BS: Poison pet food

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Peace
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 02:24 PM

"(CBS/AP) Rat poison has been found in pet food blamed for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs, a spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets said Friday.

The toxin was identified as aminopterin, state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said in a statement. Aminopterin is used to kill rats in some countries, but it's not registered for that use in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. "

Full story here.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 03:06 PM

Thanks for that link, Peace. It's alarming. Rar poison wouldn't seem to have any reason for being on the premises much less in the products.

I don't have time at the moment to do research but does anyone know if 'Menu Foods' has more than one plant? If one plant creates pet food for 95 different brands then I would definitely suspect that someone(s) is an agent of malice, and I think the book should be thrown at her or him or them.

I don't understand why, as it says. there isn't already a criminal investigation.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Peace
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 03:22 PM

Articles worth reading.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Peace
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 03:32 PM

Aminopterin is 'not licensed for use' in the US. I do not know if it is available for purchase in the US, but it is in at least ten countries, including Canada and the UK ( I know the UK is not a country). Google

aminopterin, where to buy

Posted without comment.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Peace
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 03:55 PM

"March 23, 2007 — ABC News has learned that investigators have determined that a rodent-killing chemical is the toxin in the tainted pet food that has killed several animals.

A source close to the investigation tells ABC News that the rodenticide, which the source says is illegal to use in the United States, was on wheat that was imported from China and used by Menu Foods in nearly 100 brands of dog and cat food."

So, not only do the bastards screw American and Canadian farmers by buying wheat from China, the Chinese don't give a crap what they export. I wonder if China feeds this shit to its human population?

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: GUEST,NancyO
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 04:00 PM

Nancy, I am so sorry that you and Roscoe have to go through this ordeal. I would call the best lawyer you can reach and start a class action suit if there is none. Also, if you have a no kill shelter in your area they may have a less expensive Vet on the staff. They can also tell you about rescue groups who may be able to help you financially. I have found some lists online This one is the one I find easiest to use: http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?action=4. Perhaps you can get some info from them that will make it easier for you to care for your precious cat.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: bobad
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 04:13 PM

I agree Peeace, that the use of Chinese wheat is abhorrent, it should be criminal. Any lawsuits will certainly be complicated if it is proved that Chinese wheat was the source of the toxin.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Desdemona
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 05:19 PM

This just makes me see red; if these rat bastards (pun intended) can't give a damn about the living creatures they've sickened and killed, then they'd better be made to care about their pocketbooks when their corrupt, unethical asses get sued. It's the only thing people like that understand.

Meanwhile, despite the fact that the food my dog eats is not on the list, I still feel reluctant to open that can...Lucy's getting scrambled eggs and rice for dinner tonight! I've been researching homemade dog food, and my primary concern is getting the proper nutritional balance. It's a crying shame that this multi-billion dollar industry can't be trusted to provide us with safe, nutritionally sound pet food.

~D

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: GUEST,Dry food problems?
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 05:41 PM

Has any one else heard of problems with dry food? My 7 month old Black Lab Died suddenly last week and my 5 year old was throwing up on the same day... They have been eating Ol' roy kibbles n chunks.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 05:43 PM

Now I find myself wondering if Chinese wheat is in any of the food for sale for humans. This could be far worse than the scare about minute quantities of chemicals in Indian spices, a while back.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: GUEST,Matt
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 06:32 PM

My dogs eat Nutro DRY Lamb and Rice dog food, and they both have been vomiting and having diarrhea ever since I opened the bag. They stopped eating it, and believe me, they don't miss any meals. One dog seems better now, but won't touch the dog food anymore. The other one is still terribly ill. There is NO WAY this is coincidence, and don't let the company tell you the dry food is alright, because I am absolutely convinced that it is poisoned.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Becca72
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 06:48 PM

Ignoring the trolls trying to spread panic....

I had my 1 year old neutered male cat at the vet's today for a UTI (unrelated to this food scare, thank christ!) and he told me that wet food is actually very good for neutered male cats because the liquid contents help keep everything moving in their urinary tract. The problem is, this cat is the only one of the three I have who doesn't like canned food. I feed my cats wet and dry and am seriously considering making my own wet food from now on. If anyone knows of a good website or personal recipes, I'd appreciate a PM.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Bee
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 06:48 PM

This is becoming more and more distressing. Wheat from China (have we no wheat in Canada?) contaminated with rodenticide, and dozens of so-called brands all manufactured in the same plants. It's beginning to look like a lot more pet deaths will be a result of this horrible mess.

