Poop City

There but for the grace of god ...

The Voice has a sad story about "Steven," a 62-year-old former stock broker turned cat hoarder. His wife is in a nursing home, and he began taking in cats seven years ago, to look after and keep him company.

Now Steven has 35 cats, as the ASPCA discovered when it dispatched its chief "hoarding investigator," Allison Cordona, to his Washington Heights apartment in response to complaints about the smell.

In 2005 the ASPCA, as part of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, helped the city get thousands of dollars in grant money to launch an anti-hoarding program. Administered by the city's Department of Health, the pilot project pairs Cardona with a social worker who hooks up troubled hoarders with medical care, food stamps, and other services. Cardona, meanwhile, deals with the animals - first, spaying and neutering them; and then, trying to place them in adopted homes.

Before Cordona arrived, Steven said no one else had entered his apartment in five years. The cats had taken over, reducing furnishings to shreds, filling the place with hair and dust. I am eating as I write this, so I won't mention the litter boxes.

Unless animals are being abused, the ASPCA can not seize them - though at least one of Steven's cats looked malnourished, according to the story. Cordona eventually persuaded Steven to relinquish 32 cats, who will be spayed and neutered as necessary, then offered for adoption. Steven decided to keep three for himself.

"They're smarter than a lot of people," he said, "and they never, ever disappoint."

Amen to that.

Photo: Buster, Pig, Isadore and Beans. (Not pictured: Mookie and Zoe.)

Park pellets may be toxic

Rubber pellets underneath acres of artificial turf being installed in city parks could be unsafe, according to academics who have studied the synthetic stuff.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle reports:

Preliminary testing indicated the rubber pellets, made from recycled tires, contain high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that exceed levels deemed safe by the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, according to City College psychology professor William Crain. He conducted the study with chemists from City College and Rutgers University.

Crain said the city should stop using synthetic turf, already installed on 70 fields, including Cadman Plaza, until testing can be done to ensure that the chemicals don’t absorb into the skin or dissolve when ingested by children, who tend to put their hands in their mouths.

City Parks and Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe has, not surprisingly, defended his department's widespread use of the turf, citing industry studies and acceptance of the turf by sports teams.

"Of course, asbestos and PCBs were also widely used for decades before both substances were banned because of later studies that exposed their health risks," the Eagle reports.

While the story is primarily about potential dangers to people, especially children, it seems pet parents should take notice as well. Like human kids, dogs will put almost anything in their mouths that will fit.

Thanks to Brooklyn Heights Blog for making the pet connection.

Photo: Brooklyn Heights Blog

98.7 percent of food not inspected

Straining to keep up with market globalization, the Food and Drug Administration inspects just 1.3 percent of imported foods, the AP reports.

And much of that 1.3 percent is contaminated.

Consider this list of Chinese products detained by the FDA just in the last month: frozen catfish tainted with illegal veterinary drugs, fresh ginger polluted with pesticides, melon seeds contaminated with a cancer-causing toxin and filthy dried dates.

Ew.

The remaining 98.7 of food imported into the United States is not inspected at all. Instead, it goes straight to the market. Imports now account for 13 percent of food consumed in America annually.

Even foods that are considered "safe" can contain hidden contaminants. If the wheat gluten now suspected to be responsible for pet sicknesses and deaths across the U.S. had been inspected, it would not have been tested for melamine, because melamine isn't (or wasn't) considered "toxic."

Photo: hober via Flickr

Ban "tethering," not pit bulls

District 22 Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) was already causing a stir with his proposed ban on pit bulls, and understandably so. But opposition to his latest proposed pet legislation - restrictions on outdoor "tethering" - is as hard to parse as the proposal itself.

Under Vallone's proposal, Newsday reports, pet guardians who leave a dog tied outside for more than three hours during a 12-hour period would be subject to a warning, followed by a $250 fine for a second offense. Vallone is also considering a ban on outdoor "tethering" between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

What could be wrong with that? Plenty, say some. According to the Dog Federation of New York - which is organizing against both the pit bull ban and tethering regs - such restrictions would punish "responsible" caretakers, including poor and minority pet parents.

Maybe I'm missing something, but what responsible pet guardian of any income level or background would leave his or her dog chained up for more than three hours in a day - much less leave a dog chained outside overnight? Considering just two very recent cases of dogs tied or caged outside and left to freeze or starve to death, it's high time for an anti-"tethering" law.

That said, suspicion of Vallone's motivation is warranted. Though he calls himself an "animal rights activist" and "animal lover," his record doesn't completely bear that out.

