SEQUIM – Blue was drowsy, and “then she started drooling, really bad,” said her owner, Janice Littlefield.
Last Thursday, the 12-year-old tabby cat’s condition worsened; she wouldn’t eat but drank much more water than normal.
Littlefield took Blue to Greywolf Veterinary Hospital in Sequim, where veterinarian Maya Bewig diagnosed acute renal failure.
The cat’s kidneys stopped working, Bewig told Littlefield, probably because she’d eaten Nutro Natural Choice and Special Kitty brand foods.
Those cuts-and-gravy-style products were among those recalled March 16 by Menu Foods, one of North America’s largest manufacturers of pet food.
Forty other kinds of pet food packaged between Dec. 3, 2006, and March 6, 2007, were also recalled.
Menu Foods says 16 pets – 15 cats and one dog – have died, but a veterinarians’ information service said Tuesday that 104 animals have died out of 471 reported cases of pet kidney failure.
Blue, who was named for her azure eyes, came home Tuesday, and it looks like she will recover, Littlefield said.
She’s still on three medications and a special food formula from the vet.
The cost of her care for the past five days: $1,173.
And Blue will need to go back in for more hydration, antibiotic injections and checkups, Littlefield said.
She added that she will seek relief from Menu Foods, which notes on its Web site, www.MenuFoods.com/recall, that it will “take responsibility” for such bills.
“Menu has engaged a professional firm to manage your concerns and is currently contacting concerned pet owners who have reached our call center,” the company’s “frequently asked questions” Web page reads.
“Please keep copies of all your vet records and receipts for pet food purchases as well as vet bills.”
