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Pit Bulls & Pit Bull Type Dogs photo book by Melissa McDaniel

by Therese on March 14, 2012

in Book Reviews, Dogs

spacer Photographer Melissa McDaniel has a series of photo books featuring particular groups of dogs. Her latest is Pit Bulls & Pit Bull Type Dogs: 82 Dogs the Media Doesn’t Want You to Meet.  Like her other photo books, the dogs and the photography are stunning. And considering so many of the dogs in this book are smiling, it’s hard not to smile back at them. The book has a serious message though. It is dedicated to a group of dogs that are discriminated against because of their breed and/or the way they look.

Here’s what Melissa says about this book,

The main idea with the book is that these dogs need to be treated as individuals. The general public applies the name “pit bull” to any dog with a certain look, and along with the name comes breed-specific stereotypes. But these myths about pit bulls (which a rescue would label as one of 3 different breeds: Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier or American Pit Bull Terrier) are not true. The tragedy of the public believing all of these myths is that these dogs are languishing in shelters across the U.S. because people are too afraid to adopt them. They are banned from certain towns, dog facilities, apartment buildings, and are among the first to be euthanized in shelters.

There are 82 stars in this book, including 10 Vick dogs, Oogy (from the New York Times best-selling book by the same name), Wallace the Pit Bull (the king of canine disc), Sarge the Elderbull, and plenty of other dogs that may not be famous but are seriously loved by their people. These dogs all live pretty good lives now, but many of them have been through a lot. In addition to being abused at the hand of Vick and his cohorts, the stories you’ll read include abuse, spending time on euthanasia lists, dog fighting, being bounced from person to person, and other things no dog should have to live through. For every dog in this book though, there are many others who are still in very bad situations. These are the lucky ones because they’ve either been adopted or are in the hands of someone who is dedicated to finding them a loving, forever home. And if you were to ask any one of the owners of these dogs, you’d hear stories of how absolutely wonderful they are – just like you’d hear from any other dog lover.

If you’d like to buy a copy of Pit Bulls & Pit Bull Type Dogs: 82 Dogs the Media Doesn’t Want You to Meet you can do so here. A portion of the book proceeds are donated to animal rescue groups, with an emphasis on pit bull rescue & advocacy groups.

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Melissa also has a collage of 4 of the dogs saved by BADRAP. 25% from the sale of any of the Vick collage prints to one of 3 rescues (the purchaser gets to choose from a drop-down menu which of the 3 rescues when they buy).  The rescues are BADRAP, Best Friends and Dogs Deserve Better (which took over the Vick property). Click here to buy the collage.

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Nestle & DelMonte jerky treats may be to blame for pet illnesses

by Therese on March 13, 2012

in Pet Food Recall, Pet Health

spacer A few days ago, I posted about the FDA testing of jerky treats that’s been going on since 2007. The FDA has advised pet owners to be cautious of jerky treats made in China, but they haven’t released the brand names of any of the treats in question. Just today though, MSNBC is reporting a possible link between some big brand jerky treats and illnesses in dogs. The brands named are Waggin’ Train or Canyon Creek Ranch jerky treats or tenders produced by Nestle Purina PetCare Co., and Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats, produced by the Del Monte Corp. The information comes from an FDA report MSNBC obtained through a public records request.

A log of complaints collected from pet owners and veterinarians contains references to at least three popular brands of jerky treats that may be associated with kidney failure and other serious ailments, according to internal Food and Drug Administration documents obtained by msnbc.com.

Of 22 “Priority 1” cases listed by the FDA late last year, 13 cited Waggin’ Train or Canyon Creek Ranch jerky treats or tenders, both produced by Nestle Purina PetCare Co., the records show.

Another three listed Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats, produced by the Del Monte Corp. The rest listed single brands or no brand.

Priority 1 cases are those in which the animal is aged 11 or younger and medical records that document illness are available, an FDA spokeswoman said. In many cases, samples of the suspect treats also are collected.

