Pet food recall: Banfield says 39,000 pets may have been affected

April 9, 2007

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Update (4/10): Please see the next post. AP rewrote the story to remove the extrapolation. Here’s a possibility for how the figure of affected pets was arrived at: .03 of pets seen by Banfield fit the profile for food-associated illness. Take .03 percent and multiply it by 130 million dogs and cats in the United States, and you get 39,000. Legitimate way to look at it? I guess VIN’s Dr. Pion’s point may still be the best: Without accurate reporting or a “CDC for pets,” the best anyone can do is extrapolate a range of pets who may have been affected. It’s hard to fault Banfield for not wanting to.

Following on the heels of the Veterinary Information Network’s projection of thousands to tens of thousands of affected pets earlier today, Banfield, The Pet Hospital, a nationwide chain of veterinary clinics, released its own numbers this evening:

Pet food contaminated with an industrial chemical may have sickened or killed 39,000 cats and dogs nationwide, based on an extrapolation from data released Monday by one of the nation’s largest chains of veterinary hospitals.

Banfield, The Pet Hospital, said an analysis of its database, compiled from records collected by its more than 615 veterinary hospitals, suggests that three out of every 10,000 cats and dogs that ate the pet food contaminated with melamine developed kidney failure. There are an estimated 60 million dogs and 70 million cats in the United States, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The hospital chain saw 1 million dogs and cats during the three months when the more than 100 brands of now-recalled contaminated pet food were sold. It saw 284 extra cases of kidney failure among cats during that period, or a roughly 30 percent increase, when compared with background rates.

“It has meaning, when you see a peak like that. We see so many pets here, and it coincided with the recall period,” said veterinarian Hugh Lewis, who oversees the mining of Banfield’s database to do clinical studies. The chain continues to share its data with the Food and Drug Administration.

Full AP story here.

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Filed under: 2007 food recall, animals: pets, medical, news — Christie Keith @ 7:02 pm

78 Comments »

  1. PBS NEWSHOUR EXTRA

    Owners, Vets Question Regulations As Pet Food Scare Continues

    As the list of tainted pet food recalled continues to grow, pet owners and veterinarians across the country are questioning whether new methods are needed for determining the safety of dog and cat food.

    continued
    http://tinyurl.com/2rcmsp

    Comment by Steve — April 9, 2007 @ 7:11 pm

  2. You won’t find these numbers on the Pet Food Instiute website.

    Comment by MFEMFEM — April 9, 2007 @ 7:17 pm

  3. Jesus. A 3 times increase.

    Comment by Sharon — April 9, 2007 @ 7:23 pm

  4. I don’t care what lame excuse anyone comes up with now, gamma rays from Mars zapped the Wheat Gluten and all are innocent, I’m not giving another penny to finance these hoodlum pet food companies.

    Linda MS

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 7:28 pm

  5. This is what you get when big business is allowed to regulate itself.

    Comment by Steve — April 9, 2007 @ 7:28 pm

  6. Oh my god, the numbers are staggering. So many broken hearts..

    Comment by Julia — April 9, 2007 @ 7:31 pm

  7. This number of 39,000, up from 16, gives reason to question ALL food. Who is in whose pockets, who is connected, what is self-regulated, are correct guidelines in place for recently developed Gourmet Molecule Cuisine for human consumption, does the USDA, FDA, XYZ have the expertise/equipment necessary for testing?

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 7:39 pm

  8. Lie, all the pet food companies lie, and I’m not dissing vets either but I think many have been duped by these pet food companies too -

    I have found some loving wonderful vets but they vaccinate too much and sometimes I wonder if they are at a loss too for why so many pets have cancer etc.

    I also pulled up all the carpet in my house and I’m not replacing it with toxic waste chemical stuff either. And I don’t like putting chemical flea killer liquid on my pets either.

