At Home Veterinary Acupuncture

Nutro Recalls Selected Dry Cat Foods

Customer Service: (800) 833-5330
Web site: nutroproducts.com

For a list of recalled items with product photos, visit www.nutroproducts.com/affected-Products.html

Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries. This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier.

Two mineral premixes were affected. One premix contained excessive levels of zinc and under-supplemented potassium. The second premix under-supplemented potassium. Both zinc and potassium are essential nutrients for cats and are added as nutritional supplements to NUTRO® dry cat food.

This issue was identified during an audit of our documentation from the supplier.  An extensive review confirmed that only these two premixes were affected. This recall does not affect any NUTRO® dog food products, wet dog or cat food, or dog and cat treats. 

Affected product was distributed to retail customers in all 50 states, as well as to customers in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Israel.  We are working with all of our distributors and retail customers, in both the US and internationally, to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or distributed further.

Consumers who have purchased affected product should immediately discontinue feeding the product to their cats, and switch to another product with a balanced nutritional profile. While Nutro has received no consumer complaints related to this issue, cat owners should monitor their cat for symptoms, including a reduction in appetite or refusal of food, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea.  If your cat is experiencing health issues or is pregnant, please contact your veterinarian.

Consumers who have purchased product affected by this voluntary recall should return it to their retailer for a full refund or exchange for another NUTRO® dry cat food product. Cat owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-800-833-5330 between the hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST, or visit www.nutroproducts.com.

The varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods listed below with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010 are affected by this voluntary recall.

This article was sent to me by Oregon’s public health veterinarian, Emilio DeBess:

As of today , swine flu will  be treated as regular influenza . So far 21 cases have been reported in Oregon and 403 cases nationally ………………………………………………………………………………………..

Swine Flu of Little Risk to Cats and Dogs, According to ASPCA^®

NEW YORK-The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that the recent human “Swine Flu” outbreak, thought to have originated in Mexico, appears to present little risk of infecting cats and dogs.

To date, only humans have been affected by the new A/H1N1 virus, and it is unknown whether the virus will impact other animals. Although the virus is being termed “swine flu,” researchers have not confirmed that this new strain evolved in pigs and are working to determine more about its origins.  

“At this time there is no data demonstrating any risk of dogs and cats contracting this strain of the virus,” says Dr. Louise Murray, the Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Hospital in New York City. “However, owners of pet pigs, as well as farmers, should monitor their animals’ health more closely during this outbreak. Steps to limit possible transmission from humans to pigs and vice versa are recommended.”

Owners of Vietnamese potbellies, African pygmies and other pet pigs should be aware that there are Influenza type A vaccines available and recommended for healthy swine.

The ASPCA also recommends keeping pet pigs and swine farms isolated from any public exposure that might put them at risk for illness. The American Association of Swine Veterinarians suggests that visitors should not be allowed into swine production units, and for humans to avoid unnecessary contact with pigs. Because there are many causes of illness in pigs, if your pet pig is unwell, it is recommended to consult with your veterinarian.

Dr. Miranda Spindel, Director of ASPCA Veterinary Outreach adds, “Swine influenza or swine flu is caused by infection with Influenza A viruses and is one of the leading causes of respiratory disease in swine throughout the world. Like most Influenza A viruses, swine flu generally causes high levels of illness in pigs, but fatalities are uncommon. Although people do not normally contract swine influenza, humans have become infected when in contact with infected pigs or contaminated environments. Normally, human-to-human transmission of swine flu is temporary. However, as outbreaks have occurred in the past, swine flu is recognized for its potential to cause public health concern.”

The ability of any virus to cross species barriers and sustain transmission is dependent on many factors and occurs infrequently.  Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Swine are unique in that they are able to host both avian and mammalian influenza viruses. It has been suggested that pigs can act as a reservoir, allowing avian influenza to adapt to mammalian species, and for influenza viruses to undergo genetic changes, emerging as entirely new and different viruses. When these new, mixed/mutated viruses appear, there is potential for humans to become infected and transmit the new virus among other people. The form of influenza that appears to have originated recently in Mexico is a never-before-seen genetic mixture of type A Influenza viruses originating in pigs, birds and people.

For more information about swine flu and updated information on prevention, the ASPCA recommends the following organizations  the Center for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu),  the American Veterinary Medical Association (http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/swine/swine_flu_faq.asp) and the World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/csr/don/en/), among other agencies, are coordinating guidance and updates on the evolving situation with swine flu.

Firework use would only be allowed during the 4th of July holiday period.

SALEM, OR - Today the Oregon House of Representatives passed House Bill 2539, which would prohibit the use of fireworks in the City of Portland except between June 30th and July 5th. Representative Chip Shields (D N/NE Portland) introduced the bill after constituents concerned about excessive firework use brought the issue to his attention. 
 
“When people set off fireworks outside of the holiday period it stops being a celebration and starts becoming a public nuisance,” said Rep. Shields. “Fireworks can scare pets, damage property and waste police time when they are mistaken for gunfire.”