Massive pet food recall

I'd overheard something about this at our pet food store a week or so ago, but had no idea it was this bad.

On Dec. 20, Diamond Pet Food, a Missouri company that sells its products internationally, voluntarily recalled 800,000 bags of pet food under several labels after an investigation. Based on lab tests, company officials believe that 1 to 3 percent of those bags contain dangerous amounts of aflatoxin, a poisonous byproduct of a fungus that grows on corn and other crops. When ingested in high amounts, aflatoxin causes potentially fatal liver disease. The recall included both cat and dog food, though dogs seem to be particularly susceptible.

"I'm hoping and praying that we got those bags back," said Mark Brinkmann, the company's chief operating officer.

But veterinarians at Cornell University Hospital for Animals, which has become a Northeast hub for dogs believed to be poisoned by the food, including Minnie, are worried. In the three weeks since the recall, veterinarians at the hospital in Ithaca have increased their estimate of dog fatalities so far to 100 nationwide from a handful.

Some pet owners may not have heard of the recall because it was announced just before the holidays. And aflatoxin poisoning does not always take effect quickly and can be mistaken for less serious illnesses, so they have adapted a human protein test to quickly detect the toxin. Veterinarians fear the number of fatalities could grow to several hundred in the coming months.

"I've never in my life seen anything like this," said Dr. Sharon Center, a professor of veterinary medicine at Cornell.

Here's a list of the brands that were recalled.