Douxo Seborrhea Shampoo Warning

This information is from the FDA website:

FDA Issues Caution to Pet Owners with the Use of an Unapproved Pet Shampoo Product

 

May 13, 2011

The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine is alerting 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 after recently receiving a report of the death of a woman associated with the use of the product on her dog.

The March adverse event report describes a woman with severe, preexisting 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 consider consulting with their physicians prior to use of this product.

FDA is currently investigating this serious issue and will provide additional information as appropriate.

To view the FDA site click on the link below:

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm255384.htm

ProMeris - To Kill Ticks and Fleas

 

I've researced the warnings about this product and while the ASPCA does not have anything on their website at this time I found hundreds of forums where people had shared their experiences with this product. They all reported the same issues.

Below is just one comment that tells the experience all of the people who posted on forums had with this product. The level of symptoms varied a little, but not much, and all sizes and breeds seemed to be affected.

Example of Forum Posts:

This is Jo and this is a very important message to my family & friends who have dogs-cats--and to alert you to the hazard of using a new Flea & Tick Preventative called ProMeris http://www.promeris.com/consumer/.

This is a new product designed to be a more effective product than other flea/tick treatments that was just released this year. It is available thru a vet and not currently on-line. I got ProMeris this week for my 7 dogs (6 Huskies & 1 Golden-Airedale) , and the results were debilitating for nearly all of them-including me. Since my incident this week, my vet has pulled it from distribution and alerted the manufacturer, Fort Dodge.

Here are my results: Within less than 2 hours after applying, 4 of my dogs had vomited from 2-4 times, 3 were disoriented and stumbling, 1 was dragging his back leg, 1 was salivating. I had very similar symptoms like an allergic reaction-my lips were swollen, eyes very red, mucous membranes such as eyes, nose, and mouth were stinging. I was very disoriented- dizzy equilibrium and not able to drive. To make this a short story-all 7 of my dogs were admitted to the hospital for veterinarian care, and 3 of them remained for care, IV fluids and observation for 24 hours. I was in the emergency room. I'm home now and so are the dogs. We're all feeling much better. Vet bills were over $2,500 and Fort Dodge is paying for these. Not only can the product cause this reaction, it has a highly noxious odor that permeated the house and is just starting to dissipate after 3 days.

Your dogs/cats might not have the same reaction, but given my experience-I wanted to help you all become well-educated about the product.

Manufacturer's Comments:

Comments: The manufacturer of ProMeris, Fort Dodge Animal Health (a division of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals), has acknowledged in a statement that the case described above, involving multiple adverse reactions in seven dogs owned by the same person, was reported by the attending veterinarian on April 11, 2008. According to the statement the company's Professional Service Department is still gathering information on the case and will take appropriate action once all the details are known.

The statement also acknowledges "a high number of email forwards and Internet postings" (such as the one above) questioning the safety of ProMeris, all of which the company believes stem from this one case. That may well be true, but at least one other veterinarian, Dr. Paul Jaco of Kentucky, has also reported seeing "a fair share" of adverse side effects from use of the same product, including lethargy, nervous twitching, and hyper salivation. In an interview with WPSD-TV News in Paducah, Jaco said ProMeris isn't a product he currently recommends.

HOW TO USE GARLIC TO KILL FLEAS

Using garlic to repel and kill fleas has become quite popular in the pet world. Rather than use potentially dangerous chemicals to keep your dog flea-free, you can use garlic and get the same results. You should consult with your veterinarian before using garlic to make sure your dog can handle the treatment. Fortunately, it is quite easy to kill fleas with garlic.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Things you’ll need:

• Raw garlic
• Garlic supplements

o    1 Add fresh, raw garlic to your dog's diet. The amount depends on your dog's weight, so consult with a holistic veterinarian. Garlic makes a dog taste bad to fleas.

o    2 Give your dog supplements that contain garlic. Many pet stores sell products that contain garlic just for the flea killing and prevention. Follow the dosing directions on the label.

o    3 Feed your dog treats that contain garlic powder. To make these flea-killing treats, dissolve three beef bullion cubes in 1-1/2 cups of boiling water and set aside. Mix 2 cups of whole wheat flour, 1 cup of cornmeal, 2/3 cup of brewer's yeast and 2 tablespoons of garlic powder in a large bowl. Add 2 egg yolks and slowly add the beef-infused water while stirring. If done properly, the dough will become quite thick. Roll the dough out on a floured surface until it is 1/4-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out your cookies and place them on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes in a 350° oven, then turn the heat off and let the sheet sit in the oven for at least 3 hours. The garlic, along with the brewer's yeast, will keep the jumpy pests away from your pooch.

Dog Saves Boy

This report was in the AOL News today.  

When 22-month-old Tyler Jacobson wandered off into the dark woods surrounding his South Carolina home, he was wearing only his T-shirt and a diaper.

