LANSING -- Concerned pet owners are keeping local veterinarians busy with phone calls about the recall of contaminated pet food.

Dr. Kimberly Bolduc, a veterinarian at the Willowood Acres First Veterinary Clinic in Romulus, said that she’s seen animals in her clinic that have eaten contaminated pet food, but fortunately none have become ill because of it.

Laura Black, a receptionist at the Monroe Veterinary Clinic, said that her clinic has been treating some cats that became sick after eating the tainted pet food, but none have died.

On March 16, manufacturer Menu Foods Inc. of Canada recalled more than 60 million cans and pouches of its “gravy-style” products that were found to have caused kidney failure in some animals. 

The recall involves 90 types of wet pet food sold under various generic and name brands and made between Dec. 3, 2006, and March 2. 

Karlene Belyea, executive director of the Michigan Veterinary Association, said a problem for veterinarians is deciphering whether a kidney problem is caused by an underlying medical condition, old age or contaminated food.

Belyea said the safest thing to do is have a veterinarian examine any animal that may have eaten the recalled pet food.

“There are animals out there that have been eating this food, but are not experiencing any symptoms and should be checked,” said Belyea.

Bridget Beckman, communications director for the Department of Agriculture, said that as a pet owner, she’d rather be safe than sorry.

Pet owners can check www.menufoods.com for a list of recalled products with their UPC codes to check the pet food they have at home, or they can call 1-866-895-2708.

Belyea said that the state veterinary group is doing all it can to assist veterinarians in caring for sick animals by providing the latest recall information.

“We’ve been putting out urgent issue updates to all our members to keep them up to date on the latest findings,” said Belyea.