What's Up With All The Recalls?

A record number of pet food recalls has happened in the past year. Contrary, to thinking that the pet food manufacturers are not working harder to prevent positive test for Salmonella and other bacteria in their products, just the opposite is true. Just about every food manufacturer now has a "test and hold" program in place. No product gets released for resale until it comes back with a negative test for Salmonella. So, why do the recalls keep happening?
Turns out the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act  which became a law in January, 2011 is to "ensure the US food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it."  Hence, the FDA is testing more foods. The more you look the more you find.
In March 2013, an FDA directive explains why we've had so many pet food, treats, and pet nutritional supplements recalls lately. FDA agents were instructed to collect and analyze 300 samples for Salmonella in the pet food industry. They specifically were looking at pet items that are fed in the homes and were directly handled or ingested by humans. So, from March through September 2013 the FDA did their job.
Salmonella has been with us humans and our furry friends for thousands of years. As long as a pet food manufacturer uses good ingredients and good practices we'll survive minor contamination. Just remember to wash the raw chicken off your kitchen counter while preparing your families dinner.

FDA Update on Jerky Treats Making Our Pets Sick

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."

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.

What FDA Is Doing

More than 1,200 jerky pet treat samples have been tested since 2011 from antibiotics to metals, pesticides and Salmonella. 

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."

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

Oct. 22, 2013

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If Your Dog Is Walking Slower It May Be More Than Old Age

Thanks to some great nutrition available to our dogs our canine friends are living longer these days. My Moms' dog (on Pet 's Healthy Choice food) just passed away at age 17.  The passing of time also can bring on inflammatory diseases like arthritis. This can make it difficult to get up, walk without hurting and have playtime. Most dogs will take those long walks with you and that afternoon be unable to move off the floor, or in the case of my dogs' off the couch.

Today, there are so many great supplements to help. I really like adding glucosamine to my dogs' diet. There are several ways to do that. Some people choose regular people glucosamine for their dogs. I prefer a more flavorful way with a product that includes even more benefits. The right glucosamine dosage for dogs depends on various factors.  The main factor is the dog’s weight.  Generally speaking, a dog that weighs under 10 lbs. should only take 300 mg of glucosamine daily; dogs that weigh from 11-29 lbs. should have twice this much.  Dogs that weigh from 30-59 lbs. should have 1200 mg of glucosamine daily, and dogs that weigh from 60-120 lbs. should have a dosage of 1800 mg. My product of choice is  The Missing Link it is a sprinkle and you use one teaspoon per 25 lbs of dog. The other benefits include omegas for joint and heart health and a beautiful coat. It also has flaxseed for the immune system along with the glucosamine. I have used The Missing Link for over ten years now and it works wonderfully.
Most of our clients who use it come back with some amazing stories about how their dogs are moving so much better. Recently, one dog was having such trouble getting up the stairs they tried the sprinkle now they are so thankful they discovered this product. With Winter soon approaching, it's time for you to consider adding this to your furry friends diet for a comfortable aging process. Recent science tells us not to wait until symptoms appear but, to include it after age two years old as a preventative for our pets.The Missing Link a great product to keep out furry friends happy and healthy! Call, email or stop by our store for more information.

Hairballs! Yuck!

Cats get hairballs. They just do. Ok, so what to do about them? First, make sure you're feeding a high quality kibble, canned or raw diet. Fiber is the key to less frequent hairballs. In the wild, cats took care to add fiber with yes, feathers and fur while eating their prey.  Today, if your feline is indoors and not out hunting make sure to add fiber to the diet if you are having frequent hairball issues. Read the cat food label to look at the fiber content within the guaranteed analysis. 8% is a good number. If you are wanting to add more fiber to the diet you can accomplish that with pumpkin (canned with no sugar, please) or veggies. Although, most cats are not into veggies (kinda like the kids). Cats are carnivores and as meat eaters that is what excites them. If all else fails, there are natural supplements on the market today to help. NutraVet makes a hairball gel that works. If you have any questions, just let us know we're here to help! Furry Friends Inc.