Monday, August 30, 2010

Information to Know about Owning a Labrador Retriever

Information to Know about Owning a Labrador Retriever.

Guest Post by Kelly Marshall

Having a dog as part of the family is a rewarding experience. Parents and kids enjoy the companionship of a pet like this. Certain breeds of dogs are more suited to the family environment than others. The Labrador retriever is one such breed that is great with kids and adults alike. In fact, this breed is among the most popular breeds.

Labrador puppies can be challenging when you first bring them home like any puppies are. These puppies grow into beautiful bright dogs which are a joy to own. They also have a pleasant nature and like to please their owners. Labrador retrievers enjoy playing and love to go into the water.

These dogs are of medium build with a signature broad head they are recognized by. Its coat is short in length and is water resistant. This breed has good-size tail but its body is slightly longer than it. The Labrador was originally a hunting dog, since it is very intelligent, easy to train and has a high level of energy. This dog has become more than that today though because of its lovable personality and nature. It is a very popular pet now along with still being used for hunting.

Labs, as they are affectionately called, are playful and entertain their owners with their antics. It is not surprising that they have become so popular.

Before a family decides to own a Labrador though, they need to think about a few things. This dog is big enough that it needs some space to roam to burn off its excess energy. They need to make sure their house and yard will accommodate such a large dog. This dog would not be happy in an apartment for example. So if they think their space is too small then they need to choose another type of dog.

The Labrador breed loves to be around people and seeks out their companionship. The owners of these dogs should not leave them unattended for long periods of time. If they have too hectic of a schedule, this is cruel to the Lab not to be around enough. Some other breeds do better left alone and people with busy lives that take them away from their dogs should consider them instead or not having any.

Families who enjoy camping, hiking and swimming in lakes, love having the Labradors to enjoy these activities with. The dogs just go along eager to have a good time too. It is fun watching the dogs having as good of a time as the rest of the family.

These dogs have long been at the top of the list for the breed for families to own. They are great with kids which not all breeds are. The Labs are still also a valuable asset to the hunter going after to prey too. Now you know why it is good to own one. So check them out today if your family is looking for the ideal pet.

Kelly Marshall is a writer for Oh My Dog Supplies, the leading online store for dog beds, dog Halloween costumes and other cool dog gear.

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Friday, August 27, 2010

Free Sample of PlaqClnz Pet Bad Breath Gel

"Pet bad breath is often overlooked, but it’s actually one of the first signs of oral disease.

PlaqClnz is an anesthesia-free alternative to expensive, painful, and sometimes risky pet dental cleaning. And, unlike messy tooth brushing, the easy-to-use PlaqClnz dispenser bottle encourages regular use to improve and maintain your pets’ oral health.

• All natural ingredients including Zinc complex
• Taste-free formula - pets accept it easily
• Ease of use encourages regular preventive care, reducing the risk of more serious pet oral and health problems."

To obtain a Free 2oz bottle of PlaqClnz Pet Bad Breath Gel, visit the PlazClnz website and enter your mailing information. You will also have to enter your groomer's salon name, address and phone number. PlazClnz will send a free product sample to you and your groomer for product evaluation.

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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Crate Training Basics

All kids want a space of their own - somewhere they can get away from the activity, somewhere they can chill - even our furry kids. It can often be an advantage to be able to send the kids to their rooms, to get them out of our hair - even our furry kids. And just like our two-legged kids, the other kind will appreciate their own space more if it has some fun toys for them, and it isn't a place of punishment and "time out".

The ideal space for a Labrador Retriever is a dog crate, because a Lab's personal needs are relatively simple; a bowl of clean water and a comfortable bed are the only things that are needed to make a crate a safe and comfortable place for your Labrador Retriever.

How do you get your Lab to enjoy going into his crate? A reward-based training plan will quickly make your him associate the crate with good things. Begin his training from the moment he first encounters the crate. He should get a reward and praise for just sniffing his new room. This could take some time and effort so prepare yourself by putting the crate in an area where you can be around your Labrador Retriever. You might think about dog crate furniture as this allows you to keep the crate in the family room with you without taking up any additional space.

