Getting Your Pets Through The Food Scare

Dr. Debbye Turner With Advice On All Aspects Of It

(CBS)  Officials now say a rat poison contaminated the pet food that's blamed for killing at least 16 cats and dogs, and making thousands of others sick.

On The Early Show Monday, resident veterinarian Dr. Debbye Turner told which symptoms to look for that might point to illness related to the pet food scare, and what to do if you've given your pet potentially tainted food, even if it's not displaying symptoms. She also gave a quick course on giving your pet a basic exam, anytime.

How can you tell if your pet is suffering from kidney failure?

The signs of acute renal (kidney) failure are vague at best, but include loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, change in urination, and change in water consumption. If you see any one of these signs, contact your veterinarian right away.

In many cases, kidney failure can be successfully treated if caught quickly. This is key! If you wait too late, the damage may be too extensive, and irreversible.

By the way, even if your pet hasn't eaten one of the recalled foods, if they display these signs, call you vet right away. These signs are indications of a variety of illnesses, not just kidney failure.

Why is it so important to get the pet to the veterinarian so quickly?

Kidney failure is a progressive disease. The longer you wait, the more damage is done to the kidneys. In some cases, the damage is permanent. If your veterinarian doesn't start the appropriate therapy in a timely manner, your pet's kidneys may reach a point of no return. If this happens, there is no cure. The kidney failure will be fatal.

If a pet owner has been feeding a pet a recalled food, what should he or she do?

First and foremost, discontinue feeding the food immediately. Discard any opened containers of the food in a way that your pet cannot get to it. We all know that animals are masters at getting into the garbage. Take any unopened containers back to the store from which it was purchased for a full refund.

Watch your pet very closely. If your pet gets sick, take it to the vet immediately. And report your pet's illness to the Food and Drug Administration. A list of Consumer Complaint Coordinators can be found on the FDA Web site.

What if your pet has eaten the food that is listed in the recall but has NOT experienced any of the symptoms?

If you know with certainty that your pet ate some of the food that is included on the recall, at the very least you should watch your pet very closely. If you see any of the signs mentioned above, take them to the vet immediately. Be particularly aware of your pet's energy level. If she is not playing as much, doesn't meet you at the door, sleeps longer than normal, doesn't come when you call, etc., these maybe signs that something is going wrong. If he is acting fine, he probably is.

Still, if I fed my pet one of these foods, I would have her checked out, just in case! It is easy enough for your vet to test your pet's blood and urine to determine whether the kidneys are functioning properly.

This recall has frightened a lot of people who don't trust any pet food. Should pet owners be cooking homemade meals for their pets?

First, the plants involved in this recall only made the "cuts and gravy"-style foods that are on the recall list. We have no reason to believe that dry food is involved. And feeding a homemade diet is noble, but a lot of hard work. Dogs' and cats' dietary needs are quite complex. And a pet owner would need to know those requirements, plus the right amount to feed. This takes a lot of time and leaves a lot of room for creating a dietary imbalance. I don't recommend taking this on, especially since dry food seems to be perfectly safe.

This is also a good time for a refresher on the general health of your pet. What are signs of not feeling well?

Of course, pets can't tell us when they aren't feeling well. So, it is important, as pet owners, to pay close attention to our pets' behavior. Know what is normal behavior for your pet, so when something changes, you will detect the change.

A list of signs that mean your pet is sick are: vomiting, diarrhea, change in energy level, change in drinking, change in urination, change in appetite, weight loss or gain, bad odors, runny eyes or nose, limping, hair loss.

If you see any of these, don't hesitate: Call your vet and discuss what you see. Remember, it is much easier — and less expensive — to treat a disease in its early stages than later on in the process.

How can you check your pet's health at home?

Check the eyes. Lift the ears. Feel the whole surface of the pet's body, taking note of any bumps, bruises, scratches.

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For a list of the recalled brands, click here.

To report an illness you think might be related to the bad pet food, click here.

For more on the danger, click here.

