Dumb Friends League to open equine center to help Colorado’s abused and neglected horses

Some of Colorado’s formerly suffering, neglected and abused horses are getting a second chance. The Dumb Friends League (Denver, Colorado 80231) recently announced it will open a new equine center—a unique private rehabilitation and adoption facility set to be fully operational in June 2012.

The Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Center is not a sanctuary or a rescue facility. The Center will not accept owner-relinquished horses. It is for horses, as well as ponies, donkeys and mules, that have been removed from owners’ care by law enforcement authorities. Located near Franktown, Colo., the Center can house up to 100 horses at a time in well-equipped barns and on 140 acres of pasture.

“Our commitment to animals extends beyond the household pets that share our lives,” said President and CEO Bob Rohde. “This has been true since the League was formed in 1910, but it hasn’t been feasible for us to shoulder this added responsibility until now.”

A knowledgeable, professional staff is on the premises seven days a week, and veterinarians are available on an on-call basis. Some of the horses brought to the Center must be impounded while court cases are pending. These animals are secured and well maintained until the cases are resolved.

“Our primary goal is to alleviate suffering,” said Rohde. “It is our hope and desire that many of these horses will be made whole, rehabilitated and placed with new, responsible owners.”
The Harmony Equine Center will be open to visitors on pre-scheduled adoption days and for special events beginning in June.

As a local, independent, nonprofit organization, the Dumb Friends League relies on donations, not government support or funds from national animal welfare organizations.

“This long-standing dream was made possible by a very generous gift from Leslie and John Malone, longtime, loyal friends of the Dumb Friends League,” Rohde said. “Because the number of unwanted horses continues to rise along with skyrocketing hay prices, the need for an equine center of this caliber has never been greater, and we’ll continue to need help from all of our donors.”

For more information about the Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Center and how you can help, visit the Harmony Equine Center web page or call (303) 751-5772.

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Questions and Answers Regarding Chicken Jerky Treats from China

FDA page last updated 03/09/12

Why did FDA issue a cautionary update in November 2011?

In 2011, FDA saw an increase in the number of complaints it received of dog illnesses associated with consumption of chicken jerky products imported from China.

FDA previously issued a cautionary warning regarding chicken jerky products to consumers in September 2007 and a Preliminary Animal Health Notification in December of 2008. The number of complaints being received dropped off during the latter part of 2009 and most of 2010. However in 2011, FDA once again started seeing the number of complaints rise to the levels of concern that prompted release of our earlier warnings.

Since the issuance of the CVM Update on November 18, 2011, the agency has received numerous additional complaints regarding chicken jerky products.

What are the products involved?

The cautionary update specifically refers to chicken jerky products that are imported from China. These dried chicken jerky products, intended for dogs, may also be sold as tenders, strips or treats.

What are the signs of illness that are being reported?

The signs that may be associated with chicken jerky products include decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; increased water consumption and/or increased urination. These signs may occur within hours to days of feeding the products.

Laboratory tests may indicate kidney problems, including Fanconi-like syndrome. Although many dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.

FDA continues to investigate the problem and its origin. Some of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky.

More info from the FDA.

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Cargill Animal Nutrition Conducts Regional Recall of Nutrena NatureWise ® Goat Pellets

Cargill Animal Nutrition today announced a voluntary and limited regional recall of Nutrena NatureWise ® Goat Pellets due to an error in labeling. The bags of affected goat feed should have indicated that the feed included Decoquinate, a medicated article for the prevention of coccidiossis that is commonly included in ruminant feed, but which is not approved for lactating goats.

The goat pellets were manufactured at Cargill’s Montgomery, Ala., facility on Dec. 31, 2011, Feb. 18, 2012, and Feb. 25, 2012. The pellets were distributed in five states — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Additional information regarding the products affected by this recall is listed below:

Lot Code    Product Name    Weight    Date Code
1MG1365    NatureWise Goat Pellet 16    50    1MG1DEC31
3MG2049    NatureWise Goat Pellet 16    50    3MG2FEB18
1MG2056    NatureWise Goat Pellet 16    50    1MG2FEB25

Cargill is implementing this goat feed recall as a precautionary measure. Consumers are urged to return listed products – whether in opened or unopened bags — to their place of purchase for a full refund or replacement. For more information, including photos of products involved, consumers can go to the Cargill web site or call toll free (1-800-392-5757) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST.

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Western Feed, LLC Conducts Voluntary Recall Of Feed Distributed In Nebraska And Wyoming

Western Feed, LLC is voluntarily recalling two lots (M718430 and M720280) of Kountry Buffet 14% feed because it may contain monensin sodium (Rumensin).  The feed is packaged in 50 lb. bags bearing the Payback logo with the attached tag identifying the product as Kountry Buffet 14%.  Monensin sodium is a medication approved for use in some livestock and poultry species, but can be fatal to horses if fed at sufficiently high levels.

The lot number (M718430 and M720280) can be found towards the bottom of the tag, below the Feeding Directions.

This feed was distributed December 2, 2011 through December 15, 2011 to retailers in Nebraska and Wyoming. Retailers receiving product from the lot in question have removed it from their stores.

Western Feed had received a report of some horses that had died as a result of consuming the feed.  Initial testing by a private laboratory has indicated the presence of a potentially harmful level of monensin sodium (Rumensin) in these two lots. Further follow up testing is underway.

The symptoms of toxicity vary with the amount of monensin ingested by a horse. Trace amounts may cause a horse to go off his regular feed, show signs of colic and appear unwell for a few days. Larger amounts will cause a horse to show more serious symptoms within a few hours including colic, stiffness, sweating, a lack of co-ordination and the inability to stand.

Customers who purchased Kountry Buffet 14% from lot M718430 and M720280 should stop feeding the product immediately and call Western Feed LLC at 308-247-2601, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT.

At this time, the limited voluntary recall only applies to Kountry Buffet 14%, lots M718430 and M720280. No other Western Feed, LLC products and no other lots of Kountry Buffet 14% are involved.

More info.

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