Monday, December 27, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
KROGER RECALLS PET FOODS DUE TO POSSIBLE HEALTH RISK
CINCINNATI, Ohio, December 18, 2010 – The Kroger Co. said today it is recalling select packages of pet food sold in some of its retail stores because the products may contain aflatoxin, which poses a health risk to pets.
Kroger stores in the following states are included in this recall: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
The recall also includes Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana.
Stores the company operates under the following names are not included in this recall: Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., and Food 4 Less stores in California and Nevada.
Kroger is recalling the following items:
Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088128
Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071357
Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088152
Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074580
Pet Pride Kitten Formula Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071903
Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 22 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074566
Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074563
Kroger Value Cat Food sold in 3 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111000018
Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 15 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071559
Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code:1111000108
Aflatoxin is a naturally-occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. If your pet shows any symptoms of illness, including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea, please consult your veterinarian immediately.
The safety of our customers and their pets is important to Kroger. The company is using its Customer Recall Notification system to alert customers who may have purchased these recalled products through register receipt tape messages and automated phone calls. Customers who have purchased a recalled item should not use it and should return it to a store for a full refund or replacement.
Customers who have questions about this recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900. For more information, please visit www.kroger.com/recalls
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Neuter Scooter Clinic
Neuter Scooter Clinic in Kendallville at the Noble County Fairgrounds on Sat. Dec. 19. It begins at 9:00 a.m. at the log cabin building and is for CATS ONLY!
People who have made an appointment online can bring their cats to be spayed or neutered for $50. The charge for feral (wild) cats is $20 each. (A feral cat is one that has to be trapped in order to get close to it. People need to use caution when trapping cats to bring in for neutering.) Other services are will be available for small fees.
Online pre-registration is required at neuterscooter.com. Absolutely no cats will be accepted who have not been pre-registered online
For more information or to register online go to:
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Defend The Dogs
This is a recent informational mailing from Defend The Dogs , Indianapolis Chapter.
Hello and Happy Holidays!
As the holiday season draws near, you can be sure that puppy mills/mass breeding facilities will be grinding out thousands of puppies to meet the seasonal demand. The dog industry reports that 50-60% of pet store puppy sales occur during the holiday season. We thought this would be a good time to provide some information related to the USDA and commercial/mass breeding facilities.
Nationally, many organizations, groups, and individuals are organizing peaceful rallies outside pet stores that sell puppies. PetShopPuppies has focused our efforts on the Indianapolis area and we will be holding weekly rallies until Christmas. Our rally schedule can be found at the end of this newsletter. We hope those of you in and around the area will join us in speaking out on behalf of the breeding parents trapped in these factories. We believe that education is the key to stopping puppy mills. Please help us spread the word.
USDA Regulated Breeders--What does it really mean?
When a pet store says their puppies come from USDA regulated breeders, what does that really mean? Let's forgo the semantics. Whether you call them a puppy mill, USDA regulated and inspected breeder, professional breeder, puppy farm, commercial kennel, local breeder, private breeder, etc., these are simply labels used to divert attention from the fact that pet stores obtain their puppies from breeders who mass produce puppies. Truly reputable breeders do not mass produce puppies. They are not licensed by the USDA to wholesale their puppies, you will never find their puppies for sale in a pet store, their location is not a secret, they do not meet you in a parking lot to sell you the puppy, they invite you into their home so they can meet you and you can meet the puppy and its parents and see the conditions in which they live. The prospective buyer should also be aware that many mass breeders also pose as small family breeders on the Internet and in newspaper ads. Please never buy a puppy without first screening a breeder's facility in person. Please look over these suggestions for help in finding a reputable dog breeder.
The meaning of the term "puppy mill" is always in debate. Many mass breeders and pet stores say it has no "legal" definition. Actually, it does. The following is the "legal" definition of a puppy mill, established in a court of law in the case of Avenson v. Zegart, 577 F. Supp. 958, 960 (D. Minn.1984). "A "puppy mill" is a dog breeding operation in which the health of the dogs is disregarded in order to maintain a low overhead and maximize profits." Additionally, in April 2008, the USDA recognized "puppy mills" as "facilities that breed large numbers of dogs for sale".The label is insignificant. Call them what you wish. What matters are their breeding practices and the conditions under which their breeding dogs are kept. Regardless of their claims, the bottom line is that they are mass breeding facilities. The dogs are a cash crop, hence the regulation of domestic animals by the United States Department of Agriculture.
A Reason for Hope
A statewide ballot initiative, Proposition B--the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, has been officially voted into law by the citizens of Missouri! Though it will not put and end to commercial breeding nor end suffering altogether, a sea change has finally begun. This will result in positive implications for the state of Indiana as well as states all over the nation. If this change can happen in the "puppy mill capital" of the U.S. then it can happen anywhere! We must keep fighting and speaking out of behalf of those enslaved in these prisons.
A note regarding Indiana--a law was passed last year which states, "commercial dog breeders shall provide every dog with a reasonable opportunity for exercise at least one (1) time per day." However, at the present time this is not being monitored nor enforced.
