Reminding readers about several pet-food recalls

Gwen and Smudge share the joys and challenges of being dogs.

Reminding readers about several pet-food recalls

Posted 6/30/2010 11:17 AM PDT on statesmanjournal.com

There have been several pet-food recalls in the past week that haven't killed anyone's pup yet so they haven't been all over the blogosphere and airwaves, but they should be repeated.

First, a company that manufacturers dry dog food has voluntarily recalled one of its flavors after random sampling testing conducted by the Food & Drug Administration revealed salmonella contamination.

Natural Balance Pet Foods, a premium dog food company, said it had not received any complaints of ill dogs yet, but was taking its Sweet Potato & Chicken dry dog food with sell-by dates of June 2011 off shelves immediately to prevent any from becoming sick.

The dog food was sold in 26 states including Oregon, Washington and California. The 5-pound bags subject to recall have the UPC code: 7-23633-9000-4. The 28-pound bags being recalled have UPC code No. 7-23633-99002-8.

Another company, United Pet Group, also has issued a voluntary recall for all unexpired lots of its ProPet Adult Daily vitamins because of the same salmonella threat.

Symptoms of salmonella infection include lethargy, lack of appetite, fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

Contact Natural Balance Pet Foods, co-founded by "Eight is Enough" actor Dick Van Patten, at (800) 829-4493. Contact United Pet Group at (800) 645-5154, Ext. 3 for more information on the recalls.

Finally, Procter & Gamble last week announced the recall of specific canned cat food due to low levels of thiamine (vitamin B1).

P&G says preliminary tests of its Iams brand ProActive Health 3 ounce and 5.5 ounce cans of all varieties cat and kitten food show insufficient levels of thiamine, which is essential for cats. The cans are imprinted on the bottom with use-by dates of September 2011-June 2012.

Cats with low thiamine levels are at risk of developing B1 deficiencies. Signs of deficiency include loss of appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. Advanced signs of the condition include wobbly gait, falling, circling and seizures.

Veterinarians note that a deficiency can usually be reversed.

Procter & Gamble said the recall, limited to canned food, applies only to food distributed in North America.

For more information, contact P&G at (877) 340-8826.


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Famous Pet & Animal Quotes

"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language." ~ Martin Buber

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~ Immanual Kant

"My little dog -- a heartbeat at my feet." ~ Edith Wharton

"A cat is a puzzle for which there is no solution." ~ Hazel Nicholson

"The purity of a person's heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals" ~ Anonymous

"Who can believe that there is no soul behind those luminous eyes!" ~ Theophile Gautier

"There's no need for a piece of sculpture in a home that has a cat." ~ Wesley Bates

"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this." ~ Anonymous

"You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us" ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

"A dog is the only thing on earth that will love you more than you love yourself." ~ Josh Billings

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

"Old age means realizing you will never own all the dogs you wanted to." ~ Joe Gores

"A canter is the cure for all evil." ~ Benjamin Disraeli

"Dogs have owners, cats have staff." ~ Anonymous

"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful." ~ Ann Landers

"In the beginning, God created man, but seeing him so feeble, He gave him the cat" ~ Warren Eckstein

"A house is not a home without a pet." ~ Anonymous

"I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul." ~ Jean Cocteau

"If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans" ~ James Herriot

"I think I could turn and live with animals, they are
so placid and self-contained,
I stand and look at them long and long." ~ Walt Whitman

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." ~ Ben Williams

"A dog maybe a man's best friend but a horse made history..." ~ Anonymous

"No heaven will not ever Heaven be;
Unless my cats are there to welcome me." ~ Anonymous

"Did you ever walk into a room and forget why you walked in?
I think that is how dogs spend their lives." ~ Sue Murphy

"To err is human, to forgive, canine" ~ Anonymous

"To err is human, to purr, feline" ~ Robert Byrne

"A horse gallops with his lungs,
Perseveres with his heart,
And wins with his character." ~ Tesio

"A Horse! A Horse! my kingdom for a horse!" ~ Shakespeare

"All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it." ~ Samuel Butler

"You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'My God, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'" ~ Dave Barry

"There is nothing in which the birds differ more from man than the way in which they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before." ~ Robert Lynd

"The dog was created especially for children. He is the God of frolic." ~ Henry Ward Beecher

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ~ Mahatma Gandhi

"The Cat. He walked by himself, and all places were alike to him." ~ Rudyard Kipling

"If I have any beliefs about immortality it is that certain dogs I know will go to heaven, and very very few people." ~ James Thurber

"A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg." ~ Samuel Butler

"I've met many thinkers and many cats, but the wisdom of cats is infinitely superior." ~ Hippolyte Taine

