FDA Warning on Dog Treats

If you use Merrick Beef Filet Squares manufactured by Merrick Pet Care, you need to be aware that some of the treats are contaminated with salmonella according to the Food and Drug Administration. Although they have not currently heard of any illnesses linked to these treats, there is a possibility of humans getting sick if they handle the snacks.

The affected Merrick Beef Filet Squares for dogs have a “best buy” label of 111911. The agency recommends that consumers who are unable to determine the “best by” date discontinue use of the product.

Products suspected of being contaminated should be discarded in a secure trash can with a lid.

Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!

Spay / Neuter Survey

USA Today published the results of a survey yesterday, asking people who have gotten dogs (and cats) in the last 12 months whether or not they’d had the pet spayed or neutered yet.  

[Read more]

Good dog advice from Heloise

Does your local paper carry “Hints from Heloise?”  Yes, I know, it’s mostly household advice like how to get stains out of your grandmother’s heirloom linens, but she does have a passion for animals, as well.   [Read more]

Healthy Dog Treats

Several of you have commented about serving your dog healthy food, whether it be a premium commercial food, home-cooked, or raw.  That’s great for his regular meals, but what do you do for treats?  It’s sometimes hard to strike a balance between rewarding your dog for a job well done and allowing your dog to get too fat.

[Read more]

Xylitol Warning

My local news last night reported on a pet ferret that got into a pack of sugar-free gum and died from eating the Xylitol it contained.  This seemed kind of far-fetched to me, so I checked it out.  Turns out this very common sugar-substitute is indeed fatal to animals.  I know my dogs have gotten into my purse to pull out gum before, but they are so big, I guess it wasn’t enough to hurt them. 

The Knowles Animal Clinic in Miami has this to say on the subject:

“Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is used in sugar-free products such as gum and candy, as well as for baking and is used in the production of certain low-carbohydrate products now on the market.

As early as the 1960’s, experiments indicated a link between the ingestion of xylitol

and hypoglycemia in dogs. However, it has only been recently that the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has begun to receive reports of xylitol toxicosis in dogs. It is believed that this recent rise is likely due to the increased use of products containing xylitol in the United States.”

 

When a dog eats Xylitol, it causes a huge insulin rush, throwing the dog into a coma similar to how a diabetic ends up when his blood sugar gets too low.  In as little as 30 minutes, your dog may begin to show the symptoms such as : 

•  

  • Weakness

  • Vomiting

  • Ataxia (uncoordinated movements)

  • Depression

  • Hypokalemia (decreased potassium)

  • Seizures

  • Coma

  • Liver dysfunction and/or failure

                              Pretty scary stuff!

  

So, until next time, keep that sugar-free candy and gum away from all of your pets.

 

Good day, and good dog!