The Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine has reported a problem with Vetsulin®, a Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health product used to treat diabetes in dogs and cats. If you use this product with your pet, you should contact your veterinarian. More information is available at: http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm188752.htm
Archive for the ‘Health Alert’ Category
FDA Reports Problem with Vetsulin® Insulin Product Used to Treat Diabetes in Dogs and Cats
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
Recall of Certain Lots of Wysong Maintenance and Senior Dog Food
Monday, October 19th, 2009On October 18th we learned that Wysong has recalled certain lots of their Maintenance and Senior dog food manufactured in June and July of 2009 due to mold being found in some of these bags of food. While both of these formulas are sold in the variety pack, no food in the variety pack has been affected. Specific lot numbers of affected food are listed below and should not be sold or fed.
Wysong MaintenanceTM: lot #: 090617
Wysong MaintenanceTM: lot #: 090624
Wysong MaintenanceTM: lot #: 090706
Wysong MaintenanceTM: lot #: 090720
Wysong SeniorTM: lot #: 090623
Lot numbers can be found on the top of the box and the bottom of the bag, although the latter can be hard to ready. If you need assistance, please let us know.
We have checked all of the food that we have in stock and none match the lot codes indicated above. It is possible that none of the affected food has even been in stock at Green Acres; however to safe we will be contacting all customers who have purchased Maintenance or Senior between June 1st and today.
I suggest you go to Wysong’s website (http://www.wysong.net/recall.php) for a complete explanation of the recall.
If you have any of the affected food which was purchased at Green Acres, you can return these bags to Green Acres where they can be exchanged for product with non-affected lot codes or we can issue you a refund.
The Rabies Challenge Fund Needs Your Help!
Saturday, August 8th, 2009This morning I received the following email from Kris Christine of The Rabies Challenge Fund. Our Golden Retriever Tikken had a serious reaction to a Rabies vaccine so I know firsthand how important this study is. Paula and I and Green Acres have been a supporter of the Rabies Challenge Fund since its inception. I hope you will consider supporting the fund as well.
Feline Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) in Shelter Cats and How You Can Help
Monday, July 27th, 2009Feline Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) is a highly contagious disease, in some ways similar to the common cold or flu in humans. Common signs of URI are: clear or colored nasal discharge, sneezing, red/inflamed conjunctiva, ulcers/sores on the nose, lips, tongue or gums and fever/lethargy/loss of appetite. The latter may also be a sign of other illnesses.
Most cats are at small risk for developing URI. The highest risk is for cats that spend time outdoors and cats that are housed in close contact with other cats such as at an animal shelter or cattery. URI may be caused by any of the following pathogens; Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1 - probably the most common), Feline Calicivirus (FCV - perhaps not as common as herpes, but potentially more severe), Chlamydophila felis, Mycoplasma spp. and Bordetella bronchiseptica.
The web site for the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine program states that URI is the most frustrating illness facing animal shelters. This is because URI is extremely contagious and because many of the cats that end up at a shelter are already compromised due to poor nutrition, parasites, stress and a suppressed immune system. When this is combined with the possibility of overcrowding, sub-standard air quality and sanitation, and the addition of the stress of being in a shelter, URI thrives.
Air quality can be a major factor in preventing URI. For several years Green Acres Kennel Shop has been using air cleaning systems made by EcoQuest in our kennel areas, cattery, retail store and home. These systems remove particulate matter from the air, reduce odors, and kill germs much like the natural processes found in sunlight and thunder storms.
Together with Breathing Easy, a local EcoQuest distributor, we are starting a fundraising campaign to raise $1500 to install one of these units in each of the Bangor Humane Society’s cat areas. By cleaning the air and killing germs these cleaners will be reducing two of the factors that contribute to the spread of URI at the Bangor Humane Society. So far we have raised $800 but need to raise an additional $700. If you would like to contribute to this worthwhile cause you may send your contribution to:
BHS Air Cleaner Fund
ATTN: Suzan Bell
693 Mount Hope Avenue
Bangor, ME 04401
References
http://www.sheltermedicine.com/portal/is_feline_upper_res.shtml
http://www.ecoquestintl.com/jano/