Minimum Standards of Care
Until any improvements are actually implemented, let's recall the current standrds of care for dogs in commercial/mass breeding facilities. Here are the basics. If a breeder has more than 3 unaltered females and sells their puppies "wholesale", meaning to someone other than the final owner, they must be licensed by the USDA and are subject to the regulations set forth by The Animal Welfare Act. The Animal Welfare Act is the federal law that regulates the dog breeding industry. The USDA is responsible for setting the "minimum standards of care" by which commercial/mass dog breeders must operate, as well as enforcing the Animal Welfare Act. The commercial/mass dog breeding industry itself had a significant role in determining the "minimum standards of care". Commercial/mass dog breeding facilities that are in full compliance of the Animal Welfare Act usually fall far short of what most of us would consider even remotely humane.
USDA size requirements for dog cages:
*Wire flooring must be at least 8 gauge wire or coated with vinyl.
*Minimum cage floor space equals (length of dog + 6 inches) x (length of dog + 6 inches).
*The top of the cage must be at least 6 inches above the dog's head.
An example using USDA space requirements in determining cage size:
Minimum cage height is equal to Oliver's height plus 6 inches. Minimum floor space is equal to Oliver's length plus 6 inches, squared. This is the "primary enclosure", the cage in which the dog will live its entire life.
USDA exercise requirements for dogs in commercial breeding facilities:*Dogs housed in cages with only the 6 inches of space, as described above, must have an exercise plan in writing. However, regulations fall short of actually requiring the breeder to implement the exercise plan. There is no way for the USDA to know if the exercise plan is being followed. *If a breeder doubles the minimum cage size (12 inches instead of 6 inches of space), the opportunity for exercise is not required.*If 2 or more dogs are housed together, the opportunity for exercise is not required.
*Up to 12 dogs can be housed in the same cage.
Self-feeders and waterers as well as wire bottom cages which allow the passage of urine and feces, virtually eliminate the need for a breeder to ever touch their dogs. Dogs living in USDA sanctioned cages will seldom, if ever, leave them. They will live, sleep, eat, drink, urinate, defecate, mate and give birth in these cages. This existence will continue until they die or are sold, likely to another breeder. This treatment is legal according to USDA guidelines.
Pet Stores
PetShopPuppies has led a six year campaign against various Indiana area pet stores. Our research demonstrates practices that are consistent throughout the commercial dog industry. The following figures obtained through the Freedom of Information Act help to establish that these stores receive their puppies from mass breeding facilities. Please see the information below.
Inventory Counts for Indiana Dog Breeders as Documented in USDA Inspection Reports
During the 2007 fiscal year (Oct 1st, 2007 to Sept 30th, 2008) the USDA conducted inspections on 79 licensed breeding facilities in Indiana. Those inspections revealed the following:
4797 adult breeding dogs, with an average of 61 adults present at each inspection.
2255 puppies, with an average of 28 puppies present at each inspection.
This is not a complete picture since there have been approximately 137 USDA licensed breeders in Indiana in the past 3 years and our data includes only 79 facilities (figures compiled in 2009). However, since inspections are random this would seem to be fair sampling of what could be expected on any given day in an Indiana USDA licensed breeding facility.
The puppies counted by USDA on an inspection can be expected to be gone within 8 weeks but replaced by the same average number of puppies. In other words, once a litter of puppies moves out, another litter takes it place. There are 6.5 eight-week periods in a year. A facility with 28 puppies present during one USDA inspection would indicate, on average, that facility will produce 182 puppies each year.
Further calculation of 2255 puppies multiplied by 6.5 gives an average total of:14,657 puppies produced per year by just those 79 licensed facilities that were inspected in the 2007 fiscal year.
The Bottom Line Call these facilities what you like. The living conditions of the dogs confined in them are what matters. The "minimum standards of care" have been mandated by the USDA and are undebatable. When a pet store says their puppies don't come from puppy mills but instead come from USDA regulated breeders, realize that the distinction here is irrelevant. Either way, the dogs live lives of constant confinement, deprivation and exploitation.
Please help us educate the public about the truth behind pet store puppies. Please join us for peaceful protests during this holiday season and encourage anyone you know who might be considering a new pet to consider adopting from a shelter/rescue organization or find a reputable, compassionate breeder.
Help Us Continue our Work
As we prepare to say goodbye to 2010, we hope you will consider a tax-deductible donation to our Indiana Awareness Campaign. Your generous support has enabled us to continue to educate people about the realities of the commercial dog breeding industry. In our best effort to combat holiday puppy sales in Indiana, we are planning to run print ads this month and we also have a billboard on display. These methods of education do not come cheap but given the number of people we reach, it is a necessary expense. Please help if you can.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Dogs Dressed As Turkeys
It seems a lot of people like to make their dogs part of everything they do, even holidays. These photos are a few from a costume contest to find the best "dog dressed as a turkey". You have to wonder if the dogs are trying to figure out what's going on. Too bad they can't talk and express what's really going through their heads.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
November is Senior Pet Month
“Celebrate senior pets!” Since November is National Senior Pet Month, we are urging all of you pet lovers to acknowledge, embrace, and truly celebrate our mature pets…they’ve earned it!
You may not realize it, but 35% of pets in U.S. households are senior pets. Like humans, the pet population is aging but the good news is they are aging gracefully.
Adult pets are living longer, and better. You can thank amazing advancements in veterinary care, and healthier pet lifestyles. It is up to you, however, to recognize your older pet as a senior.
Admit your puppy is no longer a puppy, but an adult or senior pet.
