Daily Archives: December 13, 2011
Another Recall
THAYER, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri-based company is recalling three dry dog food products because of high levels of the fungus toxin aflatoxin.
Advanced Animal Nutrition of Thayer, Mo., on Friday voluntarily recalled 50-pound bags each of Dog Power Adult Maintenance Formula 21-12, Dog Power Hunters Formula 27-14, and Dog Power Hi-Pro Performance Formula 26-18.
The company says no illnesses have been reported. The products were distributed in Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana. Consumers can return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.
The recall applies to products with the packaging codes K0004 through K1322.
Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring chemical that comes from a fungus sometimes found on corn and in other crops. It can cause severe liver damage and in rare cases death.
Dog Food Recall
Two Dog Food Companies Recall Some Dry Food on Aflatoxin Concerns
Higher than acceptable levels of aflatoxin, a mold by-product that causes lethargy, decreased appetite, diarrhea, and a yellow tinge to gums and eyes, has been found in certain bags of dry food.
The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) is voluntarily recalling a single production lot of its Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food.
The FDA press release states that the recalled dog food was distributed to specific (unnamed) retailers in the following states: AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, SC, and VA. The FDA reports that retailers have removed the affected dog food from store shelves, and that no health effects related to this recall have been reported.
The recalled dog food has a use by or expiration date of February 5 or February 6, 2013, and includes the following specific products:
In addition, Cargill Animal Nutrition today announced a voluntary recall of two regional brands of its dry dog food — River Run and Marksman — because of aflatoxin levels that were detected above the acceptable limit. The affected products were manufactured at Cargill’s facility in Lecompte, Louisiana, between Dec. 1, 2010, and Dec. 1, 2011. No illnesses have been reported in association with these products, and no other Cargill Animal Nutrition pet food products are involved in this recall.
Affected products are:
• PROFESSIONAL FORMULA RIVER RUN HI-NRG 24-20 Dog Food, 50-pound bags
• RIVER RUN PROFESSIONAL FORMULA 27-18 Dog Food, 50-pound bags
• RIVER RUN 21% Protein Dog Food, 40- and 50-pound bags
• RIVER RUN Hi-Pro No-Soy Dog Food, 40- and 50-pound bags
• MARKSMAN DOG FOOD 24% Protein 20% Fat, 40-pound bags
• MARKSMAN DOG FOOD 20% Protein 10% Fat, 40- and 50-pound bags
• MARKSMAN DOG FOOD 28% Protein 18% Fat, 40-pound bags
The recall applies only to the above products with Packaging Date Codes (lot numbers) 4K0335 through 4K0365, LL0335 through LL0365, 4K1001 through 4K1335, and LL1001 through LL1335.
The affected dry dog food products were distributed in theKansas, Missouri, Northeast Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Western Kentucky, Southeast Indiana, Southern Illinois, Hawaii, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and limited areas of Florida and California. Retailers have already been instructed to remove the affected brands and products from store shelves.
If you have these foods, throw them away and click on the links above to find out how to get a voucher for a replacement.
Eco friendly pet shopping in Maine
Great company from Maine check out the website
Doggie Safe n Dry Coats & Accessories
Doggie Safe n Dry Holiday Open House
Wed. Dec. 14th 2 PM-6:30 PM
1257 Sawyer RD
Cape Elizabeth, ME
We’ll have all of our hand made coats, collars, leashes, toys and Christmas stockings for cats and dogs ready to go! Stop By!
Can’t make it??? Let’s set up an appointment.
VT Mulls Anti Hoarding Bill
Vermont has introduced a bill that seeks to impose criminal penalties for animal hoarding.
As written, House Bill 371 defines an “animal hoarder” as any person who:
• Possesses five or more animals;
• Fails to provide adequate food, water, shelter, rest, sanitation, or necessary medical attention or transports an animal in overcrowded vehicles;
• Keeps the animals in a severely overcrowded environment; and
• Displays an inability to recognize or understand the nature of or has a reckless disregard for the conditions under which the animals are living and the deleterious impact they have on the animals’ health and well-being.
The state’s animal cruelty laws define animals as “all living sentient creatures, not human beings.” This could mean a wide array of animals, including cats, dogs, small animals, birds and reptiles.
Violators would be guilty of animal cruelty and could face up to one year’s jail time, a fine of up to $2,000 or both. Second and subsequent violators could face up to two years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.
