of line). I am going in two weeks for another blood tests. During meantime, I purchased Scientific Cat Litter (changes color when urine hits it to detect kidney problems). This is fourth day, and so far, not even pink. I haven't seen any messages since it was determined melamine is the real culprit. Any antidotes for that? My cat won't eat the prescription low protein/low phosphous diet the vet sold me. He lost a pound while in hospital, and I'm afraid he has lost more since. I'm so worried. He eats a teeny bit and then drinks water and drinks water and drinks water. Re how to get your cat to take the antibiotic: I assume it is a pill (mine is). Wrap a towel around his two front legs to "bind" them down so he can't kick you off. Then, hold his lower body between your legs (catching the end of the towel between your legs also). With your left hand, place your middle finger and thumb around his neck so that finger/thumb catches right under his jaw. Then, pull up to force his mouth wide open. Then, with right hand, place pill (held between index finger and thumb) as far down his throat as possible -- get it into the back of it - and then sort of "flick" his head up and back with your left hand. This sounds complicated, but it is so easy .. and works every time. It takes me only a second or so to get it down (but, then, I've had cats for over 40 years; so, practice makes perfect). P.S. These actions don't hurt them at all. I didn't realize you could get a print-out of purchases from PetSmart. Thanks for the info. But, then, I know what I bought, and 75% of the wet food was on the recall list (and I do have receipts for what I returned). I'd like to think maybe they'll refund some of the vet bills (am I just dreaming? Probably). My 16-year old cat was unaffected, but she always preferred the dry food. I take my dog back Saturday for more tests. He had some of the recalled food right up until the news broke (and out of 11 cans I returned to PetSmart - Nutro -- only one was not on the recall list). The dog's kidneys were OK, but his liver tests were skewed. Has any one heard of the liver being affected (he jut turned 7; so, it is not like he's geriatric or anything)> Marie, since your 3/23/07 message about your cat having been hospitalized until blood work came back normal, is it still OK? This is beginning of the 2nd week after my 14-year old came out of hospital, and BUN/Creatinine were back in normal ranges when he was released (had been skewed way out of line). I am going in two weeks for another blood tests. During meantime, I purchased Scientific Cat Litter (changes color when urine hits it to detect kidney problems). This is fourth day, and so far, not even pink.

I haven’t seen any messages since it was determined melamine is the real culprit. Any antidotes for that?

My cat won’t eat the prescription low protein/low phosphous diet the vet sold me. He lost a pound while in hospital, and I’m afraid he has lost more since. I’m so worried. He eats a teeny bit and then drinks water and drinks water and drinks water.

Re how to get your cat to take the antibiotic: I assume it is a pill (mine is). Wrap a towel around his two front legs to “bind” them down so he can’t kick you off. Then, hold his lower body between your legs (catching the end of the towel between your legs also). With your left hand, place your middle finger and thumb around his neck so that finger/thumb catches right under his jaw. Then, pull up to force his mouth wide open. Then, with right hand, place pill (held between index finger and thumb) as far down his throat as possible — get it into the back of it - and then sort of “flick” his head up and back with your left hand. This sounds complicated, but it is so easy .. and works every time. It takes me only a second or so to get it down (but, then, I’ve had cats for over 40 years; so, practice makes perfect). P.S. These actions don’t hurt them at all.

I didn’t realize you could get a print-out of purchases from PetSmart. Thanks for the info. But, then, I know what I bought, and 75% of the wet food was on the recall list (and I do have receipts for what I returned). I’d like to think maybe they’ll refund some of the vet bills (am I just dreaming? Probably).

My 16-year old cat was unaffected, but she always preferred the dry food. I take my dog back Saturday for more tests. He had some of the recalled food right up until the news broke (and out of 11 cans I returned to PetSmart - Nutro — only one was not on the recall list). The dog’s kidneys were OK, but his liver tests were skewed. Has any one heard of the liver being affected (he jut turned 7; so, it is not like he’s geriatric or anything)>

]]> By: Jill Olsen http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/comment-page-4/#comment-13061 Jill Olsen Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:56:40 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/#comment-13061 I had to put my kitty down on Friday. He was so sick and in high stages of renal failure. The tried using an IV with fluids to save him but it was too late. Jax (my kitty) was the best cat I've ever known. A huge lover, loved to be with people, and enjoyed his life so much. Even as sick as he was I could tell he wanted to feel better. I'm not ok and I don't think I will be. Having to know that I was feeding him posion is something I will never get over. I'm so sorry for all the others out there going through the same thing. I had to put my kitty down on Friday. He was so sick and in high stages of renal failure. The tried using an IV with fluids to save him but it was too late. Jax (my kitty) was the best cat I’ve ever known. A huge lover, loved to be with people, and enjoyed his life so much. Even as sick as he was I could tell he wanted to feel better. I’m not ok and I don’t think I will be. Having to know that I was feeding him posion is something I will never get over. I’m so sorry for all the others out there going through the same thing.

