Whole Dog News

Deja vu? Sure sounds all too familiar to me! it was just 4 years ago that not only were aflatoxins found to be causing kidney and liver damage as well as death but melamime as well. WAKE UP Everyone! Processed Pets foods are not fit to be fed to our carnivore pets! There have been many recalls yearly ever since!
Here’s the new recall information:

Advanced Animal Nutrition has announced a voluntary recall of its dry Dog Power Dog Food- due to aflatoxin levels that were detected above the acceptable limit. The affected products were manufactured between Jan. 4, 2011, and Nov. 18, 2011. No illnesses have been reported in association with these products to date, and no other Advanced Animal Nutrition pet food products are involved in this recall. Affected products are:
•DOG POWER ADULT MAINTENANCE FORMULA 21-12 Dog Food, 50 pound bags
•DOG POWER HUNTERS FORMULA 27-14 Dog Food, 50 pound bags
•DOG POWER HI-PRO PERFORMANCE FORMULA 26-18 Dog Food, 50 pound bags

The recall only applies to the above products with the following Packaging Date Codes (lot numbers): K0004 through K1322.

The affected dry dog food products were distributed in the following states – Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Retailers have already been instructed to remove the affected brands and products from store shelves.

While no adverse health effects related to these products have been reported, Advanced Animal Nutrition is implementing this recall as a precautionary measure. Consumers are urged to return affected products – whether in opened or unopened packages – to their place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact 866-648-7646.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring, toxic mold by-product. Pets that have consumed any of the above recalled products and exhibit symptoms of illness including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea should be seen by a veterinarian right away.

Please consider learning about feeding your dogs a SARF diet… (Species Appropriate Raw Foods) for more information on what’s really in pet food and the ultimate in benefits of feeding a raw diet start HERE

Yup! ANOTHER recall of pet food. Don’t you find it interesting that the multi-billion dollar pet food industry and the veterinary community are putting out more and more lies about the dangers of feeding a raw diet and yet the recalls continue on processed pet food and treats?

The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) has issued a recall for a single production lot of Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food due to aflatoxin levels that were detected above the acceptable limit. This product has already been retrieved from store shelves. No illnesses have been reported in association with this production lot to date, and no other Iams pet food products are involved.

Product affected by this announcement:
Product Name Version Code Date UPC Code
Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food 7.0 lb bag 12784177I6 1901402305
with Use By or Expiration Dates of February 5 or February 6, 2013
8.0 lb bag 12794177D2 1901410208
12794177D3
17.5 lb bag 12794177K1 1901401848
12794177K2
The affected product lot was distributed to a limited number of retailers located in the eastern United States (AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, SC, VA). These retailers have already removed this product from store shelves. No other dry dog food, dry cat food, dog or cat canned food, biscuits/treats or supplements are affected by this announcement.

While no health effects related to this product have been reported, P&G retrieved this product as a precautionary measure. Consumers who purchased the product listed should stop using the product and discard it and contact Iams at the number below for a replacement voucher.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring by-product from the growth of Aspergillus flavus and can be harmful to pets if consumed in significant quantities. Pets which have consumed this product and exhibit symptoms of illness including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea should be seen by a veterinarian.

For further information or a product replacement or refund contact P&G toll-free at 866-908-1569 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST) or www.iams.com

WAKE UP EVERYONE! There is no such thing as a SAFE, processed food for our canine companions. I invite you read and learn more about the dangers of feeding any processed food to your pets. Here are some very informative articles

If you have never tired medical/therapeutic grade essential oils for their health benefits, you truly do not know their power!

Oregano oil (Organum vulgare) is derived from the same herb used for cooking. You’ve probably tasted it in pasta sauce recipes. Not only is it a tasty spice but is also used to treat a variety of health conditions, ranging from allergies to yeast infections, viruses and many conditions in between. This essential oil is known for its antiseptic, anti fungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties. It has so many health benefits, many refer to it as one of Mother Nature’s most powerful healthy oils.

In the old world, (Greece and Crete)oil of Oregano was prized for its ability to slow down food spoilage through
its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic and anti-oxidant activity. The related herbs thyme and marjoram sold in most North American supermarkets, are often mis-labeled as oregano and possess very little of wild oregano’s miraculous healing properties.

Oregano contains an important ingredient know as Carvacrol which is like a natural phenol, a product used for the sterilization of surgical tools. In fact, it believed to be more effective than carbolic acid, a sterilization product used in hospitals. The isomeric phenols (primarily carvacrol) in oregano oil in dilutions as low as 1/50,000 destroys Candida albicans, the Aspergillus mold, Staphylococcus, Campylobacter, Klebsiella, E.coli, Giardia, Pseudomonas, and Proteus. Another phenol constituent, thymol, boosts the immune system. These compounds also act as free radical scavengers
(shield against toxins) thus preventing further tissue damage while encouraging healing. It also contains Flavonoids, and Terpenes which all work synergesticly with the thymol and carvacrol to work the wonders it works.

In the case of parasites, oil of oregano has had success neutralizing worms, amoeba, and protozoan, in fact, researchers in Mexico found that oregano oil possesses strong anti-parasitic actions, especially against Giardia! Read the rest

On November 25, 2011, select varieties of Iams dog and cat foods have been recalled by Price Chopper, a major grocery store chain located in the northeastern region of the United States.

