Costco, Diamond Pet Foods sued over contaminated dog food

I received this posting from the American Veterinary Medical Association. If you have been following the recall postings, you kinda knew this action would soon be following.

It is disturbing that there have been so many recalls on pet foods (dog, cat, small mammal and bird) lately and emphasizes that we must be sure of our sources, store the food properly and handle it safely. It really makes me wonder about some of the imported foods for humans that are on our grocery store shelves.as well. I hate to be a Debby Downer, but it doesn't take much of a stretch to surmise that many of these foreign countries do not follow sanitation and food preparation standards we have to meet in this country. Also how well can this massive amount of food be adequately inspected? I am sure many of you saw the expose on television where they showed that even supposedly organic foods raised in the US was coming from China. This was from a high end food store which charged premium prices for their goods. As the Latin phrase states, "Caveat emptor" (let the buyer beware).

Costco, Diamond Pet Foods sued over contaminated dog food

Posted by Neena Pellegrini

Costco and Diamond Pet Foods have been sued in connection with the dog-food Salmonella infantis outbreak in what is believed to be the first lawsuit against the Issaquah-based company and the pet-food processor.

Diamond has issued a massive recall of dog food made at its Gaston, S.C., plant after Salmonella was found at the facility. At least 15 people who had contact with the contaminated food or the animals who ate it have been sickened in nine states. Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said a second Diamond plant, in Meta, Mo., is being investigated after a different strain -- Salmonella liverpool -- was found there.

The suit was filed this week in U.S. District Court in New Jersey by national food-safety law firm Pritzker Olsen on behalf of an infant who was hospitalized for three days after contracting Salmonella. The baby developed severe diarrhea, fever and loss of appetite, according to the complaint. The bacteria cultured from the child was the same rare type of Salmonella found in samples of contaminated kibble recalled by Diamond. Some of the recalled products were the Kirkland brand, Costco's private label store brand that is made by Diamond.

According to the suit, the baby's father had purchased one of the recalled varieties -- Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken &Vegetables -- for the family dogs.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the bacteria spreads when people come into contact with the contaminated food or with an animal that has eaten the food.

The Parrot Walk for A Refuge for Saving the Wildlife

Great turnout this morning. Pretty warm but all the walkers and birds (plus one dog) did just fine. Kudos to all those who took part walking and raising funds as well as a big thank you to all those who donated. You helped support a wonderful organization and expedite their mission of saving the birds.

I took plenty of pictures which I will post.

For more info www.rescuethe birds.org

A Memorial Day Tribute to Our Military Dogs and Their Handlers

I created a slideshow with some pictures I obtained from various internet sources of military dogs from all branches of the service. The music I selected for the soundtrack is appropriate, it is from the HBO series band of Brothers and is entitled Band of Brothers Suite Two.

Peter S. Sakas DVM

The Dog That Cornered Osama Bin Laden - Military Dogs

In honor of  Memorial Day, a story about military dogs. This information and photos were from an email a friend sent me.

The Dog That Cornered Osama Bin Laden ... not your standard K9......
This is really something!
When U.S. President Barack Obama went to Fort Campbell , Kentucky , for a highly publicized, but very private meeting with the commando team that killed Osama bin Laden, only one of the 81 members of the super-secret SEAL DevGru unit was identified by name: Cairo , the war dog. Cairo, like most canine members of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs, is a Belgian Malinois. The Malinois breed is similar to German shepherds but smaller and more compact, with an adult male weighing in the 30-kilo range. ( <http://storage.canoe.ca/v1/blogs-prod-photos/6/9/e/6/8/69e685140a3ede35216f4542313f7e9c.jpg?stmp=1305236845>  (German shepherds are still used as war dogs by the American military but the lighter, stubbier Malinois is considered better for the tandem parachute jumping and rappelling operations often undertaken by SEAL teams. Labrador retrievers are also favoured by various military organizations around the world   Like their human counterparts, the dog SEALs are highly trained, highly skilled, highly motivated special ops experts, able to perform extraordinary military missions by SEA, Air and Land (thus the acronymSEAL). The dogs carry out a wide range of specialized duties for the military teams to which they are attached: With a sense of smell 40 times greater than a human's, the dogs are trained to detect and identify both explosive material and hostile or hiding humans. The dogs are twice as fast as a fit human, so anyone trying to escape is not likely to outrun Cairo or his buddies. The dogs, equipped with video cameras, also enter certain danger zones first, allowing their handlers to see what's ahead before humans follow. As I mentioned before, SEAL dogs are even trained parachutists, jumping either in tandem with their handlers or solo, if the jump is into water. Last year canine parachute instructor Mike Forsythe and his dog Cara set the world record for highest man-dog parachute deployment, jumping from more than 30,100 feet up - the altitude transoceanic passenger jets fly at. Both Forsythe and Cara were wearing oxygen masks and skin protectors for the jump. Here's a photo from that jump, taken by Andy Anderson for K9 Storm Inc. (more about those folks shortly). As well, the dogs are faithful, fearless and ferocious - incredibly frightening and efficient attackers. I have seen it reported repeatedly that the teeth of SEAL war dogs are replaced with titanium implants that are stronger, sharper and scare-your-pants-off intimidating, but a U.S. Military spokesman has denied that charge, so I really don't know (never having seen a canine SEAL face-to-face). I do know that I've never seen a photo of a war dog with anything even vaguely resembling a set of shiny metal chompers. When the SEAL DevGru team (usually known by its old designation, Team 6) hit bin Laden's Pakistan compound on May 2, Cairo 's feet would have been four of the first on the ground. And like the human SEALs, Cairo was wearing super-strong, flexible body Armour and outfitted with high-tech equipment that included "doggles" - specially designed and fitted dog googles with night-vision and infrared capability that would even allow Cairo to see human heat forms through concrete walls. Now where on earth would anyone get that kind of incredibly niche hi-tech doggie gear? From Winnipeg , of all places. Jim and Glori Slater's Manitoba hi-tech mom-and-pop business, K9 Storm Inc., has a deserved worldwide reputation for designing and manufacturing probably the best body Armour available for police and military dogs. Working dogs in 15 countries around the world are currently protected by their K9 Storm body Armour.