The next step in the training plan is to encourage your Labrador Retriever to enter the crate by putting one of his favorite food treats or toys in the doorway of the crate. If he is hungry at the time, this will work so much faster. If he walks into the crate to inspect it more thoroughly, reward him lavishly, as this is behavior you want to encourage. Gradually up the ante and only reward him for going right into the crate.

Once you have set up a pattern of your Labrador Retriever going into his crate, you can then give this action a name and a simple gesture. The easy way I found was to point one hand into the crate and sprinkle a few treats from the hand at the same time. The command (we use "in your crate") is given and when he runs into the crate for the treats, he is praised thoroughly. After a couple of repetitions, give the hand gesture and command, but skip the treats. Praise the dog and reward him when he has gone to where he thought the treats were. Repeat a couple of times, and then just praise him. You don't want this behavior totally dependent on treats.

You may need to repeat this training routine a few times over the next couple of days to thoroughly establish the behavior, but your Labrador Retriever will quickly learn to associate the command and gesture with the desired result, and will gladly run into his own room from that point onward.

Closing the door behind your Labrador Retriever is similarly built up one step at a time to give him confidence that nothing bad will happen. Start with a quick close/open of the crate door and give him a treat. Gradually increase the duration of the door close and he will be happy to wait for longer and longer. The duration of his stay can be increased up to five hours for older dogs. A rule of thumb is that his crate stay in hours should be no more than their age in months plus one, up to a maximum of five hours.

Crate training can take time, but it is very worthwhile for both you and your Labrador Retriever.

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Sunday, August 22, 2010

The Need for Pet Insurance with your Labrador Retriever

Thanks goes out to Mark Martin for this guest article on the need for pet insurance with your Labrador Retriever.

As hard as it is to believe, a recent report by the RSPCA claimed that in 2008 the number of animals being abandoned by their owners rose by 57% compared to previous years. It can’t be a coincidence that this coincided with the credit crunch and reduced disposable incomes for many families. From first hand experience, I know the expense that can come with vet bills for dogs and therefore can understand why people have had to take this drastic step, no matter how unthinkable it may seem.

However, there is a cheaper option. By taking out a pet insurance policy which can cost as little as $5, people can insure their animal so that vet bills are covered and so that no unexpected bills result in financial hardship. I know that to many people, taking out pet insurance seems an unnecessary expense, but when you consider that a Labrador retriever such as my own can suffer from a number of different disorders ranging from obesity, hip dysplasia, cataracts and immunity disorders, veterinary bills can be extortionate. Therefore in my opinion, taking out pet insurance is not just a cheaper method of caring for you animal, but it also reduces the chance of getting yourself into debt or even being forced to contemplate giving up your pet.

I know that as dogs get older, insurance costs will increase, but so will the cost of veterinary bills. Just like us, your Labrador will be more prone to illness the older it gets and therefore the chance of an unexpected bill increases. I implore all owners of dogs to insure their animal and ensure peace of mind. It has certainly saved me money over the years with my ten year old Labrador retriever, and although there have been years where I haven’t had to claim, I don’t regret it at all because when the vet bill eventually does come, I know I can afford to give my animal the care it deserves.

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Thursday, August 19, 2010

Free sample of Wyson Epigen Pet Food

We had Wyson Epigen Pet Food samples before on the All About Labradors blog. Here is a new link to request your free sample.

Information from Wysong: Unique Epigen™ features:

• The first extruded dry diet/kibble pet food (patent pending) that is Starch Free™ (Epigen™ does what “Grain Free” pet foods only pretend to do)

• More closely resembles the food your pet is designed to eat

• Contains an unprecedented 60+% meat and organs and over 60% protein

• Has the natural flavor and taste that pets truly desire

• Is replete with all the critical food elements Wysong was first to put into pet foods – probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, phytonutrients, nutraceuticals, natural form antioxidants, vitamins and minerals

• Rich in omega-3's and other essential fatty acids

• Made in the USA at Wysong manufacturing facilities with ingredients from USDA and FDA approved domestic sources

Epigen™ is equally appropriate for both cats and dogs. Starch Free™ Dog Food, Starch Free™ Cat Food.

