[ SHOWGSD-L ] from the Pet Law list about recalled dog food
- From: Peggy <pmick12@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Showgsd-l <Showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2007 23:03:30 -0400
We now know the toxin (aminopterin) and its mode of action (it forms
crystals in the kidneys)
and there are things that can be done (if they are done soon enough) to
avoid permanent damage.
Time is of the essence. IV fluids and diuretics are used to dissolve and
rinse out the crystals from the kidneys.
There is more to it than that, but steroids and antibiotics might not be enough.
AFAIK there is good information out there now on the veterinary networks, but
the vet needs to plug into them to stay current. This has been a very rapidly
moving target.
The following is taken directly from the most recent AVMA update (3/24/07) at
http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/veterinarian_info_acvim.asp
*****( begin quote )*****
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agent in the late 1940's but has been superseded by methotrexate, a related but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 alkaline
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.
*****( end quote )*****
There's a lot more at the Web site, I didn't copy all of it.
They did not begin using wheat gluten from the new supplier until December 3.
It takes some time for manufactured products of this nature to make their way
through the wholesale and retail distribution systems. It seems that the first
complaints were received on February 20. By February 27 they had begun feeding
trials. On March 2 the first problems surfaced in those trials, and on March 6
they stopped using wheat gluten from the new source. The recall went into
effect March 15 or 16. Extensive testing was necessary before the contaminant
(or at least one of them) could be identified. That breakthrough came on March
23.
Menu Foods has offered to compensate anyone whose pet died as a result of eating
contaminated food. I don't know about vet bills for those that survived.
If the LD50 (dose at which half the animals die) for dogs is the same as for
rats, 2.5 mg/kg, a 20 kg (44 lb) dog would have to consume about two and a half
pounds of the contaminated food to reach the 50% fatality dose level. Cats with
their lesser body weight would reach a toxic level after consuming a smaller
quantity.
Dr. John Burchard
Tepe Gawra Salukis http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/
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