(ARA) – When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, Richard Colar’s neighborhood was flooded with 13 feet of water. He lost his home and lived in a FEMA trailer for over three years following the storm. Even more devastating for Colar was that he was forced to flee without his beloved pet, a Siberian husky named Princess.

Miraculously, veterinarians located his lost dog weeks after the storm. The dog had been evacuated to Delaware. Due to the work of many volunteers, Colar and his family were among the lucky Katrina survivors who had their pets returned to them.

“It was so important to me to get my dog back, and I was so thankful,” he says. “Veterinarians saved my dog. I never knew that there were so many animal lovers in the world.”

Colar’s story illustrates why it’s so important for people to be prepared for natural disasters. This means planning an evacuation, not just for you and your family, but also your pets, livestock and horses.

The American Veterinary Medical Association offers a brochure on the subject, Saving the Whole Family, as well as an informative video with helpful instructions to help people evacuate with their pets in a disaster.

“During disasters it’s not unusual for hundreds of thousands of pets and livestock to be displaced. Many times this is the result of the fact that the owners have not made a thorough evacuation plan,” explains Dr. Heather Case, head of disaster preparation at the AVMA. “That’s why we urge everybody to make disaster plans today that include every member of the family, including those with four legs or wings, fur, scales or feathers.”

Case explains that in order to evacuate with an animal, pet and livestock owners need to have something in which to carry the animal. With pets, this would be a pet carrier that is large enough for the animal to spend a few days in comfortably. Even if you relocated to an emergency shelter that is willing to accept a pet, the animal will have to spend most of its time in that carrier or cage. For cats, the cage will have to be big enough for a small litter box.

If you are a livestock or horse owner, you’ll need access to a livestock carrier that can be towed by truck. Many times, farms will form cooperative evacuation networks as a cost effective way of ensuring that everybody’s animals are evacuated.

The AVMA also recommends that pet and livestock owners put together emergency kits. These kits should include enough food to last a week, any medications the animal requires, written prescriptions and other documentation, a photograph and identification information for the animal and, most importantly, a telephone list of feed suppliers, family members and veterinarians in the area where you expect to end up.

Proper identification is another important consideration. Consider preparing disaster tags for your pet’s collar. These should include your cell phone number, but also the telephone number for an out-of-town family member or friend, and perhaps the name of a hotel where you expect to evacuate. With this information, rescue responders will have a better chance of locating you if they rescue your pet.

The best kind of identification is imbedded microchip identification. Even if you put an informative tag on your pets collar or your horse’s halter, if it becomes separated from your animal the results can be disastrous. Microchips are embedded under the skin of an animal between the shoulder blades or on the neck and can be read with a scanner, ensuring the animal is never without ID.

For more information on this and other issues, visit www.avma.org or www.avmatv.org for a disaster preparation video.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Pets cannot tolerate heat the same way as people. One big reason is that dogs don’t sweat, thereby lacking a natural way to cool down. To help ensure your pets don’t suffer from the heat, veterinarian Tracy Chase-Thompson, department chair of the veterinary technology program at Brown Mackie College in Michigan City, Ind., offers advice. “Heat exhaustion is one of the big things that can occur,” she says. “It happens more with dogs than cats, but it can occur with both.”

Heat exhaustion is a dangerous condition in animals that occurs due to lack of protection from hot weather and humidity. “It doesn’t take much time for heat exhaustion to develop,” says Chase-Thompson. “A dog can overheat in a hot vehicle in just 10 minutes.” Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy panting, drooling and labored breathing. “Gum color is another indicator. If gums appear red instead of pink, that’s a sign of an animal in distress.”

If it happens, Chase-Thompson recommends moving the animal to a cool spot immediately. “Give the dog water to drink, and wipe a cool washcloth over the fur. Don’t just dump water over the animal. It helps to place the paws in cool water as well,” she says. She does not recommend an ice bath. “If an animal cools too quickly, it can go into shock.”

Normal body temperature for a dog is between 101 F and 102 F. “A temperature higher than 105 F signals heat exhaustion,” says Chase-Thompson. In this case, the dog would require veterinarian care with IV fluids for hydration, and close monitoring of body temperature.

