AVMA, AAVLD spearhead national survey to gather DVM data on pet food recall

National Report - 4/13/07 - A national survey to gauge the impact of contaminated pet food following the massive recall was launched late yesterday.

The survey was undertaken through a collaborative agreement by the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and the Food and Drug Administration.

The groups urge veterinarians to complete the online survey if they suspect a patient consumed tainted pet food. The survey is located at www.aavld.org.

Data will be used to define what constitutes a confirmed case of food-induced kidney toxicity, identify common elements among the cases and then establish a clearer understanding and description of the illness, AVMA reports.

The survey seeks information about pet-food brands, lot numbers, speed of illness following consumption, symptoms of the sick or deceased animal and chemical markers.

Pathologists through AAVLD will conduct further inquiries following the tabulation of completed surveys, officials add.

See DVM Newsmagazine's April and May issues for comphrehensive coverage of the pet-food recall.