PET FOOD FATALITIES, PETS - USA, CANADA, MEXICO (02): AMINOPTERIN
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A ProMED-mail post
< http://www.promedmail.org> ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
< http://www.isid.org> [1]
Date: 24 Mar 2007
From: ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org> Source: AVMA [edited]
< http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/veterinarian_info_acvim.asp > Menu Foods pet food recall
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AMERICAN COLLEGE OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE (ACVIM) <
http:// www.acvim.org>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 24 Mar 2007
PET FOOD RECALL: UPDATED INFORMATION FOR VETERINARIANS
In response to the recent national pet food recall, the American
College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) has collected the
following information for veterinarians in regards to the treatment
of animals that have ingested the recalled food.
* On Fri 23 Mar 2007 a press release from the New York State
Department of Agriculture and Markets
< http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/release> stated that the New York State
Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker and Cornell University's
College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Donald F. Smith announced that
scientists at the New York State Food Laboratory identified
Aminopterin as a toxin present in cat food samples from Menu Foods,
the manufacturer of the many brands of dog and cat food that are
currently the subject of a nationwide recall.
* The Food Laboratory received the pet food samples from a
toxicologist at the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center at
Cornell University, where testing has been underway to try to
identify the cause of kidney failure in dogs and cats that consumed
the recalled brands of pet food. At Cornell's request, the Food
Laboratory tested the samples for poisons and toxins, and identified
Aminopterin in the pet food samples at a level of at least 40 parts
per million.
* Aminopterin is a folic acid inhibitor found in some rodenticides
available outside the USA. It is not available in the US as a
rodenticide. Aminopterin is a 4-amino analog of folic acid. It was
originally used as an antineoplastic agent in the late 1940's but has
been superseded by methotrexate, a related but less toxic folic acid
analog. At high doses, methotrexate results in acute renal failure
and crystalluria due to deposition of 7-hydroxymethotrexate in the
renal tubules. Aminopterin toxicity is thought to be similar and dose
dependent.
* These findings and any relationship to recent pet deaths have not
been confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration. An announcement
from the FDA is forthcoming. We need to be cautious, as the finding
of Aminopterin is significant, but there could be other compounds yet
unknown in the diet as well.
* Recommendations for testing animals have essentially not changed.
There is no blood test available for Aminopterin. Pets that have
eaten the recalled food whether showing signs of illness (lethargy,
vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, etc.) or asymptomatic should be seen by
their veterinarian and have a complete blood count, biochemistry
panel and urinalysis performed. Additional testing may include
assessment for significant proteinuria, urine culture, imaging, etc.
* Treatment recommendations have not changed. According to Dr.
Richard E. Goldstein DVM DACVIM DECVIM-CA, Associate Professor of
Medicine at Cornell University, azotemic pets should be treated with
fluids to promote hydration, and diuresis in order to dissolve and
flush out crystals from the tubules. Aminopterin produces crystals
within the renal tubules that are most soluble in an alkaline urine
pH thus a target urine pH above 7 (achieved with fluid therapy and
alkalinizing agents including sodium bicarbonate) might be beneficial
in managing these patients. Several medications such as antioxidants
and folic acid may be administered, but their true beneficial affects
are unproven when given long after the initial exposure to the toxin.
* Bone-marrow suppression is a concern with any folic acid inhibiting
agent, and a complete blood cell count should be monitored in these
patients as well as renal function.
* If a patient with anuric or oliguric acute renal failure is not
responding to appropriate therapy, veterinarians should promptly
consider contacting a small animal internist with the American
College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
< http://www.ACVIM.org> in
their local community for case consultation and possible referral.
Hemodialysis can be utilized for severely affected patients and is
available at a limited number of veterinary teaching hospitals.
* Duration of treatment in patients which may have renal failure due
to ingestion of the recalled food is unknown at this time and
obviously will vary between patients. Long term effects on renal
function are unknown but based on limited experience to date, at
least partial renal recovery is anticipated. Patients succumbing to
illness should be necropsied and tissues saved in formalin for
histopathology to determine cause of death.
* Samples for histopathology can be submitted to The Iowa State
University Veterinary Diagnostic laboratory <
http:// www.vdpam.iastate.edu>
or The Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) at Cornell University
< http://www.diag.center.vetcornell.edu>.
* Samples of the recalled food should be held for possible analysis.
Opened food should be disposed of so there is no chance of further
consumption. Pet owners can contact the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) Consumer Complaint Coordinator at:
< http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html>.
* The FDA has provided the following case definition for field
investigation/cases: veterinary-documented renal failure, necropsy
results if animal died, food consumed within one week of death
(illness), and intact, unopened cans of the food. If veterinarians
suspect that a case meets this general case definition, FDA has
requested that you contact them at the following e-mail address:
<
www.emergency.operations@fda.hhs.gov>.
* Please continue to advise that your clients consult
< http://www.menufoods.com/recall> for a list of the recalled food.
They should stop feeding the food immediately.
* Also consult
< http://www.avma.org> for the most up-to-date information.
[Prepared by Sandy Willis DVM DACVIM ACVIM Communications Committee
Chair
< http://www.ACVIM.org>]
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