And yes, what else do we humans eat that contains wheat from China - likely any number of cheap pasta products, maybe any number of flour containing products like crackers, cookies, candy bars, etc?

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 07:25 PM

Ingrid and I did a fran tic websearch when we found out. No dry catfoods seem to affected and the none of the Science Diet perscription foods are affected.

Stephen Lee

Subject: Poison pet food
From: GUEST,LISA
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 07:28 PM

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY I AM SOOOO OUTRAGED ABOUT THIS WHOLE POISONOUS PET FOOD SITUATION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW SOMETHING SO HORRIBLE LIKE THIS CAUSE EVER HAPPEN??? 16 DOGS AND CATS HAVE ALREADY DIED DUE TO THIS IRRESPONSIBLE ACT. THE IMPACT OF THIS CONTAMINATION IS VERY DAMAGING NOT ONLY TO THE PETS BUT ALSO TO THE OWNERS WHO ARE HEARTBROKEN BY THIS IMCOMPETENCE. EXCUSE MY FRENCH BUT I AM REALLY PISSED ABOUT THIS WHOLE CONTROVECE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW HOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN???

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Becca72
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 07:30 PM

Unfortunately, Lisa, pets are viewed as property (at least in the eyes of the law of the United States) and their food is not nearly as strictly regulated as that of humans.   Hard to understand for those of us who view our pets as little hairy children, I know.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: bobad
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 07:41 PM

"HOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN???"

In one word greed. In order to increase it's profit margin this company buys cheap wheat products from China when it's located in a country that produces a surplus of wheat and farmers are paid to NOT grow wheat in order to keep the prices at a level where farmers can earn a living.

The company's stocks rose in value today - go figure.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: GUEST,Mary
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 07:50 PM

Hi everyone,

I have been lucky in that I have one dog and one cat and both are safe as I have been feeding them Pedigree. I feel the sorrow you all have at losing your pets. When I was 12 years old my beloved cat died of rat poisoning that the City had placed in the alleys where I l
lived. It was a horrible death and I never forgot it.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: GUEST,Mary
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 07:58 PM

Sorry, I accidentally posted before I was finished. As I said in my previous post my cat died a horrible death from rat poison years ago.

    However, am I the only one who is appalled at the fact that the pet food company tested its poison on live dogs and cats. I'm sure they were no one's pet but they are living breathing creatures entitled to the same humane treatment we give our loving pets. Surely there exists some other test that would not involve the torture and death of a dog or a cat?

    I am outraged that pet food companies put our pets at risk but also the inhumane manner they disregard the lives of their test animals.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 11:27 PM

However, am I the only one who is appalled at the fact that the pet food company tested its poison on live dogs and cats.

No, Mary, you are not the only one. It is sickening. People need to STOP buying any products which come from this company. Vote with your pocketbook and let them know this is not acceptable.

As many as one in six animals died in tests of dog and cat food that is part of a big recall. The manufacturer conducted the tests after complaints the products were poisoning pets around the country.

The government says Menu Foods tested suspect dog and cat food on as many as 50 animals after it learned of the problems. Seven test animals died. Menu Foods told the Food and Drug Administration it received the first complaints of kidney failure and deaths among cats and dogs on February 20th.

I find it equally outrageous they knew about it a month earlier before telling the public. That means they willingly let it be sold knowing it had already killed their poor "test" pets, the bastards.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 03:19 PM

My condolences to those who have already lost a pet and the many others who have to worry now about their pet's health.

