Dear Dr. Carol,

My best friend, Brandy, is a fifteen year old cocker spaniel.  Several years ago she started to occasionally suffer strong seizures.  With the first one I thought she was dying.  My local veterinarian assured me that they were more traumatic to the dog owner than to the dog.  Brandy would have a strong seizure maybe once every other month.  As she was getting older at the time I wanted to make sure I was doing everything I could for her.  She had always been an active dog so the only thing for me to try was to make sure she was getting a healthy diet and to try a high quality vitamin.
I am pleased to say that since Brandy has been on Paaws I have not witnessed her having a single strong seizure.  She has had a few minor ones, but even those come several months apart now.

Recently Brandy suffered a serious leg injury which was the human equivalent of a ruptured ACL.  I was afraid that she would never walk well again.  Because of her age the veterinarian did not want to do surgery instead putting her on a combination pain/anti inflammatory drug.  He is amazed at her recovery and how well she gets around.

Brandy may be fifteen years old, but she sure doesn’t act it and I am not going to tell her.  I live by the old adage, "How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?"  Brandy thinks she is still a puppy.  She acts it too.
Thank you Dr. Carol for Paaws.  It sure has improved and lengthened Brandy’s life.

Sincerely,
Dale

Share This

Dear Dr. Carol,

Dusty, my 13 year old arthritic dog was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease and I had tried treating him with Selegiline with brief success, but then his symptoms seemed to reappear. 

As a scientist I did my own research and decided to try him on phosphatidylserine before going with the next, more severe option of killing off his adrenal gland tissue chemically.  I was concerned however about his joint problems getting worse once he was no longer as sedated as the Selegiline had kept him. 

I bought your PAAWS product as support to complement his treatment with phosphatidylserine.  It has been a year and I have been very pleased with his energy, activity capability and coat. 

Before I began the new treatment his coat was tacky and brittle feeling, now it is almost as silky as before he got sick.

He sleeps through the night and enjoys playing with me and my other dog which had stopped while he was on the Selegeline. 

His company has always been very important to me, but more so this last year as I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last May and don’t think I could have handled losing him as well.

I know we would not have done this well without your product! 

Thank you so much for supporting us through this year!

Sincerely,

Patti C

Share This

Hi Everyone:

I am passing this on to be on the safe side: 
 

This is a new product designed to be a more effective product than other flea/tick treatments that was just released this year. It is available thru a vet and not currently on-line. I got ProMeris this week for my 7 dogs (6 Huskies & 1 Golden-Airedale), and the results were debilitating for nearly all of them-including me. Since my incident this week, my vet has pulled it from distribution and alerted the manufacturer, Fort Dodge.

Here are my results: Within less than 2 hours after applying, 4 of my dogs had vomited from 2-4 times, 3 were disoriented and stumbling, 1was dragging his back leg, 1 was salivating. I had very similar symptoms like an allergic reaction-my lips were swollen, eyes very red, mucous membranes such as eyes, nose, and mouth were stinging. I was very disoriented - dizzy equilibrium and not able to drive. To make this a short story-all 7 of my dogs were admitted to the hospital for
veterinarian care, and 3 of them remained for care, IV fluids and observation for 24 hours. I was in the emergency room. I’m home now and so are the dogs. We’re all feeling much better. Vet bills were over $2,500 and Fort Dodge is paying for these. Not only can the product cause this reaction, it has a highly noxious odor that permeated the house and is just starting to dissipate after 3 days.

Your dogs/cats might not have the same reaction, but given my experience-I wanted to help you all become well-educated about the product.

Jackie B.

Florida

Share This

When owners of dogs disabled by arthritis or by incurable nerve diseases such as Degenerative Myelopathy, common in large sporting breeds, euthanasia is often their last resort.

Now, there is Help for Handicapped Pets. Eddie’s Wheels is a company that makes custom canine wheel chairs. In many cases the dogs are healthy with the exception that they are immobile. Custom-built wheelchairs restore mobility for dogs whose legs, hips or backs don’t work and many pet owners are giving the wheels a try. The two-wheel canine carts support the dog’s body with a padded saddle, and are secured with a shoulder yoke and chest strap. Rear-wheel carts that help to compensate for lame hind legs are the most common, although a growing number of front-wheel carts are being ordered for pets with disabilities affecting their front-legs.

