Monday, December 12, 2011

Pet Health Information

Animal Poison Control Center

We are your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.


Important Health Reference Info

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for help

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet

From chocolate to alcohol, some items are not meant for our furry friends. »
  
If Your Pet is Poisoned

If Your Pet Is Poisoned

What to do if the unthinkable happens.
Learn More »


Emergency Care for your Dog

Emergency Care for Your Dog

Accidents happen! Put an emergency plan in place.
Learn More »


FAQ

Animal Poison Control FAQ

Check out our life-saving answers to your most common questions.
Learn More »


Poison Prevention

Poinsettias

Poinsettias: Okay or No Way?

Learn the straight facts about this pretty plant.
Learn More »


A Poison Safe Home

Creating a Poison-Safe Home

Make your home poison-proof with this handy checklist.
Learn More »


Prevent Poisoning

Top Tips to Prevent Poisoning

Don’t let your pet become victim to malicious poisoning.
Learn More »


Ask the Experts: Okay or No Way?


Is chocolate as dangerous for cats as it is for dogs? —Carla H.
Carla, while dogs tend to be most commonly affected largely due to their eating habits, chocolate can indeed be toxic to cats, as well as other pets. Depending on the type and amount ingested, chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, panting, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures—and even death in severe cases. Because of its toxic potential, we would advise against allowing your cat to consume chocolate.
View More Questions: Human Medications and Cosmetics »
Cleaning Products » | People Foods » | Plants and Trees » | Insects »
Miscellaneous » | Browse All »

Happy Birthday "Pink"

Happy Birthday "Pink"

Photo of: Stacey B's Glitter In The Air "Pink"
San Luis Obisbo

Friday, December 9, 2011

"Recipe" for the Shih Tzu breed's creation

a dash of lion,
several teaspoons of rabbit,
a couple ounces of domestic cat,
one part court jester,
a dash of ballerina,
a pinch of old man(Chinese)
a bit of beggar,
tablespoon of monkey,
one part baby seal,
a dash of teddy bear,and the rest of the dogs of Tibetan and Chinese origin









described by: James Mumford

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

overvaccinating... more is NOT better

TAKE THE TITER TEST
Testing a dog’s serum antibody titers can prevent overvaccinating
by
Lorie Long
from
Whole Dog Journal

 
   
   
Taking blood for an annual titer test, to check a dog’s level of immune defenses, should replace the habit of vaccinating dogs annually whether or not they need it.

