Recent Food Recalls

I thought I would pass this recall list along to everyone.  They do include the link to the original posts.


California Firm Recalls Raw Stuffed Chicken Product Due To Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

Unilever Issues Allergy Alert On Pints Of Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Nougat Crunch Ice Cream:Sweet Cream Ice Cream with Fudge Covered Wafer Cookies & a Chocolate Nougat Swirl

Golden Glen Creamery Issues Voluntary Recall Of Red Pepper Onion & Garlic Cheddar Because Of Potential Health Risk

Recall Notification Report 039-2012 (Pork Dumplings)

Botanical Laboratories Inc. Recalls Wellesse Digestive 3 in 1 Health' Because of Possible Health Risk.

How clean are your pet's teeth?

Dental care can be a daunting task for pet owners.  Neglecting it however, can lead to serious problems such as severe dental infections, abscesses, liver, heart and kidney disease.  


First, let's explore some definitions.
Plaque: a sticky material made of bacteria, mucus, and food debris that develops on the exposed parts of the teeth
Tartar/Calculus: the hard deposit that forms at the base of the tooth if you do not remove plaque


Gingivitis: inflammation of the gums- this can be around one tooth or all of them


Periodontitis: inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth
 (this tooth may be slightly loose)

Periodontal disease:inflammation and infection that destroys the tissues that support the teeth, including the gums, the ligaments, and the tooth sockets
 (these teeth most likely wiggle when touched)


According the the American Animal Hospital Association, in a small breed dog without home dental care, periodontal disease can begin as early as 9 months!


Dental disease is staged 1-4 depending on severity.  How would you stage your dog or cat's dental status?


Great dental health starts at home with products you can get from your veterinarian.
C.E.T. HEXtra chews, Veggiedent tartar control chews, Enzymatic oral hygiene chews, Aquadent drinking water additive and oral rinse, Greenies dental chews.  The C.E.T. product also include flavored pet toothpaste and brushes.  DO NOT USE REGULAR HUMAN TOOTHPASTE!  It is not meant to be swallowed and can make your pet sick!





How to brush your cat's teeth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ok_9RaRCmg
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1UNBVGtv8I

How to brush your dog's teeth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsNlLLSBWLU




If your pet has bad breath and/or you see visible tartar build-up you need to see your veterinarian immediately.  You pet may need professional dental treatment.

'Tis the Season for Parvo

The canine parvovirus (or just "parvo") infection is a highly contagious virus affecting dogs.  The most common form affects the intestinal tract causing lethargy, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and loss of appetite. 

The less common form affects very young puppies and can attack the heart muscle, usually leading to death.  The intestinal form is usually seen in puppies six weeks to six months old.  I have, however, diagnosed Parvo in dogs 9 months to 1 year old that have not been vaccinated.

Transmission

The virus is transmitted either by direct contact with an infected dog, or indirectly, by the fecal-oral route. Heavy concentrations of the virus are found in an infected dog’s stool, so when a healthy dog sniffs an infected dog’s stool, it will contract the disease. The virus can also be brought into a dog's environment by way of shoes that have come into contact with infected feces. There is evidence that the virus can live in ground soil for up to a year. It is resistant to most cleaning products, or even to weather changes. If you suspect that you have come into contact with feces at all, you will need to wash the affected area with household bleach, the only disinfectant known to kill the virus.  This virus only affects dogs; it cannot be transmitted to people or other animals however, people and other animals can carry the virus between dogs.

Diagnosis

If you suspect your puppy may have Parvo, the quickest way to diagnose it is a rectal swab snap-test that takes approximately 10 minutes to complete in the clinic.  There are also confirmatory tests available through external laboratories if a false negative is suspected.  Diagnosis is important to predict length of illness and treatment needed.  

Treatment

There is no cure for Parvo.  The only treatment is supportive care including fluids to re-hydrate, antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections, and medication to combat nausea and diarrhea.  This virus can cause death, even despite treatment.

