/ Source: WNCN-TV
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Here in North Carolina, the Veterinary Medical Association says there could be dozens of animals struggling because of the pet food recall.
Recall Info: | | |
So far, there are no confirmed cases, but 33 are under investigation.
NBC17 has what pet owners need to know thanks to one owner who lost his cat.
Specialists at North Carolina State University are waiting on pathology reports before leaping to any conclusions.
But what we do know is that Nicky the cat ate the recalled food, suddenly became sick and died. It left her owner, Pete Owens, heartsick.
"I miss her jumping on my lap at night and going to sleep on my chest," Owens said.
Owens saved the stray cat three months ago.
He was feeding her Iams wet food so she would gain weight. Then he noticed something unusual:
"I had noted Saturday morning that there was still food in her bowl," Owens said. "That was very unusual. She ate as much as my dogs did."
Nicky wouldn't eat, became lethargic and Owens rushed her to N.C. State's small animal hospital for emergency care.
"She had acute renal failure," Owens said. "I took in an otherwise healthy cat and came home with nothing."
His cat was put to sleep. Veterinarians at N.C. State linked the recalled product to the pet, but they have not concluded that the food killed her.
"Our preliminary results show it appears to be other diseases affecting her, but we won't know for sure until microscopic pathology," said Dr. Steve Marks.
