Pet Owners Turn To Vets ... And Lawyers

Fearful Owners Search Cats And Dogs For Symptoms While Others Turn To Courts

(CBS/AP)  A recall of potentially deadly pet food has dog and cat owners studying their animals for even the slightest hint of illness and swamping veterinarians across the U.S. with calls about symptoms both real and imagined.

"It's like we're on pins and needles," said Brian Paone, a 27-year-old loan auditor in Knoxville, Tenn., who scheduled a blood test with his vet after realizing both of his cats had eaten brands on the recall list.

"You kind of sit there and wonder — it's terrible to say this — you wonder if this is going to be your last moments with your pet. It's not pleasant."

Some of the 60 million cans and pouches of food have been blamed for kidney failure in scores of animals and killed at least 16 pets. Neither the manufacturer, Menu Foods of Canada, nor authorities have been able to determine why the pets died.

The recall has led to at least three lawsuits against Menu Foods from pet owners who allege their animals got sick or died after eating recalled food.

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Click here more information on the recall from the FDA.

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Mourning turned to outrage after owners learned that Menu Foods waited nearly a month before notifying the public, reports CBS News The Early Show veterinarian Dr. Debbye Turner. This means that unsuspecting owners were poisoning their pets.

"To find out they knew about this weeks ago, and that the cats they tested died!" former cat owner Dawn Marjerczyk told CBS. Marjerczyk's cat died after eating some of the tainted cat food. "Why wasn't it pulled off then? Why do so many people have to suffer right now?"

"It's a loss that goes beyond belief," agreed Frederick Bobb, of Merrick, N.Y., whose 2-year-old bull mastiff, Princess, died of kidney failure on March 10. Bobb said his dog had eaten Nutro, one of the recalled dog food brands, all her life.

Bobb's attorney, Kenneth Mollins, said he had filed a lawsuit against Nutro and Menu Foods in state Supreme Court in Nassau County seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

Atlanta veterinarian Will Draper received so many calls and e-mails about the recall that he drafted a newsletter on it and e-mailed his customers.

"That helped tremendously," Draper said. "It has calmed clients."

Since Friday, nearly 100 brands of the "cuts and gravy" style food have been recalled by Menu Foods, including popular labels sold at Wal-Mart, Kroger and other large retailers.

Veterinarians are directing most questions to the Food and Drug Administration's recall Web site. Some have agreed to run blood tests on pets, even though many of the animals have not consumed any of the recalled brands.

Pet owners with animals showing symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy and extreme thirst are being told to bring them in for immediate examination.

"The recall is huge. It's unprecedented, and people are seeing their dog food is on the list and picking up the phone, wondering if there's anything they can do or what to do," said Tim Hackett, who runs a small-animal clinic at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. "Fortunately, most of these animals are absolutely fine."

Julie Benesh of Chicago brought her cat, Truffle, to a vet's office Wednesday after realizing the animal had eaten some of the contaminated food. The cat was lethargic and had been drinking an unusual amount of water.

"That's my baby," Benesh said of the black-and-white cat she's had since the animal was a kitten. "We've been through a lot together."

The Animal Medical Center on the East Side of Manhattan has tested 143 animals for renal failure since Saturday. Of those, 10 were confirmed to be diet-related cases, and one cat died.

"I have people coming in who haven't even said their pet's eaten the bad food, but they're worried that maybe the recall has not been broad enough so they want their pet tested to be sure," said Ann Hohenhaus, a veterinarian at the clinic.

Los Angeles County officials have confirmed at least nine cases of kidney failure in dogs and cats exposed to the recalled food, said Jonathan Fielding, county director of public health.

Menu Foods CEO and President Paul Henderson said Wednesday that the company is still investigating the cause of the kidney failure because the food linked to the deaths has shown no signs of contamination. He apologized for the worry that the recall has caused.

Denise Tracy of Milford, Mass., said her first thought after hearing about the recall was, "Oh my gosh, I killed my cat." Fluffy's health deteriorated after Tracy fed her Special Kitty brand food, one of the recalled labels, and she had to euthanize the 11-year-old cat last week.