Reminder About the 2nd Annual Memorial Day Walk for the Parrots

The Memorial Day Weekend is here and  is time for the the 10 Mile Walk to Support the Parrots. This is the second year the fundraiser will be held. It was a tremendous success last year and close to $7,000 was raised for the parrots. This money was used to support the efforts of "A Refuge for Saving the Wildlife," a not-for-profit organization which provides care for parrots in need. Their are too many parrots who are not properly cared for, neglected or unwanted. A Refuge provides a haven for these poor unfortunate creatures, places them in a loving environment, help them overcome any physical or mental distresses through expert care and ultimately attempt to place them in an ideal home environment. It is a daunting task and is costly. That is why funds raised for the organization are so very important. To see more about the organization, check out their website at www.rescuethebirds.org.

To see a slideshow of photos from the first walk check out this youtube video. http://youtu.be/SLybPfVlsMs

The walk will be held on MONDAY MAY 28th at 8:00 AM  (Rain or Shine). It will last as long as it takes to cover ten miles.

The meeting place before the walk will be in the parking lot of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit at 30 Riverwoods Rd. Lincolnshire.

The walk will take place along the Bike Trail along Riverwoods Road in Riverwoods, Illinois. 

For more detailed information contact ericaheller@gmail.com.

There are many ways you can participate in this event.

•  Raise money and walk with us.
• Support a walker by donating an amount per mile walked.
• Donate a flat fee of your choice, in the name of either your own bird(s) or a pet at the shelter (check them out at the Refuge website www.rescuethebirds.org to see all the birds at the shelter).
• Come cheer on the walkers and visit with some of the lucky birds who will be hanging out with the walkers during the walk (weather permitting for bird participation).

Regardless of the type of support you are able to provide, it will be a fun time for all bird lovers to get together and chat about our feathered friends, while raising money for them too!

If you are planning on walking and would like a sponsorship form please contact the Refuge and Rich Weiner (the director) will send one to you. We also have sponsorship forms at Niles Animal Hospital. Current volunteers should pick up their forms next time at the Refuge.

If you would like to support a volunteer, email Rich at Director@RescueThe Birds.org with who you will be sponsoring or Rich will suggest someone for you. Let him know you want to sponsor someone and also how much you will be donating per mile walked.

If you would like to make a donation or need any other information contact Rich Weiner (Director@RescueTheBirds.org) or Karen Weiner (lvmy2s@sbcglobal.net).

Also keep your eyes open for an announcement about a Yard Sale for Charity benefiting the Refuge to be held in the parking lot of Niles Animal Hospital, potentially July..

