Chagrin Falls; Ohio-August 20, 2008 Anthrax has been reported as the cause of death in a bull and several bison from a herd on a ranch near Ted Turner’s Flying D Ranch.

Three weeks ago, the outbreak began and since then no further cases of anthrax have been reported outside of Turner’s Flying D Ranch.

To date, 257 bison have also died due to the naturally occurring anthrax on Turner’s ranch and, the number of bison deaths per day has been steadily falling for the past nine days, according to officials at state Department of Livestock. Gallatin County Commissioners have announced that they will reopen Spanish Creek Road Friday evening. Officials warn that the area will remain under livestock quarantine.

People traveling on Spanish Creek Road should keep pets inside vehicles and horses should not be unloaded until travelers reach the U.S. Forest Service campgrounds. The area will remain under livestock quarantine for 42 days after the last death attributed to anthrax.

Anthrax of this type is naturally occurring and can lie dormant in the soil for decades before it becomes active under certain weather conditions like heavy rains followed by drought. Unfortunately there is no way of knowing when or where the disease will pop up in the future.

Efforts to limit the outbreak has been a cooperation of a number of agencies and the Flying D Ranch went to extraordinary measures to get the anthrax contained, according to the Department of Livestock.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest news and information to keep your dogs and cats healthy. Veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M. is available for consultation toll free at 1-866-372-2765.

Domestic animals, including dogs, cats, cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, and swine can transmit a variety of diseases to people. These are called Zoonotic Diseases. Noteworthy Zoonotic diseases include: Cat Scratch Fever, Wool Sorters Diseases, Milker’s Nodules, Q Fever, Ringworm, and Rabies. Anthrax, Parrot Fever and Salmonella also fall into this group.

Salmonella is a bacteria that causes severe diarrhea, and is a common cause of food poisoning. Chicken eggs can carry salmonella. Dogs, cats, birds and reptiles can also be carriers. Pets that carry Salmonella may or may not show signs but people become very ill. People that contract Salmonella are usually plagued with severe vomiting and intractable diarrhea which in some cases can be fatal. Transmission is by direct contact with pets, pet cages, living areas or food contaminated by Salmonella.

Preventative measures include, cleaning your pet’s living area thoroughly and washing your hands well with soap and water after handling contaminated pets, food or living areas. Be sure to contact your veterinarian and family physician for treatment.

Bookmark veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M. and www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news and updates for your dog and cat.

Another Pet Food Recall? In Southern California this past week, Pedigree recalled dry dog food due to Salmonella contamination. Although this recall appears to be small and contained, owners question Pet Food Safety and Mars Pet care

August 16, 2008 Chagrin Falls, Ohio – Just when pet owners hoped to be able to trust commercial pet foods on the shelf, Pedigree pet food sent to Albertsons and Costco stores is being recalled because of contamination with Salmonella, the California Department of Public Health said Tuesday.
Pedigree Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites is the specific line being recalled.

Last week, the pet food contaminated with salmonella was shipped to a Pedigree facility in Tracy, Calif., and used in the production of several bags of dry dog food.

20-pound bags of tainted pet food were shipped to Albertsons supermarkets in Southern California and 52-pound bags were sent to Costco stores statewide.

The code for the contaminated dog food sold at Albertsons is 830BFCAT02. The food sold at Costco has lot numbers of 831BFCAT02 and 830DFCAT02. Both have “best by” dates of 7/2009.
Mars said pet owners should dispose of the product in a secure container and return the empty bag to the store where it was purchased for a refund.

Salmonella is a contagious bacteria that causes serious to fatal abdominal illness, with signs including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and explosive diarrhea, in both people and pets.
People who do not adequately wash their hands after handling the contaminated pet food are also at risk of contracting the disease.

Pets that show no obvious signs of illness can still spread the disease to other animals and people. Owners whose pets have eaten any of the recalled food should contact their veterinarian.
Details of the pedigree dog food recall are available by calling (877) 568-4463 or logging onto the Mars web site www.petcare.mars.com.

Bookmark veterinarian Dr. Carol Osborne and www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news for your dog and cat. Dr. Carol is available for consultation toll free at 1-866-372-2765.

