Health Warning* Health Warning*Health Warning

Warning - Summertime Alert for Dogs Who Swim

Freshwater ponds, lakes and streams could be deadly to your water dog if they contain toxins borne by blue-green algae. If the water where your dog swims looks cloudy, with a green or blue-green cast, you should suspect a dangerous overgrowth of blue-green algae, and prevent your dog from ingesting the water. Whole Dog Journal confirmed a recent report, Read Story

More Recalls!

DO YOU KNOW WHICH FOODS HAVE BEEN RECALLED, PET PARENTS? Earlier this week, the ASPCA issued an urgent alert warning pet parents to discontinue use of recalled foods if they have not already done so. “More than three weeks into the pet food recall, recent intakes at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City show that some companion animal caretakers have unwittingly continued to feed contaminated, recalled food to their pets,” explained the ASPCA’s Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at Bergh Memorial. “Just last night, we admitted a cat into our Intensive Care Unit who is in severe renal failure, and has been consuming one of the recalled product codes all the while.” “This is a matter of great concern to us,” Murray said on Tuesday. “It is possible that this scenario is being replicated all across the country, due to confusion over which brands and product codes are included in the recall—especially with the recent recall expansion—and, as a result, many more animals may be in great danger.” To help ensure that all pets stay healthy, the ASPCA offers the following important reminders: - If you have not already done so, examine your pet’s food products. If they fall into the categories identified as contaminated, discontinue their use immediately. Click here for information on affected brands and product codes. - Visit the ASPCA Pet Food Recall Resource Center  regularly to stay updated about foods that may have been added to the list of recalled products. - Please forward this information to all of the pet parents you know.   April 19, 2007 -ROYAL CANIN recalls pet food! ROYAL CANIN SENSIBLE CHOICE® (available in pet specialty stores nationwide) - Chicken Meal & Rice Formula Senior - Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Puppy - Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Adult - Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Senior - Rice & Catfish Meal Formula Adult ROYAL CANIN VETERINARY DIET™ (available only in veterinary clinics) - Canine Early Cardiac EC 22™ - Canine Skin Support SS21™ - Feline Hypoallergenic HP23™   Top stories April 16, 2007, 10:43PM Natural Balance Pet Foods recalls two dry pet food products Associated Press WASHINGTON — Natural Balance Pet Foods recalled two kinds of pet food after receiving reports of animals vomiting and experiencing kidney problems, the Food and Drug Administration said today. The recall includes all date codes of Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Food. The company does not know the cause of the problem, but said it is focused on one particular lot. Natural Balance Pet Foods is working with the FDA to investigate the matter and is urging consumers to not feed either pet food product to their animals. Last month, Menu Foods recalled 60 million cans of dog and cat food after the deaths of 16 pets, mostly cats, that ate its products. The FDA said tests indicated the food was contaminated with an industrial chemical, melamine. At least six pet food companies have recalled products made with imported Chinese wheat gluten tainted with the chemical. The recall involved about 1 percent of the U.S. pet food supply. FDA spokeswoman Julie Zawisza said the agency had no indication that the Natural Balance case is related to the melamine problem. For more information, visit http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com or http://www.fda.gov.

Pet Food Recall - March 19, 2007 The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), in response to a national pet food recall, offers the following information and advice to concerned pet owners:

