Local vets treating pets sickened by bad food
Pet owners and veterinarians are keeping a closer eye on their animals after a large pet food manufacturer issued a major product recall.
The company, Menu Foods, is recalling 90 different brands of "wet" dog and cat food, after a number of animals were confirmed to have suffered from kidney failure after eating food produced from Dec. 3, 2006, through March 6, 2007.
A federal investigation is focusing on wheat gluten as the likely source of contamination that sparked the recall last Friday of 60 million cans and pouches of the suspect food, said Stephen F. Sundlof, the Food and Drug Administration's top veterinarian.
The ingredient, a protein source, is commonly used as filler. Agency investigators are looking at other ingredients as well.
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Menu Foods told the FDA it received the first complaints of kidney failure and deaths among cats and dogs from pet owners on Feb. 20. It began new tests on Feb. 27.
During those tests, the company fed its product to 40 to 50 dogs and cats and some seven animals -- the mix of species was not immediately known -- died, Sundlof said. The contamination appeared more deadly to cats than to dogs, he said.
The recall now covers dog food sold throughout North America under 51 brands, and cat food sold under 40 brands, including Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba. The food was sold under both store and major brand labels at Wal-Mart, Kroger, Safeway and other large retailers.
Minnesota veterinarian Kate An Hunter has seen first-hand the effects of the contaminated food. Hunter, who owns the Carver Lake Veterinary Center in Woodbury, says she's been treating some animals who've become sick. She spoke with MPR's Tom Crann.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
