CONTAMINATED PET FOOD AFFECTED 39,000 CATS AND DOGS NATIONWIDE, REPORT SAYS

April 9, 2007

According to the latest reports released Monday by one of the nation's largest chains of veterinary hospitals, nearly 39,000 cats and dogs were sickened or killed nationwide following the recent reports of pet food-contamination with an industrial chemical.

The data, which was released by Banfield, The Pet Hospital, was reportedly compiled from records collected by its more than 615 veterinary hospitals. The report concluded that three out of every 10,000 cats and dogs that consumed the pet food contaminated with melamine developed kidney failure.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are an estimated 60 million dogs and 70 million cats in the United States.

Also, there was a sudden rise in the number of pets visiting the hospital as the hospital chain claims it saw 1 million dogs and cats during the three months when more than 100 brands of now-recalled contaminated pet food were sold.

AP reports that nearly 284 extra cases of kidney failure cases were reported among cats during that period, which is a 30 percent increase.

Hospital experts also added that the high degrees of contamination were found in cats than dogs. Until now, at least six pet food companies have recalled products made with imported Chinese wheat gluten tainted with the chemical. The recall involved about 1 percent of the overall U.S. pet food supply.

The Web Site petconnection.com also added on Monday that it had received reports of 3,598 pet deaths, including both dogs and cats. However, the site has warned that the numbers were unconfirmed.