So it’s rat poison.
Menu Foods, the pet food manufacturer involved in that massive can and pouch recall, is trying to figure out just when, where, and how aminopterin, the main chemical in rat poison, wound up in their product. I, for one, hope they track it down soon.
When this story first broke about a week ago, I was in the midst of taking my mini dachshund to the vet for help with extreme lethargy, a severely decreased appetite, and other symptoms associated with kidney failure. Am I still scared and angry? You better believe I am!
I’ve always fed my five dogs dry food (Nutro Mini Bites), but I can’t help but wonder if maybe some of the nasty stuff found its way there, too. Nutro is one of the brands included in the recall.
Company president Paul Henderson says Menu Foods will take full financial responsibility for treating pets if owners can prove their food led directly to the problem, and several people are strongly considering a class action lawsuit. Â I hope that issue is resolved with civility and good sense on all sides.
In the meantime, if your pet is showing signs of renal failure, get him/her to your veterinarian as quickly as possible. Buddy is taking his meds, including some really expensive powder sprinkled on his food twice daily, and his rebound has been remarkable. But I’ve also learned that kidney failure is considered “treatable but incurable.”
I’ll know more after the next blood and urine tests, but it’s possible he may never be completely over whatever it was that made him sick in the first place. I feel terrible for those owners whose pets have died, and if this turns out to be sabotage, I hope they nail the sucker to the wall.
I’ll say some prayers for Buddy - I hope he’s alright!! My hubby’s cousin in Wash. DC lost his dog over the weekend and they are pretty sure it was the food. He and his boyfriend were completely devastated!
Please keep us posted if you find more info. on this!
Hello,
I hope Buddy is doing much better. Lisa, I am sorry about your friend’s pet. I can’t imagine watching my pet pass away because of somebody else’s negligence or spiteful, hateful action. I have three dogs-Belle, Bob and Harley. I feed my pets Nutro pet food as well. Bob and Harley are fine, but Belle has been really sick the last few days. I saw the symptoms listed on your posting, and about freaked out. I took Belle to the vet this morning, and of course, the first question was, “What brand of food do you feed your pets?” I mentioned the Nutro dry. She told me that the only products associated with the recall are the canned and pouched food. I looked at Nutro’s website and found this to be true. Anyway, Belle’s blood work came back okay, so hopefully she will be fine. I sure hope I can get her to eat something today. Thanks for listening.
my brothers beloved dog died this past week…she ate nutro natural choice dry dog food. i’m thinking that other dogs have gotten sick from the dry, as well…as per the articles i’ve been reading. her live shut down…as did the rest of her organs. i am deeply saddened over this and want this issue to be noted in case other dogs sicken from it.
Is there any more news on these dogs? I also feed my dog Nutro Dry and I am very concerned. What are the systoms that you have been seeing?
John
John,
This article contains a lot of good information. The folks at Nutro say their dry food wasn’t affected; the raw materials come from somewhere else. But the melamine keeps appearing in an ever-growing list of recalls.
I would also suggest you consult the FDA’s website for infomation from that agency’s point of view. I hope your pet is doing OK. But again, if you notice any signs at all — lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite, changes in bowel or bladder habits — get the animal to your vet immediately. God Bless, and thanks for checking in.
All,
It states in this article
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/19/america/NA-GEN-Pet-Food-Recall.php
“A committee of the House of Representatives is holding a food safety hearing Tuesday and is expected to discuss the pet food recallâ€.
Does anyone know what committee and who is on that committee? I have been unable to locate that information. I want to convey my concerns to the representatives on the committee.
John