RECALLED: Name Brand Wet Canned Dog Food

Mars Petcare has announced it has initiated a voluntary recall of a limited number of Cesar Filet Mignon Flavor wet dog food due to a potential choking risk from small pieces of plastic which entered the food during the production process.


What’s Recalled?

Cesar Classics Filet Mignon can be purchased individually as well as in flavor variety multipacks.

The affected dog food can be identified by checking the Best Before and Lot Code on the product lid.

Each product will have a lot code printed on the side of the tray that begins with 631FKKC or 631GKKC and best before date that falls between 08/04/18 and 08/05/18.

The Cesar Classics Filet Mignon Flavor can also be found in variety packs with the following lot codes:

• 632D14JC 
• 633B24JC 
• 634A14JC 
• 634A24JC 
• 634B14JC 
• 634B24JC 
• 634E14JC 
• 635A24JC 
• 635B14JC 
• 636D24JC 
• 636E14JC 

The Lot Codes listed above are the only affected products. All other Cesar products can be safely consumed.

Why the Recall?

Select packages of this product may contain small pieces of plastic, which entered the food during the production process.

What to Do?

Mars Petcare encourages consumers who have purchased affected product to discard the food or return it to the retailer for a full refund or exchange.

While a small number of consumers have reported finding the plastic pieces, we have not received any reports of injury or illness associated with the affected product.

At Mars Petcare, we take our responsibility to pets and their owners seriously and are working with all of our distributors and retail customers to ensure the recalled products are no longer sold and are removed from inventory.

Consumers can reach the company at 800-421-6456.

U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

Canadians can report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.

To see all Recalls click here.

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FDA ALERT: Toxic Treats Still Making Dogs Sick and Dying

Toxic jerky treats continue to make dogs ill nine years after the problem was discovered. As of the end of 2015, over 6,000 dogs had been made ill, and another 1,100 had died after eating
tainted jerky-type treats imported from China.

No brand names are mentioned in the latest FDA update, however, it’s worth noting that recalled treats were only off store shelves for a year — they were returned to the marketplace in early 2014.

To keep your pet safe, buy only treats entirely sourced and made in the U.S., or better still, make your own chicken jerky pet treats at home (it’s quick and easy).

It’s been awhile since my last update on the toxic jerky treats imported from China, that since 2007 have made thousands of dogs ill and resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 furry family members.

According to a Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) news release in June 2016:

“Dogs are still becoming ill after eating jerky-type treats, although illness reports have declined.”1

Dogs are STILL becoming ill! If like me, you’ve been following this debacle for the last nine years, I’m sure you’re just as angry and frustrated as I am.

FDA’s Most Recent Update

In mid-May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published an update on its ongoing (essentially useless) investigation into the issue.

Since the FDA began its search for answers in 2007, as of the end of 2015, the agency had received over 5,000 complaints of illness caused by chicken, duck or sweet potato jerky treats made with ingredients imported from China.

Those complaints involved over 6,200 dogs, 26 cats and three people (including two toddlers). Tragically, over 1,100 of the 6,200 dogs ultimately died after eating the tainted treats.

Illegal Drug Residue Contamination

The FDA’s investigation into suspect treat samples uncovered the existence of illegal residues from several antibiotics that aren’t approved for use in poultry in the U.S. These include sulfaclozine, tilmicosin, trimethoprim and enrofloxacin, plus the approved-for-use drug sulfaquinoxaline.

The investigation also found illegal residues of the anti-viral drugs amantadine, rimantadine and memantine, which are approved for use in chickens, ducks and turkeys.

To clarify — even though some of the drugs the FDA discovered are approved for use in poultry in this country, the residues from those drugs should not be detectable in food products made from poultry. That’s why the residues are described as “illegal.”

Predictably, neither the FDA nor treat manufacturers believe the illegal drug residues were what caused sickness and death in so many pets.

As Usual, No Treat Brands Are Listed

The FDA offers the usual vague advice to pet parents in its most recent update:

“The agency continues to caution pet owners that jerky pet treats are not required for a balanced diet, and encourage them to consult with their veterinarians if they notice symptoms in their pets, such as decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus), increased water consumption and/or increased urination.

The majority of complaints involve chicken jerky (treats, tenders and strips), but others include duck, sweet potato and treats where chicken or duck jerky is wrapped around dried fruits, sweet potatoes, yams or rawhide.”

To no one’s surprise, in their most recent updates, neither the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) nor the FDA lists the specific treats that continue to make dogs ill.