More Than 50% of Cats and Dogs are Overweight

I came across this article when I was at a veterinary news site. Obesity is a huge problems in pets (pun intended) and is something we as pet owners must be aware of and take measures to prevent or correct.
More than 50 percent of cats, dogs overweight or obese   By Diane VanDyke Reading Eagle correspondent
A survey shows that 53 percent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats are overweight or obese, which could lead to a variety of health problems. When we see our pets' adorable faces, we often want to reward them with treats, especially since food makes them happy. Then there are times when our lives become busier, and our dogs don't get the walks or games of fetch they need. And it's simply easier for us to use a food dispenser for our cats than to feed them at certain times every day. Unfortunately, these habits and other contributing factors are causing an obesity problem for our beloved pets. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, or APOP, pet obesity is an expanding epidemic. APOP's fifth annual veterinary survey, taken in 2011, shows 53 percent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats were overweight or obese. This means that about 88.4 million dogs and cats need to lose weight. So why be concerned about your dog or cat's extra pounds? There are many reasons, according to local veterinarians. "Obesity carries a large number of health risks," said Geoff DeWire, D.V.M., Douglassville Veterinary Hospital, Amity Township. They include arthritis due to increased stress on limbs and joints, diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes) caused by peripheral insulin resistance from high levels of body fat, cardiac and respiratory disease from increased fat surrounding the chest wall and airways, early mortality, skin infections due to increased skin folds and hair matting due to the inability to properly groom, increased anesthesia and surgical risks, exercise intolerance and the inability to dissipate heat predisposing the pet to heat stroke, he said. The most startling of these health risks is the decreased life expectancy, the time that you will lose with your pet. According to a Purina study conducted from 1987 through 2001 involving Labrador retrievers, the dogs that maintained a lean body weight lived 1.8 years longer than those who were overweight or obese. Losing almost two years is a significant amount of time, considering the average age of a Labrador is 12 to 14 years. Obese cats face a similar threat to their life expectancy, which Dr. Michael Comalli of the Conrad Weiser Animal Hospital, Womelsdorf, sees with his patients. "When I started my practice 20 years ago, the average life for a cat was about 12 years," he said. "As better care and food became available, that age increased to about 17 years. Now it's about 15 years. It is a rarity to see a 20-year-old cat." Since we want our furry companions to live as long as possible, we need to take measures to prevent or address obesity. Our first step is to acknowledge that our pets are overweight. While many of us do not know what the ideal weight is for our pet, our veterinarians do and can help us. "Because there is such a size variation in dog and cat breeds, we use a parameter called a body condition score (BSC) to evaluate a pet's body weight," DeWire said. "The body condition score is based on our physical exam findings. For example, a pet with an ideal body condition score has a tapered waistline and their ribs are easily felt during palpation of their chest. It is always a good idea to have your veterinarian evaluate your pet's body condition score and make dietary/medical recommendations based on that score." After realizing our pets are overweight or obese, our next step would be to limit the amount of food and/or gradually decrease it. Food should be measured, not scooped, and we should not allow our pets to graze all day. With cats, it is particularly important to decrease food gradually, Comalli said, and not more than 10 percent at one time, or cats could develop feline hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver syndrome. Food needs vary, too, based upon our pets' body conditions and activity. "When my Labrador hiked with me for three hours, I fed him an extra meal, because I knew he burned it off," Comalli said. "However, during the winter months, when he is less active, I decrease the food." Of course, when we limit the amount of food, we need to limit treats, including human food snacks, and use other ways to reward the animals. "A common pitfall is when owners use treats to show affection toward their pets," DeWire said. "We love our pets, and we know food and treats make them happy, so we fall into the trap of providing too many calories. Try to resist this temptation and find alternative ways of showing affection, such as play time." More play time will help our cats and dogs lose weight and stay in shape, too. For dogs, schedule daily walks, games of fetch and visits to the park. If your daily schedule is too demanding, try a doggy day care.    While we can't take our cats for a walk, we can play chase games with toys, lights or even with their food. Try keeping their food on a different floor of the house from where they spend most of their time.    For more information about cats' diets, visit www.catinfo.org. Selecting the best food for our pets is a challenging decision with the myriad choices and varying ingredients, nutrients and calories. "When purchasing pet food, one of the most salient criteria is whether the food has been tested by the Association of American Feed Control Officials," DeWire said. "That is an agency that regulates the sale and distribution of animal food. Basically, AAFCO ensures that the food you choose is safe and balanced." Check for the AAFCO label when you purchase you pet food. Contact Diane VanDyke: life@readingeagle.com.

Cat Food Added to Diamond Food Recall List

The problems with pet food recalls continue. Please share this information with your friends who have pets.

Diamond Pet Foods has added cat food to its recall list due to possible salmonella contamination. The newly recalled products are Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula and Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula dry cat food.

Chicken Jerky Treats Sicken Nearly 1,000 Dogs

From MSN.com 5/22/2012

Nearly 1,000 dogs now sick from jerky treats, FDA reports say

By JoNel Aleccia

Photo Courtesy of Robin Pierre

Bella, a 2-year-old pug, died last fall after her owner, Robin Pierre, said she ate Waggin' Train chicken jerky treats.

Nearly 1,000 dogs reportedly have been sickened by chicken jerky pet treats from China, according to a new tally of complaints from worried owners and veterinarians submitted to federal health officials.

The Food and Drug Administration has logged 900 reports of illnesses and deaths since November, when it warned owners about continued problems with the products known variously as chicken jerky strips, treats and nuggets, a spokeswoman said.

Back then, the agency already had heard from 70 owners about problems ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to kidney failure and other serious ailments after animals reportedly consumed the treats.

Since then, complaints have mounted steadily, putting growing pressure on the FDA to solve the problem.

The agency sent inspectors earlier this year to Chinese plants that make the jerky treats, but no results of those reviews are yet available, FDA spokeswoman Tamara Ward said Monday. 

Despite repeated tests since 2007, FDA scientists have been unable to detect any toxin responsible for the animal illnesses, officials said. The agency has asked certain pet owners to send in samples of suspect treats along with their animals' veterinary records.

Three top brands of chicken jerky treats were among those most recently cited by pet owners and veterinarians in complaints of harm, FDA records obtained by msnbc.com showed. They included Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brands produced by Nestle Purina PetCare Co., and Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats, produced by the Del Monte Corp.

Import data compiled by the firm ImportGenius showed that Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch treats are produced and supplied by JOC Great Wall Corp. Ltd. of Nanjing, China. 

Both manufacturers have insisted their chicken jerky treats are sound and that any illnesses are unrelated to the products.

But representatives from Milo’s Kitchen confirmed that the firm has paid at least one owner who complained about a sick dog $100 in exchange for a release of all liability.

The company examined treats submitted by the pet owner and reviewed veterinary records for the animal, according to Joanna DiNizio, a spokeswoman for the firm.

“Following the evaluation, the veterinarian consultant concluded the symptoms experienced by the pet were not related to consuming Milo’s Kitchen chicken jerky treats,” DiNizio said in an email statement.

A grieving pet owner says his 9-year-old dog was in perfect health until he fed her Waggin' Train chicken treats; the Pomeranian died 13 days later of kidney failure. He is now calling on the FDA to take another look at the product. WMAQ-TV's Michelle Relerford reports.

The dog owner has declined to be identified, but Milo’s representatives said they provided the $100 as a “goodwill gesture” and asked that the consumer sign a “standard release form.” Firm officials said such arrangements are conducted on a case-by-case basis and they declined to confirm how many similar agreements are in place. 

A spokesman for Waggin' Train, Bill Salzman, said last month that the firm also negotiates agreements with complaining pet owners individually.

Such signed agreements do legally absolve firms of future claims, said Ron Simon, a Texas food safety lawyer.