"Every boy should have two things: a dog, and a mother willing to let him have one" ~ Anonymous

"Love the animals: God has given them the rudiments of thought and joy untroubled" ~ Fyodor Dostoyevsky

"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue." ~ Anonymous

"The dog represents all that is best in man." ~ Etienne Charlet

"The bird of paradise alights only upon the hand that does not grasp." ~ John Berry

"And God took a handful of southernly wind, blew His breath over it and created the horse." ~ Bedouin Legend

"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person." ~ Andrew A. Rooney

"A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song." ~ Chinese Proverb

"Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you later." ~ Mary Bly

"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." ~ George Elliot

"The Trouble with a kitten is
That
Eventually it becomes a
Cat"
~ Ogden Nash

"The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself, too." ~ Samuel Butler

"I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it."
~ Abraham Lincoln

"If a dog jumps in your lap, it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing, it is because you lap is warmer." ~ Alfred North Whitehead

"...he will be our friend for always and always and always." ~ Rudyard Kipling

"The best thing about animals is that they don't talk much." ~ Thornton Wilder

"When I play with my cat, who knows whether she is not amusing herself with me more than I with her." ~ Montaigne

Fish Name: Neon Tetra

Personality: Neon Tetras are active schooling fish, and very peaceful. Neon tetras are social, doing best in schools of at least six of their own.

Care: This freshwater fish, which is possibly the most popular aquarium fish, requires at least a 10 gallon tank, fully cycled, with a water temperature of 69 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH around 7.0. They need open space for swimming, vegetation for hiding, and proper food like small flake foods and brine shrimp.

Common Health Issues: It's not unusual for a neon tetra to live 10 years with proper care, but they don't tolerate changes to their environment, so many live much shorter lives. Neon Tetra Disease, which is considered incurable, is the most common issue these fish face.

Training Tips: The best way to enjoy your neon tetras is to watch them swim back and forth, chasing one another. This isn't a fish you want to try to train.

Zoonotic Diseases Series:

Allergic Alveolitis
Illness, be it acute or chronic, takes a lasting toll on humans and animals alike. Late last year Flock Talk began a series on zoonotic diseases – illnesses passed back and forth between humans and animals. This month we provide info on a common and sometimes debilitating disorder that can be caused by contact with birds: allergic alveolitis – also known as bird breeder's lung.
Find out more on how to deal with this disease.
Read the article (PDF) »

Not Doing Enough for Your Parrot? Get Creative!
By Karen Windsor, Foster Parrots
Does it seems like your parrot is getting bored or frustrated with life?
Follow parrot rescuer Karen Windsor's sound advice on how to create an exciting and inspiring environment for your feathered friends. It will delight them as well as you, their caregiver.
Read the article (PDF) »

Cats Bearing Gifts

Cats bearing gifts are not uncommon. Some experts say that bringing a cat to a human companion is a form of nurturing, much as a mother cat will bring food to her kittens. Even male birds will feed their fledglings in their nests, running relays with the mother bird. While that explanation makes sense in many cases, I think the motivations of some cats go even deeper than that.


Bubba:
Of all the cats I've known and loved, I only recall two who have frequently brought me unique and exciting gifts. Bubba, who passed away in 2005 at the age of 18, regularly brought little presents into the house. They were always destined for me, for some reason or another. While these gifts could have been construed as food offerings, somehow I suspect there was another motive involved. You see, Bubba was very territorial when it came to his human, Asa. He was willing to tolerate me as long as I didn't overstep my bounds, such as trying to sleep between Asa and Bubba at night. Bubba's gifts were a mixed message, and included green baby snakes (both dead and alive), deposited next to my favorite stool at the kitchen counter. One morning at 3 a.m., when exiting the bed for a potty break, I stepped on a large, very stinkily dead catfish, dredged up from the riverbank which is our back yard. While snakes and catfish could qualify as meals from a generous provider, in Bubba's case, I suspect an ulterior motive: a Godfather-style warning to back off where his human was concerned.

One Thanksgiving, Bubba's gift to the family was more traditional. We were still seated at the table: the Syufys, including our adult children, my widowed Mom, and Asa's Mom and Step-Dad. Bubba appeared at the glass sliding door, dragging "something" between his front legs. It was a massive clump of water hyacinths, about nine inches in diameter and 18 inches long. It immediately put me in mind of The Creature From the Black Lagoon, and the squeals coming from the other women at the table verified that. He dropped the wet, smelly mess next to my chair at the foot of the table, as much as to say, "Dessert is served, milady." (Bubba was a hard act to follow.)

Some pet insurance companies out there - check them out

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Dear Animal Advocates,

As you may already know, there is a large loophole in the federal law concerning USDA oversight of large-scale commercial dog breeders (known as “puppy mills”). Currently, breeders who sell to brokers and pet stores have to be licensed by the USDA, while those who sell puppies directly to the public do not.

Introduced in Congress in late May, a bill called the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act will bring all commercial dog breeders in the United States under federal oversight by requiring any breeder who sells or offers to sell more than 50 dogs annually to the public—including over the Internet—to be licensed and inspected. The bill will also require all licensed breeders to exercise every dog daily.

The PUPS Act is extremely important humane legislation that will improve the lives of thousands of dogs across the country. We hope we can count on your support to help us get it passed.

What You Can Do
Now more than ever, it is vital that members of Congress hear that puppy mill reform is important to their constituents. Please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to email your senators and representative to urge them to support and cosponsor the PUPS Act.

Thank you for your continued support of the ASPCA and our nation’s animals!

Is your dog at risk for canine bloat?

Canine bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is the number-one cause of death for several large and giant breeds. It is a life-threatening disorder and if left untreated, results in death.

Is your dog at risk?

Answer the following questions and add the associated points.

Does your dog have deep narrow chest confirmation? Is your dog's chest a lot deeper than it is wide? If so, add 10 points.

Is your dog a Great Dane, Bloodhound, standard Poodle, Irish Wolfhound, German Shepherd Dog, Irish Setter, Akita, or Boxer. If so, add 7 points. If your dog is a mix of any of these breeds, add 5 points.

Does your dog weight more than 75 pounds? If yes, add 2 points? Does he weight between 51 and 75 pounds, if yes, add 1 point. If he weights less than 50 pounds, add zero points.

Is your dog male? If so, add 1 point.

Is your dog lean, normal or obese? If your dog is lean, add 1 point.If our dog is medium build or obese, add zero points.

How old is your dog? If your dog is less than 4 years old, add no points. If your dog is 5 – 8 years old, add 1 point. If your dog is more than 8 years old, add 2 points.

Does your dog have a known relative that had bloat? If yes, add 5 points.

Does your dog eat fast or slow? If he eats slowly, add zero points, if he eats fast, add 1 point.

Does your dog eat from an elevated bowl? If yes, add 1 point.

Does your dog eat a food that contains an oil or fat ingredient, such as sunflower oil or animal fat, listed among the first four ingredients. If yes, add 4 points.

Can you describe your dog's personality as nervous, fearful, or aggressive? If so, add 2 points.

Is your dog stressed e.g. as being boarded on in a kennel? If yes, add 2 points.

Does your dog only eat one meal a day? If yes, add 1 point. If you feed your dog more than one time per day, add zero points.

Does your dog only eat dry food? If so, add one point. If he eats a combination of canned and dry or table scraps, add zero points.

Add up your points


Dogs at high risk: 27 – 40 points. Watch your dog carefully for signs of bloat. If you see any signs, please call your veterinarian or local emergency clinic immediately. If your dog has a high score and is a puppy, discuss the pros and cons of performing a prophylactic gastropexy on your dog. If possible, minimize the risk factors. For example, if you feed your dog once daily, consider changing to twice daily feeding. If you use an elevated feeder, remove that unless necessary due to other medical conditions. If you feed dry, discuss other diet options with your veterinarian.


Dogs at moderate risk: 13 – 26 points. Even though your dog is not in the high-risk category, there are still some substantial risk factors. Watch your dog carefully for signs of bloat. Minimize risk factors if possible.


Dogs at low risk: 0 – 12 points. Your dog is at low risk of bloat. It is still smart to watch for signs and minimize risk factors.

Conclusion

From the research performed to date, we can list several factors that, added together, can characterize the typical dog that develops bloat: a deep and narrow chest; leanness; a relative that has had a bloat episode; eating quickly; a dry-food diet; a single, large daily meal; stress; and a fearful, nervous, or aggressive temperament.

Parrot Charity Rushes to Send Emergency Aid for

Hayle, Cornwall, United Kingdom
February 8, 2010
The World Parrot Trust (WPT) has sent emergency funds to aid in the treatment and
housing of over 1000 Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus), the largest group of illegally trapped Grey Parrots ever seized in the country of Cameroon. The seizure, which occurred in early February, is the third such confiscation of this species in the countrysince December 2007.

The aid is being directed to Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC) and the Last Great Ape Organization (LAGA), two independent African wildlife rescue groups working with government officials to coordinate the seizures and subsequent care of the birds - in an attempt to reduce the trade in this species. This aid follows closely on the heels of emergency funding sent by the WPT in response to a smaller seizure of 300 birds in November of 2009.