NOTE: You may wish to share the following AVMA Press Release with your local media. (SCHAUMBURG, Ill.) March 19, 2007-The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), in response to a national pet food recall, offers the following information and advice to concerned pet owners: Menu Foods, Inc., a Canadian private-label pet food manufacturer based in Statesville, Ontario, has issued a recall on all its "cuts and gravy" style dog and cat food products produced at its facility in Emporium, Kansas, between December 3, 2006, and March 6, 2007.  This recall includes 90 brands across the entire manufacturing spectrum.  A complete list of affected foods including date and product information codes is available through the AVMA Web site at: http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/070318.asp <http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/070318.asp> .  If you have any of the products identified on these lists, immediately stop feeding them to y! our pet. If you suspect that your pet has been affected by a recalled food, do the following three steps to help you veterinary with your pet's diagnosis: .Retain food samples for analysis.                        Retain 4 cans or 1 kg of dry food, when possible.                       Freeze when possible or store at room temperature in airtight bags. .Document product name, type of product and manufacturing information.                       Retain all packaging.                       Identify date codes or production lot numbers.                       Retain purchase receipts. .Document product consumption.                       Dates products or products were fed.                       Consumption and palatability history.                       Time of onset of clinical signs.                       Detailed dietary history (ie, all products fed and feeding methods). Although the exact cause is not currently known, animals that have become ill after consuming these products have shown signs of acute kidney failure. Dr. Saundra Willis, DVM, a board certified diplomate and communications chair with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and member of the AVMA Council on Communications, advises that signs of kidney failure include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in water consumption and also changes in urination.  Anybody who has a pet that exhibits these signs should take the animal to the veterinarian. "Owners shouldn't panic, because there can be a wide variety of reasons a pet might exhibit these symptoms," Dr. Willis explained. "But it's always prudent that, when a pet is exhibiting any signs of illness, the pet owner should contact their veterinarian immediately." A veterinarian may call for a urinalysis and blood work, and might also perform additional tests, such as an x-ray or ultrasound, to rule out other possible problems such as bladder and kidney stones.  If it has been determined that the cat or dog has been affected by consumption of the recalled pet food, a veterinarian could decided to treat the illness with medications and/or intravenous fluids. "If the kidney disease is severe, such as the animal is not urinating at all, the veterinarian may consult with or suggest referral a specialist from the ACVIM for more advanced care," Dr. Willis explained. Owners of pets affected by the recalled pet foods who wish to report the incident should contact the FDA, by going to the FDA Web site http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html <http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html> to find the FDA complaint coordinator in their state.   Please monitor the AVMA Web site (www.avma.org <http://www.avma.org/> ) for the latest information on the recall.  Consumers with questions for the manufacturer can contact Menu Foods, Inc. at 1-866-895-2708.  A list of veterinary specialists can be found at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine at www.acvim.org <http://www.acvim.org/> , or by calling 800-245-9081.

More info at FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01590.html Story Highlights - Note: products, codes and dates are available on Menu Foods' website. • Recall of wet pet food made by Menu Foods for Wal-Mart, Kroger, PetsMart, others • Undisclosed number of cats and dogs suffered vomiting, kidney failure; 10 died • Recall affects specific sizes of Iams and Eukanuba brands of dog, cat food • See lists of recalled brands at bottom of story

Pet Food Recall - March 18, 2007   - More info: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01590.html

Pig ears could contain infectious salmonella.   W A R N I N G!  03/12/07

BJ's Wholesale Club is recalling packages of "Berkley & Jensen" brand full-cut pig ears dog treats due to potential contamination of salmonella, an organism which can cause serious infections in both dogs and humans. The packages subject to recall have no lot number and only the expiration advisory "Best if used by 2009," without referencing a specific month. Confirmatory testing is ongoing but until the testing is final, BJ's Wholesale is asking consumers to stop feeding the treats to their pets.

Dog & Cat Deaths Prompt Massive Pet Food Recall Sunday March 18, 2007

Pet owners across North America should double check the food they feed their four-legged friends after a massive recall involving products that may have caused the deaths of several dogs and cats in the United States. Ontario-based Menu Foods is pulling dozens of brands of pet foods off the shelves of some major retailers including Wal-Mart, Safeway and Kroger. The company sells food under brand names including Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba. Ten dogs and cats suffered kidney failure and died after eating the products in the United States, which has pet owners across the continent worried about their furry family members. An unknown number of animals have been sickened. On Saturday night two other companies, Nestle Purina PetCare and Hill's Pet Nutrition, announced they too would be recalling some products made by Menu Foods. The pet food company is still trying to determine what's caused the animals that have eaten its food to fall ill. The recalled products were made using a wheat gluten that was purchased from a new supplier. The recall applies to Menu Foods' "cuts and gravy" style products, which have chunks of meat in gravy sold in cans and foil pouches from Dec. 3 to March 6. A complete list of the recalled products, codes and dates are available on Menu Foods' website. For more on the recalled products, click here. The company has also set up two hotlines for concerned pet owners to call:  (866) 463-6738 and;  (866) 895-2708

