ASPCA Continues to Respond to Concerns on Nationwide Pet Food Recall

NEW YORK, March 21, 2007—The ASPCA continues to monitor the pet food recall situation, both through sick animals being admitted to its Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital (BMAH) in New York City, as well as through cases reported to its Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, Ill.

At this point, we do not have any overall statistics on the number of cases reported to the APCC that can specifically be connected to the ingestion of the contaminated foods. As has already been widely reported in the media, pets that become ill after eating these foods show signs of acute kidney failure. However, since pre-existing kidney disease may already have been present in some of these cases, drawing a correlation between this and the foods that are part of the recall is complicated at best. As the APCC continues to analyze the data on calls it receives (which number between 400-700 daily on a wide range of substances), the ASPCA will release any information that might be pertinent immediately.

Veterinarians at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital have today started to see a few cases of pets with elevated kidney levels that had eaten the affected foods. At this point, there is no further medical or toxicological information that we can provide.

In addition, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting an investigation into this crisis, and working with Menu Foods, Inc., to ensure the effectiveness of the recall.

Pet parents may find the following information useful:

- As we know, the pet food recall is extensive, including a vast array of private label and mass retailer brands supplied by the manufacturer. For a complete list of affected brands, please visit http://www.menufoods.com/recall.

- The American Veterinary Medical Association has some excellent advice and information on its website for both pet parents and veterinarians.  

- If your pet shows any signs of illness, including loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in water consumption or changes in urination, please consult your veterinarian immediately. If you are unable to reach your veterinarian and suspect your pet is gravely ill, you may call the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for emergency advice (a $55 fee applies).

- To report adverse actions or other problems to the FDA, pet parents can go to the FDA website to contact the FDA complaint coordinator in their state.