Visit the Wysong website to request two Free samples of Wyson Epigen Pet Food. Your choices include chicken, fish or venison formulas.

target="blank" title="Free sample of Wyson Epigen Pet Food"

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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

My 84-year-old Labrador Retriever

Kelev, my almost 12-year-old (84 human years!) Chocolate Labrador retriever, really struggled on our walk today. I had to bribe her with treats to encourage her to make an effort. My husband and I have always believed that “motion is lotion” – when we give up trying, we might as well curl up under a rock. So we keep taking Kelev out even if it’s only for 5 minutes.

The extreme heat this summer is particularly hard for dogs to manage and Kelev is very ill with cancer and arthritis. But her tail is constantly wagging and her appetite is voracious! Of course, if she were in obvious pain, I wouldn’t force her. My husband and I would also make the decision to put her down because we don’t want her quality of life to suffer.

I remember when Kelev was a young puppy! She was the runt in the litter … so small that she couldn’t get up a small curb by herself. In fact, she was so tiny that she would often sit in her food bowl to eat. And, from day one, she was so sweet and determined to please us. It was a long drive home from the breeders to our house but she refused to pee in my lap. She waited until we got home and put her on the front lawn before she did her business.

There are so many wonderful memories of Kelev. We were at my parents’ place several years ago and Kelev was in her usual spot at meal times … at the feet of the person cooking. My step-dad was carving the roast and all of a sudden, the roast slipped off the carving board. I’ve never seen her move faster. She took off with the roast and gobbled it back in what appeared to be a couple of bites. Guess what – the rest of us ate pizza for dinner that night! All of us still laugh when we recall the stolen roast.

Kelev loves to swim. It’s as if she’s pain free in the water. Even today, she was suddenly energetic when we got to the creek and she could cool off. Just the other day, my husband was walking the dogs in the neighbourhood and Kelev took off in to someone’s backyard. Sure enough, they had a pond in their yard and Kelev was lounging in the water as if she didn’t have a care in the world. My husband snapped her photo and I’ve attached it here. My apologies to my neighbours who were still sound asleep at 6:00 am for the uninvited guest.

Kelev - chocolate Labrador Retriever


It’s the wonderful memories of Kelev that will keep us going after she dies. I know I will be a basket case for several days (if not weeks) but I will treasure the life she shared with our family.

Author: Karyn Climans
Tail Wags Helmet Covers Inc.
www.tail-wags.com
www.facebook.com/tailwagshelmetcovers
www.twitter.com/tailwagshelmet
www.karynclimans.com


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Saturday, August 14, 2010

Merrick Extends Recall: Beef Filet Squares and Texas Hold’ems

Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Texas, has extended its recall (Merrick Pet Care Recalls Texas Hold'ems 10 oz. Bag) to include all lots of its 10 oz "Beef Filet Squares" for dogs and "Texas Hold’ems" pet treats because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Merrick Pet Care Recall

08.13.2010

Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is recalling all lots of its 10 oz “Beef Filet Squares” for dogs and “Texas Hold’ems” pet treats because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling the treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

The “Beef Filet Squares” & “Texas Hold’ems” were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the US. These individuals have been notified and have activated their recall procedures.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Consumers who have purchased 10 ounce packages of “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs” & “Texas Hold’ems” are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-664-7387 M-F 8:00 – 5:00 CDT.

News Source: http://www.merrickpetcare.com/about_us/news_article.php?tid=436

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Friday, August 13, 2010

FREE Pegetables Dog Treats

Dog Days of Summer Dog Treats Days.

On August 14-15, 2010 from 10 am - 2 pm you can stop by your local Petco store with your lovable dog for the Dog Treats Day. While there, you can get a free Pegetables Dog Treat while supplies last.

