The Top Pet Toxins of 2012

From the ASPCA....

What’s Poisoning Our Pets: The Top Pet Toxins of 2012

Thursday, March 14, 2013 -

In 2012, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, Illinois, handled more than 180,000 cases about pets possibly exposed to poisonous substances—and some breeds seemed to make up a lot more of those calls than others.

Nearly 14,000 of APCC’s 2012 calls were from worried pet parents of Labradors. Domestic shorthair cats were involved in approximately 10,000 cases (the second-most popular breed involved in APCC calls). Mixed-breed dogs (8,000 cases), Chihuahuas (4,833 cases), Golden Retrievers (4,819 cases) and Yorkshire Terriers (3,800 cases) rounded out the top six.

No matter what kind of pets they had, thousands of pet parents called us about the same products last year. Here were the top five poisons that caused pet parents to call APCC for help in 2012:

1. Prescription Human Medications
APCC handled 25,000 cases regarding human prescription medications in 2012. The top three types of medications that animals were exposed to were: heart medications (blood pressure pills), antidepressants and pain medications (opioids and prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

2. Insecticides
While just 11% of all calls to the APCC are about insecticides, more than 50% of the calls to APCC involving cats pertain to felines exposed to insecticides.

3. Over-the-Counter Human Medications
This group contains acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen as well as herbal and nutraceutical products (fish oil, joint supplements).

4. Veterinary Products and Medications
Veterinary products made up nearly 6% of APCC’s case volume for 2012. Both OTC and prescription veterinary products are included in this group. Watch out for flavored tablets!

5. Household Products
APCC fielded more than 10,000 calls about household products in 2012. Household toxins can range from fire logs to cleaning products.

6. People Food

More than 5% of our cases in 2012 were related to the ingestion of people food. One particularly common food accidentally ingested by pets is xylitol (the sugar substitute). Xylitol can cause seizures and liver failure in dogs.

7. Chocolate 

Chocolate is still the number one people food that pets ingest (we received over 8,500 calls last year). Too much chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, high heart rate and seizures.

8. Plants

More than 7,000 cases in 2012 were pet parents calling about their animals eating plants. This is one category that cats lead dogs in the number of exposures. Lilies can cause kidney failure and death in cats. Please see our list of toxic/non-toxic plants for more information. 

9. Rodenticides

When putting out baits to kill mice and rats, never underestimate the resourcefulness of your pet. Nearly 4% of calls to the APCC in 2012 were related to baits. Depending on the type of rodenticide, ingestion can cause internal bleeding, kidney failure or seizures.

10. Lawn and Garden Products

Fertilizers, which can be made of dried blood, poultry manure and bone meal, are very attractive to pets, so it is not surprising that we get many calls (almost 3,600 in 2012) on lawn and garden items.

Think you know your poisons? Take the ASPCA’s I Can’t Believe It’s Poisonous Quiz on Facebook!

And remember: If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Bravo! Raw Food Diet Recalled for Possible Salmonella Contamination

Another day, another recall....lots of Salmonella in pet foods recently.

Bravo! Raw Food Diet Pet Food Recalled for Possible Salmonella

March 13, 2013 by Kathy Will 

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is telling consumers to avoid feeding or handling Bravo! Raw Food Diet Chicken Blend for Dogs and Cats because it may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. This is a frozen pet food product. There are no reports of human or animal illnesses associated with the consumption or handling of this product.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but healthy pets can infect other animals or people if they are untreated. If your pet ate this product and is unwell, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The recalled product is for the 2 pound size of Bravo! Chicken Blend with best if used by date of 6/12/14 only. The production code is 06/14/12, located on the white tag on the end of the package and the product code is 21-102. No other products, sizes, or production dates are involved. Consumers are asked to discard any of these products they may have. For questions, contact the company at 1-866-922-9222.

The Story of Reggie - A Black Lab

Got this from a friend of mine in an email. A supposedly true story....if it is it is bittersweet....May God Bless our Troops.

Reggie – A Black Lab

Take the time to read this (and every American needs to), be sure to read it through to the end including the final quote!!!

 

 

 

 

A Really Great (and true) Story Well Worth the Reading!

 

They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie,

as I looked at him lying in his pen.

The shelter was clean, no-kill,

and the people really friendly.