It really is important to take your pet to the vet at least twice a year for senior wellness exams. Write down a list of changes you may see in your pet and share them with his veterinarian. Some may be quite subtle, (like sleeping more or losing interest in toys) some more obvious, ( loss of appetite) but regardless share them with your vet. There may be certain tests or diagnostics your vet may want to perform that are specific to seniors.
Those of us who have older pets have created special, long-term bonds. It is not to say those who have younger pets have not, but this is your month and opportunity to re-connect with your older pet.
Senior pets who’ve been a part of the family for years may not be the attention grabber they used to be in the family. They still need to know they are appreciated and not taken for granted. Give them extra walks or belly rubs at the end of a busy day. They’ve given you so much, it’s time for pay back.
As your dog ages from adult to senior, you may notice some changes and special requirements that need to be met. Knowing what to expect can better prepare dog owners to deal with their new senior pet.
When is my dog considered a senior?
Most dogs are considered "senior" at around 7 years of age. This number may be higher for small breed dogs and slightly lower for large breed dogs. For information on how to better estimate your pet's age in comparison to human years, please read Dogs and People - What is the Age Comparison?
What changes can I expect as my dog becomes a senior?
• You may first notice changes in your dog's activity level. Similar to people, elderly dogs may not have the same amount of energy they once did.
• It is common to see weight changes in your senior dog. With the change in your senior dog's activity level, metabolic changes could result in weight gain or loss.
• Many diseases are more prevalent in senior dogs. These diseases include, but are not limited to: dental, heart and kidney disease; as well as diabetes, arthritis, cancer and cognitive function disorder. The following symptoms are common signs that your senior pet may be ill: Increase thirst or urination - bad breath - difficulty climbing stairs or jumping up, and/or increased stiffness or limping - excessive panting or barking - confusion or disorientation - changes in skin and hair coat. For dogs with arthritis you will want to look into hip & joint supplements.
• If you notice any of these symptoms you should have your senior dog checked out by your veterinarian.
November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month
Local shelters have a variety of animals available for adoption; all ages, sizes and shapes, but which one will be right for you?
What is a Senior?
Depending on the breed of animal you are looking at, a pet is considered a senior around age 7 or 8. Giant breeds, such as Great Danes are considered senior at 5 while a Chihuahua would be senior at 9 or 10. Cats generally live longer than dogs, so their senior years would be about the same as the Chihuahua. But your veterinarian or the shelters veterinarian would be able to give you an accurate reading on the pet you are considering adopting.
Why adopt a Senior?
A senior pet can be considered a ‘take home pet’. You take them home and they fit right into your life. There is less chance of chewing and housetraining issues, they can be left alone longer than a puppy, require less vigilance in supervision. And best of all, they are grateful for a second chance, they truly appreciate the forever home you will be giving them.
Where can I find a Senior?
Get out to your local shelter and see who is ready to go to your forever home
Monday, October 18, 2010
Home Sweet Home
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PETS, THIS IS A TRUE STORY. FOR THOSE THAT DON'T, IT IS A TRUE STORY.
The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.
Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.
I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.
For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.
The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.
Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:
TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:
(1) They live here. You don't.
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur' niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.
Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
(1) eat less,
(2) don't ask for money all the time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4) normally come when called,
(5) never ask to drive the car,
(6) don't smoke or drink,
(7) don't want to wear your clothes,
(8) don't have to buy the latest fashions,
(9) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and
(10) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
24 Common Plants Poisonous to Pets
Pet-owners know that dogs and cats often have a penchant for eating strange things. Cats may gravitate toward plastic or wool, and many a dog will chew on whatever it can get its chops around. And then there are plants. Whether garden plants, houseplants, plants in the wild, or flowers from the florist–plants can provide a tasty and tempting diversion for animals, one that can be at odds with your pet’s health.
In order to prevent poisoning by cut flowers or house plants, avoid placing toxic ones in your home where pets may be able to access them. Or better yet, avoid buying flowers and plants that are known to be toxic. Outside is trickier, especially if your dog or cat has a wide range to roam.
For dogs, the animal science department at Cornell University suggests adding bran flakes to his food or switching her diet to one higher in vegetable fibers to deter cravings for vegetation. The only other thing to do is to watch your dog’s behavior when walking outside, and try to prevent them from munching on vegetation unless you knowit is harmless. When you see symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, difficult breathing, abnormal urine, salivation, weakness, and any other abnormal condition, take your dog to the veterinarian because it may be poisoned.
You can use this list, which has been compiled using information provided by Cornell University and the ASPCA, as a guide to what plants and flowers to keep your eyes open for. The list is by no means exhaustive, there are a number of other toxic plants, but this covers the top offenders. (For a complete list, visit the ASPCA website.)
Aloe Vera
Great for burns, toxic to cats and dogs. Who knew? If you keep an aloe plant on hand for burns, make sure to keep it out of reach for your pets.
• Symptoms: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, anorexia, tremors, change in urine color.
Amaryllis
Pretty, common as a garden ornamental, and a very popular potted bulb for the holidays…and toxic to both cats and dogs. Be careful with the bulbs, they contain the most toxins.
• Symptoms: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia, tremors.
Azalea/Rhodedendron
Not only toxic to cats and dogs, this popular garden staple is also dangerous for horses, goats and sheep–and ingestion of just a few leaves can cause serious problems.
• Symptoms: Acute digestive upset, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, frequent bowel movements/diarrhea, colic, depression, weakness, loss of coordination, stupor, leg paralysis, weak heart rate and recumbency for 2 or more days; at this point, improvement may be seen or the animal may become comatose and die.
