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

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:

Product Name	Version	“Best-By” Dates	UPC Codes
Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas	All dry sizes and varieties	01Jul10 – 01Dec11	All UPC Codes
Eukanuba Naturally Wild	All dry sizes and varieties	01Jul10 – 01Dec11	All UPC Codes
Eukanuba Pure	All dry sizes and varieties	01Jul10 – 01Dec11	All UPC Codes
Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin	All dry sizes	01Jul10 – 01Dec11	All UPC Codes

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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Injuries Caused By Fights And Falls Are Most Common, Expensive At Dog Parks

Pet Sitters International offers tips to keep dangers at bay.

Dog parks are great places for dogs to play and socialize with other dogs. Unfortunately, the fun can sometimes turn violent. Without proper knowledge, a dog and its handler are both subject to injury.

Robin Bennett, an author and trainer with All About Dogs in Woodbridge, Va., believes that in order for dog parks to be safe, dogs need to be properly supervised. This means that dog owners must know what to watch for if problems arise between the dogs.

“Early warning signs indicating that a dog is stressed include lip licking, yawning, half moon eyes, stiffening, and avoidance,” Bennett said. “These signals all happen before things get too far out of hand.”

 

Bennett suggests interrupting any play that lasts longer than a few minutes to ensure that play doesn’t escalate to violence. She also says that should a dog fight break out, there are a few ways the owners can intervene.

“Try making a loud sound to distract the dogs enough to cause them to stop fighting,” she said. “Also try putting something between the dogs to startle them, like a chair, a bucket, or whatever is lying around.”

For pet owners whose dogs aren’t involved in the fight, Bennett recommends removing them from the park quickly, since dogs often get a pack mentality and join in the commotion.

Dog fights aren’t the only hazards that dogs and owners can encounter while at a dog park. There is always a chance of dogs getting injured while running and playing. In fact, the top category of insurance claims paid out by Business Insurers of the Carolinas (BIC), the company that underwrites the majority of bonding and liability insurance policies for members of Pet Sitters International, resulted from accidents that occurred while the pet was walking, playing, or running.

David Pearsall, director of sales and marketing for BIC, said his company has also paid out large claims for dogs knocking people down while at the dog park. “We’ve paid two claims for more than $200,000 that involved dogs knocking down people at dog parks,” Pearsall said. “One occurred at an off-leash dog park. The dog jumped on a jogger, causing her to fall and injure her knee. The injury called for reconstructive surgery.”

That is another hazard that Bennett cautions dog owners about. Bennett recommends that people keep their knees bent and be aware of what is going on around them while at a dog park to help lessen the chance of being injured.

Bennett suggests pet owners make sure a dog park has two key features before taking their dogs for a visit: double gates to keep the dogs safe while entering and exiting the park and separate areas for large and small dogs.

Keeping these tips in mind before hopping in the car and heading off to the nearest dog park will ensure that both you and your pet have a howlin’ good time.

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