Pet Deaths Blamed on Rat Poison Banned in U.S.

Susy Owen

Attorney

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To the horror of pet owners in the United States, Canada and South America, their dogs and cats are being poisoned by their pet food. The result of ingesting the tainted food is death and/or kidney failure with a less then uplifting prognoses.

A chemical by the name of aminopterin, was found in samples of the recalled pet foods that came from the manufacturer Menu Foods. ``We believe it is a significant finding,'' Donald Smith, dean of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, said at the news conference. ``It may not be the last finding.'' The problem with tainted pet food includeds a combined total of 95 brands.

The toxic chemical derives from folic acid. In humans aminopterin can cause cancer and birth defects, and in dogs and cats it can cause kidney damage and death. The chemical was developed in the 1950's as an anti-cancer agent. However, its use as a rodent poison is prohibited in the U.S.

The Food and Drug Administration has been focusing on wheat gluten in trying to detect the cause of the problem. They zeroed in on wheat gluten due to the fact that a new gluten supplier has been used beginning months ago. As to how the poison got into the food: It is not uncommon for grain shippers to put bait stations around the perimeter of their storage facilities. It is possible that is the cause. At this early stage there is a lot of questions left unanswered. Menu Foods is scheduled to hold a press conference regarding the tainted pet food at 4 p.m.