Contaminated Cat Food

Cianciolo, R. E., K. Bischoff, et al. (2008). "Clinicopathologic, histologic, and toxicologic findings in 70 cats inadvertently exposed to pet food contaminated with melamine and cyanuric acid." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 233(5): 729-737.

In early 2007, reports of renal failure in cats and dogs fed a variety of commercial pet foods led to an investigation that revealed melamine and cyanuric acid both in the suspect foods and in the imported wheat gluten used in the manufacture of those foods. The discovery led to the largest cat and dog food recall in US history. This case series represents 70 cats from a single cattery inadvertently fed contaminated food. Clinical signs were identified in 43 cats and included inappetence, vomiting, polyuria, polydipsia, and lethargy. Azotemia was found in 38/68 cats tested 7-11 days after consumption of the contaminated food. One cat died and 13 were euthanized. Histologic examination of kidney samples from 13 cats revealed intratubular crystalluria, tubular necrosis with regeneration, and subcapsular perivascular inflammation. Toxicologic analyses revealed melamine and cyanuric acid in samples of cat food, vomitus, urine, and kidneys. Further evaluation of the survivors will allow assessment of any long-term effects associated with exposure to these 2 toxins.
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Related articles:
Dobson, R. L., S. Motlagh, et al. (2008). "Identification and Characterization of Toxicity of Contaminants in Pet Food Leading to an Outbreak of Renal Toxicity in Cats and Dogs." Toxicol Sci.
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Renal Failure Associated with Tainted Pet Food

Brown, C. A., K. S. Jeong, et al. (2007). "Outbreaks of renal failure associated with melamine and cyanuric acid in dogs and cats in 2004 and 2007." J Vet Diagn Invest 19(5): 525-31.

Contaminated pet food caused the death or illness of an unknown number of cats and dogs, most recently in 2007. Initial reports of the cause were confusing and contradictory, but over time, the toxicity was traced to food adulterated with melamine and cyanuric acid. This study from the University of Georgia evaluated histopathologic, toxicologic, and clinicopathologic changes in 16 animals (6 dogs and 10 cats) affected in outbreaks of pet food-associated renal failure in 2004 and 2007. All affected animals had evidence of uremia with anorexia, vomiting, lethargy, polyuria, azotemia and hyperphosphatemia. All animals either died or were euthanized due to severe renal failure. Lesions were found in the distal tubules of the kidneys of all animals at necropsy. Unique crystals were found in the distal tubules or collecting ducts of the kidneys in all animals. Renal tissue from all animals contained melamine and cyanuric acid. This study provides further evidence that melamine and cyanuric acid causes renal failure in cats and dogs.
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Related articles:
Puschner, B., R. H. Poppenga, et al. (2007). "Assessment of melamine and cyanuric acid toxicity in cats." J Vet Diagn Invest 19(6): 616-24.
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More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library