Pet food recall: The L.A. Times counts the numbers
By Gina Spadafori
March 27, 2007
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ABC News and USA Today have been the only national media that have been consistently covering the true impact of this story. Now, the Los Angeles Times joins this gutsy group. From this morning’s editions:
Hundreds of veterinarians have reported cases of sick and dead dogs and cats related to rat-poison-tainted pet food, a veterinarians’ group said Monday — far more than reported by the Food and Drug Administration.
Veterinarians Information Network, a website of 30,000 veterinarians and veterinary students, said members had reported 471 cases of kidney failure in the 10 days since Canada-based Menu Foods Income Fund announced its pet food recall.
Last week, the FDA said it had confirmed 14 pet deaths in the U.S. as a result of the recalled food.
The number from the FDA “is barely the tip of the iceberg,” said veterinarian Paul Pion, a co-founder of the network. “There will be much more than this.”
ABC News follows with more this morning. Video here. They’re also now calling this the “pet-food scandal.” As is always said, it’s not the act that gets you, it’s the cover-up.
Welcome, Los Angeles Times. Thank you for joining those of us in the media who have decided to be watchdogs, not lapdogs, on this growing story.
Update: CNN is airing the news now. Welcome, too, to CNN.
Hello, Associated Press? Want to rethink your decision to parrot the FDA numbers? Let us know. You have Dr. Becker’s phone number, we know.
From the PetConnection.com database (5:30 a.m. PT): 1,981 deceased pets (1121 cats/860 dogs). Remember, these are self-reported numbers. Like to remind you of vetcetera’s thoughtful take on what they mean.
This reminds us to remind you:
- Call the FDA to report your information
- Call your veterinarian and ask him or her to report to your state veterinarian, also for the FDA
- Enter your pet in our database
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Technorati Tags: pet food recall, dogs, cats,veterinarian, veterinary
Thank You Gina! And thank you to all the news agencies that actually INVESTIGATE and REPORT news! Another article I found was from the Washington Post that cites the self-reported numbers found here.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....on&g=1
My experience with the FDA in reporting my pet’s death was very enlightening. First of all, it took me seven days of calling to be able to even leave a message as all voice mailboxes were full. The number of calls they are (un-reportedly)receiving must be staggering. The woman, who was very kind, took all of my information. She seemed VERY knowledgeable about animals, but, as my neice put it, she probably has had an education by fire in the last week. When I told her that we were in the process of having a Necropsy done on Zipper, she asked what kind of Necropsy. When I told her that we were having a LEGAL Necropsy and toxicology (on the canned food, also) done by Michigan State University she became VERY interested. It is looking more and more like the “official” reported number of pet deaths by the FDA are only those that are absolutely and legally proved to be related to the food. So, basically, unless you are also paying over $500 to have a legal necropsy and toxicology done - you will not be counted! Most of these pets’ deaths and illnesses will go down in history as a huge coincidence! My sadness (for my Zipper and anyone who has been affected by this) grows deeper and deeper every time I talk to one more “official” or company representative. All because many did not save each and every food container or immediately pay to have a Legal Necropsy done on their “property” (furbabies).
I, too have been disappointed with our local news’ handling of this story. I was saddened that Anna Nicole Smith was more widely reported that the 1700 deaths of our loved ones. Last night I emailed every Editor, News Manager, TV station manager, and Reporter I could find.
Even our local Wal-Mart still has shelves stocked with Mighty Dog, Iams, and Special Kitty! They don’t even have a list of recalled products to check! Not even a posted note about the recall of the food! As I have seen others post, the store manager assured me that it would be removed within 24 hours, but that their “scanning system” wouldn’t have allowed anyone to actually purchase the food. I don’t know about other states, but here in Michigan, this is the same “scanning system” that our State Attorney General has fined over and over again for not ringing-up correct prices! How competent are these systems for not allowing recalled food to be purchased? I will be stopping by today to make sure that it is pulled as well as stopping by several other stores in my area just to see what’s on the shelf. It is the least that I can do at a time when I feel like I should be doing SOMETHING! Thanks again PetConnection and everyone who has posted here.