Funds needed immediately; wildlife centre inundated

The parrots were delivered to the Limbe Wildlife Centre shortly after the confiscation,which was spearheaded by the Last Great Ape Organization. The shipment, which was scheduled to leave for Kuwait and Bahrain International Airports, respectively, was without proper documentation from international authorities. Upon arrival at Limbe it was discovered that 47 of the birds were already dead, with another 30 dying of thirst and stress on the first day. Simone de Vries, manager of Limbe, stated "It makes you sick to see how the parrots are packed in the boxes, the weaker ones trampled by the strongest.” The centre has been inundated with the sudden
appearance of the Greys, still having to deal with the remaining birds of the shipmentfrom November of last year. The current group of parrots is being kept in ape
quarantine enclosures, as there is nowhere else to house them.


Parrot populations declining

The Grey Parrot is listed as near threatened by the 2009 IUCN Red List, as evaluated
by Bird Life International. Their threatened status is due to the persistent heavy
trapping of these parrots for the wild bird trade. Illegal trapping continues in
Cameroon, in spite of measures being taken by local and international communities.

International groups working together to end trade

The World Parrot Trust and its partners have recently launched the FlyFree program
(www.parrots.org/flyfree), the first international campaign aimed specifically at
providing support to front-line wildlife rescue groups working to end the wild-caught
bird trade and return parrots to the wild, in more than a dozen locations worldwide.

Purple Pages for Pets October edition filling up fast

Advertisers for the October edition of Purple Pages for Pets are being sought now! Be sure to get into the ONLY Pet owner targeted directory in Marion and Polk Counties.

We know that adverstising is expensive but must be done especially for specialties such as pets stores, groomers, sitters, photographers, veterinarians, pet hospitals, kennels, boarding facilities, pet bakeries, crematoriums, cemetaries, pet friendly apartments, Pet friendly hotels, Dog washing services, dog trainers, pet clubs, horse boarding, aquarium dealers, avian medical care, bird and bird supply, and the list goes on.

This directory is free to the public. Advertisers will pay a one time fee for their display ad in the directory, which will be out in the public for six months. If you are an advertiser who wants to place an ad or a pet owner who would like a copy of the directory when in comes out, please email purplepages4pets@gmail.com and get on the list.

A representative will be visiting pet businesses soon.

Pet owners - please refer your favorite businesses to us.

Thanks to all of you who love animals and treat them with kindness and respect. Life would be so dull without them.

Dog Friendly Hotel

A man wrote a letter to a small hotel in a Midwest town, which he planned to visit on his vacation.

He wrote, "I would very much like to bring my dog with me. He is well groomed and very well behaved. Would you be willing to permit me to keep him in my room with me at night?"

An immediate reply came from the hotel owner, who said, "I've been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I've never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures off the walls. I've never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I've never had a dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at my hotel, and if your dog will vouch for you, you're welcome to stay here, too!"

Cat Health web page

http://www.cathealth.com/

Felines are a very special species. Knowing about their unique needs can help you to work with your veterinarian to provide the very best in care.

Whether your interest is feeding, grooming, common health concerns, travel, or cat behavior, you will find something in here for you!

We have engaged deeply committed veterinarian writers from across North America to provide concise, practical summaries.

The Site Sections to the left take you to the three main sections of the library of articles: Cat Health Topics will lead you to articles about cat diseases, while the Caring for Cats link will lead you to interesting articles about caring for your cat at home. You and Your Cat explores the relationship between cats and people, and how we interact. The Feature Articles in the column on the right will change regularly to reflect seasonal content, stories, and news.

Check out the rest of the website at the above link.

Strong Storm coming - take care of your pets

There is a strong storm system that will move into northwest Oregon and southwest Washington late this evening and Wednesday (Jun 1-2), that will produce very heavy rainfall during the next 36 hours. We decided to do an email-type weather briefing in-lieu of a webinar for this event since no mainstem river flooding is expected at this time.

However, this storm has tapped into some sub-tropical moisture and has some characteristics of a strong winter storm that may cause localized rural and urban street flooding and sharp rises on smaller creeks, rivers and streams. Strong winds (gusts to 50 mph on Coast and 25-35 mph in valleys) are also possible with this storm.

We want to bring attention to this storm for several reasons listed below:

(1) Unusual storm for springtime (winter-like characteristics).
(2) Heavy rainfall potential (2 to 5 inches in coast/coast range/cascades, 1 to 1.5 inches valleys).
(3) The ground is saturated from recent rains.
(4) Reservoir systems are full.
(5) Rivers, creeks and streams already running higher than normal.