Chemical interaction harmed pets

Researchers at Ontario's University of Guelph have discovered that an interaction of two chemicals forms crystals that can damage the kidneys of animals that eat contaminated foods.
--Source: CTV news.

Dr. Perry Martos and colleagues from the Agriculture and Food Laboratory at Guelph's Laboratory Services announced Friday they have discovered a dangerous reaction when melamine and cyanuric acid -- the two contaminants found in the imported wheat gluten used in the pet food -- are combined. The two chemicals react to form crystals that could block kidney function.....

John Melichercik, Director of Analytical Services for Laboratory Services, was quick to point out that the university's findings were only a small part of the research needed to find out what caused pets to become sick from the recalled pet food....

Officials estimate nearly 39,000 pets were sickened in the U.S. after nearly 100 brands of now recalled pet food were sold, which equated to about one per cent of the overall U.S. pet food supply.

At this point, factory workers in China have admitted to adding melamine to pet-food ingredients. The melamine would falsify the protein analysis to give an artificially high reading and thus cheat their customers.

See also "Recalled contaminated pet food goes to pigs" or "Tainted pet food gets into our food supply" and, for ongoing news, "More about pet-food recall."