Nestle Purina PetCare is recalling one lot of Purina Veterinary Diets ® OM Overweight Management canned cat food after a consumer complaint to the Food and Drug Administration. Testing by the FDA indicated low thiamine (vitamin B1) levels in the product sample.

Though there is no immediate danger to cats consuming the product, a thiamine deficiency can result after several weeks of consumption. Thiamine is essential for cats, and symptoms of thiamine deficiency may present as either neurological or gastrointestinal in nature. Symptoms of thiamine deficiency can include decreased appetite, vomiting, salivation, and weight loss. As the cat becomes more deficient in vitamin B1, neurological signs will often be displayed that can include seizures, circling, bending the neck toward the floor and unsteady gait. With treatment, thiamine deficiency can often be corrected.

The recalled lot of Purina Veterinary Diets ® OM Overweight Management Feline Formula is packaged in a 5.5oz can. Consumers should check the bottom of the can for a best-by date of June 2013 and a production code of 11721159. The UPC code on the can is 38100-13810.

If you are in possession of a recalled lot of Purina Veterinary Diets ® OM Overweight Management Feline Formula, Nestle Purina PetCare recommends you discontinue feeding the product and discard it. For further information, or to obtain a product refund, United States consumers and veterinarians can contact the company by calling 1-800-982-8837 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time, or visit their website online at www.purinaveterinarydiets.com. If are a consumer or veterinarian in Canada, you can contact the company by calling 1-866-884-8387 Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, or visiting www.purina.ca online.

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.

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.

The number of bags of pet food being recalled by Diamond Pet Foods continues to expand as at least fourteen people across the United States have become ill from salmonella after handling the pet food or pets who have consumed the tainted products. At the time of this writing, no deaths have been reported, though five individuals have been hospitalized, including a four-month old baby. The Centers for Disease Control are currently involved in an investigation along with the US Food and Drug Administration regarding the contaminated pet foods.

Brands produced by Diamond Pet Foods that are involved in the recall include: Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul, Country Value, Diamond, Diamond Naturals, Premium Edge, Professional, 4Health, Taste of the Wild, Apex, Kirkland Signature / Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain, and Canidae. Diamond Pet Foods has created a website page dedicated to listing their pet foods involved in this recall. Pet owners who are in possession of bagged dog food under one of the above listed names can consult the Diamond Pet Foods Recall Information page to determine if their particular bag of food is listed in the recall.

Diamond Pet Foods stresses on their site that many of the brands of recalled food are only due to precautionary measures and most brands have not tested positive for salmonella.  If you find that you are in possession of one of the recalled brands, however, the company urges pet owners to safely dispose of the remaining food.

Holistic veterinarian Dr Carol Osborne is the leading authority in America on pet longevity topics. Dr Carol is the world’s only veterinarian who is certified in anti-aging medicine. Dr Carol created and patented PAAWS pet longevity supplements to lengthen the number of healthy years you can spend with your pet. Schedule a personal pet health consultation with Dr Carol through her website, at www.drcarol.com.

When pet owners open their hearts and homes to a new puppy, they are often supplied a sample package of the food their pet has been eating at his temporary home. If the pup is still small, it is likely he or she will be eating food formulated for pups by the pet food industry. At what point should you switch to adult dog food? Should you change in one day, or gradually? How you handle changes in your pets’ diet may mean the difference between success and a messy failure.

In general, most dogs mature into adults around the age of one year. Large and giant breed pups start off their life growing more slowly and are not considered to be adults until between 18 and 24 months. Should you choose to continue feeding your pet commercial dog food, you will want to switch from a puppy formulation to adult formulation around the time your dog reaches maturity. Gradually wean your dog from one formulation to the other slowly over a period of two to three weeks. Dogs of all ages need a high-quality, balanced natural diet that meets all their needs no matter their age. One example of how to gradually wean your dog from one diet to another is:

Day One/Two: Feed 75% old diet and 25% new diet
Day Three/Four: Feed 50% old diet and 50% new diet
Day Five/Six: Feed 25% old diet and 75% new diet
Day Seven: Feed only new diet

While many pet owners focus on puppy, adult, or senior foods as determined by the pet food industry, I recommend feeding a natural, organic, high-quality diet that is homemade, no matter what the pets’ age. Providing your dog with extra nutrients in the form of high quality supplements can offer longevity and wellness benefits for your dog that last for many years.

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.

Myself and other pet health professionals have been speaking out against the chicken jerky treats from Waggin’ Train for months, warning consumers that these treats have been linked to illness and death in several dogs. Now, a $5 million class action lawsuit has been filed against Nestle’ Purina and Wal-Mart by a pet owner whose beloved dog passed away after eating the Yam Good Waggin’ Train treats.

According to one report, over 500 reports were sent to Nestle’ Purina and Wagon Train LLC of pets who became ill after eating the jerky treat products. The company responded by placing a warning on their website regarding the complaints. Meanwhile, thousands of packages of potentially deadly treats remained on store shelves and in pet homes where they would be purchased and fed to defenseless pets day after day.

The legal complaint against Nestle’ Purina, Wagon Train, LLC,  and Wal-Mart can be found here.