Many pets, who once hobbled and were confined to their homes are now wheeling themselves all over the place; enjoying parks, going for walks, and barking about their newfound mobility. Pet owners today are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to keep their best 4-legged friends with them a little longer and wheels are one of many options available.

Read the rest of this entry »

Share This

Chagrin falls, Ohio April 5, 2008- Researchers in Toronto, Canada have found antibiotic-resistant Staph bacteria (MRSA) in pork products bought in retail stores across the country. Just under 10 per cent of sampled pork chops and ground pork recently purchased in four provinces tested positive for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or M-R-S-A.

These findings were reported to the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Atlanta last week. Weese, a veterinarian based at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Ontario, says proper cooking destroys the bacteria, so Staph food poisoning isn’t a major concern.

This author wonders whether or not individuals handling meat with M-R-S-A could end up “colonizing’ themselves. People with the bacteria on their skin or in their nostrils are at greater risk of developing a Staph infection, which can range from a boil to pneumonia to a potentially deadly bloodstream infection.

Many may not stop eating pork, but those that do should practice good hygiene. To avoid unnecessary risk people should wash their hands well and handle pork products carefully. Using with plastic gloves helps to avoid self contamination. This is the first confirmed report of M-R-S-A in retail meat in North America.

Share This

The total cost of pet food recall estimated at $53.8 million

A tentative settlement with Menu Foods has been reached according to officials. The pet food maker who’s contaminated pet foods led to the deaths of tens of thousands of dogs and cats in the US has come to an agreement to finalize claims for distraught pet owners in the United States and Canada. Ontario-based Menu Foods Income Fund announced this Tuesday. According to one of their attorneys, it’s a comprehensive settlement that would resolve all claims.

Their lawyer did not disclose exactly how much the settlement would be worth, but the company did say that it expects its total costs associated with the massive recall of its products last year to be about $53.8 million.

The company’s pet foods are produced in bulk and sold as store brands.

Read the rest of this entry »

Share This

Toxicity and ineffectiveness cited as chief concerns with current products, but is it warranted?

Despite powerful flea control medications, some pet owners are searching for alternatives to help keep these pesky parasites off of their dogs and cats. Some people believe the current products are unsafe for their pets and the environment while others are concerned that fleas have become resistant to these same products. So, where does fact stop and fiction begin?

Seeing products in the pet store or grocery store that look similar to what they see at the veterinary office, many pet owners will naturally opt for the convenience of the local store. However, selecting flea control from a mass merchant can be very dangerous for your pets – especially cats. 

Many flea products contain the active ingredient Permethrin, which is an effective insecticide, but is deadly to your feline friend. Permethrin has been available for more than 30 years and experts now estimate more than one-third of all fleas have developed a resistance to this chemical. In a similar fashion, many pet owners perceive that products purchased at their veterinary office are also failing – this perception is not only false, but potentially deadly to your dog or cat.

Veterinary products are still very effective at controlling fleas and have a wide safety margin in many species. Veterinary experts agree that resistance to these products has not occurred, and perceived product failures are usually due to either excessive fleas in the environment or inappropriate application of the product.

Veterinarians have access to at least ten different flea products that will not only provide excellent flea defense for your pets, but are safe and convenient to use.   Both oral and topical formulations are available and your veterinary team is happy to help you find the right one for your pets.

Share This

Because of Salmonella Health Risk

The Hartz Mountain Corporation is voluntarily recalling a second specific lot of Hartz Vitamin Care for Cats due to concerns that bottles within the lot may have been potentially contaminated with Salmonella. Hartz is fully cooperating with the US Food and Drug Administration in this voluntary recall. Hartz recalled a specific lot code of Hartz Vitamin Care for Cats last November due to similar concerns. Both lot codes were manufactured for Hartz by UFAC (USA) Inc. in 2007, and were removed from distribution last November. However, bottles from the second lot had been shipped to customers prior to their having been removed from distribution.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, all of whom are at particular risk from exposure and should avoid handling these products.