Natalie Sharpes
Vermontville, MI
Comment by Natalie Sharpes — March 27, 2007 @ 7:08 am
WIBW, KS - 9 hours ago
Emporia’s Menu Foods employees are on unpaid leave as a result of a huge pet food recall.
Unpaid leave? Glad to see Menu takes such good care of their employees. Good “Corporate Citizens”
no doubt. Good to know the top brass sets something aside for emergencies if they happen.
Comment by Steve — March 27, 2007 @ 7:28 am
I’m in Dallas, Texas and FOX is now saying a ” Vet’s group is coming up with higher numbers than Menu!!!!! This is new…. I got a pre-recorded message on my cell phone from Menu telling me ” someone will be in contact with me in the next 72 hours” Phone number came from ” UNKNOWN”. We will see, I have left numerous messages since March 17th when this hit. Any word?? Nope
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — March 27, 2007 @ 7:34 am
The Media in this country is a complete joke.
Comment by Steve — March 27, 2007 @ 7:40 am
Any idea on where I can have my food tested? I still have 36 pouches of the tainted Nutro Natural Choice My beloved Raz had multiple seizures on 03-21 and had to put him to sleep early 03-22 at the Emergency Animal Clinic - the Vet on duty ( not my wonderful Vet) said that we could not keep Raz to do a necropsy because the tissue would be gone? I didn’t understand what she was talking about but I don’t think she understand where I was coming from….. On that being said, I know I don’t have a necropsy report but I do still own the food and have everything in black and white when our nightmare started on 03-12 with our Vet and internists scratching their heads…
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — March 27, 2007 @ 7:45 am
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — March 27, 2007
Sandi I am look into the same thing. The problem is limited time right. I am hoping some independent labs who are not in the pockets of these corporations, big business, and lobbyists might be of help. If and when I find something I will post. I am holding on to unopened product myself for testing at some point as well. I have unfortunately learned the premium brand we use is connected with Menu. Not on recall but I have lost any and all trust at this point that these companies are going to level with the American public.
Comment by Steve — March 27, 2007 @ 7:53 am
We’re all on our own now. Washington’s latest crew has apparently destroyed and dismantled government and it’s oversight duties to it’s citizens. All we have now are unscrupulous corporations doing whatever they please with zero government oversight.
Don’t expect the media to be much help. It’s obvious this whole fiasco is at risk of being swept under the rug now. Citizens like ourselves are going to have to take command of this and keep this investigation alive. Otherwise we know what is going to happen.
“Business as Usual”
Comment by Steve — March 27, 2007 @ 8:01 am
Try a local university that has a Veterinary Program. The department at Michigan State University doing our testing is called “Diagnostic Center For Population and Animal Health”. I wonder if any Agricultural Extensions would be intereted? Finding an independent lab was one of my concerns, also. How can you be assured that ANY lab is not linked in ANY way to Menu or the pet food industry?
Comment by Natalie Sharpes — March 27, 2007 @ 8:03 am
THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS
Pet food lawsuit growing
Gerry Timbers
Mar 27, 2007
Companies that sold tainted pet chow under different brand names will be named in a growing $100 million national class-action lawsuit against Streetsville’s Menu Foods, Sun Media is reporting today.
Comment by Steve — March 27, 2007 @ 8:08 am
How can you be assured that ANY lab is not linked in ANY way to Menu or the pet food industry?
Comment by Natalie Sharpes — March 27, 2007
It is going to be tough.
