Jerky Treats making pets sick !

Well, this story is now back in the news. This is not really new news though. This horrible situation has been going on for quite some time. The jerky treats that are made in China have been killing dogs and cats in the US for a while now. It is an awful story and it is now going around again.

So, to keep any more pets from getting ill or dying, here is the information you need to know about these jerky treats!  If everyone would take the time to read this information and stop feeding their pets these treats, there will be no more deaths.. so please share this story with everyone you know!

So, here is the information directly from the FDA website.  I am sharing this on my blog so everyone will have this information. 

If you would like additional information please visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm371413.htm

If you have a dog or cat that became ill after eating jerky pet treats, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would like to hear from you or your veterinarian.

The agency has repeatedly issued alerts to consumers about reports it has received concerning jerky pet treat-related illnesses involving 3,600 dogs and 10 cats in the U.S. since 2007. Approximately 580 of those pets have died.

To date, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has conducted more than 1,200 tests, visited jerky pet treat manufacturers in China and collaborated with colleagues in academia, industry, state labs and foreign governments. Yet the exact cause of the illnesses remains elusive.

To gather even more information, FDA is reaching out to licensed veterinarians and pet owners across the country. "This is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we've encountered," says CVM Director Bernadette Dunham, DVM, Ph.D. "Our beloved four-legged companions deserve our best effort, and we are giving it."

In a letter addressing U.S. licensed veterinarians, FDA lists what information is needed for labs testing treats and investigating illness and death associated with the treats. In some cases, veterinarians will be asked to provide blood, urine and tissue samples from their patients for further analysis. FDA will request written permission from pet owners and will cover the costs, including shipping, of any tests it requests.

Meanwhile, a consumer fact sheet will accompany the letter to veterinarians so they can alert consumers to the problem and remind them that treats are not essential to a balanced diet. The fact sheet also explains to consumers how they can help FDA's investigation by reporting potential jerky pet treat-related illnesses online or by calling the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator for their state.

What to Look Out For

Within hours of eating treats sold as jerky tenders or strips made of chicken, duck, sweet potatoes and/or dried fruit, some pets have exhibited decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus), increased water consumption, and/or increased urination.

Severe cases have involved kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and a rare kidney disorder. About 60 percent of cases involved gastrointestinal illness, and about 30 percent involved kidney and urinary systems.

The remaining cases reported various symptoms, such as collapse, convulsions or skin issues.

Most of the jerky treats implicated have been made in China. Manufacturers of pet foods are not required by U.S. law to state the country of origin for each ingredient in their products.

A number of jerky pet treat products were removed from the market in January 2013 after a New York State lab reported finding evidence of up to six drugs in certain jerky pet treats made in China. While the levels of these drugs were very low and it's unlikely that they caused the illnesses, FDA noted a decrease in reports of jerky-suspected illnesses after the products were removed from the market. FDA believes that the number of reports may have declined simply because fewer jerky treats were available.

Meanwhile, the agency urges pet owners to be cautious about providing jerky treats. If you do provide them and your pet becomes sick, stop the treats immediately, consider seeing your veterinarian, and save any remaining treats and the packaging for possible testing.

What FDA Is Doing

More than 1,200 jerky pet treat samples have been tested since 2011 for a variety of chemical and microbiological contaminants, from antibiotics to metals, pesticides and Salmonella. DNA testing has also been conducted, along with tests for nutritional composition.

In addition to continuing to test jerky pet treat samples within FDA labs, the agency is working with the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN), an FDA-coordinated network of government and veterinary diagnostic laboratories across the U.S. and Canada.

Inspections of the facilities in China that manufacture jerky products associated with some of the highest numbers of pet illness reports did not identify the cause of illness. However, they did identify additional paths of investigation, such as the supply chain of some ingredients in the treats. Although FDA inspectors have found no evidence identifying the cause of the spate of illnesses, they did find that one firm used falsified receiving documents for glycerin, a jerky ingredient. Chinese authorities informed FDA that they had seized products at the firm and suspended its exports.