In addition to his maliciously ignorant assault on an entire breed of dog, Vallone hasn't always come to the aid of animals - even domestic animals - when presented the opportunity to do so. The councilman scored 60 out of 100 on the latest scorecard from the League of Humane Voters of New York City. Though certainly not the worst on the council - Speaker Christine Quinn rates a shameful zero - Vallone has yet to get behind what is possibly the LOHV's highest local legislative priority: the Pets in Housing Bill, which would save animals' lives by ensuring that no-pet lease clauses, once waived, can not be reinstated during a tenant's residency.

Backing such a rule would seem a no-brainer for someone who calls himself an "animal lover," much less an "activist," but the fact that Vallone is not a sponsor of the languishing Pets in Housing law casts doubt on the purity of his intentions.

No more so, however, than the opposition by a group of "caring" pet "owners" to another law that would dramatically improve, not to mention save, the lives of countless dogs, shackled all day every day, who can only watch in longing as the world passes them by.

Photo: UnchainYourDog.org

Pig ears recalled. Seriously.

If your give your dog pig ear treats (and who doesn't?), you'll want to read this, c/o HOWL911:

The FDA announced March 23, 2007 a recall of pig ears (as dog chews and treats) under the brand name Petrapport due to reports of Salmonella contamination, an organism that can cause serious infections in dogs, and, if there is cross   contamination, young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Salmonella can potentially be transferred to people handling these dog treats. The FDA advisory contains lot numbers as well as the signs and symptoms of Salmonella poisoning in both dogs and humans.

Here is the advisory.

The recall is unrelated to Menu Foods.

Signs of exposure to aminopterin

Many readers are coming to this site searching for symptoms of poisoning. Effects of aminopterin ingestion are listed here (be sure to follow the links to vetcetera as well). One of the effects - renal (kidney) failure - has been the commonly reported cause of illness and death attributed to Menu Foods products. Symptoms of renal failure, care of the Feline CRF Information Center, include:

• Excessive urination
• Increased thirst
• Nausea and gagging
• Licking lips
• Grinding or cracking sound in jaw
• Vomiting (both clear/foamy liquid and food)
• Drooling
• Dehydration
• Hunching over the water bowl
• Stomach irritation (uremic gastritis)
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Muscle wasting
• Emaciation
• Poor hair coat
• Halitosis (ammonia smell)
• Lethargy
• Sensitivity to sound
• Eating litter
• Weakness
• Depression
• Oral ulcers
• Detached retinae
• Convulsion, low temperature, coma (end-stage)

The Feline CRF site also has a link to specific info on acute (as opposed to chronic) renal failure.

In dogs, symptoms of chronic renal failure can include:

• Increased thirst and urine volume
• Weight loss
• Weakness and exercise intolerance
• Tendency to bleed or bruise easily

Acute renal failure in dogs may present through:

• Dehydration (To test for this, gently pull the skin away from your dog's middle. If the skin does not immediately spring back, the dog may be dehydrated.)
• Stiff-legged gait and arched back (a sign of painful kidneys)
• Little or no urine production

If you think your cat or dog may have eaten any of the foods on the recall list - or any "cuts and gravy" style product from Menu Foods - you may want to have blood and urine work done even if no symptoms are present.

Graphic: Feline CRF Information Center

About aminopterin

Aminopterin is a "folic acid antagonist." It was used to induce abortions in the 1950s, causing deformities in surviving fetuses. It has long been used as a treatment for leukemia, with varying results due to its volatile toxicity. It is classified as an "Extremely Hazardous Substance" by the federal government.

It is also used in rat poison, though according to a government profile, aminopterin is not "registered" as a rodenticide in the United States.

Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to aminopterin may include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, stomatitis (inflammation of the oral mucosa), pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx), erythematous rashes (red rashes on the skin), hyperpigmentation (abnormally increased pigmentation), chills, fever, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and renal failure (especially in high doses).

UPDATE: More on aminopterin from vetcetera.
UPDATE 3/24: Technical info on how aminopterin may present in dogs and cats, again from vetcetera.

BREAKING: Rat poison suspected

ABC says rat poison is the suspected Menu Foods contaminant.

March 23, 2007— ABC News has learned that investigators have determined that a rodent killing chemical is the toxin in the tainted pet food that has killed several animals.

A source close to the investigation tells ABC News that the rodenticide, which the source says is illegal to use in the U.S., was on wheat that was imported from China and used by Menu Foods in nearly 100 brands of dog and cat food.

A news conference is scheduled for this afternoon by experts in Albany, New York where scientists at the state's Food Laboratory made the discovery a week after a massive recall of 60 million cans and pouches was issued.

The chemical is aminopterin.

What investigators can't say so far is whether this is the only contaminant in all of the recalled food.

There is some good news according to the source. Knowing the chemical should aid veterinarians who are treating animals that have been sickened by the pet food.

The chemical is used in the United States for, of all things, a cancer drug, according to the source.

