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April 2007

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You have probably read article after article about the recent MenuFoods recall... but again, just in case you haven't seen it or have lost the link, here is it again: www.menufoods.com/recall. The recall affects over 90 brands of 'wet' dog and cat food, marketed under many different brand names including Iams, Eukanuba, and Nutro. Please see the website above for details. A more recent development is that Purina has recalled some types of their Alpo wet dog food in the USA. Hills has also recalled its Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food. And finally, Del Monte Pet Products has issued a voluntary recall of several dog & cat treats. If you do still have this food in your pantry, discard it or return it to your local retailer. If your pet has consumed any of the recalled food (or if you suspect he may have), continue to monitor him for signs of illness (you can also keep unused portions of the food in a baggie in the freezer). Symptoms of kidney failure include loss of appetite, excessive drinking, vomiting and lethargy. Consult your vet immediately if you notice signs of illness. See you next month... and remember to send in your favourite pet photos!

PET QUOTES

"Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog." (Sydney Jeanne Seward) "To a cat, 'NO!' means 'Not while I'm looking'." (Source Unknown)

PHOTOS FROM PROUD PET PARENTS

"Bob really knows how to relax and even smiles for the camera. Notice he keeps his favorite ball close." - Lorne of Agassiz, BC

"Here is a picture of Max (11 year old Bishon Shitshu) with his favorite toy, a rubber gecko. He loves that it slaps him when he shakes it and thinks its playing with him. In between play time it has to be put away or he will not leave it alone." - Sent in by Terry S.

"This is Precious, an abandoned Old English Sheepdog. We collected her from Oshawa in August 2006, a very sad emaciated animal. She had been neglected, faeces covered her fur and paws and legs yellow from urine. She had been beaten and was left with sore ribs and a mangled eye. She has lost the sight in her eye but oh what a beautiful dog she has developed into. Long legged and gangly and with the biggest paws I have ever seen. She is the most delightful, funny, loving dog anyone would be proud to own." - Daphne B. from St Catharine's

COMMON INJURIES TO DOGS

Accidents happen everyday. Even the best pet owners can make a mistake, or a set of circumstances can lead to an injury to your dog. In most cases you will probably want to take your dog to the vet immediately rather than taking a "wait-and-see" approach. Even though the dog may appear to be okay, there can be inside trauma that requires diagnosis by a vet. Some common injuries include: Dog fight wounds. Dog fights can result in bite wounds, punctures, torn flesh, and worse. Although there are some fights that sound worse than they really are, many are serious. Contact the vet for instructions and get your dog there ASAP. If your dog does not appear too traumatized, you may wish to carefully check him for wounds. *** IMPORTANT: Even the most mild-mannered, well-behaved pet may bite if he is in pain. Use caution. A run-in with a car (or other vehicle). Dogs will typically either get up shakily or continue to lie where they are. Either way, get your dog to the vet right away. Even if your dog gets up and is able to walk away he may have internal injuries or bleeding that need treatment. Try to minimize movement by placing your dog on a firm surface, such as a sheet of plywood. If that's not available use a blanket. The goal is to transport your dog to the vet with as little motion as possible. Dogs that participate in dog sports such as agility may experience soft tissue injuries or lameness. While it might be as benign as a pulled muscle, it's better to be safe than sorry. Stop your dog from continuing the sport and ensure he rests. Contact the vet for advice. Eye injuries can occur any time. Snub-nosed breeds such as Pekingese and Pugs are particularly susceptible because their eyes protrude slightly. Look for signs such as: squinting; watery eyes; unequal pupils; excessive blinking; or severely bloodshot eyes. Prompt attention from a vet may be able to prevent serious injuries from leading to blindness (or least help to preserve some sight). Not all eye injuries are serious - sometimes it's just a bruised eye, but again, you want to be sure. Did you know that eye injuries can result from dogs riding with their heads outside open car windows? Although many dogs love this, bits of debris can enter the dog's eye and even lodge itself in the eye. Foot and leg injuries. This is one type of injury that you may be able to wait a bit longer before taking action, depending on the situation. Dogs romp around all the time and if they jump or step the wrong way, it could result in a sprain or pulled muscle. Watch for signs of continued lameness. If it doesn't show signs of improvement contact your vet. Dogs may also get foreign objects stuck in their paws. If you notice your dog limping, the first thing to do is carefully check his paws including in between the toes. Gently remove burrs, seeds, dried mud, or other substances that could be causing him discomfort (in the winter, ice balls that form between the paw pads are very uncomfortable). If your dog has a cut, wash it out and bandage it. Call your vet if it's a particularly large or deep cut that may require stitches. If in doubt, consult your vet for advice.

UPCOMING PET EVENTS

Gabriola Island, BC - Apr 14/07: Big Heart Rescue will be holding a Have A Heart Pub Night and Silent/Live Auction at the Silva Bay Marina on Gabriola Island. There will be lots of items to bid on, 50/50 draw, games and of course an opportunity for networking and fun! More info Calgary, Alberta - June 24/07: Bring your dog, borrow a dog, or come on your own to our annual Dog Jog and More! Join other pet lovers to raise funds for the Calgary Humane Society. It's a fun-filled day for every animal-loving family! The walk takes place at Fish Creek Park. More info If your non-profit pet organization is holding an event, please send us the details!

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