I'd only been in the area for six months, but

everywhere I went in the small college town, people

were welcoming and open. Everyone waves

when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle

in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt.

Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen

Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter

said they had received numerous calls right after,

but they said the people who had come down

to see him just didn't look like "Lab people,"

whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me

in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted

of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were

brand new tennis balls, his dishes and

a sealed letter from his previous owner.

See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home.

We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter

told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it

was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too.

Maybe we were too much alike.

I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten

about that. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see

if your previous owner has any advice."

____________________

To Whomever Gets My Dog:

Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this,

a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by

Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it.

He knew something was different.

So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes

that it will help you bond with him and he with you.

First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier.

Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hoards them.

He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get

a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where

you throw them, he'll bound after them, so be careful.

Don't do it by any roads.

Next, commands. Reggie knows the

obvious ones ---"sit," "stay," "come," "heel."

He knows hand signals, too: He knows "ball"

and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.

Feeding schedule: twice a day, regular

store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.

He's up on his shots. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet.

Good luck getting him in the car. I don't know how he

knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time. It's only been Reggie and

me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me,

so please include him on your daily car rides if you can.

He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark

or complain. He just loves to be around people,

and me most especially.

And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you...

His name's not Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it

and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn't

bear to give them his real name. But if someone is reading this ...

well it means that his new owner should know his real name.

His real name is "Tank." Because, that is what I drive.

I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available

for adoption until they received word from my company commander.

You see, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've

left Tank with ... and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call to the shelter ...

in the "event" ... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption.

Luckily, my CO is a dog-guy, too, and he knew where my platoon

was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this,

then he made good on his word.

Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long

as the Army has been my family. And now I hope and pray that

you make him part of your family, too, and that he will adjust

and come to love you the same way he loved me.

If I have to give up Tank to keep those terrible people from coming

to the US I am glad to have done so. He is my example of service and

of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter

off at the shelter. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got

that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and

give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me.

Thank you,

Paul Mallory

_____________________

I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure,

I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him,

even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few

months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star

when he gave his life to save three buddies.

Flags had been at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my

elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.

"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.

The dog's head whipped up, his ears

cocked and his eyes bright.

"C'mere boy."

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor.

He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name

he hadn't heard in months. "Tank," I whispered.

His tail swished.

I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time,

his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed

as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked

his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into

his scruff and hugged him.

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me."

Tank reached up and licked my cheek.

"So whatdaya say we play some ball?"

His ears perked again.

"Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?"

Tank tore from my hands and disappeared into the next room.

And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.

If you can read this without getting a lump in your

throat or a tear in your eye, you just ain't right.

 

===========================================================================

"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in

front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."
G. K. Chesterton

 

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
-Anonymous
There is no psychiatrist in

the world like a puppy licking your face. 
-Ben Williams
A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
-Josh Billings

Niles Animal Hospital Named Niles Business of the Year

We are honored.....Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center was named the Business of the Year by the Niles Chamber of Commerce today. There will be the award ceremony at a dinner April 27th. Thanks to our staff and clients who have, over the years, made our practice something of which we are very proud.

Niles Animal Hospital was founded in 1949 by the noted veterinarian, Dr. T.J. Lafeber. Dr. Lafeber was a pioneer in many aspects of veterinary medicine, the utilization of veterinary assistants, in-house laboratory diagnostics, and became renowned as an avian veterinarian.

Dr. Peter Sakas began as a veterinary extern at Niles Animal Hospital in 1980, became a staff veterinarian in 1983, and bought the practice in 1985. He has continued in the tradition of Dr. Lafeber, remaining innovative and on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine. We have an extensive in-house laboratory, digital radiography, laser surgery and laser therapy, fully equipped bird hospital, see all varieties of pets (dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, reptiles, wildlife), perform a wide variety of surgical procedures, along with many other features of our practice.

We have been an American Animal Hospital Accredited Practice since 1953, one of only 3,000 in the US and Canada. Our accreditation by AAHA means we have gone through a rigorous evaluation process to ensure we comply with strict standards in patient care, pain management, surgery, and many other areas. It is a guarantee that pets will receive the highest quality care available.

