In case you are trying to invent a new ultra-secure pet door, an article in the December 2006 American Journal of Veterinary Research by Juliet Gionfriddo, et al, provides evidence that retinal scans can be used to identify individual dogs. The retina undergoes some change with age but it doesn't affect the basic pattern of blood vessels used in the scanning, so your secure pet door, activated by retinal scanning of your pet, will continue to work throughout your pet's life!

The American Veterinary Medical Association:



http://www.avma.org



has a great deal of information on the recall. At the present time it appears that the toxin involved is melamine rather than aminopterin. Treatment for affected pets is still supportive care for kidney disease. The University of Guelph has posted photos of crystals in urine associated with the toxicity which may be of some use to your veterinarian if your pet is suspected of having been exposed to the recalled food. There is a link to these photos on the AVMA site.

By now I think that anyone likely to read this site is aware of the Menu Foods pet food recall. If you suspect that your pet has been exposed to any of the foods on the list there is a very good summary of steps to take at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine web site:



http://www.acvim.org/uploadedFiles/ACVIM_Pet_Recall_Guidelines_March_23.pdf



A very important aspect of this site is information on how to report suspected cases to the FDA. Reporting cases will help in determining how many pets were affected and perhaps help prevent future incidents like this one.

2007
April (2)
March (3)