Comment by Steve — March 27, 2007 @ 8:10 am
More pet food firms sued. Chow sold under different brand names
By SHARON LEM, SUN MEDIA
The $100 million national class-action lawsuit against Menu Foods is expanding to include more companies that sold products on the recall list under their own brand name.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Ca.....0-sun.html
Comment by Steve — March 27, 2007 @ 8:12 am
Life goes on at Wally World:
http://www.poconorecord.com/ap...../703270325
Comment by Cathy — March 27, 2007 @ 8:14 am
From another board.
“A note of caution to those of you who are searching for a food NOT manufactured by Menu Foods. Check each companies websit carefully and lookfor a statement that reads something like Halo’s …”product NOT produced by the supplier involved…” Some of the companies listed above such as PetGuard and Evolve merely state their products…”are not included in the recall” or “are not associated with the recall.” This obviously does not mean that their products are not produced by Menu. I believe if their products are not produced at any Menu plant they would clearly state that fact. PS I have emailed and spoken to a rep at PetGuard and I got the same response as everyone else…they said they would call be back…one can only deduce that they use Menu and do not wish to reveal that fact.”
Comment by Steve — March 27, 2007 @ 8:20 am
What remains unclear is whether Brands who use Menu supplied their own ingredients to Menu Foods or relied on that company to procure ingredients.
http://catmanager.wordpress.com/
Comment by Steve — March 27, 2007 @ 8:23 am
I know the dry food is contaminated. I had 3 chihuahuas. I now have 2. Genral Lee died at 3:27pm Sunday. Tippy Jo and Angel Baby were sick a couple of days but more like the flu.
It ia amazing that they can say dry is not effected. HE was the bigger baby so he ate more then they did. He went from fine on Tuesday to gone on Sunday. We spent $596.00 but could not save him. His pancreas and liver were swollen. He wouldn’t eat, drank tons of water,had no energy, had to urinate alot and he threw the water almost as soon as he got it in. I am devastated at his loss and my husband is more so than I am if that is possible.
Comment by Bobbie Newcomb — March 27, 2007 @ 8:41 am
Thanks Steve for the help - I have sent e-mails to some of the universities but am still trying to find one to respond to me, please let me know if you find out anything - you can e-mail me at sandi@addisonfoods.com or cs.schreiber@verizon.net
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — March 27, 2007 @ 8:48 am
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — March 27, 2007
Will do Sandy. By the way I want everyone here to know I am not connected to any organization I am just a private citizen and pet owner who is volunteering to do what I can.
This scandal has really been a wake up call.
Comment by Steve — March 27, 2007 @ 8:55 am
The LA Times article is a start. I highly recommend that everyone continue to contact their local and national newspapers (including the AP) to not let the story get swept under the rug for more ‘pressing’ news (Anna Nicole Smith crap).
Comment by Ron — March 27, 2007 @ 9:01 am
ABC Video:
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2984402
Comment by Ron — March 27, 2007 @ 9:09 am
Independent reporting dwarfs FDA pet-poisoning numbers.
Pretty much sums up this whole scandal. Where is Menu Foods? Not a peep. ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY.
Comment by Steve — March 27, 2007 @ 9:14 am
Very late last night, around 1:00 AM PDT, I e-mailed PetSmart to get my purchase records. After about 15 minutes I thought it would probably be days before I received any kind of reply and decided to try their 24/7 phone line. The person taking the call was very helpful and told me I could expect my report in 2 to 5 days, said it would be much sooner normally but they are receiving a huge number of calls for purchase reports. By the time we got off the line, I received a reply to my e-mail telling me the same thing. I am very pleasantly surprised a huge company like PetSmart is handling this so well.
Comment by Dee — March 27, 2007 @ 9:15 am
Bobbie Newcomb -
What dry food brand were you feeding?
Comment by Linda — March 27, 2007 @ 9:19 am
“Update: CNN is airing the news now. Welcome, too, to CNN.”
So far, I haven’t found anything new on their website. Hopefully they will update it soon.
