Pet-Food Scare: Vet Answers Your Questions

ByABC News
March 21, 2007, 9:04 AM

March 21, 2007 — -- With at least 10 dogs dead and a massive recall of pet food, pet owners are worried and brimming with questions.

ABC News asked veterinarian Ann E. Hohenhaus, the chairman of the department of medicine at the Animal Medical Center in New York, to answer your questions about what to look for and what you can do for your pet right now.

Question: Now that the recall has started, what should I do?

Check your pantry for any of the recalled foods. If it appears your pet may have eaten some of the recalled foods, your pet should be evaluated by a veterinarian. The blood and urine tests to determine whether a pet is in renal failure are readily available, take 24 hours or less to get results, and have no side effects for the pet. The list of recalled foods may be found at www.menufoods.com.

Question: What should I be looking for in my pets? How will I know if they've been affected by tainted dog food or if they're just a little sick? When should I take them to the vet?

1. If your pet is normal and has not eaten any of the recalled foods, you should not worry.
2. If your pet has eaten a brand of food that has been recalled, but is acting normally, you can catch a urine sample and take it to your veterinarian for testing. A concentrated urine sample indicates the kidneys are fine. A diluted urine sample indicates a blood test should be performed to determine whether there is kidney failure.
3. If your pet is sick and has eaten the recalled foods, you should take him/her to your veterinarian where blood and urine tests will be performed and a determination will be made on whether hospitalization is required.

Question: What are the symptoms of kidney failure?

Decreased appetite, lethargy, vomiting, maybe diarrhea. Increased water consumption, increased or decreased urine production. In cats that use a litter box, you may notice a need to change the box more often than usual. Dogs may ask to go outside more often, or the well-housebroken dog may have accidents.