]]> By: Tony http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/comment-page-4/#comment-12532 Tony Sun, 25 Mar 2007 15:57:45 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/#comment-12532 Our cat "Pup" was 18 when we put her to sleep due to an illness we could not define. She had most of the symptoms;lethargy,severe dehydration (the vet hand squeezed IV fluids into her she was so ill),drinking ALOT! Peeing ALOT!,complete loss of appetite(we had to give her appetite stimulants)slept all the time,loss of motor skills,blindness in one eye. We thought she may have had a stroke but now, upon reading the symptoms I think otherwise only because this illness occured so suddenly. I think our vet has a blood sample saved which might be able to be tested. We miss her terribly. We have raised her since she was 8 weeks old. It breaks my heart to think that we may have poisioned her and made her suffer. Our cat “Pup” was 18 when we put her to sleep due to an illness we could not define. She had most of the symptoms;lethargy,severe dehydration (the vet hand squeezed IV fluids into her she was so ill),drinking ALOT! Peeing ALOT!,complete loss of appetite(we had to give her appetite stimulants)slept all the time,loss of motor skills,blindness in one eye. We thought she may have had a stroke but now, upon reading the symptoms I think otherwise only because this illness occured so suddenly. I think our vet has a blood sample saved which might be able to be tested. We miss her terribly. We have raised her since she was 8 weeks old. It breaks my heart to think that we may have poisioned her and made her suffer.

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/comment-page-4/#comment-11825 Stephanie Sat, 24 Mar 2007 19:41:02 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/#comment-11825 Whether or not China is conclusively found at fault, is it a big stretch to use common sense and think we shouldn't purchase our pet food ingredients from a country that still EATS dogs and cats? No ingredient(animal or human) should come from a country that we,our FDA cannot legally or politically inspect. I would be interested in knowing if we have any rights to inspect foreign plants and whether or not Menu Foods has even been there. We have to insist on the right to know where our food comes from(animal and human)and to end disguised marketing. I was astounded at how many products Menu Foods produced when you think these are all individual companies. We have to send the message that we hold ALL of these companies responsible. They are all equally responsible for the outcome of their product. Personally, like others, I will NEVER buy another product from any of these companies. The question is...Will I be able to find out who makes what? I switched to Innova and now I hear(???) they outsource to Menu Foods as well. I have scheduled bloodwork for my dog who ate IAMS part of this time. Like many others, I had medical issues(vomiting and diarrhea - both short term)that now I wonder about. Like all, I pray for good results. Whether or not China is conclusively found at fault, is it a big stretch to use common sense and think we shouldn’t purchase our pet food ingredients from a country that still EATS dogs and cats? No ingredient(animal or human) should come from a country that we,our FDA cannot legally or politically inspect. I would be interested in knowing if we have any rights to inspect foreign plants and whether or not Menu Foods has even been there.

We have to insist on the right to know where our food comes from(animal and human)and to end disguised marketing. I was astounded at how many products Menu Foods produced when you think these are all individual companies. We have to send the message that we hold ALL of these companies responsible. They are all equally responsible for the outcome of their product. Personally, like others, I will NEVER buy another product from any of these companies. The question is…Will I be able to find out who makes what? I switched to Innova and now I hear(???) they outsource to Menu Foods as well.

I have scheduled bloodwork for my dog who ate IAMS part of this time. Like many others, I had medical issues(vomiting and diarrhea - both short term)that now I wonder about. Like all, I pray for good results.

