paw planet: July 2010

Cat Food Recall: Another Salmonella Alert

Posted on 12:29 AM No Comments
Labels: Animal News

Looks like the problem with this salmonella is increasing on pet foods. After some company issued a recall, here is another company that issue a recall on their pet food product. The Iams-brand pet food products, owned by the company Procter & Gamble voluntarily recall two lots of their Iams veterinary formula of cat food.

According the company recall, the affected shipments of 5.5-pound bags of Veterinary Formulas: Feline Renal have lot codes 01384174B4 or 013B4174B2. The Food and Drug Administration already identified a positive result in a random sample from those lot codes, luckily there are no related cases of Salmonella infection have been reported.

The company spokesman, Jason Taylor said he did not know the numbers of bags were involved in the recall. He said the product was distributed to veterinary offices throughout the United States. Procter & Gamble previously recalled all versions of their Iams ProActive Health cat food line in June. For customers who are seeking more information or a refund may call P&G at (877) 894-4458.

Dogs Prone to Die On Airline Flights

Posted on 11:42 PM No Comments
Labels: Animal News

The U.S. Department of Transportation warns people that travels by air with their dogs. According to them "Short-faced" dogs, like bulldogs and pugs are more prone to die during flight. Almost half of the 122 canines died while being transported by their owners as air cargo during the last five years, according to data the federal agency compiled. Most of the dogs that died were short-muzzled breeds.

The didn't say why short-faced dogs are not good on flight. But according Dan Bandy, chairman of the Bulldog Club of America's health committee: "A dog that has a long snout or a long muzzle has more surface area within its nasal cavity for that heat exchange to take place. So breeds like Labradors or collies or those types of dogs with the long muzzles have a more efficient cooling system."

Also according to the U.S. Humane Society said, one reason of death is because stressful experience for a dog while in flight. They are in crate, a small enclosed area. The noise and the unsettling experience. DOT advised people to check with their veterinarians about respiratory issues, genetic features and the overall medical condition of their animal before booking a trip.

Oscar: The lingerie Cat Burglar

Posted on 12:54 AM comments (2)
Labels: Animal News

A cat from Australia named Oscar, this 13-year old kitty is one odd cat that steals clothing from his neighbors and bring them home to his owners Peter and Birgitt Weismantel as presents, especially knickers. Peter said that Oscar started bringing socks home a few months ago and then gardening gloves which we tracked to our neighbor. Then we had a situation in which he brought back young women's underwear.

The stealing began to increase so they started call the police as people must have been missing clothes, especially with women's underwear being taken. So far, the cat burglar has swiped more than 70 items, from socks to rubber gloves. Last week, he brought home 10 pairs of children's underwear. The couple had been fostering the cat from a local shelter and now plan to adopt it, although they are yet to work out how to stop him from stealing.

Pet Food Recall: Another Salmonella Alert

Posted on 11:48 PM No Comments
Labels: Animal News

FDA is getting busy, because of this continues recalling of pet products for a possible salmonella contamination. This time two companies issued recalls for pet products, Merrick Pet Care and United Pet Group. Salmonella can cause serious damage in animals and even humans if there is cross-contamination.

Merick Pet Care recalled 86 cases of its 10oz "Beef Filet Squares for Dogs" pet treats (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10084TL7 BEST BY MARCH 24, 2012). The Beef Filet Squares were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the US. Whoever touch the treats can become infected with Salmonella if they have not thoroughly washed their hands or all surfaces exposed to this product immediately afterward. If you have purchased this product, you are advised to seal the unused portion in a bag and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. More details about the recall can visit: Merick Pet Care Website. You may also call company directly Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CST at at 1-800-664-7387.

United Pet Group also voluntarily expanded its recent recall of its Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement tablets for Dogs. United Pet Group recently announced a recall on this product. Read more about their recent recall here: Pet Dog Vitamins Salmonella Alert.

Oscar: The Bionic Cat

Posted on 12:44 AM No Comments
Labels: Animal News

An unfortunate feline name Oscar had an accident about nine months ago when a combine harvester ran him over while he napped in a field, severing the bottom part of his two back legs. But fortunately Oscar found a doctor who can fixed his amputated leg.

When Oscar lost his leg a local vet, Peter Haworth, consulted another vet, Noel Fitzpatrick of Surrey, England, who has an advanced practiced on Oscar case. After a few examination they found out that Oscar was a good candidate for a cutting-edge new procedure that Fitzpatrick had been developing, a bionic cat legs. It is called intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthetics (ITAPs), and they're drilled it right into Oscar's amputated leg. They protrude down as stumps while the other ends are designed so that his skin will grow around them, making a sterile seal.

The operation took about three hours and the ITAPs, costing £2000 each ($2,987). And because of the successful operation Oscar can now run and jump about as cats should do. Oscar's owners, Kate and Mike Nolan said "We had to do a lot of soul-searching and our main concern has always been whether this operation would be in Oscar's best interests and would give him a better quality of life."