rat poison in dog food - Page 2

I think it's both, I just went down the list to see if Canidae was on there because that's what I feed mine and it's not. I will look at it again.

I believe RC is now owned by (Pedigree) Masterfoods a subsiduary of Mars you can find out who makes what at http://www.buav.org/campaigns/petfood/index.html or http://www.uncaged.co.uk/petfood.htm

Folks, get your facts straight. RC is NOT owed my Masterfoods, MARs etc. Also, read the post below. I know, it is long, and it is filled with facts, and it might require a little thought, but stop promoting rumor mongering. It does NOT help anyone. ------ Menu Foods pet food recall ------------------------------ AMERICAN COLLEGE OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE (ACVIM) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 24 Mar 2007 PET FOOD RECALL: UPDATED INFORMATION FOR VETERINARIANS In response to the recent national pet food recall, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) has collected the following information for veterinarians in regards to the treatment of animals that have ingested the recalled food. * On Fri 23 Mar 2007 a press release from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets stated that the New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker and Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Donald F. Smith announced that scientists at the New York State Food Laboratory identified Aminopterin as a toxin present in cat food samples from Menu Foods, the manufacturer of the many brands of dog and cat food that are currently the subject of a nationwide recall. Continued below:

* The Food Laboratory received the pet food samples from a toxicologist at the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University, where testing has been underway to try to identify the cause of kidney failure in dogs and cats that consumed the recalled brands of pet food. At Cornell's request, the Food Laboratory tested the samples for poisons and toxins, and identified Aminopterin in the pet food samples at a level of at least 40 parts per million. * Aminopterin is a folic acid inhibitor found in some rodenticides available outside the USA. It is not available in the US as a rodenticide. Aminopterin is a 4-amino analog of folic acid. It was originally used as an antineoplastic agent in the late 1940's but has been superseded by methotrexate, a related but less toxic folic acid analog. At high doses, methotrexate results in acute renal failure and crystalluria due to deposition of 7-hydroxymethotrexate in the renal tubules. Aminopterin toxicity is thought to be similar and dose dependent. Continued below:

* These findings and any relationship to recent pet deaths have not been confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration. An announcement from the FDA is forthcoming. We need to be cautious, as the finding of Aminopterin is significant, but there could be other compounds yet unknown in the diet as well. * Recommendations for testing animals have essentially not changed. There is no blood test available for Aminopterin. Pets that have eaten the recalled food whether showing signs of illness (lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, etc.) or asymptomatic should be seen by their veterinarian and have a complete blood count, biochemistry panel and urinalysis performed. Additional testing may include assessment for significant proteinuria, urine culture, imaging, etc. Continued below:

* Treatment recommendations have not changed. According to Dr. Richard E. Goldstein DVM DACVIM DECVIM-CA, Associate Professor of Medicine at Cornell University, azotemic pets should be treated with fluids to promote hydration, and diuresis in order to dissolve and flush out crystals from the tubules. Aminopterin produces crystals within the renal tubules that are most soluble in an alkaline urine pH thus a target urine pH above 7 (achieved with fluid therapy and alkalinizing agents including sodium bicarbonate) might be beneficial in managing these patients. Several medications such as antioxidants and folic acid may be administered, but their true beneficial affects are unproven when given long after the initial exposure to the toxin. * Bone-marrow suppression is a concern with any folic acid inhibiting agent, and a complete blood cell count should be monitored in these patients as well as renal function. * If a patient with anuric or oliguric acute renal failure is not responding to appropriate therapy, veterinarians should promptly consider contacting a small animal internist with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in their local community for case consultation and possible referral. Hemodialysis can be utilized for severely affected patients and is available at a limited number of veterinary teaching hospitals. * Duration of treatment in patients which may have renal failure due to ingestion of the recalled food is unknown at this time and obviously will vary between patients. Long term effects on renal function are unknown but based on limited experience to date, at least partial renal recovery is anticipated. Patients succumbing to illness should be necropsied and tissues saved in formalin for histopathology to determine cause of death. * Samples for histopathology can be submitted to The Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic laboratory or The Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) at Cornell University . * Samples of the recalled food should be held for possible analysis. Opened food should be disposed of so there is no chance of further consumption. Pet owners can contact the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Consumer Complaint Coordinator at: . Continued below:

