On March 16, 2007 Menu Foods, Inc. of Streetsville, Ontario, Canada, initiated a voluntary recall involving a large number of both dog and cat foods produced at its facilities in Emporia, Kansas, and Pennsauken, New Jersey, between December 3, 2006, and March 6, 2007. The products are sold by many different distributors under a number of different brand names in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Testing of the food revealed that some of the recalled pet food contained aminopterin, a product used to kill rats in some countries, but its use in the United States is prohibited by the federal government. Further testing is required to confirm if this contaminant is responsible for causing animals consuming the recalled pet foods to become ill or die.

The pet food recall continues to expand as additional contaminants have been found.  Pet owners are being directed to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/petfoodrecall/ where they can find the most up-to-date information about the pet foods affected by this recall.

If you believe your pet has consumed the recalled products:

Some animals that consumed recalled pet food may show no signs of illness while others will show signs of lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, as well as changes in water consumption and urination.

A full listing of all recalled products can be found on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/petfoodrecall/

Your veterinarian will take a detailed history and give your pet a thorough physical examination. It may be determined that blood and urine samples are needed for diagnostic testing for kidney disease or other health problems. Your veterinarian will determine if additional diagnostic tests may be required.

If diagnostic tests determine that your pet has kidney disease, your veterinarian may recommend treatment including hospitalization and intravenous fluid therapy and prescribe medications. Occasionally, evidence of disease not related to the pet food recall may be discovered with these diagnostic tests. If this happens, your veterinarian will discuss these findings with you and plan appropriate follow-up health care for your pet.

Keep food samples for possible future analysis. All opened pet food containers should be frozen. If able, keep an intact, unopened container of the recalled pet food. Some companies will accept returns of the food. Check with the appropriate pet food company for further instructions. Again, be sure that all food samples are out of the reach of children and pets and will not be accidentally consumed.

Document the product name, type of product and manufacturing information by retaining all packaging and purchase receipts and identifying date codes or production lot numbers.

Document your pet’s product consumption: dates that product or products were fed, date that symptoms began, and your pet’s dietary history (i.e., all products fed, feeding methods, amount eaten and whether your pet was eager or hesitant to eat)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting an investigation and working with Menu Foods, Inc. to ensure the effectiveness of the recall. Contact your state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Consumer Complaint Coordinator.

As medical professionals, veterinarians and veterinary technicians are your best source for accurate and reliable information about the recall and trustworthy nutritional advice for your pets. You can count on your veterinary team for compassionate care to help you and your pet through this difficult time. Contact them first if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health.