Monday, December 29, 2008

Signs That Your Pet May Have Eaten Tainted Pet Food

Because of all the pet food recalls and because we know all of you love your pets, we cannot stress strongly enough the importance of seeking immediate medical care for your pet if they show any of the following symptoms:
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy and/or vomiting
  • Anorexia
  • Diarrhea
  • Changes in water consumption or urination habits
These symptoms may be signs of kidney / renal illness, which can be fatal.

If you suspect these symptoms may be linked to the food you may have fed to your pet, have your veterinarian run a blood test and urinalysis, to check the kidneys.

Also make sure to (if possible):

  • Retain food samples for analysis.
  • Document product name, type of product and manufacturing information, saving purchase receipts, date codes or production lot numbers.
  • Document product consumption - as in when the product was fed, time and relative onset of signs afterwards, and feeding methods (including other foods in the mix).

Also, keep checking back for more information on recall information either here or the FDA site:

FDA warns about tainted dog treats

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued another caution about tainted pet food from China. This time, no specific brands are being recalled, but the government is letting pet owners know imported dog treats made with chicken jerky are suspected of making pets sick.

This is not the first time the government has warned dog owners some serious illnesses, including kidney failure, have been associated with treats sold in the pet food aisle under names like chicken tenders and chicken strips. A previous caution was issued in September 2007.

But according to Mike Herndon, press officer with the FDA, the problems with chicken jerky treats apparently are still being reported.

"This is an update," he said. "It's more of a public health notice because there have been so many complaints."

So far, the investigators have not found the ingredient causing contamination. The cause of illnesses may ultimately be identified as something other than chicken jerky from China, according to the FDA announcement.

But meanwhile, some dogs have died after eating chicken jerky products made in China.

Chicken jerky treats are still on supermarket shelves in New England chains such Hannaford, which has stores in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The Londonderry, N.H., store, for example, has not received any recall notices, a spokeswoman said.

"Chicken jerky is very popular," said Traci Denver, assistant manager at Londonderry's Pets Plus. Her store sells a line of "all natural, holistic" treats, which are not from China and not included in the FDA warning. But Denver has had to pull low-end chicken jerky products off the shelf in the past.

"We do that as soon as we get any kind of notice," she said.

Veterinarian Gene Handel, owner of Handel with Care in Derry, said the supermarket aisles are stocked with all kinds of treats, and it's hard for consumers to guess which chicken jerky treats are safe.

"Consumers are not aware of all the multiple food products that go into a treat," he said. "Some ingredients come from many parts of the world." Given the different safety standards internationally, Handel said, it would be almost impossible for dog owners to figure out which products have been checked thoroughly for safety.

People give their dogs jerky for "a variety of reasons," Handel said. "People love their dogs. It's a way of showing affection and letting their dog enjoy something they can provide. It's like a little gift."

The FDA advises dog owners to watch their pets carefully if they feed them chicken jerky treats, and call a veterinarian if symptoms, including loss of appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea, thirst or increased urination, persist 24 hours.

Otherwise, dog owners should not substitute jerky treats for a balanced diet and should use these products "only occasionally" and in small quantities.

Small-dog owners should take special precautions to limit their pet's consumption of chicken jerky treats.

The FDA caution also notifies dog owners the Australian government is recalling some chicken jerky products made in China.



http://www.eagletribune.com/punewsnh/local_story_364030102.html?keyword=secondarystory

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

ADOPTION ALERT: Saved From the Storm, Pets Now Need Homes

North Shore Animal League America Seeks Adopters for Homeless Animals Rescued from Hurricane Gustav
79 homeless animals evacuated from high risk Gulf States shelters in the path of Hurricane Gustav are now safe at North Shore Animal League America, and several of the animals are ready for adoption.
The rescued animals include 51 dogs, 14 puppies, and 14 felines. The majority was originally evacuated from hurricane-ravaged areas in Louisiana and was subsequently transported to Alabama's Greater Birmingham Humane Society, who partnered with North Shore Animal League America in this rescue initiative. Those pets, along with some from GBHS, were transported to the Animal League in two of its Mobile Rescue Units, accompanied by five members of the Emergency Response Team.
Since their arrival, the animals have been undergoing medical and behavioral evaluations, vaccinations and, where necessary, spaying and neutering in preparation for their adoptions in loving homes. The animals range in age from 8 weeks to about 4 years with the dogs being mixed-breeds. The 14 felines are all under 8 months.
If you are interested in adopting a pet saved from Hurricane Gustav, please visit the Animal League's adoption center.
Read the latest on the Hurricane Rescue Mission - photos of the animals will be posted soon. See Notes from the Field Rescue Blog.

North Shore Animal League America
25 Davis Ave
Port Washington, New York 11050
516.883.7575

Friday, September 5, 2008

Donate to North Shore Animal League Today

This is the direct link to the site and I receive no commission from any donations.

A $25 adds up, so LETS GET BUSY.....

http://www.nsalamerica.org/donate/

Monday, August 25, 2008

Dog Saves Abandoned Baby

I am right up there with the biggest dog lovers in the world and here is another reason why. What an amazing story this is and the dog is sooo smart...wow. It is a shame when dogs have more compassion than the woman that abandoned the baby..

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

My Dog Pics



He is a Yellow Lab/German Shepard