Banfield Treats Pets Affected by Menu Foods Recall

PORTLAND, Ore., March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Menu Foods, a manufacturer of canned and pouched wet dog and cat food, has issued a precautionary recall of food manufactured in two of its facilities between Dec. 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007.

The precautionary recall of food came after Menu Foods received reports of illnesses in cats and dogs in the U.S. that became ill with renal problems after eating the affected products. Menu Foods, a Canadian-based manufacturer is recalling all its "cuts and gravy" style dog and cat food.

As your family veterinarian, Banfield, The Pet Hospital, is closely monitoring all of our patients to ensure the health and safety of all the Pets we treat. We ask Pet owners to take the precautions necessary if Pets were eating the impacted foods. Please discontinue use of canned or pouched food if the product is on the Menu Food recall list (listed below).

It is important that Pet owners review the complete list on the Menu Foods website to view the most updated list of the specific diets that have been recalled. Pet owners with concerns or questions regarding the effective foods should contact Menu Foods at 1-866-463-6738 or online at http://www.menufoods.com/recall.

Pet owners who have Pets exhibiting signs of vomiting, lethargy or decreased appetite should contact their Banfield veterinarian immediately. Menu Foods is conducting an investigation to determine the source of the problem.

It has been reported by Menu foods that some of the Pets affected have developed kidney failure. Kidney failure is a serious condition for Pets and can either develop rapidly or over a long period of time. Pets that are in kidney failure can exhibit the following symptoms:

  * increased water intake
  * increased urination
  * decreased appetite
  * vomiting
  * lethargy

Pets exhibiting any or all these signs should see a Banfield veterinarian immediately. To locate the Banfield nearest to you, call 1-800-768-8858.

According to Menu Foods, no other Pet food, including dry or prescription foods, is affected by this recall at this time. Royal Canin diets are not impacted by this recall.

Pet owners can substitute the impacted foods with any dry food from the same brand or use alternative non-Menu Food canned or foil pouched wet foods such as:

  * Wet can/pouch cat food substitutes -- Friskies, Sheba, Fancy Feast, Pro
    Plan, Whiskas
  * Wet can/pouch dog food substitutes -- Mighty Dog cans, Pedigree, Alpo,
    Cesar, Pro Plan

Banfield is working closely with PetSmart to ensure Pet owners are provided with alternative foods for dog and cat Pet owners to purchase.

  Recalled Cat Products

  Americas Choice, Preferred Pets
  Authority
  Best Choice
  Companion
  Compliments
  Demoulas Market Basket
  Fine Feline Cat, Shep Dog
  Food Lion
  Foodtown
  Giant Companion
  Good n Meaty
  Hannaford
  Hill Country Fare
  Hy-Vee
  Iams
  Key Food
  Laura Lynn
  Li'l Red
  Loving Meals
  Main Choice
  Nutriplan
  Nutro Max Gourmet Classics
  Nutro Natural Choice
  Paws
  Presidents Choice
  Price Chopper
  Priority
  Save-A-Lot
  Schnucks
  Science Diet
  Sophistacat
  Special Kitty
  Springfield Pride
  Sprout
  Total Pet, My True Friend
  Wegmans
  Western Family
  White Rose
  Winn Dixie


  Recalled Dog Products

  Americas Choice, Preferred Pets
  Authority
  Award
  Best Choice
  Big Bet
  Big Red
  Bloom
  Bruiser
  Cadillac
  Companion
  Demoulas Market Basket
  Fine Feline Cat, Shep Dog
  Food Lion
  Giant Companion
  Great Choice
  Hannaford
  Hill Country Fare
  Hy-Vee
  Iams
  Key Food
  Laura Lynn
  Loving Meals
  Main Choice
  Mixables
  Nutriplan
  Nutro Max
  Nutro Natural Choice
  Nutro
  Ol'Roy
  Paws
  Pet Essentials
  Pet Pride
  Presidents Choice
  Price Chopper
  Priority
  Publix
  Roche Bros
  Save-A-Lot
  Schnucks
  Springsfield Pride
  Sprout
  Stater Bros
  Total Pet, My True Friend
  Western Family
  White Rose
  Winn Dixie
  Your Pet

Founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1955, Banfield has become the largest privately owned veterinary practice in the world, with more than 550 locations across the U.S., in the U.K. and in Mexico. More than 1000 veterinarians at Banfield are committed to giving Pets the same level of care that their human family members receive. Banfield hospitals offer a full-range of comprehensive, medical services, computerized medical records, Pet preventive care plans, extended operating hours, and is the only veterinary practice in the world with an extensive quality assurance program. Banfield, The Pet Hospital helps extend the lives of more than 3.5 million Pets each year.