Salmonella symptoms may include fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea in both cats and humans. Anyone experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek immediate medical attention. Owners of cats exhibiting these symptoms should also seek veterinary assistance.

The product involved is 739 bottles of Hartz Vitamin Care for Cats, lot code SZ 22771, UPC number 32700-97701. While normal testing conducted by Hartz and UFAC has not revealed the presence of Salmonella in any Hartz products, recent sampling conducted by the FDA did detect the presence of Salmonella.

Although the company has not received any reports of animals or humans becoming ill as a result of coming into contact with this product, Hartz is taking immediate steps to recover this product from consumers. Cat owners should check the lot code on their bottles, and, if the code is not visible, or if the bottle has lot code SZ 22771 or lot code SZ-16371 imprinted thereon, they should immediately discontinue use of the product and discard it in a proper manner.

Consumers can contact Hartz at 1-800-275-1414 with any questions they may have and to obtain reimbursement for purchased product.

Share This

Canine resorts are popping up at some of America’s largest airports. A growing number of airports are seeing 24-hour pet hotels being built inside or near their compounds, saving travelers the headache of scrambling to drop off their dogs or cats at neighborhood kennels.

Travelers can find pet hotels near the airports at Jacksonville, New Orleans and Portland, Ore. Pet hotel operators have plans to open facilities or are in discussions with Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Chicago O’Hare, Chicago Midway, Houston Bush Intercontinental, Houston Hobby and Minneapolis.

Since more people that travel have pets, it’s a natural progression of services that airports should offer. Airports are also looking to boost their non-aviation revenue. And pets are big business. Americans spend $3 billion a year boarding and grooming their pets, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association.

Airports and their private partners are betting that 24-hour service and proximity to the terminal are enough to entice customers away from neighborhood kennels, which often close early and open late. Flexible hours and convenience are a big plus for busy travelers. Daily rates for dog hotels can range widely — from $15 a night for a cage at the local veterinarian office to $70 for a large room with extra perks.

Pet Paradise, has two locations within a mile of the airports at Jacksonville and New Orleans and plans to open at Houston Intercontinental and Houston Hobby. They charge $30 per night for their basic package. The rate includes a $2 premium, compared with its in-town locations, for the extra hours.

Airport pet hotels typically offer more upscale amenities than the average kennel, such as beds, non-caged rooms with outdoor access, and in-ground swimming pools. Some posh pooch hotels even offer swimming pools and webcams that let owners check on their pets remotely. Flat-screen TV’s and slumber parties are also an option for pets that don’t want to be left alone.

Apparently the sky’s the limit when it comes to catering to man’s best friend!

Share This

Pedigree and Whiskas cat food produced by Mars killed thousands of dogs and cats in Asia in 2004.

Veterinary pathologists have determined that the outbreak of contaminated pet foods that killed hundreds and perhaps thousands of cats and dogs last year in the United States was not the first incident of its kind.

In 2004, an outbreak that also involved pet foods contaminated with industrial chemicals affected over 6,000 dogs and a lesser number of cats across Asia. Kidney failure in the pets was linked to Pedigree dog foods and Whiskas cat foods manufactured in Thailand by Mars Inc. According to Asian media reports at that time, thousands of pets died.

The Asian outbreak of 2004 was kept hushed until last week when it popped up on an internet blog. For America’s pet owners, the U.S. outbreak of 2007 appeared to be the first of its kind.

Read the rest of this entry »

Share This

Health officials in Colorado believe the salmonella bacteria responsible for contaminating Alamosa’s municipal water supply and making nearly 300 people sick is the same strain found locally in birds, deer and other warm-blooded animals. State officials are investigating whether or not bird or animal droppings might have contaminated the city’s water. The city, located in southern Colorado is flushing its water system with chlorine. People won’t be able to drink the water until high concentrations of the disinfecting chemical washes out of the water system. The initial victim began showing signs of illness on March 7, and health officials became aware of an outbreak a week later.

Buying distilled water for personal and pet usage is one way to get around the problem until the water supply is deemed safe.

