Should we really be surprised that the pet food recall continues to expand? At least two more individuals have been reportedly sickened due to contact with pet food that was contaminated with a strain of salmonella. The pet food recall currently affects 21 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada; however, because some of the food may have been sold online to additional vendors, those in other states should be mindful of the recall and check food packages to ensure the safety of both humans and pets.

To determine if your pet’s food is included in this recall, check by brand. Information below is taken directly from the Diamond Pet Food’s Recall website.

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Country Value: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Diamond: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Diamond Naturals: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Premium Edge: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Professional: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

4Health: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Taste of the Wild: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Apex: Twenty (20) and forty (40) pound bags of Apex Chicken and Rice Dog Food with a production code of ACD0101B32 and a best-by date of January 24, 2013.

Kirkland: Kirkland brands affected include: Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula; Kirkland Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula; Kirkland Signature Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula; Kirkland Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables; Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula; Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula; and Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs.
All Kirkland brands affected by the recall will have a best-before date range of December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013 AND have BOTH a “3” in the 9^th position and an “X” in the 11^th position of the product code.  For Kirkland Signature brand products sold in Taiwan, the best-before date range is June 9, 2012 – July 31, 2012 and the product code is the same as above.

Canidae: Affected Canidae brands include: Canidae Dog (All Life Stages); Canidae Dog Chicken Meal & Rice; Canidae Dog, Lamb Meal & Rice; and Canidae Dog Platinum. Check the production code on the bag of dog food and look for a “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position. Best-before dates on the recalled Canidae pet foods are December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2012.

Several brands are being recalled as a precaution only at this time; however this should not give pet owners a false sense of security that the food within the package is safe. If you believe you have purchased one of the potentially tainted packages of pet food that is being recalled the manufacturer recommends that you carefully dispose of the product in a secured plastic bag. Consumers can request a refund or coupon for a replacement bag of pet food can visit the Refund Protocol page at Diamond Pet Recall.

Solid Gold: Affected brands include one batch of WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food and one batch of WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Food. Both brands have a best-before date of December 30, 2012 and an “X” in the 11^th digit of the product code. Bag sizes include 4lb, 15lb, and 33lb bags.

Pet owners concerned about their Solid Gold products can call 1-800-364-4863, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time.

Holistic veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for pet health care consultations and pet health questions. Call Dr. Carol’s office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your pet. Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest news, tips and pet anti-aging longevity updates for your dogs and cats.

Dr. Carol Osborne has seen first-hand the effects a coffee enema can have a dog – and in one particular case, the effect was nothing short of miraculous. When a friend and clients dog suffered acute liver failure, other veterinarians recommended euthanasia. Unable to part with her pet without at least a second opinion, the pet’s owner contacted Dr. Carol as her last resort. In addition to the administration of intravenous fluids, Dr. Carol gave the small dog a coffee enema. Not only did the dog improve, he began to thrive. Could a coffee enema save your dog’s life?

Coffee, when administered via enema, stimulates the production of glutathione by the liver. Glutathione is required by the liver to function properly. When the liver fails, glutathione production ceases. By stimulating production of this vital nutrient, the coffee enema helps the liver to once again perform.

Coffee enemas also work as a detox.

Think of your dog’s intestines (and yours, for that matter) as a long hose that is several feet long. As years go by, the inside of the hose gets caked with all sorts of residue and debris from material passing through the intestines over time. The walls of the intestines, once thin and clean, will become thicker over time with the debris that sticks to the walls preventing the body from digesting and absorbing vital nutrients.

If something is not done to counteract the thickening of the intestinal walls due to residue and debris the pet or person will gradually begin to lose their energy and the ability to function normally. And we all age – pets and people. And we become afflicted with many of the diseases and degenerative disorders that occur with advancing age. Reducing the build-up of debris within the intestines can help to slow-down the natural aging, and detoxification with a coffee enema may be just what is needed.

Holistic veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for pet health care consultations and pet health questions. Call Dr. Carol’s office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your pet. Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest news, tips and pet anti-aging longevity updates for your dogs and cats.

Many pet owners often overlook, or underestimate, the need for quality supplementation in young dogs. Just as you would want to ensure that your child has proper nutrition to grow strong and reach his or her full physical and mental potential, the same holds true for your pets. After all, you wouldn’t think that proper nutrition is important only when your child is sick, right?