I'm thinking about the rat poison "aminopterin" that was said to be found in the pet food and why it might have been incorporated in wheat imported from China. One theory would be that the Chinese mix aminopterin into their seed grain to protect it from rats and other vermin, and that somehow "seed grain" got mixed in with the grain being exported for pet food. Our grain companies often coat seed grain with poisons to protect it from insects and worms. That's another reason, of course, to buy only organic grains and vegetables. I'm wondering if Menu-Inc. is considering this theory.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: GUEST,diego
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 04:26 PM

hi, first of all i'd like to express my extreme sorrow for all owners who have lost their pet or had their pet sick. i'd like to share with you the story of my dog, who had to be put to sleep because of acute liver failure due to an unknown cause 2 weeks ago. he was a extremely healthy and active lab until january of this year. in january he started rejecting his food and losing weight. he has eaten science diet dry food all his life. he loved the stuff, so i was incredibly surprised when he stopped eating it. we tried everything to get him to eat the stuff. soon he went from weighing 85 pounds to 70 pounds in less then 2 weeks. he also started throwing up and having loose watery stool. the vet told us it was some kind of liver disease, but did not know exactly what. his blood work said the same thing with elevated white cell count and liver enzymes. because of these results the vet decided to put him on the science diet Lg prescription diet which is a wet food. he was also given antibiotics for his liver.
we gave him this diet for several weeks, but instead of recovering he got worse. he kept vomiting and losing weight. he also started to have nose bleeds and started urinating and drinking water frequently. it got so bad that he would wake us up in the middle of the night to go outside. his urine was very loaded and an orange color. and his nose bleeds got worse and his nose started getting blocked up by the blood.
two weeks ago, his condition deteriorated to the point where he had to be fed with a syringe to be kept alive, and then he became bloated, stopped unrinated (classic symptoms of kidney failure). we tried giving him a dieuretic, but the next day he woke up agitated and misreable, and that afternoon he had not moved from where he was laying. when we tried to move him we found he could not walk. we took him to the vet imediately, and the vet said there was nothing she could do for him. later that evening the family got together and with all of us with him we put him to sleep.

it was not until last week that we thought it might have been the dog food that might have killed our dog. we have been doing research all this week and have related all our dog's symptoms with the syptoms described in the news and from cornell university even though his food was not on the recall list (both dry and wet). further more now that we know the culprit is rat poison, we have researched the symptoms for rat poisoning and it matches our dogs symptoms. so although the food our dog ate is not on the list, it still came from menu foods. we have a high suspect that it was the food that ended our dogs life. so far alll we can do is educated guess. we are not specialists in this, but my parents are physicians and biochemists and i am a biology student.

sorry to be long winded but i thought it would be useful for all of you to know my dogs symtoms. we would really appreciate it if any one who reads this and has a dog or cat with the same symptoms contact us through this website or to my personal email at, [e-mail]
please let us know, we would like to see if our suspicions are true
thank you all,
Diego

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: GUEST,busterleecat
Date: 24 Mar 07 - 06:44 PM

I am upset that the news is not treating this as a more important story. Anna N. Smith news is still an every day thing, but to get the list of poison pet foods you have to go on-line. An old man was walking his little dog by here today. I asked him if he knew about the poison pet food and he hadn't yet heard. Some elderly people may lose their precious companion because they don't keep up on the news. I also thought it absurd that the pet food plant in Kansas was using wheat from China. My uncle, a Kansas wheat farmer, became very ill (he eventually died) from "treating" his own wheat seed. I can't help thinking there may be more to this story.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 12:29 AM

For those who have asked for info on how to make your own dog and cat food, I found a site which has a book on it to print for free, just Click Here. I have not read it all, yet, so cannot vouch for its veracity.

I had a friend who made all of her dogs' and cat's food. She had a great recipe book. I'll see if I can get the name of it from her. I remember she used a lot of rice, kale, and tuna for the cat's eyesight. She was also a strict vegetarian and gave her dogs different kinds of veggie protein instead of meat.

There's more info on This Website.

Guest, Diego, my sympathies on your loss.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Metchosin
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 02:47 AM

Our dogs are allergic to wheat and beef and finding dog biscuits that do not contain those ingredients, particularly wheat, is sometimes difficult. We use the following recipe to make biscuits, as a treat for them and they think they are yummy. I've even tasted a couple myself, but I find I can't get as excited over them as the dogs do. Of course, I've never been seen outside sniffing poo either. LOL

Wheat Free Dog Biscuits

Ingredients:
2 3/4 c. kamut flour (we use spelt flourwhich works too, but you have to use less water and more flour in order to get the dough to a proper consistancy so that you can handle it)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
6 tbsp. olive oil
8-10 tbsp. water (less better is using spelt)
2 small jars of strained baby food ( beef, chicken, lamb or liver)
(We use organic baby foods available here such as turkey/sweet potato and chicken/vegetable)

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and knead for about 3 minutes. Roll out to between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick and cut with a cookie cutter. (you can get bone shaped cookie cutters, but our dogs like the ones we cut up with a pizza wheel just as well). Place biscuits on an ungreased baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven for 20- 25 min or until slightly browned.

