Animals
Posted on August 17, 2011 in Animals, Health & Medicine, Recent Studies
In the last two years, pet food manufacturers have issued almost three dozen recalls for salmonella-tainted pet foods and treats. Just this week, Merrick Pet Care of Amarillo, Tex., recalled 248 cases of its Doggie Wishbone pet treats because of potential contamination with salmonella. How can you keep your pets safe from potential infection?
Pets often don’t show signs of food poisoning like humans do, though they may exhibit lethargy, fever, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. The symptoms could last three to five days, and just like in humans, are most dangerous to the extremely young and older pets with compromised immune systems.
The American Medical Association recommends that pets not be placed on raw food diets, a common source of salmonella exposure in pets. Store pet foods in a dry, cool place away from the kitchen area, and make sure to wash food and water bowls often.
Pet owners and those handling pet food should wash their hands after feeding an animal to avoid being vulnerable to salmonella infection. Salmonella outbreaks in humans have been linked to dry dog or cat food as well as pig ears and pet treats made with beef or salmon.
How do you minimize the chances of pet sickness?
Posted on August 12, 2011 in Animals, Health & Medicine, Technology
A woman who underwent a full face transplant after being mauled by a chimpanzee showed off the successful operation in a photograph released this week. Charla Nash, 57, had the 20-hour face transplant procedure performed last May.
Nash was injured after being attacked by a friend’s 200-pound pet chimpanzee. She lost her hands, lips, nose and eyes. Her operation to restore facial features was only the third of its kind performed in the United States, all at the same hospital. More than 30 members of a medical team, including physicians, nurses, and anesthesiologist, contributed to the surgery. A hand transplant was initially successful, but failed after complications from pneumonia and had to be removed.
Nash made a statement upon the occasion: “I will now be able to do things I once took for granted,” she said. “I will be able to smell. I will be able to eat normally. I will no longer be disfigured. I will have lips and will speak clearly once again. I will be able to kiss and hug loved ones.”
Posted on March 14, 2011 in Animals, Consumer Goods, Health & Medicine, Parenting
- Kia recalled over 70,000 Optima sedans because the shift cable may have been installed incorrectly. As a result, parked vehicles may roll away.
- Creekstone Farms Premium Beef is recalling more than 7 tons of ground beef products after lab tests detected E. coli.
- Volkswagon AG recalled more than 12,000 Routan minivans because of a defect that could allow the key to slip while driving. The engine may unexpectedly shut down.
- Unilever recalled about 3,000 jars of Skippy peanut butter over concerns of salmonella. The recall was discovered during a routine sampling of the product.
- Baja Motorsports is recalling about 4,300 dirt bikes sold exclusively at Pep Boys. Fuel can leak from the fuel tank, posing fire and burn hazards.
- A New York meat manufacturer is recalling about 3,000 pounds of bologna products that may be contaminated with bacteria. Cases containing two 10-pound cases of “Price Chopper German Brand Bologna Made with Chicken & Pork” are affected.
- Jones Natural Chews Co. is recalling about 2,705 pig ear dog chews that may be contaminated with salmonella.
- Freestanding Outdoor Wood Burning Fireplaces manufactured by Sunjoy Industries Group Limited are being recalled. The decorative bronze powder coat finish on the fireplace chimney can ignite.
- Sanus Elements Surge Protectors imported by Milestone AV Technologies LLC are being recalled due to improper grounding of the case and inadequate insulation of the circuit breaker. The surge protectors may pose an electrical shock hazard.
- Sunbeam Products are recalling about 159,000 wine bottle openers. Wine bottles may break when the openers are used on them, causing lacerations.
Posted on March 7, 2011 in Animals, Business/Law, Consumer Goods, FDA, Health & Medicine, Men's Health, Parenting, Recalls, Recent Studies, Technology, Women's Health
- Unilever announced the recall of Skippy Reduced Fat Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy Reduced Fat Chunky Peanut Butter Spread because it may be contaminated with salmonella.
- FAB/Starpoint is recalling circo beaded door curtains, after determining that strangulation can occur when a child plays with the beaded strands. The company has received three reports of entanglement.
- Safeway recalled broccoli salad, pasta salad, and pre-packed vegetable trays sold in 12 states because the broccoli in the items may be tainted with listeria.
- Taylor Farms Pacific of Tracy, Calif. is recalling 64,000 pounds of chicken and pork products because some broccoli in the products was found to be contaminated with listeria.
- Liebherr-Canada Ltd., recalled certain built-in refrigerators because the doors can fall off.
- IKEA Home Furnishing recalled almost 130,000 Forsta coffee/tea makers after reports of the glass pot breaking, causing burns and cuts.
- Dick’s Sporting Goods recalled about 229,000 fitness resistance tubes and kits because the plastic clip that attaches the tube to the handle can break, sending pieces of the exercise equipment toward the consumer who uses it.
- WellPet LLC recalled certain lots of Wellness canned cat food because some lots may not have enough thiamine (also known as vitamin B1).