BEWARE OF DR. FRANK’S JOINT PAIN RELIEF’ FOR DOGS & CATS

False Claims for Homeopathic Pet Remedy

August 2008: The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business
A bureau has recommended that Dr. Franks, which manufactures a wide range of homeopathic remedies, modify or discontinue certain advertising claims for “Dr. Frank’s Joint Pain Relief for Dogs and Cats.”

NAD, the advertising industry’s self-regulatory forum, examined the claims and recommended discontinuing them.

NAD reviewed a wide range of advertising claims for the product, including claims made in broadcast and Internet advertising. Claims at issue in the broadcast advertising included:

• “You spray, your pet drinks, and the pain stops everywhere – it’s that simple.”
• “Never before have these nine homeopathic ingredients been combined to stop inflammation,
pain and stiffness.”
• “Now with Dr. Frank’s spray, you can stop their suffering … stop your pet’s pain.”
• “I’m Dr. Ken Frank and I guarantee that if you spray this natural and safe formula in your
pet’s water bowl daily – it will stop the pain.”
• “You spray, your pet drinks, and they live pain free.”
• “… spray away your pet’s pain in days … put an end to your pet’s pain.”

Website claims included:

• “Dr. Frank’s Joint Pain Relief for Dogs & Cats is specially formulated to stop joint pain.”
• “Relieves mild to [severe] chronic joint and muscle pain.”
• “Works for all joint pain – no matter what the cause.”
• “stops the pain of your dog or cat …watch them run up the stairs, run on the beach and stop
limping.”

In reaching its decision, NAD considered the advertiser’s position that the claims at issue identify the product as a homeopathic remedy and specify that the claims are based on homeopathic research, thereby creating an expectation in consumers that the type of research and evidence supporting the product is homeopathic in nature.

NAD determined, however, that the claims at issue do not adequately inform consumers that the product is a homeopathic remedy or provide consumers with information about the meaning of “homeopathic.”

NAD noted that the record did not include evidence that would demonstrate consumers distinguish between homeopathic and allopathic research and remedies.
NAD has consistently held that the nature and extent of claims made by an advertiser should mirror the precision and specificity of the data relied on as substantiation. In this case, NAD determined that the evidence in the record did not support the advertiser’ specific performance and efficacy claims, and recommended the claims at issue be discontinued.

NAD recommended that the advertiser discontinue the testimonials containing product performance claims, as they appear on its Website.

NAD further concluded that, under the circumstances of this case, “an historical or traditional use” claim would not be appropriate for the advertised homeopathic product and the specific performance and efficacy claims presented.

Finally, NAD noted its appreciation for the advertiser’s voluntary and permanent discontinuation of the claim “Doctor Recommended,” a change reflected on the product packaging depicted at the advertiser’s Website. However, NAD observed that the product packaging has not been replaced on all pages of the site and recommended that the advertiser continue its efforts to ensure that this modification is made consistently throughout the site.

In its advertiser’s statement, the company noted that while it “intends to work to modify its
advertising to comport with NAD’s recommendations, it strenuously disagrees with the decision.”

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for up to date pet health information, news and tips to keep your dogs and cats healthy, safe and well.

Sharing this note about a Non-Healing Leg Wound in a Dog
My Golden Retriever was hit by a car on June 20; had to have one back leg amputated.

The remaining back leg had a degloving injury on lower paw. He later developed a bad ulcer at the inner aspect of that joint from the bandage and from apparently chewing on it even though he had an E collar on 99% of the time. The latter wound is worse now than the degloving injury.

He is 7 weeks post op from the amputation and repair of paw. Surgeon said to come in for dressing changes in 5 days (after the dressing change 2 days ago) even though the wound is not healing well; it is not infected at this point though. It gets better, then he develops another bandage related ulcer and we go backward again.

He continues on Cephalexin; now is on tranquilizers to keep him sedated and keep off of it. Continues w/ E collar.

I just changed the dressing (they gave me enough for one dressing change, I am an RN with 30 years of OR experience, but not as a dog nurse!) There is another ulcerated area over the paw now.

