UPDATE: Test results reveal high zinc levels in recalled food

UPDATE: At the request of CBS 6 News reporter Steve Flamisch, NYS Wildlife Pathologist Dr. Ward Stone agreed to test the suspect cat food and samples of the deceased cat's liver. The results, released on Thursday, showed zinc levels at 2,000 ppm in the food. According to Dr. Stone, that is high enough to kill at cat over time. However, tests on the cat's liver did not reveal exceedingly high zinc levels.

Dr. Stone says he will perform additional tests because the liver sample he received was very small and was sent in a solution he says could've disolved some of the minerals. Even if it is revealed that high zinc levels did not kill Karen Beshara's cat, Dr. Stone believes some kind of toxicity could be to blame. It may or may not be related to the food.

Dr. Stone did caution all pet owners who've used Nutro's recalled products to be cautious given the dangerously high zinc level he discovered in the food.

Original article:

A Saratoga County woman blames a pet food manufacturer for the death of her cat, and claims the store where she purchased the food failed to warn her about a voluntary recall.

Karen Beshara, of Moreau, said her one-and-a-half year-old Siamese named Simona first became sick in early July. The animal's decreased appetite, lethargy, and swollen abdomen led to veterinary hospitalization. The night before scheduled surgery, Simona died.

“I loved spending time with her,” said Katiya Beshara, 9. “ [After she died], I'd look around and I'd look for her, but I'd forget that she's not here.”

A few days later, Karen Beshara stopped at PetSmart to purchase more food for her surviving cats. She found the Nutro Max Cat shelf bare, with a sign notifying customers of a voluntary recall due to incorrect potassium and zinc levels.

Beshara said she believes the Nutro caused the toxicity which resulted in Simona's death. Further, she said another of her cats -- Sly -- recently tested positive for a dangerously high zinc level.

Doing her own investigative work, Beshara stumbled upon ConsumerAffairs.com -- an advocacy website that reports more than 900 complaints related to death or illness resulting from Nutro products. The website cites an anonymous source as claiming the Food and Drug Administration is investigating the company.

However, on Nutro's own website, the company claims it has received no consumer complaints.

"I was told that nothing is confirmed," Beshara said of a conversation with a Nutro customer service representative.

The mother of three is also angry at PetSmart, where she purchased the food. Though the company claims it notified all Pet Perks members of the voluntary recall, Beshara said she never received any calls or emails that her cats' food could be toxic.

A PetSmart spokeswoman told CBS 6 that all members should ensure their contact information is active, but Bershara insisted hers is up to date. As proof, she showed CBS 6 several emails she has received detailing PetSmart sales and special offers.

Do you believe your pet has become sick or died as a result of Nutro foods? If so, email sflamisch@wrgb.com.

FROM NUTRO PRODUCTS:

"Franklin, Tennessee (May 21, 2009) -- Today, Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries. This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier.

Two mineral premixes were affected. One premix contained excessive levels of zinc and under-supplemented potassium. The second premix under-supplemented potassium. Both zinc and potassium are essential nutrients for cats and are added as nutritional supplements to NUTRO® dry cat food.

This issue was identified during an audit of our documentation from the supplier. An extensive review confirmed that only these two premixes were affected. This recall does not affect any NUTRO® dog food products, wet dog or cat food, or dog and cat treats.

Affected product was distributed to retail customers in all 50 states, as well as to customers in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Israel. We are working with all of our distributors and retail customers, in both the US and internationally, to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or distributed further.

Consumers who have purchased affected product should immediately discontinue feeding the product to their cats, and switch to another product with a balanced nutritional profile. While we have received no consumer complaints related to this issue, cat owners should monitor their cat for symptoms, including a reduction in appetite or refusal of food, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea. If your cat is experiencing health issues or is pregnant, please contact your veterinarian.

Consumers who have purchased product affected by this voluntary recall should return it to their retailer for a full refund or exchange for another NUTRO® dry cat food product. Cat owners who have more questions about the recall should call 1-800-833-5330 between the hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST."