Ooh, I don't feel so good.

If you have any kind of chicken jerky treats for your pets that were made in China, they belong in the garbage, not in your dear pet’s tummy.  In 2011, the FDA logged in over 350 reports of dogs getting sick or dying from eating chicken jerky products manufactured in China. The products are sometimes called chicken tenders or treats.  The FDA hasn’t identified the source of the toxin or specific brands or types of treats, so your best bet is to avoid them altogether if produced in China.

I, for one, am getting pretty ticked off about the frequency of Chinese consumables putting our pets’ health at risk. I am boycotting all Chinese-made food products until I see China improving their quality control and/or questionable business ethics.

If your dog has eaten Chinese manufactured chicken treats and shows decreased appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, increased water consumption or increased urination, you should see your vet immediately.

Thanks to Diagnostic Imiging Systems for highlighting this problem in their January Veterinary E-News Magazine.

Technorati Tags:   pet health, dog food recalls, toxic pet products from China, pet nutrition

Ever wondered whether pet first aid and CPR is something you should learn more about? Your trusty blogger and pet first aid instructor recently did a brief TV demonstration that gives a couple of important techniques for saving your pet’s life. The demo animals are dogs, but the same techniques apply to cats. Take a look:    King 5 TV: saving your furry family members with pet first aid.

If you have one of those problem kitties, you might want to check out Animal Planet’s new show, My Cat From Hell, featuring cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy. Thanks to one of my favorite blogs, Little Big Cat, we have a sneak preview: Cat From Hell Highlights

I hope by now you’ve heard about another Pig Ear recall for possible salmnella contamination. Just in case you haven’t, here is a link to the Key’s Manufacturing Company’s press release:   http://www.keysmanufacturing.com/recall.htm

Veterinary insurance is an idea that has been around for a long time. The last time I had a pet young enough to use it, there was only one (expensive) option in my state. Now many companies offer this important service to animal owners. The challenge now is to figure out which is the best policy for each owner’s pets. Pet MD has added a great new blog to help figure that out called  Healthy Assurance.

Be Kind to Animals Week  is May 1-7 — oops, we almost missed it. To make amends, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking quote from Little Big Cats recent Cat’s Walk Newsletter:

…this is also a good time to think about the many ways that we impact animals’ lives. There is so much thoughtless and even institutionalized animal cruelty in this world, from calf-roping at rodeos and wild animals in circuses, to the millions of mice (who are legally not considered “animals”) sacrificed in the name of science, and the billions of chickens that will be slaughtered  for human consumption this year alone. Let’s all try to be mindful of their suffering, and do our best not to add to it. Consider a donation to your local shelter, or to one of the national organizations that work so hard for animal welfare and animal rights.

Give your pets a hug for all the joy and well-being they bring to your life.

Technorati Tags: pet first aid and CPR, pigs ear recall, cat behaviorist on Animal Planet, Be Kind to Animals Week

Natural Balance issued the following alert recalling certain of its Sweet Potato & Chicken Formula dog kibble:

 Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc., of Pacoima, CA, announces a voluntary recall of Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food with the “Best By” date of June 17, 2011, in 5-lb. and 28-lb. bags because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

 No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall notification is being issued out of an abundance of caution based on an isolated instance in which a product sample with a “Best By” date of June 17, 2011, had a positive result for Salmonella in a random sample test conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product was originally manufactured on December 17, 2009, and is the only Natural Balance product being recalled.

 Salmonella can affect animals and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. This product was manufactured on December 17, 2009.

 Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

 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 your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

 Recalled products were only distributed in pet specialty stores in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

 The only product affected by the recall is the Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food with the “Best By” date of June 17, 2011, product information as follows:

 Product Bag Size Bag UPC Code Bale UPC Code Best By Dates
Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Formula 5 lb 7-23633-9000-4 7-23633-99003-5 June 17, 2011
Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Formula 28 lb 7-23633-99002-8 June 17, 2011

Consumers who have purchased Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog formula with the “Best By” date of June 17, 2011, are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. A separate letter and instructions will be forwarded to all relevant Natural Balance customers. For additional information, please contact Natural Balance Pet Foods Customer Service at (800) 829-4493 (8am – 5pm, PDT) or by visiting www.naturalbalanceinc.com.