Baby’s Breath
This sweet filler of many a floral arrangement seems innocent enough, but not so innocuous when it comes to your pet’s digestion.
• Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea.
Begonia
This popular garden and container plant is toxic to both dogs and cats. The tubers are the most toxic part.
• Symptoms: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.
Carnations
The carnation isn’t the most poisonous of the bunch, but it’s ubiquity in floral arrangements makes it one to keep your eye out for.
• Symptoms: Mild gastrointestinal signs, mild dermatitis.
Castor Bean
Not in everyone’s garden or bouquet, but castor bean plant is a popular landscaping plant used in many parks and public spaces. Watch out for it on those dog walks.
• Symptoms: abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death.
Chrysanthemum
The smell of chrysanthemum is enough to keep me away, but dogs and cats may still be drawn to it. It’s not likely to cause death, but it is a popular plant and can cause quite a bit of discomfort. In certain cases, depression and loss of coordination may also develop if enough of any part of the plant is consumed.
• Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, dermatitis.
Cyclamen
These pretty flowers are popular in the garden and in pots–and they are toxic to both cats and dogs. The highest concentration of the toxic component is typically located in the root portion of the plant.
• Symptoms: gastrointestinal irritation, including intense vomiting. Fatalities have also been reported in some cases.
Daffodil
Most people aren’t going to let their pet chow down on pretty daffodils, but who knows what may happen when you turn your back. These harbingers of spring are toxic to cats and dogs; the bulbs being the most toxic part.
• Symptoms: Vomiting, salvation, diarrhea; large ingestions cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors and cardiac arrhythmias.
Gladiola
Although gladiolus are great in the garden, they are more popularly used in floral arrangements–since it is the corm (bulb) that is most toxic to dogs and cats it may not present much of a problem, but still…
• Symptoms: Salivation, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, diarrhea.
Hosta
If you have shade in your yard, I’m guessing you have a host of hostas. Am I right? I’ve seen many hostas unbothered by dogs and cats, but the plant is toxic to both–so make sure your pet doesn’t have a taste for them.
• Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression.
Ivy (California Ivy, Branching Ivy, Glacier Ivy, Needlepoint Ivy, Sweetheart Ivy, English Ivy)
I really can’t see a dog or cat approaching a wall of ivy and begin munching away, but then again, some of the things I have heard about pets eating have really surprised me, so…be warned. Ivy foliage is more toxic than its berries.
• Symptoms: Vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, diarrhea.
Lilies
So lovely, so fragrant, so dangerous to kitties! Members of the Lilium family are considered to be highly toxic to cats, even when very small portions are ingested. Many types of lily (Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Easter, Stargazer, Casa Blanca) can cause kidney failure in cats. Curiously, lilies are not toxic to dogs.
• Symptoms: Kidney failure.
Milkweed
For the sake of the monarchs I really hope you will plant milkweed in your garden, but…dangit, it’s quite toxic to dogs and cats. (You can help monarchs in other ways, though: First Aid for Butterflies.)
• Symptoms: Vomiting, profound depression, weakness, anorexia, and diarrhea are common; may be followed by seizures, difficulty breathing, rapid, weak pulse, dilated pupils, kidney or liver failure, coma, respiratory paralysis and death.
Morning Glory
It somehow doesn’t surprise me that morning glory can cause hallucinations–and although cats on catnip are cute, cats and dogs experiencing rubber reality? Not so much.
• Symptoms: Gastrointestinal upset, agitation, tremors, disorientation, ataxia, anorexia, hallucinations.
Oleander
Being a native of southern California, I’ve known forever that oleander is pretty, and poisonous–but I never knew how severely it could affect cats, dogs, and even horses. All parts contain a highly toxic cardiac glycoside (much like digitoxin) and can cause a number of problems.
• Symptoms: Colic, diarrhea (possibly bloody), sweating, incoordination, shallow/difficult breathing, muscle tremors, recumbency, and possibly death from cardiac failure.
Poinsettia
“Beware the poinsettia,” pet-owners have been told ad nauseam. But guess what, they are totally over-rated in toxicity! The ubiquitous holiday decoration may cause discomfort, but not the alarming panic that has been described. Read Can Poinsettias Kill Your Cat? for more about the Poinsettia myth.
• Symptoms: Irritating to the mouth and stomach, sometimes causing mild vomiting.
Pothos
Not the most toxic plant on the list, but it’s such a popular houseplant that is should be noted that cats and dogs can both have adverse reactions to chewing or ingesting it.
• Symptoms: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.
Sago Palm
If you live in a temperate region, chances are that you have sago palms around. They are a very popular landscaping plant, and also do double duty as a popular bonsai choice. They are apparently very tasty to animals, and unfortunately highly toxic–all parts are poisonous, but especially the seeds.
• Symptoms: Vomiting, melena, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, death
Tomato Plant
Is there anything better than the smell of tomato plants on your hands after you’ve picked fresh tomatoes? Not so for your dog or cat. Although tomato plants probably won’t prove lethal for your pet, they can provide a good dose of discomfort.
• Symptoms: Hypersalivation, inappetence, severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, drowsiness, CNS depression, confusion, behavioral change, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate.
Tulip/Narcissus
It’s the bulb of the tulip and narcissus plants that have the highest concentration of toxins. This means: if you have a dog that digs, be cautious. Or, if you are forcing bulbs indoors, make sure they they are out of reach.
