All questions about pet food safety and the recent recall of pet food brands produced by Menu Foods Inc. and sold at retail outlets should be directed to your veterinary team.
    As medical professionals, veterinarians and veterinary technicians are the best source for accurate and reliable information about the recall and trustworthy nutritional advice for your pets.
    The food recall, announced March 16, 2007, involves about 60 brands of pet food produced between Dec. 6 and March 3, 2007. A full list of recalled products is available online at the Menu Foods website.
    Testing of the pet food recalled revealed a contaminant that is suspected to have caused kidney failure – and death – in pets that ate the food. The contaminant has been identified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and veterinary toxicologists as Melamine, a plastic laminate. To report illness, consumers are encouraged to visit the FDA website, which lists regional offices.

Signs and Symptoms
Some animals that consumed recalled pet food may show no signs of illness while others will show signs of lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as changes in water consumption and urination. Pet owners are encouraged to contact their veterinarians if they notice any change in behavior or have any concerns about the health of their pets.
    Veterinarians have been on the front lines of this emotional issue, fielding questions from concerned owners who are encouraged to bring their pets in for a thorough physical examination. Doctors may need to take blood and urine samples to test for kidney disease or other health problems and may suggest diagnostic procedures, such as radiographs (x-rays) or ultrasound examinations, to eliminate other causes of kidney disease or illness. Check manufacturers’ websites and pet insurance companies – if you have purchased policies – to see which companies are covering the cost of these tests.
    The FDA is conducting an investigation of the recall, and professionals have asked pet owners to report illness associated with the contaminated food. To obtain a state-by-state list of FDA coordinators, visit the FDA website with the following information ready:

1. Brand name, variety and lot numbers for the pet food fed to the dog or cat when it was ill
2. If the pet received veterinary treatment, provide the name, address, and telephone number of attending veterinarian
3. Date illness first noticed
4. Signs/symptoms displayed
5. Veterinary reports/records