Click here to view Recalled pet food   Mass recall of dog and cat food after pets die POSTED: 9:12 p.m. EDT, March 18, 2007 Story Highlights • Recall of wet pet food made by Menu Foods for Wal-Mart, Kroger, PetsMart, others • Undisclosed number of cats and dogs suffered vomiting, kidney failure; 10 died • Recall affects specific sizes of Iams and Eukanuba brands of dog, cat food • See lists of recalled brands at bottom of story   WASHINGTON (AP) -- Pet owners were worried Saturday that the pet food in their cupboards could be deadly after millions of containers of dog and cat food sold at major retailers across North America were recalled. Menu Foods -- a major manufacturer of dog and cat food sold under Wal-Mart, Safeway, Kroger and other store brands -- recalled 60 million containers of wet pet food Friday after reports of kidney failure and deaths. An unknown number of cats and dogs suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the affected pet food, the company said in announcing the North American recall. Product testing has not revealed a link explaining the reported cases of illness and death, the company said. "At this juncture, we're not 100 percent sure what's happened," said Paul Henderson, the company's president and chief executive officer. However, the recalled products were made using wheat gluten purchased from a new supplier, since dropped for another source, spokeswoman Sarah Tuite said. Wheat gluten is a source of protein. 'Cuts and gravy' food sold in cans, pouches recalled The recall covers the company's "cuts and gravy" style food, which consists of chunks of meat in gravy, sold in cans and small foil pouches between December 3 and March 6 throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The pet food was sold by stores operated by the Kroger Co., Safeway Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and PetSmart Inc., among others, Henderson said. Menu Foods said it makes pet foods for 17 of the top 20 North American retailers. It is also a contract manufacturer for the top branded pet food companies, including Procter & Gamble Co. Procter & Gamble announced Friday the recall of specific 3 oz., 5.5 oz., 6 oz. and 13.2 oz. canned and 3 oz. and 5.3 oz. foil pouch cat and dog wet food products made by Menu Foods but sold under the Iams and Eukanuba brands. The recalled products bear the code dates of 6339 through 7073 followed by the plant code 4197, P&G said. Menu Foods' three U.S. and one Canadian factory produce more than 1 billion containers of wet pet food a year. The recall covers pet food made at company plants in Emporia, Kansas, and Pennsauken, New Jersey, Henderson said. Henderson said the company received an undisclosed number of owner complaints of vomiting and kidney failure in dogs and cats after they had been fed its products. It has tested its products but not found a cause for the sickness. "To date, the tests have not indicated any problems with the product," Henderson said. FDA also working to target brands The company alerted the Food and Drug Administration, which already has inspectors in one of the two plants, Henderson said. The FDA was working to nail down brand names covered by the recall, agency spokesman Mike Herndon said. Menu Foods is majority-owned by the Menu Foods Income Fund, based in Ontario, Canada. Henderson said the recall would cost the company the Canadian equivalent of $26 million to $34 million. Below are lists of specific brands recalled by Menu Foods, in addition to Procter & Gamble's recall of certain Iams and Eukanuba products. Menu Brands lists the brands on its Web site, www.menufoods.com, and advises consumers to call 1-866-895-2708 for more information. Recalled cat foods Americas Choice; Preferred Pets; Authority; Best Choice; Companion; Compliments; Demoulas Market Basket; Fine Feline Cat, Shep Dog; Food Lion; Foodtown; Giant Companion; Good n Meaty; Hannaford; Hill Country Fare; Hy-Vee; Key Food; Laura Lynn; Li'l Red; Loving Meals; Main Choice; Nutriplan; Nutro Max Gourmet Classics; Nutro Natural Choice; Paws; Presidents Choice; Price Chopper; Priority; Save-A-Lot; Schnucks; Sophistacat; Special Kitty; Springfield Pride; Sprout; Total Pet; My True Friend; Wegmans; Western Family; White Rose; and Winn Dixie. Recalled dog foods America's Choice; Preferred Pets; Authority; Award; Best Choice; Big Bet; Big Red; Bloom; Bruiser; Cadillac; Companion; Demoulas Market Basket; Fine Feline Cat; Shep Dog; Food Lion; Giant Companion; Great Choice; Hannaford; Hill Country Fare; Hy-Vee; Key Food; Laura Lynn; Loving Meals; Main Choice; Mixables; Nutriplan; Nutro Max; Nutro Natural Choice; Nutro; Ol'Roy; Paws; Pet Essentials; Pet Pride; President's Choice; Price Chopper; Priority; Publix; Roche Bros; Save-A-Lot; Schnucks; Springsfield Pride; Sprout; Stater Bros; Total Pet; My True Friend; Western Family; White Rose; Winn Dixie and Your Pet.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Releases List of Top 10 Hazards Encountered by Pets in 2006
 

