DOG owners have launched an awareness campaign after several pets have had to be put down after suffering kidney failure allegedly linked to a brand of Mercadona dog food.
A spokesman for Spain’s largest supermarket chain confirmed to the Olive Press that two types of its own brand Compy pet food had been withdrawn from the shelves today (Friday) around the Almeria area.
The group made the move, ‘as a precaution’, after receiving at least six complaints from customers. The products are now being analysed by its technicians to see if there is a connection between the food and dogs suffering kidney failure.
John Beachcomber, who runs the Beachcomber bar in Mojacar with his son, launched a Facebook page to warn owners after his friend’s beloved Labrador-cross Goldie had to be put on a drip five hours a day.
He insisted his pet, along with many others, had been eating the supermarket own brand food Compy, from his local Mercadona.
He told the Olive Press: “My friend told me about Goldie who is quite poorly at the moment and had to be on a trip after suffering kidney failure.
“They noticed after she was drinking excessive amounts of water and peeing a lot.
“In addition a Turre vet has confirmed they are dealing with four dogs, all with kidney problems and my own vet is also dealing with other dogs having the same problems.
“The common factor is they all have the same make of dog food in their diet.”
The dog food – which comes in chunks of beef or as ‘a pate’ – recently switched from tins to cartons.
“Some owners like me have seen the problem since the food changed from being in a tin to a carton,” added Beachcomber.
“I don’t want to be scaremongering but what worries me is that if it is not the food but the carton that is to blame them what else is the carton used for. We need answers.”
The issue, which appears to be localised in Mojacar and the surrounding Almeria Costa, is now being widely discussed on internet forums.
One poster, ‘Nicki’ said: “I gave my dog this food when it changed to cartons. One week after moving to the UK my dog was put down with kidney failure; I am devastated that I could have killed my dog because of feeding him this food.”
Meanwhile JessicaH added: “My wonderful healthy young German shepherd became ill overnight and died last week and she had been eating this food. Her untimely death now makes sense.
“Obviously I cannot prove a connection now but IF true then the sooner Mercadona are aware of the potential dangers the better.”
The Mercadona spokesman Jorge Romero insisted: “At this stage we have only removed the product as a precaution.
“We have received various calls, six complaints, and it has been removed from shops in Albox, Garrucha and Mojacar. This is not all over Andalucia.
“Technicians from our suppliers are currently analysing the products in their laboratories. They are also talking to these clients and have issued a helpline 900500103 for anyone worried. It will be in both English and Spanish.
“We will let you know as soon as we have any more news.”
If your pet has been affected please contact Wendy on 689646049 or email wendy@theolivepress.es.
The forum can be found at http://www.arboleas.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=59420.msg314814
Source: Olive Press
It's being discussed HERE on this forum in the Torrevieja area. Many dogs are affected! 
Dog AND CAT food is being removed in the Costa Blanca too, click on the link to the Torrevieja forum.