Pet deaths prompt recall of pet food

AP via Yahoo! ^ | 3-16-07 | ANDREW BRIDGES

[Dysart]

WASHINGTON - A major manufacturer of dog and cat food sold under Wal-Mart, Safeway, Kroger and other store brands recalled 60 million containers of wet pet food Friday after reports of kidney failure and deaths.

An unknown number of cats and dogs suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the affected pet food, Menu Foods said in announcing the North American recall. Product testing has not revealed a link explaining the reported cases of illness and death, the company said.

"At this juncture, we're not 100 percent sure what's happened," said Paul Henderson, the company's president and chief executive officer. However, the recalled products were made using wheat gluten purchased from a new supplier, since dropped for another source, spokeswoman Sarah Tuite said. Wheat gluten is a source of protein.

The recall covers the company's "cuts and gravy" style food, which consists of chunks of meat in gravy, sold in cans and small foil pouches between Dec. 3 and March 6 throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The pet food was sold by stores operated by the Kroger Company, Safeway Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and PetSmart Inc., among others, Henderson said.

Menu Foods did not immediately provide a full list of brand names and lot numbers covered by the recall, saying they would be posted on its Web site — http://www.menufoods.com/recall — early Saturday. Consumers with questions can call (866) 463-6738.

The company said it manufacturers for 17 of the top 20 North American retailers. It is also a contract manufacturer for the top branded pet food companies. Its three U.S. and one Canadian factory produce more than 1 billion containers of wet pet food a year. The recall covers pet food made at company plants in Emporia, Kan., and Pennsauken, N.J., Henderson said.

Henderson said the company received an undisclosed number of owner complaints of vomiting and kidney failure in dogs and cats after they had been fed its products. It has tested its products but not found a cause for the sickness.

"To date, the tests have not indicated any problems with the product," Henderson said.

The company alerted the

Food and Drug Administration, which already has inspectors in one of the two plants, Henderson said. The FDA was working to nail down brand names covered by the recall, agency spokesman Mike Herndon said.

Menu Foods is majority owned by the Menu Foods Income Fund, based in Ontario, Canada.

Henderson said the recall would cost the company the Canadian equivalent of $26 million to $34 million.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Looky

[Eva]

Thanks for the info and the link.

[CJ Wolf]

depends if it's toxic mold, if it is, bag it in double garbage bags and store it somewhere outside of your house until you can contact the manufacturer. That stuff is evil and can cause health problems for others in your home if it grows.

[khnyny]

Is there a particular brand of dog food that you found that doesn't use fillers? How about some of the organic brands out there? Any info you have would be appreciated, thanks.

[C210N]

He has a few books, and they are somewhat ordered. For a primer, check out "Give Your Dog a Bone". Its his first book,
in paperback. I got it used at Amazon for $20 and change.

[streetpreacher]

Here is some info on the brand I posted a pic of on #84.

http://www.castorpolluxpet.com/store/natural_ultramix/natural_ultramix_adult_canine_formula

No fillers. My daschund literally went after the bag when I brought it home. Her coat was nice and shiny after a few weeks.

They have an organic brand as well.

[khnyny]

Thanks!

[streetpreacher]

Forgot to mention that they carry it at Petco now.

[streetpreacher]

Here's the organic one:

http://www.castorpolluxpet.com/store/organix/organix_adult_canine_formula

I went with the other one because it was a little higher in protein and crude fat.

[La Enchiladita]

Thanks, Count!! My plan is I'm going to keep boiling chicken breast, and feed that and the broth to my kitty. She seems to thrive on it. As well, I'm taking a good look at her kibble.

Have bookmarked the linked site and will check the brand names tomorrow morning.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

I'm glad she's gotten better,,,spoil her Good...LOL;0)

[doc30]

Oh, and I also give them a glob of peanut butter on whole wheat toast once in a while just to see them struggle with it stuck in the roofs of their mouths

We like to fill Komgs with peanut butter, mix in some dog biscuits, and freeze them. Dogs love them as a treat when it's hot out and they've had a long walk. But then the peanut butter we used was recalled, too!

[La Enchiladita]

Thank you...... Now comes the weekend, which she loves, because I don't go away all day.... Yipppeeee...

[Dysart]

Here's at least a partial list of the recalled food:

Pet Food Recalled Amid Reports Of Pet Deaths

Wet Dog and Cat Food Recall:
Sophisticat and Sophisticat Supreme
Authority
Award
Grreat Choice
Iams
Eukanuba
Nutro
Science Diet
Mighty Dog Pouches
Mixables

[khnyny]

Thanks, I know from my vet that allergies are common in dogs and I also know that a lot of the commercial dog foods really aren't that good, so I'm on the lookout for a healthy alternative. My dog happens to love green beans too, so I give him those a few times a week and also boiled, skinless breast of chicken along with some rice (per vet's instructions) along with the dog food.

Bottom line is, I'm just not that convinced that the commercial dog food we've been using is the best, so thanks for the info.

[ozarkgirl]

Dang, everywhere I go, there you are. :) Will have to catch up on the kitty food thread. I'm still looking to see if this had anything to do with the $180 vet bill I paid yesterday. We have a very young cat, less than a year but had fever of 105 and high white blood cell count. I think he's ok now. Thank goodness!

[beckysueb]

I wonder if Fancy Feast is on the list. Thats what I feed my cats. And the dog eats 9 Lives cat food. They say cat food isn't good for dogs but my poodle lived for 18 years eating the stuff.

[La Enchiladita]

Dang, everywhere I go, there you are. :)

LOL. Guess what? Everywhere I go, there I am also!! Haha.

I'm so glad your kitty has recovered. Sometimes, when they're very young, they have a crisis like that to get the immune system started. I had a boy cat once, skeered me to bits with a high fever like that, went to emergency in the middle of the night, etc. He came through fine.

Save the link to Menu Foods (in the article) and they will list all products they make in the morning....:)

[oprahstheantichrist]

Ditto for mine on the Fancy Feast. Just checked the label, and it's Purina (whew!).

[oprahstheantichrist]

Get Kitty to the vet first thing in the morning if not immediately! I had a cat go of kidney disease, and that's the symptoms! Once she starts vomiting, it's usually too late....

Bear in mind that the 24hr vets will rob you blind, but watch her closely if you decide to wait.