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Nine months after the industry-wide pet food recall, researchers have proven a link between the combination of melamine and cyanuric acid, chemicals found in tainted food, and feline kidney failure.
“The contaminants found in recalled food are causative agents seen in the outbreaks,” said Birgit Puschner, DVM, PhD, a board-certified toxicologist and co-author of the study which concludes the investigation of how these chemicals caused the fatalities. The research was published in the November issue of The Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, an official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), a group that tracked recall cases.
Puschner likens this investigation to other medical mysteries involving pet fatalities. “It’s one of the etiologies," she said, "in addition to anti-freeze and lily ingestion.”
The release of this research data should be considered during kidney failure diagnoses, Puschner said. Based on data obtained in feed studies, pathologists cannot say that any concentration of the chemicals is safe. “Even at the lowest levels," Puschner added, "it induced renal failure."
The recall, which dates back to March of this year, was sparked by the discovery of chemicals in pet foods that resulted in pet illness (and fatality for some). This complex situation generated about 100 lawsuits and much industry confusion. At the time, medical professionals were stumped because the chemicals by themselves were not known to be fatal. This study proves, however, that when combined, melamine and cyanuric acid — which are used in plastics — cause acute renal failure in cats, Puschner said.
Kimberly May, DVM, MS, DACVS, who tracked the recall issue closely for the American Veterinary Medical Association, said the study provides clarification on the chemical interaction that caused the problem. |
