3-21-07 - More pet owners are coming forward around the nation and locally saying their dogs and cats have died or fallen ill from recalled pet food. KAKE News spoke to a Derby family Tuesday night that had three pets die within a month of each other.

The Powell family says a huge void has been left in their lives by the loss of their three dogs. The family owned them for ten years, but all three died within a four and a half week span earlier this year.

"Three of the foods on the list are the foods we feed them," says Janice Powell.

The government says Menu Foods tested suspect dog and cat food
on as many as 50 animals after it learned of the problems. Seven
test animals died. Menu Foods told the Food and Drug Administration
it received the first complaints of kidney failure and deaths among
cats and dogs on February 20th.

KAKE News spoke to some local veterinarians who say they are getting more phone calls these days from worried owners when their cat or dog shows any signs of sickness. But owners shouldn't be so quick to fault the food. Vets say if a dog gets in trash can it can show the same signs.

Until Menu Foods can identify a cause, there's not a lot of info for vets either. They can run the standard blood and urine tests but the possible problems could be anything.

The FDA's top veterinarian says an investigation is focusing on wheat gluten as the likely source of contamination in the wet-style food. But he says agency investigators are looking at other ingredients too.

The recall now covers dog food sold throughout North America
under 51 brands and cat food sold under 40 brands.

Customers can contact Menu Foods at 1-866-895-2708. A list of the recalled brands and lot numbers can be found at the company's website.