Study: Early Neutering Poses Health Risks for German Shepherds

The study from UC Davis researchers found that neutering or spaying before one year old, triples the risk of one or more joint disorders in these dogs.

Abstract
German Shepherd Dogs are important in police and military work, and are a popular family pet, they are great work dogs, and they even save lives so the use of a German shepherd life jacket is essential to protect the dogs. The debilitating joint disorders of hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament tear (CCL) and elbow dysplasia can shorten a dog’s useful working life and impact its role as a family member. For this study, veterinary hospital records were examined over a 14.5-year period on 1170 intact and neutered (including spaying) German Shepherd Dogs for joint disorders and cancers previously associated with neutering. The diseases were followed through 8 years of age, with the exception of mammary cancer (MC) in females that was followed through 11 years. The cancers followed, apart from mammary, were osteosarcoma, lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma and mast cell tumour.

Continue reading Study: Early Neutering Poses Health Risks for German Shepherds

FDA Approves Galliprant, a New Animal Drug for Osteoarthritis in Dogs

FDA Approves Galliprant, a New Animal Drug for Osteoarthritis in Dogs

March 21, 2016
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the approval of Galliprant (grapiprant tablets), a new animal drug intended to control pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition where cartilage – the protective material that cushions a joint – breaks down over time, causing the bones to rub against each other. This rubbing can permanently damage the joint and cause pain, inflammation, and lameness. Older and overweight dogs are at a higher risk of developing OA.

A new treatment option for dogs with OA, Galliprant is a prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) EP4 receptor antagonist; a non-cyclooxygenase inhibiting, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). All NSAIDs carry certain risks, including vomiting, diarrhea, not eating/eating less, and lethargy. These drugs must be prescribed by a licensed veterinarian, because professional expertise is needed to diagnose and provide guidance in the control of OA pain.

Other NSAIDs that are FDA-approved for use in dogs include deracoxib (Deramaxx), carprofen (Rimadyl, Novocox, Carprieve, Quellin, Carprofen), meloxicam (Metacam, Loxicom, Orocam, Meloxidyl, Meloxicam), and firocoxib (Previcox).

The application for Galliprant is sponsored by Aratana Therapeutics.

Carnivore Meat Company, LLC Voluntarily Issues a Recall for One Lot of Frozen Pet Food

For Immediate Release
January 15, 2016
Contact

Carnivore Meat Company, LLC
info@vitalessentialsraw.com
920-370-6542
Firm Press Release

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers. Always use caution when handling raw foods.
Animals with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some animals will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy animals can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your animal has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The single lot involved in this voluntary recall is:

Vital Essentials Frozen Chicken Patties Entrée for Dogs, Net wt. 6 lbs.
UPC 33211 00807, Lot # 11475, Best by date 20161108 (11/08/16)

The “Best By” date code and lot # is located on the back of the package. The affected product was distributed in CA, FL, GA, RI, TX and WA. Continue reading Carnivore Meat Company, LLC Voluntarily Issues a Recall for One Lot of Frozen Pet Food

Stella & Chewy’s recalls Super Beef Dinner Morsels for Dogs

Product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes

Stella & Chewy’s has been notified by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development that it had issued a stop sale order on Stella’s Super Beef Dinner Morsels for Dogs 8.5 oz. frozen bags, lot #165-15, “Use by 6-25-2016,” during routine surveillance because it tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

As a precautionary measure, the company is voluntarily recalling selected products from Lot # 165-15, as listed below.

Furthermore, while they have not tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, in an abundance of caution, the company also is voluntarily recalling two additional products that may have been exposed to the affected lot.

The affected products are: Continue reading Stella & Chewy’s recalls Super Beef Dinner Morsels for Dogs

Nutro treats recalled

Nutro dog treats recalled for potential mold
Apple Chewy dog treats were sold at PetSmart

Mars Petcare has issued a voluntary recall of its Nutro Apple Chewy dog treats due to potential mold.

The product, Nutro Chewy Treats Apple 4 oz., was sold at PetSmart with the SKU 5229600, product UPC 7910511344, and lot codes beginning with ‘4 50’, ‘5 02’, ‘5 03’, OR ‘5 05’ (regardless of best by date).

Consumers are urged to stop feeding this product to their pets and bring any remaining Nutro 4 oz. Apple Chewy Treats affected by this recall to their nearest PetSmart for a full refund.

If you have questions about this voluntary recall, contact Nutro Customer Service at +1.800.833.5330.

Bravo Recalls Select Chicken and Turkey Pet Foods

Bravo Pet Foods of Manchester, CT is recalling a select lot of Bravo Chicken Blend diet for dogs & cats with a best used by date of 11/13/16 due to concerns of the possible presence of Salmonella . Out of an abundance of caution, Bravo is also recalling three additional items that did not test positive for Salmonella , but were manufactured on the same day. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers. Always use proper caution when handling raw foods. Continue reading Bravo Recalls Select Chicken and Turkey Pet Foods