They are putting Telfa w/ Silvadene on it against the open wounds (joint wound is about the 4 cm long and 2 cm wide) on the inner aspect of the first joint up from the paw)

My questions are these;

Q: How often is ideal to do these dressing changes? I feel they are not being done often enough.

A: Every 3-5 days

Q: They are using Telfa w/ Silvadene, Soft roll-like wrap, Kling, the Vet Wrap (all 4″.) in that order.

A: That’s fine

Q: Would you recommend wiping/ minimal irrigating the wound w/Hibilclens mixture before changing it each time? Two weeks ago I had to take him in on Saturday (d/t no surgeon on call) and that vet did that vet used some powder in the wound rather than Silvadene. The surgeon said he finds the powder has more incidences of infections.

A: Flush it with lactated ringers or .9% NACL solution and avoid powder

Q: Any special food or supplements that could promote healing? He weighs 75#.

A: An organic or homemade diet and PAAWS vitamin supplement ill boost internal immunity and promote healing

I hope you are able to see this and provide some help.

We had Barkley in again today for another dressing change; some improvement in wounds.
It is interesting, just as amongst people surgeons, there are various opinions and ways of doing things. The Vet today said weekly bandage changes are better than even every other day, as long as Barkley is not favoring that leg and seems comfortable, due to giving more time for granulation tissue to develop. He said removing the bandage peels off that layer if done too often.

Do you concur with that?

He also said no dog food is better than another including grocery store brands and would not recommend any supplements.

Again, thank you so much for your response.

Hi Barb,

I agree that weekly bandage changes are fine. The diet answer is incorrect. You are what you eat and so is your dog! Nutrition is vital to health and critical to healing. The supplement answer is also incorrect. As a veterinarian for 20+years I can tell you that diet and supplements make a huge difference in both overall health and the body’s ability to heal itself. The vast majority of veterinarians unfortunately are not trained in either nutrition or supplements.

A good organic or home-made diet along with a natural vitamin supplement like PAAWS will boost internal immunity, enhance overall wellness and promote healing and recovery of your dog’s wound.
I am glad to talk to you and am available toll free at 1-866-372-2765

Thank you,
Dr Carol.

Hi Dr. Carol,

I have forgotten how long Gizmo has been a customer of your Vitalife vitamin supplement, but being a Pekingese, a breed that suppose to have several gene problems, Gizmo has been doing so well being on Vitalife Vitamins for so long now. The product was at first to me pricy, but now as the years go by; to me it is now priceless. I can’t think of even giving Gizmo, whom I love the most in this world, my baby, anything other than the best.

Gizmo is now 14 years old still acting like he is a puppy. I can’t be any happier. I am so glad I trusted your product enough to order way back. Every time we go to the Vet, they are amazed with Gizmo’s energy.

The picture attached was taken last Christmas, Gizmo was licking his chops, because he thought all the gifts were his, ha-ha-ha.

Gizmo still remains very healthy, with not even any joint or any type of body aches and pain. Thank you so much Dr. Carol.

Rebecca P.
Anaheim, California

A visit to the swimming pool, the local creek, or the ocean helps us stay cool during the “dog days” of summer. But what about our canine companions – how do we keep them cool?

The owner was frantic. Just an hour before, her Cairn Terrier, Snickers was playing in the yard. Now he was listless and having trouble breathing. Rushing him to the nearest veterinary clinic, a concerned veterinary technician informed her Snicker’s temperature was over 106 degrees – he was suffering from heat stroke. Luckily for Snickers – and with the help of a quick thinking owner and veterinary technician – he recovered.

Every summer, hundreds of dogs find their way to the family veterinarian after spending just a few hours in the hot sun.

It’s important to remember dogs don’t sweat like we do. Cooling themselves by panting, dogs use the moisture evaporating off their tongue as a means to lower their body’s temperature. Anything overwhelming this natural cooling system leads to heat stroke. With more families away from home during the day, our dogs are often left outdoors where it may be difficult to find shady, cool places and water to drink.

Normally, a dog’s temperature ranges from 99 to 102.5 degrees. In cases of heat stroke, temperatures over 106 degrees are considered to be an emergency situation – temperatures over 110 degrees can be fatal in a matter of minutes.

