Register now for the webinar by creating a free account at Ask Dr. Pawz and reply that you will be attending the Pet Nutrition event.  See you tonight!  Dr. Donna

Recently several lots of Phenobarbital (32.4 mg tablets) were voluntarily recalled by Qualitest Pharmaceuticals because of a label mix-up.  A medication containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen were incorrectly labeled as Phenobarbital tablets.

As a result, it is possible that a pet may unintentionally be given Hydrocodone/Acetominophen tablets instead of phenobarbital. This could cause a problem with a pet’s seizure control because of missing their phenobarbital doses.  Additionally, acetominophen can be toxic to pets and 3 serious adverse reports involving dogs have been reported.

Find out more about the Phenobarbital Recall from the FDA.

Vegetarian/vegan diets can indeed be used in dogs…and actually have a place in the treatment of certain medical conditions in dogs, however, it is critical that a dog owner work with a veterinary nutritionist or someone knowledgeable about canine nutrient requirements in order to feed this type of diet healthfully.

I was interviewed by CNN.com for my opinion on vegan diets for dogs and they posted the article today…check it out!  Good food for thought if you are considering a vegetarian or vegan diet for your dog.

I offer a variety of nutrition consultation services that may help you in choosing or creating a complete and balanced diet plan for your dog (or cat!).

Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, is recalling approximately 14,158 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced yesterday.

For more information on this recall and tips on preparing ground beef for safe consumption:  Ground Beef Recall

The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by Washington State Department of Agriculture which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria.

Consumers who have purchased any of these pig ears are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-877-481-2663.

Visit Pig Ear Recall – Salmonella for more information on specific pig ear batches affected and what what to monitor yourself or your pet for in regards to  Salmonella.

There has been a voluntary recall for possibly low thiamine (vitamin B1) levels.

The following Wellness canned cat food lots involved in this recall are:

• All flavors and sizes with “best-by” dates from 14APR13 through 30SEP13
• Chicken & Herring (all sizes) with “best-by” dates of 10NOV13 or 17NOV13

Thiamine is an essential vitamin for cats and a deficiency is more likely in cats fed the affected foods for several weeks.  Deficiency may result in gastrointestinal or neurological issues.  Notify your veterinarian if your cat has any of the following signs:

• Decreased appetite, vomiting, salivating, weight loss
• Bending the head/neck down, wobbly walking, circling, falling or seizures

Consumers who still have cans of this cat food should stop feeding IMMEDIATELY and contact Wellness at 877-227-9587, M-F, 9a-7p ET with questions.

The health risks of obesity are real–arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure.

These preventable diseases are the high price that U.S. pets are paying for the extra calories they eat every day.

Last week the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (www.petobesityprevention.com) reported that 53% of cats and 55% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight and obesity is at record highs since 2007.

Talk to your vet….and if your pet is overweight, make a plan! Get your pet eating healthy and include daily exercise to help them start shedding those extra pounds in no time.

Need help creating a food plan that is low-calorie, healthful and nutritious…contact me about a nutrition consult.

Cheers to your pet’s best health!

Until now, the last confirmed case of 2009 H1N1 in a pet was reported in January 2010.  These new cases are a reminder that the virus is still around and is capable of infecting people and their pets.

If your pet is showing any abnormal respiratory signs, have them evaluated by your veterinarian promptly.  Make sure to tell your veterinarian if a person in your house has recently been ill with flu-like symptoms.   As always, proper hygiene can help prevent spread of the virus–do not have close contact with your pet if you are sick; do not allow your pet to “kiss” or lick your hands or face; always wash your hands before and after handling pets, their food bowls, toys, etc.

Wishing you all good health….

If your pet is on Vetsulin, ask your veterinarian about changing to a new insulin product.   There will be resources for you and your veterinarian about transitioning to a new insulin posted on www.Vetsulin.com.