Comment by Dee — March 27, 2007 @ 9:25 am
To Bobbie: We too lost our baby cockapoo Daisi on March 15, and yes I believe your husband is even worse, as is mine, he is in a state of shock and cries all the time. I have moved to the stage of complete outrage, and am obsessed with finding the real truth. My babies only ate dry food and moist dog treats, no one seems to mention the snacks and treats we gave our pets, I still have the dry food, have reported our loss to the FDA, my vet called yesterday and stated he was willing to write letters, testify, whatever is needed to help me, he is also enraged. I have over $4500.00 in vet and vet hospital bills, she was in the hospital 7 days at an average of over $600 a day, not that the price matters, but I am heartbroken that I feel I somehow contributed to her death.
Comment by Tammy — March 27, 2007 @ 9:27 am
to cathy: talked to people at wally world today to try to get a copy of my itemized receipt from my purchase on 3/3/07, which was purchased with my wal-mart credit card, and they can not provide me with a copy, even though the worker was reading me a detailed list of what I purchased!! “tomato paste, etc…” I asked if you can read it to me why can’t you print me a copy of what you are reading from, she stated “maybe” the store can give me a copy of the itemized receipt. I have all my vet bills, the bag of ol’ roy dog food, but i have no packaging for the ol roy dog treats. I’m going to the store tonight to see if they can give me a copy. does anyone have any suggestions about getting copies of receipts??
Comment by Tammy — March 27, 2007 @ 9:35 am
The WalMarts in my area still have food that is on the list on the shelves. I went to customer service. They said not all of the food is recalled, it depends on the dates and lot #. They also said the scanner would prevent anything that is recalled from being sold.
I have read that it can’t be pinned down to specific dates. It looks to me like this food is still being sold. Also, I believe (strongly) that other canned foods made by Menu foods is tainted even though it is not on the list. I lost 2 cats that had eaten Iams slow cooked chicken exclusively. One died in Feb, the other in March. This was before we knew about the food problem. By the time I could see that they were sick, it was too late to save them.
Comment by betty — March 27, 2007 @ 9:56 am
RE DRY FOOD:
NUTRO maxcat gourmet classics chicken. purchased late Dec. w/in 1-2 days cat began to vomit and stopped eating, difficulty urinating.
at vet appt 12/27 tests inconclusive but no urine test done as there was no urine. I requested subcutaneous fluids, which may have saved my cat. Immed purchased pet fountain and cat is drinking HUGE amounts of water. my cat ate nutro only as part of his food and SUSPECTING a bad batch of food, i immediately withdrew the food. Symptoms declined but I now expect further kidney panel to show something. Good links: http://www.diaglab.vet.cornell.....Recall.pdf
http://www.vin.com/WebLink.plx.....pterin.htm
http://www.vin.com/promo/news/.....esting.htm RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
Comment by 4LGDFRIEND — March 27, 2007 @ 10:03 am
Houston Post Chronicle - Pet Food Recall Worsens, FDA Only Tip Of Reported Animal Deaths
http://www.postchronicle.com/n.....1379.shtml
Comment by Kim — March 27, 2007 @ 10:10 am
4LGDFRIEND: That’s dry food. I don’t have a cat so I suppose it is dry. I’m shocked that dry isn’t being investigated. Maybe it is. It is all so terrible.
Comment by Linda — March 27, 2007 @ 10:15 am
WHO MAKES WHAT? Petsitusa.com’s list of pet food brands, indicating which companies contract with Menu Foods and which companies do not.
http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210 FOODS POSSIBLY SAFE, annotated with mfr replies rcd.
howl911.com: WDJ 2007 TOP APPROVED WET DOG FOODS FOR 2007 - this pdf lists better quality foods WITH 800 numbers for all mfrs. COMPARE to recall and “made by menu” info on the petsit list.
Comment by 4lgdfriend — March 27, 2007 @ 10:18 am
Other places are now picking up the LA Times Article. It’s about damned time.
