Author: mom

Hartz Mountain Recalls Naturals Real Beef Treats : Possible Salmonella Risk

The Hartz Mountain Corporation Recalls Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm224987.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — SECAUCUS, N.J. – September 3, 2010 – The Hartz Mountain Corporation is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats for Dogs due to concerns that one or more bags 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. Continue reading Hartz Mountain Recalls Naturals Real Beef Treats : Possible Salmonella Risk

Genetics & Breeding strategies

Essays for the dog breeder.

Follow these links to great book chapters on breeding and genetics by Dr. Thorpe-Vargas

Tick-Borne Diseases: An Emerging Threat

Dr. Brian J. Luria
University of Florida
Introduction
Our awareness in human and veterinary medicine that certain insects and arthropods transmit disease has been established for many years. In recent years, our knowledge has increased dramatically, mostly due to advancements in our ability to diagnose these diseases. For a variety of reasons, ticks are appearing in greater numbers than ever. Ticks are a very important cause of debilitating and deadly diseases and conditions in both humans and domestic animals. Almost equal to the disease transmitting potential of ticks, is the fear and concern that arise among many owners and veterinary staff members when a tick is found on a dog or cat.
This discussion will focus on education regarding the diseases that ticks can transmit, how to diagnose and treat them, and how to prevent your dogs from acquiring ticks and the diseases they transmit. Continue reading Tick-Borne Diseases: An Emerging Threat

The Current Status of Canine Vaccinations:

Are We Vaccinating Dogs with Too Many Vaccines Too Often?
Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhD
University of Florida
Introduction
Since the 1950’s, veterinary medicine has done an excellent job in educating pet owners on the importance of vaccination. There is no debate over the health benefits that millions of dogs have derived from vaccination against distemper, parvovirus, infectious hepatitis, and rabies. The decrease in number of human, canine, and farm animal cases of rabies in recent years, despite an increasing incidence in wildlife, is largely attributable to vaccination of dogs.1
Vaccination not only protects the individual dog, but also decreases disease prevalence and transmission in the canine population as a whole, even if some of the dogs are not vaccinated. For example, rabies is not effectively transmitted if more than 70 percent of the canine population is vaccinated.1 Continue reading The Current Status of Canine Vaccinations:

Ear Care and Disease

Rosanna Marsella, DVM

Introduction
Otitis externa is one of the most frequent reasons for owners to seek veterinarians help. The prevalence of otitis externa in dogs has been reported to be between 10-20 percent, although in more tropical climates it is probably closer to 30-40 percent. Unfortunately, the term otitis does not refer to a specific disease but to an inflammation of the external ear canal. It is a symptom of many diseases and not a specific diagnosis. The actual underlying causes of otitis are numerous. The purpose of this lecture is to review the general principles of ear care and the most important causes of otitis externa. Continue reading Ear Care and Disease

Cancer Treatment Update

Dr. Rowan Milner, BVSc, MedVet
University of Florida

Introduction
Veterinary oncology is undergoing fundamental change. The old paradigm of if it can’t be surgically removed then euthanasia is the next step no longer applies. The reason for this change is due to the following factors: pet owners are becoming more sophisticated in their requirements for specialized treatment, improved results due to better treatment protocols and drugs, a heightened awareness in private practitioner of the early signs of neoplasia leads to earlier detection of cancer leading to more successful treatment, and an increase in age of the pet population has lead to a population of pets with a greater risk of developing cancer. Continue reading Cancer Treatment Update