“What the company is up to is to try to assuage consumer complaints without accepting liability,” said Simon.

However, he noted that in most states, pets, no matter how precious, are regarded as property with little change of recovering damages beyond the animal’s literal worth. Most lawyers probably wouldn’t accept such a case, he added.

 

“You don’t get mental anguish,” he added.

That’s outrageous to pet owners who believe their animals were harmed or killed by contaminated jerky treats.

Robin Pierre, 50, of Pine Bush, N.Y., contends that Waggin’ Train chicken jerky treats were responsible for the sudden death last fall of her previously healthy 2-year-old pug, Bella, who developed kidney failure. 

"Right now the laws are protecting the rights of these manufacturers and we as victims/consumers have none," Pierre wrote in an email to msnbc.com. 

Pierre is the founder of a petition to ban the jerky treats which now has logged more than 10,445 signatures.

FDA officials have said companies are free to recall the treats at any time but regulations do not allow for products to be removed based on complaints alone. 

Pet owners can submit complaints to the FDA's safety reporting portal.

Another Recall by Missouri Based Diamond Pet Foods

The Associated Press

7:21 p.m. CDT, May 18, 2012

Illinois is among the states from where Meta, Mo.-based Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling another type of dog food because of potential exposure to salmonella.

The recall announced Friday applies to samples, 6-pound bags and 18-pound bags of Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula dry dog food manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011.

The company says it has received no reports of illnesses among dogs who consumed the food or people who handled it.

The product was distributed in Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

Diamond Pet Foods' voluntary recalls earlier this spring included batches of Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Adult Light Formula and Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice.

The latest recall covers the following production codes and best-before dates:

— DSL0801, 26-Aug-2012

— DSL0801, 27-Sept-2012

— DSL0801, 18-Oct-2012

— DSL0801 (samples)

2nd Annual 10 Mile Walk to Support the Parrots

The Memorial Day Weekend is nearly upon us and that means it is time for the the 10 Mile Walk to Support the Parrots. This is the second year the fundraiser will be held. It was a tremendous success last year and close to $7,000 was raised for the parrots. This money was used to support the efforts of "A Refuge for Saving the Wildlife," a not-for-profit organization which provides care for parrots in need. Their are too many parrots who are not properly cared for, neglected or unwanted. A Refuge provides a haven for these poor unfortunate creatures, places them in a loving environment, help them overcome any physical or mental distresses through expert care and ultimately attempt to place them in an ideal home environment. It is a daunting task and is costly. That is why funds raised for the organization are so very important. To see more about the organization, check out their website at www.rescuethebirds.org.

To see a slideshow of photos from the first walk check out this youtube video. http://youtu.be/SLybPfVlsMs

The walk will be held on MONDAY MAY 28th at 8:00 AM  (Rain or Shine). It will last as long as it takes to cover ten miles.

The meeting place before the walk will be in the parking lot of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit at 30 Riverwoods Rd. Lincolnshire.

The walk will take place along the Bike Trail along Riverwoods Road in Riverwoods, Illinois. 

For more detailed information contact ericaheller@gmail.com.

There are many ways you can participate in this event.

•  Raise money and walk with us.
• Support a walker by donating an amount per mile walked.
• Donate a flat fee of your choice, in the name of either your own bird(s) or a pet at the shelter (check them out at the Refuge website www.rescuethebirds.org to see all the birds at the shelter).
• Come cheer on the walkers and visit with some of the lucky birds who will be hanging out with the walkers during the walk (weather permitting for bird participation).

Regardless of the type of support you are able to provide, it will be a fun time for all bird lovers to get together and chat about our feathered friends, while raising money for them too!

If you are planning on walking and would like a sponsorship form please contact the Refuge and Rich Weiner (the director) will send one to you. We also have sponsorship forms at Niles Animal Hospital. Current volunteers should pick up their forms next time at the Refuge.

If you would like to support a volunteer, email Rich at Director@RescueThe Birds.org with who you will be sponsoring or Rich will suggest someone for you. Let him know you want to sponsor someone and also how much you will be donating per mile walked.

If you would like to make a donation or need any other information contact Rich Weiner (Director@RescueTheBirds.org) or Karen Weiner (lvmy2s@sbcglobal.net).

Also keep your eyes open for an announcement about a Yard Sale for Charity benefiting the Refuge to be held in the parking lot of Niles Animal Hospital within the next couple months.

Yard Sale for Charity This Sunday (May 20th) - Reminder

On Sunday, May 20th, we will be hosting a yard sale to benefit Flint Creek Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation. It will take place from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM in the Niles Animal Hospital parking lot at 7278 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Niles. There will be plentiful parking at surrounding parking lots in the area.
Flint Creek is a not for profit organization which is actively involved with rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife, as well as education the public about our native wildlife. Needless to say, they depend upon charitable donations to enable them to continue their work. An example of one of their projects was the release of the two bald eaglets from Batavia at Starved Rock last fall. 


As you are doing your spring cleaning bring over anything that can be donated to this good cause so money can be raised to provide care for the sick and injured wildlife Flint Creek works with. The link to their website is: http://www.flintcreekwildlife.org/. Your donated materials are tax deductible.If the weather permits they may be able to bring some of the education wildlife for you to view.

