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."