I received this in an email from a lis I am on
Those concerned may want to bring this information to their veterinarians: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
PET FOOD RECALL: UPDATED INFORMATION FOR VETERINARIANS
LAKEWOOD, Colo. - In response to the recent national pet food recall, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) has collected the following information for veterinarians in regards to the treatment of animals that have ingested the recalled food.
* On Friday, March 23, 2007 a press release from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (www.agmkt.state.ny.us/release) stated that the New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker and Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Donald F. Smith announced that scientists at the New York State Food Laboratory identified Aminopterin as a toxin present in cat food samples from Menu Foods, the manufacturer of the many brands of dog and cat food that are currently the subject of a nationwide recall.
* The Food Laboratory received the pet food samples from a toxicologist at the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University, where testing has been underway to try to identify the cause of kidney failure in dogs and cats that consumed the recalled brands of pet food. At Cornell's request, the Food Laboratory tested the samples for poisons and toxins, and identified Aminopterin in the pet food samples at a level of at least 40 parts per million.
* Aminopterin is a folic acid inhibitor found in some rodenticides available outside the USA. It is not available in the US as a rodenticide. Aminopterin is a 4-amino analog of folic acid. It was originally used as an antineoplastic agent in the late 1940's but has been superseded by methotrexate, a related but less toxic folic acid analog. At high doses, methotrexate results in acute renal failure and crystalluria due to desposition of 7-hydroxymethotrexate in the renal tubules. Aminopterin toxicity is thought to be similar and dose dependent.
* These findings and any relationship to recent pet deaths have not been confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration. An announcement from the FDA is forthcoming. We need to be cautious as the finding of Aminopterin is significant but there could be other compounds yet unknown in the diet as well.
* Recommendations for testing animals have essentially not changed. There is no blood test available for Aminopterin. Pets that have eaten the recalled food whether showing signs of illness (lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, etc) or asymptomatic should be seen by their veterinarian and have a complete blood count, biochemistry panel and urinalysis performed. Additional testing may include assessment for significant proteinuria, urine culture, imaging, etc.
* Treatment recommendations have not changed. According to Dr. Richard E Goldstein DVM DACVIM DECVIM-CA, Associate Professor of Medicine at Cornell University, azotemic pets should be treated with fluids to promote hydration, and diuresis in order to dissolve and flush out crystals from the tubules. Aminopterin produces crystals within the renal tubules that are most soluble in an acidic urine pH thus a target urine pH above 7 (achieved with fluid therapy and alkalinizing agents including sodium bicarbonate) might be beneficial in managing these patients. Several medications such as antioxidants and folic acid may be administered but their true beneficial affects are unproven when given long after the initial exposure to the toxin.
* Bone-marrow suppression is a concern with any folic acid inhibiting agent and a complete blood cell count should be monitored in these patients as well as renal function.
* If a patient with anuric or oliguric acute renal failure is not responding to appropriate therapy, veterinarians should promptly consider contacting a small animal internist with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (www.ACVIM.org) in their local community for case consultation and possible referral. Hemodialysis can be utilized for severely affected patients and is available at a limited number of veterinary teaching hospitals.
* Duration of treatment in patients which may have renal failure due to ingestion of the recalled food is unknown at this time and obviously will vary between patients. Long term effects on renal function are unknown but based on limited experience to date, at least partial renal recovery is anticipated. Patients succumbing to illness should be necropsied and tissues saved in formalin for histopathology to determine cause of death.
* Samples for histopathology can be submitted to The Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic laboratory (www.vdpam.iastate.edu) or The Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) at Cornell University (www.diag.center.vetcornell.edu).
* Samples of the recalled food should be held for possible analysis. Opened food should be disposed of so there is no chance of further consumption. Pet owners can contact the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Consumer Complaint Coordinator at: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.
* The FDA has provided the following case definition for field
investigation/cases: veterinary-documented renal failure, necropsy results if animal died, food consumed within 1 week of death (illness), and intact, unopened cans of the food. If veterinarians suspect that a case meets this general case definition, FDA has requested that you contact them at the following e-mail address: [email protected]
* Please continue to advise that your clients consult www.menufoods.com/recall for a list of the recalled food. They should stop feeding the food immediately.
* Also consult www.avma.org for the most up-to-date information.
ACVIM is the national certifying organization for veterinary specialists in large and small animal internal medicine, cardiology, neurology and oncology. Established in 1973, ACVIM's purpose is to advance the knowledge of animal health and diseases, and to foster the continued development of specialty veterinary care. To find an ACVIM Specialist in your area, please visit www.ACVIM.org.
Prepared by Sandy Willis DVM DACVIM
ACVIM Communications Committee Chair
www.ACVIM.org
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