Most puppies tend to reach maturity between the ages of one and two years. While large and giant breed dogs mature more quickly, age seven is generally accepted as the age at which dogs become “seniors”. Signs of dog aging can be difficult to spot, as they tend to occur slowly, but the aging process begins once a dog hits maturity. Even though an older dog may appear to be in peak health, their internal clock, like ours, continues to tick away, taking its toll on your pets’ health before you know what’s going on.

Longevity research shows that organic diets and proper nutritional supplementation can slow the aging process and significantly extend your dog’s healthy years. Longevity is attributed to 70% lifestyle and 30% genetics. The overwhelming majority (90%) of diseases in dogs can be associated with the degenerative process that occurs as your dog ages. By starting your pup or young dog on proper anti-aging supplementation early, you can help him delay the aging process that we must all go through eventually.

Preliminary results of an 11-year lifetime study of PAAWS vitamin product shows an increase in life expectancy by up to 30% – that correlates to three to four additional healthy years for your dog. Small dogs (those less than 35 pounds at maturity) were still shown to be thriving at age 24, and large dogs (those over 80 pounds at maturity) were still going strong at 18 years of age.

Supplementing your pet’s healthy diet with critical nutrients on a daily basis is the first step in a successful longevity program. When choosing a longevity supplement for your dog, be sure the product is specifically formulated for dogs based on breed size, made in the United States, backed by clinical trials, and the company producing the supplement should have a qualified veterinarian on staff to answer questions. Be sure the product lists each ingredient, the amount of each nutrient, and most importantly, the source from which each nutrient was derived.

Talk to your veterinarian about the benefits of a pro-active versus a reactive care plan for your pet. Pro-active plans are geared to optimize health by preventing, retarding, and/or reversing unwanted aging changes. By helping your pet avoid aging for an extended time, he will be around for many more years to thank you.

Holistic veterinarian and pet health researcher,  Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and/ or cats.
Contact Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your dog and/or cat today.

Missouri based Diamond Pet Foods has issued a voluntary recall of one run of Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food. After one bag of the dog food tested positive for salmonella, the company announced a recall of four production codes as a preventative measure. A health alert was issued, but at this time there are no reports of sickness in dogs.

Diamond Pet Foods is no stranger to recalls, as this is the second dog food recall within a month. Earlier this month the company announced a recall of certain batches of their Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice product, also due to salmonella contamination. Production at the processing plant in Gaston, South Carolina was suspended two days after the first recall – the same processing plant where mold contamination in dog food was responsible for the deaths of many dogs nationwide in 2005.

A company official reports that the current dog food being recalled was shipped to ten states: Virginia, Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina, Ohio, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Pets in other states may also be affected, as it is believed that the dog food may have been distributed after shipping by the company.

Recalled production codes:

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula – 35 lb bag:
CLF0102B31XCW –  Best By Date: Jan 27, 2013
CLF0102B31XCW –  Best By Date: Jan 28, 2013
CLF0102B32XWR  - Best By Date: Jan 28, 2013

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula – 6 lb bag:
CLF0102B3XALW –  Best By Date: Jan 28, 2013

Diamond Pet Foods recommends that if you have this product in your home, you should discard it immediately. You can contact their offices with any questions at 800-442-0402.

Salmonella is a zoonotic illness, meaning that it can be spread between animals and humans. Pet owners are advised to avoid touching the possibly contaminated food or any food containers that could be contaminated, and hands should be washed thoroughly after properly disposing of any of the recalled dog food.

Holistic veterinarian and pet health researcher,  Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and/ or cats.
Contact Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your dog and/or cat today.

While all work and no play can make Jack a dull boy, the results can be even worse for Jack’s pet friends.  A sedentary lifestyle has been shown to increase the likelihood of a host of medical issues in humans, and the same holds true for our pets. But, did you know you can actually increase your pets lifespan through simple play?

Pets who are inactive often suffer from health complications such as diabetes and obesity. When your pet feels bad, it’s hard to engage him or her in any playful activity but allowing the pet to remain inactive often only exacerbates the problem at hand. Obese and overweight animals are often prescribed not only a change in diet but increased exercise to help rid them of the excess weight. Excessive weight can cause arthritis, difficulty breathing and other problems in pets that may not be life threatening. Removing the extra weight can decrease the amount of energy needed for their bodies to perform basic functions and allow their heart and lungs to work more efficiently which can add additional life.