• Symptoms: Intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.
Yew
The bark and leaves of this very popular evergreen provided the basis for the cancer-treatment drug, paclitaxel–but general ingestion of any part of the tree (except the flesh of the berry) can be very dangerous to animals. Horses have an especially low tolerance to yew.
• Symptoms: Central nervous system effects such as trembling, incoordination, and difficulty breathing. It can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac failure, which can result in death.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Tainted Pet Food Linked to Rare Salmonella Infection
The news about these studies hit all of the news services and health organization sites today.
Young Children and Elderly, Are at Risk of Salmonella Infection From Direct or Indirect Contact With Pets
Young Children and Elderly, Are at Risk of Salmonella Infection From Direct or Indirect Contact With Pets
Aug. 9, 2010 -- Pet food can be a source of salmonella infection, and millions of families, particularly young children, may be at risk of becoming sick if pet food is not properly handled and stored in the home, according to research conducted by the CDC and several state departments of health.
Human salmonella infections linked to dry pet food had not been reported prior to a three-year outbreak in 2006-2008. Overall, Salmonella enterica causes 1.4 million illnesses and 400 deaths every year nationwide. Although the most common source of human infection is ingestion of contaminated water or food, infection can also occur through direct or indirect contact with pets.
One type of Salmonella enterica is called Salmonella Schwarzengrund, which is not common and accounts for only 0.4% of all human salmonella infections per year. Federal and state researchers examined a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Schwarzengrund that occurred from 2006 to 2008. They conducted one case-controlled study to evaluate household exposures to pet food and a second study to examine the risk factors for transmitting salmonella among children. In the United States, 37% of households have dogs and 32% have cats, and many pets are fed dry pet food, which includes animal ingredients such as liver, beef, or fish.
Researchers compared households where there was a case of infection to geographically matched households where there was no infection.Participants were interviewed and also filled out questionnaires about their contact with animals, use of pet food, brand of pet food used, and pet-feeding practices.
Salmonella in Pet Food
Among the researchers’ findings:
• More than 23,000 tons of dry dog and cat pet foods from more than 100 different brands were recalled during the time covered by the study.
•Of patients infected during the time of the study nearly half, 48%, were children aged 2 or younger. Symptoms included bloody diarrhea and fever. Some patients were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
• Illnesses among infants were significantly associated with feeding pets in the kitchen, but, interestingly, there was no association between salmonella contamination and children putting pet food in their mouths. Illness in case households was strongly associated with contact with a dog.
• The results were published in the September issue of Pediatrics and were released today online.
The researchers note that dry pet food has a long shelf life and that Salmonella may have remained in some households even after the pet foods were recalled. According to the report, since 2006 the FDA has announced at least 13 recalls of 135 pet food products due to salmonella contamination.
The authors recommend that pet owners and their families regularly wash their hands after interacting with pets and pet food products and routinely keep a pet’s food and water bowls cleaned and disinfected. The bowls should not be cleaned in the same kitchen sinks or bathtubs where children are bathed, the researchers said, because of the risk of cross contamination.
Facts released in the reports:
*Salmonella, a food-borne illness, can be serious in infants and the elderly.
*The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that contact with pets and contact with the pet's environment -- their bed and where they eat and sleep, for example -- can result in human infections
*Feeding pets in the kitchen quadrupled the risk of illness.
*Bacterium multiply either on the floor of the kitchen, or people don't clean their dog bowls
*Studies emphasize the importance of washing your hands whenever you deal with anything from a pet, including petting them, touching their mouth or cleaning up after them , especially for children and elderly whose immune systems are weak in comparison to most adults.
*An important precaution is to have well-packaged, well-stored pet food, keeping it out of the reach of infants and toddlers,.
To reduce infection risks at home, they also recommend:
_washing hands after contact with pets, pet food and pet bowls.
_routinely cleaning pet food bowls and feeding areas.
_keeping children younger than age 5 away from pet food and feeding areas.
_cleaning pets' food and water dishes in a separate sink or tub, not in the kitchen or bathtub.
_avoiding bathing infants in the kitchen sink.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Important Points To Consider Before Adopting
Although you can find the perfect companion at local shelters, getting a pet should never be an impulse decision. Careful research and planning are essential, since being responsible for the happiness and well being of your pet requires more than just providing adequate food, water, and shelter. Potential pet parents should consider and agree with the following points before adopting a dog:
1. ANIMALS ARE NOT DISPOSABLE!
• Dogs are thinking, feeling creatures. They bond deeply with their families, and they deserve the same devotion from you.
• Bringing a pet into your home should be a life-long commitment, which can easily be 10-15 years.
2. PROTECT YOUR PET'S HEALTH AND SAFETY!
• Prepare for costs associated with basic and emergency veterinary care, quality food, and supplies.
• Don't be guilty of "dog storage" by leaving your dog in the back yard 24 hours/day. Exercise your dog daily and make him your companion.
• Spay or neuter for long-term health & happiness. This not only makes a better pet, but can also prevent certain types of cancer.
• Insure that your dog is properly identified with a tag, tattoo, or micro-chip. At a minimum, always have your dog wear a collar with an ID tag.
• Obedience train your dog. Training helps you to better communicate with your dog, strengthens the bond between you, & insures that your pet will be a canine good citizen.