She said the family, including her five children, are heartbroken. Her husband has contacted a lawyer, and she plans to contact her state's attorney general.

"They're killing animals because of somebody's mistake," Tracy said. "They should be held accountable for that."

The FDA has sent inspectors to Menu Food plants in New Jersey and Kansas. Most complaints stem from products made at the latter factory, though both received shipments of wheat gluten, identified as a possible source of contamination, from the same supplier, said Stephen F. Sundlof, the FDA's chief veterinarian.

The ingredient is a protein source used to thicken the pet food gravy. The FDA is screening pet food samples for substances known to harm the kidneys, like toxins produced by molds.

Dr. Robert Davis, a veterinarian in Ashland, Mass., said most customers have remained calm — in part because of detailed information available online.

"There's been no panic that I've seen," Davis said. "I think a lot of people, rather than becoming more nervous and concerned, they go to the Internet."

[tagbase13]

yes,i have been completely heartbroken for a number of months due to the fact i also lost my cat in august 11,2006 due to kidney failure and many high vet bills trying to save his life but efforts failed and also i almost lost my dog too because of urinary tract infections but luckily she has made it through to this point and high vet bills.i am on a limited income and not only was it hard losing my pet but the emotional and financial hardship as well as fear that my dog could get sick again down the road.i love my pets as i know many others do,they are almost like my children.i would like to know how i can join this class action law suit.

[pjmudder]

Anyone know of a legit class action phone number or website? We lost our Beloved 7 year old Mama Kitty "Maggie", who was perfectly healthy in every way until her Kidneys mysteriously failed! Our Pet can never be replaced, However assistance in the large vet bill trying to save her would be nice. We love & miss you Mama Kitty!

[cardholdr]

All Pet Food companies are going to be affected by what Menu Foods has allowed to happen to pets. I'd rather take my chances with table scraps and recipes for pets available on various pet websites. The other Pet food Companies such as Purina, Hill's, Iams and major Pet Stores should kick in to help the millions of people affected by this recall.
Sign the petititon below

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/menupay/petition.html

contact

[e-mail]

CHANGE THE MENU FOODS LOGO

Pet Food Recipes | Pet Food Recipes for Cats and Dogs at CooksRecipes.com

[knyghtwolf]

If anyone needs information on PetSmart recalls and the products that are being recalled, this is the website to go and find if you have any of the recalled products http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/19/196265/Customer_Handout.pdf

[randalds]

The Legend of the Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

[randalds]

Part 2.

"If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death."

Senator George Gramham Vest, 1870

[randalds]

"Gentlemen of the jury, the best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter whom he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us -- those whom we trust with our happiness and good name -- may become traitors in their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world -- the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous -- is his dog.

"Gentlemen of the jury, a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow, and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

[randalds]

People in these blogs (and thankfully there have relatively few here) who say they don't understand the fuss because these pets were "just dogs" or "just cats" or even worst "possessions", just don't understand the bond that can develop between a pet and it's owner. I fell sorry for them because it's obvious that they were born with part of their soul, part of their humanity missing.

[zootallures2]

Mean while, in Iraq and Afghanastan the cats are holding up pictures of their owners.

[zeusie1]

I feel so sorry for all the pets and their families who have been effected Why aren't pet food makers held to higher standards? I do not understand why the company took so long to pull the food-- thank God I still had not opened any of these foods Sometimes I feed my 15 yr.old house cat and my ferals "Special Kitty" or "Pet Pride Gourmet" -I usually feed "FancyFeast" and "9 Lives" and my two dogs eat "Pedegree" dog food- you can be sure I will NEVER use any foods connected with Menu again & if my fur babies were sickened or worse I would try to bring a law suit against EVERY company involved!
Judy Boone
Ft.Worth,TX

[nothappyatall]

"file a small claims case . Bildoriley"

