Veterinarians across P.E.I. are taking calls from concerned pet owners following a recall of some pet foods sold in cans and pouches.

The recall affects 42 different brands of cat food and 53 brands of dog food, all manufactured by Menu Foods of Ontario. It's suspected several animals in Canada and the United States became ill after eating the pet food.

Dr. Jim Miller, a professor in the department of companion animals at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, said the college is getting a lot of calls. Miller said pet owners need to watch for signs of acute kidney failure.

"The first clinical signs that we see are them going off food, sometimes they'll drink more, but many times they'll stop drinking," said Miller.

"Vomiting and diarrhea are the major clinical signs you'll see in the disease because of the waste products that the kidneys are supposed to get rid of aren't getting rid of them. They systemically affect the body and make the animal ill."

Miller said animals that have those symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian and treated immediately. He added that commercial cat and dog foods in Canada are generally safe, although he would like to see the federal government regulate the industry.

The Menu Foods website has a complete list of brands that are affected.