Few issues in veterinary medicine are as controversial as the debate about administering annual vaccinations to our dogs. Long considered part of the standard of baseline, responsible veterinary healthcare, and credited with conquering some of the fiercest canine viral and other infectious diseases, vaccinations now are also suspected of creating vulnerability to illnesses and chronic conditions such as anemia, arthritis, seizures, allergies, gastrointestinal and thyroid disorders, and cancer. As we’ve previously discussed in numerous articles, few people advocate refraining from the use of vaccinations altogether, but increasing numbers of veterinary experts recommend administering fewer vaccines to our dogs than was suggested in recent years. The current wisdom is to vaccinate our animal companions enough, but not too much. Does this seem a little arbitrary? It could, especially since the veterinary profession lacks complete information about exactly how long the effects of canine vaccines last. (We bet you thought that most vaccines “last” about a year, which is why you are supposed to bring your dog to the vet for more shots every year, right? Well, you’re wrong, and we’ll explain why below.) Fortunately, there is a tool that veterinarians and dog owners can use to determine whether or not a dog really needs further vaccination at any given time. It’s called a “titer test,” and it’s readily available, not terribly expensive, and offers multiple advantages over the practices (intentional or not) of over-vaccination and under-vaccination. To understand what a titer test is and what it can do for you and your dog, you need a little background information about vaccinations and their use in this country.
History of “recommended vaccine schedules”
As lifesaving vaccines for various canine diseases have been developed over the last 50 years, veterinarians and dog owners gladly embraced them. Many diseases were prevented, and a new industry was born. Like any industry, it soon set about making itself indispensable. Increasingly, veterinarians were sold on the concept that if some vaccines are good, more are better – for their patients and their bottom line. So it came to pass that for decades, vets followed the label recommendations directing that canine vaccines be administered annually. In the late 1970s, a deadly parvovirus epidemic killed thousands of dogs and wiped out whole litters of puppies, eventually halted by the mass administration of the parvovirus vaccine. This episode emphasized the important role of vaccinations in canine healthcare and labeled veterinarians who challenged the annual administration of vaccines as mutinous. And there was, in fact, a small population of insurgent veterinarians who had doubts about the necessity of frequent vaccination. Many holistic practitioners – who often see patients with complex, mystifying symptoms of poor health, patients who have not been helped or even diagnosed by conventionally trained veterinarians – suspected a link between vaccines and immune disorders. In their minds, it was easy to surmise that there might be a connection between agents that are designed to provoke an immune response and their patients’ poor or inappropriate immune responses. But while drug companies are motivated to fund studies that can develop more vaccines they can sell for a profit, they are understandably disinclined to spend money on studies that may discover their products’ potential for harm, or how few vaccines our companion animals really need for disease protection. As a result, only anecdotal evidence provided by “vaccine rebels” – owners and veterinarians who either do not vaccinate or vaccinate on a reduced schedule – seemed to suggest that dogs and cats might be better off receiving fewer vaccines. But until recently there was little scientific evidence that supported this idea, perhaps none that was accepted in the conventional university veterinarian research community. Then, in the early 1990s, laboratory researchers at the University of Pennsylvania noticed a connection between the marked increase in the number of sarcomas, or cancerous tumors, under the skin at the site of rabies vaccine administration in cats. Later, researchers at the University of California at Davis noted that feline leukemia vaccines seemed to cause the same results. Taken aback by the inflammatory nature of the animals’ reaction to the vaccines, veterinary researchers began to suspect that immediate reactions to vaccinations, delayed reactions to vaccinations, or the combined effects of multiple vaccinations, could be risk factors for other ailments and chronic diseases in cats and dogs. As vaccines and their long-term effects became a (at least minor) topic of mainstream veterinary interest, one small but important fact came to light: there is no universally accepted “standard vaccination protocol” that has the approval of say, the American Veterinary Medical Association and/or the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. The prevailing vaccination recommendations and schedules that most veterinarians and veterinary colleges recommend have been based on the research and suggestions of the manufacturers – not on independent scientific research. This point had long been recognized by the vaccine rebels, but disregarded by most conventional veterinarians.
Why more is not better
Jean Dodds, DVM, a highly respected veterinary hematologist, and founder and president of the nonprofit Hemopet, a California-based animal blood bank, pioneered the vaccine debate decades ago and is now considered one of the leading authorities on canine vaccine protocols. According to Dr. Dodds, many recent studies confirm that the vast majority of dogs, In  most cases at least 95 percent of the subjects, retain immunity after vaccination for many years after the administration of a vaccine. She states that the “evidence implicating vaccines in triggering immune-mediated and other chronic disorders (vaccinosis) is compelling.” Adverse reactions to conventional vaccines can be the same as reactions to any chemicals, drugs, or infectious agents. Immediate (or anaphylactic) reactions can occur in the 24-48 hours following exposure to the vaccine. Delayed reactions can occur 10-45 days after receiving vaccines. Symptoms include fever, stiffness, sore joints, abdominal tenderness, nervous system disorders, susceptibility to infections, and hemorrhages or bruising. Transient seizures can appear in puppies and adults. More long-term harmful effects can result in permanent damage to the dog’s immune system, which increases the dog’s susceptibility to chronic, debilitating diseases affecting the blood, endocrine organs, joints, skin, central nervous system, liver, kidneys, and bowel. In addition, vaccines can overwhelm a chronically ill dog, or a dog that has a genetic predisposition to react adversely to viral exposure, even from the modified live viral agents or killed virus in vaccines. So, given the possible health risks of administering too many vaccines, especially when a dog likely retains the immunologic protection supplied by previous vaccinations, how can a responsible dog owner decide on a safe and effective vaccine schedule for the life of their dog? As we suggested earlier, the answer is titer tests.