To identify the root cause of this problem, FDA is meeting regularly with regulators in China to share findings. The agency also plans to host Chinese scientists at its veterinary research facility to increase scientific cooperation.

FDA has also reached out to U.S. pet food firms seeking further collaboration on scientific issues and data sharing, and has contracted with diagnostic labs.

"Our fervent hope as animal lovers," says Dunham, "is that we will soon find the cause of—and put a stop to—these illnesses."

So, please when shopping for treats for your cat or dog, remember this blog and make sure you check the information before you buy these treats.  

Welcome to our newest Snaggle Foot Round Lake Team Member

Just wanted to take a moment and introduce Valerie to all of you.  She will be starting with us on Monday 10/21.

Valerie is a life long dog enthusiast.  She and her husband Joe are Volunteer Puppy Raisers for Canine Companions for Independence.  Valerie began volunteering with Canine Companions in 2001 after being temporarily disabled from Lyme's Disease.  

Her website, http://www.choicesfundraising.com, features blogs and events about a variety of charities.  

Valerie is also an accomplished quilter and has made many quilts for charity.

I met Valerie a few months ago through a mutual friend and got to know her and her "service puppy in training" West.  I attended a breast cancer fund raiser with Valerie a while back and it was fun to watch her service puppy in training in action.  It takes 2 years to train a service dog so it is a wonderful gift that Valerie and her husband Joe give to people with disabilities.

Also kind of fun that we actually know some of the same people that I went to high school with.  LOL !

I am very excited to haver her on our team.

Welcome aboard Valerie !

Snaggle Foot Round Lake

What to do when you find an injured bird !

So today while I was walking my dog I saw an injured baby bird flopping around.  It is was clearly evident that it could not fly.

Personally, I picked him up and put him in a box but I guess some kids saw the same baby bird a day ago so this poor thing had been flopping and hopping around unable to fly for over a day or so.  When I finally brought him into my home, he had quietly passed away.  I am sure that poor little baby bird was completely exhausted from his ordeal the last few days.  I buried the little bird in my garden and wished him much peace in his next life.

This got me thinking about what to do when you find an injured bird so I started doing some research.  So, here is some information in case you too find an injured bird.

If you live in the Lake County Illinois area, you can contact Barnswallow in Wauconda, Illinois.
Phone: 847-487-3606.
Website: http://www.barnswallow.net

It's important to act quickly to contain a bird before it moves out of reach or something harms it.

• Place the bird in a clean unwaxed paper bag or cardboard box of appropriate size, with paper toweling flat on the bottom.

• Fold the top of the bag down 1 inch, then fold again and secure the top with a paper clip. Secure the lid of the box with tape.

• Place the bag or box in a safe, dark, quiet place, away from extreme heat or cold.

• DO NOT put food or water in the bag or box.

• DO NOT poke holes in the bag or box.

• NEVER open the bag or box to check on the bird.

• NEVER take a bird that is not in a closed bag or box into a building

• As soon as possible, transport the bird to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center.

Other Rescue Information:

• If you cannot pick up and contain the bird, make an attempt to move it to a protected area away from further harm; such as under a bush, or away from the street or sidewalk. 

• Once the bird is secured in a bag or box, do not be tempted to check on the bird! Opening the bag or box stresses the bird, offers the possibility for escape, and puts the bird at risk for further injury. Escaped birds can become trapped inside a building or be impossible to recapture. 

• Birds can breathe adequately in a closed unwaxed paper bag or cardboard box. Air holes are not necessary and can allow some birds to escape. Never place birds in plastic bags or containers. 

• Birds are more likely to stay still and quiet in a darkened environment. Covering the bag or box helps block out light. 

• Do not try to care for an injured bird yourself. It needs specialized care. It is against federal law to keep a migratory or native bird without specialized training and permits. Contact with wildlife can involve exposure to diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Take any and all precautions to safeguard your health whenever handling birds.

I personally cannot walk past an injured bird and not do anything.  If the bird does pass away while in your care, at least you gave that bird a moment's peace and quiet before they moved on.