But, Dr Carol says the benefit of play and regular exercise can increase the lifespan of even healthy dogs. According to Dr Carol, one hour of play can add two additional days of life to your pet! We all want to help our pets live happy, healthy lives and how much more fun can it get than to be able to do so simply by playing fetch?

So, the next time your pet approaches you with a ball or shows an interest in playing, take a few moments to engage with him. After all, exercise is as good for the human body as it is for your pet. Get outside and play with your pets to increase the quality and quantity of life for both of you!

Dr Carol Osborne is the world’s only veterinarian who is certified in anti-aging medicine. She is uniquely qualified to answer any questions you may have on pet longevity as well as overall pet health. Dr Carol is available for consultations and offers a wide variety of pet health products, including her patented PAAWS vitamin supplements and other pet health items at DrCarol.com.

The pet aging process is affected by lifestyle (70%) and genetics (30%). Up to 90 percent of diseases in pets are due to the degenerative processes associated with aging. Research validates the fact that optimal nutritional supplementation can help deter the pet aging process, and help your dog stay active longer, enhancing his or her quality of life.

Balanced pet diets are essential, but alone they cannot provide your dog or cat with the optimal levels of nutrients his body needs. In fact,  your dog would need to eat 5000 calories a day just to obtain an adequate level of vitamin E. Imagine trying to fulfill all your pets’ vitamin requirements! You’d be buying several bags of commercial pet food each week. Plus, consuming this many calories is detrimental to your dog’s health and could quickly lead to obesity and several other canine and feline health-related problems.

Signs of Pet Aging in Dogs and Cats:
To determine whether or not a pet is old, it’s important to distinguish between chronological and biological age. Chronological age is determined by the year in which your pet was born or the number of candles on your pet’s birthday cake.

Pet aging begins at maturity; when your pet’s body’s systems start to slow down – when cells deteriorate faster than the body can repair them. It is a progressive decline in mental and physical functioning and appearance.

Signs of pet aging occur slowly. Their detection requires a pet owners close observation and keen eye.

Before beginning your pets longevity program, use Dr. Carol’s pet anti-aging checklist to identify signs of aging in your pet. Re-evaluate your pet 30-60 days later and decide for yourself.

Signs of pet aging

* Weight gain or change in appetite
* Changes in skin and hair coat
* Excessive shedding
* Increased urination
* Limping or loss of mobility
* Bad breath
* Vision and/or hearing loss
* Behavioral changes
* Decline in mental alertness, senility
* Loss of house training

Dr.Carol Osborne, DVM, is a pioneer in pet anti-aging medicine and longevity research for dogs and cats. From her research, she has developed and patented a 6 step revolutionary approach to pet health and wellness that optimizes longevity in dogs and cats and offers up to a 30% increase in healthy pet life spans.

For more information about your pets potential longevity bookmarkwww.carolonpets.com.

Because we routinely feed our pets bits and pieces of “human food” as a treat or snack, it is important that pet owners keep in mind a list of foods that are not safe to feed. Home-made pet foods are a wonderful way to ensure your pets dietary needs are adequately met, but be cautious about any home-made pet recipe that includes the following foods.

* Avacados – Although the avacado is a favorite among many diets, pet parents should be cautious not to feed avacado to their dogs. Avacados contain a fungicidal toxin called persin that may be harmful to pets. If your pet has licked clean your guacamole bowl, watch for danger signs such as: diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and heart palpitations.

* Fat - Those fatty edges around your steak at the restaurant may seem to be a treat for your pet, but danger lurks in those greasy bits. Pancreatitis, for example, is but one example of gastrointestinal issues that can result from consistently treating your pet to the fatty portions. Symptoms of pancreatitis in pets can include: vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, and dehydration.

* Grapes and/or Raisins - Grapes, especially when frozen, can seem like a fun, tasty treat for your pets on hot summer days. Boxes of raisins are often “stolen” by pets because of the sweet smell that comes from the box! Regardless of how your pet acquires grapes or raisins, pet parents must understand that these tasty snacks can actually cause kidney failure in your pet.

