Please remember to keep tags on your pets, especially during celebratory seasons such as New Year's Eve. Often the tooting of horns, illegal fire crackers or gun fire, will scare our furry friends causing them to dash outside the home or fenced enclosures.
Please keep this in mind as we enjoy the holidays.
Thank you.
PetWatch
972-305-5210
Kroger announced on Tuesday that it is voluntarily recalling many of its Kroger, Old Yeller and Pet Pride dry dog and cat food varieties because they could contain aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring chemical by-product that is toxic. Aflatoxin grows from the fungus Aspergillus Flavus found in corn and other crop foods used in pet food production.
Pet foods included in the Kroger recall are:
Pet Pride Cat Food - 3.5 # package
Pet Pride Cat Food - 18 # package
Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry and Seafood Cat Food - 3.5 # package
Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry and Seafood Cat Food - 18 # package
Pet Pride Kitten Formula - 3.5 # package
Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food - 22# and 50# packages
Kroger Value Cat Food - 3 # package
Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food - 15# and 50# packages
If you have purchased any of the Kroger pet foods included in the recall, stop feeding it to your pets. Remove and discard uneaten portions. If your pet shows any symptoms of illness, including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea, please consult your veterinarian immediately.
Customers who have purchased a recalled item should not use it and should return it to a store for a full refund or replacement. For more information, contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900 or visit www.kroger.com/recalls.
On Saturday, October 16, 2010, Macy's will host the 5th annual Shop for a Cause to benefit charities nationwide. Since 2006, Shop for a Cause has raised more than $34 million for regional and local charities across the country. Macy's Shop for a Cause has invited Animal Allies of Texas (AAT) to participate again this year. Animal Allies is the animal rescue group who we partner with for the Petwatch vaccination and microchipping clinics we have every 6 months.
Purchase a $5 coupon from AAT, shop on Saturday, October 16, and receive 20% (or 10%) savings* on almost all purchases, including regular, sale and clearance merchandise*, and 25%* off a single purchase. And, customers will be eligible to win a $500 gift card, no purchase necessary.
To order a coupon from AAT, call 972 967 2266.
* Visit http://www.macys.com/campaign/shopforacause.jsp for restrictions
There has been another pet food recall recently involving several major brands. The recall is due to a potential Salmonella risk. Salmonella poses a threat to not only pets, but also people who handle the food.
The most recent recall involves some varieties of Iams cat food and Hartz Mountain and Merrick Pet care treats. Visit http://www.avma.org/petfoodsafety/recalls/2010/default.asp for more information.
Animal Allies of Texas is holding another low-cost vaccination and micro-chipping clinic on Sat, Aug 7, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Canine Commissary, 6322 East Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, 75214.
Payment is cash only; pricing is as follows:
Dog package (rabies, Bordetella, DHLPP) - $25
Cat package (rabies, FVRCP) - $20
Feline leukemia - $15
Puppy/kitten package - $8
Deworming for cat or dog - $5
Nail trim - $5
Microchip and registration $20
Due to salmonella concerns, United Pet Group of Cincinnati has expanded its recent recall of its Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin tablets for dogs to include additional branded and private label pet care products. The expanded recall, issued July 2, includes more Pro-Pet products as well as various Excel-branded and private label pet supplements and cleaning products for cats and dogs.
Laboratory testing has revealed that some lots of these products may be contaminated with salmonella, according to the company. The company said it is recalling additional products out of “an abundance of caution.” The affected products are in tablet and powder form and were sold nationally at various retailers, including Petco and Doctors Foster and Smith, United Pet Group reported.
Visit http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-news/2010/07/06/united-pet-group-expands-dog-product-recall.aspx for complete details and a list of all recalled products.
The contamination recently reported in our creek has been washed away due to the rainfall we've been getting. However, the city has been doing some ongoing testing and the bacteria count in the creeks is still very high. Please don't allow your pets to play in the creek and don't allow them to drink the water.
Dog and Kitty City, the Dallas County Humane Society's no-kill shelter, is holding a holiday raffle as a fund raiser again this year. Thirty fabulous prizes are available, including a Hill Country getaway, wines, dining, spa packages and some great doggie goodies. Tickets are only $5 each and may be purchased online at www.dognkittycity.org/raffle. The drawing will be held on 12/13 and you don't have to be present to win.
Animal Allies of Texas is doing another vaccination and microchipping clinic this weekend -- please note the location has changed:
Date: Saturday, Nov 14
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Canine Commissary at 11504 Garland Rd, Dallas, 75218
Pricing: Dogs - $20 (rabies, bordetella, DHLPP); cats - $15 (rabies, FVRCP); feline leukemia - $10, Microchipping - $20. Puppy and kitten packages - $5 (first shot and deworming)
CASH OR CHECK ONLY!
