Animal Medical Hospital
Make an appointment - (814)234-0201


It is important to us at AMH that you have the most current information about pet health. We have established this web page to keep you informed about the latest developments concerning the recent pet food recalls. As many of you are aware, there was an apparent contamination of one or more ingredients used to make many different pet foods. The current belief is that the contaminant was in wheat gluten purchased from China during a specific time frame. Since the original recalls, contaminated rice protein concentrate has also become suspect. The contaminant in these products can cause kidney damage, gastrointestinal upset, and in some cases death. Symptoms of kidney failure include increased thirst and urination, decreased appetite, lethargy, and vomiting. If your pet has symptoms of renal failure, please make an appointment immediately. In cases where the toxicity is caught early and treated aggressively, pets have recovered.

A list of affected brands and links to specific lot and serial numbers and/or UPCs can be found at www.fda.gov and at www.menufoods.com. Certain pet food manufacturers that have also used potentially contaminated wheat and rice gluten have issued press releases concerning their products and their recalls. Their websites are below. Please check the lists carefully as they continue to grow. If you can confirm that you have fed a product whose serial or lot number or UPC is on the lists, save all unopened cans or pouches. Find any empty cans or pouches that may still be in your garbage and save them in plastic bags. Make an immediate appointment to have your pet examined and kidney function evaluated via laboratory testing.

www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html
www.hillspet.com
www.delmonte.com/petfoodrecall.html
http://us.iams.com/iams/global/Product_Recall.htm 
www.purina.com 
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/
http://www.royalcanin.us/
www.avma.org

At this time we do not know what, if any, costs of diagnostic testing or treatment will be reimbursed by the manufacturers. We recommend you save all receipts and product packaging and associated costs documented. We will cooperate fully in collecting any and all evidence that may be necessary in detecting any link between a pet's illness and this terrible incident.

Some of our clients have expressed an interest in using home-made diets during this time. The website www.balanceit.com offers custom pet food recipes to pet owners who would like to prepare their own pet food. Pet owners can choose a protein source, a carbohydrate source and then are provided a list of 400 recipes using the chosen ingredients, including options for low-carb and high protein versions.

Please feel free to call us, (814) 234-0201, if you have a question regarding the pet food recall. We will make every effort to have the most current information from reputable sources.