Day Eight

- With no word yet on the cause and an unofficial death toll nearing the 1000 mark, Animal Medical Center vet Cathy Langston tells ABC News she has "already heard about 200 cases" of Menu Foods-related illness, and says there "are probably going to be thousands." It is unclear if she was referring to cases nationwide, or those in New York City alone.

- Neil Shaw, chief medical officer for NYC Veterinary Specialists & Cancer Treatment Center in Manhattan, says vets are seeing cases of chronic kidney failure in addition to acute onset. Yet some vets are reportedly telling pet parents not to be concerned unless their animals develop symptoms - even if they ate food subject to the recall. Having lost two cats to renal failure myself, I would not only ignore this advice, but end my relationship with any vet who offered it. Testing blood and urine is easy. Watching your buddy die slowly is hard.

- Newsweek reports that FEMA - er, the FDA - only inspects pet food plants on a "for-cause" basis - that is, when it's too late.  Still, claims industry flack Duane Ekedahl: "Pet foods are the highest regulated product you'll find in the grocery store." Let's hope not. Says Ann Martin, author of three pet health books: "It's wide open. As far as ingredients go, there is no regulation." Which would explain the "road kill, zoo animal carcasses and fecal matter" Martin says is found in some brands. Luckily, according to Newsweek, this whole recall business has only affected a "small number of families."

- The Newsweek story also points out that the suspect Menu Foods plant, in Kansas, is still open. The company says safety checks are being performed "around the clock," but if they don't know what they're looking for, how can they look for it?

- There is still doubt as to how Menu Foods became aware of the contamination. The FDA has said it was revealed through routine taste testing, but it has been widely reported that Menu Foods was alerted to the problem by consumer complaints. If the FDA version is correct, does that mean Menu released the food into the market before they tested it? Or did they not test until their customers' pets started dying?

- California chain Pet Food Express has yanked all Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet and Nutro foods from its stores' shelves, and is selling other Menu products "only if a client is fully aware of the recall and the potential risk posed by feeding a product made by Menu Foods." Despite assurances from the company, PFE says, "we cannot and do not vouch that they are safe." PFE has posted a useful list of food brands, showing what is and isn't manufactured by Menu. Did you know Newman's Own is a Menu product?

In other recall news:
- A victim's parent questions the recall list. [BARC]
- Plaintiffs wanted for class-action suit. [Progressive Law Group]

Photo: ilun, via Flickr

Menu Foods has a heart, and it goes out to you

After almost a week of unreturned phone calls and refusals to comment, not to mention over 500 suspected deaths (vs. 16 "official" ones), Menu Foods is talking to the media.

Paul Henderson, CEO and president, spoke to the Associated Press:

"This is a puzzling and troubling experience for everybody within this organization," Henderson said in an interview from company headquarters in Streetsville, Ontario. "It is extremely disheartening that we haven't been able to find the causative agent."

"Our hearts go out to all of the pet owners across Canada, the United States and Mexico for any losses they experience and certainly for the worry this incident may be causing," Henderson said.

It's comforting that Menu Foods has finally opened up to us, since any incidental losses we have experienced may be causing us to worry and all. But are the puzzled and troubled folks within the organization also talking to veterinarians?

From vetcetera:

...[W]hile it is nice to know that Menu’s in-house testing revealed a mortality rate possibly as high as 20 percent, what the veterinary community really needs to know are the morbidity data. Of the animals that did not die: did they get sick? If so, what symptoms did they exhibit? How were they treated and what proved effective in their recovery? What tests should veterinarians be running? Should we be sending samples from deceased animals for pathology? If so, to which labs and what samples do they need?

Presumably Menu will require some sort of proof before paying out on claims of pet owners whose pets have died after eating Menu-produced food. Yet Menu hasn’t indicated what sorts of samples veterinarians should be collecting. Whole blood? Serum? Kidney biopsies? (In formalin or not?) These details could prove crucial down the road.

Henderson also offered an explanation as to why there was a delay between the first reported cases and the recall. According to him, two of the sick animals lived outdoors and therefore may have been exposed to other contaminants. This is a pitifully weak excuse on several counts, since for one thing the FDA time line - which in and of itself is questionable - says it took six consumer complaints to get the ball rolling. So what about the other four, Paul?

Meanwhile, in its second cautious press release since the recall, entitled "ASPCA Continues to Respond to Concerns on Nationwide Pet Food Recall," the ASPCA says vets at its Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital "have today started to see a few cases" of food related illness. Guess everyone's going to Animal Medical Center, where since Saturday they've seen 143 animals who may have been sickened by contaminated food, along with 10 definites, one of whom died.

Taking a step back, Denise Flaim and Itchmo offer good advice on food, love and loss.

In other recall news:
- Itchmo has a printable list of recalled foods. [Itchmo]
- Trader Joe's is pulling food, recalled or not. [Trader Joe's]
- The lawsuits begin. [NYP]