    I was at the vet with one dog that has allergies and this vet said well she has fleas. I said no she doesn’t. The vet gave me another strange look - like what do I know. She wanted to give me pet this routine flea junk and I said test to see is she has fleas. My dogs don’t have fleas. Well, the tech comes in with a comb and sure enough, scrape scrape look look - no fleas.

    Seems many of these vets just have a mind set for what they prescribe and reality just doesn’t matter. I love my new vet, so don’t get me wrong, but a person just needs to do their homework.

    Enough is just enough! No more toxic waste junk for my dogs.

    Linda MS

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 7:39 pm

  9. My vote is for Senate hearings concomitantly on the testing and safety of the overall food supply. One agency, one guideline for both human and pets.

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 7:42 pm

  10. Linda MS

    Vets are great people, but remember they are in “business” too. Add-on help their bottom line. That’s why selling “prescription” pet food is so attractive…they get 40% for products they sell.

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 7:45 pm

  11. Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 7:42 pm

    I agree. There are still numerous culprits in this scandal who refuse to be accountable. Why should America from pet owners-parents all the way through to the Vet community be at their mercy?

    Comment by Steve — April 9, 2007 @ 7:49 pm

  12. I vote that all pet foods should carry this label: fit for human consumption.

    Now, that will get everyone’s attention.

    Linda MS

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 7:49 pm

  13. Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 7:49 pm

    How difficult should this really be if everyone is honest. The industry should demand that their raw materials not go through so many channels…they should only buy direct from a trusted source with no middle man. They probably would be able to keep the costs down for the pet food if they were to band together for the good, not the evil.

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 7:52 pm

  14. Comment by Steve — April 9, 2007 @ 7:49 pm

    It’s in some people’s nature, but I hope the culprits will be quelled with close supervision.

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 7:53 pm

  15. Nadine,

    I think it would be a piece of cake really. I hope something different happens soon for the sake of our beloved pets.

    Linda MS

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 7:54 pm

  16. Looks like a lotta rogue vets out there! Wonder what the Veterinary News Network will say in response? Seems all wrong somehow to have fought so long to get those staggeringly high numbers reported, to feel that it’s a victory. Definitely a double edged sword. To at last get the scope of the problem realized, but be flattened by those very same numbers. My thoughts are with all those people missing their 4 legged friends.

    Comment by muttcentral — April 9, 2007 @ 7:56 pm

  17. Linda,

    The amazing thing is that so many people have no idea of the scope of this problem and shrug it off. I hope there is a big expose of the pet food (and food) industry so that all will be educated. Eat and die campaign.

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 7:57 pm

  18. ASSOCIATED PRESS and CREDIBLE DATA SOURCES

    I hope the Associated Press has learned a lesson, in that you can’t blindly assume that governmental agencies have credible statistical information.

    Comment by Lynn — April 9, 2007 @ 8:01 pm

  19. Just a kind of random comment - but I just opened a bag of Swheat scoop kitty litter and there was a free sample of Nutro Natural Choice dry food. I of course researched this because the thought that there could be samples of poisoned food in other products really scared me. This nutro dry food is not contained in the recall, but it got me thinking about “sample” products that may be laying around somewhere. I also started thinking about the fact that I use the wheat litter. Could that be dangerous too?

    Comment by Chelsea — April 9, 2007 @ 8:02 pm

  20. Just a few thoughts on the middle man rip off:

    I poor 3rd world farmer sells it to a local district wholesale at a marker - (1) and this wholesaler moves it to a larger market and or sells it to a company that will ship it overseas (2) and then this shipper sells it to an additional company that picks it up at the docks (3) and this company sells it direct to the pet food companies.

    Everyone gets their cut as the middlemen have no way to move, ship, and market their wares in foreign countries.

    Hard to do away with the middle man.

    Linda MS

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 8:03 pm

  21. Comment by Chelsea — April 9, 2007 @ 8:02 pm

    A food sample was in the litter?

    Phew man. They must really think people are gullible.