[kathylad9]

For anyone wanting to get more information on cooking your own pet food, here is a web site that you might find interesting...
http://www.petsnow.net/pet-food/quickstart-guide-to-making-your-own-pet-food-at-home/#article

[kathylad9]

SAUTEED LIVER~~ Heat 1tsp corn oil in a pan. Add 1/4 pound beef liver and fry both sides until cooked but not dry inside. Add 1/2 cup water to the pan and mix it up with the brown bits. Cut into pieces and a kibble if desired.
VEAL STEW~~ Combine 1/2 pound stewing veal, 1 cup canned tomatoes,1 cup water, 1 chicken bouillon cube,1/2 onion (chopped) parsley,(I used to add a dash of garlic powder but now I don't)Let it simmer in a pot. Cut meat in chunks and mix with kibble or some other grain.
CHICKEN SOUP~~ Combine 1 chicken liver,1 giblet,1 chicken heart, 1 chicken neck, 2 cups water and 1 tsp finely chopped parsley. Cover and simmer until giblet is tender. Chop all the meat removing all bones and mix with a kibble or other grain.
LIVER COOKIES~~ Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine 1/2 cup dry milk and 1/2 cup wheat germ; drizzle 1 tsp honey on top. Add one 3 1/3 oz. jar of strained baby food liver or your owm homemade blended liver, stir until everything is well mixed. Form the mixture into balls; place them on a oiled cookie sheet and flatten with a fork. Bake 8-10 mins. Consistency should be fudgy. Store in a jar in the fridge; freeze the rest if you plan on keeping more than a few days.

I hope this helps you sclaires, now I got the munchies. May God Bless you and your family.

[kathylad9]

sclairs,
Hello Levi here, I think I might have some useful tips for you. Because animals are clooured blind, they seem to choose their foods by smell. I found that gamey flavors best,well as liver,fat,onions,horsemeat,lamb,beef,cheese and fish. At one time I heard that garlic was good for dogs,to help keep the fleas off, but rescently I heard that it can cause alot of sickness for them. And never feed your cats onions. Also they don't need salt, as salt is already in their natural foods.
Dogs like any veggie,but cats should stay away from starchy veggies like peas & corn. Some of pets also like fruits. It's a good idea to always add a grain, such as Kibble,wheat germ,cooked oatmeal or whole wheat breads to their meat dinners. Also like what kerri1953 wrote an added vitamin from your vets or local pet stores.
Dogs use 75% carbohydrate foods (grains & veggies)to 25% meat. Always serve your pets their foods at room temperature, never straight from the fridge or hot from the stove. Actually you will find it more cheaper to make your own food than you do know, and will be alot healthier.

I will send you some recipes on the next posting.
I hope this was helpful to you.

[kerri1953]

Since my yorkie died from my Iams pouches, I have been making my own dog food. I start with beef, chicken or turkey. I add rice or oatmeal. I use broccoli tops, green beans, a small amount of carrots (they contain sugar) a little low sodium boulin. You can run it through a food processor before I add the cooked rice. I got some vitamins from the vet. I have been making a weeks worth and splitting into three containers. I freeze two and use one. I pull the others down as needed. My other two dogs are not out of the woods yet and I am nervous about what to feed them so for now I am making my own. It is not really a pain but my dogs are pretty small.

[sclaires]

Levi501Blue1

I read your comment about making your own dog food. Do you have any recipes?? I have an 8 year old Carolina Dog who I have been feeding Purina but lately I have noticed a fishy odor to her breath. I would like to start making her food but do not have any recipes or what to put in it. I know that chicken and rice are good but what else?? In as much as her breed ate the same food as the Native Americans for over 10,000 years, I figure she can eat people food without any problem. But, what besides chicken and rice??

[kerri1953]

I had an 8 year old yorkie named Molly. On March 6 she becan vomiting. I took her to the vet and was told she had kidney failure. I was told she had gotten into something toxic. I could not figure out what it could be. A week later I discovered the something toxic was Iams in the pouches. I still have some left. Molly has died. I have vet bills that are ove $1,500.00. I have two other dogs that have elevated creatinine levels. I am spending more time at the vets office then I am at home. I am so upset at the Iams company. I love my pets.

[kathylad9]

breadlady,
I think your right on that, even here in Canada. Menu Foods have alot of enimies here. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!! RIGHT!!!!!