Rescuers using a bloodhound tracking team and an infrared-equipped search helicopter scoured the woods for the missing boy, but high winds and deep darkness forced them to call off their search until daylight Saturday.

After wandering away from home, 22-month-old Tyler Jacobson made it through a cold night in the dark South Carolina woods thanks to his family dog, the local sheriff said.

Thankfully, the toddler had someone looking after him. One of his family's dogs apparently had tagged along and stayed at his side through the night, keeping the boy warm and safe as temperatures dropped into the 40s.

"I believe that dog being with him is what kept him alive," Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews told AOL News in a telephone interview today.

"I was with one of my officers talking to the helicopter crew when we got the call, 'They found him.' And I was like, 'Is he alive?' We worried there was no way, because of the coldness and because he had been out there all night.

"When they said, 'He's fine,' I'm thinking, Wow. How did that happen? And the answer is because of that dog."

Tyler was reported missing about 8 p.m. Friday by his mother, Jacklyn Marie Jacobson, 25, who said that the child left the bedroom where she and her boyfriend were watching a movie to get some juice, according to local newspaper The State.

Dozens of police officers, firefighters and sheriff's deputies searched the woods, some using bloodhounds, while the helicopter circled overhead in a search pattern. But the infrared was looking for a little boy alone -- and without knowing one of the family's two dogs was missing as well, they may have missed the pair, Matthews said.

"We're surmising that's why the helicopter crew could not distinguish the child. They picked up deer and other animals, but they just did not see a small child alone," Matthews told AOL News. Around 3 a.m., with the helicopter needing fuel and winds increasing, they decided the search would resume Saturday morning.

That morning, as dozens of police officers and firefighters headed into the woods with volunteer searchers, a man walking down the road said he thought he heard crying in the woods, Matthews said.

The crying boy and the dog, a mid-size black Labrador retriever mix, were found about a quarter mile from home. The child was cold but otherwise uninjured, Matthews said.

Emily DuBose and Linda Harr, who live in the house near where Tyler was found, said they heard the helicopters overhead Friday night but didn't know a little boy was missing.

"When we saw the choppers last night, we just assumed a criminal was loose, so I locked the door. The last thing I was gonna do is go outside," Harr told local television news station WIS-TV. "I just wish I'd have known, I could have warmed him up, called the cops."

They praised the dog, who kept close to Tyler.

"Just thinking that a dog would watch a baby over the night, it's kind of like a movie instead of real life," DuBose told the station.

Creating an Animal-Friendly Abode

How to Make Your Home Animal-friendly

Easy steps to help get ready for your new furry friend

by Stephanie Vozza

Before introducing a pet to your household, take a few precautions to make sure your home is animal-friendly. Here are some ways to make your abode safe and hazard-free for your dog or cat:

• Keep medicines in a locked cabinet or on a high shelf, and alert guests who may have medicines to keep them secure. “The National Animal Poison Control Center receives the most calls about human drugs inadvertently ingested by animals,” says Deborah Lee Pickett, a veterinarian in Burnsville, Pa

• Keep all chemicals in a locked cabinet. Common hazards include ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinners, drain cleaners, insecticides, mothballs, fabric softener sheets and garden products such as fertilizers.

• Some plants are toxic to pets, including lilies, tulip bulbs, sago palms, poinsettias, philodendrons, daffodils and azaleas. Keep them out of reach or don’t have them at all.

• Restrict access to foods that can be poisonous to pets, including chocolate, yeast, grapes, onions, raisins, Macadamia nuts, alcohol, and products such as gum that contain the sweetener xylitol.
• Cover electrical outlets and remove cords that can be chewed. Keep toilet lids and dryer doors shut. If your cat jumps, screen windows and secure lamps, pictures and collectibles. Don’t leave hot irons or stove burners unattended.

• “When you’re done pet-proofing, get down on your hands and knees and go through your house to see what you may have overlooked,” advises Paris Parmenter, of DogTipper.com.


If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic item, call your vet immediately, Pickett says. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, profound lethargy and severe uncoordination. You also can call the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Visit the website aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control to learn more about protecting your pet from poisonous substances.

Keep Your Pet Safe And Healthy

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dog

Items to avoid &  Reasons to avoid

Alcoholic beverages - Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.

Avocado - The leaves, seeds, fruit, and bark contain persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources -  Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.

Cat food - Generally too high in protein and fats.

Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine -  Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea and be toxic to the heart and nervous systems.

Citrus oil extracts -  Can cause vomiting.

Fat trimmings -  Can cause pancreatitis.

Fish (raw, canned or cooked) -  If fed exclusively or in high amounts can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death.

Grapes, raisins and currants -  Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract.

Hops -  Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures, and death.

Human vitamin supplements containing iron -  Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.

Macadamia nuts - Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.

Marijuana - Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate.

