Washington -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announces a voluntary recall of Nature’s Variety Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats because of possible Salmonella contamination.
The products affected by the recall have a “best if used by” date of 11/10/10, and are limited to chicken medallions (UPC# 7 69949 60130 2), chicken patties (UPC# 7 69949 60120 3) and chicken chubs (UPC# 7 69949 60121 0).
Consumers are being asked to return unopened products to retailers for a full refund, or to dispose of opened packages in a safe manner. Receipts can then be brought to retailers for a full refund, according to FDA.
Nature’s Variety reported the problem after a customer complaint. The product in question was tested and came back negative for Salmonella contamination, but other products tested positive. No pet or human illnesses have been reported. Nature’s Variety can be reached with additional questions at 800-374-3142 or by visiting naturesvariety.com.
February 3, 2010
Raleigh, N.C. --With almost two decades in the American Kennel Club's (AKC) top spot, the Labrador Retriever has once again clinched the title of most popular purebred dog in America.The 2009 list of the most popular breeds, released in late January by the AKC, places the Labs at the top for the 19th year, followed by the German Shepherd, which bumped the Yorkshire Terrier from the second most-popular spot. This is the first time German Shepherds have earned the number two position on the favorite breed list in more than 30 years, says AKC. Shepherds were the No. 1 breed in the 1920s, but their popularity began to wane after World War II. AKC says the breed's resurgence in popularity may be linked to increased attention for the German Shepherd's security duties at home and abroard in police, guard and military dog work.
Other top breeds include the Yorkshire Terrier in third place, the Golden Retriever in fourth, the Beagle in fifth place, Boxers in sixth, Bulldogs in seventh, Dachshunds in eighth, Poodles in ninth and Shih Tzus rounding out the list in 10th place.
• German Shepherds replaced Labrador Retrievers as the favorite breed in Columbus, Detroit, Honolulu, Memphis, Miami, Providence and West Palm Beach.
• Yorkshire Terriers topped the list of favorites in Oakland, Tampa, New York City and Philadelphia.
• Bulldogs rose to the top of the list in Los Angeles.
• Bull Terriers are the favorite breed in Newark, N.J.
• Providence is the only city in which the Labrador Retriever doesn’t even break into the top five favorites.
• Some cities have other unusual top breeds like the Mastiff in Des Moines, the Miniature Pinscher and Shetland Sheepdog in Richmond and the Chihuahua in Honolulu.
Modest gains have been seen in the popularity of working breeds like German Shepherds, while Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Havanese have made the biggest leaps in the last decade. Easy-to-groom breeds like the Mastiff and Rhodesian Ridgeback have increased in popularity, while high-maintenance and rare breeds have been in the decline, adds AKC.
See the AKC full list of breeds, including 3 new breeds added to the registry for 2009, here.
December 21, 2009
H1N1 STRIKES NEW YORK DOG
– A 13-year-old neutered mixed-breed dog was diagnosed with H1N1 last week and is now recovering. This is the first confirmed H1N1 case in the United States involving a canine, after two previously reported, but unconfirmed, cases emerged in China last month. IDEXX Reference Laboratories confirmed the case using its H1N1 Influenza Virus RealPCR™ Test. The dog was taken to Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center in Bedford Hills, N.Y., on Dec. 13, two days after being examined by its regular veterinarian. The dog presented with a dry cough, lethargy and a temperature of 103.6°F. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed, but the animal did not respond to treatment, according to IDEXX. In addition, the dog’s owner had been diagnosed earlier in the week with the H1N1 virus.
Radiographs were taken, revealing evidence of “pneumonia with consolidation of the right cranial and middle-lung lobes and prominent air bronchograms,” IDEXX reports. The dog was hospitalized and placed on intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Saline nebulization and coupage were administered four times a day. The dog was released from the hospital two days later and is doing well, IDEXX says.
November 4, 2009
H1N1 FLU CONFIRMED IN IOWA CAT
— A cat in Iowa has tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, state officials confirmed this morning, marking the first time a cat has been diagnosed with this strain of influenza. The cat, which has recovered, is believed to have caught the virus from someone in the household who was sick with H1N1. There are no indications that the cat passed the virus on to any other animals or people. Prior to this diagnosis, the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus had been found in humans, pigs, birds and ferrets. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) are reminding pet owners that some viruses can pass between people and animals, so this was not an altogether unexpected event. Pet owners should monitor their pets' health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness.
The AVMA is actively tracking all instances of H1N1 in animals and posting updates on their Web site here.