'Menu Foods' dog and cat food recall

Appearance of crystals in urine	Appearance of crystals
Crystals in renal tubules	SEM of crystals from urine
Above images courtesy of Brent Hoff DVM, DVSc., DipTox. Clinical Pathologist/Clinical Toxicologist Animal Health Laboratory University of Guelph
Dog and cat food intoxication - note two types of crystal: oxalate-like (upper) and blue-green crystals (lower) in distal tubules Dog and cat food intoxication - distinct crystals in distal tubule of kidney with associated degeneration of epithelium Above images courtesy of Cathy A. Brown, VMD, PhD, Dipl ACVP Athens Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

On Fri 23 Mar 2007, a press release from the New York State  Department of Agriculture and Markets stated that the New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker and Cornell University's  College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Donald F. Smith announced that scientists at the New York State Food Laboratory identified the compound aminopterin as a toxin present in cat food samples from Menu Foods,  the manufacturer of the many brands of dog and cat food that are currently the subject of a nationwide recall.  The Food Laboratory received the pet food samples from a toxicologist at the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center at  Cornell University, where testing has been underway to try to identify the cause of kidney failure in dogs and cats that consumed  the recalled brands of pet food. At Cornell's request, the Food  Laboratory tested the samples for poisons and toxins.  It identified aminopterin in the pet food samples at a level of at least 40 parts per million.  Aminopterin is a folic acid inhibitor found in some rodenticides available outside the USA. It is not available in the US as a rodenticide.  Aminopterin is a 4-amino analog of folic acid. It was originally used as an antineoplastic agent in the late 1940's but was superseded by methotrexate, a related less toxic folic acid analog. At high doses, methotrexate results in acute renal failure  and crystalluria due to deposition of 7-hydroxymethotrexate in the renal tubules. Aminopterin toxicity is thought to be similar and dose  dependent.

These findings and any relationship to recent pet deaths have not  been confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration. A second compound was identified as a possible culprit - melamine.   Melamine is used in the making of plastics and as a slow-release fertilizer, the Food and Drug Administration says. It was found in wheat gluten imported from China and used by Menu Foods and other makers, according FDA says. Toxicologists question whether it is toxic enough to cause kidney failure in animals.

The FDA has not publicly identified the firm that supplied the contaminated wheat gluten to the USA. But on Friday, the agency issued an import alert saying wheat gluten from the Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. of Peixian, China, could be detained without inspection until it produced results from "the firm's investigation(s) into the problem of melamine contamination" and documents showing that corrective action had been taken.

Recommendations for testing animals have not changed.  There is no blood test available for aminopterin or melamine. Pets that ate the recalled food whether showing signs of illness (lethargy,  vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia) or asymptomatic should be seen by  their veterinarian and have a complete blood count, biochemistry  panel and urinalysis performed. Additional testing may include assessment for significant proteinuria, urine culture and imaging.

Companion animals that are azotemic should be treated with  fluids to promote hydration, and with diuresis in order to dissolve and flush out crystals from the tubules. Aminopterin produces crystals within renal tubules and are most soluble in alkaline urine.  A target urine pH above 7 (achieved with fluid therapy and alkalinizing agents including sodium bicarbonate) might be beneficial  in managing these patients. Several medications such as antioxidants and folic acid may be administered, but their beneficial affects are unproven when given long after the initial exposure to the toxin.  And at this time it is unclear whether it is melamine, or aminopterin or something else is responsible for renal damage and the associated crystals.

If a patient with anuric or oliguric acute renal failure is not responding to appropriate therapy, veterinarians should consider contacting a referral center such as a veterinary teaching hospital in  their community for case consultation.  Hemodialysis can be utilized for severely affected patients and is available at some of veterinary teaching hospitals.

Duration of treatment in patients which may have renal failure due to ingestion of the recalled food is unknown at this time and will vary between patients. Long term effects on renal  function are unknown.  Based on limited experience to date, at  least partial renal recovery is anticipated in some. Patients succumbing to illness should be necropsied and tissues saved in formalin for histopathology at an AAVLD accredited laboratory to determine cause of death.  At this time we have not had a case that fit the criteria (sudden onset renal failure; exposure to affected lots of wet cat food; nephrosis with distinctive crystals in damaged renal tubules).

Samples of the recalled food should be held for analysis.  Opened food should be disposed of so there is no chance of further consumption. Pet owners can contact the Food and Drug Administration  (FDA) Consumer Complaint Coordinator in their state.

The FDA provided the following case definition for field investigation/cases:

• Veterinary-documented renal failure,
• Necropsy results confirmed renal damage if animal died
• Food consumed within one week of death (illness)
• Intact, unopened cans of the food.

If veterinarians suspect that a case meets this general case definition, contact the FDA.   A list of the recalled feed is below and on the web.  The American Veterinary Medical Association has current information.

If you have questions for the manufacturer, call Menu Foods at 1-866-895-2708, or 1-866-463-6738.  These lines have been busy and it may take some time to get through.

Iams & Eukanuba Recall:  In response to the recent Menu Foods, Inc. nationwide recall of wet pet foods, P&G Pet Care has announced a voluntary recall of specific  3 oz., 5.5 oz., 6 oz. and 13.2 oz. canned and 3 oz. and 5.3 oz. foil  pouch "wet" cat and dog food products manufactured by Menu Foods Inc.  under the brand names Iams and Eukanuba.  For more information, consumers can contact the company at  1-800-882-1591 or visit < http://www.Iams.com > and   < http://www.Eukanuba.com> for details.

Purina Mighty Dog Recall:  Nestle Purina PetCare Company announced it is voluntarily recalling its 5.3 ounce Mighty Dog brand pouch products that were produced by  Menu Foods, Inc. from 3 Dec 2006 through 14 Mar 2007.  No Mighty Dog canned products, or any other Purina products are  affected by Menu's recall.  The Mighty Dog pouch products and pouches in multi-pack cartons have code dates of 6337 through 7073, followed by the plant code 1798.  This information should be checked on the bottom or back panel of the individual pouches. Specifically, if the code following the "Use By"  date begins with 4 numbers from 6337 to 7073 followed by the plant  code 1798, then the pouch is included in this voluntary withdrawal.  Consumers who have the indicated Mighty Dog 5.3 ounce pouch products  should discontinue feeding them to their dogs and can receive the  full replacement value of the withdrawn products by calling 1-800-551-7392.

Science Diet Recall: In response to the recent Menu Foods, Inc. nationwide recall of wet pet foods, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. has announced a voluntary  precautionary recall in the United States and Canada of a very small  number of canned cat products that are co-manufactured by Menu. All affected products are Science Diet cat food.

D O'Toole

04/03/2007