The study below was completed in China of a human incident with melamine. I am sure there are other markets for these products outside the USA that have had similar instances. If not, then why not? Were there findings by other countries regarding this product not allowing its sale?
Additionally, is there something in the treats that interact with other pet food to cause organ damage and failure?
While there may be no one particular component that screams "I am the problem" is the component dose related and has to be reduced when considering the ingestion of multiple treats at one time or in combination with the regular diet. Are there water impurities that will cause interaction causing toxicity? Minimum water quality should be fairly standard in the USA.
What to Look Out For (click here)
Melamine Toxicity and the Kidney (click here)
Anthony Kai-ching Hau, Tze Hoi Kwan and Philip Kam-tao Li
Author Affiliations: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong and Department of Medicine, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong
Prof. Philip Kam-tao Li, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Phone: 852-2632-3616; Fax: 852-2648-9864; E-mail: philipli@cuhk.edu.hk
The toxicity of melamine caught the attention of physicians as a result of a recent spate of renal injury after exposure to melamine-tainted milk in China. Melamine is an organic nitrogenous compound used in the production of plastics, dyes, fertilizers, and fabrics. In the current incident, melamine was added to milk to elevate falsely assay results for protein content. A variety of toxic effects from melamine, including nephrolithiasis, chronic kidney inflammation, and bladder carcinoma, all have been studied in animals. We review here the epidemiology, clinical features, and investigative findings concerning the only outbreak of melamine poisoning in humans. We also examine the renal toxicities of melamine and cyanuric acid—a by-product of its synthesis—and the associated risk factors on exposure and provide guidance on levels in foods....
Additionally, is there something in the treats that interact with other pet food to cause organ damage and failure?
While there may be no one particular component that screams "I am the problem" is the component dose related and has to be reduced when considering the ingestion of multiple treats at one time or in combination with the regular diet. Are there water impurities that will cause interaction causing toxicity? Minimum water quality should be fairly standard in the USA.
What to Look Out For (click here)
Watch your pet closely. Signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products are decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus), increased water consumption and/or increased urination.
Severe cases are diagnosed with pancreatitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and kidney failure or the resemblance of a rare kidney related illness called Fanconi syndrome. Although FDA has reports of more than 580 deaths, many pets have recovered....
Particular breeds? Particular age group? When I think of kidney function, of course, cats are very vulnerable to kidney disease, but, I also think of the age of the animal.
Particular breeds? Particular age group? When I think of kidney function, of course, cats are very vulnerable to kidney disease, but, I also think of the age of the animal.
The Food and Drug Administration has a mystery on its hands.(click here)
Thousands of dogs and at least 10 cats have become sick after eating various forms of jerky for pets over the past few years. Some 580 animals have died, the agency says. But it's not sure why.
Some of the cases have been diagnosed as "kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and a rare kidney disorder," the agency . Overall, a little less than two-thirds of the cases have been some kind of gastrointestinal illness. Nearly a third have "involved kidney and urinary systems."...
Then there is the issue of acquired vs genetic. Is there something in the genetics of the animals the predispose them to toxic susceptibility? Would any necropsy of the animals assist in determining how the animal died of organ failure. Certainly the organ itself would hold some clues.
Thousands of dogs and at least 10 cats have become sick after eating various forms of jerky for pets over the past few years. Some 580 animals have died, the agency says. But it's not sure why.
Some of the cases have been diagnosed as "kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and a rare kidney disorder," the agency . Overall, a little less than two-thirds of the cases have been some kind of gastrointestinal illness. Nearly a third have "involved kidney and urinary systems."...
Then there is the issue of acquired vs genetic. Is there something in the genetics of the animals the predispose them to toxic susceptibility? Would any necropsy of the animals assist in determining how the animal died of organ failure. Certainly the organ itself would hold some clues.
Melamine Toxicity and the Kidney (click here)Anthony Kai-ching Hau, Tze Hoi Kwan and Philip Kam-tao Li
Author Affiliations: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong and Department of Medicine, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong
Prof. Philip Kam-tao Li, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Phone: 852-2632-3616; Fax: 852-2648-9864; E-mail: philipli@cuhk.edu.hk
The toxicity of melamine caught the attention of physicians as a result of a recent spate of renal injury after exposure to melamine-tainted milk in China. Melamine is an organic nitrogenous compound used in the production of plastics, dyes, fertilizers, and fabrics. In the current incident, melamine was added to milk to elevate falsely assay results for protein content. A variety of toxic effects from melamine, including nephrolithiasis, chronic kidney inflammation, and bladder carcinoma, all have been studied in animals. We review here the epidemiology, clinical features, and investigative findings concerning the only outbreak of melamine poisoning in humans. We also examine the renal toxicities of melamine and cyanuric acid—a by-product of its synthesis—and the associated risk factors on exposure and provide guidance on levels in foods....