Store in the fridge or they will go moldy otherwise. Will keep for about 2 weeks, if they last that long.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Metchosin
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 02:49 AM

well, except for all the typos, that seems to be correct.....

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Peace
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 02:55 AM

I retract what I said earlier on in this thread. 'They' now strongly suspect that some cases have appeared in Canada as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Metchosin
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 03:12 AM

kat, after perusing that site, I'm still not convinced that I would entrust my dogs to BARF over other commercially available foods. I wouldn't knowingly take chances on exposing them to salmonella and other stuff found in uncooked slaughter house meat that had been shipped. Also, if I recall correctly, prior to commercial dog food, when I was young, dogs didn't typically live to great old ages. The only exception I recall was an Australian dog that once made the Guiness Book of Records for longevity, fed primarily on table scraps.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: bobad
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 10:40 AM

Pet food sickens woman
Ottawa woman who ate food to convince her picky pet to eat says she and her dog both sickened by tainted food that was recalled
BY MELISSA ARSENIUKWith files from Agence France- Presse
Elaine Larabie doesn't have anything against people food, but admits she did eat dog food to try to convince her terrier to eat — and it made her sick to her stomach.

The Ottawa woman is recovering after becoming violently ill after eating some of her dog's dinner, in a case likely related to the rat- poison- laced pet food that has killed several dogs and cats and sickened dozens more across North America.

Canine and master wound up in hospital — Missy at the Alta Vista Animal Hospital and Ms. Larabie at an after- hours emergency room.

" I thought I caught a virus, but then I realized I ate the food, and put two and two together," Ms. Larabie said.

For three days, she suffered a range of " confusing" and " embarrassing" symptoms, including loss of appetite, vomiting and foaming of the mouth. She also had problems urinating.

She went to the emergency room on Tuesday and had blood work done on Wednesday. She is now awaiting the results of those tests.

It all started with good intentions. After adopting one- year- old Missy six weeks ago, Ms. Larabie discovered the little dog refused to eat anything but table scraps.

" I was trying to get her to eat," Ms. Larabie said, but Missy's protest continued. Desperate, Ms. Larabie tried " just a little bite" of the Iams dog food to make the terrier think it was people food, then gave Missy the rest.

" I said, ' It's not going to kill me to take a little bite' ... but I guess it could have," mused Ms. Larabie, who notes the trick worked.

" When I would take a bite, she'd eat it," Ms. Larabie said.

The mealtime routine continued for about two weeks, until both dog and master got sick on March 17. At the time, Ms. Larabie was unaware of the massive pet food recall that was announced the day before. Two days later, she saw a TV news story about it, and connected the dots.

When Missy went to the Alta Vista Animal Hospital for a previously scheduled operation, the vet told Ms. Larabie the dog was severely dehydrated. The dehydration did not go away after the surgery, so Missy went back to the vet.

The vet explained the symptoms were not associated with the spaying; it was something Missy had eaten, Ms. Larabie said. It was suggested she contact Iams.

The vet that handled Missy could not be reached yesterday, and Alta Vista Animal Hospital declined to comment on the specifics of Missy's symptoms or prognosis, citing client confidentiality.

Ms. Larabie contacted Iams and confirmed the food she and Missy ate was part of the recall and was likely contaminated with aminopterin.

When asked about Ms. Larabie's illness, Iams spokesman Kurt Iverson said Iams and its parent company, P& G Pet Care, " are working directly with her," and will continue to do so until the problem is resolved. He refused to say if any other human illnesses have been reported.

Last week, Menu Foods recalled 60 million cans and pouches of food made in the United States and sold under 95 different brand names after reports that pets were falling sick and dying after eating the some of their products.

Imported wheat gluten from China has since been determined to be the source of contamination at two U. S. manufacturing plants.

Yesterday, the Toronto- based company expanded its recall, saying it was worried consumers could still find the products on store shelves.