Technorati Tags: dog food recall,   salmonella contamination

I hope this doesn't make me sick!

I know my mom wouldn't give me anything toxic.

This morning while at the vet I met Genghis, a handsome Burmese cat. He had been vomiting for several days, according to his owner, who had just found the information on the Internet today about the Nature’s Variety recall. Genghis has been eating Nature’s Variety with a use-by date slightly earlier than is included in the recall. It was a good reminder that although the notice has been all over the Internet for the past couple of days, not everyone has come across it yet, so I’ll add the Nature’s Variety press release about it here.

Nature’s Variety News – March 8, 2010

Dear Friends,

Today Nature’s Variety is announcing that out of an abundance of caution, we are voluntarily recalling all Chicken formula and Organic Chicken Formula products with a “Best If Used By” date on or before 2/5/11.

Nature’s Variety has received new test results from an outside facility that indicate that Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with the “Best If Used By” date of 10/29/10 and Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with the “Best If Used By” date of 11/9/10 may be contaminated with Salmonella. Therefore, we are voluntarily recalling these date codes of product from the marketplace.

Also, out of an abundance of caution, we are expanding our voluntary recall to include all Chicken Formula and
Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats with any “Best If Used By” date on or before 2/5/11. We
believe taking this action is an important and responsible step in order to reinforce your confidence and trust.

No other Raw Frozen Diets are involved in this expansion other than chicken, and no other Nature’s Variety products are involved. The products included in this expanded recall are any Chicken Formula or Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with a “Best If Used By” date on or before 2/5/11, including:

. UPC#7 69949 60130 2 – Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions

. UPC#7 69949 60120 3 – Chicken Formula 6 lb patties

. UPC#7 69949 60121 0 – Chicken Formula 2 lb single chubs

. UPC#7 69949 50121 3 – Chicken Formula 12 lb retail display case of chubs

. UPC#7 69949 60137 1 – Organic Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions

. UPC#7 69949 60127 2 – Organic Chicken Formula 6 lb patties

The “Best If Used By” date is located on the back of the package above the safe handling instructions.

If you have purchased one of the affected products, please return the unopened product to your local retail store to receive a complete refund, or to exchange it for another variety. If your package has been opened, please dispose of the raw food in a safe manner by securing it in a covered trash receptacle. Then, bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to your local retailer for a complete refund or replacement.

More info:  http://www.naturesvariety.com/news/33

Technorati Tags: cat food recall, dog food recall, Nature’s Variety recall

If you were unhappy with the consequences Michael Vick paid for his dog fighting ring, wait until you see the sentencing for the peope responsible for the melamine-tainted pet food that killed thousands of pets. Therese Kopiwoda in her PetsitUSA blog wrote about it yesterday, and I couldn’t put it any better, so have copied most of her post here. Be sure to see her blog for the full post, www.petsitusa.com/blog.

Sally and Stephen Miller, owners of ChemNutra, Inc., the company that imported the  melamine-tainted product that killed thousands of pets in the 2007 pet food recall, are to be sentenced today. Christie Keith writes about it over on Pet Connection this morning, and sadly it looks like they’re going to get off with just a slap on the wrist. A memorandum from the government recommends giving them a light sentence:

Sentencing is scheduled for Friday, February 5, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. before United States Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer. As more fully explained below, the Government recommends that the Court adopt the agreement of the parties and impose a sentence of three years probation on each defendant….

There’s more, so go read Christie’s post. Just be ready – it won’t put a smile on your face.

I just don’t get it. You kill pets – whether it’s by poisoning them with melamine or pitting them against each other in the dog-fighting ring and all you get is a slap on the wrist. There’s something terribly wrong when life is disregarded so easily. But, since the recommendation letters from the Miller’s Pastor and fellow church members say they’re good people, I suppose we should give them a break and overlook the fact that they were responsible for so much death.

Technorati Tags: tainted pet food, Chem Nutra, pet poisoning