The report, obtained through a public records request, is the first agency indication of any brands linked to illnesses that have climbed since the FDA warned pet owners about jerky treats in November. That was the FDA’s third caution about the pet products since 2007.

Nestle Purina and Del Monte officials said their treats are safe and FDA regulators said repeated tests have shown no absolute tie to any brand or manufacturer.

[...]

Since 2007, FDA scientists have analyzed jerky treats for evidence of dangerous toxins, including heavy metals, melamine, melamine analogs and diethylene glycol, chemicals used in plastics and resins.

So far, they’ve found nothing convincing, a point emphasized by Keith Schopp, director of communications for Nestle Purina.  He noted that FDA officials also suggest that illnesses may be a result of causes other than eating jerky treats.

“Our chicken jerky treats are safe to feed as directed,” said Schopp. “The safety of our products — and the pets who consume them — are our top priorities.”

The company has a comprehensive food safety program in place, he said, including at manufacturing plants in China.

Read the rest of the MSNBC article: 3 big brands may be tied to chicken jerky illness in dogs, FDA records show.

The pet food companies say the treats are safe and, as Schopp says, pets are their top priority, but I’m not convinced. The fact that he FDA is continuing to get complaints about the treats makes me question the treats and the companies selling them. Just since November, 2011 the FDA has received over 530 complaints from pet owners who say their dogs have become ill or died after eating jerky treats manufactured in China. With that many complaints, I would expect any ethical company to look at their products – products they’re having manufactured in a country with a questionable history in the food industry. Instead, this garbage can still be found on shelves everywhere.

It’s easy to sit behind our computers and cuss out the companies selling this crap, but that’s not going accomplish much. So here are a few suggestions on what we can all do to make some noise:

  • First and foremost, do not buy any pet treats manufactured in China. If you have any in your cabinets, take them back to the store you bought them from.
  • If your pet has become ill or died as a result of eating Chinese manufactured jerky treats, let the FDA know! They need to hear from you. See How to Report a Pet Food Complaint on the FDA website.
  • Sign these two petitions Ban all poisonous chicken jerky treats imported from China and Pet Owners, Animal Advocates: Dogs Are Dying: Make the FDA Recall ALL Chicken Jerky Treats Made in China.
  • Join the Animal Parents Against Pet Treats Made in China! Facebook page.
  • Write your senator and let them know you want these products to be investigated further and taken off the market. Sen. Sherrod Brown and Sen. Dennis Kucinich, of Ohio, have already called on the FDA to investigate the treats further.
  • Write and call Nestle Purina and DelMonte and urge them to stop selling jerky treats manufactured in China.
  • Ask your local pet food store, pet shop, pet bakery, grocery store, or other places of business not to sell pet treats manufactured in China.

I know I’ll sound like a broken record, but I’ll say it again anyway, please don’t let your dogs eat jerky treats manufactured in China! Sure, your pet may be OK, but he may not. Just ask someone who lost their dog to jerky treats, or to tainted pet food in 2007, and they’ll tell you it’s just not worth it.

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Jerky treats, dead dogs, and the FDA

by Therese on March 11, 2012

in Dogs, Pet Food Recall, Pet Health

spacer Chicken jerky treats (and other meaty jerky treats) manufactured in China are bad news. There are reports of dogs becoming ill and dying after eating the treats – and the numbers are increasing. Recalls have become all too common. (See the jerky treat recalls I’ve posted since 2007.) FDA has put out warnings about the treats. Earlier this TruthAboutPetFood.com posted a document listing tests the FDA has been doing on the treats since 2007. The document lists a total of 371 tests, with 130 of those just in the first three months of 2012. All of the 2012 results are listed as “pending.” See the document here, and read more at TruthAboutPetFood.com.

Now, the FDA has released a Q&A about the potentially killer chicken jerky treats. Here’s the full text:

Why did FDA issue a cautionary update in November 2011?

In 2011, FDA saw an increase in the number of complaints it received of dog illnesses associated with consumption of chicken jerky products imported from China.