Share This

Infection Protection

Chapter Eleven (c) Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M.

Currently, there are over 200 Zoonoses, or animal diseases, transmissible to people that are a significant infectious risk to human health. Effective control of these diseases in animals is paramount to their control and prevention in people.

Proactive approaches to health care in the 21^st century require closely controlled surveillance systems to detect and monitor disease problems that threaten both human and animal health.

Since outbreaks of certain diseases in animals typically precede outbreaks in people, health department’s routinely use animals as early warning signs or “Disease Sentinels” for certain infectious diseases, including Bubonic Plague, Hanta Virus, Equine Viral Encephalitis, and Rabies. This generally allows time for preventative measures to be taken that will reduce the number and/or severity of human cases.

Medical doctors and veterinarians are required to report certain diseases to local health authorities, which is crucial to effectively controlling and ultimately eliminating these diseases. Infectious diseases that threaten our economic welfare such as Mad Cow Disease, Tuberculosis, and Brucellosis must be reported within 24 hours at which point, strict state and federal guidelines geared to ultimately eradicate these diseases are employed.

Share This

On Tuesday a 16-year-old boy from Santa Maria died from contracting Rabies Virus. The teen apparently traveled with a friend from Mexico and health officials are trying to locate his companion. The boy, who was delirious and drooling, entered the Marian Medical Center on March 18. He was also having trouble breathing and despite repeated attempts at resuscitation, doctors were not able to save his life.

When infected individuals start to show signs of Rabies, the brain has already been infected and survival is rare, as there is no specific treatment to reverse the disease. It is very uncommon for people in the US to contract rabies. The last documented case occurred in 1927, some 80 years ago in Santa Barbara, California.

Most cases in the United States are associated with the bite of a wild animal, often a bat or a skunk on the West Coast versus raccoons being the culprits on the East Coast. Domestic animals rarely have rabies today, although within the past five years, rabies has been detected in a dog roaming through Santa Barbara County and in a dead cat that had been bitten by a bat.

Read the rest of this entry »

Share This

Dog Fancy March 2008

FEATURES
26 FOOD FOR THOUGHT: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO YOUR DOG’S DIET

There’s much more to canine nutrition than just kibble and canned food. Our experts explore it all to give you a well-rounded perspective. BY MARCIA KING

The Raw Food Diet

Question for the Experts: Does raw food, being closer to the natural diets of wild animals, offer better nutrition for dogs?

NO “There is no scientific evidence base that shows benefits for feeding raw food,” Becvarova says. “Conversely, multiple studies document that raw meats may contain harmful bacteria and parasites that may cause illness of pets.”

YES “Benefits include overall health improvements, including relief from allergies and anal sac problems, better oral hygiene, and improved skin and hair coat,” says veterinarian Carol Osborne. “My seven years of research, backed by double-blind clinical trials, showed that pets respond very well to a balanced, wholesome, natural diet. Whether a pet responds best to a raw food or a cooked homemade diet depends on the specific pet.”

Meet The Experts

Carol Osborne, DVM, is a veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and the creator of PAAWS: Pet Anti-Aging Wellness System. She has a special interest in longevity research and is the author of Dr. Carol’s Naturally Healthy Dogs.

Iveta Becvarova, DVM, is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist who treats patients at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Va.

Duane Ekedahl is the president of the Pet Food Institute, which represents the manufacturersof 98 percent of all dog and cat food produced in the United States and supports advancements in the quality of pet food and in pet nutrition

Share This

Veterinarians are caring professional people who have dedicated their lives and careers to relieving animal suffering. They are also pet owners, so they truly understand the power of the human-animal bond.

Legislating emotional reactions and grief is loaded with unintentional consequences.

As veterinarians, we understand the deep grief and pain felt when we lose a pet. There is nothing in such legislation that will ease this heartache and pain. In all likelihood, this bill will make it harder for veterinarians to deliver good care and expenses will go up for all pet owners. Pet care will become more expensive because insurance costs, paperwork, record keeping, tests and procedures will all increase in cost as well.

Read the rest of this entry »

Share This