Your donations of merchandise is tax deductible and it is a win-win as you will be clearing out clutter, but you will also be helping out a great cause. The donations can be brought to Niles animal Hospital 7278 N. Milwaukee Ave. Niles and we will store it until the sale or you can drop material off early in the morning the day of the sale. Donated materials can be dropped off at the animal hospital during regular business hours M, T, Th, F 8-6, W 8-5, Sat 8-2. We will remain an hour later on Saturday May 19th until 3 PM for more drop offs. We will be storing the items in a storeroom in the hospital until the sale. You can also bring materials the day of the yard sale, but we want to be up and ready to go by 8 AM. Call 847-647-9325 if you have any questions. You can also send inquiries/comments via email info@nilesanimalhospital.com.

Even if you have nothing to sell/donate come on by and buy! You will find all sorts of treasures and you will helping to fund their work at Flint Creek. They will probably also have a display and bring some education animals, weather permitting.

If you would like to volunteer your help for set up and helping to "sell" the items it would be appreciated. We will be hopefully beginning the set up around 6:00 AM on Sunday the 20th.

So several opportunities to participate, donate goods, volunteer to help with set up and selling or just coming by to purchase items, gathering up some treasures, but also supporting a great cause.

Questions, comments, concerns, contact Dr. Sakas at Niles Animal Hospital 847-647-9325, email info@nilesanimalhospital.com or Dawn Keller at Flint Creek http://www.flintcreekwildlife.org/
Hope to see you there!

The Legacy of the late Meow (the 39 pound cat)

Meow, a two year old, orange and white male tabby cat, who was turned into a Santa Fe, New Mexico animal shelter last month when his 87 year old owner could no longer care for him, quickly generated international stardom. Sadly, it was because of his obesity as he weighed in at 39 pounds. (To put it in perspective, in all my years in practice, I never saw a cat over 25 pounds and that was including the giant-framed Maine coon cats). He died from lung failure, directly attributable to his obesity.

His obesity was presented as almost a comical situation in the media, instead of the tragic and deadly condition which it was, ultimately costing Meow his life. Stories were told that Meow liked hot dogs and was so fat he got stuck in things. He barely fit in his carrier. Ideally, he should have weighed 7 to 10 pounds and to provide equivalence, the 39 pounds he carried on his frame would have equated to a man weighing more than 600 pounds.

The reality is that pets in this country are becoming fatter (as are the owners) and this extra weight can hasten death. Obesity can lead to all sorts of metabolic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, lung failure (as with Meow), joint problems and arthritis because of the additional wear and tear because of the extra weight, and there are many other conditions. Granted, there may be an underlying cause such as hypothyroidism which could be determined by your veterinarian, however, in the face of all the overweight animals veterinarians see, this is only responsible rarely in relation to the other causes.

What are the main causes? Obviously, animals do not go out and select their foods or go out to eat. (Interestingly, the cats we see that owners let out to roam...which I do not recommend... usually are carrying normal weight). The big problems are overfeeding, improper diet, too many treats, and lack of exercise.

Unfortunately, owners are killing their pets with kindness, giving them all sorts of high fat, high calorie people foods (which cause enough problems with us) and their bodies cannot handle these foods, storing fat or suffering from disease conditions.

In addition, the diet fed should be proper for the lifestyle the pet leads. A high protein diet will be inappropriate for a dog or cat who just sits around all day. There are diets specially formulated for particular stages in the life of a pet. The amount of food given should be carefully measured so you are certain there is consistent feeding. Monitor the weight of your pets carefully, as obesity can slip up on you. Too many people just "fill the bowl" and when it is empty, refill it. Feed your pet definite meals, I recommend twice daily, of measured amounts of food. Obviously, limit treats....a few are OK as rewards...but owners tend to overdo it. Consult with your veterinarian for diet recommendations and a feeding plan. If your pet is overweight, "lite" or lower calorie diets would be a good choice. If your pet is obese, then a reducing prescription diet may need to be prescribed.

Lack of exercise is a scourge for both the pet and owner. Provide plenty of regular exercise for your pets. Walking your dogs is great for both of you! With cats it is more difficult, but you should try to set up something where they are mentally stimulated and encouraged to play.

Although the death of Meow was a tragedy, his obesity was even a larger one. The benefit that will come out of all the publicity he received is that people will hopefully realize that obesity in their pets is deadly and can have terrible consequences. I hope that the legacy of Meow will not be people laughing about him eating hot dogs, but rather encouraging pet owners to take the proper steps to be certain their pets maintain a healthy weight and that will serve as a fitting testament to Meow, who suffered and died through no fault of his own.

(Part of the above blog related to Meow's story was excerpted from a Chicago Tribune article 5/8/12)

More Pet Food Recall Information!

This week, Diamond Foods, the manufacturer of several popular brands of food has issued a voluntary recall of several lines of product. The full details of the recall as well as ways to identify if you are in possession of recalled products are on the FDA website. You can click http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm303034.htm to see the full details.

The products involved are the following:

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul
Country Value
Diamond
Diamond Naturals
Premium Edge
Professional
4Health
Taste of the Wild
Canidae
Natural Balance
Wellness (Large Breed Puppy ONLY)

For full details please Click http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm303034.htm

If you are in possession of any recalled products, please discontinue feeding them to your pets, and you may contact each respective company to obtain a full refund/replacement. If you have any questions, please let us know.

Sincerely,
Anthony Holloway
President-CEO
K9 Cuisine

Coyote Facts / How to Protect Your Pets from Coyote Attack

Due to the increased reports of coyote attacks in our area, I thought it would be a good idea to discuss some details about coyotes, so you would a better understanding of them in order to protect your pets. I found a good synopsis online from the Kane County Animal Control Department and felt it was worth sharing. Following the article I am reprinting the tips about protecting your pets from coyotes, originally from an article in the Northbrook Patch.