FDA previously issued a cautionary warning regarding chicken jerky products to consumers in September 2007 and a Preliminary Animal Health Notification in December of 2008. The number of complaints being received dropped off during the latter part of 2009 and most of 2010. However in 2011, FDA once again started seeing the number of complaints rise to the levels of concern that prompted release of our earlier warnings.

Since the issuance of the CVM Update on November 18, 2011, the agency has received numerous additional complaints regarding chicken jerky products.

What are the products involved?

The cautionary update specifically refers to chicken jerky products that are imported from China. These dried chicken jerky products, intended for dogs, may also be sold as tenders, strips or treats.

What are the signs of illness that are being reported?

The signs that may be associated with chicken jerky products include decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; increased water consumption and/or increased urination. These signs may occur within hours to days of feeding the products.

Laboratory tests may indicate kidney problems, including Fanconi-like syndrome. Although many dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.

FDA continues to investigate the problem and its origin. Some of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky.

What is FDA testing for?

Since 2007, FDA has been actively investigating the cause of illness in pets reported in association with the consumption of chicken jerky products. Samples have been tested by FDA laboratories, by the Veterinary Laboratory Response Network (Vet-LRN), and by other animal health diagnostic laboratories in the U.S for multiple chemical and microbiological contaminants.

Product samples were tested for Salmonella, metals, furans, pesticides, antibiotics, mycotoxins, rodenticides, nephrotoxins (such as aristolochic acid, maleic acid, paraquat, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, toxic hydrocarbons, melamine and related triazines) and were screened for other chemicals and poisonous compounds. DNA verification was conducted on these samples to confirm the presence of poultry in the treats. Samples have also been submitted for nutritional composition (which includes glycerol concentrations), vitamin D excess and enterotoxin analysis. Some samples from recent cases (2011-2012) have been submitted for multiple tests and we are awaiting results. More samples are in the process of being collected for testing.

What are the results of testing?

Samples collected from all over the United States have been tested for a wide variety of substances and to date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses.

Has there been any indication that metal contamination in chicken jerky products may be the cause of illness in dogs?

FDA’s previous testing of chicken jerky product samples did not show toxic levels of metals. In addition, results from March 2012 toxic metal analyses, which included tests for heavy metals, have again shown samples of chicken jerky products to be negative for toxic metals.

Are there specific brands we should be concerned about?

No specific products have been recalled because a definitive cause has not been determined. The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem and its origin. If the FDA identifies the cause, the agency will take appropriate action and notify the public.

Why aren’t these products being taken off the market?

There is nothing preventing a company from conducting a voluntary recall. It is important to understand that unless a contaminant is detected and we have evidence that a product is adulterated, we are limited in what regulatory actions we can take. The regulations don’t allow for products to be removed based on complaints alone. This is an ongoing investigation and FDA will notify the public if a recall is initiated. Currently, FDA continues to urge pet owners to use caution with regard to chicken jerky products.

Should I stop feeding chicken jerky treats to my dog?

Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be fed occasionally in small quantities.

FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products:    decreased appetite;

  • decreased activity;
  • vomiting;
  • diarrhea, sometimes with blood;
  • increased water consumption; and/or
  • increased urination.

If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi-like syndrome (increased glucose).

What should I do if my dog shows signs of illness after eating chicken jerky products?

If your dog shows any of the signs listed above, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours.

Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in their state, or electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal.

More information regarding How to Report a Pet Food Complaint can be found at www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

What should I do with the remainder of the chicken jerky product that may have made my dog sick?

If your pet has experienced signs of illness, please retain the opened package and remaining pieces of the chicken jerky product that are in the original packaging. It is possible that your samples will be collected for testing. If your product samples are collected, please be sure to provide the FDA official with all of the sample that you have. The extensive testing that is being conducted may require multiple pieces from the package. It is also possible that a toxicant may be present in some of the samples in the package, but not all. We may be able to get better or more accurate testing results with a larger sample size.

After you have reported the problem to FDA, we will determine what type of follow-up is necessary and whether your particular sample will be collected for analysis.