This level of hyperthermia (higher than normal body temperature) can affect every major body system and it’s imperative you get your pet to a veterinarian as soon as you safely can.
Dogs who succumb to heat stroke often show the following symptoms:
• Vigorous panting
• Inability to stand, or weakness while standing
• Thick, ropy saliva, literally foaming at the mouth
• Bright red mucous membranes, although some dogs may show pale or even muddy gums.

Heat stroke can affect any dog, although dogs with short faces, such as Boston, Pugs, and Bulldogs may be at higher risk due their inability to effectively pant and cool themselves. Many people believe that their pet will be fine outdoors. However, inadequate shade and/or water can affect even the most seasoned outdoor dog.

Interestingly, heat stroke in cats is very rare. Most animal experts believe that cats are extremely good at finding the coolest spots to lay and also avoid the excessive, excitatory exertions that many dogs seem to thrive on.

If you find your dog vigorously panting on a warm summer day, immediately move him out of the environment and into a cooler place. Getting your pet into a shady area with a fan running on him can be very helpful. Using cool, not cold, tap water on the extremities and trunk can also help to effectively lower the body temperature, as well as rubbing alcohol placed on the skin of the stomach. Do not use ice or extremely cold water. Although it seems logical, extreme cold will cause surface blood vessels to contract, forming an insulating area that traps heat in the body, delaying the cooling of the vital organs.

Attempting to force your pet to drink is also not advisable. If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, immediately load your pet carefully into a car and go to the veterinarian. Under no circumstances should you leave your pet alone in the vehicle. Without these life saving steps, many dogs might lose their lives to the “dog-days” of summer. But, as Snickers will testify, quick thinking owners and veterinary professionals can help get them back on their feet in no time.

To learn more about heat stroke in dogs, visit www.carolonpets.com. Veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for consultations toll free at 1-866-372-2765.

ALLERGIES AND YOUR DOG

Allergic dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that occurs after exposure to an allergen. An allergen is something to which the body is allergic. The number-one sign of allergies in pets is itching. Dogs lick, bite, chew and scratch themselves to the point of self-mutilation. The result is red, raw areas of skin with oozing sores and hair loss. The difficulty that vets face is isolating the allergen responsible for the reaction because in many cases there is usually more than one substance involved.

TYPES OF DOG ALLERGIES

· Fleas are the number one cause of allergies in dogs. Over half of all canine allergies are due to fleas. The dogs are actually allergic to a protein component of the flea saliva. One fleabite in these dogs can cause intense itching lasting up to 14 days.

· Allergic Inhalant Dermatitis is also referred to as Atopic Dermatitis and/or Atopy. These terms are used for allergies that develop in response to inhaled particles. Inhaled allergens, like house dust, mold and pollen, are the second most common type of allergy in dogs. These allergies start at a younger age in dogs and some breeds seem to be more prone, such as west highland white terriers and sharpeis.

· Food allergies account for 10-20 percent of canine allergies. Skin infections (Dermatitis) are the primary sign. Consider organic, natural diets for your dog as opposed to commercial grocery store brands. Home made diets take more time but are well worth the extra effort.

TIP: Identifying the source of an allergy can be frustrating. Dog bedding that contains cedar chips or other scented material can be responsible.

WHAT YOUR VET CAN DO

· Intradermal skin testing is the most accurate method available to figure out what’s causing the dog’s allergy. Small amounts of different substances called allergens are injected into the skin. If the dog is allergic to one of the substances, the skin reacts by getting red and swollen at the injection site within 15 to 30 minutes. Once you know what the dog is allergic to, it may be possible to avoid it, for example, beds with cedar chips.

TIP: An elimination diet is used to diagnose the offending dietary ingredient in a food allergy.

When a food allergy is suspected, an elimination diet is most effective to detect the offensive food. Hypoallergenic diets are indicated once the diagnosis is confirmed.