Milk and other dairy products  - Some adult dogs and cats may develop diarrhea if given large amounts of dairy products.

Moldy or spoiled food, garbage - Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.

Mushrooms - Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.

Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder) - Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.

Persimmons Seeds - can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.

Pits from peaches and plums - Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract.

Raw eggs  - Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.

Raw meat  - May contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Rhubarb leaves  - Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.

Salt  - If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.

String  - Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body."

Sugary foods -  Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.

Table scraps (in large amounts)  - Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.

Tobacco -  Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.

Yeast dough -  Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

Xylitol (artificial sweetener) -  Can cause very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can result in vomiting, weakness and collapse. In high doses can cause liver failure.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Cat

Items to avoid & Reasons to avoid

Alcoholic beverages -  Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.

Baby food  - Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to cats fed baby food for an extended period of time. (Please see onion below.) Can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.

Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources  - Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.

Canned tuna (for human consumption) -  Large amounts can cause malnutrition, since it lacks proper levels of vitamins and minerals. It can also lead to thiamine deficiency (see 'Fish' below).

Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine - Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea and be toxic to the heart and nervous system.

Citrus oil extracts - Can cause vomiting.

Dog food -  If accidental ingestion, will not cause a problem; if fed repeatedly, may result in malnutrition and diseases affecting the heart.

Fat trimmings - Can cause pancreatitis.

Fish (raw, canned or cooked) -  If fed exclusively or in high amounts can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death.

Grapes, raisins and currants - Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys.

Human vitamin supplements containing iron - Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.

Macadamia nuts - Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.

Marijuana - Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate.

Milk and other dairy products - Some adult cats and dogs may develop diarrhea if given large amounts of dairy products.

Moldy or spoiled food, garbage - Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.

Mushrooms - Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.

Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder) -  Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.

Persimmons Seeds  - can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.

Raw eggs  - Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.

Raw meat  - May contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Rhubarb leaves -  Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.

Salt -  If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.

String  - Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body."

Sugary foods - Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.

Table scraps (in large amounts)  - Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.

Tobacco  - Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.

Yeast dough - Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

Dropped Pills Top 2010 List Of Toxins Poisoning Pets In America

Human medications including dropped pills sickened more pets in the United States last year than any other toxin.

It's the third year in a row that human medications top the ASPCA’s list of top 10 toxins, which was released Friday.

Over-the-counter medicines with ibuprofen and acetaminophen, antidepressants and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medicine topped the list.

Over a quarter of the calls received by the ASPCA poison centers hotlines in 2010 alone were about pets who had swallowed human drugs. The poison centers do not track deaths because there are too many variables.

Pet owners won't always know what their animals have gotten into – they just know they are showing symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, depression, seizures or refusing food.

A dog who has swallowed pills to treat ADHD will get agitated. What happens when a pet gets hold of birth control, Viagra and Rogaine pills?

Luckily birth control pills today have very small amounts of estrogen in them. Viagra is used for dogs with pulmonary hypertension and it was originally marketed to regulate blood pressure. Rogaine can be very dangerous, especially in cats, and can cause heart failure.

One aspirin or one heart pill probably won't kill a pet, but a month's supply, a big bunch of grapes, a few bars of dark chocolate or a single lily could.

Insecticides, rodenticides, people food, veterinary medications, chocolate, household toxins, plants, herbicides and outdoor toxins (like antifreeze and fertilizers) round out the top 10.

Over the past few years, there has been a slight increase in the number of chocolate-caused deaths and a larger increase in the number of dogs ingesting life-threatening doses of methylxanthine, which is found in chocolate, Dogs love chocolate and they are gluttons. They won't stop eating it. It would take about an ounce of milk chocolate per pound of dog to be deadly, but only an eighth of an ounce of really dark chocolate per pound.

At Easter time especially when lilies are very popular it’s important to watch your cats. If a cat bites on a leaf or bats at a lily and gets pollen on its paw, then licks it off, leave for the vet immediately.

Researchers have only determined in the last four or five years that grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs. They don't know what it is in them that makes this happen, but three-quarters of a pound of grapes can cause very significant toxicity in a dog.

Alcohol , especially cream-based drinks like Russian eggnog, can make an animal very drunk very quickly. The animal will wobble, vomit, maybe inhale vomit into its lungs and become comatose

Bread made from scratch can also be a problem. The reason the dough is rising is because it produces gas, but it also produces alcohol so your dog can get drunk that way too. In addition, the dough will continue to expand inside the dog.

This may seem funny but the number of marijuana calls the centers receive have increased recently. Dogs and cats like to chew on plants, and munching on marijuana plants can increase their blood pressure. While you may not think your pet would every come in contact with marijuana, just realize that it does still grow in the wild to some extent.

To learn more go to the link below for the 

 ASPCA Top 10 Toxins of 2010:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/top-10-pet-poisons-of-the-year.aspx