[rat 34]

WE the people of USA need to go to the white house to see are president that we vote in to the white house and see what he will do about this menufoods.He needs to stand up and HELP HIS PEOPLE and stop them from killing anymore of are love one's

[tim horton]

To all who was wondering about the lies that this company and media said that there was only 16 deaths. Well I completly agree with you, 110%

I was on a different forum last night and I read that there was 1626 deceased pets (941 cats & 685 dogs) now I don't know if these statistics are correct, but it sounds like it's the truth.
There telling us over 60 million, of contaminated pet food was recalled,and their is only 16 pets deaths. Country don't mean stupid Menu Foods.

One lady is so hurt, she fed her pregnant dog, this *** they call pet food. And In return she lost, their child (pet) and 6 puppies. Come on Menu Foods it's your responsibility for all these tragegies. One thing I can tell you about what will happen with this company! They will no doubt go into bankrupcy, they lost alot of customers that trusted their pet foods (for I was one of them) and for all the lawsuits, that already proceeded.

Our pets are our life, some of us call them our children. They give us so much and ask for so little! And knowing that my child was affected by this, you can bet that Menu Foods will pay for this!

WE WANT TO START HEARING THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS, STOP WITH ALL THE COVER UP & LIES, I WAS GOING TO SAY IF YOU CAN'T BE HONEST WITH ALL OF US, THEN BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF, BUT YOU ALREADY RUINED THAT DIDN'T YOU!!!!

TO EVERY PET OWNER OUT THEIR THAT WAS AFFECTED BY THIS. MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN HIS ARMS AND PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.

[kathylad9]

Hello rf35,
I wanted to tell you about a different kind of HOLISTIC CAT & KITTEN FOOD.

It's called "Nature's Harvest", natural pet food.
You can get it at any pet food store I assume. I got mine from Ryan's Pet Store. It's about $14.00 Canadian. ( I"M NOT SURE IF YOU LIVE IN THE USA)

I started to use it when my other son (CAT) Diamond was diagnosed with crystals. Unfortunatly he never made it though.(NOW I'M GOING THROUGH THIS)

Anyway t has wholesome chicken & salmon, brown rice, wholeflax seed (a source of omega-3 fatty acids), apples, blueberries & cranberries (which is great for netured male cats, because the forming of crystals)kelp & chicory, plus yucca & probiotics. I now feed it to Levi.

I don't know the web site for them, but if you look under Nature's Harvest, or Natural Pet foods you might find it. I just wanted to share it with you....

[kathylad9]

I went into a pet store today, and noticed that the Iams gravy is still on the shelf! I'm a bit confused for when they said that the cuts with gravy were all tainted. WHAT ABOUT THE GRAVY ALONE?
If this is the case why would the gravy be sold? Because it is the gravy in the cuts. Someone PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I"M WRONG!!!!
BECAUSE I"M CONFUSED ABOUT IT. I STILL WON"T GIVE IT TO MY CHILDREN (PETS) BECAUSE IT WAS STILL MADE THROUGH THE SAME MENU FOOD LINE!
I"M JUST CONCERNED ABOUT IT, AND TO LET OTHERS KNOW? IF I WORRING ABOUT IT FOR NOTHING PLEASE TELL ME, BUT MAINLY FOR THE OTHER PET OWNERS OUT THERE!!!! THANK YOU

[kathylad9]

rf35
Levi here, Thank you for the information on the last forum about keep the food that was opened and storing it and then freezing. I think that is a great idea. But for Levi, he had 4 of the poches of special kitty, in which are gone. This was way before I knew about the recall,prior to that is when he got sick. But for Sonny we still have the unopened cans in our cupboards, we were told we could get a refund on them, but we are keeping it as proof, just incase like you said. Also another case of the Nutro for Levi, he did already have one from it.
Both are showing some signs of improvement. And Levi hasn't been vomoting in the last 2 days. But it's the heart mermer that concerns me just as much. And Sonny is healing very slowly. When I called Menu Foods they also asked me if he was an out door cat. In which I told them. He's only 7 months old, and is an indoor cat. All they said to me was that a representative will be getting in contact with me! And I'm still waiting.
I have Levi on Purina Fantcy Feast, and Sonny on Petagree. They both seem to like it. But I'm checking for recipes for homemade foods for them.
I'm just to scared to feed them anything from this company, I gave them my trust, and NOW THEY LOST ME FOR GOOD!
Thank you for the valuable information... Levi

[dog-x8]

I am so worried that they are not telling us the truth at menu foods. I have 8 dogs (6 inside & 2 outside) and 3 have VERY sensitive stomachs. They do great on Iams mini chunks. I'm afraid to change foods but I'm also afraid not to since it is made at the same plant. They would prob. wait weeks to tell us if they found out it was in there too. I'd love to "cook" for them all, but I wouldn't know where to start, and its soooo many of them. It would be like cooking for a small army! lol Are Y'all still serving the dry from that plant?? Thanks. I'm praying for all the greiving and worried "parents" out there.