We give back to the community by being involved in various civic activities, career day programs, student mentoring, lectures/programs to a wide range of groups, charitable pursuits, and others. We support local shelters/rescues for dogs, cats, small mammals, and birds.

We take pride in the legacy of Niles Animal Hospital which began so long ago with Dr. Lafeber and strive to maintain it. We sincerely appreciate the recognition by the Niles Chamber of Commerce.

As March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month, another article discussing a commonly seen toxicosis in pets.

The dangers of rat poison to dogs and cats

When purging your home of pests, keep your pets in mind

Posted May 04, 2012 in Pet Health

Most of us will agree: rats are the most repugnant of pests, especially when they rival the size of our cats. However, if you find yourself scrambling to stifle a rat infestation by using poison, you’ll need to be extra careful with your pets.

 

There are a number of chemicals commonly found in rat and mouse poisons that are very toxic to dogs and cats. One of those chemicals is bromethalin, which kills animals by poisoning the central nervous system. Brodifacoum is another and, as an anti-coagulant, falls in with a group of chemicals that keep blood from clotting, leading to spontaneous and uncontrollable bleeding.

These chemicals can be deadly for dogs and cats, and poisoning can take place directly or indirectly, such as when your pet nibbles on a rodent killed by the poison.

Signs and Symptoms
If your pet is unlucky enough to ingest rat poison containing either of these chemicals, the consequences can be dire, especially if not diagnosed in time.

In particular, bromethalin causes neurological problems because it spurs an increase in the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid (the liquid in the skull that surrounds the brain) and cerebral edema, or excess water in the brain. As a result, there are several neurological symptoms of bromethalin ingestion:

• Muscle tremors
• Seizures
• Impaired movement
• Lethargy
• Anorexia (loss of appetite)

While these clinical signs may develop within 2-7 days, ingestion of extremely high doses can cause sudden onset of symptoms, usually muscle tremors but sometimes seizures as well.

As for brodifacoum, symptoms generally involve internal or external bleeding and include:

• Blood in urine, vomit, or feces
• Bleeding from rectum, nose, eyes, ears, or even gums
• Weakness and instability
• Bruises
• Difficulty breathing due to blood in the lungs
• Swollen belly due to blood accumulation in the abdomen

Symptoms of brodifacoum typically take 2-5 days to appear. But while pets that have mild poisoning will not show signs for several days, it is important to get your pet to a veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested rat poison. Internal bleeding can be fatal if not diagnosed in time.

Diagnosis
If bromethalin toxicosis is suspected, your veterinarian will recommend:

• A urinalysis to determine whether the chemical is in the system
• Brain imaging, particularly an MRI or CT scan to look for excess fluid in the brain

These tests will also allow your veterinarian to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as similar neurological syndromes, contact with other toxic chemicals or infections agents, or tumor growth.

If brodifacoum toxicosis is suspected, your veterinarian will recommend:

• A complete blood profile to determine presence of the chemical
• An analysis of your pet’s vomit or stool. It is especially helpful if you are able to bring samples along for your veterinary visit.

Treatment
Treatment for poisoning for these two chemicals is very different. With bromethalin, your vet will want to purge your pet’s digestive tract as soon as possible and might also find it necessary to prescribe medications to control muscle spasms and seizures. In addition, because there are some prolonged effects of bromethalin poisoning, most notably anorexia and loss of appetite. Your pet may be given nutritional supplements and monitored by your vet. Your vet will prescribe the best treatment plan he/she can, and because it can take several weeks to recover, your vet will want to monitor any continuing symptoms.

On the other hand, treatment for brodifacoum poisoning involves administering Vitamin K, which is necessary for normal blood clotting. Usually, this is done by repeated injections under the skin of your pet, and is sometimes given orally, until blood clotting returns to normal. Depending on the severity of poison, recovery can take anywhere between a week to a month.

Prevention
Prevention is simple: while it’s understandable to want to rid your home of rats and mice, it’s important to make sure your pet does not have access to rat poison. If you choose to use products containing dangerous chemicals like bromethalin or brodifacoum, you will want to be diligent about discarding dead rodents and keeping your pets away from the poison.

Pet Toxins in Your Home

From the AVMA Pet SmartBrief.....

