Aminopterin, a rodenticide banned from use in the U.S., has been identified as a possible toxic agent responsible for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs.

The New York State Department of Agriculture reported today that it identified the toxin in samples of recalled pet food, but those findings and any relationship to recent pet deaths have not been confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration. An announcement from the FDA is expected later today.

The AVMA is working with animal poison experts to identify appropriate treatment protocols in the event that aminopterin is confirmed as the causative agent in recent pet deaths associated with the nationwide pet food recall issued March 16. More information will be posted on www.avma.org as soon as it is available.