Does anyone know what to do if your pet has died because of this pet food?

Question

We had our cat euthanised March 7th because of renal failure. He was an indoor cat and healthy. He had just been to the vet for his annual in October and was fine. I have to talk to the vet tomorrow, but it was very sudden and probably too much of a coincidence. I have gotten a constant busy at the number Menu Foods provided. I feel sick just thinking about it.

Answer 1

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Renal failure is common in cats, especially older cats. In fact, cats can act normal and not appear sick until their renal function is about 25% of what it should be. A cat that appeared healthy in October may not have been. I don't know how one would prove or disprove whether the food you gave your cat contributed to his problem.

Even if a connection was made, I'm not sure there's much that will be done. Animals are, sadly, looked at as property by the law. Damages are usually considered the "value" of the animal in dollars and in some cases the animal's medical costs associated with the illness.

I do hope you are able to get some answers. I would be heartbroken not knowing.

Answer 2

I had my cat euthanized on March 12th also because of renal failure. My cat was only 4 years old and extremely healthy until 4 days before he died. I am so very sorry for your loss. I can say there is a group here on yahoo that is getting together for a class action lawsuit. It is a yahoo group called MenuFoodsClassAction. Please join us. I am totally heartbroken and outraged at Menu Foods. Not only because of the tainted food but because the food effected was between the times of December through March 6th. How long did they know about it before it was made public? I have been doing a lot of research on the web in respect to this and found that wheat gluten was a source of this. I havent been able to get through to the number either but did contact the FDA and read where somebody else on here contacted them too...Just on Yahoo alone there are dozens of animals dying of this within the past month or so..this is just yahoo.....I shudder to think of all the others too. Hugz to you and yours.

Answer 3

OMG! I just lost my little chihuahua on the 2nd of march, She became very ill and started having seizures. I tried everything but had to put her to sleep after 5 days of trying to get her better. I fed her one of those foods on the recall. The vet tested her renal function on the first day of her illness and it did not look like renal failure. Did this food cause any other symptoms? I had her cremated already , should i call my vet tomorrow? The vet even ask if something had changed in her diet. I am devastated if i fed her something that helped cause her death

Answer 4

No amount of compensation can ever mend your heartache, but for the shear principle, if this recall had effected one of my pets, I would be looking for an attorney interested in handling a Class Action law suit. I am not advocating this to anyone, just expressing what I personally would do.

I posted on Yahoo answers this recall as soon as it hit the news wire. The people who responded here have lost a total of 8 dogs/cats, not to mention the ones whose pet is sick and dying.

Personally, the time frame for your cat seems to fit in so I would check it out thoroughly. Keep all documentation from your vet if necessary.

Renal failure in pets is not that uncommon, but for most pets affected, it usually takes place over a period of time. With this tainted food previously healthy pets are close to death in a matter of days and even hours!

Answer 5

The only thing with this is that you can't prove that the food killed your cat. The only thing going on with that brand of food is that the wet(packaged or canned) cat food that is chicken was supposed to be bad. Some of it! This doesn't mean THIS killed your cat and its not something to sit around and worry about. I work at a farm store and we got an email today from Nutro, there have been no cases of an illness or dying animals, and this problem has been out for about two weeks.

Answer 6

There was a thing in the newspaper just in the last 2 days,of dogs and cats having kidney failure because of something that was put in the food.The types were in the foil pouches and cans.They are the expensive products at that.Iams and eukinoba (sorry about spelling).Go on the net and check into it.NBC new I think.There is a number there you can call I would start a law suit.

Answer 7

I would absolutely speak to your vet,and if it is indeed caused by the food you have a lawsuit brewing I betcha....However I would think that you would have to have a necropsy done in order to link his renal failure. I've read about this recall and it is a horrible thing - I truly hope no other animals fall ill due to this situation.

I am sorry for your loss.

Answer 8

Find their website and try to contact them that way. You could also find their address on a package and write to them. Keep a copy of any correspondence you send.

You may also contact the newsroom at the local TV station that aired the piece about that pet food. They may be able to help you. Have you talked to your vet? He or she may actually know something about how to contact these folks.

Answer 9

You probably don't have the packaging for the food anymore but if you can find a grocer's receipt to prove you bought the brand of food that was recalled it would probably help.

I'm sorry for your loss...you must feel so terrible.

Answer 10

first you have to prove what killed your cat....was it the food or something else(you need a vet to say it was/possible utopias)......then if it is the pet food and you can get a vet to confirm that i would sue the company....