Archive for May, 2011

FDA Recommends Caution on Suxo Seborrhea (Pet) Shampoo

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

May 2011

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine alerted veterinarians and pet owners to use caution with the use of an unapproved animal drug product, Douxo Seborrhea Shampoo (0.1% phytosphingosine), distributed by Sogeval Laboratories, Inc. of Coppell, Texas.
 
FDA recently received a report of the death of a woman associated with the use of the product on her dog, an event that occurred in March.

The report describes a woman with severe, pre-existing asthma who had a sudden, severe asthma attack and died while bathing a dog using the product, Douxo Seborrhea Shampoo. A few days later, another asthmatic family member bathed the dog using the same product and experienced a mild asthma attack but recovered.

FDA is advising consumers with asthma or other respiratory conditions to consult with their physician prior to use of this product. The FDA is investigating this issue and will provide additional information as appropriate.

Quincy

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Pig Ears Treat Product Salmonella Recall

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

 Three (3) manufacturers have issued a recall due to finding salmonella:  Keys Manufacturing  of Paris IL, Boss Pet Products of Maple Heights, OH and Blackman Industries of Kansas City, KS.   The brands being recalled are: 

  1. Key Manufacturing – Pig Ears for Pet Treats
  2. Boss Pet – Diggers Natural Treat Pig Ears
  3. Blackman Industries – PrimeTime brand 2 ct. and 5 ct. Premium Pig Ears 
  4. Blackman Industries – KC Beefhide brand 20 ct. Premium Pig Ears
Check out the following link to see what you should do:  http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/05/more-pig-ear-pet-treats-recalled/
Salmonella can affect animals eating the product and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If a pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, a veterinarian should be consulted.
So, please make sure you check  your treats, and if your dog is showing any of these symptoms take him or her to the vet immediately!

Quincy

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Pet Love Handles

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

Love is great, but love handles are not!

The State of Pet Health Report released recently by Banfield Pet Hospital found that diabetes has increased appreciably in pets, and obesity in dogs is rising at a faster rate than that in humans! According to the report, diabetes has increased 32 percent in dogs since 2006 and 16 percent in cats.

Check out the study at www.banfield.com, more importantly, check on your pets diet and and exercise routine. It’s important!

Quincy

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Hazardous Chemicals – Are We Doing Enough?

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

What will it take for the US to really get serious about banning hazardous chemicals?  I’m not a big fan of regulation, but there are some things that need to be regulated because the average consumer has no way of evaluating what is harmful without a Ph.D in chemistry.

Another organization, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recently called for an overhaul of the nation’s chemical management policy because the current system fails to protect children and pregnant women, who are most vulnerable to hazardous chemical exposures.   They amongst others,  call the the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) passed in 1976, outdated and ineffective.  http://www.healthychildren.org/English/News/pages/AAP-Says-US-Fails-to-Protect-Children-from-Hazardous-Chemicals.aspx

Other groups, including the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association and the American Nurses Association have all independently recommended changes to the TSCA…with all of us trying to live heathier lives, why do you think that these calls for change have seemingly fallen on deaf ears?

Quincy

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Adopt A Pet: National Pet Week – May 1-7, 2011

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

National Pet Week is May 1-7, 2011, and the message for this week from the  the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is “ Adopt a Pet”!

“The AVMA wants to encourage everyone this year on National Pet Week to think about the role that a new pet could play in your lives. By opening your home to a new animal, you’ll be saving an animal’s life while enriching your own life in innumerable ways,” explains Dr. Larry Kornegay, president of the AVMA. “This year we’ve posted a video on Youtube, AVMAtv and also the AVMA Media Library with some excellent tips and information that potential pet owners should consider before adopting a pet.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLd1_LNuO6E

If you can find it in your hearts to adopt a pet, I really encourage you to do so.  We adopted Simon and he brought a lot of joy in our home!

Quincy

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Beware of Foxtails

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Foxtails are danagerous to dogs, so make sure you keep them away from them!

I was out walking with Simon today and saw foxtails again at the park…I quickly called Simon to come and kept him away from the patch of foxtails we encountered. 

Why?  Last year, foxtail seeds got deeply embedded in all four of Simon’s paws.  I took him to the vet because he kept licking his paws and limping, but I couldn’t find anything.  The vet found the foxtail seeds embedded deep in Simon’s paws such that she had to surgically remove them.

Foxtails grow during the winter/spring rains, and then dry out in the summer months.  When the foxtail grasses mature, a  seed forms at the top of the stalk and can easily attach to any surface it comes in contact with.  Foxtail seeds can then enter a dog’s body in many ways - through their paws, skin, nose, ears, genitals and eyes) and act like a an animated fishook; the seed continues to move forward through the dog’s body, and because of tiny barbs, cannot move backwards. 

Rather than having to deal with the after math of an encounter with foxtails, the best thing to do is to prevent their injuries:

  • Avoid foxtail areas – especially during the dry season
  • Inspect your dog’s paws (look in-between toes and paw pads, coat, eyes and ears after a walk in the park and remove any foxtails that you find
  •  If your dog is acting funny (like constantly licking their paws) or shaking his head violently (as if to dislodge something) or pawing at his or her eye, take them to the vet immediately!  I’m glad I took Simon.

    • 

Quincy and Simon

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