From the Concord (NH) Monitor:

By Joelle Farrell
March 23. 2007 8:00AM

The Merrimack County SPCA suspects tainted food resulted in the death of seven cats, four of whom had been recently adopted. Nationally, some 60 million cans and pouches of "cuts and gravy" style food have been recalled; the food is blamed for causing kidney failure, resulting in at least 16 pet deaths.

Veterinarians have been swamped with phone calls from worried pet owners since the recall was announced last weekend. The Animal Emergency Clinic in Manchester treated several cats for kidney failure last weekend, and some are still receiving intravenous fluids in the hospital, said Judith Leclerc, a veterinarian.

"I don't think we've seen all the repercussions yet," Leclerc said. "A lot of people in hindsight are saying, 'Wow. I treated three cats from the same house for kidney failure last month.' I think just now we're putting it together. We may never know the extent of it."

Three cats died at the SPCA in Concord after they refused to eat their food and became lethargic and depressed, said Hope Bourdeau, the kennel manager. Shelter workers suspected contaminated food after owners of four recently-adopted cats called to say their cats had died.

"We couldn't understand why young, healthy cats were sick and dying," she said.

The SPCA purged its food stocks Saturday, throwing away almost half its stores. Residents and pet food retailers donated money to help. The organization has asked that anyone wishing to help donate money rather than food since nearly 100 brands of cat and dog food have been recalled.


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By JOELLE FARRELL

Monitor staff


Oh, such nasty stuff. Those poor animals.................