* Macadamia Nuts - It isn’t terribly uncommon to see a pet owner feed their dog a bit or two of a delicious cookie as a treat. When the cookie contains macadamia nuts, however, trouble is often soon to follow. A toxic compound in the macadamia has been shown to lead to gastrointestinal issues for pets within as few as twelve hours.

* Chocolate - Most pet owners are aware that chocolate can be toxic to dogs, yet many will feed a bite or two to their pet thinking, “Oh, a small amount won’t hurt.” The truth of the matter is, a small amount can be dangerous depending on the amount of theobromine contained in the chocolate. Also, never believe that only dark chocolate can hurt your dog — white chocolate should be a considered a no-no when it comes to feeding as well.

* Raw Egg Whites - Unless under the direct advice of your veterinarian, never feed your pet raw egg whites. Salmonella is as grave concern for the pet population as the human population. If you wish to feed your pet eggs, please be certain to use cooked eggs or cook the dish after adding the raw eggs.

* Mushrooms - Mushrooms can cause liver and kidney dysfunction and failure when consumed in large amounts by the pet population.

* Onion and/or Garlic - Though few pets will willingly accept a feeding that contains a large amount of raw onion and/or garlic, many pets will happily feast on a dinnertime feeding that contains these same ingredients cooked. Though a small amount of garlic and onion to add a bit of flavor  is generally considered safe, larger amounts fed over a length of time can be dangerous.

* Dairy Products - Again, small amounts of dairy products are typically safe to feed your pet; however, large quantities over time may be asking for trouble. It’s important that pet owners understand that adult dogs, especially, are more likely to have a lactose intolerance issues. If your pet experiences diarrhea shortly after a feeding that included milk and/or other dairy products, a lactose intolerance issue may be considered.

* Bones - Many dogs enjoy chewing on a tasty bone after the family eats dinner, by choosing to feed your pet a bone, you are placing his or her health at risk. Bones splinter when chewed, and while the dog may swallow these splinters without trouble, issues can arise later as the bone fragments are pushed through the intestinal tract.

* Sugar-free Products/Candy - Many sugarless gums and candies contain xylitol which can be life-threatening to pets.

This list is by no means a comprehensive list of all the foods that can be harmful to your pet. Should you have any question about whether a food is safe to feed  your pet, please seek the advice of your veterinarian BEFORE offering the food to your pet. Remember to supplement your pets’ diet with a natural vitamin and mineral supplement to ensure proper nutrition.

Holistic veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for pet health care consultations and pet health questions.

Call Dr. Carol’s office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your pet.

Cats demand foods that are both tasty and pleasing to their noses. While some cats will eat only meat or fish, many enjoy a variety in their diet. This delectable salmon pate is a treat for many finicky felines and is relatively easy to prepare. Remember, cats only need about 5.5 ounces of food at each meal, and they should be fed twice daily.

Purrfect Salmon Pate (for Cats)

6 ounces boneless, skinless salmon
½ cup finely chopped celery
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
¼ cup breadcrumbs
1 organic egg, beaten
½ cup distilled or spring water

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Mix all ingredients together and then place in individual molds. Bake approximately 45 minutes. Allow pate to cool to room temperature before feeding.

Are you enjoying Dr Carol’s healthy pet recipes? Share your pet recipes with us in the comments, on Facebook, or Twitter!

Holistic veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for pet health care consultations and pet health questions.

Call Dr. Carol’s office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your pet.

Veterinarians treat a variety of conditions in dogs and cats, and a report out today reveals the most common diagnoses in animal clinics for the year 2011. Dogs were most commonly treated for ear infections, skin allergies, and skin infections. Our feline friends were most frequently seen with cases of bladder infection, chronic kidney disease, and overactive thyroid problems.

Dr Carol recently explained common causes of stinky ears in dogs and gave recommendations on how to properly clean and take care of canine ears. In case you missed it, you can find that post here. Ear infections can be difficult to treat if there is some question regarding the exact type of bacteria responsible for the infection. Pet owners are advised to request definitive testing if ear infections in their pet seem to be recurrent or hard to treat.

Skin allergies have also been a topic of discussion on our blog. With warmer temperatures and plenty of sunshine, both dogs and their owners are spending more time outdoors leading to more opportunities to be bombarded with seasonal allergens. Be sure to take note of Dr Carol’s tips on dealing with allergies if your dog seems sensitive to outdoor allergens.