Snaggle Foot Round Lake Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers Receives 2013 Best of Round Lake Award

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Snaggle Foot Round Lake Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers Receives 2013 Best of Round Lake Award

Round Lake Award Program Honors the Achievement

ROUND LAKE August 29, 2013 -- Snaggle Foot Round Lake Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers has been selected for the 2013 Best of Round Lake Award in the Pet Sitter category by the Round Lake Award Program.

Each year, the Round Lake Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Round Lake area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2013 Round Lake Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Round Lake Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Round Lake Award Program

The Round Lake Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Round Lake area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Round Lake Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.

Senior Dogs: What to expect as your dog ages!

I just celebrated my dog Sebastian turning 13 years old on August 20th.  He is showing signs of aging and because of this, I wanted to share what we should be thinking about as our dogs age and what to expect of an aging dog.

Just like people, dogs age and start to develop symptoms of aging.  Aging is not a "disease".  It is part of their life span just like people.

But like you, I wanted to know what things I should expect.

So here is some information regarding what happens to your doggie as he ages.

What is "old age" for dogs?
The old classic "one human year equals seven dog years" is an easy way to calculate and relate to your dog's age, but isn't the most accurate. Large breed dogs (i.e. Great Danes) are considered a senior at 6 or 7 years of age, whereas small breeds (i.e. toy poodle), aren't considered a senior until their teen years. I have seen more than one poodle in the 18 to 20 year range. There are studies to suggest that certain breeds are more long-lived than others, too.

As a general rule of thumb, a dog who is 7 years or older should be considered middle to senior aged, and a consultation with your vet is in order to determine the best health care maintenance program for your dog as s/he ages. For smaller breed dogs, your vet (in consultation with you) may elect to wait a couple of years before doing any geriatric monitoring.

What things should I expect as he ages?
Slowing down - You may notice that you dog slows down some with aging. This isn't always the case, but look for subtle changes in how s/he gets up, lays down, and uses stairs. Is there any hesitation or stiffness? Does a change in the weather (rainy, cold) make it worse?

Arthritis - is common in dogs as they age, particularly large breeds. Arthritis can occur in any joint, most commonly the legs, neck and back (spine). There are many different medications available to help ease the discomfort of arthritis -- see your vet if you notice any signs of slowing down in your dog.

Graying around the face, muzzle - most dogs commonly show a bit of gray starting at middle age (5-6 years).

Reduced hearing - Is your dog hard to wake up after sleeping or does s/he become startled easily if you approach from behind? Hearing loss or deafness may be a reason for this. There isn't a lot that can be done for age-related hearing loss, but a vet exam should be done first to rule out other medical problems, such as an infection, growth, or foreign body in the ear.  If your dog does experience hearing loss, take care to protect him/her from hazards, such as cars and kids that s/he may not hear (or see). Dogs do learn and adapt well using hand signals to come, stay, sit, and so on. It is a good idea to "cross train" your dog early in life to recognize basic hand signals.

Cloudy or "bluish" eyes - As they age, dog's eyes often show a bluish transparent "haze" in the pupil area. This is a normal effect of aging, and the medical term for this is lenticular sclerosis. Vision does not appear to be affected. This is NOT the same as cataracts.  Cataracts are white and opaque.

Muscle atrophy - Mild loss of muscle mass, especially the hind legs, may be seen with old age. Be sure to have your vet check this out if any muscle loss is noted.

How can I keep my pet more comfortable in his senior years?
Regular checkups and communication with your vet will ensure that you are doing all that you can medically to help your pet enjoy the senior years. To help your pet at home, here are some pointers:

• Provide a comfortable clean bed - there are many "orthopedic" beds available now at pet supply stores to ensure comfortable rest.  NOTE:  I just recently bought two of these for Sebastian, one for upstairs and one for downstairs.
• Provide fresh water daily (note changes in water consumption) and a healthy, age-appropriate diet.
• Don't expect too much from your senior dog - s/he may want to run and play Frisbee like the good 'ol times, but go slow -- heat, arthritis, age-related muscle atrophy, and other age-related effects can take their toll.
• Ease distractions - senior pets can be easily startled by or become fearful of: kids, loud noises, and general commotion as they age. Conditions such as arthritis can make the dog fearful of getting hurt (or the potential to get hurt) with sudden movements of kids or being stepped on.