Comment by Kim — March 27, 2007 @ 10:21 am
Tammy - Re: getting a printed receipt from Wally World:
Politely ask to speak to their Supervisor. If no joy, ask who is their boss. Just keep going UP until you get an answer. Ask them to get on the phone and call regional office, head office, etc.
Take a sandwich. ;-(
Comment by Cathy — March 27, 2007 @ 10:38 am
For anyone looking to have the food analyzed, look in the yellow pages under “Laboratories-Analytical” and there should be one that has to do with food if you are in a decent sized metropolitan area. They deal with hundreds of clients so I seriously doubt they would falsify results, particularly at this point in time, when the scope of it all means big $.
I have left a message for Anresco Labs here in San Francisco to find out if they can test for aminopterin and app. how much it would cost. When I hear back from them I will post the answer. Regardless, it is not a fast process. Testing takes time. http://www.anresco.com
Thank Christ the truth is finally out on this!
Comment by Lois Kimball — March 27, 2007 @ 11:03 am
It also isn’t cheap.
Comment by Lois Kimball — March 27, 2007 @ 11:12 am
In September 2006, our aged but otherwise healthy beloved Bouvier suddently exhibited all the signs of renal failure after our vet changed his diet from Wellness Adult dry to Eukanuba and then Iams prescription DRY diet foods. I kept insisting to the vet that his sudden and unexplained illness was too coincidental with the food change. I was sure then that it was the food. Over a 2-week period, he became anorexic, lethargic, throwing up blood, lost 20 pounds and began literally falling on his face. He kept trying to walk but just gave up. Until the diet change, he was in excellent health and March last year had even gone through a splectomy with flying colors. He had been like a puppy again with a new lease on life, until the dog food changed. After ultrasounds and many blood and urine tests, our excellent but puzzled vet had no idea what was contributing to his sudden demise. They had done all they could for him. We sorrowfully euthanized Calvin on 9/11/06. Always convinced that it was food poisoning that killed him, I saved the original bags and samples of the food. I would like to have them tested now, but don’t know where to go. I keep reading this blog to see if anyone else had a similar experience in fall of 2006.
Then in January 2007, our 3 year old healthy, indoor, 16-pound Norwegian forest cat suddenly became extremely ill with what the vet claimed to be cystitis. It was right after I gave her moist snacks which had been volunteered by my neighbor who euthanized her cat the day before due to renal failure. I became suspicious when our cat for no apparent reason became so very sick with all the same symptoms of renal failure (that are being published now) and the only thing different in her routine was the one-time moist chicken snack I’d given her. The vet thought it might have been the food we were giving her, saying that certain foods could be a problem to the kidneys. After medication from the vet, and NOT changing food (still on Wellness dry) she recovered and is now absolutely fine. I fortunately saved the pouches of moist snacks just in case. I am waiting to hear about these in the recall.
Anyone else have similar experiences?
Comment by Nadine Long — March 27, 2007 @ 11:36 am
Spelling correction to my recent blog: “splenectomy.” They had removed Calvin’s enlarged spleen, but he was as good as new afterward. Over his 12 years, Calvin had been incredibly healthy, having made only one visit in his lifetime to the vet for illness, and that was for an ear infection! All his recent tests proclaimed him healthy.
Comment by Nadine Long — March 27, 2007 @ 11:44 am
I just heard from Anresco. 2 problems. 1. They are having equipment problems. 2. Their validation methods for aminopterin are not 100% reliable because they have never had to test for this before.
They are working as fast as they can. I gave her the numbers dead from this site alone. She was stunned. I begged them to devote themselves to expedite this in anyway possible.
Interestingly, they are sitting on a huge sample from a major dsitributor so they are already under the proverbial gun.
She will call me as sonn as they have the bugs worked out.
The second I hear from her, I will post it here.
I suspect this validation problem will exist at all labs but it is worth calling every company that does analytical food testing.
