Researchers at the University of Guelph say they have discovered a chemical reaction that may explain how animals across North America fell ill after eating contaminated pet food.

Dr. Perry Martos and colleagues from the Agriculture and Food Laboratory at Guelph's Laboratory Services announced Friday they have discovered a dangerous reaction when melamine and cyanuric acid - the two contaminants found in the imported wheat gluten used in the pet food -- are combined.

The two chemicals react to form crystals that could block kidney function.

The crystal-like substances found in the urine and kidneys of affected animals matched the crystals produced when the chemicals were combined at the University's Animal Health Laboratory.

Researchers believe this is a possible link between the compounds and the deaths of animals exposed to the contaminated pet food.

"This was really just another piece of the puzzle," John Melichercik, Director of Analytical Services for Laboratory Services told CTV.ca.

Scientists took laboratory levels of melamine and cyanuric acid and added them together in a test tube at a PH level that mimics the environment of the kidneys of an animal.

"When we did it in the laboratory and it was instantaneous," Melichercik said.

"What were two clear liquids, when were combined, actually go very murky and if you leave it for a little bit, these crystals settle out and you can pick them off and then analyze them."

Melichercik explained the process produced a "chemical fingerprint" that allowed scientists to compare their findings with what was found in the kidneys of sick animals.

"We overlaid those two fingerprints and they were basically the same substance."

However, Melichercik was quick to point out that the university's findings were only a small part of the research needed to find out what caused pets to become sick from the recalled pet food.

"This is not the definitive on the entire case but it is another significant piece of the puzzle that shows inside the body of animals if you have these two components present, they can come together and form these crystals which are being found in all of the animals that have been sick."

Melamine is used in making plastics and in other industrial processes and cyanuric acid is commonly used in pool chlorination.

Traces of both chemicals turned up in tests conducted last month after animals across North America fell ill after eating certain brands of pet food. The chemicals were in wheat gluten, an ingredient in he pet food.

Melichercik said there is already body of research regarding the industrial effects of combining the two compounds, but there was no previous research on the effects they have when combined and ingested by animals.

"That's fairly novel, that information hasn't been out there previously as we've been working through these particular cases over the last five weeks or so," Melichercik said.

Officials estimate nearly 39,000 pets were sickened in the U.S. after nearly 100 brands of now recalled pet food were sold, which equated to about one per cent of the overall U.S. pet food supply.

Ontario-based Menu Foods recalled 60 million cans of wet pet food after it was learned they contained contaminated wheat gluten imported from China.

Wheat gluten is used as a source of protein for animals. It was initially believed the gluten was contaminated by aminopterin; a rat poison and cancer drug.

Melamine is not considered to be a health risk to humans; however scientists have yet to study the effects of melamine combined with other compounds on the human body.