I’ve already submitted a complaint to FDA, when will I get a response?

Every report is important to FDA. In each case, the information the consumer furnishes is evaluated to determine how serious the problem is and what follow-up is needed.

Once a consumer has filed a report with their local FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator, or electronically through our safety reporting portal, FDA will determine whether there is a need to conduct a follow-up phone call, or obtain a sample of the chicken jerky product in question. While FDA does not necessarily respond to every individual complaint submitted, each report becomes part of the body of knowledge that helps to inform FDA on the situation or incident.

Additional information on what happens when a problem is reported can be found at the following link: www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/QuestionsandAnswersProblemReporting/ucm056069.htm

I reported a complaint to the FDA, but my sample of chicken jerky was never tested, could I get my sample tested by a private lab?

Even though your particular sample may not be tested, your report to FDA is important. While in some cases, a sample of the product may be collected directly from the consumer, in many cases, product samples from the same lot and code will be collected from retailers, wholesalers or the manufacturer for laboratory analysis.

FDA is working with various animal health diagnostic laboratories across the U.S. to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. You may have your treat tested by a private laboratory if you wish; however, it may be costly to have numerous tests conducted on your sample. Please be assured that FDA and the laboratories involved in this investigation are working diligently to determine what may be causing these illnesses associated with chicken jerky products.

Have there been reports similar to this in other countries?

We have reached out to relevant competent authorities in other countries to request intelligence on increased reports of illness in dogs associated with consumption of chicken jerky treats, any investigations conducted, analyses conducted on suspect products, etc. We have received some feedback regarding our questions and some suggested collaboration and sharing of information.

Where can I go to get more information?

  • November 18, 2011 – FDA Continues to Caution Owners About Chicken Jerky Products
  • How to Report a Pet Food Complaint
  • Alert: Jerky treats possibly associated with kidney disease in dogs in Canada

Here’s where you’ll find the FDA document: Questions and Answers Regarding Chicken Jerky Treats from China.

Keep in mind that pet food recalls are “voluntary.” This means that, although the FDA can put pressure on a company to issue a recall, the final decision lies with the pet food company. That being the case, you can bet the pet food companies will look at all options regarding the recall (or not) of a problem food. And, like it or not, the bottom line for most pet food companies is the money, not the pets. So if it’s less costly for them to let a few pets get very sick or die, and deal with the consequences as quietly as possible, that’s what they will do. Fortunately, the Internet is making it more difficult for them to deal with the problems quietly, but that doesn’t mean they don’t try.

Some popular brands sell jerky treats they have manufactured in China, and they’ll swear by them. Even so, people are reporting problems with the treats. It seems to me like the best thing for any pet owner to do is to find an alternative to jerky treats (chicken or otherwise) manufactured in China. What on earth could make giving these treats to your pets worth the risk?

 

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Western Feed LLC recalls Kountry Buffet horse feed

by Therese on March 8, 2012

in Pet Food Recall

spacer Western Feed LLC has recalled some of their Kountry Buffet horse feed sold in Nebraska and Wyoming.

Western Feed, LLC is voluntarily recalling two lots (M718430 and M720280) of Kountry Buffet 14% feed because it may contain monensin sodium (Rumensin).  The feed is packaged in 50 lb. bags bearing the Payback logo with the attached tag identifying the product as Kountry Buffet 14%.  Monensin sodium is a medication approved for use in some livestock and poultry species, but can be fatal to horses if fed at sufficiently high levels.

The lot number (M718430 and M720280) can be found towards the bottom of the tag, below the Feeding Directions.

This feed was distributed December 2, 2011 through December 15, 2011 to retailers in Nebraska and Wyoming. Retailers receiving product from the lot in question have removed it from their stores.

Western Feed had received a report of some horses that had died as a result of consuming the feed.  Initial testing by a private laboratory has indicated the presence of a potentially harmful level of monensin sodium (Rumensin) in these two lots. Further follow up testing is underway.