Coyote Facts

KANE COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL DEPARTMENT (630)-232-3555

Appearance
The coyote resembles a small German shepherd dog, but carries its tail below
the level of the back rather than curved upward. Its upper body is typically
light gray to dull yellow, but can vary from mostly black to nearly all gray or
white. Course outer hairs are usually tipped with black. The underparts are
whitish, cream colored or pinkish yellow. A coyote's muzzle is long and
narrow; its ears are erect and pointed. The average length of an adult is 44 to
54 inches, including a 15- to 17-inch tail. Weights measured during fall and
winter vary from 22 to 42 pounds.

Distribution & Abundance
Coyotes are common throughout Illinois. They're most abundant in the
southern, southeastern and west-central parts of the state. They're least
abundant in the northern two to three tiers of counties. Coyotes were rare in
Illinois for a long time after settlement of the state, but their numbers
increased dramatically during the 1970s and early 1980s.

Habitat
Coyotes occur in nearly all types of habitat, including urban and suburban
areas. They are most abundant in areas with a mixture of farmland, woodland
and grassland.

Habits
A coyote lives in a large area, often 20 to 30 miles in diameter. Several
coyotes may share this area. A pack of coyotes consists of an extended
family that maintains a strict territory. Members of one pack rarely venture
into the territory of another.

Some coyotes do not belong to packs. These solitary coyotes tend to have
larger home ranges than pack coyotes and are less respectful of pack
boundaries. They sometimes join a pack when one of the members leaves or
dies.

Coyotes communicate with a variety of barks, yips and howls. They also
mark areas with urine, feces or gland secretions, much like domestic dogs.
Body language plays an important role in the family social structure and in
meetings between strangers. Facial expressions and body gestures can signal
a coyote's aggressive, submissive or neutral intentions.

Coyotes prefer semi-open country and like to travel on ridges or old trails.
They are most active from dusk until the early morning hours, but are
sometimes seen at other times of the day. They can run up to 43 miles per
hour for short distances. Water is rarely a barrier because coyotes swim well.
Few coyotes live past 3 to 4 years of age. The oldest coyote found in a study
conducted in Illinois during 1996 to 1997 was 13 years old.

Foods
Coyotes are Illinois' largest wild predator. Most of their diet consists of
animal matter, but they often eat insects, fruits or berries. Rabbits and mice
are important food items in Illinois and other Midwestern states.

A study conducted in Missouri showed the following food groups and their
percentages by volume: rabbits 53.7; mice and rats 8.7; other wild mammals
7.5; livestock 8.9; poultry 11.3; wild birds 0.5; known carrion 5.8; insects
0.8; plants 2.0; and miscellaneous 0.8.

In Iowa, winter foods of coyotes were composed by volume of: 51 percent
rabbits, 25.5 percent mice, 8.0 percent other mammals, 2.7 percent birds, 0.5
percent plants and miscellaneous. Coyotes sometimes eat carrion, so it's
difficult to determine whether livestock and poultry in their diet represent
actual kills.

Reproduction
A few females breed at one year of age, but most mature in their second year.
Breeding peaks in late February or early March. A female typically mates for
two to five days during this period. The gestation (pregnancy) period is 58 to
63 days. Pups are born during late April or May in a den under a hollow tree,
log, brush pile, or even an abandoned building. More often, coyotes raise
their young in a remodeled burrow dug originally by a fox, badger, or
woodchuck. Litters of 2 to 19 pups have been documented, but four to nine is
the norm. The pups are blind and helpless at birth and are covered with
brownish-gray woolly fur. Their eyes open between 8 and 14 days of age.
The young first come out of the den when they're about 21 days old but don't
remain outside for long periods until they are 5 or 6 weeks of age.

Both parents care for the young, especially after they're weaned. Hunting
short distances from the den (usually 3 to 5 miles), the parents kill and eat
what they catch, then regurgitate it for the pups when they return. The pups
begin to learn to hunt for themselves when they are 8 to 12 weeks old. The
family usually moves away from the den about this time, and often breaks up
in late summer or early fall. After they leave their parents, some young may
move up to 120 miles away in search of their own living space.

Conservation
Coyotes are valuable members of the wildlife community and do more good
than harm where humans are concerned. However, they occasionally kill
livestock, poultry, domestic cats and small dogs, especially where coyotes
live in large numbers or in close association with people. Most problems
caused by coyotes can be solved by targeting and removing specific coyotes
responsible.

Coyotes are harvested during regulated hunting and trapping seasons. An
average of 7,000 coyotes is harvested each year in Illinois. About 75 percent
of these are taken by hunters; 25 percent by trappers. The trapping season is
restricted to the fall and winter months, while the hunting season is open year
-round. A liberal hunting season allows landowners to remove problem
animals without having to obtain a special permit. Biologists monitor the
population to ensure that hunting and trapping do not negatively impact the
population.

Tips to Protect Your Pets from Coyote Attacks (from the Northbrook Patch)

• Feed pets indoors or remove the dishes immediately if you feed them outside. Store pet food inside.
• Clear brush and dense weeds to remove shelter for rodents (which coyotes eat), and protective cover for coyotes.
• Put tight clamping devices on the lids of trash barrels to prevent spills if animals tip them over.
• Do not feed or provide water for coyotes or any other wildlife.
• Keep small pets, like cats, rabbits and small dogs, indoors.
• Keep larger dogs inside after dark, and don’t let them run loose.
• Let dogs outside only with direct supervision, even in a fenced yard.
• If you encounter a coyote, shout, clap, or throw something near it to help make the coyote afraid of people and to shoo it away.