3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT DOG FOR YOUR HOME
• Consider apartment pet restrictions, space, and outside access if you are gone all day.
• Pay attention to allergies.
• If travel and job relocation is an issue for you,
then it is also an issue for your pet. Your commitment means making arrangements to provide quality care while you're away, or to insure that the transition to your new home is as easy as possible.
• Some large dogs may be too strong or active for small children. Small dogs may be too delicate for active children.
• Sometimes puppies and children don't mix. All puppies chew and mouth. It is a by-product of teething. Careful supervision and education is essential. Nipping is also normal puppy behavior and should be discouraged, but should not be considered aggressive behavior.
4. TEACH YOURSELF & FAMILY ABOUT PETS
• Educate yourself about pet care before you adopt. Responsibilities such as feeding and bathing, cleaning up feces, and walking are all part of caring for your pet.
• Take some time to understand dog behavior and develop realistic expectations. Many books and videos are available on the subject.
5. MAKE SURE THE DOG YOU CHOOSE SUITS YOUR LIFESTYLE
• All dogs require daily exercise; however, active dogs require daily rigorous exercise, such as running, or interaction with other dogs. If you are not up to the task, choose a dog with a calmer, less active temperament.
• Someone in the home should be designated the primary caretaker, so the pet's daily needs do not become lost in the shuffle of busy schedules.
Remember, careful thought and planning before adopting will spare the animal the stress of being returned, and will insure your pet and your family a long and satisfying life together. If you are confident that you are ready to add a four-legged member to your family.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Summer Care Tips for You and Your Pet
Summer is a time for both you and your pet to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors, but along with the fun, the season also offers up situations that can endanger your pet. By taking precautions, you can decrease the chance that disaster will happen. The HSUS offers these tips for pet owners to keep their furry friends safe this summer.
Never Leave Your Pet in the Car
In nice weather you may be tempted to take your pet with you in the car while you travel or do errands. But during warm weather, the inside of your car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even if you're parked in the shade. This can mean real trouble for your companion animals left in the car.
Dogs and cats can't perspire and can only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet. Pets who are left in hot cars even briefly can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, and can even die. Don't think that just because you'll be gone "just a minute" that your pet will be safe while you're gone; even an air-conditioned car with the motor off isn't healthy for your pet.
To avoid any chance that your pet will succumb to the heat of a car this summer, be sure to play it safe by leaving your pet cool and refreshed at home while you're on the road. And if you do happen to see a pet in a car alone during the hot summer months, alert the management of the store where the car is parked. If the owner does not return promptly, call local animal control or the police department immediately.
Don't Put Your Pet In the Back of a Truck
It is very dangerous, and in some states illegal, to drive with a dog in the back of a pick-up truck. Not only can flying debris cause serious injury, but a dog may be unintentionally thrown into traffic if the driver suddenly hits the brakes, swerves, or is hit by another car. Dogs should ride either in the cab (in a crate or wearing a seat belt harness designed for dogs) or in a secured crate in the bed of the truck.
Watch Out For Fertilizers and Deadly Plants
Summer is often a time when people fertilize their lawns and work in their gardens. But beware: Plant food, fertilizer, and insecticides can be fatal if your pet ingests them. In addition, more than 700 plants can produce physiologically active or toxic substances in sufficient amounts to cause harmful effects in animals.
Stay Bite-Free
With people and dogs spending more time outside, dog bites are likely to increase in the summer months. Spaying or neutering your dog reduces the likelihood that he will bite and provides many other health benefits.
Pet Care 101
Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar and identification tag. If you are separated from your pet, an ID tag may very well be his or her ticket home.
Check with your veterinarian to see if your pets should be taking heartworm prevention medication. Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal in both dogs and cats. Another summertime threat is fleas and ticks. Use only flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter flea and tick products can be toxic, even when used according to instructions.
Water Wisdom
Pets and pools can equal disaster. Prevent free access to pools and always supervise a pet in a pool. Provide plenty of water and shade for your pets while they're enjoying the great outdoors so they can stay cool.
Travel Tips
If you plan on traveling with your pet during the summer, take the time to prepare for your furry friends in advance. Many airlines have summer pet embargoes, and most trains and ships do not allow pets other than service animals. The HSUS has information on traveling with your pet that may make the difference between a pleasant trip and a vacation nightmare.
If You Can't Stand the Heat...
Pets need exercise even when it is hot, but extra care needs to be taken with older dogs, short-nosed dogs, and those with thick coats. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Keep in mind that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws. Pets can get sunburned too, and your pet may require sunscreen on his or her nose and ear tips. Pets with light-colored noses or light-colored fur on their ears are particularly vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer.
Your pet can suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. These conditions are very serious and could cause your pet to die. You should be aware of the signs of heat stress, which could include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue.
If your pet does become overheated, you need to immediately lower his body temperature. Move your pet into the shade and apply cool (not cold) water over his body to gradually lower his core body temperature. Apply cold towels or ice packs to your pet's head, neck, and chest only. Let your pet drink small amounts of water or lick ice cubes. Most importantly, get him to a veterinarian immediately.
Play It Safe
Don't take your pets to crowded summer events such as concerts or fairs. The loud noises and crowds, combined with the heat, can be stressful and dangerous for pets. For your pet's well being, leave her at home. Be especially aware of these threats during holidays.