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Thursday, August 12, 2010

The American Kennel Club® Offers Tips on How to Assemble a Disaster Preparedness Kit for Your Dog

A surge of wildfires, floods, and record-breaking tornados this year have proved that hurricane season isn’t the only time you should be prepared for the worst. If you own pets, the likelihood that you and your animals will survive a natural disaster depends largely on being prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. TheAmerican Kennel Club® (AKC)offers the following tips on how to assemble a pet disaster preparedness kit.

Food and water. Keep at least three days of food in an airtight, waterproof container and at least three days of water specifically for your pets in addition to water you need for yourself and your family.

Medicines and medical records. Keep an extra supply of medicines your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container.

First aid kit. Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs. Most kits should include cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution; pet first aid reference book.

Collar with ID tag, harness or leash. Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times. Pack a backup leash, collar and ID tag. Keep copies of your dog license, vaccination documents and medical records in a clean plastic bag or waterproof container. You should also consider a permanent identification such as microchipping, and enrolling your pet in a recovery database. Visit www.akccar.org to learn more about microchips.

Crate or other pet carrier. Be prepared to take your pets with you in an evacuation by having a sturdy, safe, comfortable crate or carrier ready for transporting your pet. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down.

Sanitation. Include pet litter and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and basic household chlorine bleach.

A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a photo will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet. Include detailed information about species, breed, age, sex, color, distinguishing characteristics and microchip number.

Familiar items. Put favorite toys, treats, or bedding in your kit to help reduce stress for your pet.

Additional tips on how to prepare your pets for emergencies can be found on the AKC Website at http://www.akc.org/news/disaster_preparedness/.

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Choosing Dog Food Brands Without Long-term Health Risks

I do not advocate for commercially prepared dried pet food diet even if it is premium quality. From the pet food recall incident, we know that dogs today get sick from cancer, diabetes, liver and kidney diseases at a young age and most died suffering from the onset of the illness. The pet food recall event has confirmed my thoughts that a pet diet does contribute and play a major role in their health condition today.

Today, we cannot ignore the fact that commercially prepared food is a cause of these recent pet health issues. Cooking for your pet seems like the best choice today with the pet food recall incident. If you are unable to provide for homemade dog food, here are my suggestions on selecting a commercially prepared dog food and doing the best you can with choices you can make in minimizing long term health risks.

1) Select from specialty shop like your local pet shop rather then buy from supermarket. This option is most convenient for busy a busy pet owner. However, much consideration must be placed into selecting premium dog foods to ensure quality food source goes into preparing the food.

2) Read the labels of any food you buy. Avoid products containing unnamed animal and vegetable byproducts, wheat gluten and rice protein.

3) Check the FDA website regularly to see if the pet food brand choice you select is in the recall list.

4) Select brands that have meat sources listed as first two ingredients in the list. Look out for words like human-grade food source or organic. Avoid brands that list grains as their main source of protein, meat meals and by-products, dyes, artificial preservatives like BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin and propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is known to cause bloat and anemia in dogs.

5) Do your research on dog food brands that you are feeding. Talk to dog owners who purchase the same brand as you and observe if their dogs are healthy and coat is looking good.

6) Choose premium brands from specialty store and perform some basic research on the source of meats and food source of the brand you choose.

7) Consider cooking and making a little extra fresh foods for in their daily meal and let this little extra be about 30% of your pet diet. Very simply, just include in your dog food some cooked meats with pulp vegetables and eggs instead of just dried food or canned foods. This will not throw the diet out of balance and your dog will have a more palatable and healthier meals.

8) Add enzymes to their meals. Most commercially prepared foods do not contain sufficient enzymes which is responsible for breaking down the food properly. Purchase enzymes supplement or you can give your pet fresh raw foods daily as there are enzymes and essential nutrients in fresh fruits and berries (just a little portion a day (AVOID all citrus fruits, avocados, grapes and raisins). Feed your dog raw fruits (at least 4 hours apart) separately from their main meal for better absorption of the nutrients.

