Clarity on the cause of the latest spate of renal-failure cases in dogs is expected before the end of the week, according to the South African Veterinary Association (Sava) and pet-food manufacturer Royal Canin South Africa.
In the meantime, Royal Canin has decided to suspend all sales of Vets Choice pet food, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition has released a warning to cat owners regarding some of its dry food.
In a joint statement to all vets around the country, Sava president Gerhard Steenkamp and Royal Canin South Africa’s MD, Gregory Watine, said there have been 19 confirmed cases in the past few days — in Johannesburg and Cape Town — of dogs presenting with acute renal failure.
”Although at this stage the cause is not known, it appears that all the dogs were being fed Vets Choice pet food.”
In the interests of patients and pending tests being conducted on Vets Choice products, Royal Canin has decided to suspend all sales of Vets Choice with immediate effect.
Vets have been requested to advise clients to cease feeding Vets Choice products to their pets until further notice.
”This is a precautionary measure and a further announcement on this issue will be sent to you within 24 hours,” they said.
Meanwhile, News24 reported earlier on Thursday that Hill’s Pet Nutrition had warned cat owners not to use any of its Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food, which the company said should be returned for a replacement or a refund.
The product was recalled in the United States after reportedly hundreds of cats died from renal failure after eating contaminated food.
The scale of the problem in South Africa is not known. According to Steenkamp, the recall of the nutrition locally is a precautionary measure, as it has not appeared to affect cats locally.
Recently, Woolworths had to recall all of its dry dog and cat food due to contamination of certain products.
In another statement, the National Council of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) reacted with ”sadness” to the news that the cat and dog food was being recalled due to possible contamination.
”In our opinion, it is a responsible, caring and transparent move by the company to issue this statement and to take the step of recalling their products, pending tests,” NSPCA spokesperson Christine Kuch said.
”For the pets affected, we hope that the outcome will be a full recovery. To their owners and to owners worried about their pets, we feel deeply.”
Tragic and far-reaching as this news might be, the NSPCA emphasised that ”no malicious intent was involved”.
”This is a tragic occurrence. Sadly, there have been instances of contamination of human food and it is in this context that the NSPCA places this recent issue of contaminated pet food. In terms of regulations pertaining to pet foods, standards are high and requirements are stringent,” said Kuch. — Sapa