WAG! Fest - August 24, 2013 - Hillard, OH

WHAT:  WAG! is FUN, FREE, and FAMILY-FRIENDLY

As the region’s largest dog event, WAG! is a perfect day’s adventure for dogs and people together. Taking place in the beautiful Darby Bend Lakes area of Prairie Oaks Metro Park, there will be pet-friendly trails to wander and lakes to splash in…where the route to activities leads past appealing booths, where attendees can stop, shop, and learn from the area’s best dog-related product and service providers.

Admission is FREE.

Activities include:

• The WAG! Marketplace will include exhibits of products, samples and services from pet retailers, clubs and organizations dedicated to the health and well being of canines.
• Dogs can take a dip at the Water Bark Beach off-leash swim area.
• Demonstrations, entertaining programs and contests at the Take a Bow-Wow Stage. Pups that stand out from the pack will have a chance to compete in the Top Dog Contest.
• Guests can meet experts from various area rescue groups to learn about the best four-legged match for their home and lifestyle at the Meet the Breed Pavilion.
• The icy oasis of the Canine Ice Castle will provide for a cool canine respite on a warm afternoon.
• Captivating disk demonstrations and dog agility demonstrations by some of the area’s most talented canines.
• Canine companion adoptions available through various dog rescue groups. And much more!

WHEN:   Saturday, August 24, 2013  10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE:  Darby Bend Lakes Area of Prairie Oaks Metro Parks, 2755 Amity Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026

WHY WAG!:  Supports dogs in need. We help over 30 Central Ohio dog-serving organizations reach thousands of donors and potential adopters each year.

MORE INFO:  Visit www.WAGFEST.com

Pedigree Dog Food Recall

On Saturday, June 30, 2012, Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary dog food recall of a limited number of three varieties of Pedigree weight management canned products due to a potential choking risk.

Affected product may contain small pieces of blue plastic — which entered the food during the production process.

The source of the plastic has been identified and the issue resolved.

Consumers who have purchased affected product are advised to discard the food or return it to the retailer for a full refund.

While a small number of consumers have reported finding the plastic pieces, the company claims it has not received any reports of injury or illness associated with the affected product.

The lot codes indicated below should not be sold or consumed.

Affected product was distributed to retail customers throughout the United States. Mars Petcare US is working with its distributors and retail customers to ensure the recalled products are no longer sold and are removed from inventory.

Click here to read the full story.

URGENT Pet Food Recalls

There have been multiple dog food recalls this month. Please check these websites if you feed your dog(s) any of these brands:

Canidae

Natural Balance

Wellness

Diamond including these brands:
•    Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul 
•    Taste of the Wild
•    Country Value
•    Premium Edge
•    Professional
•    4Health 
•    Diamond Naturals
•    Kirkland

May 2, 2012  FDA update on Chicken Jerky Treats from China

Why Feeding High Fiber Kibble to Fat Cats Defies Logic

By Dr. Becker
Mercola HealthPets

In a study published recently in the Journal of Animal Science, researchers investigated the effects of three different types of fiber on overweight cats.

(Right off the bat, one has to wonder about the real purpose behind testing biologically inappropriate food on animals who already have a weight problem.)

Twenty-four overweight cats were fed one of four dry food diets:

• A control diet with 11.5 percent fiber
• Diet containing beet pulp with 26 percent fiber
• Diet with wheat bran and 24 percent fiber
• Diet with sugarcane and 28 percent fiber

The purpose of the study was to measure the effects of fiber on energy and macronutrient digestibility, fermentation product formation, postprandial metabolite responses, and colon histology.

In other words, the researchers wanted to know how well the cats’ bodies were able to digest and assimilate the nutrition provided by the various fiber diets, and what changes occurred in the colon as a result of eating significant amounts of dietary fiber.

Click here to read the full article on Mercola HealthyPets.

How to Tell If a Pet Food Manufacturer is Untrustworthy

By Dr. Becker
Mercola HealthyPets

Recently a DVM and professor from Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Lisa Freeman, gave a lecture based on her research on companion animal nutrition.