    Comment by Steve — April 9, 2007 @ 8:08 pm

  22. Comment by Lynn — April 9, 2007 @ 8:01 pm

    They need to pay more heed to citizen journalism in light of the internet as a valid, truth-finding investigative tool .

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 8:08 pm

  23. “You won’t find these numbers on the Pet Food Instiute website.

    Comment by MFEMFEM — April 9, 2007 @ 7:17 pm”

    Ya think?!? ;)

    Comment by Pamela J. Betz-Baron — April 9, 2007 @ 8:09 pm

  24. To Chelsea re: Swheat Scoop litter

    I have used this cat litter too, but not recently. I heard the wheat is from N. Dakota if that means anything.

    Comment by catlover — April 9, 2007 @ 8:09 pm

  25. You have wheat in your litter? I don’t have cats so this is a surpise to me. I think they have to eat it -

    Just a guess.

    Linda MS

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 8:10 pm

  26. To Linda re: Swheat Scoop litter

    I learned about this litter from my breeder. It is 100% wheat and has no dust. You can flush it down the toilet too. But it’s expensive so I don’t normally use it.

    Comment by catlover — April 9, 2007 @ 8:12 pm

  27. I learned about this litter from my breeder. It is 100% wheat and has no dust. You can flush it down the toilet too.

    See Gina’s note on this.

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 8:14 pm

  28. I know I have probably become way too paranoid, but I was thinkig about the wheat litter and my four kitties licking their feet. It’s actually great litter. I’ve used it for years. I must say however, I’ve never checked the “ingredients” in my litter.

    Comment by Chelsea — April 9, 2007 @ 8:14 pm

  29. Well, gee-whiz-whaddya-know…we pet people ain’t crazy after all!

    Gosh, thanks AP!

    What?…Me?…Sarcastic? Naah.

    I wish some of the people who have mishandled this could have been there to hear my six-year-old son wail/sob for about ten minutes after our vet helped his pal slip away gently. It was heart-wrenching for us, and I’m sure he’ll never forget it.

    Comment by Pamela J. Betz-Baron — April 9, 2007 @ 8:15 pm

  30. My vet on Saturday tried to give my puppy a recalled pet treat…now that is just not right!

    When I asked her what she recommends we feed, she said she had no clue. Now that’s not right either.

    Comment by Surfsista — April 9, 2007 @ 8:18 pm

  31. To Chelsea - may cats are allergic to the dust & the scents they put in cat litter, which is why my breeder recommends the Swheat Scoop. Plus it’s biodegradable.

    Comment by catlover — April 9, 2007 @ 8:20 pm

  32. Pamela - that’s the whole ball of wax right there. Our children are wailing and having nightmares and we can’t stop the pain.

    Who in the hell are these people playing God with our pets lives anyway? Not telling us, knowing labs animals are dying, and just wanting to sell their poison anyway.

    They aren’t human.

    I’m so sorry for your loss and for your son’s pain.

    Linda MS

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 8:21 pm

  33. If you wanted to GE wheat what would you use? Herbicide, pesticide, rodenticide or a flame retardent? Not born on the farm.

    Comment by Kathi — April 9, 2007 @ 8:26 pm

  34. Comment by Pamela J. Betz-Baron — April 9, 2007 @ 8:15 pm

    My heart breaks for your little guy. Hearing of his pain and tears is heartbreaking.

    The pet food industry needs to pay for the unnecessary psychological damage to at least the kids, if not adults as well. I think more studies should be done between the human and pet link for wellness, both ways.

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 8:26 pm

  35. Lawyers Set to Argue New Legal Theory in Pet-Poisoning Cases
    >
    >
    http://www.law.com/jsp/article.....=ataglance

    Comment by Mike — April 9, 2007 @ 8:27 pm

  36. IGNORANT VETERINARIAN

    To Surfsista:

    Am I to understand that your vet wasn’t up to date on which foods were recalled? That’s inexcusable. And then tried to feed your puppy a recalled treat? Inexcusable.