Pet owners can take a number of precautions to prevent heat stress and exhaustion in pets. If your dog will spend any amount of time outside, Chase-Thompson advises providing a shelter so that the dog can access shade at all times, and walking your dog before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. when sunlight and humidity are less powerful. “It is safer to leave your pet at home on hot or humid days rather than in the car, even with the windows cracked. If you must take your pet, park in the shade, open the window, and don’t leave for more than 10 minutes,” she adds.

Another concern among pet owners is how to protect a pet that is afraid of the noise from fireworks and thunderstorms. “Some pets have a fear of noise at a young age. Others are fine when they’re young, yet become bothered by loud sounds as they grow older,” says Chase-Thompson. “It’s impossible to make the noise go away, but there are ways to minimize or disguise the noise.

“If you leave the dog alone, it could help to leave music playing. Turn on the radio or TV, or even a loud fan or air conditioner,” she advises. “If the animal’s reaction is really bad, I recommend staying with your pet to provide reassurance. There are anti-anxiety medications that a veterinarian can prescribe.” Chase-Thompson advises discussing with your veterinarian whether your pet is a good candidate. “Medications can help, but they don’t always work. It is important to lessen your pet’s fear with other types of comfort,” she says.

Try to give your pet a safe place where they won’t hurt themselves. And forget about reprimanding behavior that results from fear of loud noises. “They can’t simply change,” Chase-Thompson says. “Some pets like an item of the owner’s for comfort, like a T-shirt or old shoe.” A little knowledge can go a long way in protecting your pet from the pitfalls that summer brings.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if
there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in
people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with
compromised immune systems.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and can potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The company stopped production at the Everson facility on July 29, 2008, when it was alerted of a possible link between dry pet food produced at the plant and two isolated cases of people infected with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.

Even though no direct link between product produced at Everson and
human or pet illness has been made, Mars Petcare US is taking
precautionary action to protect pets and their owners by announcing a
voluntary recall of all products produced at the Everson facility
beginning February 18, 2008, until July 29, 2008, when they stopped
production.

The company is continuing to work collaboratively with the FDA to
determine the nature and source of Salmonella Schwarzengrund at the
Everson facility. Since it has not yet identified the source of the
Salmonella Schwarzengrund at the Everson facility, Mars Petcare US
does not plan to resume production.

Only those products that were produced at the Everson facility are impacted by the voluntary recall. Many of the brands involved in the recall are national brands produced at multiple facilities.

For example, PEDIGREE® is manufactured in numerous facilities
throughout the country, and Everson represents a very small portion
of the manufacturing base – 2.7 percent of total PEDIGREE® production.

In the event that you believe you have purchased products affected by this voluntary recall, you should return the product to the store where you purchased it for a full refund.

The products listed below are made at the Everson facility on behalf
of a variety of retailers. All code dates, with the exception of
PEDIGREE®, are listed in a similar format as noted below:
Consumers should look for “17″ as the first two digits of the second
line. Sample:
Best By Feb 18 09
17 1445 1

For PEDIGREE® the Everson code date format is as follows:

Consumers should look for “PAE” on the bottom line – the sixth,
seventh and eighth digits. Sample:
PEDIGREE ® Small Crunchy Bites
Best Before 02/2009
808G1PAE01 12:00

Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-
4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com.

Recalled Pet Food

Note: If you see a product you purchased listed below, please review
the code date information samples from above to confirm that your
product is included in the recall.

Product are listed with name and bag size with the UPC code on the
next line.
Country Acres Cat Food 40#
16603 02181

Retriever Bites & Bones Dog Food 8#
79818 96757

Country Acres Ration Dog Food 40#
16603 02333

Retriever Bites & Bones Dog Food 20#
79818 96634

Country Acres 18% Dog Food 40#
16603 02331

Retriever Bites & Bones Dog Food 50#
49394 05666

Country Acres Hi Pro Dog Food 50#
16603 02021

Retriever Gravy Blend Dog Food 50#
49394 05665

Doggy Bag Dog Food 40#
73893 40000

Retriever Gravy Blend Dog Food 8#
79818 96756

Members Mark Complete Nutrition Premium Cat Food 20#
81131 89881

Retriever Hi Protein Dog Food 8#
79818 96755

Members Mark Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 50#
05388 67055

