Pet Food Recall Creates Confusion And Distress Locally

By Kendra Bobowick

A nationwide pet food recall and handful of reported animals’ deaths has generated frustration and sadness among dog and cat lovers in Newtown.

“It’s a very, very scary thing,” said Canine Advocates in Newtown (CAN) President Virginia Jess. Revealing further distress, she said, “We’re devastated.” Ms Jess has kept a watch on the news and updated lists of brands that have been recalled, which deepens her concern. “It’s like you’re not sure if you have the whole list.” No one has reported a pet death in Newtown but as of Thursday morning, the deaths of two cats elsewhere in Connecticut — one in Chester, and the other in Groton — were being linked to the food they had been fed.

As of March 16, manufacturer Menu Foods had recalled nearly 100 name brands of dog and cat food products linked to kidney failure among pets. The company has discovered that “timing of the production associated with these complaints coincides with the introduction of an ingredient from a new supplier,” according to one of several releases available at menufoods.com/recall. Fewer than 16 deaths nationwide have been reported at the time The Bee went to press March 22.

Newtown Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason has not heard of any dogs or cats in Newtown who have become sick or, worse, died, from what the Menu Foods and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) press releases are saying is the portion of food manufactured between December 3 and March 6 at one of the two Menu Food Income Fund’s United States facilities. The recall is limited to “cuts and gravy”-style food sold in cans and pouches. The product is sold under private label and contract manufactured for some national brands. The long list of labels includes many familiar names such as Eukenuba, Iams, and Paws.

One FDA release explains that Menu Foods recalled products after hearing of complaints of vomiting and renal failure in pets where the kidneys stop functioning properly. Menu Foods indicates that renal failure signs include loss of appetite, lethargy, and vomiting. Newtown Animal Clinic’s Chris Mixon, DVM, said that drinking excessive amounts of water and urinating a lot are also indicators.

Carolee Mason said, “This is upsetting but it does happen,” she said. “I am shocked because we put money into buying good food for our pets.”

A federal investigation is focusing on wheat gluten as the likely source of contamination, according to some news accounts.

Ms Mason waits for a clearer answer. “Hopefully they’ll straighten this out, it’s very sad,” she said.

Karin Harter, DVM, with Berkshire Veterinary Hospital said, “I think in time they’ll track down what the culprit was.”

She is also unsettled by the recall. “This is something. Of course, it’s terrible, but we have not been able to track down the source,” she said.

Ms Jess hopes word gets out about potentially harmful products, she said. She has also revised her pet feeding. “If I were giving my dog or cat any of these foods I would just stop, you just can’t be sure,” she said.

Dr Harter advised, “At this point I would tell people to go with the dry food … until this is sorted out.”

She has had one pet that had been eating one of the brands and had been having “strange problems,” she said. Once the food was switched the dog appeared to improve, but Dr Harter did not necessarily attribute the change to the food.

Updates to the list of products and new information is accessible on the website, menufoods.com/recall. Residents can also call 866-895-2708.

See related story about pet feeding habits.