According to an announcement on the Price Chopper website, the recall has been instituted due to elevated aflatoxin levels found in the suspected products.

Iams Original with Chicken Cat Food
UPC 1901403915
Lot Number 12794177D3
Size 6.8 lbs.

Iams Original with Chicken Cat Food
UPC 1901410504
Lot Number 12794177I5
Size 4 lbs.

Iams Lamb Meal with Rice Dog Food
UPC 1901403735
Lot Number 12794177J4
Size 15 lbs.

Unfortunately, we’re unable to confirm this recall on the Iams Company website — or with the Food and Drug Administration YET, there were also some information going around that some Blue Buffalo dog foods had been recalled as well.

As soon as I have more definate information, I will keep you updated.

The creators of the Through A Dog’s Ear series have collaborated with Victoria Stilwell, star of Animal Planet’s It’s Me or the Dog, and developed the new Canine Noise Phobia Series (CNP).

CNP is an innovative desensitization training tool that combines three distinctive elements for the treatment and prevention of sound-sensitivities and noise-phobias:
•progressive sound effects (distant/close)
•specially-designed psychoacoustic music (Through a Dog’s Ear)
•reward-based reinforcement protocols (Victoria Stilwell)

The Canine Noise Phobia Series can be used in two distinctive ways:
1.Habituation: To help prevent your puppy or dog from developing fears or phobias to fireworks, thunderstorms, and city sounds.
2.Desensitization: To help your dog overcome an already-established fear or phobia of fireworks, thunderstorms, and city sounds..

CNP consists of four albums, available individually or as a set:

Thunderstorms, City Sounds, Fireworks, and Calming.

You can listen to some of the samples of these new audios HERE
Scroll down to the Canine Noise Phobia section.

I love how they have incorperated three techniques in these CDs and just think – if you add armoatherapy and/or massage, what a great experience this will be for your dogs!

Currently, these CD’s are only available at Through A Dog’s Ear so for more information and to purchase, simply go to http://throughadogsear.com/canine-noise-phobia-series/

For some wonderful conditioning and socializing sound CD’s, here are more The Whole Dog uses and recommends:

The History of Vaccines – Very Enlightening!

by Catherine O’Driscoll

A team at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine conducted several studies (1,2) to determine if vaccines can cause changes in the immune system of dogs that might lead to life-threatening immune-mediated diseases. They obviously conducted this research because concern already existed. It was sponsored by the Haywood Foundation which itself was looking for evidence that such changes in the human immune system might also be vaccine induced. It found the evidence. Read the whole story here:

In continuing the topic theme for my most recent series, here is the link to an article in Dog’s Naturally Magazine http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/helping-your-dogs-fear-of-thunderstorms/

I still have a couple more articles left to post on Thunder Phobia in our dogs and naturopathic modalities to help them cope or overcome the fears. Meanwhile, I wanted to share with you that Dog’s Naturally Magazine is having a “Social Media Madness” contest with some really great prizes!

If you have never read Dogs Naturally Magazine before, you are in for a treat. This exciting magazine is dedicated to delivering the latest information on raw feeding, vaccinations, holistic health care, behavior and training. It features articles and information from natural rearing breeders, holistic veterinarians, animal naturopaths, veterinary homeopaths, experienced dog trainers and MORE! While checking out the magazine, be sure to find out how to be eligable to win one of the great prizes in there current contest HERE

You could win a Westpaw Eco Nap Bed! or one of several other prizes!

But HURRY! Contest ends today!!!

Aromatherapy can be very effective in helping our frightened dogs through Thunderstorms or other anxiety.

Aromatherapy is the art and practice of using essential oils extracted from aromatic plants and herbs to restore or enhance health and well-being. How does aromatherapy work? Well, it depends on the method of using essential oils, today I want to talk about the therapy of inhalation of diffused oils to ease stress and anxiety in thunder phobic or noise phobic dogs.

To read more about the art and benefits of diffusing essential oils be sure to read Diffusing Essential Oils For Pets

Before I get started I want to state here and now the importance of using ONLY medical/therapeutic grade essential oils. The very best, pure and tested essential oils that I are the only ones I will use or recommend are Young Living. These oils are so pure and effective that they can be taken safely and effectively – internally.

Aromatherapy’s effect on the brain
The Japanese have a long tradition of using aromatherapy, and they have much respect for it. In 1985 research into the mind-altering effects of essential oils was started in Japan by Dr Shizuo Torii who, by measuring brain waves, showed that some aromas can have a stimulating effect while others can have a relaxing effect.

The molecules of essential oils work when they are inhaled because, aromatic molecules interact with the surface of the nasal cavity. And by tiny olfactory nerves located in the roof of the inner nose, these aromatic molecules are transmitted to the part of the brain called the limbic system.

The limbic system interacts with the body to control the heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress level and hormone balance. This is why essential oils have such a powerful effect on moods and general state of mind. The body’s response time to inhalation of essential oils can be as quick as one to three seconds! This is why, for many people and the treating of household pets, inhalation is the preferred method of use of the essential oils.

Specific Oils that are calming, grounding, sedating; and act on the central nervous system to ease stress and anxiety are: Read the rest