FAH News
July 5, 2010
*HEAT WARNING*
*HEAT WARNING*... with the heat wave we are experiencing, please keep your pets in mind. The ideal environment in these humid high temperatures is in an air conditioned home. However, if you do not have A/C available, keep air moving with fans. Of course always make sure fresh water is available and NEVER LEAVE PETS IN CARS, EVEN WITH WINDOWS OPENED OR CRACKED.
The very old and very young pets should not go on walks. Go as far as you need for them to go to the bathroom. The healthy should only go on brief *walks* in the very early part of the day, and at dusk into the evening. If your home becomes too hot for the pets' health, please consider boarding them in a climate controlled facility until the heat wave passes.
People assume that if a dog is in the water, which they frequently are since we are next to Lake Erie and near Chautauqua Lake, that the dog won't overheat. This just isn't true when the water temperature rises towards mid to late summer if the dog is working hard in the water.
If you suspect your pet is suffering from over heating....
~heavy panting
~hyperventilation (deep breathing)
~increased salivation early then dry gums as the heat prostration progresses
~weakness
~confusion or inattention
~vomiting or diarrhea and sometimes bleeding
.... it is best to cool immediately with cool or tepid water rather than really cold water. If ice packs are available they can be applied to areas where circulation is very good, such as the "armpits", inquinal (groin) region, or neck. Blowing air over the pet with a fan as you cool him/her off with water can be helpful. As soon as you can, call the vet. As the condition progresses towards heat prostration or heat stroke there may be obvious paleness or graying to the gums, shallowing of the breathing efforts and eventually slowed or absent breathing efforts, vomiting and diarrhea that may be bloody and finally seizures or coma.
If you take the temperature of your pet, remember that the normal temp is around 101. Be concerned if your dog is exhibiting more than one of these symptoms and you dog's temperature is 104 or above.
`~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
PET FOOD RECALL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 1, 2010 - Buffalo, NY – Feline’s Pride is announcing a voluntary recall of Feline’s Pride Raw food with ground bone for cats and kittens, Natural Chicken Formula, Net Wt. 2.5 lbs. (1.13 kg., 40 oz.) produced on 6/10/10, because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. People handling raw pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the raw pet food or any surfaces exposed to the product.
When consumed by humans, Salmonella can cause an infection, salmonellosis. The symptoms of salmonellosis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, minimal diarrhea, fever, and headache. Certain vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, are particularly susceptible to acquiring salmonellosis from such pet food products and may experience more severe symptoms.
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.
The product is packaged in uncoded plastic containers and sold frozen to private consumers nationwide. Once thawed, the pet food has a shelf life of about 1 week. The firm manufactures the pet food by an as-ordered basis. This recall affects only those orders placed and shipped from June 10 through June 17, 2010.
The firm and FDA are investigating this matter to determine the source of this problem, and will take any additional steps necessary to protect the public health.
To date, both the firm and the FDA have received no reports of Salmonella infection relating to this product.
This product should not be fed to pets but should instead be disposed of in a safe manner (e.g., in a securely covered trash receptacle). People who are experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection after having handled the pet food product should seek medical attention, and report their use of the product and illness to the nearest FDA office.
People should thoroughly wash their hands after handling the pet food – especially those made from raw animal protein such as meat or fish -- to help prevent infection. People may risk bacterial infection not only by handling pet foods, but by contact with pets or surfaces exposed to these foods, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap.
Since certain vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, are particularly at risk from exposure they should avoid handling this product.
Consumers with questions should contact the company at (716) 580-3096, Monday –Friday from 10 am - 4 pm EDT.
Contact:
Shelby Gomas,
Tel: 1-716-580-3096
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2010
FREDONIA ANIMAL HOSPITAL STAFF ATTENDS CONFERENCES
Several staff members of the Fredonia Animal Hospital have attended internationally recognized continuing education conferences in 2009 and 2010.
Client/patient services staff Jennifer Stokes and Diana Possehl as well as practice manager Sharon Redfield attended the American Animal Hospital Association's 2009 conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Licensed Veterinary Technician Carrie Emke and Sharon Redfield attended AAHA's 2010 conference in Long Beach, California.
The staff members attended seminars and classes in critical care, giardia and cryptossporidium, internal parasites, geriatric cats, inappropriate feline elimination, diarrhea: diagnosis and treatment, current issues in behavior, dog adoptions: matching families to the right dog, anesthesia, proper patient restraint, client communication, management, diabetes, and dental disease - treatment and prevention.
Dr. Redfield, Dr. Ball and Dr. Powell as well as the entire staff of the Fredonia Animal Hospital maintain high standards for continuing education. The entire staff attends educational seminars year round and has monthly education meetings.
The Fredonia Animal Hospital is among only 15% of veterinary practices in the United States and Canada accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2010
FREDONIA ANIMAL HOSPITAL RECEIVES ACCREDITATION
The Fredonia Animal Hospital has again received accreditation following a comprehensive evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). The evaluation includes a quality assesment review of the hospital's facility, medical equipment, practice methods, complete staff continuing education and pet health care management.
Only 15 percent of all small animal veterinary practices in the U.S. have achieved accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association. In order to maintain accredited status, the Fredonia Animal Hospital must continue to be evaluated regularly by the association's consultants.
"The Fredonia Animal Hospital and Dr. Jon Redfield belong to a select group of practices that are committed to meeting the highest standards of veterinary medicine," says John Tait, D.V.M, AAHA president. "AAHA hospitals pass a stringent evaluation of over 900 standards covering patient care, client service and medical protocols. By attaining accreditation, the Fredonia Animal Hospital is demonstrating its dedication to offering the best care to its patients and clients."
Established in 1933, the American Animal Hospital Association is the only organization that accredits veterinary practices throughout the U.S. and Canada for dedication to high standards of veterinary care. For pet care information or referral to an AAHA accredited practice, visit www.healthypet.com.
The Fredonia Animal Hospital, located at the corner of Lakeview and Rt. 60, has been an accredited member of the association since 1989 and has been serving the community for over 40 years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~