Please, my dear pet-loving friends, do not take any chances with your pet’s life. Warn other pet lovers you know, too, about the potential danger with these treats. After all, how many pet owners really look at the website of a company producing treats before making that impulse purchase at Wal-Mart? And, for the record, Wal-Mart is still selling the Wagon Train treats on their shelves across the country.

For more details on the class action suit, please see this article or this article.

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.

Pet food is big business with over 65 million households in the United States being home to one or more dogs. This statistic doesn’t even include those homes that feature only felines! It’s of little wonder that the pet food industry is a booming business. However, just because business is booming doesn’t make it healthy. Billions of dollars are spent on packaged pet foods each year, but do you really know exactly what you’re pouring into your pets food dish each day?

We’ve all seen the bright packages containing pet food that are designed to appeal to the consumer. Images of whole chickens, cuts of beef, and even lamb chops adorn the outer package. But, buyer beware! Don’t expect you pet to be chowing down on actual lean chicken breasts, cuts of sirloin, or tasty lamb when you offer up the “food” inside. It should come as no surprise to informed pet owners that chicken feet, necks, and beaks are often what is used on those packages showing plump chicken breasts. Moral: Don’t be misled by the image on the outside of a package.

Now… on to the label. You shouldn’t have to have a PhD to read and understand a nutrition label for either yourself or your pet. Simply, if you can’t pronounce it, are you sure you or your pet should be eating it? When you scan the actual nutritional data, look at not only what vitamins and nutrients your pet is getting and in what amount per serving, but also take note of what your pet is not getting in sufficient amounts. It’s great to boast about what a food can offer your pet, but it’s just as important that pet owners take note of what their four-legged friend isn’t getting at the same time. How many calories would you really have to feed your pet in order for him/her to receive a nutritious, balanced diet? (A quick hint, most often, your pet would soon qualify as ‘obese’ with such an additional caloric load daily.)

Of course, a high-quality pet supplement is one way to ensure that your pet is getting the optimum (notice I said *optimum* and not “required”) amount of daily vitamins and nutrients. However, even feeding a great supplement doesn’t necessarily counter the negative effects of some “fillers” and preservatives in commercially available pet foods.

In short – Don’t be fooled by flashy advertising on pet food products. Just because a food claims to be organic, be certain of what you’re getting. Your pet depends on you to make healthy choices for him or her, and proper nutrition can increase your pets lifespan and decrease the likelihood of the development of diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

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.

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.

As we wrap up our week-long series on delicious homemade pet recipes, these last two are known as favorites among those with padded paws! Don’t forget that pet obesity is a real problem, so feed according to portion sizes and only feed twice a day unless there are additional circumstances which your vet directs otherwise. Just as pet owners sometimes enjoy a night on the town and a fancy meal, these nutritious recipes for pets can make your four-legged friend feel special and treated as well.

Creamy Chicken Delight (for Cats)

5 ounces baked chicken breast
2 tbsp creamed corn
2 tsp finely grated zucchini

Mix all ingredients together. Add ¼ tsp extra virgin olive oil to enhance the taste and aroma. You can consider seasoning with low-sodium tamari sauce, as well. (Many cats LOVE tamari sauce!)

Sesame Chicken & Asparagus Pasta (for Dogs)

8 ounces linguine
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp brown sugar
6 tbsp chunky peanut butter
¼ cup soy sauce
6 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp hot chili oil
2 boneless, skinned and cooked chicken breast halves
5 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
1 pound thin asparagus, trimmed
1 small cucumber, halved, seeded and diced into ¼-inch pieces

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the linguine, cook at a rolling boil until just tender. Drain, rinse under cold water, drain again and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
2. Place the garlic, vinegar, brown sugar, peanut butter and soy sauce in a food processor. Process for 1 minute. With the motor running, slowly add the sesame and hot chili oils through the feed tube and process until well-blended.
3. Shred the chicken into 2-inch julienne strips, and then toss with the linguine. Add the sauce plus 4 tbsp of the sesame seeds and toss to coat well.
4. Cut the asparagus on the diagonal into 1-inch lengths. Blanch in a sauce pan of boiling water for 1 minute. Drain, rinse under cold water and pat dry.
5. Place the linguine and chicken in a large, flat serving bowl and arrange the asparagus on top. Sprinkle with cucumber and remaining 1 tbsp sesame seeds.
6. Serve at room temperature.

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.

Cats aren’t the only four-legged members of the household who enjoy the taste of salmon. Many dogs also like salmon and other fish foods, especially when the recipe is flavored with some other enticing ingredients. Consider this salmon and sesame dinner dish for your dog and watch as he licks his bowl clean.

Salmon and Sesame (for Dogs)

2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
4 salmon steaks (8 ounces each)
1 tbsp sesame seeds
½ tsp celery seeds
Sesame butter, chilled

Combine fresh lime juice, vegetable oil, and soy sauce in a bowl. Add the salmon steaks to the marinade and coat well. Allow the steaks to sit in the marinade for approximately one hour, covered loosely. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread celery and sesame seeds on a baking sheet and brown in the warmed oven – approximately 3-5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. Broil salmon steaks for 8 minutes on each side. Serve with sesame butter and sprinkle with toasted sesame and celery seeds.

Remember, just because your dog quickly inhales his tasty meal, there is no need to feed additional food. Stick with your veterinarian’s recommendation on portion sizes. Refrigerate left-overs so that your dog can enjoy their delicious meals on consecutive days.

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.