New List Reveals Significant Increase in Calls Pertaining to Common Household Items

ASPCA Media Contact

Urbana, Ill., March 5, 2007—The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) today announced that it managed more than 116,000 calls to its Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) hotline in 2006, several of which pertained to common household items. “While the reason is not clear, calls in virtually each of these categories seems to be on the rise,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president with the ASPCA, who manages the ASPCA’s Midwest Office, which houses the APCC. As National Poison Prevention Week approaches (March 18-24), the ASPCA advises pet parents to stay alert to the possibility of poisoning from these common household items:

1. Human Medications: For several years now, this category has been number one on the ASPCA’s list of common hazards, and 2006 was no exception.  Last year, more than 78,000 calls involving common human drugs such as painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements were managed by the Center—a 69 percent increase over 2005. “Pet parents should never give their pet any medication without the direction of a veterinarianjust one extra-strength acetaminophen can be deadly to a cat, and just four regular-strength ibuprofen can lead to serious kidney problems in a 10-pound dog,” says Dr. Hansen. To avoid inadvertent poisoning from medications, store them in a secure cabinet above the counter and out of the reach of pets.

2. Insecticides: The APCC handled more than 27,000 cases pertaining to products used to kill fleas, ticks and other insects in 2006, up more than 28 percent from 2005.  According to Dr. Hansen, “A key factor in the safe use of products that eliminate fleas, ticks and other pesky bugs, is reading and following label instructions exactly. Some species of animals can be particularly sensitive to certain types of insecticides, so it is vital that you never use any product not specifically formulated for your pet.”  It is also a good idea to consult with your pet’s veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control program.

3. Veterinary Medications: Surprising as it may seem, last year the APCC managed more than 12,000 cases involving animal-related preparations such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements—a 93 percent hike in volume.  “Although these products are formulated for use in pets, it is very important to always read and follow label directions for use exactly,” says Dr. Hansen.  “As with flea and tick preparations, many medications are intended for use in certain species only, and potentially serious problems could result if given to the wrong animal or at too high a dose.”

4. Plants: The number of cases involving plants also shot up by more than 111 percent in 2006 to more than 9,300. Some varieties that can be harmful to pets include lilies, azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, kalanchoe and schefflera. ”Just one or two sago palm nuts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and even liver failure,” says Dr. Hansen. “Also, lilies are highly toxic to cats—even in small amounts they can produce life-threatening kidney failure.”  While poisonous plants should certainly be kept away from pets, it is also a good idea to discourage animals from nibbling on any variety of plant, as even non-toxic plants can lead to minor stomach upset.

5. Rodenticides: Last year, approximately 8,800 calls about rat and mouse poisons were received by the APCC, representing an increase of more than 27 percent over 2005.  Depending on the type of rodenticide, ingestions can lead to potentially life-threatening problems for pets including bleeding, seizures or even damage to the kidneys or other vital organs.  “Should pet owners opt to use a rodenticide around their home, they should make sure that the bait is placed only in areas completely inaccessible to their animals,” says Dr. Hansen. 

6. Household Cleaners: In 2006, approximately 7,200 calls pertaining to cleaning agents such as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants were received—up 38 percent from the year before.  Says Dr. Hansen, “Depending on the circumstances of exposure, some household cleaners can lead to gastrointestinal irritation or even severe oral burns for pets.”  Additionally, irritation to the respiratory tract may be possible if a product is inhaled.  “All household cleaners and other chemicals should be stored in a secure location well out of the reach of pets,” recommends Dr. Hansen, “and when cleaning your pet’s food and water bowls, crate or other habitat, a mild soap such as a hand dishwashing detergent along with hot water is a good choice over products containing potentially harsh chemicals.”

