Banfield Treats Pets Affected By Menu Foods Recall

(Tuesday, April 03, 2007) - During the past few weeks, a number of Pet food products were voluntarily recalled by companies due to the concern that they may contain the chemical Melamine, which was found in a shipment of wheat gluten from China. As the number of recalled products increase, Banfield, The Pet Hospital, encourages Pet owners to check the website for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a complete list of recalled foods (www.fda.gov).

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. During the last week, several other Pet food companies have also issued voluntary Pet food recalls because their products may also have contained Melamine. At this time, Hills Pet Nutrition has issued the only dry food recall for its Prescription Diet m/d DRY Feline.

As your family veterinarian, Banfield 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 necessary precautions if their Pets were eating the impacted foods. Please discontinue use of all Pet food products affected by this recall. A complete list of all recalled products can be found at www.fda.gov

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

All Pets who have eaten a Pet food product listed on the FDA's website should be examined by a veterinarian. Pet owners who have Pets exhibiting signs of vomiting, lethargy or decreased appetite should contact their Banfield veterinarian immediately. The FDA is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the source of the problem. At this time, it is still unclear if Melamine is the chemical agent responsible for making Pets ill.

It has been reported by the FDA and 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.

Pet owners who have questions regarding recalled foods should contact Pet food vendors directly.

*Menu Foods at 1-866-463-6738 or online at www.menufoods.com

*Hill's at 1-800-445-5777 or visit www.hillspet.com

*Purina at 1-800-218-5898 or www.purina.com

*Del Monte at 1-800-949-3799 www.delmonte.com

Banfield is working closely with PetSmart to ensure Pet owners are provided with alternative foods for dog and cat Pet owners to purchase. The PetSmart website (www.petsmart.com) also contains an updated list of all affected foods by this recall.

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.

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