It seems to only be for the canned and pouched foods, that's on the foxnews.com Sorry

* The FDA has provided the following case definition for field investigation/cases: veterinary-documented renal failure, necropsy results if animal died, food consumed within one week of death (illness), and intact, unopened cans of the food. If veterinarians suspect that a case meets this general case definition, FDA has requested that you contact them at the following e-mail address: . * Please continue to advise that your clients consult for a list of the recalled food. They should stop feeding the food immediately. * Also consult for the most up-to-date information. -----------------

Blitzen is right about Nutro max dry food. I use to feed my dogs this garbage food (I really thought that this was good food) and I always noticed that my dogs use to vomit quite frequently. the color was yellow. I noticed that both of my dogs use to eat grass all the time. It seemed like their stomachs were torn up by the food that I was giving them. I don't know if this was also part of the symptoms but both of my dogs also experienced excessive shedding. I hope the dry food does go on recall.

http://www.menufoods.com/recall/FAQ_Consumer.htm What exactly is covered by the Menu Foods Recall and for what timeframe? The recall is limited to “cuts and gravy” style pet food in cans and foil pouches produced on specific dates and times between December 3, 2006, and March 6, 2007 in two of Menu’s plants. The recall affects 42 brands of cat food and 53 brands of dog food. In order to determine whether cat and dog food that your pet consumed is subject to recall, you should refer to the list of brand names on this website. 2. What should I do if I think my pet may have consumed the recalled product? If your pet is exhibiting any signs of kidney failure please contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Symptoms include loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, disorientation and changes in water consumption and urination. If you suspect that you have fed the recalled pet food to your cat or dog, save any remaining pet food and the can or pouch. Open cans or pouches may be double-bagged in sealable plastic and kept in the freezer. 3. Who is going to pay my vet bills for sickness and death? If Menu Foods product is the cause of sickness or death, Menu Foods will take responsibility. Menu has engaged a professional firm to manage your concerns and is currently contacting concerned pet owners who have reached our call center. Specific direction will be received from these individuals. Please keep copies of all your vet records and receipts for pet food purchases as well as vet bills. 4. What do I do if I have pet food that has been recalled? Please return it to the retailer for a refund. 5. Will I be reimbursed for the food that I return to the retailer even if my pet did not get sick? Yes, if it is a valid product that is subject to the recall. 6. How do I know if the food I bought has been recalled? The information is contained on this website. Not all date codes are subject to recall so please fully check the information on your can or pouch. The information on the website is organized by cat or dog then by brand and description. None of the traditional “loaf” style products are subject to this recall. 7. I can’t get through to the 1-866 numbers. What is going on? We apologize for the delay in answering every call; we were simply overwhelmed by the volume of calls. Menu has retained a series of interconnected call centers throughout North America. Even with many regional centers running simultaneously we have not been able to answer every call. As we announced in a press release on March 19, 2007, we have taken steps to significantly upgrade our call centers to handle the volume and we have added this Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQ”) section to our website to provide more information. 8. I feed my pet dry food. Is dry pet food safe? Menu Foods only manufactures wet pet food in cans and foil pouches. Dry pet food is not part of the Menu Foods recall. 9. I’m just not sure if my dog or cat had any of the food that is being recalled. They act fine and don’t appear to have any symptoms. Should I be worried? As always, remain alert for any changes in your pet’s health. 10. Are there other ways my pet might get sick and show similar symptoms? Yes – antifreeze ingestion, certain rodenticides and some medications. Certain lilies have been shown to cause kidney failure if consumed by cats. Grapes have been reported to cause kidney failure in dogs and may affect cats. Physical damage from trauma and cancerous conditions can also cause kidney damage.