No one can predict the severity of illness for each puppy.  Some puppies may need minimal treatment and some may need intensive care including hospitalization, intravenous fluids and medications for a week or more. 

Vaccination is THE ONLY way to prevent illness from Parvovirus!  Please vaccinate your dogs!  

My 2 Cents

I get very upset when I see puppies with Parvo because it is preventable.  If you have recently adopted a puppy, try to avoid public places like dog parks, kennels, and pet stores.  Even though a dog may be adequately vaccinated for Parvo and not currently ill, they can carry the virus. 

If your puppy has had a vaccination at 8 weeks old, this is NOT ADEQUATE PROTECTION!  They need boosters every 3-4 weeks until they reach 4 months old to be protected.  If you don't know the vaccination status of your new puppy, assume they have never been vaccinated.  

BE PROACTIVE IN YOUR PUPPY'S HEALTH!

Diamond Dog Food Recall

Diamond Naturals Dog Food Recalled

by: Kimberly Porter (petmd.com)

Diamond Pet Foods has voluntarily recalled its Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice dry dog food, as it may be contaminated with salmonella.

The food in question was distributed to customers in the following 12 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Customers in any of those states who have purchased Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice products with the following production codes and best before dates should stop feeding the food to their dogs and discard it immediately:

• 6-lb bag with the production code DLR0101D3XALW and best before January 4, 2013
• 20-lb bag with the production code DLR0101C31XAG and best before January 3, 2013
• 40-lb bag with the production code DLR0101C31XMF and best before January 3, 2013
• 40-lb bag with the production code DLR0101C31XAG and best before January 3, 2013
• 40-lb bag with the production code DLR0101D32XMS and best before January 4, 2013

No illnesses relating to the product have been reported and no other Diamond products were affected.

Dogs that have eaten the food, or people that have handled it, could become infected with salmonella. Pets with salmonella may display a decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. People infected with salmonella should watch for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever.

Customers who have purchased these specific products can call            800-442-0402      , or visit www.diamondpet.com, for further information or to obtain a product refund.

Subtle Signs of Illness in Your Cat

This information is taken from the Healthy Cats for Life website and gives some great information on assessing the subtle signs of illness your cat may be having at home.  Use it as a guideline to determine if you need to have them examined by your vet!  I have only list a few, to see the complete list visit this link.


                                                              Inappropriate Urination
Client education about litter box care and normal elimination behavior is important for prevention and treatment of medical and behavioral problems. Clients should be aware that inappropriate urination and defecation often accompany an underlying medical condition and do not occur “to get back at the owner.” 

A cat that is urinating inappropriately may have any number of conditions associated with the behavior, including lower urinary tract disease, kidney disease, urinary tract infection and diabetes mellitus. It can also be a sign of arthritis, which makes it difficult for the cat to get into the litter box. 

Blockage of the urinary tract signals a veterinary emergency. A blockage is treatable, but timing is critical. Once identified, the cat must receive veterinary care as soon as possible. Otherwise, fatal complications could develop. Signs include straining in the litter box with little or no results, crying when urinating and frequent attempts to urinate.


Changes in Activity
A decrease or increase in activity can be a sign of a medical of condition. As cats age, there is increased risk for arthritis. Discomfort from systemic illnesses can also lead to a decrease in activity. It's important to understand cats don't usually slow down just because they are old. More activity is often caused by hyperthyroidism. Changes in activity warrant a visit to your veterinarian.


Unexplained Weight loss or Weight gain

A change in weight does not necessarily correlate with a change in appetite. Cats with hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus can lose weight despite good appetites. Many other diseases cause both appetite and weight 
loss. If your cat goes to the food dish and then backs away from it without eating, nausea may be the source.
Weight changes often go unnoticed because of a cat's thick coat. You can assess body condition by feeling gently along the ribs. The ribs should be easily felt but not prominent.
On the other hand, obesity has become a serious health concern in cats, with increased risk of diabetes mellitus, joint disease and other problems. Cat owners can purchase small pet scales to chart weight at home. Take the cat to the veterinarian if there are any unplanned changes in weight.