7. Chocolate: Always a common food-related call, more than 4,800 chocolate calls were received by the APCC last year, an 85 percent increase from 2005.  Depending on the variety, chocolate can contain large amounts of fat and caffeine-like substances known as methylxanthines, which, if ingested in significant amounts, could potentially cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity. In severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures have been noted—and it could even be fatal.  “Typically, the darker the chocolate, the greater the potential for poisoning,” says Dr. Hansen.  “Baking chocolate contains the highest amount of methylxanthines, and just two ounces could cause serious problems for a 10-pound dog.”

8. Chemical Hazards: A newcomer to the top 10 category, this includes such harmful items as volatile petroleum-based products, alcohols, acids, and gases.  In 2006, the APCC received more than 4,100 calls related to chemical hazards—an astronomical jump in call volume of more than 300 percent.  “Substances in this group can cause a wide variety of problems,” Dr. Hansen explains, “ranging from gastrointestinal upset and depression to respiratory difficulties and chemical burns.” Commonly-used chemicals you should keep your pets away from include ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners and pool/spa chemicals.

9. Physical Hazards: While not necessarily all toxic, items in this group consists of objects that could pose a choking hazard, risk for intestinal obstruction, or other physical injury, and in 2006, the number of physical hazard calls grew a staggering 460 percent to over 3,800.  “We’ve managed cases involving the ingestion of several common objects—from pet collars and adhesive tape to bones, paper products and other similar items,” says Dr. Hansen. “It is important to make sure that items which could be easily knocked over, broken, chewed up or swallowed are kept out of the reach of curious pets.”

10. Home Improvement Products: In 2006, approximately 2,100 cases involving paint, solvents, expanding glues and other products commonly used in construction were managed by the APCC—up 17 percent from 2005. While the majority of water-based paints are low in toxic potential, they can still cause stomach upset, and artist paints sometimes contain heavy metals that could be poisonous if consumed in large quantities. In addition, solvents can be very irritating to the gastrointestinal tract, eyes and skin, and could also produce central nervous system depression if ingested, or pneumonia if inhaled.  “Prevention is really key to avoiding problems from accidental exposures to these substances,” says Dr. Hansen.  “Pet parents should keep pets out of areas where home improvement projects are taking place, and of course label directions should always be followed when using any product.”

About the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Since 1978, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has been the premier animal poison control center in North America. The center, an allied agency of the University of Illinois, is the only facility of its kind staffed by 25 veterinarians, including 9 board-certified toxicologists and 14 certified veterinary technicians. Located in Urbana, Ill., the specially trained staff provides assistance to pet owners and specific analysis and treatment recommendations to veterinarians pertaining to toxic chemicals and dangerous plants, products and substances 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In 2005, the center handled more than 100,000 cases. In addition, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center provides extensive veterinary toxicology consulting on a wide array of subjects, including legal cases, formulation issues, product liability, regulatory reporting and bio surveillance. To reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, call (888) 426-4435. For more information on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, visit www.aspca.org/apcc

###

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) was the first humane organization established in the Western Hemisphere and today has one million supporters. The ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides national leadership in anti-cruelty, animal behavior, humane education, government affairs and public policy, shelter support, and animal poison control. The NYC headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital and adoption facility. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York's animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series “Animal
Precinct” on Animal Planet. Visit www.aspca.org for more information.

ANIMAL HOUSE

Keep pets from paper shredders 
DENISE FLAIM  January 22, 2007

It's never what you worry about.

Ellen Lutz of Aqueboque learned that firsthand last month, when her 7-month-old golden retriever, Striker, ambled into her home office and licked her paper shredder.

To her horror, the machine latched onto his tongue, and began to grind.

"He was screaming, and he was fighting for his life," says Lutz, adding that in his panic, the 67-pound puppy did even more damage to his mutilated tongue. She immediately disconnected the shredder, and took Striker to a nearby emergency hospital.

"I was covered in blood from head to toe," Lutz remembers.

A story this horrific is hard-pressed to end well: Striker's injury was so severe - basically, most of his tongue was gone - that he was euthanized.

"I've been in emergency medicine for 10 years, and this is the first time I have seen or heard of this," says veterinarian Gal Vatash of the East End Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center in Riverhead, who treated Striker in December. "But I'm surprised it doesn't occur more often. Most of us have paper shredders at home, and dogs are always sticking their noses in all kinds of places."

