What else is next???

keen and Abby Gayle

Can you imagine what this would sound like if it were in the BEEF industry. The ranchers would be up in arms and probably would get more restitution for their cows than we for our most unfortunate pets.

All I want, is to save some pets, no matter what it takes or how it makes me look in the meantime. It can be difficult, to say the least, for a few to make an impact. Up against the big money, all we have is each other, to trust and believe in. No one knows everything but as a group we know much. We know that multi million dollar corporations are killing our pets. We know that they do not know what the hell is going on with their products. We know that the news media is just begining to report some of the truths and are weeks behind. We know that none of these companies are telling us the whole truth.

Our pet died unncessarilly, someone could have saved her, if someone else would not have withheald the truth.

keen remembering Abby Gayle

keen and Abby Gayle

Dear Pet Owner,

Please note the following web site which contains comprehensive, regularly updated information regarding the Menu Pet Foods Recall:
American Veterinary Medical Association - Pet Food Recall Information:
http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/default.asp

Thank you for contacting the Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) at Cornell University about the Menu Foods pet food recall. A causative agent associated with illness in animals that have eaten Menu Pet Foods has not been determined at this time, therefore the AHDC is unable to offer any definitive tests on pet foods or animals that are affected. However, we are working hard to determine the cause of this problem. Many of the pets that have consumed these products have not had evidence of clinical illness. Only a few pets, as far as we know, have been adversely affected by the recalled pet food. We at the AHDC would like to offer our sympathy to the families of those adversely affected cats and dogs.

The current recall of products manufactured by Menu Foods includes 40 brands of canned and foil pouch cat foods and 48 brands of canned and foil pouched dog foods. Information about the recall can be found at http://www.menufoods.com/recall/. Menu Foods can be reached by telephone at 1-866-895-2708. More information about the recall is available through the US FDA at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/.....01590.html. Additionally, if you suspect that you have containers from recalled pet food in your home, you can consult the packaging for relevant contact information. As always, your pet’s veterinarian is an excellent source of information on the health of your companion animal. If you suspect that you have fed the recalled pet food to your cat or dog, save the remaining pet food and container. Open containers may be double-bagged in sealable plastic and kept in the freezer. It is important to make sure any retained items will not be accidentally fed.

Once again, many of the pets that have consumed these products have not had evidence of clinical illness. If you believe your pet has consumed these products, you need to monitor them closely for signs of illness. You may want to discuss the option of some baseline health monitoring with your veterinarian. Some of the dogs that have been affected have vomited or refused their food early. Cats and dogs with kidney failure often drink more water than usual and produce more urine. As the problem progresses, animals may appear depressed, vomit, have ulcers in their mouths, and develop a urine-like odor to their breath. If your pet shows any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible, then contact Menu Foods at the above telephone number.

If your animal has eaten a recalled product and has died, the death of your pet should be reported as soon as possible to the Menu Foods hotline, 1-866-895-2708, even if they already know about your pet’s illness. In addition, you can also contact the Food and Drug Administration by going to the following website: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/back.....plain.html and by finding the phone number listed for your state’s FDA complaint coordinators.

We recommend that any time an animal dies due to an unknown cause, the animal’s body should be submitted for a complete post-mortem exam by a veterinary pathology service. You should expect to pay for this service unless otherwise notified. There are many other causes of illness and, specifically, kidney failure in cats and dogs. Older animals often experience chronic kidney failure. Bacterial infections, like Leptospira spp., may affect animals, producing kidney failure. Common toxic causes in cats and dogs include antifreeze ingestion, certain rodenticides, and some medications. Easter lilies and other lilies cause renal failure if consumed by cats. Grapes have been reported to cause renal failure in dogs and may affect cats. Physical damage from trauma and cancerous conditions can also cause kidney damage. It is very important for all sick pets to be thoroughly evaluated by a veterinarian.

Sincerely,

Karyn Bischoff DVM, MS, Diplomate ABVT
Clinical Toxicologist
Animal Health Diagnostic Center
College of Veterinary Medicine