· Hyposensitization is one of the best treatment options for allergies like pollen and mold that cannot be avoided. Hyposensitization involves giving injections of small amounts of the actual allergen. These allergy shots are dosed and given in increasing increments weekly or biweekly. The goal is to stimulate the body to become immune or less sensitive to the allergen.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

· High doses of Vitamin C can help reduce itching and antibiotics may be indicated to treat secondary bacterial infections. Bathing with hypoallergenic oatmeal-based shampoos and using leave-on after-shampoos moisturizers with aloe vera and alpha keri help decrease skin irritation. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acid supplements found in fish oil, along with the minerals Selenium and Zinc and the Antioxidant Vitamins A and E along with Bioflavonoids help improve dry, flaky skin and hair coats.

· Comprehensive, balanced nutritional vitamin supplements, made in the USA, such as PAAWS and VitaLife that are designed for dogs specifically based on their size and age help to boost overall immunity and reduce the incidence of allergic out breaks and itching by 50 to 75 percent.

· For ongoing flea problems, monthly flea products such as Revolution, Advantage and Frontline available through your veterinarian are the safest and most effective way to prevent flea infestations.

COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES

A range of homeopathic remedies may be useful which include Sulphur, Hepar Sulph, Arsenica alb, and Rhus tax. Dosages range from 30c to 1m. Acupuncture stimulates the immune system and generally requires six to eight treatments for effective results.

HERBAL REMEDIES

Herbs for topical use:

· Witch Hazel

· Aloe

· Calendula

· Comfrey

· Chamomile

· Oregon Grape

· Licorice

Chinese herbal formulas that may be useful include:

· Scutellaria

· Tribulus

· Anemarrhena

· Capillaris

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest updates on pet health and longevity for your dog and cat. Veterinarian and author Dr. Carol Osborne is available for personal consultations. Contact her toll free at 1-866-372-2765.

© 2008, DR. CAROL, D.V.M.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Adopting a pet from a local shelter is a great way to help save an animal from an uncertain future. But what if you want a purebred? Can you pick the breed you want and still save a life? With a little help from a breed rescue, the answer is yes!

August 9, 2008-Chagrin Falls, Ohio- Many dog owners admire the unique looks and personalities of purebreds, but also worry about the fate of millions of pets euthanized each year. What many people don’t realize is that there are specific breed rescue organizations for almost every breed of dog, placing dogs in need to new homes.
Rescue groups are an invaluable resource in the on-going battle to keep millions of pets from being euthanized. With armies of volunteers, these organizations not only rescue their specific breed from shelters and other situations, but provide them with medical care. In many cases, these dogs are rescued just days – even hours – before euthanasia is scheduled.

The success of rescue groups is due in part to their method of pairing dogs with owners. In most shelters people pick a dog with little or no guidance. On the other hand, with a breed rescue, both dogs and applicants are carefully screened to help find the right match between an individual dog and his or her new family.

This point can’t be stressed enough. Many of the millions of pets found in shelters each year are “repeat surrenders.” Behavior issues, medical problems, or lack of knowledge keeps these pets returning. In breed rescues, the overall goal is to find each and every dog its “forever” home.

Potential pet adopters are often hesitant with rescues because they think most of the dogs have “special needs, which in many cases is not true. For example, many breed rescues receive young, healthy pets from families whose situation prevents them from properly caring for the dog.
Compared to shelters, breed rescues have high success rates placing dogs in lasting homes. By evaluating the dog’s personality and thoroughly screening the potential owners, rescue groups have become proficient at matching the right dog to the right person. In addition, education about the breed before the adoption and strong follow-up support after adoption helps new owners through this transition period.

Care should be taken when looking for a breed rescue. Look for an organized rescue with a good website that is updated regularly. The rescue should have 501c3 non-profit status and a set adoption process.

Patience is a virtue when adopting from a breed rescue. Filling out applications, providing references and having home checks performed go along with the process and in most cases, a good rescue organization will probably up to three weeks for the entire adoption process to be completed. New owners should expect to pay an adoption fee or donation, ranging from $100 up to $500.