The company said store owners should remove all of its products, regardless of the production date.

Ms. Larabie said Iams representatives assured her the company will cover the medical bills resulting from the tainted food.

She has not ruled out legal action, but says her primary concern is Missy's well being.

" I just want my dog better right now," she said.

After an overnight stay at the vet, Missy returned home last night. Ms. Larabie said both of them are on the mend.

As for herself, Ms. Larabie said she has learned her lesson and vows to " never eat dog food again."

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 11:00 AM

Good gawd. I love my pets, but I would NEVER eat their food for them!

Mets, yeah, I agree re' BARF. I just thought some folks might want to see what turned up in a google search. I could never stand the idea or sight of giving my pets raw meat. It turns my vegetarian stomach.:-) They all love jack mackerel out of the can and/or tuna. Plus, every dog I've had seemed more aggressive if given moist food, so they have all had dry for years. Thanks for the biscuit recipe.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Bee
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 11:07 AM

Bobad..."When Missy went to the Alta Vista Animal Hospital for a previously scheduled operation, the vet told Ms. Larabie the dog was severely dehydrated. The dehydration did not go away after the surgery, so Missy went back to the vet.

My BS meter went off. The rest of the story is sort of credible, but what vet would perform a spay surgery on a severely dehydrated small dog?

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Peace
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 03:51 PM

"Menu asks stores to remove pet food
by Jyoti Pal - March 25, 2007 - 0 comments

Acting cautiously in the wake of rat poison being found in the pet food, Menu Foods Ltd. has decided to recall all brands irrespective of the date of manufacture. The company had earlier recalled 60 million cans of wet pet food in the U.S. last week.

The decision has been taken amid concerns that tainted products are still being sold in the market. The original recall, announced March 16, was applicable to wet food made at its Emporia, Kansas, and Pennsauken, New Jersey, plants between December 3 and March 6. The recall, however, doesn't include any dry pet food or pet food sold in Canada."


That is from here. (Takes a few secs to load.)



A question for this and other companies that outsource: what the hell is ANYONE or ANY COMPANY doing buying wheat or wheat products from any other country in the world. Jesus H Keriste, Joseph and Mary, we have the stuff comin' out our yinyangs. Rotten bastards are under-cutting our farmers in the name of a bloody profit margin. Goddamned corporate greed. ENOUGH.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 06:14 PM

I don't see any reference to this in the thread, but I am SURE I heard on NPR that they had tested the food inhouse and about 6 cats had died -- and the bastards STILL put in on the market. NPR interviewed a lady whose 2.5 year old bull mastiff had died -- she used the word murder (legitimately, I think). We have a bull mastiff (5) who is absolutely part of this family.........I cannot imagine the pain of such an unnecessary loss.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 10:56 PM

I had also heard that Menu had tested the food in house routinely to access its tastiness only to determine that 6 of the ten test dogs had died. I'm not sure if the results of this experiment were passed on with any alarm until there were public reports of pets dying mysteriously. I'm not really checking this memory of reporting out. So it's possible that I've got the story wrong.

I still think my theory that the pet food was accidently mixed with "seed grain" treated with rodent poison has some merit. No comment?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 12:28 AM

I posted the following on March 23:

The government says Menu Foods tested suspect dog and cat food on as many as 50 animals after it learned of the problems. Seven test animals died. Menu Foods told the Food and Drug Administration it received the first complaints of kidney failure and deaths among cats and dogs on February 20th.

That's FIFTY and they knew a month before they told anyone!!

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 12:06 PM

It's been sad and scary to see what's going on with my Mom and Roscoe. We've been feeding the pouch food to our cats for the last year and a half - they love it - and were frightened to discover some of the tainted lots among the half finished boxes.

On the recommendation of our vet, we've stopped feeding wet food to our cats altogether for awhile. The vet told us that the symptoms would be dramatic - a massive increase in vomiting, lethargy, etc. - not just ordinary cat behavior. By those standards our cats are fine, though it's clear they don't think much of getting just dry food and water.

It's hard to know what to do in the long term - I guess just wait for long enough, or find a pet food that isn't made by Menu Foods. It's appalling to know that all of these different pet foods are essentially the same, that they had rat poison in the food, that they might have had some knowledge which they kept from us. Hopefully within a month or so we'll be able to get some reliably safe pet food.

