In the wake of problems with Novartis' human medicine division, the company has notified veterinarians that certain pet medications may contain improper tablets. The products involved include Clomicalm, Interceptor Flavor Tabs, Sentinel Flavor Tabs, Program Tablets and Suspension, Milbemite and Deramaxx. The company suggested veterinarians warn clients to remove any broken tablets or tablets that are not the right size or color. RTT News (1/31/12)
Ice-Melt Poses Pet Risks
Rock salt (sodium chloride), a common ice-melting agent, can irritate pets' paws, mouths and gastrointestinal systems and trigger seizures when ingested in large quantities.
Alternative ice- and snow-melt products, with names like "Safe Paw," "Safe-T-Pet" and "Ice Melt for Pets," may be less irritating, but still can pose risks. Some include magnesium, calcium, potassium or urea, which also can pose problems when consumed in large amounts, says Camille DeClementi, senior toxicologist for the Animal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
"We worry that if pets ingest a fair amount, it will change the electrolyte balance in their bloodstream," Dr. DeClementi says. Among the possible effects: dehydration, kidney failure, heart arrhythmia and seizures.
What puts pets at risk? Piling product on sidewalks rather than sprinkling as directed, or accidentally leaving open bags where they're accessible to pets. In cases of concentrated ingestion, a urea or calcium-based product generally poses less risk than products with other common ingredients, Dr. DeClementi says.
She recommends wiping pets' paws down after walks and keeping fur between paw pads trimmed but not too short. If an animal exhibits lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, twitching or trembling, call the veterinarian or Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) and have product label nearby for reference.
—Gwendolyn Bounds The Wall Street Journal (1/25/11)
Chicago Officials Suspect Distemper in Raccoons
Chicago's animal control officials are advising pet owners to have their dogs and cats vaccinated against distemper after finding three raccoons last week that they suspect are infected with the highly contagious nervous-system disease. More than 100 dogs were affected by an outbreak of distemper six years ago. WLS-TV (Chicago) - (12/17/10) (Courtesy AVMA)
FDA warns pet owners about buying online pet meds (USA Today 9/28/10)
Buyer beware, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns Tuesday with this announcement, especially when it comes to ads that say you don't need a veterinarian's prescription. You could kill a dog, for instance, that has heartworms by giving it heartworm meds and kill cats and small dogs by giving them certain tick and flea meds. We've had other posts about what safety labels to look for when buying online drugs. Some online dealers are reputable, but Patty Khuly, a veterinarian who writes a column for USA TODAY, suggests it's really most safe to get drugs from your vet. FDA reported Tuesday it has found companies that sell unapproved pet drugs and counterfeit pet products, make fraudulent claims, dispense prescription drugs without requiring a prescription, and sell expired drugs. A copy of the information you can print out can be found on their website.
THE RE-EMERGENCE OF CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS "Now a leading cause of acute kidney failure in dogs. This disease has become an increasingly common- and deadly-occurrence. Four-way vaccines are safe, and they effectively protect against the two leading causes of leptospirosis. In nature wild animals are reservoirs of the bacteria. Dogs and people are most often infected indirectly from contaminated water, but they can be infected through direct contact with urine from infected neighborhood dogs and wildlife." Is your dog protected? (The Animal Health Solution, Nov. 2008)
January 2010: The Food and Drug Administration has provided a pet health and safety widget for consumers. The widget has two tabs, one titled "tips" and the other titled "updates." The Tips tab has pet health and safety information. The Updates tab has up to date recall notices.
Summer heat safety: It is extremely important to prevent your dog from getting overheated. Dogs must be able to find shelter from the sun and have access to drinking water. Dogs cool off by panting, finding shade and drinking cool water. If they are unable to escape the heat, they may die from heat stroke. Watch for staggering, decreased alertness, and very rapid breathing. Never leave your dog in your parked car. Do not walk your dog during the hot part of the day. If you suspect your pet has heat stroke call your veterinarian immediately.
Did you know that grapes and raisins can be toxic to your dog?
The quantity of grapes or raisins ingested is in the range of 0.2 oz/lb to 4.4 oz/lb.
(According to an abstract presented by the ASPCA).
Heartworm:
"Veterinarians say a health problem for Chicago-area canines is incubating in thousands of dogs rescued from Hurricane Katrina."
"The Humane Society of the United States reports that between 65 percent and 80 percent of the more than 8,500 "Katrina" dogs sent across the United States, including the Chicago area, to be fostered and adopted have tested positive for heartworm." (Quoted from: Chicago Tribune 8/20/06 by Barbara Cooke.)
Microchipping Saves Lives
"In Newsweek magazine, microchipping was listed as the number one advancement in pet care by Dr. Merry Crimi. This service is considered to be the standard of care." "Getting lost is the number one killer of companion animals" "Microchipping is not a luxury; it's a necessity."
Please call us today for an appointment to protect your pet. (Quotes from Avid Chip news release).
More than forty thousand people a year get salmonellosis, a diarrheal illness, from contact with reptiles. "Some people even sleep with their lizards," says Heather Bair-Brake, health-education coordinator at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Wash your hands after handling your reptile or its cage, and never let your scaly pal wander around the house. The bacteria can last for months on any surface. (Quoted from AARP Magazine, July and August 2006).
All dogs are at risk of contracting Lyme disease, especially if a dog:
*Spends time in wooded areas, low-growing grassland or at the seashore
*Is outdoors during peak tick season (April-September in the East, South and
Central states; November-April on the West Coast)
* Lives or visits Lyme-endemic areas of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic or upper
Midwest.
Protection can be achieved by annual Lyme vaccination and a good quality topical tick control product. Quoted from The Merial Protector, vol 2 May 2006.
The average human lives between four and five times longer than a cat or a dog. For animal lovers, those numbers often mean experiencing the very real heartache and pain of losing an animal that has become a cherished member of the family." There are internet sites, books and support groups available to ease the pain. PET LOSS HOTLINE: sponsored by The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. Call (630)325-1600. Online: The Pet Loss Support. www.pet-loss.net. (From A Pioneer Press Newspaper 10/25/07).
SAGO PALM WARNING "The ASPCA warns that all parts of the plant are toxic, possibly even fatal, if dogs or cats eat them, and that sago palm pet poisonings are on the rise as the plant becomes more popular. Other common houseplants that pose dangers to pets: pothos, schefflera, amaryllis and English ivy." (Chicago Tribune Aug 3, 2008)
I will provide as much consultation time as you need to fully understand your pet's health and to answer all of your questions. I will try to make sure that you will never feel rushed. We have complete laboratory test services. Surgery and diagnostic radiography is done on premises as well as microchipping. Your sick or injured pet's treatment options will always be discussed with you. Lavitt Animal Hospital also has on premises boarding facilities for our patients. 