    Furthermore, I sincerely wish people had the courage to include the names of veterinarians [and the city of the hospital] in their board postings so the rest of us know better than to tdo business there.

    If nothing else, this is clear evidence that veterinarians need to be centrally connected to a centralized database, if only to get news about outbreaks.

    Yes, we need a VCDC [veterinary CDC].

    Comment by Lynn — April 9, 2007 @ 8:29 pm

  37. “Who in the hell are these people playing God with our pets lives anyway? Not telling us, knowing labs animals are dying, and just wanting to sell their poison anyway.”

    It’s not just the pets, Linda.

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 8:31 pm

  38. Comment by Lynn — April 9, 2007 @ 8:29 pm

    You mean a “Vet Recall” list! Brilliant suggestion.

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 8:33 pm

  39. Yes you are so right Nadine - it is our lives too. That I believe 120%

    Linda MS

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 8:34 pm

  40. Many of the same additives are going into our own foods. Sources are the same too.

    If you read some of the pet food industry data as well as the food industry data, it’s all the same junk.

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 8:41 pm

  41. I’ve been feeling queasy since this whole thing began. I don’t know if it’s melamine, rat poison, genetically altered stuff, toxic waste. We don’t know. But someone does and why don’t they just tell us the truth. Yeah I know. Same o same o. Sweep it away and back to business.

    Comment by Kathi — April 9, 2007 @ 8:42 pm

  42. LAW_COM

    Thanks, Mike, this was definitely worth reading.
    http://www.law.com/jsp/article.....=ataglance

    If I recall correctly someone in Nevada is filing under product liability.

    Comment by Lynn — April 9, 2007 @ 8:42 pm

  43. Linda and Nadine
    When’s the last time you had a good tasting tomato from the grocery?

    Comment by Kathi — April 9, 2007 @ 8:47 pm

  44. Now here is a new release of the same story 25 minutes ago with the first paragraph altered from the original story that was released this morning.

    http://tinyurl.com/2ndeam

    Comment by Steve — April 9, 2007 @ 8:49 pm

  45. LAW.COM

    Good info, Mike.

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 8:49 pm

  46. VET RECALL LIST

    Nadine,
    You betcha’! If I had a veterinarian who didn’t make sure any contaminated food on a recall list hadn’t been safely disposed of in his hospital, I’d be yelling his hospital’s name all over the internet. It’s bad enough the pet food companies are killing our pets, intentionally or not, but to have a veterinarian be so ignorant is beyond abomination.

    Comment by Lynn — April 9, 2007 @ 8:50 pm

  47. Kathi,

    not in a long long time. from farmers markets really good stuff - but not from supermarkets, the fruit is terrible too!

    Linda MS.

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 8:55 pm

  48. #

    Now here is a new release of the same story 25 minutes ago with the first paragraph altered from the original story that was released this morning.

    http://tinyurl.com/2ndeam

    Comment by Steve — April 9, 2007 @ 8:49 pm

    Steve. This is very interesting. I wonder what THAT is about?

    Comment by spocko — April 9, 2007 @ 8:57 pm

  49. Nadine,

    it is the same junk. I’m been a fool for way to long about it all. But not anymore.

    Linda MS.

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 8:57 pm

  50. Sorry, I’ve been a fool. Can’t see very good either.

    Linda MS.

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 8:58 pm

  51. To Kathi:

    The last good tomato or fruit of any kind was from my grandmother’s vegetable garden. I remember when my uncle chopped down their apple tree in order to put a driveway in that spot. We all cried.

    Comment by Lynn — April 9, 2007 @ 8:58 pm

  52. I’ve grown a few tomato plants in my garden where I live now - and it all is wonderful, strawberries to die for. I put lettuce in too, grow it on a table on my back patio in metal tubs. Then I just pick it for a salad - no chemical nothing on it and no bugs either.

    Linda MS.