Comment by Lois Kimball — March 27, 2007 @ 11:57 am
NADINE LONG:
YES, my dog, also on Iams DRY (mini chunks) began having frequent urination and BLOOD in her urine in the Fall of 2006 (I definitely know she was urinating frequently in mid-October, but it may have started a bit earlier than that).
So far, no known cause. No UTI, no bladder/kidney stones found upon X-ray, no change after 20 days of Clavamox (antibiotic). I’m taking her in for another urinalysis today because finally, her symptoms (frequent urination, accidents in the house) appear to have gone away. So I’m hoping the urinalysis will show no blood. If there is still blood, then we will have to do an ultrasound (over $500).
If the blood is gone, then it will have all been “completely unexplained” - both the blood, and the recovery from it! If that happens, then I will know it was the DRY food, whether the Vet wants to agree or not.
I have reported it to the FDA. Everyone should report these things to the FDA because the FDA won’t do an investigation until they get ALOT of similar reports. They need to see a spike in complaints with similar symptoms in order to launch an investigation, so EVERYONE should report these things rather than waiting for the FDA to tell us there is a problem. WE have to tell THEM there is a problem… then they investigate, then they tell the media there is a problem, then the media tells the general public there is a problem. But WE have to start the process by telling them about each individual problem we have. They have to add up to A LOT of problems in order to get an investigation. So report all problems with food, wet or DRY, to the FDA.
Comment by Sarah — March 27, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
Sarah,
Thank you for stressing that we need to report all concerns to the FDA. I am still waiting for them to come to pick up the cat food that I feel killed our cat. Log on everywhere you can to urge people to report the illnesses of their pets. I urged the chronic renal failure site to report their problems.
Keep up the good work!!!!!!!
Comment by Janice — March 27, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
http://www.gocomics.com/stevekelley/ latimespicayune Thanks Steve Kelley
http://www.gocomics.com/bobgorrell/
Snoopy speaks on behalf of pets
Thanks Bob Gorrell
Comment by 4lgdfriend — March 27, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Sarah, thank you. I’m not crazy after all. Everything you describe is what I went through. I have just called my vet and am getting a printout of Calvin’s history. When I have the exact details and dates, I will contact the FDA. I’m furious.
Comment by Nadine Long — March 27, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
Today’s Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, reports 47 suspected cases in Oregon so far.
http://www.oregonlive.com/oreg.....amp;coll=7
Comment by Jane Hope — March 27, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
I have a three year old pomeranian who is 8 lbs…I now only give her dry Iams mini chucks and plenty of water. Now a friend sent me this link and now I am afraid when I read that rat poison might also be in the dry food. When will we know if this is true, as NO dry foods are being removed. I of course stopped the canned Iams food and am only giving her the dry. She appears fine, no frequent drinking or urination, hyper as always, playing, friendly, nothing has changed..how long would it take me to know if the wet I had given her before the public was told would effect her? and is it ok to give her the dry food? should I completely start giving her human food? my vet said when I called last week to give her the dry…but now I read all these comments and feel upset over all this…this morning I gave her a tblsp of oatmeal, yesterday I added a small egg to the dry, but less the dry….I have a friend who sent me some homemade dog food recipes……why hasnt the news stated no dry???
Comment by Laura — March 29, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
For your information, I had been unaware of the problems with DRY dog food. My dog Bullie was showing symptoms of pancreatitis, was throwing up, thirsty, wasting away, weak, frequent urination, watery stools with blood, spent three days and nights in the hospital til her heart gave out. None of the food she had was on the list! She had eaten IAMS (green bag). I am still upset as I miss her terribly but am also outraged. Beware of what you buy for your pets. Our food was purchased at Wal Mart.
Comment by Dixie for Bullie — March 29, 2007 @ 9:31 pm
I don’t trust ANY of the dogfood right now. I use Purina Beniful and I’m scared of that too. I’m going to buy Newman’s organic dry and do some old fashoned cooking for my poodle!
Comment by Ronda — March 31, 2007 @ 7:43 pm