Canned Dog Food Vs Home Cooked Meats

I found that most canned dog food usually contain some preservatives and/or salt. Though some preservatives are natural, but we have to ask ourselves. If eating canned food daily is not a good for us humans, logically, it is unhealthy for your dog as well. Canned food is a very convenient option and can be used occasionally when you are in a rush or your dog is in boarding. But on a regular basis, avoid giving your dog canned food everyday.

If you would like to make their meals more palatable, cook a pot of minced/chopped meats with olive oil, add some minced vegetables and eggs. Freeze up to a week worth of cooked food and defreeze as and when you need for mixing with your pet commercially produced food. It will save you daily preparation time if you do in bulk but most importantly, you have prepared a healthier option for your dog. It is also a cheaper option compared to some premium canned food.

Above All, Seek medical advice if your pet exhibits symptoms such as loss of appetite, bloating, lethargy, and/or vomiting as this could be signs of organ failures which could be fatal.

About the Author

Veronica Eng researched on dog care from various sources for many years and summarized many effective yet simple guides to dog lovers. Her techniques have made her dogs healthy, vibrant and gorgeous coat that many envy. Natural pet health is her passion! More tips at http://www.dogcarezone.com


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Saturday, August 07, 2010

Labrador Retrievers - Are You Really Prepared? The Pros and Cons of Owning a Lab

Pros

Great Family Dogs: Your Lab will love your entire family and they are great companions for responsible children. Many breeds can turn out to be a one-person dog which makes it miserable for the rest of the family.

Good Natured and They Love People: They are very easygoing, friendly and have a good temperament. This breed is also accepting to strangers. The only down side to this is that he won't bark if you have an intruder. Instead of pinning him in a corner, your Lab might show him where the cookie jar is.

Labs are "Dog" Friendly: If you want your Lab for a hunting dog, it is critical that they like other dogs since you can be sure there will be other dogs out hunting with you. Labs are not aggressive.

They House Train Easily: Obviously dogs don't train themselves, but Labs are exceptionally bright and they always want to please their owner which makes training quick and easy.

Athletic: If you are a jogger or hiker, this dog is the perfect choice. They love this type of exercise or any kind of sport you do. They always want to be exercising, so doing it with you will make them happy.

All-Around Hunting Dog: This dog will retrieve on land or water. If you are a hunter and you're looking for that perfect dog to retrieve your ducks, pheasants, geese, etc., choose a Lab. This breed loves any kind of water activity, which is also great for the kids when you go to the lake for fun.

Cons

Labs Demand Attention: Labs were bred to work whether it's fetching a toy, getting you your newspaper or chasing birds in the wild. They need your attention! An intelligent dog will become destructive if you don't stimulate him mentally. They need to see new places, learn new skills, see new things and smell fresh scents.

Destructiveness: I suggest you find the time to give your new Lab attention as described above because if these needs are not met, he will be very destructive. He'll chew on everything, shred your furniture, pillows and bedding, dig huge holes in your back yard, jump the fence and bark as much as possible. This is how they express themselves. You need to have the time to give him attention.

Costly Health Problems: Many older Labs can get chronic ailments that are very expensive to treat. If he gets arthritis, you can spend up to $4-$5 per day. If he gets allergies, their food can cost as much as $80-$100 per month. They have also been known to have hip problems due to their excessive exercising and high energy, which are very costly when surgery is needed.

They Shed A Lot of Hair: The Lab's coat if very thick because it protects them from the elements while hunting and diving into cold lakes. This means that his coat sheds constantly. You will be vacuuming daily.

Odor: Dogs produce oil in their coats, but Labs were developed for water activities and their heavy coats produce more oil. This is a distinctive smell especially when he has been out exercising or has been in water. If you find it offensive, you will need to bath your dog often. (please be careful not to dry out his skin)

Your Lab Needs A Job: This may sound silly to you, but these dogs were bred to perform specific working functions. They need that stimulation of mental and physical activity. You will need to commit a lot of time and energy to this breed so make sure your entire family understands this before you go out and buy a Lab.