According to PetfoodIndustry.com:

"The lecture, part of the "A Taste of Tufts: A Sampling of Faculty Research" series, focused on exposing pet nutrition myths and educating pet owners on how to select an optimal diet for their pet."
I ran across some information on Dr. Freeman's lecture and wanted to share the highlights with my readers here at Mercola Healthy Pets.

Freeman is what is known as a "Triple Jumbo."

She has earned a degree from three separate Tufts campuses: a B.S. from the College of Liberal Arts, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Cummings School and a Ph.D. from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

Her special area of interest is pet nutrition and heart disease.

Many Pet Food Companies Don't Employ Even a Single Nutritionist

Dr. Freeman made the point that pet food labels are used by manufacturers and marketers for advertising as well as informational purposes.

And most of the pet owners Dr. Freeman talks to base their pet food buying decisions not so much on the information contained on the label, but on the advertising claims.

The most important information on a pet food label is certainly not advertising claims, nor is it even the ingredient list, according to Dr. Freeman.

It's the name of the manufacturer. "You would absolutely be shocked at the variability in the quality of different companies," said Freeman.

Dr. Freeman believes any reliable pet food manufacturer employs at least one full-time qualified nutritionist, a research and development department, runs its own plants and imposes internal quality control standards.

According to Dr. Freeman, it is shocking how many pet food companies do not have a nutritionist on staff. She would prefer companies spend less money on marketing and more on research and development and experts in animal nutrition.

Unfortunately, many small, family owned, good quality pet food manufacturers cannot afford to employ a full time veterinary nutritionist, so they employ them on a consulting basis. Finding out who your pet food company has consulted with during the formulation process is very important.

Click here to read the full article on Mercola HealthPets.

Jerky Treats Causing Fanconi Syndrome in Dogs

The American Veterinary Medical Association recently posted a Media Alert warning veterinarians that multiple brands of jerky treats manufactured in China have been making dogs sick.

No cats have been reported to be affected. A contaminant has yet to be identified. At this time there is no list of specific brands affected and there is no recall in effect, so these products are still being sold to consumers.

Presenting Signs and Laboratory Findings
The dogs appear to be developing an acquired Fanconi's syndrome which appears to be transient. Small dogs with a history of ingesting jerky treats (mostly chicken jerky) are typically affected. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.

Physical examination findings have been unremarkable. In addition to mildly elevated liver enzymes, the most common blood abnormalities include severe decrease in Potassium, called hypokalemia, along with acidosis and glucose (sugar) in the urine and granular casts on urinalysis. Elevated kidney enzymes; Blood Urea Nitrogen and Creatinine may or may not be consistently found.

Testing Recommendations
For dogs with apparent Fanconi's syndrome, we recommend a CBC, chemistry panel including electrolytes, urinalysis and urine culture. Blood gas nalysis, if available, is ideal. Additional testing for other causes of acute kidney damage including Leptospirosis blood testing is also recommended. Kidney x-rays, and Fanconi screens on urine may be warranted in some cases.

This veterinarian is seeing dogs with apparent acute liver failure problems associated with canine treats made by Delmonte.

For more information, veterinarian, Dr. Carol Osborne can be reached at 1-866-372-2765.

To learn about other pet food recalls, visit the FDA Pet Food Recall Product List web page at:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/newpetfoodrecalls/

The Animal Obesity Epidemic

The following article was sent to me by Ashley Porter of VeterinarianTechnician.org and is something all pet owners should be aware of:

Top 50 Reads for Understanding the Animal Obesity Epidemic

Note from Jo Ann:

Pet obesity has become a major problem in this country, and one which often leads to serious health issues and, yes, even the premature death of a beloved pet.

Overweight animals are just as prone to heart problems, diabetes, thyroid conditions, and other organ failures as humans are. Hips, joints, and back are also affected.

Proper diet and exercise will definitely help to keep your pet in good heath and prolong their life span.

Always remember that "WE ARE WHAT WE EAT"... and that applies to our pets as well. If it's not good for you... then don't feed it to the animal.