However, back in 2012 a major media outlet was able to obtain internal FDA documents through a public records request that named names, including Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch jerky treats (made by Nestle Purina), and Milo’s Kitchen Home-Style Dog Treats (made by Del Monte, renamed Big Heart).3

Once the names were made public, followed by detection of the illegal drug residues, Nestle Purina and Del Monte did a voluntary recall of jerky treats in early 2013. However, a year later they were back on store shelves. Per NBC News in January 2014:

“Two of the top-selling brands of jerky treats for pets will soon return to U.S. store shelves, a year after a nationwide recall and with government experts no closer to solving the mystery that has linked the products to hundreds of animal deaths and thousands of illnesses.”

Nestle Purina put their still-made-in-China Waggin’ Train treats back on store shelves in February 2014, and Del Monte returned their treats to the market the following month.

Del Monte claims its Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Jerky Strips and Chicken Grillers Recipe treats are made from “U.S.-sourced meat,” and Nestle has announced that in addition to their China-supplied treats, they will also introduce “new products sourced entirely in the U.S.”

Worried pet owners, animal advocates and veterinarians weren’t happy about seeing the treats back on store shelves, since there’s really no information about what changes, if any, the pet treat producers made to their products.

It may or may not be these particular treats that continue to cause dogs to get sick, but I’d certainly never recommend or offer them to my own pets.

Why Risk Your Pet’s Health When Making Your Own Jerky Pet Treats Is a Snap?

Nine years and counting is far too long for a situation like this to drag on. Thousands of pets and their heartbroken families have paid a heavy price, and it is incredibly frustrating to know that dogs are still becoming ill from tainted treats.

If you are a pet guardian, please don’t buy or feed chicken jerky treats, chicken tenders, chicken strips or chicken treats made in China to your pet. Buy only food and treats sourced and made entirely in the U.S.

Better yet, why risk your pet’s health with store-bought treats when it’s so simple to make homemade chicken jerky treats in your own kitchen? All you need is a basic dehydrator and a package of free-range organic chicken breasts to make all-natural, entirely safe chicken jerky your pets will love.

Homemade Chicken Jerky Recipe

Ingredients:

Free-range organic chicken breasts

Directions:

• Slice chicken breasts into half-inch strips and place on dehydrator tray
• Dehydrate at 145 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours
• Reduce temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit for another four hours or until meat is thoroughly dry

Store in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.

By Dr. Becker
Image submitted by PNM

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How To Quickly Stop Dog Barking

Here’s a list of six techniques that can help stop your dog from barking. While all of them can be very successful, you shouldn’t expect miraculous results overnight.

The longer your dog has been practicing the barking behavior, the longer it will take for him to change his ways.

Some of these training techniques require you to have an idea as to why your dog barks. We can help you get some insight into what is behind the bark.

Always remember to keep these tips in mind while training:

• Don’t yell at your dog to be quiet—it just sounds like you’re barking along with him.
• Keep your training sessions positive and upbeat.
• Be consistent so you don’t confuse your dog.
• Everyone in your family must apply the training methods every time your dog barks inappropriately.
• You can’t let your dog get away with inappropriate barking some times and not others.

Six ways to control your dog’s barking:

1. Remove the motivation

Your dog gets some kind of reward when he barks. Otherwise, he wouldn’t do it. Figure out what he gets out of barking and remove it. Don’t give your dog the opportunity to continue the barking behavior.

Example: barking at passersby

If he barks at people or animals passing by the living room window, manage his behavior by closing the curtains or putting your dog in another room.

If he barks at passersby when he’s in the yard, bring him into the house. Never leave your dog outside unsupervised all day and night.

2. Ignore the barking

Ignore your dog’s barking for as long as it takes him to stop.

That means don’t give him any attention at all while he’s barking.

Your attention only rewards him for being noisy.

Don’t talk to him, don’t touch him, and don’t even look at him. When he finally quiets, even to take a breath, reward him with a treat.

To be successful with this method, you must wait as long as it takes for him to stop barking.

If he barks for an hour and you finally get so frustrated that you yell at him to be quiet, the next time he’ll probably bark for an hour and a half. He learns that if he just barks long enough you’ll give him attention.

Example: barking when confined

When you put your dog in his crate or in a gated room, turn your back and ignore him.

Once he stops barking, turn around, praise him, and give him a treat.

As he catches on that being quiet gets him a treat, lengthen the amount of time he must remain quiet before being rewarded.

Remember to start small by rewarding him for being quiet for just a few seconds, then working up to longer periods of quiet.

Keep it fun by varying the amount of time. Sometimes reward him after 5 seconds, then 12 seconds, then 3 seconds, then 20 seconds, and so on.

