Thursday, January 31, 2013

Bully Snacks-Full of Calories and May Be Harmful

 Popular dog treats called bully or pizzle sticks may contain more calories than expected and could be contaminated by bacteria, according to a new study.  These treats are made from the uncooked, dried penis of a bull or steer. According to Lisa Freeman of Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine  26 bully sticks were examined, made by different manufacturers, and found that they contained between 9 and 22 calories per inch. This means an average 6-inch bully stick has a total of 88 calories, which is 30 percent of the daily calorie requirement for a 10-pound dog and 9 percent of the daily calorie requirement for a 50-pound dog.

Currently calorie information isn’ required on pet treats or most pet foods, these findings reinforce that veterinarians and pet owners need to be aware of pet treats like these bully sticks as a source of calories in a dog’s diet,” said Dr. Lisa Freeman. “With obesity in pets on the rise, it is important for pet owners to factor in not only their dog’s food, but also treats and table food,” she added.

The researchers also found that about one-third of the treats were contaminated with bacteria. One stick had Clostridium difficile, one stick had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and seven had E. coli from the 26 bully sticks tested.  All pet owners should wash their hands after touching such treats, as they would with any raw meat or raw meat diets.

The study was published in the January issue of the Canadian Veterinary Journal.

 MONDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News)

Hartz Mountain Recalls 20,000 Pkgs of Pet Treats

 Hartz Mountain has voluntarily recalled 20,000 pet treat due to a trace amount of antibiotic residue which is not approved by the FDA here in the United States.

  • Hartz Chicken Chews

  • Hartz Oinkies Pig Skin Twists
  •  
The company said it would rather be overly cautious and voluntarily withdraw these products even though two-thirds of products tested did not contain antibiotic residue.  If you have these products please contact 800-275-1414 or on line at www.hartz.com for a product refund.

There is no indication that trace amounts of the unapproved antibiotic are linked to the FDA's on going investigation of chicken jerky from China.


As reported by wcvb.com  on 1/31/13.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

January Day Care Birthday's

Bella, one of our new day care friends, with her new friend Fez celebrates her 1st birthday

Sampson is celebrating his 4th birthday, Happy Birthday Cute!!!!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

^^^^SEVERE WINTER COLD ALERT^^^^

All animals need to have shelter during this severe winter freeze.  With single digit temperatures and wind chills in negative everyone needs to take extra precautions including your pet.  When you can feel the frigid temperatures on your cheeks as you walk out the door, if your face is exposed, remember that your dog has many parts that are also exposed that the fashionable jacket does not cover.  Dogs can suffer from frostbite and hypothermia just like us.  Especially young and elderly dogs are at a higher risk for these.

Pads on their feet can become frostbitten, dry, crack and even bleed.  Also can be very irritated by the salt and sand we use to keep our walkways and road ways safe to travel.  This is not healthy for them to lick off their feet and ingest the salt and chemicals into their systems. Snowballs can develop in between the pads causing discomfort, irritation and limping.  Keep this area clean and the hair well trimmed.

Noses and Ears are also very susceptible to frostbite.  Just best to limit outdoor activity time with your pets.  Even though some dogs are outside with shelter in below zero temperatures they should be brought in over night and/or given extra warmth (blankets, straw for bedding, shavings can irritate their stomachs if ingested and irritate their skin).

Pets with arthritis are prone to having more discomfort in cold, damp environments.  Watch for icy walks and provide soft bedding.

Caution - do not use a heat lamp, space heater, or other device not approved for use with animals. This is a a burn hazard for your pet and a fire hazard.

 Anti-freeze is toxic to  your pets.  Clean up any spills around your house and watch for spills out on walks with your dog.  Curious and thirsty dogs will lick this toxic chemical.  If you feel your pet may have ingested some contact your veterinarian right away.

Always provide plenty of water for your pet.   Eating snow can be dangerous for your dog.  Small objects can be hidden in the snow, the cold snow can lower your pets body temperature putting them at risk for hypothermia and they have to consume a lot of snow to actually get an adequate supply of water to prevent dehydration.

Do be careful and let's hope that this severe cold spell will end soon!!!!!


Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Milo's Kitch Chicken Jerky & Chicken Grillers Dog Treats Recalled

As reported on January 10, 2012 by Consmer Affairs Milo's Chicken Jerky & Chicken Grillers Dog Treats are being recalled for trace amounts of residue antibiotics.  While antibiotics keep chickens healthy they should not be present in the final product.  Both products sure the same chicken suppliers.

Consumers who discard the treats will receive a full refund said Rob Leibowitz, general manager, Pet Products.  Questions or Concerns please contact 877-288-6493.


Purina's Beneful Dog Food Warning!!

Over the past two to three months, pet owners have reported their dogs becoming ill after eating Beneful Dog Food.  Pets that are more sensitive have been seeing some of the following symptoms:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive Water Drinking
  • Lethargy
  • Weight Loss
  • Seizures
  • Bloat (life threatening to a dog)
  • Kidney Failure
  • Liver Failure
  • Death

Beneful comes in a wide variety of different types of food from puppy, healthy weight, playful life to name a few.  The problem has been reported in Beneful's Healthy Radiance, Healthy Weight and Playful Life.  Some reports though did not specify which type of Beneful the dog was fed. Some owner's said their dog became sicker and sicker overtime.  While others say upon feeding for the first time the dog became sick.

Veterinarians have reported bacterial infections, liver and kidney failure and high toxin levels in pets related Beneful food.

From October 2012 to January 2012 reported cases have increase to currently 220 incidents listed on consumer affairs website alone. In 2007 Purina dog food was identified for dog fatalities due to aflatoxins.  Aflatoxins are found in moldy grains, at that time there was a large recall.  In 2005 100 dogs died for the same reason another recall of a different brand of food.

see: examiner.com 1/11/13 written by Lisa Taylor "Purina's Beneful dog food killing dogs nationwide; No recall issued by FDA"

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Take Extra Care of Your Canine Friend During the Winter


We all know that we should not leave our canine companions outside for long periods of time during these cold winter days.  The extreme cold and wind chill can cause frostbite on ears, tails, and feet so make sure you do not to leave them out for extended periods of time. But there are also many other things that we have to look out for during this frigid season. If they are on a cold surface place a blanket or mat down for them.  We have to also be careful of anti-freeze. It looks and smells inviting to pets and is lethal to them.  Rock salt on roads and walkways can be very irritating to your pets paws and should always be rinsed off when you return indoors. 

Winter is a very drying time of year so make sure your pet has plenty of clean fresh water to drink to avoid dehydration.  Always be careful when walking and/or playing near any "frozen" water, it may not be safe for you or your pet.  Leaving your pet in the car with the engine running can also be dangerous, they are very susceptible to carbon dioxide poisoning.

Always be careful of portable heaters, fireplaces they can cause burns or your pet may knock it over causing a fire.  Get your pet groomed regularly as their coat can become dry and the skin can get irritated.  You want to make sure that you keep the hair around your pets feet trimmed for easy snow removal and washing of pads of feet from rock salt.

Let's all have a safe and healthy winter season.


see article by AKC 2013 winter care for canines



Wednesday, January 2, 2013

************** Day Care Photo's *****************

Tuba chewing on an antler.
Chomper loves romping on the cots.

Fez and Zelda always snuggling.

Stanley chewing on his favorite bone.

Toto always wants his picture taken.

Sampson spying on what toy can he steal next.

Wendy enjoying chewing her bone, with Sampson waiting for his chance to sneak it away.

Bella, Tito, Buster, Teszy and Elle enjoying the day in the big dog room.

Bailey, always waiting for his favorite time of the day, "snack time".