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/comment-page-4/#comment-11807 Stephanie Sat, 24 Mar 2007 18:30:25 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/#comment-11807 while this whole situation is deplorable, I think most people are missing the point! it's not just Menu Foods that needs to be investigated, it's the entire pet food industry!!! at the present time there is NO regulation of the pet food industry, no matter what the FDA/AAFCO says. our much beloved cats & dogs are CARNIVORES, particularly cats, so why is the pet food industry able to get away with manufacturing & marketing products that are full of carbohydrates, grains, vegetables, fruits, by-products, etc & labeling them as "total nutrition for the life & health of your pet"!! I'm para-phrasing here. DRY cat food is well known to cause feline diabetes & renal failure, so why is it still manufactured?????? pet food companies spend vast sums of money sponsoring Vet schools, so it's no wonder that young Vets are taught nothing about the proper nutrition of your pets, & are not encouraged to do so! the entire pet food industry needs to be investigated. I urge you to write to your state senators to start a federal investigation, otherwise nothing will change, & this debacle has the potential of happening again in the future. in reference please read http://leda.law.harvard.edu/leda/data/784/Patrick06.html the pet food industry MUST be regulated so that our animals stay safe & healthy, & the only way that will happen is if WE ALL act & get it done. your state senators can be found at www.senate.gov while this whole situation is deplorable, I think most people are missing the point!
it’s not just Menu Foods that needs to be investigated, it’s the entire pet food industry!!!
at the present time there is NO regulation of the pet food industry, no matter what the FDA/AAFCO says.
our much beloved cats & dogs are CARNIVORES, particularly cats, so why is the pet food industry able to get away with manufacturing & marketing products that are full of carbohydrates, grains, vegetables, fruits, by-products, etc & labeling them as “total nutrition for the life & health of your pet”!! I’m para-phrasing here.
DRY cat food is well known to cause feline diabetes & renal failure, so why is it still manufactured??????
pet food companies spend vast sums of money sponsoring Vet schools, so it’s no wonder that young Vets are taught nothing about the proper nutrition of your pets, & are not encouraged to do so!
the entire pet food industry needs to be investigated. I urge you to write to your state senators to start a federal investigation, otherwise nothing will change, & this debacle has the potential of happening again in the future.
in reference please read
http://leda.law.harvard.edu/le.....ick06.html

the pet food industry MUST be regulated so that our animals stay safe & healthy, & the only way that will happen is if WE ALL act & get it done.
your state senators can be found at

http://www.senate.gov

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/comment-page-3/#comment-11787 Stephanie Sat, 24 Mar 2007 17:19:34 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/#comment-11787 My dogs symptons are the same exact as everything that I have researched over the past week. My dog was euthanized on Wednesday morning, I could not stand to see her in pain anymore. She died within a few weeks of being diagnosed. She started off with many seizures, vomiting, drinking a lot of fluid (and then not), anorexia, bathroom trouble (diarrhea) and no control over herself. She basically turned into a newborn baby within a couple of weeks of being diagnosed. She was healthy and perky just before that. What I was shocked about, was that after her being diagnosed, I was shocked to not see her food on the list. I believe that as a safety precaution everything or every company needs to be researched since they are unsure. The doctor, before knowing about the recall, said that it looks like she got into something poisonous. She was 8 years old and very healthy and within a couple of weeks dead. The food she ate was Iams dry food and Pedigree Beef Chunks and Gravy. She also eats bones, but that's it. She is an indoor dog so i can't think of anything. My dogs symptons are the same exact as everything that I have researched over the past week. My dog was euthanized on Wednesday morning, I could not stand to see her in pain anymore. She died within a few weeks of being diagnosed. She started off with many seizures, vomiting, drinking a lot of fluid (and then not), anorexia, bathroom trouble (diarrhea) and no control over herself. She basically turned into a newborn baby within a couple of weeks of being diagnosed. She was healthy and perky just before that. What I was shocked about, was that after her being diagnosed, I was shocked to not see her food on the list. I believe that as a safety precaution everything or every company needs to be researched since they are unsure. The doctor, before knowing about the recall, said that it looks like she got into something poisonous. She was 8 years old and very healthy and within a couple of weeks dead. The food she ate was Iams dry food and Pedigree Beef Chunks and Gravy. She also eats bones, but that’s it. She is an indoor dog so i can’t think of anything.

]]> By: DD http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/comment-page-3/#comment-11778 DD Sat, 24 Mar 2007 16:45:41 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/#comment-11778 If you research Aminopterin throughly, you will find renal failure is not the only thing you should be looking for. As with any poison, there are a multitude of organs that can be affected. From what I have come up with so far with Aminopterin -- heart, liver, lungs (can mimic severe pneumonia), neurological (onset of seizures that increase in frequency), and there is more. This year, my three dogs died, 1 of my cats, and another cat is in renal failure now and on sub fluids. All were feed the canned and pouched Nutro. Out of no where one of the dogs developed seizures that worsened in frequency over a period of a few months -- cause of seizures could not be found. Then he started having breathing problems no cause could be found. On Thanksgiving of this last year, after feeding him a double portion of his gravy ladened Nutro for a Thanksgiving dinner, breathing problems worsened dramatically. Rushed to emergency room. Again hesitant diagnosis of pneumonia made, but didn't test out as typical pneumonia. They considered inhalation of food into the lungs. Transferred him to top specialists in Houston. They could come to no confirmed conclusion for the cause either. By Sunday my little buddy (5 pounds) was so bad off (stardard treatments had no affect at all) I had to force myself to release him from his torture, for his sake. Since the recall, the answers could lie in the poison I inadvertly was feeding him (Nutro), since the research I have pulled up falls right into place with what was happening with him. It can affect more than just the kidneys. Reasearch it for yourself. If you research Aminopterin throughly, you will find renal failure is not the only thing you should be looking for. As with any poison, there are a multitude of organs that can be affected. From what I have come up with so far with Aminopterin — heart, liver, lungs (can mimic severe pneumonia), neurological (onset of seizures that increase in frequency), and there is more.