3. Desensitize your dog to the stimulus

Gradually get your dog accustomed to whatever is causing him to bark. Start with the stimulus (the thing that makes him bark) at a distance.

It must be far enough away that he doesn’t bark when he sees it.

Feed him lots of good dog treats. Move the stimulus a little closer (perhaps as little as a few inches or a few feet to start) and feed treats.

If the stimulus moves out of sight, stop giving your dog treats. You want your dog to learn that the appearance of the stimulus leads to good things (treats!).

Example: barking at dogs

Have a friend with a dog stand out of sight or far enough away so your dog won’t bark at the other dog.

As your friend and her dog come into view, start feeding your dog lots of very yummy treats.

Stop feeding treats as soon as your friend and her dog disappear from view.

Repeat the process multiple times.

Remember not to try to progress too quickly as it may take days or weeks before your dog can pay attention to you and the treats without barking at the other dog.

4. Teach your dog the “quiet” command

It may sound nonsensical, but the first step of this technique is to teach your dog to bark on command.

Give your dog the command to “speak,” wait for him to bark two or three times, and then stick a tasty treat in front of his nose.

When he stops barking to sniff the treat, praise him and give him the treat. Repeat until he starts barking as soon as you say “speak.”

Once your dog can reliably bark on command, teach him the “quiet” command. In a calm environment with no distractions, tell him to “speak.”

When he starts barking, say “quiet” and stick a treat in front of his nose.

Praise him for being quiet and give him the treat.

Example: someone at the door

When the doorbell rings, your dog alerts you to the presence of an “intruder” by barking wildly.

Once you’ve taught your dog the “quiet” command in a calm environment, practice in increasingly distracting situations until your dog can immediately stop barking when asked to, even when that “intruder” arrives at the door.

5. Ask your dog for an incompatible behavior

When your dog starts barking, ask him to do something that’s incompatible with barking.

Teaching your dog to react to barking stimuli with something that inhibits him from barking, such as lying down in his bed.

Example: someone at the door

Toss a treat on his mat and tell him to “go to your place.”

When he’s reliably going to his mat to earn a treat, up the ante by opening the door while he’s on his mat. If he gets up, close the door immediately.

Repeat until he stays on his mat while the door opens.

Then increase the difficulty by having someone ring the doorbell while your dog is on his mat.

Reward him if he stays in place.

6. Keep your dog tired

Make sure your dog is getting sufficient physical and mental exercise every day.

A tired dog is a good dog and one who is less likely to bark from boredom or frustration.

Depending on his breed, age, and health, your dog may require several long walks as well as a good game of chasing the ball and playing with some interactive toys.

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The Garden Threat That Few Pet Owners Know About

A persistent and motivated dog or cat can get into virtually anything — a closed cabinet, a garbage can, your closet or your purse, for instance.

Some pet owners learn this the hard way, after a pet chews up a favorite shirt or, worse, gets sick from ingesting something toxic.

Pet-proofing your home is absolutely imperative if you have pets. The lengths you go to should depend on your pet’s age (puppies and kittens are apt to chew and nibble with reckless abandon) and temperament, but there are some poisons that you need to be aware of, regardless — i.e., plants.

Many seemingly innocuous plants can be deadly to pets, and plants can be attractive to cats and dogs looking to sample them for a treat or due to boredom.

In 2015, nearly 5 percent of the calls made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA) Poison Control Center were due to indoor and outdoor plants.

Top 5 Poisonous Indoor Plants

1. Araceae Plant Family (Insoluble Calcium Oxalates)

Many popular houseplants contain insoluble calcium oxalates, which are toxic to dogs and cats. The crystals cause severe mouth pain, irritation and burning, which may cause your pet to drool or paw at her mouth.

Vomiting may also be seen. Offering milk or yogurt to your pet may help to lessen symptoms, but if your pet continues to show signs of pain, seek veterinary help. Examples of plants that contain insoluble calcium oxalates include:

• Caladium, also known as malanga, elephant’s ears, stoplight, mother-in-law plant, Texas wonder, angel wings and pink cloud

• Dumbcane, also known as charming dieffenbachia, tropic snow and exotica

• Peace likely, calla lily, sweetheart vine, devil’s ivy, umbrella plant and arrowhead vine

2. English Shamrock (Soluble Calcium Oxalates)

Soluble calcium oxalates, which are also found in rhubarb leaves and tropical star fruit, can lead to low calcium concentrations that can be deadly. Ingestion may also lead to the formation of calcium oxalate crystals in the kidneys, lead to kidney damage.