Indeed, Striker is not alone. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recorded five dog mutilations involving shredders, and what is not known is how many cases go unreported.

In February of last year, a young boxer puppy named Cross from Socastee, S.C., caught his tongue on a home shredder, mangling an inch of it into what his owner, Sandra Clarke, called "hamburger meat."

In 2005, in South Spokane, Wash., a 7-month-old mix named Alice Lane licked a paper shredder, which in turn ground up all of her tongue. "I will never forget the sound it made when she pulled away," her owner, Adam Forney, told reporters. In her panic, the puppy bit off part of Forney's pinky. Like Striker, the dog had to be euthanized because of the extent of her injury.

Even dogs that are lucky enough to survive lead compromised lives, Lutz says. "They have to be on soft diets, and they have to learn how to swallow again." For an active dog like Striker, his favorite pastime - going on hikes through the woods - would have been an impossibility, she says, because there was too much damage to his tongue to allow him to pant.

Not surprisingly, Lutz no longer has a shredder. "Before this happened, I was the shredding queen," she says. "And while I know they're really important in our lives to help destroy documents and prevent identity theft, it's going to be a long time before I'm going to have one in the house again."

Some simple precautions can ensure that accidents such as Striker's do not happen. Among them:

Unplug shredders when not in use.

Store shredders out of reach of animals (and, of course, children, especially those under 5, who can also be victims of shredder accidents). Make sure that the shredder is located in a place that is "pounce proof": Acrobatic kitties that jump atop shredders can also do terrible damage to themselves.

To avoid attracting animals, never put food wrappers through shredders.

Do not leave shredders on the "automatic" setting.

When buying a shredder, look for one with a protective bar over the opening.

To ensure that Striker's death was not in vain, Lutz has embarked on an awareness campaign to alert owners to the perils of unattended paper shredders. She will e-mail fliers to anyone who requests her. (Contact strikerluv@ yahoo.com.)

Married for 32 years, Lutz says she and her husband have never been without a dog in their household. Soon, she thinks, it might be time to think about getting another.

"Life without a dog," she muses, "is just not a life, you know?"

WRITE TO Denise Flaim, c/o Newsday, 235 Pinelawn Rd., Melville, NY 11747-4250, or e-mail denise.flaim@newsday.com . For previous columns, www.newsday.com/animalhouse

Does your pet need medical treatment that you really can't afford?  Or do you know of someone who is having this problem?

There are organizations that can give you the assistance you need.  No animal should be given up or euthanized because their family can't afford the cost to save them!

Help is available.

The Sources for this WARNING are: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp

And

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Issues Cocoa Bean Fertilizer Warning
Friday March 14, 2003 - Organic mulch fertilizer may pose hazard to dogs.

If you suspect that your dog has eaten cocoa bean mulch, immediately contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435).

Claim:   Theobromine, a chemical found in cocoa mulch, can be harmful to pets.

Status:   True.

Example:   [Collected via e-mail, 2003]

Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called "Theobromine".

It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Just a word of caution — check what you are using in your gardens and be aware of what your gardeners are using in your gardens.

Theobromine is the ingredient that is used to make all chocolate — especially dark or baker's chocolate — which is toxic to dogs.

Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

Origins:   This warning about the potential danger to pets posed by cocoa mulch began appearing in our inbox in May 2003. Unlike the majority of scary alerts spread through the Internet, there is a good deal of truth to this one, although we haven't encountered any substantiated cases of pet deaths caused by ingestion of cocoa mulch.

Dec 2005

Subject: Pet Owners Urged to Watch for Signs of Illness After Dog and Cat
Food Contamination 

Dear Petfinder.com members,

We wanted to make you aware of a recent pet food contamination issue that
has caused the death of six dogs so far.

Diamond Pet Food has removed its dog and cat food from sale after a
dangerous toxin was found in a product manufactured at the company's
facility in Gaston, South Carolina.  The plant supplies pet foods to New
Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and other east coast
states.

To get more information about the cause of the illness and symptoms to watch
for, please see the memo from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture at
http://www.petfinder.com/admin/njagriculture_memo.html

Please feel free to pass this message on to anyone who would benefit from
it.

