Pet Food Recall Information

COLLEGE STATION, TX - Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences veterinarians have been monitoring the developments of the recent recall of pet food.

"Pets are an important part of our lives and of our society," said Dr. H. Richard Adams, Carl B. King Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. "As clinicians and researchers, we are always concerned when events have detrimental effects on animal health."

Preliminary investigations have indicated a rodenticide called aminopterin may be involved in the contamination of the pet food. This toxin appears to have been applied to wheat that Menu Foods (the manufacturer of the pet food) received from China. Aminopterin has not been permitted for use in the United States since the 1950s when it was used as a cancer chemotherapeutic.

"Studies are limited on the effects aminopterin can have on animals larger than rodents," said Dr. Murl Bailey, Diplomate - ABVT and veterinary toxicologist at Texas A&M. "We need to continue to monitor the ongoing investigation into the contaminated food until we know for sure we have arrived at a complete answer."

Owners that are concerned about the health of their pets should check their pet food against the recall list. If it is recalled, stop feeding it immediately. If there is a change in the pet's behavior, it should be taken to the veterinarian for a precautionary exam.

"One of the positive things that will come out of this," added Bailey, "is that more people are going to be much more ready to take their pets to the veterinarian when they suspect something is wrong instead of waiting. Pet owners will also become more involved in their pets' health, and that's a good thing."

For more information on the pet food recall, go to www.menufoods.com/recall or to www.fda.gov.

Contact Information:
Angela G. Clendenin
Director, Communications & Public Relations
Ofc - (979) 862-2675
Cell - (979) 739-5718