Symptoms of poisoning include drooling, loss of appetite, vomiting, tremors, lethargy and abnormal urination.

3. Kalanchoe (Cardiac Glycosides)

This houseplant’s succulent leaves and bright flowers make them popular gifts, but they contain cardiac glycosides that are poisonous to dogs and cats.

Consuming this plant can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, heart failure, electrolyte abnormalities, seizures, tremors and death.

4. Corn Plant/Dragon Tree (Saponins)

Ingesting this plant may lead to vomiting, drooling and diarrhea, along with lethargy and dilated pupils. Symptoms are typically minor, but if your pet seems uncomfortable or you’re not sure what type of plant she consumed, seek veterinary care.

5. Spring Flower Bulbs

While the flowers and leaves of popular spring flowers (that are often brought into the house in the spring) are generally non-toxic, consuming the bulb can lead to vomiting and diarrhea.

Consuming larger amounts of the bulbs may lead to a foreign body obstruction and, rarely, low blood pressure, tremors and seizures.

If you bring spring flower bulbs (daffodils, hyacinth, tulips, etc.) into your home (or plant them in your yard), keep a close eye to be sure your pet leaves them alone.

Top 4 Poisonous Outdoor Plants

1. Sago Palm (Cyasin)

This popular plant, also known as coontie palm, cardboard palm, cycads and zamias contain toxic cyasin.

It’s toxic to dogs, cats and horses and may lead to symptoms including vomiting, jaundice, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, seizures, coma, liver damage, liver failure and death.

Just one or two seeds are enough to cause poisoning and may be deadly in dogs without immediate treatment. Sago palms are popular outdoors in the southern U.S. and may also be found as houseplants.

2. Lilies

Lilies are highly toxic to cats. This includes many varieties, including day lilies, Easter lilies, tiger lilies, Asiatic lilies and more.

Consuming small amounts of any part of this plant, including just two or three leaves or petals or even water from a vase of the flowers, can lead to death from kidney failure in cats.

Symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, depression, kidney failure and death. Aggressive treatment including decontamination (inducing vomiting) and fluid diuresis may save your cat’s life, so seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

3. Foxglove (Cardiac Glycosides)

Foxglove contains caridac glycosides that are toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Consuming this plant can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, heart failure and death.

Other plants that contain cardiac glycosides include oleander, lily of the valley, dogbane and milkweed.

4. Blue-Green Algae

Toxic blue-green algae in ponds and lakes may produce harmful compounds including microcystins and anatoxins. The former, microcystins, may lead to liver damage or liver failure while anatoxins cause neurotoxicity.

This may lead to death due to respiratory paralysis. Signs and symptoms of exposure to these toxins include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Blood in the stool or tarry stool
• Weakness
• Pale mucous membranes
• Jaundice
• Seizures
• Disorientation
• Coma
• Shock
• Excessive salivation
• Neurologic signs (muscle tremors, muscle rigidity and paralysis)
• Blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes
• Difficulty breathing

Dogs are especially at risk from blue-green algae because they may wade or swim in affected waterways. While swimming, dogs often consume a lot of water (especially if they’re retrieving a toy or stick). They may also ingest the algae by licking their fur after they get out of the pond.

Even breathing in droplets of air contaminated with the algae can cause illness, so if you notice it, don’t let your pets anywhere near the area.

Other animals may also be affected, including horses, cattle, sheep, goats and llamas. Although cats may also be harmed by the algae, they’re not typically exposed because they rarely swim in ponds and lakes.

If your pet has come into contact with blue-green algae, rinse him with fresh water and immediately seek emergency veterinary care.

If in Doubt, Seek Emergency Veterinary Care

If your pet eats a plant that you suspect may be poisonous, don’t wait. It can be difficult to distinguish poisonous varieties from non-toxic plants, and waiting could be the difference between life and death for your pet. If you’re not sure whether the plant is poisonous, it’s best to seek veterinary attention just in case.

You can also consult the ASPCA’s database of toxic and non-toxic plants, which you can search to find out if the plant your pet consumed warrants a trip to the emergency vet.

Click here for the Poison Hotline

In addition, if your pet consumes a potentially toxic plant or other poisonous substance, call your local veterinarian, emergency veterinary clinic or ASPCA’s 24-hour emergency poison hotline at 1-888-426-4435 to find out what next steps to take.

Also, it’s best to be proactive. If you have any poisonous plants in or outside your home in an area where your pet can access, remove them before your pet decides to take a taste.

By Dr. Beck

Image submitted by PNM

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