Call 4 Action: Lab Test Finds Potentially Lethal Drug In Pet Food

POSTED: 4:57 pm EDT June 5, 2007
UPDATED: 5:10 pm EDT June 5, 2007

The following is a transcript of a report by reporter Aaron Saykin that first aired June 5, 2007, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.

A Texas laboratory has confirmed that traces of a human painkiller have been found in some pet food.

The generic version of Tylenol, acetaminophen, for humans can relieve a headache and lower a fever, but for pets, even a small dose can be fatal.

Even the healthiest of pets might be no match for what's in the tiny white pills.

"My first reaction is, 'My gosh, who did this? Who put this in?'" said Dr. Mike Hutchinson of Animal General in Cranberry. "Was this a disgruntled employee or was this something that got by the test?"

Traces of acetaminophen were detected in dog food that was tested by a Texas lab called Exper-Tox.

The lab would not name the type of food contaminated or the company that distributes it but said the company is not among the 150 others involved in the pet food recalls over the past three months.

"You have to wonder, if acetaminophen is going in there and this other problem that they had, you almost want to start cooking for the dog yourself," said pet owner Cindy Collins.

The equivalent of about seven 500-milligram caplets would be enough to kill a medium-sized dog.

Take away more than half of that for a smaller dog. But for a cat, only half a caplet could be a lethal dose.

"What happens in cats is it goes to the red blood cells and binds up their ability to carry oxygen, so they basically suffocate," said Hutchinson.

It could also cause liver failure in dogs and cats.

So, how could you tell if your pet were affected?

The symptoms include:

Vomiting

Lethargy

Trouble breathing

Bruised or brown-colored gums

Hutchinson said those symptoms could come out of nowhere, even for a healthy pet.

The lab said it made the discovery two to three weeks ago.