Small claims court is a joke, you have to sue the plaintif in THEIR county, which means YOU have to do the leg work and if you arein Calif and they are in Fla that means an expensive trip for YOU to get to court in their county
In this case the company is in CANADA which could make it much more difficult.
Another issue is you cannot sue for emotional pain and suffering damages- pets are considered property like lawn mowers in court, so at best all you can ever hope to recover is the cost of a puppy/kitten of the same type/breed- so if your animal was a "free to a good home" or a $35 shelter animal, the animal's value in a court of law is that amount

There is a woman whose puppy was killed by a PetMate wire kennel the mfr knew is substandard, the puppy broke the flimsy wire door partly out and strangled when her head was caught. The company LIED to her and said they never had this happen before, others came forward and said they were told the SAME thing

After a LOT of effort and time, and a web site, the lady wound up getting about $900 the cost for the puppy. I know because I worked with the lady on line and contacted the company myself privately and SAW how they were lying.

http://kennelsafety.com/

These companies do not care, even this one who KNOWS their kennels are defective and kills dogs insists the design is good, it's cheaper to placate a few who demand money than retool

[knyghtwolf]

teresaub2, I am so sorry for your loss. I think you may want to check around on the internet to find the places where you might seek help and legal assistance. I think it mainly depends on where you live as to what is available. One thing I do know that helps clean the urinary tract is devil's claw mixed with water. Herbal but works good. I also think Green Tea works good too, via syringe without the needle of course, try an extract. Hope this helps, I did this for my cat Kapone and it snapped him right out it within 24 hours.

[teresaub2]

My cat just died, 2 hours ago, kidney failure and did eat the food. Who do we call to report this or is this something the vet will do.
Michigan

[susanhelit]

It's not always easy to figure out what the problem is. I hope they can - but even when it's humans - remember how long it took to find the contamination on the spinach? Biology is complex, and we've still got a lot to learn.

I've got a sick cat - kidney failure at 3 years old, sudden - who ate none of the affected foods. We still don't know why.

[bhappy2-2]

I don't have any pets, so this really doesn't have any bearing on my feelings. While I do have sympathy for those who lost theirs, my reason for this post is more about the "suspected ingredient", wheat gluten. Has anyone considered this may have been from a genetic modification? GM of the plants we rely on for our food, and our pets' food, should not be allowed without extensive testing prior to ANY consumption. It is possible the modifications are deadly to everything that eats it. While I hope this isn't the case, it IS plausible, and worth looking into by an organization NOT involved with the genetic modification companies.
Just my opinion. I Hope I'm wrong.

[erasmus6]

They say they can't find anything, they are looking for chemicals or mold. It could be like the Royal Canin screw up where there is too much vitamin D or something. People think vitamins are harmless but too much of certain ones are toxic!
I believe everyone can make mistakes but it is inexcusable that they knew about it for a month and didn't say anything. I am not usually for sueing people, but in this case they need to pay bigtime! I say SUE THE B-A-S-T-A-R-D-S!!! Then hopefully these pet food companies will start testing their food properly. When Royal Canin had their screw up, they had tested the food BEFORE the vitamins were added. The food needs to be tested AFTER everything is added. In fact if they have to do more than one test then they need to be doing it.

[rohink-2009]

I'd like to know what caused the food to be tainted.

[rohink-2009]

The only people that will suffer from this other than the pet owners are the people that worked for Menu foods. The powers that be knew about this a month ago. It gave them a chance to get their ducks in a row. The company will go bankrupt, people will lose their jobs, the trial lawyers will make millions and the poor people who's pets died will get next to nothing.

[knyghtwolf]

mainecares, before you call humanmonster an idiot, check this site out, it says that they not only sent food for pets out knowing full well it was contaminated, they sent spoiled food to the troops to Iraq, and they KNEW it was spoiled.

http://search.myway.com/search/GGmain.jhtml?st=site&ptnrS=&searchfor=Halliburton+Foods of Canada

[humanmonster]

Davie3467 - it is better to be thought a fool then to speak and remove all doubt. It is a pity that you can't recognize political satire and sarcasm when you see it.

Have a better one....