May 03, 2007
UNL's Veterinary Diagnostic Center Offers Pet Food Analysis for Melamine
LINCOLN, Neb. — People concerned about the possible presence of melamine in their pet's food or who believe their dog or cat consumed contaminated pet food can get answers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Veterinary Diagnostic Center.
Pet owners who think their animal was sickened or killed by the food they ate should first have their cat or dog assessed by a local veterinarian for kidney problems, said Michael Carlson, UNL diagnostic toxicologist/analytical chemist.
If the animal is dead, it can be brought to UNL's Veterinary Diagnostic Center on East Campus for post-mortem evaluation. In addition, the food the animal ate should be on the FDA's recall list, Carlson said. A list of pet food can be found at Pet Food Recall.
Melamine may or may not be the cause of the recent widespread cat and dog food contamination and recall. The pet food caused kidney failure in cats and dogs. U.S. laws and regulations ban melamine from food and authorize the FDA to remove any food or feed contaminated with it from the marketplace, even if eating it did not cause animals to get sick or die.
"If the cat or dog did not have kidney disease or the food was not on the recall list, it is unlikely the problem is related to the contamination," Carlson said.
The diagnostic center will analyze the pet food using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy to determine if melamine is present. Analysis is being offered in cooperation with the UNL Water Science Laboratory.
Cost is $107 per pet food specimen. Animal deaths that may be investigated will receive an examination of kidneys for changes typical of toxin exposure but also detailed examination of all systems to rule out other diseases. Cost of animal examinations range from $50 to $100.
Pet food specimens should be sent in their original packaging. Include your name, address and telephone number and the manufacturer, brand, production code and lot number of the product.
Unopened containers of wet or dry food can be shipped directly to the laboratory. Contents of opened containers of wet food should be frozen and shipped to arrive frozen at the Veterinary Diagnostic Center. Send as much of the wet or dry specimen as possible.
If using UPS or FedEx, send to UNL Veterinary Diagnostic Center, Fair Street and East Campus Loop, Lincoln, NE 68583-0907, Lincoln, NE 68583-0907. If using the U.S. Postal Service, mail to UNL Veterinary Diagnostic Center, P.O. Box 830907, Lincoln, NE 68583-0907.
For more information, contact (402) 472-1434.
5/3/07-SK David Steffen - DVM - Ph.D.
Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences Professor (402) 472-1434
 
Michael Carlson - Ph.D.
Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Diagnostic Toxicologist/Analytical Chemist (402) 472-8459
Sandi Alswager Karstens IANR News and Photography (402) 472-3030
Department:
Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
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