Jerky pet treats, mostly imported from China, are now linked to more than 1,000 deaths in dogs and illness in some 5,600 others – along with sickness in 24 cats and at least three people, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in a recent press release.
But after seven years of investigating and testing, the FDA still doesn't know exactly why. “The agency continues to caution pet owners that jerky treats are not required for a balanced diet, and encourage them to consult with their veterinarians, both prior to feeding treats and if they notice symptoms in their pets,” the FDA reported in an update on its investigation on May 16. Since 2007, the agency has received more than 4,800 complaints from consumers whose pets fell ill after consuming chicken, duck or sweet potato jerky treats usually made in China – including 1,800 reports since its last update in October 2013. About 60 percent of cases -- some of which affect more than one family pet -- involve symptoms of gastrointestinal or liver disease, 30 percent involve kidney or urinary disease, and 10 percent involve other complaints, including neurological or skin ailments. The three humans include two toddlers who accidently ate the snacks, and one adult who may have purposely eaten them. One child was diagnosed with salmonella infection; the other developed fever and GI distress that mirror the symptoms of dogs in the same home that also ate the treats. The adult reported nausea, according to an FDA spokeswoman. The FDA now plan to team up with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to launch a study to compare foods eaten by sick dogs with “controls” that did not fall ill “in order to determine whether sick dogs are eating more jerky pet treats than health dogs are,” the FDA reported. In its new report, the FDA said it detected in some China-made chicken jerky samples the antiviral drug amantadine, used to treat the flu and Parkinson’s disease. The agency said it doesn’t believe that amantadine contributed to illness or death in pets but has warned suppliers, both in China and the U.S., that its presence is an adulterant and could be grounds for banning of the sale of those products. The tainted treats are not sold by a single manufacturer. Based on demand, some U.S.-based companies that sold the China-made treats are now manufacturing them in this country, using only American-sourced ingredients.
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What can you do to help Fluffy slim down? Feed her the right foods, keep her active, and avoid these feline no-nos.
Our furry feline friends are experiencing obesity at alarming rates, often because owners fail to properly manage their cats’ diets and make sure they get exercise. In fact, about 58 percent of pet cats in the United States are overweight, which adds up to some 54 million chubby felines. And one in every five pet cats — about 20 million — has full-fledged obesity. Overweight cats may seem like cuddly lap-warmers, but their excess fat makes them more likely to develop a host of serious health problems, including:
And it is much more dangerous to operate on an overweight cat — these pet cats are more likely to die during surgery. They are less tolerant of high temperatures and are less resistant to contracting an infectious disease. Obese cats are twice more likely to die in middle age than thinner cats, between the ages of 6 and 12. 4 Factors That Cause Cat Obesity Veterinarians have determined a set of risk factors that may lead to pet cats becoming overweight. They include:
The Healthy Cat's Diet The building blocks of a healthy cat's diet include some truths that run counter to established beliefs. To feed your cat right, you should:
Help Your Overweight Cat Slim Down Here are some more steps you can take to help your cat either lose weight or maintain a healthy weight:
By following these dietary guidelines and keeping your pet cat active, you can help keep her from becoming a chunky kitty. IS YOUR LARGE BREED DOG GETTING THE RIGHT DOG FOOD?
Puppies of any size or shape are just about guaranteed to be adorable. Even though they seem similar, puppies grow at different rates depending on their breed. Large breed puppies like Labrador Retrievers and Great Danes, for example, need a much different diet for optimal growth than a tiny Yorkie or Chihuahua. For this reason it is extremely important to feed your large or giant breed puppy a food specifically formulated for his nutritional requirements. Proteins are the building blocks of the body and an absolute necessity for daily function and growth. Puppies require more protein than adult dogs because their bodies are busy growing. Puppy food should be higher in calories than adult food to compensate for how much energy puppies expend by growing, not too mention all that playing. About half of the calories they consume are spent on tissue growth and development. However, you must be careful and consult your veterinarian because feeding large breed puppies something that is too high in calories and protein may make them grow too quickly and cause health issues later in life. Just like people, puppies and dogs do best with a balanced diet of nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Excessive protein in a diet is not only unnecessary but in large breed puppies it can result in an unbalanced ratio of calcium to phosphorus. If this ration is not ideal a puppy’s bones may grow too quickly resulting in abnormal joint development, which can lead to arthritis down the road. Large breed puppy food has a specific calcium and phosphorus ratio to ensure the bones develop properly to help prevent joint disease. How Do I Choose the Best Puppy Food? You should choose a large breed puppy food from a dog food company that has undergone AAFCO feeding trials. This means that the specific formulation of the diet has been fed to dogs to make sure there are no deficiencies. As surprising as it may seem, many dog food companies make their food based on a recipe and never feed it to actual dogs before sending into the stores. You want to choose a pet food company which invests in scientific research and consults with veterinary nutritionists to provide a dog food that specially balanced for a puppy's development. Should I Be Concerned About My Puppy's Weight? Keeping your puppy at a healthy weight is crucial to lifelong health. Underweight puppies may not develop properly while puppies that are overweight are at increased risk of being overweight adult dogs. This can lead to diseases such as arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and even heat exhaustion during outdoor activities. Your veterinarian should evaluate your puppy’s body condition score at each visit to make sure you are on track with nutrition. When Do I Switch My Puppy to Adult Dog Food? Large and giant breed dogs will not stop growing for the first year or two, depending on the breed. You can continue feeding a large breed puppy formula until their growth plates have sealed as long as they are not overweight. However, you must work closely with a veterinarian to assess your puppy’s body condition score. This will ensure that your puppy switches from puppy to adult dog food at the ideal time. Your veterinarian has just informed you that your cat has liver disease. You want to do what’s best for your feline friend so that he can live comfortably for as long as possible. Your vet may have recommended medications to treat the underlying cause of the problem, if it has been identified. Proper nutrition is also vital.
It is important to understand the role the liver plays in health and what happens when it is not functioning properly. The liver has many functions, including:
Many disorders of the liver can ultimately damage the organ and reduce its function, including:
Most liver disorders are progressive. Liver dysfunction and eventual failure will lead to the accumulation of toxins (causing nervous system and digestive tract abnormalities), the reduction of protein synthesis (resulting in leaky blood vessels and fluid accumulation and clotting problems), and low blood sugar levels. Dietary therapy can help the liver to function as well as possible and reduce further damage to the liver. The goals of nutritional intervention are to:
The first step is to change your cat’s diet to a formula that meets these characteristics. There are several types of brands to choose from depending on a cat’s specific needs. A home prepared diet made from a recipe put together by a veterinary nutritionist familiar with your cat’s case is another option for owners willing to cook for their cats. Your veterinarian can help you determine which diet is best. In general, diets for cats with liver disease should have:
It is always important to make dietary changes slowly to increase the chances of the cat accepting the new food. If the cat is unwilling to eat anything, a feeding tube should be placed to avoid a negative energy state and the development or worsening of hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome). If hepatic encephalopathy is present, a diet with low protein levels can help reduce the production of ammonia (a by-product of protein digestion). When ascites (fluid retention in the abdomen) is a problem, a very low sodium diet will help prevent worsening of the condition. Owners need to work closely with their veterinarians not only when cats are first diagnosed with liver disease, but at regular intervals to continue to provide the nutrition necessary for the longest, healthiest life possible. |
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