News for Cats and Dogs
For information and complete lists of recalled pet foods view the following links:
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Letter from a Shelter Manager
A Letter from a Shelter Manager
I think our society needs a huge " Wake-up" call.
As a shelter manager, I am going to share a little insight with you all. ..a view from the inside if you will.
First off, all of you breeders/sellers should be made to work in the "back" of an animal shelter for just one day.
Maybe if you saw the life drain from a few sad, lost, confused eyes, you would change your mind about breeding and selling to people you don't even know. That puppy you just sold will most likely end up in my shelter when it's not a cute little puppy anymore.
So how would you feel if you knew that there's about a 90% chance that dog will never walk out of the shelter it is going to be dumped at? Purebred or not! About 50% of all of the dogs that are "owner surrenders" or "strays" that come into my shelter are purebred dogs.
The most common excuses I hear are;
"We are moving and we can't take our dog (or cat)." Really? Where are you moving to that doesn't allow pets and why did you choose that place instead of a pet friendly home?
Or they say "The dog got bigger than we thought it would". How big did you think a German Shepherd would get?
"We don't have time for her". Really? I work a 10- 12 hour day and still have time for my 6 dogs!
"She' s tearing up our yard". How about making her a part of your family?
They always tell me: "We just don't want to have to stress about finding a place for her we know she'll get adopted, she's a good dog."
Odds are your pet won't get adopted & how stressful do you think being in a shelter is? Well, let me tell you, your pet has 72 hours to find a new family from the moment you drop it off. Sometimes a little longer if the shelter isn't full and your dog manages to stay completely healthy. If it sniffles, it dies.
Your pet will be confined to a small run/kennel in a room with about 25 other barking or crying animals. It will have to relieve itself where it eats and sleeps.
It will be depressed and it will cry constantly for the family that abandoned it.
If your pet is lucky, I will have enough volunteers in that day to take him/her for a walk. If I don't, your pet won't get any attention besides having a bowl of food slid under the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of its pen with a high-powered hose.
If your dog is big, black or any of the "Bully" breeds (pit bull, rottie, mastiff, etc) it was pretty much dead when you walked it through the front door. Those dogs just don't get adopted.
It doesn't matter how 'sweet' or 'well behaved' they are. If your dog doesn't get adopted within its 72 hours and the shelter is full, it will be destroyed.
If the shelter isn't full and your dog is good enough, and of a desirable enough breed it may get a stay of execution, but not for long.
Most dogs get very kennel protective after about a week and are destroyed for showing aggression. Even the sweetest dogs will turn in this environment.
If your pet makes it over all of those hurdles chances are it will get kennel cough or an upper respiratory infection and will be destroyed because shelters just don't have the funds to pay for even a $100 treatment.
Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being "put-down"....
First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash. They always look like they think they are going for a walk - happy, wagging their tails.
Until, they get to "The Room", every one of them freak out and put the brakes on when we get to the door. It must smell like death or they can feel the sad souls that are left in there, it's strange, but it happens with every one of them.
Your dog or cat will be restrained, held down by 1 or 2 vet techs depending on the size and how freaked out they are.
Then a euthanasia tech or a vet will start the process. They will find a vein in the front leg and inject a lethal dose of the "pink stuff".
Hopefully your pet doesn't panic from being restrained and jerk. I've seen the needles tear out of a leg and been covered with the resulting blood and been deafened by the yelps and screams.
They all don't just "go to sleep", sometimes they spasm for a while, gasp for air and defecate on themselves.
When it all ends, your pet's corpse will be stacked like firewood in a large freezer in the back with all of the other animals that were killed waiting to be picked up like garbage.
What happens next? Cremated? Taken to the dump? Rendered into pet food? You'll never know and it probably won't even cross your mind. It was just an animal and you can always buy another one, right?
I hope that those of you that have read this are bawling your eyes out and can't get the pictures out of your head I deal with everyday on the way home from work.
I hate my job, I hate that it exists & I hate that it will always be there unless you people make some changes and realize that the lives you are affecting go much further than the pets you dump at a shelter.
Between 9 and 11 MILLION animals die every year in shelters and only you can stop it. I do my best to save every life I can but rescues are always full, and there are more animals coming in everyday than there are homes.
My point to all of this: DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER PETS DIE!
Hate me if you want to. The truth hurts and reality is what it is.
I just hope I may be changed one person's mind about breeding their dog, taking their loving pet to a shelter, or buying a dog.
I hope that someone will walk into my shelter and say "I saw this and it made me want to adopt." THAT WOULD MAKE IT WORTH IT!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Kitten Mills
42 cats removed from trailer
By Don Reid
The Daily Reporter
Posted May 28, 2010 @ 12:44 AM
Coldwater Township, Mich. —
Stench of cat urine and feces rolled out of the widows of a single-wide in the Cambridge Trailer Park Wednesday afternoon.
Forty-two cats and kittens were housed inside, where a thermometer — used by Branch County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies — read 110 degrees. Most food and water dishes were empty or contaminated with waste.
Andrea Dann, who lives across the road from the trailer, admitted she was helping boyfriend Richard Crocker, 61, breed, raise and sell the cats for $350 or more each. Her name is on the business because Crocker, who is on probation, is not allowed to have cats after his arrest twice before on animal cruelty charges.
Dann and Crocker’s ex-wife were listed on the Web site of KaveKats selling the Maine Coon breed. Dann told officers Crocker was selling between one and three a week.