I sincerely hope this article was helpful to you. If you would like more information on any dog needs whether it's natural/organic nutrition, dog training, tuff dog toys, dog gifts, allergy kits, flea control and more, please visit http://www.TailWaggingSolutions.blogspot.com. While you are there you can enjoy reading "Just For Doggie Laughs" and "Putter's Doggie Tips for the Week". Here's to loving your dog.


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Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Flint River Ranch Dog Food Sample

A free dog food (and/or cat food) sample from Flint River Ranch.

Information from FRR Independent Distributor #353K:

Flint River Ranch Food Offers:

* All Natural, Human Grade Ingredients

* Shipped Fresh to Your Door FREE

* Oven-Baked for Easy Nutrient Absorption

* Flint River Ranch Food Has No Chemical Preservatives or Unhealthy Fillers

* Flint River Food Has No Animal By-Products

No fillers or by-products means you feed less, yet your pet receives superior nutrition!

Flint River Ranch Dog Food and FRR Cat Food. Quite simply the best dog food and cat food available, according to veterinarians, kennels, and top breeders.


The free Flint River Ranch Dog Food sample is available in the USA only and you can order both the dog and the cat food.

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Merrick Pet Care Recalls Texas Hold'ems 10 oz. Bag - Possible Salmonella Health Risk

08.03.2010

Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is extending its July 2, 2010 recall of 10oz “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs (Texas Hold’Ems)” pet treat (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10084TL7 BEST BY MARCH 24, 2012) to also include 83 cases of “Texas Hold’ems” (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10127 BEST BY MAY 6, 2012) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling the treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

The Beef Filet Squares (Texas Hold ‘Ems) were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the US. These individuals have been notified and have activated their recall procedures.

The treats are sold in 10oz plastic bags marked with “Lot # 10127 Best By May 6, 2012” on the top of the bag and on a sticker applied to the bottom.

No illnesses have been reported to date for either lot of product. A sample tested positive for Salmonella.

Consumers who have purchased 10 ounce packages of “Texas Hold’ems” are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-664-7387 M-F 8:00 – 5:00 CDT.

News Source: http://www.merrickpetcare.com/about_us/news_article.php?tid=434

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Monday, August 02, 2010

P&G Expands Voluntary Limited Recall of Specialized Dry Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk

CINCINNATI, July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) (NYSE: PG) is voluntarily expanding its recall to include veterinary and some specialized dry pet food as a precautionary measure because it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. No salmonella-related illnesses have been reported.

The following dry pet food products are included:

P&G Pet Food Recall

The affected products are sold in veterinary clinics and specialty pet retailers throughout the United States and Canada. No canned food, biscuits/treats or supplements are affected by this announcement. A full listing of UPC codes can be found at www.iams.com.

These products are made in a single, specialized facility. In cooperation with FDA, P&G determined that some products made at this facility have the potential for salmonella contamination. As a precautionary measure, P&G is recalling all products made at this facility.

Consumers who have purchased the specific dry pet foods listed should discard them. People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

For further information or a product replacement or refund call P&G toll-free at 877-340-8823

(Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST).

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Sunday, August 01, 2010

Home Remedies for your Labrador Retrievers Itching

Here's a good video by Dr. James R. Talbott, a staff veterinarian at Belle Forest Animal Hospital and Kennel in Nashville, who explains about some home remedies for dog itching.



There are a wide variety of reasons why your Labrador Retriever may itch. If there is dry skin and the skin is not irritated then there is several reasons why your Labrador Retriever may itch. Allergies, fleas, poor food quality and winter weather can cause itching.

Home remedies for your Labrador Retriever's itching include:

Oatmeal-based shampoo - leave on for five to ten minutes every week or two. The oatmeal is a good moisturizing shampoo.

Adding omega-3 fatty acids or fish oils to your to a Labrador Retriever's diet.

Brushing stimulates oil production in your Labrador Retriever's coat and can be of help for the itchiness.

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