Pet Talk: Your home could be housing a whole host of pet toxins

By Monique Balas, Special to The Oregonian  

We think that our indoor pets are safe from predators, cars and disease, but our homes may be exposing our pets – and ourselves – to risks of a different realm.

Everything from the mattresses we sleep on to the motes of dust on the shelves may contain flame retardants or other chemicals, says Laurel Standley, an environmental consultant and author of “#ToxinsTweet: 140 Easy Tips to Reduce Your Family’s Exposure to Environmental Toxins.”

Standley began studying the effects of household toxins in pets after she, her mother and sister all lost pet cats to cancer.

She grieved the losses but Standley, who earned a doctoral degree in chemical oceanography, also grew concerned about what made them sick in the first place.

She worries about the prevalence of chemical flame retardants known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) found in many electronics, polyurethane foams, carpet padding, furniture, mattresses and other common household items.

“Each time we sit down on couches with foam cushions, dust particles fly out and fill our homes with dust containing flame retardant chemicals,” Standley says.

The products are being phased out after growing concern about their health effects. Last month, California Gov. Jerry Brown proposed new standards to reduce use of fire-retardant chemicals in furniture and baby products.

Some studies have associated hyperthyroidism in cats to the presence of PBDEs, including one published in February 2012 in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health.

“Proving cause and effect is extremely difficult,” Standley says, “But that’s not an excuse to not protect our pets.”

Plastics also contain harmful chemicals, including bisphenol A and phthalates that have been associated with reproductive and other endocrine effects.

Some of these chemicals have been restricted from children’s products (such as the Multnomah County ban on sippy cups and baby bottles made with BPA).

“The same chemicals haven’t been regulated for dog or cat toys,” says Jennifer Coleman, outreach director at Oregon Environmental Council. “They could still have an impact on endocrine systems.”

Like infants, pets are also smaller than adults, metabolize more quickly and are closer to the ground. This makes them more vulnerable to harm from many of the products humans use, she says.

One way to reduce their exposure is by replacing plastic food bowls with those made from stainless steel, ceramic or glass instead, Standley suggests.

The fish in those food dishes can also be toxic; fish living in polluted streams can accumulate toxic substances in their systems, she says.

Even the plastic liner of the cans they come in may leach BPA.

Pigments and dyes are also likely to contain chemicals, so look for toys without a lot of color or bleaching, Coleman advises.

“My strategy with my own dog is to do the simple things that make the most sense to me,” she says.
She avoids vinyl and PVC plastic and opts instead for those made from rubber or fabric, such as tug ropes and stuffing-free toys. Even tennis balls can be toxic; the ones designed for dogs often contain lead.

Of course, some toxins will make your pet sick sooner rather than later.

At DoveLewis, veterinarians see some toxins more often than others. Metaldehyde slug bait ingestion can cause major muscle tremors that can be fatal, as well as liver problems, says staff veterinarian Dr. MeiMei Welker.

The emergency animal hospital also sees a fair number of dogs sick from marijuana ingestion, while rodenticide toxicity - suspected in the death of a prize-winning Samoyed recently- is a near-daily occurrence.
There are several kinds of rat bait, but the anticoagulant rodenticides are slower to act and allow more of a window of time to administer the antidote.

If your pet consumes poison of some sort, it’s best to bring the packaging to the veterinarian so he or she can treat it most effectively.

Other common toxins seen at DoveLewis include raisins and grapes; the sugar substitute Xylitol; Easter lilies; chocolate; ibuprofen and naproxen (Aleve); and acetaminophen.

The canary in the kitchen
Birds are uniquely sensitive to their environment; there’s a reason the phrase “canary in a coal mine” became so popular.

They’re very sensitive to aerosols, and their respiratory systems are very different than ours, says Dr. Marli Lintner of the Avian Medical Center.

Bird lungs are designed to breathe in very clean, thin air, so breathing in some toxic inhalants can kill them immediately or make them very sick.

“Any sort of fume that makes your nose tingle or your eyes water is bad news for the birds,” Lintner says.
Fumes from nonstick pans pose one of the biggest threats to our feathered friends.

Once the pans overheat – usually when the temperature reaches above 530 degrees Farenheit - a gas called polytetrafluoroethylene is released, says Dr. Deborah Sheaffer, staff veterinarian at the Audubon Society of Portland.