Skin infections are often due to debris remaining within a cut or scrape or repeated scratching by the dog. Flea and tick bites are common reasons for dogs to scratch deeply enough to cause open sores. Flea infestations can also invade your home, so Dr Carol offers these tips to get rid of fleas that may save your dog from developing secondary infections.

Cats suffer from urinary tract conditions much more commonly than dogs, both both species can experience problems. Cats with a urinary infection can display a range of symptoms varying from difficulty or reluctance to urinate to urine leakage and dribbling. Whenever your cat displays urinary problems it is wise to seek the advice of your veterinarian so that the condition does not develop into something far worse.

Chronic kidney disease is a result of long term damage to the kidneys from repetitive infection and kidney failure. Unfortunately, chronic kidney disease is not reversible, though it is able to be managed. Dr Carol has previous written about natural remedies that can be helpful for pets with chronic kidney disease.

Thyroid disease can cause a variety of symptoms in your cat. Cats with overactive thyroid gland may have an increased appetite but fail to gain weight, have vomiting and diarrhea, and may drink more frequently than normal. Untreated thyroid disease can cause heart and/or kidney failure.

Holistic veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for pet health care consultations and pet health questions.

Call Dr. Carol’s office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your pet.

Fleas are common during the spring and summer months, and they can make life miserable for pets and humans alike. For every one flea you do see on your pet, you can estimate that there are approximately ten that you haven’t. Fleas don’t just stay on your pet, after all. These nasty little creatures like to hop, skip, and jump (so it seems) to any and every nearby surface and proceed to lay their eggs everywhere in an attempt to overtake your world! Well, maybe it’s not quite that dramatic, but once you’re dealing with a nasty flea infestation it can sure seem that way.

Many pet owners will head straight to the nearest discount store and buy multiple flea killing products: flea shampoo, flea soap, flea collar, flea powder, and anything else for extra flea-killing power. The problem here is, they just don’t work! At least they don’t work for the long haul. Flea shampoos and soaps may work while you have Fluffy and Fido in the bath, but once their fur is dry, you’ve lost most of your flea killing ability. So, this is where the flea collar comes in, right? Wrong. The flea collar may keep the fleas at bay in close proximity to the collar, but fleas tend to run to the rear of the animal where there is no flea killing mechanism. Flea powder designed to be applied to your pet only works if you don’t mind the fine particles getting all over everything that he or she touches. Those with children in the house (or who can’t spend the time following your pet night and day with a broom and mop) can’t afford to risk their children ingesting some of the toxic powder. So, what DOES work?

Many veterinarians recommend Frontline as a medication to kill fleas on animals. Frontline is absorbed into the skin and kills fleas as they bite your pet. The problem with using Frontline, though, is that new fleas continue to hatch after the original dosing has dissipated resulting in additional flea wars. Frontline Plus works a bit better as it also includes an insect growth regulator that prevents flea eggs from hatching in the event that one of those nasty boogers lives long enough to lay eggs.

Flea premise sprays (like Knockout from Virbac) are effective at killing fleas in your environment. Look for a spray that not only kills adult fleas but also contains and insect growth regulator to prevent eggs from hatching. Many “flea foggers” on the market are designed to work by generating a fine mist that covers every surface, but these often can’t reach areas where fleas live such as under beds, couches, and chairs.

Dr Carol’s recommendations:

If you hesitate to use products such as Frontline Plus on your pet, consider a non-toxic alternative like Avon’s Skin So Soft! Dilute the product with water at a 1:1 ratio (use equal amounts of Skin So Soft and water), and store your concoction in a small spray bottle. Spritz your pets with the mixture often to repel fleas and mosquitos. It even has a nice scent! If your pet is afraid of the spray (some animals are scared of the sound of the spray bottle), spritz a cloth and then wipe your pet down with it. As a bonus, this same mixture can also be used on adults with the same results!

To get rid of fleas in your home environment, Dr Carol says you need look no farther than your nearest grocery store! Look for Borax in the laundry aisle – it comes as a powder. Sprinkle the Borax into your carpets, and then take out your flea frustrations by really stomping around and pounding the powder into the carpet! Vacuum each room really well and dispose of the contents. The Borax can provide a natural flea protection to your home for up to one year!

Holistic veterinarian and pet health researcher,  Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and/ or cats. Contact Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your dog and/or cat today.