- Manhattan Group recalled about 400 of its Parents Busy Time Activity Center wooden children’s toy because wooden pegs on the xylophone activity can come loose, creating a choking hazard for young children.
- Baby Jogger LLC recalled about 2,000 Baby Jogger Jump Seats after receiving four reports of children falling from the seat and suffering scrapes, bruises and in one case a broken nose.
Posted on February 3, 2011 in Animals, Health & Medicine, Recent Studies
It’s no secret that human medications poison pets, but new data from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) suggests they sicken more animals than any other toxin. Over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and attention deficit hyperactivity medicines were the most deadly, according to the list.
In 2010, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center fielded more than 167,000 phone calls about pets exposed to possibly poisonous substances. In almost 25 percent of those calls, the ASPCA staff helped diagnose the animals with accidentally ingesting human medications. Pets often accidentally ingest the medications when the pills are dropped on the floor.
The list also mentioned that about 20 percent of the cases are related to insecticides, which are often used on the pets to control fleas. Since the most serious poisonings occur when insecticides not meant for cats are used on them, the ASPCA recommends pet owners always check the label for specific use instructions.
For a complete list of the top 10 pet toxins of 2010, visit www.aspca.org/apcc. If your pet has ingested a toxic substance, please contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA’s 24-hour APCC hotline at 1-888-426-4435.
Posted on January 21, 2011 in Animals, Health & Medicine, Recent Studies
The next step in the fight against bird flu: a genetically modified chicken that cannot transmit the infection and may reduce the risk of a deadly epidemic. Scientists from Cambridge and Edinburgh universities said that the birds still got sick and died when exposed to H5N1, but didn’t pass the flu along to other chickens.
H5N1 rarely infects humans, but it can often be life-threatening. The virus has been circulating Asia and the Middle East since 2003, killing millions of birds and threatening into a form that people could easily catch. The genetically modified chicken will most likely benefit large scale poultry producers, while local farmers will have to wait until the birds are more widely available.
In order to test the modified chickens, scientists infected 10 of them and along with 10 normal chickens. Although both birds sickened, the flu-resistant variety did not pass the virus along to other chickens kept in the same pen. Next, the researchers will work on developing a chicken that is fully resistant to the disease, rather than just preventing the transmission from bird to bird.
Posted on January 4, 2011 in Animals, Health & Medicine
The excitement of the holiday season may prove overwhelming for pets: exotic foods, new faces, and tasty-looking decorations furnish the opportunity to get in much more trouble than usual. Be aware of the following health hazards and avoid a last-minute trip the veterinarian:
- Indoor and outdoor holiday lights should be pet-proofed to prevent your puppy from an unwanted electric shock. Periodically check cords for any sign of bite marks or chewing, or proximity to a water source. Use a grounded 3-prong extension cord and follow manufacturers’ guidelines for usage. Call a veterinarian immediately if your pet has experienced electrical shock, since treatment is most effective immediately afterwards.
- Chocolate is a frequently-gifted item that could end up in a misbehaving pet’s stomach. Although chocolate poisoning occurs most frequently in dogs, other species may be susceptible to theobromine, the toxic compound found in the treat. Be on the lookout for stray candy wrappers, as well as the following symptoms of food poisoning: vomiting, increased thirst, diarrhea, hyperexcitability, and difficulty keeping balance.
- Mistletoe can be extremely toxic to animals, and you should consult a veterinarian immediately if your pet has ingested any part of the plant. The festive plant can cause difficulty breathing, shock, and death in only hours after consumption. Poinsettias aren’t nearly as dangerous, but could cause irritation of the mouth and mild illness.
Posted on December 16, 2010 in Animals, Health & Medicine, Parenting, Women's Health
A mother’s contact with farm animals and cats during pregnancy significantly lowers
the risk of her child being born with a skin condition called eczema, according to a study
published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Also known as atopic
dermatitis, eczema triggers an overactive immune system that leads to chronic itchy skin
rashes that come and go. Nearly one third of children who develop the disease before age
two eventually develop hay fever or asthma.
A European research team conducted a study of children born to 508 farm families
and 555 non-farm families in order to determine whether exposure to a wide range
of microbes prevents eczema. While 17.8% of all the children studied contracted the
disease, only 14.4% of the farm children surveyed was impacted. Twenty percent of the
non-farm children came down with the condition.
In general, all the children of farm moms had a lower risk of eczema. However,
researchers found that the greater the variety of animals the mother contacted, the lower
the risk. The research team stressed that expecting mother should not actively seek
exposure to farm animals, since more follow-up studies are necessary.
Posted on November 26, 2010 in Animals, Business/Law, Consumer Goods, Health & Medicine, Holistic Remedies, Men's Health, Opinion, Parenting, Recalls, Recent Studies, Technology, The Environment, Uncategorized, Women's Health
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Posted on November 19, 2010 in Animals, Business/Law, Consumer Goods, Health & Medicine, Holistic Remedies, Opinion, Parenting, Recalls, Recent Studies, Technology, The Environment, Uncategorized, Women's Health
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