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 9:00 pm

  53. Forgive me if this has been discussed before, but has anyone seen the film Future of Food? It’s been on utube.

    Comment by Kathi — April 9, 2007 @ 9:01 pm

  54. I haven’t Kathi - what’s it about?

    Linda MS

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 9:04 pm

  55. I grow my own tomatoes (organically), so have good ones all summer, and my dog steals some too. There may be a new Nutro product on the recall horizon (this is cans, not pouches)

    http://www.marinij.com/marin/ci_5630208

    Comment by Carol PW — April 9, 2007 @ 9:04 pm

  56. Kathi, my horticulturist kids have been begging me for months to see it. Didn’t know it was on utube. Thanks.

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 9:05 pm

  57. Linda MS
    Genetically engineered food like corn, cotton, soybeans. And now probably wheat. Also it is available for sale at w.futureoffood.com for $25. We are literally owned by big corporation - Monsanto. And guess what they are in China, India, Africa, oh hell, everywhere.

    Comment by Kathi — April 9, 2007 @ 9:09 pm

  58. Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 8:21 pm
    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 8:26 pm

    Thanks.

    My other son, three-and-a-half-years-old, was also in the room (they both said they wanted to stay when we asked them). He didn’t wail or cry or help hold Bubbles (the rest of us had our hands around him), but he watched what was going on very solemnly. He’s of the “still water runs deep” kind. He woke up that night screaming.

    I’m *so* glad I had prepared them for what might happen both when our younger dog broke her back (she’s doing great now - had surgery with a top-notch surgeon) *exactly* one week before Bubbles got sick *and* when Bubbles got sick. I’m sure they would have had a much harder time if I hadn’t.

    But still, I would have much rather had Bubbles for however long he would have had and *then* let him “go gently into that good night”. He was nearly 18, but in *very* good health, aside from moderate hearing and sight loss, as well as manageable arthritis. His kidney values were beautiful on January 21st (better than the vet expected for a dog his age), and sky-high on Febraury 15th.

    The people who screwed this up definitely need to hear these stories. I wonder if those Congressional hearings will include our stories? I suppose I ought to get down to writing my state and federal congresspeople…including Durbin.

    Comment by Pamela J. Betz-Baron — April 9, 2007 @ 9:11 pm

  59. Those funny tasting tomatoes back in 1984, were given a gene from flounder so they could withstand colder temperatures.

    Comment by Kathi — April 9, 2007 @ 9:12 pm

  60. Well its a scary thought. I try to buy certified organic and I grind my own peanuts at the Natural Foods Co-op and I just bought a 25 bag of flour, all natural no GE wheat from a small outfit in Indiana.

    I may get a goat and milk it and make my own butter, you can do that from goats milk right? I’m so fed up with it all.I hope more people follow along and then the big corps will have to just do better.

    Linda MS.

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 9:13 pm

  61. … “On a percentage basis it’s not breathtaking, but unfortunately it’s a number that, if it was your pet that was affected, it’s too high,” veterinarian Nancy Zimmerman, Banfield’s senior medical adviser, said of the newly estimated incidence rate.

    My opinion is that her personal feeling and observations are the overall reasons for the lack of a sense of immediacy in this case on the part of veterinarians. For each of most of the individual vet practices, there may not have been a significant number to cause a big heads up. This just tells me there’s even more reason for them to devise a network with a notification system, such as a cell phone alarm from a main (national) data collection point.

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 9:14 pm

  62. Or like a pop up Severe Weather Alert on your computer.

    Comment by Nadine Long — April 9, 2007 @ 9:15 pm

  63. Pamela,

    Poor Bubbles. I hate it when our children have to learn so young about losing their beloved pets especially when it was preventable.

    Just so sorry for your loss. I have lost many pets in my life, and none of it gets easier, I cry like a baby for weeks on end.

    We can’t take any of it back but we sure as hell can fight for a better future.