TWO MORE MICROCHIPPING AND VACCINATIONS CLINICS COMING UP
Animal Allies will be holding two more low-cost microchipping and vaccination clinics during the month of November, and both are fairly close by.
Date: November 7, 2009
Time: 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Location: Unleashed Indoor Dog Park
5151 Samuel Blvd
Dallas, TX 75228
Date: November 14, 2009
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Ridgewood/Belcher Recreation Center
6818 Fisher Road
Dallas, TX 75214
Pricing for both:
Dogs $20 (rabies, bortedella, DHLPP); cats $15 (rabies, FVRCP), feline leukemia $10, microchipping, including registration $20. Puppy package and kitten package (first shot and deworming) $5. CASH or CHECK ONLY!!!!
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS
Attention, pet parents! Here are the ASPCA’s common-sense precautions to ensure that both you and your furry friends will have a safe and happy Halloween.
1. No tricks, no treats: That bowlful of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy.
• Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, increased thirst, urination and heart rate—and even seizures.
• Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures. In cases of significantly low blood sugar, liver failure has been known to occur.
• Ingesting tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage.
2. If you want to dress your pet in a costume, be sure it’s safe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go in his birthday suit or dress him up with a festive bandana. Take a close look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on.
3. Keep your pets indoors on Halloween (especially black cats), or securely contained in a fenced yard. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.
4. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside. Be sure each pet is wearing an ID, just in case! If for any reason your pet escapes and become lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip is the only way to increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you.
WHITE ROCK LAKE DOG PARK: HOWL AT THE LAKE HALLOWEEN PARTY!
Date/Time: Saturday October 31
Admission: $5 per dog to enter dog contests and fun events!
Location: White Rock Lake Dog Park- Mockingbird Lane. Dallas
There will be costume contests, games, treats and more!
Try your dog out on agility stations set up in the small and large dog areas.
Show your dog off and enter a contest!
Best dog costume, best dog/owner look alike and best trick.
Prizes for 1st and 2nd place.
For details, visit www.WhiteRockDogPark.org
WALK WAG & RUN
Date/Time: Saturday - October 24 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Winfrey Point- White Rock Lake. 950 E. Lawther
5K/10K Run Your Tail Off
1K Kids Race
3K Walk and Wag Dog Agility Course
Howl-O-Ween Kids Fair
This community festival includes 5K and 10K races, a dog agility walk, a 1K dash for the kids, pet adoptions and plenty of Halloween and canine-friendly entertainment! What began as a neighborhood dog walk has grown into a popular, family-oriented event that is expected to draw 4,000 people from across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This year's beneficiaries are the YMCA at White Rock and For the Love of the Lake.
Costume Contests- Best Costume & Dog/Owner Look-A-Like Contest; "Dog Plaza Stage" featuring guest speakers. Dog walk begins at 9:00 AM.
Howl-O-Ween Kids Fair sponsored by Neighbors GO
Designed for fitness and fun, the kids fair includes bounce houses, petting zoo, face painting, various games, Halloween Costume Contests, trick or treating, and a pumpkin patch.
1K Ruff Race with Spooky Doo our dog mascot.
Kids fair opens at 8 am; kids race begins at 10 am
Food Vendors: Freshly prepared foods and beverages will be offered for sale by RONOCO Concessions & Cantina Laredo.
For complete details, visit www.walkwagandrun.org
Animal Allies of Texas will be holding another low-cost micro-chip and vaccination clinic on Saturday, June 20. It will be held at the LaundroMutt (self-service dog wash) at 718 North Buckner, #211, from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Cost will be:
Vaccinations - Dogs: $20.00 (rabies, DHLPP, Bordetella)
Cats: $15.00 (rabies & FVRCP)
Microchip and Registration: $20.00
Cash or Check Only, please!
We received the story below from one of our neighbors on Paddock and I felt obliged to include it in this newsletter.
“Yesterday one of our dog agility friends experienced a tragedy and wanted me to pass a special message along to all of my dog loving friends and family. Please tell every dog owner you know. Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. They loved the way it smelled, and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way.
The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk. Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly. Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's website, this product is HIGHLY toxic to Dogs and cats. Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that it is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees depending on each individual dog. “
This Snopes site gives the following information:
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp
”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 in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of Theobromine, axanthine 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. “
December 19, 2008
FDA Continues To Receive Complaints about Chicken Jerky Products for Dogs and Cautions Consumers
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution consumers of a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products also described as chicken tenders, strips or treats. FDA continues to receive complaints of dogs experiencing illness that their owners or veterinarians associate with consumption of chicken jerky products. The chicken jerky products are imported to the U.S. from China. FDA issued a cautionary warning to consumers in September 2007.