[jimc52]

What all of us can do is write to congress and
demand that imported food, including ingredients used to make food, are inspected at a much
higher rate than the current 1% or less.
Secondly, our trade negotiators can demand that
foods imported into the US, meet minimum health
and food safety standards. This means, the
Chinese have to get busy controlling food safety in their own country. If we need an example of
how good import inspection safety can be, we
should look at Japan and their extensive JAS
standards for imported food. If you don't think
this can't happen to HUMAN FOOD, think again!
Millions of people need to write and demand this or the politicians will shrug all of this off.
This was a FAILURE on the part of FDA to enforce food safety. Just because it went into animal food, is no excuse! When the beaurocrats fail, they run and hide under cover hoping you will forget the entire incident. When it is YOU, they are all over your back.

[rf35]

Well, yes, he could just like the taste better :)

Something else I just thought of. If your pet got sick or died from eating this food, SAVE ANY UNUSED, OPEN CANS OR POUCHES! Seal them and, if possible, freeze the sealed bags. You will need these as proof that the food was responsible. Menu Foods is denying responsibility if your pet has access to a garage or was outdoors any time within a few days of getting sick. They are saying that the pet could have gotten into something and that there is no proof their food was the cause. If there is even a trace of food or sauce in the can, you need to save it and have it tested to prove that Menu Foods%u2019 product was the reason for you loss. This is especially important if you intend to pursue legal action and hold Menu Foods accountable for their disgraceful handling of this situation.

[abigail70]

"Usually, it means the nutritional value is lower so your pet needs to eat more to get the same benefit as from his previous food."

I can understand this may be the cause some of the time, but I'd hesitate to say usually. It's a good point, though, and one I'd not considered before.

[rf35]

"Personally I switched my Cat to Purina dry food a few days ago and he's eating a lot more."

Truthword, while I agree with most of your post, I caution you about the notion that your cat eating a lot more is a sign of food quality. Usually, it means the nutritional value is lower so your pet needs to eat more to get the same benefit as from his previous food.

I'm strongly considering switching my cats to homemade food. At least I'll have a better idea as to what's in it than I do with their commercial food.

[truthword]

Oh yeah and the plant that this chinese wheat was sent to was in Kansas City I guess from what I've heard. Our country produces more wheat than we know what to do with, the plant was right out there in wheat country, and this corporation insists on buying wheat from commie china? Time to end this free trade *** and try to vote out any free traitor that supports this garbage. Our nation was built on FAIR trade, not FREE trade. Also make sure you tell anyone you know with a baby not to feed them apple juice, almost all apple juice is made from concentrate imported from china these days, they've practically put american growers out of business. China is one of the worst polluted countries in the world, and watch out what toys you're letting your kids have too, they're full of lead paint from china. Go find the huge list online of toys recalled because of lead paint that we never hear about.

[truthword]

If the company and the media are willing to lie saying only 16 pets have died from this, then would they not be willing to lie to us and insist that the dried food is ok when it might not be? Think about it folks, you're dealing with known liars here, the media has no obligation to tell you the truth and neither does the corrupt corporations or our corrupt government. It's time snap out of their magical spell a lot of you live under, and start taking your life into your own hands and learn how to think for yourselves. Personally I switched my Cat to Purina dry food a few days ago and he's eating a lot more. I urge you to never do business with any of these companies that have been affected again in your life.

[pressldr]

I am MOST concerned about the UNDER REPORTING of the severity of this tragedy. My son is a DVM, Dimplomat ACVIM and a nephrology domain expert. He reports that the hospital clinic at the university is running out of cages to keep the patients under their care, and that they have to put down 10 to 15 pets PER DAY because they have reached the point of no return. And the news media report that 15 pets TOTAL have died to date? Something ain't right with the reporting process. And I want to know WHY !?!?!?!?!?