    Linda MS

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 9:16 pm

  64. For those considering legal action/criminal action etc….from the Animal Legal and Historical Center, Michigan State University

    (hoping this tinyurl works): http://tinyurl.com/26frek

    Comment by GingerTom — April 9, 2007 @ 9:17 pm

  65. I lost a cat that I had for 15 years to kidney failure.

    I got in trouble one time for saying “The Chinese are just out to make a buck!”

    Well……….who’s next? Our children?

    Comment by Dusty Holman — April 9, 2007 @ 9:18 pm

  66. I’m out of here for the evening. Keep up the good fight everyone.

    Linda MS.

    Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 9:18 pm

  67. Pamela, I’m so sorry this happened to you and your family. And to every other family out there. I lost my German Shepherd last Sept and came close with my two babies with this recall.
    I’m not really counting on the “experts” to have a heart and understand the pain and suffering. It’s criminal that they didn’t tell us soon enough and used denial and foot-dragging. OK, I’m starting to feel really mad again.

    Comment by Kathi — April 9, 2007 @ 9:27 pm

  68. I grow my own tomatoes (organically), so have good ones all summer, and my dog steals some too. There may be a new Nutro product on the recall horizon (this is cans, not pouches)

    http://www.marinij.com/marin/ci_5630208

    Comment by Carol PW — April 9, 2007 @ 9:04 pm

    Carol thank you for posting this link, Imhoping maybe PetConnection can provide this in a blog. I am sick as Im typing this as this is what I have been trying to get across to people since the recall happened. We knew something was wrong with our cats food back in January and we had contacted Nutro and they had us send cans for testing. They replied back saying the food was fine. Well it wasnt fine and out cat is now dead. If they had only checked further back then, other kitties might not be now dead or sick. This gives my the answer I have been seeking, I am sick to my stomach. We even went as far as surgery as no one knew what the problem was as this was all prior to the recall. We even syringe fed her this crappy food while she was trying to recover from surgery while all along she in her own way was trying to tell us she didnt want to eat it. She died 5 days after her surgery, within a day of feeding her more of the tainted food. Thank you Carol for posting this link.

    Comment by Sandi K — April 9, 2007 @ 10:08 pm

  69. Sandi, I’m so sory you lost your cat, and glad that the link may validate your concerns. It’s hard enough loosing them when they live to a fine old age, let alone when they go too early. Both of my cats are fine (and the dog), but I had a huge wakeup call and have been following this obsessively because the Iams pouches I fed my cats as occasional treats barely predate the recalls.

    Comment by Carol PW — April 9, 2007 @ 10:21 pm

  70. Canadian Petition for Pet Food Regulation:

    Newspaper Story here:

    http://tinyurl.com/2byeuq

    Petition information:

    There is currently no legislation — provincial or federal — monitoring pet food production in Canada. Sterling wants that changed.

    http://www.laws4paws.ca

    Let all the Canadian pet owners, who have been affected by this disaster whether through personal loss or simply through love for their furry companions, stand up and be counted. In Canada where there is absolutely no regulations or agencies to turn to it is time to demand change.

    Comment by mal — April 9, 2007 @ 10:39 pm

  71. Changing the story after 15 minutes is just plain wrong. There must have been a huge behind the scenes outcry. The 39,000 estimated pets affected by the poisoned pet food has way more impact than the same old, same old small numbers they like to report (Just 5 cats and 1 dog dead). The bastards that keep suppressing the scope and magnitude of the pet illnesses and deaths are really working my last nerve….

    Comment by SK. Scott — April 9, 2007 @ 10:46 pm

  72. Linda MS wrote:

    “I may get a goat and milk it and make my own butter, you can do that from goats milk right?”

    Yes you can. You’ll end up with butter and buttermilk. I’ve had homemade goat butter, and liked it.

    Comment by Pamela J. Betz-Baron — April 10, 2007 @ 6:27 am

  73. Thank you Pamela: I’ve read that there are some varities of goats that don’t like to wander and are quite coontent living with people, not inside my house of course, but you know as part of the family.

