By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Pet food recalls increased over the past weekend. With more foods pulled from the shelves, pet owners are becoming more concerned.
While area vets have not been overwhelmed with calls, they advise pet owners to continue to be cautious.
An announcement by the US Food and Drug Administration March 30 identified that melamine has been found in wheat gluten imported from China. This is the wheat gluten in the recalled pet food that caused illnesses and deaths.
"The pet food that we have manufactured after March 6 is safe and healthy," Paul K. Henderson, President and CEO, of Menu Foods said at a news conference on Friday.
Menu Foods brands of pet food were the first pet foods recalled.
Dr. Diane Williams of The Country Doctor veterinary services in Niles Township has had only two calls since the recall began. Only one of the animals had eaten what was suspected to be contaminated food.
"Mostly cats are being infected with kidney problems that are common in older cats anyway. Any suspicion of problems should merit a call to your vet," Williams said.
Town and Country Animal Clinic, Fifth Street Niles, reports no known cases locally. They suggest a good idea for all pet owners is to keep updated by the Internet.
"You need to keep watch of your pet for any change in behavior or any indication of that they may be experiencing any bladder problems. If you are not sure, call your vet," Dr. Ken Seifert's wife, Linda, said.
In the time since the first of the recalls made national headlines early in March, the cause of the problem has been determined to be wheat gluten allegedly from one company in China.
During the weekend, Wal-Mart pulled another 30-40 varieties of Alpo Prime Cuts from the shelves. Facts about the effected Purina products can be found in up-to-date press releases listed on its www.Purina.com website.
"Company is taking this voluntary action after learning today that wheat gluten containing melamine, a substance not approved for use in food, was provided to Purina by the same company that also supplied Menu Foods. The contamination occurred in a limited production quantity at only one of Purina's 17 pet food-manufacturing facilities," the latest release stated.
Not all Purina products are affected by the recalls. Purina points out that none of its dry foods have been contaminated.
"People ask and I say have no fear. None of our Purina Ralston Products contain wheat gluten. We are all good with all our PMI brand of foods, so feed away," Dave Zelmer, owner of Buchanan Feed Mill Inc. said.
Big Lots sells only the Rival brand of dog food in their Niles location. No recalls have been issued on that brand as of yet, according to assistant manager Rae Schultz.
Hills Prescription Diet Feline Dry food continues to be the only dry pet food affected by the recall.
Since the nationwide recall, pet food manufacturers have been giving regular updates to the public through their websites.
Reports now all identify the wheat gluten additive as the culprit.
The FDA number to call regarding the recalls is 1-866-895-2708.