But mostly I'm sad for my Mom and her pet - nobody should have to go through this.

Dan Schatz

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Big Mick
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 12:24 PM

I am intimately familiar with Menu Foods. I was the Union Representative of the workers at that plant. I must tell you that I think there is an important distinction that must be made and understood. The villan in this is the Chinese wheat, which was treated with the illegal rodenticide. I have seen the quality control procedures in this company's Pennsauken, NJ plant. They take it very serious. I am reminded of the time that I had to represent sanitation worker in the plant who let some of his chemicals get into an area that might have contaminated the food. The company's position was that somebody could lose their pet. They take that very seriously, at least that was my impression. I am no apologist for management, but I think they got blindsided. This is not something that would show up in normal testing.

As to them knowing about it for a month before making it public, I can't understand that. I suspect someone will pay a dear price for that. But they are not callous about animals, in fact they take the health of their clients animals very seriously. When it is all said and done, my guess is some mid level person found out about it and didn't report it to management until it became apparent what was going on.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Peace
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 12:27 PM

I agree with you, Mick.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Peace
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 05:06 PM

I would like to ask the stock holders why they are supporting the purchase of China's rice while North America produces more of the stuff than it can use.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Peace
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 05:07 PM

Uh, Dr Freud--I meant wheat.

THAT pisses me off.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Metchosin
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 07:02 PM

Big Mick, from what I read, Menu didn't start getting complaints that something might be amiss with the food until February 20, 2007 and they started their own testing after that date. I don't know how long would be a reasonable time to set up such tests to determine what foods were affected or how long the tests would have to run, until symptoms of poisoning showed up in test animals, but from the time of the first complaint until first recall, by my reckoning, it would appear that it took 24 days.

Considering that the FDA had been warning California spinach farmers to improve their safety practices for a year, prior to the deadly E. coli outbreak, it would seem that the manufacturers of pet foods, without regulation and government testing that human food undergoes, weren't doing a bad job by comparison.....and I too am not usually an apologist for multinational corporations.

While some kinds of testing on animals make me very uncomfortable, until such time as there is no need for the SPCA or other organizations to euthanize unwanted or stray cats and dogs, because there aren't any, using them for tests that may save the lives of other pets, at least means that their imminent deaths have not been in vain. Either way it's a tough call.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 08:45 PM

I'm reminded of the PBB (2-bromobiphenyl) contamination of cattle feed that happened in Michigan some 30 years ago. In that case the Michigan Farm Bureau was responsible for mixing cattle feed. What happened is that bags of fire retardent (containing PBB) were stacked next to the bags that were supposed to be mixed with cattle feed. Cattle started behaving strangely all over the state. However, it wasn't until one brave farmer and his veternarian released the results of their private testing to the media that contamination was acknowledged by the Farm Bureau. And the farmer and the veternarian were subject to personal threats by other farmers who were in denial, along with the Farm Bureau, that there was a problem.

Menu, Inc., seems to have done better than the Farm Bureau in trying to quickly evaluate the suspected contamination and then take action. I would caution those who think that relying on imports subjects us to a greater risk of contamination. China appears to be the culprit in this case but when we are talking about a national corporation, domestic sources could also be the source of the problem as it was in Michigan.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Greg B
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 03:00 PM

Wet food without 'gravy' seems to be okay. None of ours was on the
list.

Purina products seem to be okay, along with Friskies and 9-Lives
too, weren't they?

Okay, they're the 'Buicks' of cat foods, but better than rat
poison, you know?

For one our guys who doesn't like the 'pasty' stuff, he gets the
REAL expensive Purina 'Fancy Feast Gourmet' goodies in the can.
Like $US0.70 per tiny can!

However he eats so little of it, with a can lasting a full week,
that it's just a taste, anyway. He does love it--- he's just a
very self-limiting animal in terms of food intake.

He also goes bonkers after he eats it--- wants to play, play
hard, and play NOW. Chase all over, play hide-and-seek, etc.

Same effect with salmon and tuna sashimi... which he eats from
(separate) chopsticks. Two or three little nibbles, and he's had
his treat and goes away happy to digest.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: GUEST,Nancy King at work
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 12:18 PM

Well, yesterday I was FINALLY able to leave a message on the Maryland FDA phone line. We'll see if anything happens as a result of that.