Retriever Hi Protein Dog Food 25#
49394 00002

Members Mark Crunchy Bites & Savory Bones Adult Dog Food 50#
05388 67309

Retriever Hi Protein Dog Food 50#
49394 00003

Members Mark High Performance Premium Dog Food 50#
81131 75479

Retriever Mini Chunk Dog Food 8#
79818 96754

Natural Cat Food (Sam’s Club) 15#
81131 89883

Retriever Mini Chunk Dog Food 25#
49394 00006

Natural Dog Food (Sam’s Club) 25#
81131 89884

Retriever Mini Chunk Dog Food 50#
49395 00005

Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition 4.4#
81131 69377

Retriever Puppy Blend Dog Food 6#
49394 56221

Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition 8#
05388 67144

Retriever Puppy Blend Dog Food 8#
79818 96758

Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition 22#
05388 60342

Retriever Puppy Blend Dog Food 20#
49394 00004

Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition 50#
78742 01022

Retriever Puppy Blend Dog Food 40#
79818 96706

Ol’ Roy High Performance Nutrition Dog Food 20#
05388 60345

Special Kitty Gourmet 3.5#
81131 17546

Ol’ Roy High Performance Nutrition Dog Food 50#
78742 05815

Special Kitty Gourmet 4#
78742 53199

Ol’ Roy Meaty Chunks ‘n Gravy Dog Food 8#
81131 69629

Special Kitty Gourmet 7#
81131 17547

Ol’ Roy Meaty Chunks ‘n Gravy Dog Food 22#
81131 69630

Special Kitty Gourmet 8#
78742 53200

Ol’ Roy Meaty Chunks ‘n Gravy Dog Food 50#
81131 69631

Special Kitty Gourmet 18#
81131 15748

Ol’ Roy Puppy Complete 4#
81131 79078

Special Kitty Gourmet 20#
78742 53201

Ol’ Roy Puppy Complete 8#
81131 79079

Special Kitty Gourmet 25#
78742 54314

Ol’ Roy Puppy Complete 20#
81131 79080

Special Kitty Kitten 3.5#
81131 17553

Paws & Claws Delicious Mix Cat Food 8#
79818 96632

Special Kitty Kitten 4#
78742 53198

Paws & Claws Delicious Mix Cat Food 20#
49394 05746

Special Kitty Kitten 7#
81131 17554

Paws & Claws Delicious Mix Cat Food 40#
79818 96676

Special Kitty Kitten 8#
81131 24739

Paws & Claws Premium Choice Cat Food 8#
79818 96633

Special Kitty Original 3.5#
81131 17557

Paws & Claws Premium Choice Cat Food 20#
49394 00008

Special Kitty Original 4#
78742 04930

Paws & Claws Premium Choice Cat Food 40#
49394 05747

Special Kitty Original 7#
81131 17562

Pedigree Large Breed Adult Nutrition 20#
23100 29158

Special Kitty Original 8#
78742 05744

Pedigree Large Breed Adult Nutrition 30.1#
23100 31484

Special Kitty Original 18#
81131 17559

Pedigree Large Breed Adult Nutrition 36.4#
23100 31479

Special Kitty Original 20#
78742 05794

Pedigree Large Breed Adult Nutrition 40#
23100 29154

Special Kitty Original 25#
81131 68869

Pedigree Small Crunchy Bites Adult Nutrition 4.4#
23100 05104

Wegman’s Bruiser Complete Nutrition Dog Food 4.4#
77890 33654

Pedigree Small Crunchy Bites Adult Nutrition 8.8#
23100 05103

Wegman’s Bruiser Complete Nutrition Dog Food 20#
77890 32988

Pedigree Small Crunchy Bites Adult Nutrition 20#
23100 14719

Wegman’s Bruiser Complete Nutrition Dog Food 37.5#
77890 32994

Pedigree Small Crunchy Bites Adult Nutrition 32#
23100 31483

Wegman’s Bruiser Puppy Dog Food 4.4#
77890 33621

Pedigree Small Crunchy Bites Adult Nutrition 40#
23100 31478

Wegman’s Bruiser Puppy Dog Food 17.6#
77890 32991

Pedigree Small Crunchy Bites Adult Nutrition 44#
23100 05100

Wegman’s Bruiser Small Crunchy Bites Dog Food 4.4#
77890 33618

Pedigree Small Crunchy Bites Adult Nutrition 52#
23100 05110

Wegman’s Bruiser Small Crunchy Bites Dog Food 20#
77890 32982

Pet Pride Indoor Cat 3.5#
11110 74584

Wegman’s Buju & Ziggie Complete Cat Food 3.5#
77890 10005

Pet Pride Indoor Cat 18#
11110 74585

Wegman’s Buju & Ziggie Complete Cat Food 18#
77890 10004

Pet Pride Weight Management Dog Food 17.6#
11110 74578

Wegman’s Buju & Ziggie Indoor Cat Food 3.5#
77890 12038

PMI Nutrition Bites & Bones Dog Food 50#
42869 00174

Wegman’s Buju & Ziggie Indoor Cat Food 18#
77890 12039

PMI Nutrition Canine Advantage 50#
42869 00172

Wegman’s Buju & Ziggie Kitten 3.5#
77890 12036

PMI Nutrition Feline Medley 20#
42869 00171

Wegman’s Buju & Ziggie Original Medley Cat Food 3.5#
77890 10006

PMI Nutrition Gravy Crunches Dog Food 40#
42869 00033

Wegman’s Buju & Ziggie Original Medley Cat Food 18#
77890 10003

Red Flannel Active Formula Dog Food 40#
42869 00063

Red Flannel Adult Formula Dog Food 20#
42869 00055

Red Flannel Adult Formula Dog Food 40#
42869 00054

Red Flannel Canine Select Dog Food 20#
42869 00068

Red Flannel C anine Select Dog Food 40#
42869 00067

Red Flannel Cat 10#
42869 00059

Red Flannel Cat 20#
42869 00058

Red Flannel Hi Pro Formula Dog Food 50#
42869 00065

Red Flannel Prime Dog Food 25#
42869 00052

Red Flannel Prime Dog Food 50#
42869 00053

Red Flannel Puppy 40#
42869 00056

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(ARA) – It was early November, and Dr. Gregory S. Hammer, a veterinarian in Dover, Del., was treating a miniature poodle that was very sick. So sick, in fact, that it was suffering seizures. After a detailed examination of the pet and a conversation with the owners, Dr. Hammer determined that the cause of the animal’s problem was chocolate poisoning.

This case occurred a few days after Halloween, and the pet had been left at home all day with ready access to Halloween candy. Dr. Hammer estimated that the dog consumed the candy that morning, and, by the time the pet owners returned home, it was already too sick to recover. The dog died a short time later. This isn’t the only patient that Dr. Hammer has lost due to chocolate poisoning, especially after Halloween. Sadly, it’s relatively common.

That’s why Dr. Hammer, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), advises all his clients to take caution during holidays when there may be sweets around the house, particularly Halloween. Holidays are a lot of fun for families, but may be dangerous and stressful for animals, particularly dogs.

Dr. Hammer says that Halloween candy is unhealthy for dogs in two ways: chocolate toxicity and bowel obstructions. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs. The darker the chocolate, the more deadly it is. That’s because it’s the cocoa — which some researchers say is beneficial for people to consume — that is the deadly ingredient for dogs. Baker’s chocolate is the most dangerous because it has the highest cocoa content. But even if candy isn’t chocolate, it can still be potentially deadly for dogs. For instance, an over excited dog may swallow a candy whole, resulting in a bowel obstruction a few days later.

“Obviously, the solution for that is to put the candy up,” Dr. Hammer says. “Many children like to come home after going house to house on Halloween and dump their bags out on a coffee table or on the floor to see what they’ve got. Put the candy away in a cabinet. Don’t leave it unattended.”

Dr. Hammer notes that among his clients he’s noticed that dogs most commonly suffer unduly with stress on Halloween. Naturally protective of their home, dogs are sensitive to having many strangers stop by for a short visit on the front stoop and ring the doorbell.
Cats, alternatively, may be a little scared on this holiday, but they generally deal with it by hiding until it’s over, Dr. Hammer explains.

For dogs that do find Halloween overwhelming, Dr. Hammer said that there are medications available. “Sometimes I advise clients that an anti-anxiety medication is a good idea for a dog that is having troubles on Halloween, and sometimes a tranquilizer can help the animal deal with it,” Dr. Hammer says. “Sometimes to avoid a problem with a dog that gets into property damage due to stress, it’s advisable to board a pet on Halloween to avoid that anxiety. If you know your pet is prone to problems on Halloween, speak to your veterinarian now and make plans to help relieve the stress on your pet, or, if necessary, to remove your pet from this stressful environment for a day.”

The AVMA Web site, www.avma.org, offers a great deal of information on this and other health issues for pets.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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