Australian news organizations report the University of Sydney is also investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has recalled their chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated the chicken jerky product was manufactured in China.
FDA believes the continued trend of consumer complaints coupled with the information obtained from Australia warrants an additional reminder and animal health notification.
Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to beused occasionally and in small quantities. Owners of small dogs must be especially careful to limit the amount of these products.
FDA, in addition to several veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the U.S, is working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant.
FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs which may occur within hours to days of feeding the product: decreased appetite, although some may continue to consume the treats to the exclusion of other foods; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.
The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html in their state.
Whether you’re feeling the pinch of a slowing economy or looking to trim household costs, your pet’s health is still a top priority. To help you protect your furry beloved and avoid “pet debt,” ASPCA experts have drafted a list of ways to save money on your pet's veterinary care.
Don’t skip your pet’s yearly exam. Prevention is truly the best medicine—it’s much more expensive and risky to treat illnesses than to protect against them.
Personalize Your Pet’s Vaccines - talk to your vet about your pet’s vaccine protocol. Some vaccines are optional, while others are essential in preventing serious diseases
Keep your pet smiling by regularly brushing his teeth. Chronic dental problems can lead to heart and kidney disease and pricey procedures.
Pet insurance is a safety net, especially for those who can’t afford emergency vet visits. Research plans, but always read the fine print!
Overfeeding your pet is not only a strain on your wallet, but can lead to obesity and other costly medical conditions.
Spaying or neutering is an essential way to protect your pet. For females, it dramatically reduces the risk for breast cancer, and ovarian and uterine cancers disappear. Spaying and neutering saves untold future dollars in treatment, not to mention the economic burden of an unplanned litter.
If the unthinkable does occur, and you find yourself caring for a sick pet and facing a heap of bills, don’t panic. Check to see if your vet accepts Care Credit, a program that allows pet owners to make monthly payments—similar to a credit card. Before applying, however, be sure you can cover the card’s monthly balance to avoid the added burden of finance charges.
Protect Your Pet from Parasites - Flea and tick infestations can cause a host of costly medical problems from minor skin irritations to life-threatening anemia. Stick with a topical flea and tick solution to keep the critters at bay.
Toss the cigarettes, as secondhand smoke is no joke for pets. It can cause asthma, bronchitis, lymphoma and oral, nasal and lung cancers. Quit now and you’ll save money on vet bills. At the very least, avoid smoking around your pet.
Shop Smart by clipping coupons and buying in bulk. It’s also a good idea to shop veterinary practices by comparing fees for preventative care.
“Cutting back” shouldn’t have to extend to our loved ones’ care and well-being. Therefore, it’s essential to provide for our pets in a smart and savvy way. To read our experts’ complete list of ways to save money on vet care, visit www.aspca.org.
Talkin’ Turkey: Giving your furry friends a little nibble of turkey is okay, just be sure that it’s boneless and fully cooked. Raw or undercooked turkey may contain salmonella bacteria, and dogs can choke on bones, which splinter easily.
The SPCA of Texas urges pet owners not to feed bones from any type of fowl to their pets. Bones from cooked turkey, goose, chicken or duck are extremely dangerous. Smaller bones can be more brittle. Chewed bones can splinter and puncture internal organs or choke an animal to death. If your pet does swallow a bone and shows pain or gagging, rush it to your vet or a 24-hour pet clinic.
A Feast Fit for a Kong: While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Stuff their usual dinner—with a few added bits of turkey, dribbles of gravy or vegetables like sweet potato and green beans—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied trying to get their meal out, and way too busy to come begging for table scraps.
Sage Advice: This peppery herb makes stuffing taste delish, but sage also contains essential oils and resins that can cause pets to suffer stomach upset and possible depression of the central nervous system. Also, be sure to avoid giving potentially poisonous items such as garlic, onions or chocolate, as well as goodies sweetened with xylitol, which could lead to a sudden drop in blood sugar, causing seizures and even liver failure in some cases.
Guard the Trash: Be aware of uncovered trash containers. Dogs and cats can get hold of "cooking string" and the bones if the trash is not secured.
Battery Power: The holiday season means lots of cameras, radios and other battery-operated electronics. Please don’t leave batteries lying around. If swallowed, they can cause choking or obstruction; if punctured, the chemicals in alkaline batteries can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus.
