Friday, March 30, 2007

Other Contaminants in Recalled Pet Food?

The ASPC is urging diagnostic laboratories to continue looking for other contaminants in recently recalled pet food.  The ASPCA’s Dr. Steven Hanson explains, “There are so many inconsistencies in the purported link between aminopterin and the animals affected that we urge veterinary toxicologists and veterinary pathologists at diagnostic laboratories to continue looking for additional contaminants.”

There has been no word yet that any additional contaminants other than aminopterin (rat poison) has been found in the recalled food.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Rat Poison Found in Contaminated Pet Food

ABC News has reported that rat poison has been found in the contaminated pet food produced by Menu Foods.

“A source close to the investigation tells ABC News that the rodenticide, which the source says is illegal to use in the United States, was on wheat that was imported from China and used by Menu Foods in nearly 100 brands of dog and cat food.” (ABC News)

You can read the full article here.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Chat with Pet Poison Experts

On Friday, March 23, 2007 from 3PM to 5PM EST you can chat online with ASPCA Pet Poison Experts.  The chat session is a great opportunity to find out more information about specific foods or household items that you may be wondering if they are safe for your pug.

Anyone can join in on the chat,  all you will need to do is register with the ASPCA Online Community.  Registration is free and easy.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Menu Foods Recall - Helpful Links

A lot of information has been released about the Menu Foods pet food recall.  I will do my best to keep an updated list of links here.

Legal Action

• Information on Menu Foods Class Action Lawsuit

Press Releases

• Menu Foods Recall List
• FDA statement on the Menu Foods pet food recall
• Recall Information from Hill’s Pet Nutrition
• Recall Information from Purina concerning Mighty Dog products
• Recall Information concerning Iams products
• P&G Pet Care Press Release concerning Menu Foods Recall of pet food
• Statement by Nutro regarding the recall

News Stories

• CNN - Mass Recall of dog and cat after pets die
• MSNBC - Owners watching pets closely after pet food recall
• CNN - Recalled pet food blamed for more than 100 deaths
• Animal rights group calls for broader pet food recall
• Many pet owners may be thinking about Organic Pet Food after the Pet Food Recall | video
• CNN - FDA finds new chemical in recalled pet food, sick animals
• CNN - Dry food added to pet recall list
• MSNBC - FDA bars wheat gluten used in recalled pet food
• Pet food recall expanded to include Canada-made products

Other Information

• Information from the ASPCA regarding the Pet Food Recall
• ASPCA Pet Food Recall Resource Center

Last updated April 11, 2007

Sunday, December 10, 2006

The truth about poinsettias

This holiday season, you may hear plenty of conflicting advice about poinsettias and whether or not they are poisonous to pets.  Dana B. Farbman, CVT of the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center recently weighed in on the subject and had this to offer, “In reality, ingestions typically produce only mild to moderate gastrointestinal tract irritation in pets, which may include drooling, vomiting and diarrhea.”

It is still a good idea to your pug from nibbling any poinsettia leaves to spare them the upset stomach, but it is good to know that this festive holiday decoration is not poisonous to pets.  Instead the ASPCA, cautions us to be wary of holly and mistletoe.  Both plants are potentially toxic if ingested by pets.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

The Dangers of Bread Dough

The holidays may inspire you to get in the kitchen and bake up some tasty treats.  If you do keep a close eye out and make sure that your pooch does not ingest any bread dough.  The ASPCA has recently spoke of the dangers of dogs ingesting bread dough.  It seems that the heat of a dog or cat’s stomach causes the bread to rise.  As the dough rises it fills the dog’s stomach and produces alcohol.  If untreated, this can be a potentially fatal situation.  So during the holiday bustle in the kitchen, be sure to keep a close eye on your furry friend and make sure they do not eat any potentially dangerous foods.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Reader’s Tip: Coping with Hot Weather

It has been unusually warm in California lately and a Puglines reader has written in with their tip for coping with the hot weather.

I have a 4 year old female pug named Little Girl.  I live in California and the weather has been extremely hot and humid.  My pug has developed a raspy sound in her voice and has difficulty breathing.  My vet said it is due to the humid weather and to keep her cool by bathing her in cool water 3 times a day.  This seems to help her a lot.

Thanks Little Girl’s Mom!