This year, my three dogs died, 1 of my cats, and another cat is in renal failure now and on sub fluids. All were feed the canned and pouched Nutro. Out of no where one of the dogs developed seizures that worsened in frequency over a period of a few months — cause of seizures could not be found. Then he started having breathing problems no cause could be found. On Thanksgiving of this last year, after feeding him a double portion of his gravy ladened Nutro for a Thanksgiving dinner, breathing problems worsened dramatically. Rushed to emergency room. Again hesitant diagnosis of pneumonia made, but didn’t test out as typical pneumonia. They considered inhalation of food into the lungs. Transferred him to top specialists in Houston. They could come to no confirmed conclusion for the cause either. By Sunday my little buddy (5 pounds) was so bad off (stardard treatments had no affect at all) I had to force myself to release him from his torture, for his sake. Since the recall, the answers could lie in the poison I inadvertly was feeding him (Nutro), since the research I have pulled up falls right into place with what was happening with him.

It can affect more than just the kidneys. Reasearch it for yourself.

]]> By: Sandi Schreiber http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/comment-page-3/#comment-11638 Sandi Schreiber Sat, 24 Mar 2007 03:02:24 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/#comment-11638 I received my tracking purchases from Petsmart yesterday and to think I have poisoned my babies since November. It shows that since November I have purchased 300 pouches of Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care and I received this the same day I had to send my beloved Razz to kitty heaven!!!!! I literally vomited!!! I went to my vet again today and the 1st time I took Raz in was 12-25-06 for horrible diarrhea - who in the hell would have thought food poisoning??? On 03-13-07 both were put in the hospital, vet thought they got into anti-freeze???? This is absolutely inexcusable. How did everyone like seeing the CEO of Menu Foods on TV tonight?? Couldn't he even start out with an apology????????? Makes me sick!!!!!!!!!!! I received my tracking purchases from Petsmart yesterday and to think I have poisoned my babies since November. It shows that since November I have purchased 300 pouches of Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care and I received this the same day I had to send my beloved Razz to kitty heaven!!!!! I literally vomited!!! I went to my vet again today and the 1st time I took Raz in was 12-25-06 for horrible diarrhea - who in the hell would have thought food poisoning??? On 03-13-07 both were put in the hospital, vet thought they got into anti-freeze???? This is absolutely inexcusable. How did everyone like seeing the CEO of Menu Foods on TV tonight?? Couldn’t he even start out with an apology????????? Makes me sick!!!!!!!!!!!

]]> By: Harry http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/comment-page-3/#comment-11613 Harry Sat, 24 Mar 2007 01:54:28 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/#comment-11613 Excerpt from the International Herald Tribune Business Newspaper: "On Tuesday, CIBC World Markets downgraded Menu to a "sector underperform" rating and set a 12- to 18- month unit price target of 3.50 dollars. At the time of the initial offering, the units were priced at 10 dollars. But at least one analyst, Aleem Israel of Sprott Securities in Toronto, is confident that the company's market dominance will be its salvation and has upgraded the fund to "buy." "We do not expect major fallout from customer defections," Israel wrote in a note to investors Wednesday. "Menu remains the largest wet pet-food manufacturer in North America, and its track record of safety and quality assurance has been strong." Excerpt from the International Herald Tribune Business Newspaper:
“On Tuesday, CIBC World Markets downgraded Menu to a “sector underperform” rating and set a 12- to 18- month unit price target of 3.50 dollars. At the time of the initial offering, the units were priced at 10 dollars.

But at least one analyst, Aleem Israel of Sprott Securities in Toronto, is confident that the company’s market dominance will be its salvation and has upgraded the fund to “buy.”

“We do not expect major fallout from customer defections,” Israel wrote in a note to investors Wednesday. “Menu remains the largest wet pet-food manufacturer in North America, and its track record of safety and quality assurance has been strong.”

]]> By: Traci http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/comment-page-3/#comment-11597 Traci Sat, 24 Mar 2007 00:59:42 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-source-of-poison-found/#comment-11597 "I think people should boycott any and all dog and cat food companies so this will never happen again, let the consumer be heard the pet food companies will listen if it affect their pockets." Not all pet food manufacturers are irresponsible and inhumane. To name a few not linked at all to Menu Foods are Merrick and Raw Advantage. “I think people should boycott any and all dog and cat food companies so this will never happen again, let the consumer be heard the pet food companies will listen if it affect their pockets.”

Not all pet food manufacturers are irresponsible and inhumane. To name a few not linked at all to Menu Foods are Merrick and Raw Advantage.

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