The products removed from sale are:

Diamond Low Fat Dog Food
Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food
Diamond Maintenance Dog Food
Diamond Performance Dog Food
Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food
Diamond Puppy Food, Diamond Maintenance Cat Food
Diamond Professional Cat Food
Country Value Puppy, Country Value Adult Dog
Country Value High Energy Dog
Country Value Adult Cat Food
Kirkland Signature Maintenance Cat Food
Canine Club Adult Dog Food
Professional Chicken & Rice Senior Dog Food
Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food
Professional Adult Dog Food
Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food
Professional Puppy Food
Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food
Professional Adult Cat Food.

For more information, please call Diamond Pet Food at (573) 229-4203 or the Division of Animal Health, New Jersey Department of Agriculture at (609) 292-3965.

Hi,

I'm not sure who I should address this to but having read many articles about the dangers of Greenies and finding the information on your website as well, I wanted to mention a couple of things.  It appears that similar issues exist with the Feline Greenies.

I was also very disturbed to find out that one of my local pet boutiques is aware of the information and has advised their employees "not to mention it to customers"!  I am a dog walker and cat owner and have purchased many Greenies in the past for "my" pups and my own cat.  I have a supply at home that I had planned on giving out as holiday treats...needless to say, I will try to return them to the store.  But, I am beyone appalled that a neighborhood store that should have a love of animals is more interested in their bottom line (the jumbo variety there sells for $5 a piece). 

I don't want to get the employee who told me in trouble so I won't mention the name of the shop here.  But, please warn people that local stores may not be very "upfront" about the dangers.

Thanks very much for your informative site.

Sincerely, Nancy

Update on Greenies!

-------- Original Message --------

Unfortunately, my dog died 5 weeks ago from complications brought about by an emergency exploratory surgery. He wasn't a Boxer. But, that doesn't matter. He was a great dog - a 4 year old Daschund in the prime of his life.

The surgeon had to remove 3 1/2 feet of my dog's intestines as well as the "foreign body obstruction" which was a partially digested greenie. My dog died 48 hours after the operation.

My wife and I are devastated.

Follow Up!  Greenies and Enzymes    
Can digestive enzymes solve the problems with Greenies?    
   
     "I stopped giving my dog Greenies after I read your article about dangerous chewies. But after reading about enzymes last month, I wonder if they could help digest the Greenies? I wouldn't mind giving one to Tinker every once in a while if I knew it was safe." Helen M., Hartford, CT         
   
Thanks Helen, this is a great question. In the August 2004 issue of the Bakery News, we talked about the dangers of some popular chews. In this article, we shared some reports from people who have experienced problems with Greenies causing esophageal and bowel obstructions in their dogs. In some cases, with lethal consequences. We had run our own simple experiment, and discovered that after 24 hours in an acidic solution, there was absolutely no change in the appearance, consistency or texture of a Greenie.

Since we wrote that article, several people have sent in feedback that they too have had similar experiences with Greenies. Including one person who wrote in to tell us a tragic story about her German Shepherd who had continual digestive problems for eight months. Her vet could not solve the riddle, and her dog eventually passed on. The vet performed an autopsy and found a large green mass in the dog's upper GI. This dog had not recieved any Greenies the whole time he was having problems. That's eight months in an active digestive system.    
   
The primary volume of a Greenie is cellulose, and cellulose is not directly digestible by most mammals. Cellulose can however be digested with the aid of a digestive enzyme called (surprisingly enough) cellulase. Prozyme is one of the leading canine digestive enzyme supplements on the market, and we checked the label... sure enough Prozyme contains cellulase.    
   
With high hopes, we shredded (particle size very similar to shredded cheese) a Greenie and placed it in a solution of water and Prozyme (the recommended dosage for a complete meal). After four hours of intermittent agitation, nothing. The Greenie particles still retained their shape, size, and plastic-like consistency. But, we weren't about to give up. We acidified the solution, raised the temperature to 100°F, and increased the rate of agitation. Four more hours went by... still nothing. We put the experiment aside, and forgot about it until the next day. Twenty-four hours in an acidic solution loaded with digestive enzymes, and there was absolutely no change in the Greenie particles whatsoever.    

   
Sorry Helen. Our advice to you is still avoid Greenies generally, and especially so if your dog is a gulper.