Seven Coyote Attacks in Northbrook - Two Dogs Killed

(from the Northbrook Patch online)

Coyote Pair That Attacked, Killed Dogs Still At Large

Police report seven confirmed coyote attacks have taken place on the southwest side of Northbrook in recent weeks. Two small dogs were killed.

• By Jennifer Fisher

   

Police are still searching for a pair of coyotes that have made at least seven attacks on dogs in the past few weeks, including one fatal incident.

The attacks have mostly taken place on the far southwest side of Northbrook, according to animal control officer Gina Manski. Six dogs were injured in the seven incidents police have confirmed, and two very small dogs were killed in the same yard.

“We are in the process of tracking the suspected pair involved,” Manski wrote in an e-mail to Patch. “At this point, we don’t know their physical condition.”

While Manski did not give further specifics about where the attacks took place, several readers commented on our first story about coyotes to share their own experiences with attacks or sightings of the animals.

Allyson Cohen said two attacks occurred in the Stonegate subdivision at Landwehr and Willow roads. One incident involved a dog on a leash and the other happened to a dog in a fenced-in yard, who was severely injured, according to Cohen. A third attack took place on Techny Road, she said, and two chihuahuas were killed in another housing development behind Stonegate.

Sherry Azaria reported seeing two coyotes around 5:30 a.m. one morning on Techny Road between Landwehr and Phillips.

“They approached us twice, one in front and one stalking on the right,” Azaria wrote. “Somehow, we kept them at bay and they didn’t follow us onto Philips. My theory at the time was that the streetlights were a deterrent.”

Jeri Comin Calvetti reported seeing a pair of coyotes on Jessica Lane, near Techny and Landwehr roads, around 9:30 p.m. last month, while another reader reported seeing a coyote at Willow Park around 7:15 a.m. last week.

In December 2010, Manski talked to Patch in greater depth about coyotes. At the time, she said that there had been several sightings by the basin in Techny Prairie Park and Fields.

“It’s really thick with brown brush and weeds and stuff, and that is the prefect coverage for them,” she said. “There could be coyotes in there and you’d never see them.”

Ordinarily, Manski explained, a coyote sighting is not necessarily a problem. It's not uncommon for the animals to travel through village streets, on their way to hunt for rodents or other small wildlife.

“If you look at an aerial view of Northbrook, we’re pretty much surrounded by forest preserves,” she said. “The coyotes will travel through town a lot, going from one spot to the next. And then, like the Techny basin, we have nice big parks for them to hunt.”

According to Manski, coyotes are territorial and travel in mated pairs within a several mile radius. They tend to follow the same routes for hunting, but they are also capable of changing their travel paths—which can make it tricky to catch a pair if they have become a danger.

State law mandates that police can intercede only if there is an immediate danger to health and safety, according to Manski. She added that there has never been a coyote attack to a human in the state of Illinois.
While police track down this pair—which has become a danger—Manski offers some tips for residents who want to keep their pets safe:

• Feed pets indoors or remove the dishes immediately if you feed them outside. Store pet food inside.
• Clear brush and dense weeds to remove shelter for rodents (which coyotes eat), and protective cover for coyotes.
• Put tight clamping devices on the lids of trash barrels to prevent spills if animals tip them over.
• Do not feed or provide water for coyotes or any other wildlife.
• Keep small pets, like cats, rabbits and small dogs, indoors.
• Keep larger dogs inside after dark, and don’t let them run loose.
• Let dogs outside only with direct supervision, even in a fenced yard.
• If you encounter a coyote, shout, clap, or throw something near it to help make the coyote afraid of people and to shoo it away.

The Reasons to Seek Help from a Veterinarian in a Zombie Apocalypse

5 Reasons You Would Want a Veterinarian on Your Team in a Zombie Apocalypse

This is from an article on the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) website.

In the latest set of episodes of AMC's zombie series The Walking Dead, a new character was introduced to the show, Dr. Hershel Greene, who helped treat and save the life of a critically injured child. Dr. Greene, however, is not a physician, but a veterinarian.

Now, under normal circumstances, of course, we would never recommend that a veterinarian treat a human, but in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, well ... physicians might be hard to come by, governing boards and malpractice laws are out the window, and if one of your party is bleeding to death, a veterinarian just might give that person the best chance of survival.

Which got us thinking ... how else might a veterinarian prove useful in a zombie apocalypse? Here are our top 5 reasons you'd want a veterinarian as part of your zombie apocalypse team:

1. They have a better chance at surviving: In the event of a zombie apocalypse, survivors are at a premium, and losing members of your group will make you much more vulnerable. The biggest risk is getting bitten by a zombie. Well, who's better at avoiding bites than a veterinarian?
2. They can provide medical care: Again, pre-apocalypse, see your physician. Post-apocalypse, if a physician isn't available, you couldn't do much better than having a veterinarian treat your (non-zombie-bite) wounds and illnesses. Veterinarians spend at least four years post-grad training to care for ALL species, so while the general anatomy might be slightly different, they're probably not going to be overwhelmed by the prospect of working on human patients.
3. They can take care of the animals: With electrical grids down and gasoline no longer in production, you're going to be relying on animals much more: Dogs for protection, horses for transportation, livestock for food and labor. A veterinarian will make sure these highly valuable animals are well treated, healthy and performing at a high level.
4. They can make sure your food is safe: Without grocery stores, restaurants or refrigerators—not to mention state and federal oversight—obtaining, storing and preparing food will provide a whole new set of challenges for most people. Veterinarians have experience in ensuring food safety and testing; many work nationally to ensure food safety at processing plants and distribution centers, or across the globe working to make sure food for our troops is safe to eat. Unsure if the remaining meat from a deer carcass ravaged by zombies is safe to eat? Consult the veterinarian!
5. They can find a cure: Veterinarians are experts at studying the causes and distribution of diseases, or epidemiology. They've been invaluable in determining the source and distribution of several diseases that pose risk to humans, such as rabies, SARS, and West Nile virus. Veterinarians might be able to determine what causes people to turn into zombies and develop a cure. Why aren't animals infected? Perhaps there's an epidemiological clue there!