Ultimately, these groups are all non-profit. Adoption donations and fees allow the rescues to provide continued care for their foster animals and reach out to more dogs in need. In general it’s a good policy to avoid individuals without an organized structure who adopt pets without doing home checks or allowing animals to go home the same day.
Dogs aren’t the only lucky recipients of this type of attention! Purebred cat rescues exist, as well as rabbit rescues, horse groups and even organizations devoted to rescuing exotic pets such as turtles and other reptiles.
If you want to get a new purebred pet, consider saving a life as well! Look for a breed rescue in your area. An easy way to find rescues is to search for your breed on the Internet. Go to Google.com and type your breed into the search box along with “rescue” and your state. Check out www.petfinder.com and www.akc.org as well.
Talk with your veterinary staff about local resources and rescue groups. To learn more about the phenomenal work being done by these lifesavers, visit www.carolonpets.com or call veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne toll free at 1-866-372-2765.

Over half of America’s dogs are clinically obese, which by definition means they are 15 percent or more above their ideal weight. Being 10 percent overweight decreases a dog’s life span by one third and predisposes them to heart, liver, and kidney disease as well as arthritis. More females are affected than males. Hormones, genetics and individual variations in metabolism and appetite are predisposing factors. But, the most common cause of obesity by far is owners who indulge their dogs with treats, table scraps and oversized portions.

CAUSES

· Overeating excess amounts of food is the number one cause.

· Lack of exercise.

· Neutering can promote weight gain.

· Hormonal disorders especially low levels of thyroid hormone.

© DR. CAROL’S TIP: Don’t sit on a sofa one day and decide to take a 10-mile hike the next. Increase your dog’s level of activity gradually a little bit each day.

IS YOUR DOG OVERWEIGHT?

· To determine whether or not your dog is overweight, give him a rib check. You should be able to easily feel but not see each rib. Dogs should have a waist, which is the tucked up area behind the ribs. If your dog has lost his waist and/or if you can pinch more than an inch, it’s time to cut back.

· Preventing excess weight gain initially is much easier than trying to lose weight. Weigh and record your dog’s weight each time you visit your vet.

· Before beginning any weight-loss program, confirm your suspicions with your vet and rule out medical problems that mimic obesity including heart and liver disease, Thyroid disorders, Diabetes, and Cushing’s disease.

DR. CAROL’S TIP: Regular weight checks help monitor your dog’s body weight

WHAT YOU CAN DO

· You should feed your dog a diet consisting of lean protein and high-fiber (over 15 percent), with low fat; less than 10 percent. Increasing the fiber provides bulk which fills him up and keeps him happy but spares calories at the same time. You need to decrease your dog’s total number of calories by 20 percent to lose weight. Set a maximum initial weight loss at 15 percent and calculate your feedings and exercise to achieve this goal.

Increase the number of meals up to six per day – the more meals you eat, the more your metabolism is stimulated which requires energy and burns calories. Don’t free-feed. Leave meals out for 20 minutes, and then pick them up. Throw table scraps into the garbage and keep snacks to less than 5 percent of the total daily diet. Feed healthy snacks like white asparagus tips, cantaloupe slices, carrots and pumpkin.

· Monitor your dog’s weight weekly: post a chart on the refrigerator door. It’s also fun to take “before” and “after” photos. When your dog reaches his target weight, change from the reducing diet to a weight maintenance diet. Monitor weight changes carefully for the first 60 days. Record his weight once a month for the first six months, then four times a year.

· Look for balanced, natural vitamin supplements like PAAWS and VitaLife that boost energy, restore, playfulness and promote pain free mobility. In addition supplements like PAAWS and VitaLife also increase lean muscle mass and reduce excess unwanted pounds.

· Aim for a minimum of 20 minutes of exercise twice a day. Two 20-minute walks are a good start and you can gradually build up from there. Local canine sport clubs are fun for the whole family and offer activities for all breeds. Agility, fly ball and terrier trials are popular and lure coursing is a favorite for site hounds. Some fitness centers and health spas now offer packages to get you and your dog into tip top shape.

· Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health longevity updates for your dog and cat. Veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne is available by e-mail at drcarol@drcarol.com or call Dr. Carol toll free at 1-866-372-2765

© 2008, DR. CAROL, D.V.M.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED