A component of rat poison - sourced to a Chinese
import of wheat gluten - has been found to be responsible
for the recent Menu Foods pet food recall - which
has resulted in at least 16 deaths among cats and
dogs.
The Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell and the New York State Food Laboratory
have identified Aminopterin as the contaminant
in the "cuts and
gravy" style food made by Menu Foods - the main
component of most major wet pet food brands. Aminopterins
are used as a rat poison, and are prohibited in the
United States and much of Europe. The contamination is thought to have originated from tainted wheat gluten imported from China. Menu as yet have not confirmed the source of the toxin but has confirmed that the dates of the contaminated food did coincide with the integration of a new supply of one particular pet food component which they have subsequently stopped using.
Pet owners with animals showing symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy and extreme thirst are being told to bring them in for immediate examination.
More than 60 million cans and pouches of pet food
made from materials manufactured by Menu Foods Income Fund
have been recalled - affecting more than 100 major
brands including popular labels sold at Wal-Mart, Kroger and other large retailers.
Affected animals have been suffering from kidney
failure - acute cases have been affecting pets who
were already unwell or very young or old; and
chronic cases which do not result in immediate death
have been reported in previously healthy adult
pets.
The symptoms of acute failure appear very quickly and include symptoms such as
vomiting, lethargy, refusal to eat and increased drinking/urination. Chronic failure has similar symptoms but because it develops much more slowly the
symptoms tend to be less severe and easier to miss. Both
forms can however be fatal if left untreated. Many pet owners who have fed their pets the recalled brands of food are taking there pets to the vets for blood and urine tests.
Menu Foods claims that it will provide compensation
for medical bills of affected pets where such
expenses can be identified to be as a direct result
of the food contamination. Further information can
be found below.