Veterinarians bring an enormous amount of talents to the table: They're trained to treat all animals, from mice to elephants, from aardvarks to zebras and everything in between. They have expertise in animal welfare, food safety, environmental protection and public health. They work all over the world, in all types of fields, helping to ensure the health of animals and people. And, in the event of a zombie apocalypse, they might just be the most valuable survivors of all.

Talk to your veterinarian today about his or her zombie apocalypse plans!

More Kaytee Food Recalls - Mouse, Rat, Hamster Diet

Kaytee Recalls Batch of Mouse, Rat and Hamster Food Due to Salmonella

Posted: April 30, 2012, 8:00 p.m. EDT

2

Kaytee Pet Products of Chilton, Wis., is recalling a single manufacturing batch of Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster food due to possible salmonella contamination.
The recalled products are 3-pound packages with a “best before” date of 31-Mar-2013 K63 (UPC Code 71859 9994); 5-pound packages with a “best before” date of 03-Apr-2012 K61 (UPC Code 71859-00001); and 25-pound bags with “best before” dates of 31-Mar-20-13 (UPC Code 71859 99995) and, for Petco stores only, 30-Mar-2013 (UPC Code 71859 00000).
No other products or product lots are involved in the recall and no human or pet illnesses have been reported, according to Kaytee.

Kaytee recalled one batch of its Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster food because a sample tested positive for salmonella.

Kaytee issued the recall because one sample from the 5-pound bags tested positive for salmonella in a random U.S. Food and Drug Administration test, Kaytee reported. The affected products were manufactured Jan. 5 and 6, 2012, and Kaytee is taking steps to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers and to fully investigate the cause, the company reported. Kaytee urges consumers that have purchased the recalled products to contact Kaytee customer service representatives at 800-529-8331 for further instructions.
Humans feeding the product could become infected, especially if they do not thoroughly wash their hands after handling the products or surfaces exposed to these products. Symptoms could include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. More serious ailments related to Salmonella include arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Kaytee urged people exhibiting those signs after contacting the product to contact their healthcare provider.
Pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic and have 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 and people. Kaytee urged pet owners whose pets had consumed the product and exhibited those signs to contact their veterinarian.
The recalled products had been distributed to 28 states and one territory: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The products were also distributed to multiple countries: Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, Dutch Antilles, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guam, Honduras, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand and Trinidad.
This is the second recall issued by Kaytee this month. In mid April, the Central Garden & Pet brand recalled several lots of Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula Baby Birds and Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula Baby Macaw due to high levels of vitamin D.

More Diamond Food Recalls Part 2

Diamond Pet Foods of Meta, Mo., recalled more dog food produced at its Gaston, S.C., plant after another bag of food tested positive for salmonella.
The latest recall involves one production run and four production codes of Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food, as follows:

Product Name	Bag Size	Production Code	Best By Date
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food	35 lb.	CLF0102B31XCW CLF0102B31XCW CLF0102B32XWR	27/JAN/2013 28/JAN/2013 28/JAN/2013
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food	6 lb.	CLF0102B3XALW	28/JAN/2013

  The food was distributed in Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia, where the food may have been further distributed to other states through pet food channels. Diamond said it is working directly with distributors and retailers that carry the recalled food to remove it from the supply chain.
The company advised consumers who purchased the recalled food to discard it immediately.
This follows the April 6 recall of several lots of Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice dry dog food due to salmonella concerns. Diamond halted production at the Gaston plant two days later.
Pets infected with salmonella may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. The company advised owners whose pets that have consumed the recalled food and have any of the preceding symptoms to contact their veterinarian.
People handling dry pet food can also become infected with salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to the product, according to Diamond.

More Diamond Food Recalls Part 1

Diamond Pet Foods issued its third dog food recall in the past month due to salmonella contamination in a product manufactured at the company’s Gaston, S.C., facility, which recently ceased production.
The latest recall includes the following sizes of the Meta, Mo.-based company’s Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food:

Size	Production Code	Best-by Date
40 lb.	DPP0401B22XJW	6-Apr-2013
40 lb.	DPP0401A21XAW	6-Apr-2013
40 lb	DPP0101C31XME	11-Jan-2013
40 lb.	DPP0401B21XDJ	7-Apr-2013
20 lb.	DPP0401B22XJW	6-Apr-2013
20 lb.	DPP0101C31XME	11-Jan-2013
20 lb.	DPP0101C31XRB	11-Jan-2013
8 lb	DPP0401B2XALW	7-Apr-2013
6 oz. samples	DPP0401	N/A

The recalled food was distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, and may have been distributed to other states through pet food channels.
Earlier this month, Diamond recalled several lots of its Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice dry dog food and halted production at the Gaston plant two days later.
Last week, Diamond issued another recall for a Gaston-manufactured product, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food.