FAIRFIELD — The nationwide recall of more than 40 different brands of cat and pet food has left area veterinarians inundated with calls from concerned owners.

At the Animal Care Center on Acme Drive in Fairfield Tuesday, Hal Hollingsworth said he was worried about his two dogs, cat and newly adopted hound-mix Maggie. Although his pets don't eat any of the recalled brands, Hollingsworth said it's better to err on the side of caution.

"If there's any doubt they have, pull it," the Animal Friends Humane Society volunteer said of retailers.

Likewise, Kathy Gaughan said she feared for her poodle Rascal's health since the dog is particularly susceptible to urinary tract problems. Gaughan said her dog already suffers from bladder stones and has to eat a special diet.

Veterinary hospitals in Hamilton and Fairfield reported no cases of kidney failure or symptoms related to the recalled food. Officials at the Animal Friends shelter in Trenton said they have had two cans of recalled food that were discarded on Monday.

What happened?

On Sunday, Ontario, Canada-based Menu Foods recalled 42 brands of cat food and 53 brands of dog food under such names as Save-A-Lot, Nutro and various store brands. Other companies, including Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble, said they were voluntarily recalling some products made by Menu Foods as a precaution.

Iams and Science Diet products have become part of the recall voluntarily, said Dr. Wendy Vogel, a veterinarian at the Animal Care Center.

Menu Foods told the U.S. Food and Drug Administration it received the first complaints of kidney failure and deaths among cats and dogs from pet owners on Feb. 20. It began new tests of the food on Feb. 27.

During those tests, the company fed its product to 40 to 50 dogs and cats and seven animals — the mix of species was not immediately known — died, Stephen F. Sundlof, the FDA's top veterinarian, said.

The federal investigation is focusing on wheat gluten, a common filler.

Since the complaints coincided with an ingredient from a new supplier, Menu Foods has initiated its own recall, which could cost them as much as $40 million, officials said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2180 or ch

ubbard

@coxohio.com.