Yesterday CNN.com had a story about somebody who had started proceedings for a class-action lawsuit against Menu Foods. I emailed the story to myself at home, but can't find it on CNN now. Anyhow, I plan to get in touch with the lawyers who are doing it and see if I can get in on it. I sure would like to get back the cost of the vet and all of the special equipment I've bought to give Roscoe his subcutaneous fluids.

I'm taking Roscoe back to the vet for a checkup tomorrow morning. He's not eating very well at the moment, but otherwise seems OK. Sigh.

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Desdemona
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 12:27 PM

Greg B--I just love the image of the kitty enjoying tiny morsels of sushi off the end of a chopstick; most pleasing. We sometimes feed our dog bites of stuff from the end of a fork; it's just outrageously cute the way her eyes cross as she approaches her objective!

Nancy--you should *definitely* get involved with that class-action suit; the more people who get on board, the more these ethically challenged wankers will have to sit up and take notice with their pocketbooks.

~D

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Mickey191
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 07:53 PM

Has anyone mentioned or heard of animals dying at the many Shelters-such as SPCA? I've not heard of it-yet it would seem logical they would have big losses too.

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 08:12 PM

Nancy, I went to CNN which led me to a story at yahoo about a class action suit in Canada.

Ah, found the one you are talking about, I think: click here. Here is some of the text:

MADISON, Wisconsin (CNN) -- More than 95 pet owners have joined a class-action lawsuit against Menu Foods Inc., saying it produced and distributed pet food that might be dangerous, and possibly deadly, to animals.

Jacqueline Johnson of Madison, Wisconsin, filed the suit Tuesday. The complaint contends her gray tabby, Gumbie, became ill after eating food from an Iams Select Bites pouch in early February. Gumbie became lethargic, refused food and lost weight, she said, and a veterinarian diagnosed acute renal failure. The cat was "pet-hospitalized" and prescribed intravenous fluids.

Johnson told CNN she considers herself lucky. "Thankfully we got her to the vet in time. My cat was very ill, but there are lots of people around the country whose pets have died or been euthanized."

Since coming home, Gumbie has required a great deal of care. "It is stressful to have to stick a needle in the cat every day," said Johnson, who has had to administer daily subcutaneous fluid-and-drip injections since bringing Gumbie home.

Gumbie is likely to require medical tests and monitoring every few months, and Johnson expects this will increase her expenses considerably. She said she already has paid more than $3,000 in veterinary bills.

Johnson's attorney, Frank Jablonski of Progressive Law Group, said more than 95 people have joined the suit since it was filed, and he expects many more.

"We have all the clients we need," he said. "We wouldn't bring a lawsuit that we are not confident we will win." The lawsuit is seeking an unspecified amount of damages. Courts will have to certify the class and what venue will hear the case.

Menu Foods spokesperson Sam Bornstein declined to comment on the lawsuit but said the company has received tens of thousands of consumer inquiries and is doing its best to respond to them. "Our hearts go out to many thousands of pet owners, some of them for their losses and some for their worry," he said.


I'll be sending you more good thoughts, hugs, and energy tomorrow when you and Roscoe go to the vet's.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Nancy King
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 08:26 PM

Yes, Kat, that Wisconsin one is the one I saw, and in fact I just went to the law group's website and submitted my information. They say they're now getting about 200 submissions per day! Geez. It would probably be better if I could find a group in Maryland, but I haven't heard of any so far. I don't really feel like I can start one myself -- my life is full enough as it is! The Wisconsin lawyer's site says they are looking into finding other responsible law groups and may refer people to them. We'll see how it comes out.

Thanks for your good wishes!

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: leeneia
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 01:20 PM

"Our grain companies often coat seed grain with poisons to protect it from insects and worms. That's another reason, of course, to buy only organic grains and vegetables."

Not so. Organic seed grain could be coated with pesticides if the pesticides came from a so-called "natural source." Present organic foods are treated with pyrethrins and copper salrs, neither of which is good.

If you want your food totally free of pesticides, just wash it in cool water with a tiny bit of soap and rinse well.
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I never did accept that theory that it was the gluten. How could simple gluten do such harm?

Subject: RE: BS: Poison pet food
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 01:37 PM

100 !!