Under state law, a “humane officer” may seize an animal without a search warrant if he or she witnesses a situation in which the animal’s life is in jeopardy and immediate action is required to protect its health or safety. A “humane officer” includes law enforcement officers, auxiliary state police officers, deputy game wardens, humane society officers, employees or agents; animal control officers; or any officer authorized to serve criminal process.
In an industry alert released today, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) cautioned against warrantless searches, claiming such searches invite potential for harassment and abuse of police power.
HR 371 has been assigned to the House Committee on Agriculture where it awaits action.
To view HR 371 in its entirety, click here
Teen and dog die together
Getty Images
A teen and her dog have died as the result of a horrific car crash in the Chicago area.
At least one 15-year-old teen girl and a her dog, a Doberman, have been pronounced dead as the result of an unfortunate accident that occurred in the Chicago area early Tuesday morning.
Fifteen-year-old Taylor Stinchcomb, of Gurnee, IL, was in an apparent state of distress after she overheard a conversation which elucidated that the family’s Doberman, which had cancer, may have had to be euthanized. Unable to cope with the sad news, Stinchcomb allegedly took the Doberman and her family’s minivan and drove off.
Another teen that has not been named was also involved in the accident, and is reported to have been driving the 2003 Dodge minivan when it rolled over and struck several trees and a utility pole. There has been no update on the unnamed girl’s status so far.
Senior Dogs and pain
Addressing pain in dogs hasn’t always been a top priority for veterinarians. In fact, at one time, many in the profession believed animals weren’t capable of feeling pain or somehow perceived it differently than humans.
Now that’s changed. Over the last decade, research has shown how animals and humans have similar neural pathways for the development, conduction, and modulation of pain.
“They feel pain just like we do,” explains veterinarian Shana Savikko, a veterinary adviser for the American Animal Hospital Association in Lakewood, Colorado. “And that pain can be debilitating, decrease the quality of life, and decrease the bond between the pet and the owner.”
Armed with better knowledge, veterinary medicine has taken a huge leap forward in reducing animal suffering caused by painful surgeries, injuries, illnesses and chronic conditions.
Today, pain management is frequently taught in the curriculum at many veterinary schools. In fact, a few years ago the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) released a blueprint, of sorts, for veterinarians on how to relieve, and when possible, eliminate animal suffering.
For older dogs, controlling pain can be challenging. A host of medical conditions and illnesses cause discomfort in senior dogs, notes Savikko, ranging from osteoarthritis and tooth abscesses to several types of cancer.
Just like humans each dog experiences pain differently. For some unlucky pooches the discomfort may be caused by more than one source. For example, an older dog already creaky with arthritis that undergoes surgery to remove a potentially cancerous mass might experience muscular discomfort from positioning during the procedure and the operation itself.
Unfortunately our pets can’t tell us when they’re not feeling well and, in fact, instinctively try to hide their discomfort from us. “By the time you see them showing signs of pain it usually means they’ve been hurting for quite awhile,” says Savikko.
Here are a few of the physical and behavioral signs, possibly triggered by pain, to look for in your pooch:
Unusually quiet, listless, restless or unresponsive.
Whining, whimpering, or howling.
Constant licking of a particular part of the body.
Acting out-of-character either aggressively or submissively.
Ears flattened against the head.
Trouble sleeping or eating.
Seeking more affection than usual.
“They may also be slower to get up and less willing to participate in the normal activities that they used to enjoy so much,” adds Savikko.
If you suspect your dog is in pain, make an appointment to see your veterinarian. There are a lot of ways veterinarians can help your pet feel better, she says, including prescribing medication to control symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness and joint discomfort.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are an option for geriatric pets, especially those suffering from arthritis. Veterinary experts warn, though, that pills used to control pain, such as NSAIDs, should only be given when necessary and in the smallest effective dose.
You can also alleviate your dog’s discomfort through a more holistic approach, which includes nutritional supplements, acupuncture, massage and physical therapy. Rehabilitation techniques to get dogs back on all four paws are similar to what’s done on humans. These include heat therapy, stretching, passive range-of-motion exercises, and hydrotherapy.
Quickly pinpointing pain in your aging pets and taking the appropriate action is important to significantly improve the quality of their lives.
Frozen Dog Treat
2 ripe banana
3 T. peanut butter
2 tsp. honey
24 oz. low fat vanilla yogurt
Instructions:
Microwave the peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl until melted. Blend all of the ingredients together thoroughly, then freeze in ice cube trays or cupcake tins depending on the size of your dog. Pop treats out of tray for your pet’s enjoyment!
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