They can die very quickly, so if you see your bird panting or having trouble breathing, you should take it to the veterinarian immediately.

Lead poses another common avian household hazard. Paint, stained glass window frames, curtain weights, costume jewelry; foil from champagne bottles; and old bird cages can all be toxic.

“When people have pet birds, they really need to be cognizant of what’s around them,” Sheaffer says. “They’re curious and inquisitive and they like to chew on things.”

This may be a lot of information for you to chew on too. Just remember that making your home safer for your pets makes it safer for humans as well.

Offering your pet toys made from fabric or natural rubber instead of vinyl and PVC plastic can help reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals. Jennifer Coleman
  
How to help reduce toxins in your home

• Vacuum frequently, preferably with a cleaner fitted with a HEPA filter, even on tile or wood floors (the goal is to not sweep dust up from the floor).
• Eliminate carpet wherever possible; the less carpet you have, the easier it is to control dust.
• Use rugs made of natural fabrics, such as cotton, wool or jute.
• Vacuum your couch regularly.
• Dust with a simple damp rag. Dry dusting can stir dust back into the air.
• Replace plastic food dishes with those made from stainless steel, ceramic or glass instead.
• If you have birds, avoid using nonstick pans whenever possible.
• Don’t expose birds to smoke or household aerosol products such as harsh cleaners, perfumes, hairspray, etc.
• Keep pets off the countertops and secure medications and other toxins safely in cupboards.
• If you’re afraid your pet ingested something he shouldn’t have, call the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 (consultations cost $39).
• Don’t try to make your pet vomit; in some cases it could make the situation worse.

A Recall of Finch, Canary, Parakeet, and Cockatiel Seed Mixes

United Pet Group Inc., Voluntarily Withdraws "Ultra Blend Gourmet Food for Parakeets," "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Parakeets," "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Canaries and Finches," and "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Cockatiels" Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

Contact:
Consumer:
1-800-645-5145

Media:
Dave Prichard
608-278-6141
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 27, 2013 - United Pet Group, Inc., announces that it has voluntarily withdrawn a limited quantity of the products "Ultra Blend Gourmet Food for Parakeets," "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Parakeets," "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Canaries and Finches," and "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Cockatiels." These products contain small quantities of dried parsley flakes supplied to United Pet Group by Specialty Commodities, Inc. On February 11, 2013, Specialty Commodities, Inc. initiated a voluntary product recall of parsley flakes distributed to United Pet Group and other pet food suppliers because the products may have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Specialty Commodities, Inc. distributed the products to United Pet Group on May 30, 2012, and August 29, 2012. Above listed products were distributed throughout the USA and Canada between Oct 2012 and Feb 2013.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

United Pet Group, Inc., is voluntarily withdrawing the following specific lot numbers of its "Ultra Blend Gourmet Food for Parakeets," "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Parakeets," "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Canaries and Finches," and "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Cockatiels" because of the recall initiated by for parsley by Specialty Commodities, Inc. The specific lot numbers/production codes subject to this notice are as follows:

Ultra Blend Gourmet, Food for Parakeets (80oz bag)
UPC 26851 00904 Item # A904 / 056-0904-01 – USE BY dates: 07/20/15 and 10/20/15

ēCotrition Grains & Greens, Nutritional Supplement for Parakeets (8oz bag)
UPC 26851 00505 Item # A505 / 11-20700 – USE BY dates: 10/23/15 and 11/14/1

ēCotrition Grains & Greens, Nutritional Supplement for Canaries and Finches (8oz bag)
UPC 26851 00546 Item # C546 / 11-20712 – USE BY date: 10/16/15

ēCotrition Grains & Greens, Nutritional Supplement for Cockatiels (6.5oz bag)
UPC 26851 00512 Item # B512 / 11-20711 – USE BY date: 12/05/15

No other United Pet Group, Inc., products are affected by this voluntary withdrawal. Customers who have purchased any of the products noted above are urged to dispose of them or return them for a full refund. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there may be risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

There have been no known illnesses to date associated with the consumption of these products. If you have these products, please contact United Pet Group's Consumer Affairs team at 1-800-645- 5145, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30AM - 5:00PM Eastern Standard Time for a refund.

For press inquiries, please contact David Prichard at 608-278-6141, Monday through Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM Central Standard Time.