    Linda MS

    Comment by Linda — April 10, 2007 @ 6:30 am

  74. A spokesman for the American Veterinary Medical Association said the lack of hard numbers has worried pet owners eager to understand the extent of the problem. He suggested the recall could spur the creation of an animal counterpart to the CDC.
    ” “This might be something that would push this in the future,” AVMA spokesman Michael San Filippo said.

    Another large veterinary chain, Los Angeles-based VCA Antech Inc., has not tallied reports from its nearly 400 VCA animal hospitals around the country, a spokesman said.”

    http://www.9news.com/news/worl.....ryid=67805

    Comment by Stefania — April 10, 2007 @ 8:08 am

  75. These numbers are tragic, but I’m not sure of their math. Are they figuring the 39,000 based on 3 in 10,000 of the 60 million dogs and 70 million cats in the U.S.? Not every pet in the U.S. was eating Menu foods brands. They need to extrapolate 3 out of 10,000 based on the numbers of pets the menu foods brands were feeding. I saw this number somewhere early on. Anyone have any idea?

    Comment by Marla W. — April 10, 2007 @ 9:07 am

  76. All I can say is that people are liars and cheaters! I feel like the numbers are higher than that! My best friend Mario lost his Seeing Eye dog to this tainted pet food, and as far as we are concerned we feel that the FDA and the government has failed us. We feel that they could have done more and acted more quickly when there was found to be a problem. No, I don’t feel that governments should run big businesses as I dispise communism. Not to mention, I’m a business owner. But, it doesn’t hurt to put protective guidelines, and it certainly doesn’t hurt to act to correct a problem.

    As tribute to my friend Mario, I wrote a book that can be found at http://www.protectmansbestfriend.com. Give it a look! I wish all of you well here, and i’m finished venting … for now.

    Comment by Reina Brown — April 14, 2007 @ 12:43 pm

  77. To Surfsista:

    What the hell! …

    that vet should be shot! Naturally i’d be like so pissed off since I have been through my friend’s tragedy with him. I mean, when you have a guide dog, they are more closely matched than any other pet since the bond has to be perfect because the owner and dog work together. Not to mention that the life of the pwner is in that dog’s hands. Mario awoke and found his pet on the floor dead and completely lost it! That dog was not only his helper but his loyal friend. People need to get with the program here.

    To Linda:

    When writing my book in tribute to my friend, and when writing article content for a client, I did some research on the pet food industry. To my suprise, I found out that it was only an extention of the Human food/agricultural industries, and that pet food is merely made up of waste that is unfit for human consumption. It is a way to capitalize on crap! You’d be surprised to know that the waste products include things such as heads, hooves, slaughter house offal, grains unfit for human consumption, intestines, and possibly diseased and cancerous animal parts. As far as my friend and i are concerned, we will not ever trust the pet food industry. That is why I wrote the book. My book has a collection of recipes that can be used for your dog or cat. I hate the pet food industry so much which is why I’d do anything to get as many feeding pets the homemade diet as possible. The government wants us to have this attitude. Oops, so sorry. Just lost a pet. Oh well, we can get another one. Look bastards, it’s not like that at all!

    Comment by Reina Brown — April 14, 2007 @ 1:00 pm

  78. To Surfsista:

    Your vet is stupid like all the rest f them.

    To Linda:

    Did you know that the pet food industry is only an extention of the human food/agricultural industry. It is merely a capitalizing on human waste. Waste includes things such as slaughter house offal, grains unfit for human consumption, animal heads, hooves, intestines, and possibly diseased and cancerous parts. Wow! What a slap in the face.

    That is another reason I wrote my book because I want as many people to dis the pet food industry as possible. I hate them, and as far as I’m concerned, Mario and I will never against trust them.

    This is the attitude the vets and governments want us to have;

    Oh, it’s okay. It’s just a pet. No psychological damage done. We can just get a new one.

    Sorry friends, It’s not like that.

    Comment by Reina Brown — April 14, 2007 @ 1:14 pm

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