Signs of Stress
Yes, your cat can be stressed despite having an “easy” life. Boredom and sudden lifestyle changes are common causes of stress in cats. Stressed cats may spend less time grooming and interacting, or they may spend more time awake and scanning their environment, hide more, withdraw and exhibit signs of depression. They could also change their eating patterns. These same signs may indicate a medical condition. It is important to rule out medical problems first and then address the stress. Because the social organization of cats is different from that of people and dogs, changes in the family, such as adding a new pet, should be done gradually. Please contact your veterinary hospital for information on how to successfully make changes in your household.

Bad Breath
Studies show 70 percent of cats have gum disease as early as age 3. It is important to have your cat's teeth checked every six months to help prevent dental disease or to start treatment of problems. One of the early indicators of an oral problem is bad breath. Regular home teeth brushing and veterinary dental care prevent bad breath, pain, tooth loss and spread of infection to other organs.

     

Stop the Chicken Jerky!

I will just cut to the chase and insert the entire FDA article.  Please don't buy chicken jerky/tender treats made in China for your dog.  We have seen several illness and two deaths in the clinic potentially linked to their consumption.  I don't know why they are still on the shelves.  Take an active role in your dog's health!

FDA Continues to Caution Dog Owners About Chicken Jerky Products

November 18, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is again cautioning consumers that chicken jerky products for dogs (also sold as chicken tenders, strips or treats) may be associated with illness in dogs. In the last 12 months, FDA has seen an increase in the number of complaints it received of dog illnesses associated with consumption of chicken jerky products imported from China. These complaints have been reported to FDA by dog owners and veterinarians.

FDA issued a cautionary warning regarding chicken jerky products to consumers in September 2007 and a Preliminary Animal Health Notification in December of 2008. After seeing the number of complaints received drop off during the latter part of 2009 and most of 2010, the FDA is once again seeing the number of complaints rise to the levels of concern that prompted release of our earlier warnings.

Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be fed occasionally in small quantities.

FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products: decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.

FDA, in addition to several animal health diagnostic laboratories in the U.S., is working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. FDA’s Veterinary Laboratory Response Network (VLRN) is now available to support these animal health diagnostic laboratories. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA continues extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified a contaminant.

The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem and its origin. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in their state or go tohttp://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

Say Hello to Heartworms!

My first reminder is a simple one for the beginning of spring.  As the temperature increases, so does the number of mosquitoes.  It only takes one mosquito bite for your dog to contract heartworms.  The sole means of prevention is to administer a monthly heartworm preventative which you can obtain from your veterinarian.  There are many oral medication options as well as topical applications.  We also have all-in-one flea, heartworm, and intestinal parasite preventatives.

At your pet’s yearly wellness visit, heartworm disease is detected by a blood test.  It takes 2 minutes to run and provides peace of mind.  Most dogs that test positive for heartworms show no physical signs of disease.  Signs of advanced disease may be coughing, shortness of breath, weight loss, fever, fluid accumulation inside the abdomen (ascites), and death.  A heartworm infection can cause permanent damage to both the heart and lungs.

Treatment for heartworms is quite costly, ranging from $275-$1000+, depending on the severity of disease and the size of dog.  Prevention is the key in protecting your dog from this disease.  Even if your dog does not spend significant time outdoors, they are still at risk.  Mosquitoes are masters at finding a way into your house.  Did you know cats can get heartworms from mosquitoes too?  It can be difficult to diagnose in cats and more troublesome to treat than it is in dogs.  I highly recommend preventative for cats as well.  If you want to learn more, search for heartworms on petmd.com.

March is the perfect month to have your dog tested and start preventative if you haven’t already.  Your veterinarian can help you choose the right preventative for you and your pets. I hope everyone has a heartworm free spring!