Dog food brands recalled across the nation

Four brands of dog food are being recalled after a drug that’s used to euthanize animals was found in it.

Veterinarians said Monday the contaminated meat most likely got into the food from a cow or horse that was euthanized, and its meat was used in the product.

The drug is found in canned dog food made by the J.M. Smucker Company.

Products include Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol’ Roy and Skippy dog foods.

Dr. Jessica Casey at Riverside Animal Hospital said Monday the levels of the euthanasia drug that were found were low, but the drug still can be harmful if enough of it’s consumed.

“The drug is called pentobarbital and it can be used as an anesthetic agent or sedative, but now more commonly it is used for the purpose of euthanasia,” Casey said. “Meaning assisted death in animals, because it is a little bit less safe then some of the other modern anesthetic agents that we have available.”

The FDA released a statement about the foods last Friday prompting stores to pull the items off of their shelves.

The company says it’s narrowed it down to one supplier.

Dr. Byron Maas with the Bend Veterinary Clinic said Monday if your animal is drowsy, weak, nauseous, staggering, or its eyes are twitching and it has consumed the recalled dog food, it could have been exposed and needs to be brought to a vet as soon as possible, so they can treat it.

“By just doing supportive care, fluids and making sure the liver isn’t actually effected, you’re generally going to be OK,” Maas said.

Maas added that it’s important to check with your supplier that you buy dog food from about current recalls, just to make sure the food is OK for your animals to consume.