Sandy,

I was talking to an owner of a local pet store after she offered my dog a greenie about the warning that we have posted.  She asked if she could inquire about the issue with the company-making no reference to AABR.

The response is attached.

Subject: RE: greenie concerns from a pet store owner

From: Jody H

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 15:29:53 -0500

Thank you so much for taking the time to contact us about what your customer told you about Greenies®. We hope you find this information reassuring.

Millions of Greenies® are sold each month.  On rare occurrences, we are troubled by an incident where a pet owner has said that his/her dog has had a problem with Greenies®.  When we do hear of these reports, we always conduct a thorough investigation.  Typically, the results of our investigations have revealed that the pet has been given the wrong size Greenies® by its owner or the pet has swallowed an abnormally large piece of Greenies® without chewing it.  As such, we strongly recommend purchasing the correct size Greenies® according to the size and weight of your pet.  Additionally, we recommend all pet owners supervise their pet's eating and chewing habits.  And not just with Greenies®, but when given dog bones, treats, rawhides, and even while eating meals.   

The digestibility testing that we have with Greenies® show them to be about 85% digestible when adequately chewed.  If a dog swallows a large piece or a whole treat the digestion process will probably take longer because of the decrease of treat surface area to digestive liquids and stomach action.  This would be similar if a dog swallowed a large piece of meat, vegetable, or fruit.  The length of time it would take to digest would depend on the size of treat compared to the size of dog.  The primary ingredient in Greenies® is wheat gluten, which is very digestible.

We hope this has given you some peace of mind. If you or your customer has any further questions they can be directed to our technical services veterinarian Dr. Bradley Quest via info@greenies.com. 

Thank you for you concern and have a wonderful day.

Sincerely,

Jody Hanson

On behalf of the manufacturers of Greenies®

W A R N I N G!

PLEASE Keep All medications out of the reach of your PETS!

Today we lost Daphnie, a wonderful Boxer Girl.  She and her buddies got into a fully zippered gym bag, and swallowed some quantity of Ibuprofen.  She spent the weekend at the emergency clinic, but the dosage shut her kidneys down.

Her Mom and Dad wanted us to warn everyone not to let down your guard.  Most of these medicines have a sugar coating that animals are attracted to.  They sniff these things out.

How many of us keep a bottle of pain killers in our gym bags or purses?

We will miss her dearly.

* * * W A R N I N G! * * *ACEPROMAZINE * * *

There is one drug commonly used in anesthetic protocols that should not be used in the Boxer. The drug is Acepromazine, a tranquilizer, which is often used as a preanesthetic agent. In the Boxer, it tends to cause a problem called first-degree heart block, a potentially serious arrhythmia of the heart. It also causes a profound hypotension (severe lowering of the blood pressure) in many Boxers that receive the drug.

Recently, on the Veterinary Information Network, a computer network for practicing veterinarians, an announcement was placed in the cardiology section entitled "Acepromazine and Boxers." This described several adverse reactions to the drug in a very short time span at a veterinary teaching hospital. All the adverse reactions were in Boxers. The reactions included collapse, respiratory arrest, and profound bradycardia (slow heart rate, less than 60 beats per minute). The announcement suggested that Acepromazine should not be used in dogs of the Boxer breed because of a breed related sensitivity to the drug.

WARNING: This drug is the most commonly prescribed tranquilizer in veterinary medicine. It is also used orally and is prescribed for owners who want to tranquilize their dogs for air or car travel. I would strongly recommend that Boxer owners avoid the use of this drug, especially when the dog will be unattended and/or unable to receive emergency medical care if it is needed.

Submitted by: Wendy Wallner, DVM July 1997

If your vet needs more than your word that you do NOT want your dog treated with this drug, tell your vet to get out their "Handbook of Veterinary Drugs". Every vet has one. Tell them to go to the section on ACEPROMAZINE. In this section (1993ed) there is this section:

"Prolonged effects of the drug may be seen in older animals. Giant breeds, as well as greyhounds, appear quite sensitive to the clinical effects of the drug, yet terrier breeds appear more resistant. Boxer dogs, on the other hand, are predisposed to hypotensive and bradycardic effects of the drug."

This should be enough of a warning for your vet.

Christa Cook