If you see these changes happening in your aging dog, it's okay, it is all part of their lifespan.  Keep them comfortable and keep loving them.  Remember, you made a promise the day you got them that you would love them for the rest of their lives !

New Health Risk for Dogs that have been "Skunked": Heinz-body Anemia

I am one of the lucky pet owners... my dog has never been sprayed by a skunk. But, If you’ve smelled a skunk once, or if your dog has ever been "skunked" it’s hard to forget the odor.  In fact, one of my pet sitter's dogs recently got skunked and she said it is awful.

After my sitter's dog got skunked I decided to read up on it.. what it is, what it can do to you and your pet, and the science behind it (I know.. I am a complete nerd)... LOL !  

So here is the information I now know about skunks and the new "health risk" recently revealed.

The classic rotten-egg smell is caused by a sulfur compound that is released when an “enemy” comes a little too close for comfort. The skunk’s main line of defense is the two anal glands on either side of its anus. When threatened, the skunk will first hiss and stomp. If the threat continues, the skunk will release its anal glands. Amazingly, skunks can spray up to 15 feet, and with great accuracy.

There are six species of skunks in the northern United States, all of which are easily identified by their black bodies and white stripes — and the nasty smell. Ironically, they have an excellent sense of smell (and hearing), but they cannot see well. They are most active at twilight and nighttime.

What Happens When a Dog Is Skunked?
Usually, a skunked dog immediately starts drooling, squinting, face-rubbing and rolling. The spray can cause conjunctivitis, temporary blindness and vomiting.

Rare Reports of Damage to Red Blood Cells

Shedding some new light on the old skunk story, a recent article I just read explains that in rare cases, a skunked dog can get severe anemia and even die from it!

This is a special form of anemia (a low red blood cell count) called Heinz-body anemia. The skunk spray damages the hemoglobin in the red blood cells, the same way acetaminophen (Tylenol), onions and garlic do. This condition only (and rarely) happens in dogs, but interestingly it seems to mostly occur in Japanese dog breeds (e.g., Shiba Inu, Akita and Tosa).

The treatment is called symptomatic and supportive, which means that veterinarians treat the symptoms as they appear.The article I read mentions two dogs with anemia who were reported to the ASPCA toxicology department: a 2-year-old Pharaoh hound and a 5-year-old boxer. The boxer ended up dying from severe anemia. So again, this condition does not happen only in Japanese breeds. Cats are susceptible to this reaction in theory, but no case has been reported.

If the spray got into a pet’s eyes, clean the eyes with plain water and treat vomiting as needed. Don’t neglect the possible other reactions: your pet should be monitored over 72 hours with blood work (a complete blood count, or CBC, to check the red blood cells and a “chemistry”), especially for heavy exposures or multiple sprays. If signs of anemia occur, then your pet will need IV fluids and possibly a blood transfusion.

How to Get Rid of Skunk Smell

One common question that pet owners ask their family vet is, “How can I get rid of skunk smell?” Well, here is a recipe for you, called the Krebaum skunk odor removal formula.*

Ingredients:

• 1 quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 1-2 tsp liquid dishwashing detergent
• Large dogs: add 1 quart lukewarm water

What to do:

• Mix the above ingredients fresh.
• Apply the formula to your pet, working deeply into the fur. Bathe your pet outdoors!
• Let it set for 5 minutes, then rinse with lots of water. Repeat as necessary.
• Note: Your pet’s fur — as well as clothing, towels and carpeting — may be bleached by the mixture.
• Warning: Do not store the mixture in a closed container! Oxygen needs to escape as it is released by the peroxide.

Personally, I hope you never get "skunked", but if you do, please keep an eye on your pet and if there are any issues, get him or her to your vet immediately.