The symptoms of toxicity vary with the amount of monensin ingested by a horse. Trace amounts may cause a horse to go off his regular feed, show signs of colic and appear unwell for a few days. Larger amounts will cause a horse to show more serious symptoms within a few hours including colic, stiffness, sweating, a lack of co-ordination and the inability to stand.

Customers who purchased Kountry Buffet 14% from lot M718430 and M720280 should stop feeding the product immediately and call Western Feed LLC at 308-247-2601, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT.

At this time, the limited voluntary recall only applies to Kountry Buffet 14%, lots M718430 and M720280. No other Western Feed, LLC products and no other lots of Kountry Buffet 14% are involved.

The full release is on the FDA website: Western Feed, LLC Conducts Voluntary Recall Of Feed Distributed In Nebraska And Wyoming.

 

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PetsitUSA partners with Rover.com

by Therese on February 29, 2012

in Dog walking, Pet Sitting, PetsitUSA News

spacer PetsitUSA has partnered with Rover.com, a new matchmaking website for dog owners, dog sitters, and dog walkers that allows owners to browse profiles to find the perfect match for their dog. It’s free to list your business, and you’re charged only if they get you clients. Members of Rover.com offer a variety of options: pet sitting in the client’s home, pet sitting in their own home, and daily dog walking.

Rover.com launched in November, 2011 in the Seattle area. Since then, their membership has grown to include pet sitters and dog walkers in 147 cities throughout the U.S. They expect their numbers to grow even more with their upcoming national PR launch. They’re eager to partner with pet care businesses across the country—and PetsitUSA members will have the added benefit of a PetsitUSA membership badge displayed by their names. You can also add a link to your Rover.com profile to your PetsitUSA profile under your social media links.

Here’s what a PetsitUSA member profile looks like with the Rover.com icon:

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PetsitUSA member profile with Rover.com icon and link

And here’s the Rover.com member profile with a PetsitUSA badge:

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Rover.com member profile with PetsitUSA badge

We’re really pleased to be working with Rover.com, and believe this partnership will be beneficial to pet sitters and dog walkers as well as the pet owners who are looking for them. When pet owners see the badges letting them know you’re a member of both organizations, they know you’re serious about your business. And remember – an important part of marketing your pet care business is getting your name in front of as many people as possible, in as many places as possible. That includes pet sitter directories, social media accounts, and other websites. The more people see your business name, the more likely they are to remember you when they need someone to care for their pets. And, since Rover.com is putting out a lot of effort to get themselves noticed, they can help you get noticed too. So give Rover.com a look, and if you sign up, let us know what you think.

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Petco removes potentially dangerous dog toy from shelves

by Therese on February 27, 2012

in Dogs, Pet Health

spacer A dog toy found to contain toxic chemicals has been removed from Petco shelves, at least temporarily. Petco is now doing their own testing on the toys and has removed them from store shelves, at least until they have the test results.

An investigation by KIAH-TV’s “The NewsFixer” has led to a removal of a dog toy that threatened the health of a Houston canine. The toy “Snuggling Furry Friend,” sold as a private brand under the Petco label, was found to contain traces of Trimethyl Benzene, Arsenic, Cadmium and Lead, along with Naphthalene, the main ingredient in moth balls.

The toxins were detected in the Petco toy by an independent laboratory after a NewsFix viewer, Mark Smith of Houston, told the station his Chow Mix “Charlet” became sick after first chewing on the toy in December 2011. After inquiries by “The NewsFixer,” Petco agreed to pay for Smith’s veterinary expenses. Petco said it would also test all similar toys sold in its retail outlets for toxic substances.

Petco representative Lisa Epstein said, “We did, in fact, direct our stores yesterday (2/23) to remove the Lambswool Tug with Squeaker Dog Toy from our shelves, pending the results of random sample tests that will be conducted and analyzed at an accredited laboratory. The decision to take this action was out of an abundance of caution – and it is not a product recall.”

Read more here: KIAH-TV Newsfixer prompts removal of dog toy from Petco shelves.

Update: I called PetSmart to get a picture of the toy, but was told they took it off their website and don’t hav

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