Phones Ringing At Pet Clinics

Mar 22, 12:59 PM

Current Headlines: By OLIVIER UYTTEBROUCK Journal Staff Writer

Albuquerque veterinarians said Wednesday that worried pet owners have been calling clinics in droves this week about reports that contaminated pet food had caused some animal deaths.

Retailers said they pulled products off their shelves Friday and Saturday after a pet food maker recalled several brands throughout North America.

The recall affected an estimated 60 million cans and pouches of pet food sold under 95 brand names. Pet food maker Menu Foods last week recalled "cuts and gravy" style dog and cat food.

The recall has sparked concern among pet owners nationally.

"We're getting tons of calls about it," Albuquerque veterinarian Susan Dicks said. "We're certainly concerned about it."

Dicks said she treated one dog last week that verifiably had eaten food named by the recall. The animal later recovered, she said.

Dicks said she refers pet owners to the Web site of pet food maker Menu Foods.

It includes food sold under store brands carried by Wal-Mart, Kroger, Safeway and other large retailers, as well as labels such as Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba.

Dicks and a second Albuquerque veterinarian said they are unaware of any animals deaths resulting from the contaminated food. Veterinarians at several other clinics contacted Wednesday declined to comment or didn't return calls.

Donna Harrington of Rio Rancho said her 7-year-old schipperke died March 8 after eating two brands included in the recall, which she bought at a Rio Rancho pet supply store. Her dog, Sadie, died of kidney failure, she said.

Petco spokesman Don Cowan said the 850-store chain pulled products off shelves Friday. Chris Wilcox, spokeswoman for Albertsons grocery stores, said the company removed the recalled products Saturday.

The Associated Press contributed to

this report.

On the Web

For lists of the brands being

recalled, go to

www.menufoods.com/recall

(c) 2007 Albuquerque Journal. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.