Here is the website where they are selling these poor abused cats http://kavekats.com/
Friday, May 14, 2010
Animal Planet Investigates: Petland
Animal Planet Investigates: Petland
Did you know that 99% of puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills?
Did you know that pet store owners and managers will almost never give an honest answer about where their puppies come from and the conditions of the facility?
Don't miss this Animal Planet special on May 17th! It will be on several times during the night, so please check your local listings. The description of the show on the AP website is:
A comprehensive investigation of large-scale commercial dog breeders, known as puppy mills. Its primary target and defendant in an HSUS lawsuit: the largest puppy-selling retailer in the country, Petland.
(click on link above for schedule)
Monday, April 12, 2010
Cocoa Mulch And Pets
There has been a lot of information going around the internet, mostly via email, about the dangers of cocoa mulch. While there is a grain of truth in most of them, there is also a lot of misinformation. For the real facts about the issues with cocoa mulch and pets visit the ASPCA website at :
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/ask-the-expert/ask-the-expert-poison-control/cocoa-bean-shell-mulch.html
In the last paragraph click on the orage words "read this article". This will show you a PDF file of their official investigation report regarding cocoa mulch.
To insure your pet's health and safetly alway be sure you have checked out any information you are being given with reputable sources; and review their information thoroughly.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Soup Kitchens For Pets
This article was received today from a friend. It's taken from RT, the first Russian English language 24/7 news organization. It's goal is to share news with the world and find common ground among all peoples. This article shows how much we have in common, especially when it comes to concern for animals and those who love them. (Any mispellings are a result of translation.)
Soup kitchens for...Pets!
Ciaran Walsh for RT
Published 14 January, 2009, 15:14
As a way of combating the current economic crisis, a charitable organization in Germany has come up with an innovative way to help those in need… through their pets.
It’s surely a sign of the current tough economic times when you hear of soup kitchens springing up all over one of Europe’s traditionally strong economies – but that’s exactly what has been happening in Germany over the last two years.
However, it’s not queues of people that are lining up outside with empty bowls in their outstretched hands asking “Please Sir, can I have some more?”, but rather – pets!
An organisation called ‘Tiertafel’, set up in 2006 by Claudia Holm, has been lightening the financial burden on pet owners who need it most by providing free food and advice in 20 ‘issuing centres’ dotted all over the country.
Tina Krogull, executive board member of Tiertafel, explains what motivated Holm to set up the organization over two years ago:
“Claudia, our chairperson, was watching a show on TV about a German family who found themselves living on social welfare payments. They calculated that after bills each month they only had 15 euro left to spend on either food for the kids or food for the family dog that had been with them for years. Naturally, they choose to feed their children and were forced to give the dog to a shelter. The kids were upset and could not understand why the dog had to leave and the dog itself died a few weeks later from the grief of being separated from the family. Claudia saw this and thought she could not let something like this happen again.”
Claudia, already holding down a full time job, found the time to set up her first issuing centre that supplied food to “dogs, cats, rabbits and any other animals people had in their homes but were having trouble feeding due to financial strain.”
News of the service spread and in that first year Claudia, relying on donations of food and time from other people and volunteers, helped 126 pet owners (or customers as Tiertafel like to call them) – feeding 258 pets in total.
In 2008, with 19 offices nation-wide, Tiertafel helped 4,028 customers to feed 6,291 pets on a regular basis. As economic indicators go, that statistic will not exactly have students of Adam Smith or Milton Friedman declaring we are living in another Great Depression, but it does highlight that more and more people are finding it hard financially.
“That’s 6,291 pets not ending up in animal shelters or left in the streets,” says Tina Krogull proudly.
Tina warns, however, that Tiertafel does not facilitate irresponsible ownership of pets or encourage Germans to acquire pets safe in the knowledge that they will be fed by Tiertafel: “We don’t want to take feeding responsibility away from the owner but rather offer support, helping them feed the pet for a few days a month.”
Indeed, not everyone is eligible to get help form Tiertafel:
“People have to show us official documents to show they are on welfare or have very low wages before we help them. If we see that someone who is already poor get a new pet we won’t support them. We’ve had situations where we had to refuse people because they took on new pets, despite having to come to us for their original pets.”
It all seems like a laudable aim and challenges the old adage that it’s a dog’s life, but how does Tina and Tiertafel react to claims that they could be better spending their time helping humans who are in trouble, rather than animals:
“We are helping not only the animals, but also the people that own the animals. Many of these people don’t have social relationships outside their pets. They may be old or on their own and their pets are their only companionship. We have one case of a woman in Frankfurt who is in her eighties. Her husband died years ago and she is in ill-health. This lady is so happy to have the help. She says if her cats die then she too has no reason to live. The cats are her children and they are keeping her alive.”
The Tiertafel organisation, completely run by volunteers and maintained by donations, plans to open one new centre every month this year and they feel their service is especially needed in these tough times. After Christmas it is usually busy too as families who may get pets as presents quickly realise the amount of money involved in their upkeep. So what is in it for people like Tina?
“The only payment we get is to see happy dogs and their happy owners.”
With the constant reminders of the global economic downturn, Tina – herself the owner of three cats – sums up the importance of owning a commodity like a pet:
“To come home to them and see them relaxed and hear them purring is just as good as a two-week holiday in the sun!”
A timely reminder, perhaps, that an animal is for life, and not just for Christmas.
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