| Up To Date News In Health |
| Pet Treat Warning Because more cases of human salmonella infection are being traced to pet treats made out of natural animal parts, the Centers for Disease Control are calling for pet stores and treat manufacturers to take steps to reduce the transmission of bacteria from these items. Nine pet owners developed salmonellosis in 2004 and 2005 after handling dehydrated salmon or beet pet treats from two different manufacturers. The Food and Drug Administration initiated annual nationwide testing of pet treats for salmonellae in 2004. In 1999 a person in Canada developed a salmonella infection linked to pig-ear treats. |
| Sweetener Could Be Toxic to Dogs Xylitol, a sweetener found in sugar-free gums, candies, baked goods, and other products can cause serious and even life-threatening problems for pets. The ASPCA’s Poison Control Center handled over 170 cases involving products containing xylitol. An increase from 2004 when they managed 70 such cases. By June 2006 the Center had handled over 114 cases. There appears to be a strong link between xylitol ingestion and liver failure in dogs. Symptoms can develop in less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product. Smaller concentrations could be delayed as much as 12 hours. Dogs ingesting significant amounts of items sweetened with xylitol could develop a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures. |
| Pets Made Sick by Boot Spray A waterproofing boot spray has sickened nearly 200 humans and two dozen pets in the Midwest since early last year. A 69-year- old Michigan man was put on a ventilator and hospitalized for 19 days. Three house cats died after exposure to the aerosol products. Most cases have been linked to two Canadian products – Jobsite Heavy Duty Bootmate and Rocky Boot Weather and Stain Protector. |
| Agency Reports Kids, Pets Injured by Shredders The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has received 50 reports of injuries to children and pets from paper shredders. Five reports involved dogs that had their tongues caught in shredders. As Americans have become more aware of the dangers of identity theft, millions of them have purchased electric paper shredders. The Commission recommends that shredders should be kept in places where children and pets cannot reach them, and to always unplug them when not in use. |
| A website for holistic business services is up and running in the U.S. Free for visitors, Holistic Local also lists events, courses and articles. For more information visit www.holisticlocal.com |
| A collagen-based supplement is shown to restore joint health to dogs with hip dysplasia. The supplement containing kolla2 collagen has been shown, in a limited research study, to restore normal mobility and normal hip joint cartilage to a dog with hip dysplasia. AnthroPet is produced by NeoCell Corp. in Newport Beach, CA. |
| Novartis Animal Health U.S. Inc has launched a new website for dog owners about atopic dermatitis. The website, www.us.atopica.com, features pet info and down loadable literature. |
| Dogs with weak or thin corneas should wear harnesses instead of collars, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Assn. The study found that intraocular pressure increased in the eyes of dogs that pulled against a collar but did not increase with a harness. Increased intraocular pressure can cause health problems in dogs with weak corneas and glaucoma. |
| Contrary to popular belief, a recent study shows that vegetable-based ingredients do not increase the risk of bloat. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association show that feeding vegetable-based ingredients to large and giant breed dogs does not increase their risk of developing gastric dilation-volvulus, or bloat. The study also found that dry foods containing an oil or fat among the four main ingredients were associated with a 2.4 fold increased risk of bloat. Whether increasing amounts of dietary fats increases the risk of GDV perhaps by weighing down the stomach and stretching its supportive ligaments is not yet known. |