Read the ingredient panels on all your pet food and make sure you are buying a product that meets the requirements of your dog or cat. You DO NOT want products that contain mostly indigestible carbohydrate grains. Rice, either white or brown, is a much better option than corn or sorghum. An indigestible carbohydrate often turns to sugar, which can lead to obesity.... or worse, diabetes. Also, become aware of the "treats" you are giving. All those pretty colors are FDA dyes, which can affect the kidneys... and most treats contain "sugar" or other ingredients that often contributes to obesity.

There are a number of good pet nutrition books available. The internet is also full of information but you do have to be careful... as some of these sites are not a reliable source. Your Veterinarian can also provide you with help in getting your pet back in good, healthy condition.

However, the best solution is to feed a proper diet, feed the right amount of food for the activity level, and always be aware of any changes in weight.... either gain or loss.

Another good rule is to have a feeding schedule for your pet. Free feeding (allowing the animal an endless supply of food) often leads to overeating. The proper amount, given twice a day, is the best way to ensure your pet stays in proper physical condition.

Nutritional Know-How by Cesar

This is a great pet nutrition article by Cesar Millan that is also featured in the October issue of Cesar's Way Magazine:

Nutritional Know-How: A to Z

100 Expert Nutrition Tips for a Happy & Healthy Pet

This article was suggested to me by its publisher Ken Martin. I found it to be very thorough and well put together. I hope you find it useful:

100 Expert Nutrition Tips for a Happy & Healthy Pet
http://www.nursingschools.net/blog/2010/09/100-expert-nutrition-tips-for-a-happy-healthy-pet/

Recession Proof Your Dog: Tips from Cesar

Owning or adopting a dog can be expensive under any circumstances. Between the price of food, medical expenses, pet paraphernalia, training, and boarding, monthly budgets can shoot skyward with the addition of a four-legged friend to the household. But even in this time of economic crisis, you can find ways to care for your loyal companion without breaking the bank!

Read Cesar's 11 Tips:
http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/features/recession.php

Having Trouble Affording Your Pet?

Here is a fantastic resource from the HSUS site:

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/trouble_affording_your_pet.html

Meals on Wheels for Pets

If anyone comes across someone in need of help providing food for their animals due to economic hardship, here's an option for short-term assistance through Meals on Wheels' "We All Love Our Pets" initiative.

With support from the Banfield Charitable Trust, grants are available to local Meals on Wheels agencies to provide pet food to clients. For more information, visit:
http://www.mowaa.org/Page.aspx?pid=326

What Is Really In Your Pet's Food?

This article was written by my friend and fellow rescuer Dawn Groth:

Hello all,

Yet another disturbing trend has been brought to my attention by the ASPCA. After reading the articles and doing a bit of research on my own. Just google the words "what's in your pets food" and see what comes up. It's disgusting, and yet true. And I'm not just talking about your cheap generic brands... but Major brand names such as Purina, Kibbles, etc... I know I am going to be very careful from now on what I feed my pets! Thought I would give you all a heads up so you can make your own choices. One of the articles I've linked to has a number of brands that are supposed to be more safe.

"What most consumers are unaware of is that the pet food industry is an extension of the human food industry, also known as the agriculture industry. Pet food provides a place for slaughterhouse waste and grains considered "unfit for human consumption" to be turned into profit. This waste includes cow tongues, esophagi, and possibly diseased and cancerous meat. The "whole grains" used have had the starch removed and the oil extracted -- usually by chemical processing -- for vegetable oil, or they are the hulls and other remnants from the milling process. Some of the truly whole grains used may have been deemed unfit for human consumption because of mold, contaminants, or poor storage practices."

"The problems associated with a commercial diet are seen every day at veterinary establishments. Chronic digestive problems, such as chronic diarrhea, are among the most frequent illnesses treated."

"Many commercial pet foods are made with ingredients that have poor protein digestibility."

"Urinary tract disease is directly related to diet in both cats and dogs. Plugs, crystals, and stones in cat bladders are caused by commercial pet food formulas."

What's really in Pet Food... report by Animal Protection Institute
http://www.preciouspets.org/report.htm

Excellent Article with alternate foods noted at the end of the article.
http://www.squidoo.com/safe-healthy-natural-cat-food

Get the Facts.... what's in your pets food?
http://www.api4animals.org/facts.php?p=359&more=1