The massive canned pet food recall that began on Friday has led many pet owners to wonder just what to do next. With over 60 million cans and pouches of dog and cat food possibly affected, it is likely that most pet owners may have used affected foods, or may know someone who has.

While the recall is reporting both the types of foods affected and the brand names, little information has been given to pet owners on the symptoms of acute renal failure (ARF), i.e. kidney failure. If your pet has eaten any of the affected brands within the past couple of months, please look for the following symptoms:

1. Increased or decreased water consumption - this will be a very noticeable change in how much water your dog or cat may be drinking.

2. Loss of appetite

3. Decreased urination

4. Disorientation or coordination problems - you could notice stumbling, difficulty in getting up, running into objects, or your pet appearing confused about its surroundings.

5. Vomiting

6. Weakness or lethargy - any noticeable decrease in activity.

It is highly recommended that any pet who has eaten the affected brands be taken to a veterinarian for a blood test and urinalysis to check kidney function.

ARF is life threatening, and while the pet may have been taken off the affected food, the damage may already have been done. Switching foods may not be enough to reverse or stop deterioration to the kidneys, and treatment may be necessary.

If you or anyone you know has any of the affected brands of food (listed below), please stop feeding it. Return it to the store you purchased it from, or call the manufacturer on the label to inquire about how to dispose of it.

A consortium of pet professionals and medical personnel is keeping a listing of adversely affected pets. If your pet has had problems, and you have gotten veterinary advice or treatment, please take the time to contact www.petconnection.com. They have updated information on the recall, as well as tracking information on all pets affected.

In the meantime, if you"ve regularly used an affected brand of food, please consider switching to a higher quality product manufactured in a different facilty. The Whole Dog Journal keeps a list of their top foods based on quality, value, and lack of artificial ingredients. This magazine can be found on the internet and offers valuable advice for pet owners looking for safe alternatives.

Tammy Kinkade
K9"s Naturally
Defiance, Ohio

Dog Food - Affected Brands:
America"s Choice, Preferred Pets, Authority, Award, Best Choice, Big Bet, Big Red, Bloom, Wegman"s Bruiser, Cadillac, Companion, Demoulas Market Basket, Eukanuba, Food Lion, Giant Companion, Great Choice, Hannaford, Hill Country Fare, Hy-Vee, Iams, Laura Lynn, Loving Meals, Meijer"s Main Choice, Mighty Dog Pouch, Mixables, Nutriplan, Nutro Max, Nutro Natural Choice, Nutro Ultra, Nutro, Ol Roy, Paws, Pet Essentials, Pet Pride Good N Meaty, Presidents Choice, Price Chopper, Priority, Publix, Roche Brothers, Save-A-Lot, Schnucks, Shep Dog, Springfields Prize, Sprout, Stater Brothers, Weis Total Pet, Western Family, White Rose, Winn Dixie, Your Pet.

Cat Foods - Affected Brands:
America"s Choice, Preferred Pets, Authority, Best Choice, Companion, Compliments, Demoulas Market Basket, Eukanuba, Food Lion, Foodtown, Giant Companion, Hannaford, Hill Country Fare, Hy-Vee, Iams, Laura Lynn, Li"l Red, Loving Meals, Meijer"s Main Choice, Nutriplan, Nutro Max Gourmet Classics, Nutro Natural Choice, Paws, Pet Pride, Presidents Choice, Price Chopper, Priority, Save-A-Lot, Schnucks, Science Diet Feline Savory Cuts Can, Sophisticat, Special Kitty, Springfields Prize, Sprout, Wegmans, Weis Total Pet, Western Family, White Rose, Winn Dixie.