Understanding titer tests
The term “titer” refers to the strength or concentration of a substance in a solution. When testing vaccine titers in dogs, a veterinarian takes a blood sample from a dog and has the blood tested for the presence and strength of the dog’s immunological response to a viral disease. If the dog demonstrates satisfactory levels of vaccine titers, the dog is considered sufficiently immune to the disease, or possessing good “immunologic memory,” and not in need of further vaccination against the disease at that time.
Using the new TiterCHEKTM test kit, your veterinarian can now draw blood from your dog when you first arrive for his annual health exam, and within 15 minutes, be able to tell you whether or not he needs any vaccines.
Titer tests do not distinguish between the immunity generated by vaccination and that generated by natural exposure to disease agents. A dog may have developed immunity to a viral disease by receiving a vaccine against the disease, by being exposed to the disease in the natural environment and conquering it, sometimes without having demonstrated any symptoms of exposure to the disease, or by a combination of the two. Therefore, titer tests really measure both the “priming of the pump” that comes from vaccines, and the immunity resulting from natural exposure to disease during a dog’s lifetime. Only an indoor dog that has been totally sequestered from the natural environment is likely to have developed all of its immunity from vaccinations. Although the magnitude of immunity protection received by vaccination only is usually lower than by vaccination plus exposure, it doesn’t matter how your dog developed its strong immunity to specific viral diseases, as long as the immunity is present. By “titering” annually, a dog owner can assess whether her dog’s immune response has fallen below adequate levels. In that event, an appropriate vaccine booster can be administered. 
Which titers tests?
Some dog owners, aware that there are dozens of vaccines available, are concerned that they would need to order titer tests for each vaccine. Actually, measuring the titers for just two vaccines, according to Dr. Dodds, can offer the dog owner a reliable “picture” of the dog’s immunological status. Good immunity to canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine distemper virus (CDV), she says, indicates proper “markers for the competence of the dog’s immune system.” Although the laboratories will also perform vaccine titer tests for other canine diseases, such as coronavirus and Lyme, Dr. Dodds deems these tests a waste of money. Protection from coronavirus, Dr. Dodds explains, depends on the current state of health of the dog’s gastrointestinal tract, not on what’s in the dog’s blood, so serum tests are not conclusive. Lyme is regionally based and not a significant threat to the general canine population, so only dogs in a high-risk environment need titer testing for Lyme. Dr. Dodds emphasizes that titer testing is not a “guess” at immunological response in a dog; when dealing with CDV and CDP, there is absolute correlation between certain high titer values and what is frequently referred to as “protection” from the diseases in question. In this case, the animal’s owner and veterinarian can feel quite confident that the animal possesses sufficient resources for fighting off a disease challenge. When the tests reveal that the animal has borderline or low titer values, the owner and veterinarian should consider revaccinating and then testing the titers again. It may turn out that the animal simply needed a booster to stimulate a stronger immune response. Or, maybe the people involved learn that the animal lacks the ability to respond normally to vaccines, that is, by mounting a proper immune response. In this case, the owner and veterinarian have gained very valuable information about the dog’s compromised immune status – information they never would have gained by simply vaccinating and assuming the dog was “protected” as is usually the case with healthy dogs. As you can see, in reality, simply administering vaccines to dogs every year is more of a guessing game than using titer tests to learn about the dog’s immune competence. Studies worldwide support titer test results as comprehensive information about a dog’s immunological response capabilities.
Now more affordable
Because the more widely recognized benefits of titer testing have caused an increase in the number of titer tests performed at veterinary laboratories, the price is coming down and the tests are available from a wide range of providers. Veterinary laboratories offer traditional vaccine titer testing by looking at a blood sample from a dog and identifying a specific level of actual immunity in the dog. Reputable laboratories use commonly accepted immunological techniques that have been validated against original test techniques and found to be accurate. Be certain your veterinarian sends blood samples to a major professional veterinary laboratory such as Antech Diagnostics (www.antechdiagnostics.com), Idexx Laboratories (www.idexx.com), Vita-Tech Laboratories (www.vita-tech.com), or one of the major university veterinary laboratories, including Cornell, Colorado State, Michigan State, Tufts, and Texas A&M. In early spring 2002, Synbiotics Corporation, a San Diego-based manufacturer of diagnostic materials and instrumentation for the veterinary market, rolled out an innovative tool that should make titer testing even more readily available and affordable. TiterCHEKTM is the first in-office titer test licensed by the USDA for use in veterinary clinics. TiterCHEKTM tests titers for canine parvovirus and canine distemper virus, registering the degree of strength of the immune response in varying color shades. If the test results denote a weak immune response level, blood samples can be sent to a veterinary laboratory for more comprehensive testing. Dr. Dodds estimates that more than 95 percent of in-office tests will indicate a satisfactory immune response present in a dog that has received its puppy vaccinations and one-year boosters, so follow-up is rarely required. Expect to pay your veterinarian from $40 to $100 for CDV and CPV titer testing from a laboratory, and slightly less for an in-office test, for which your veterinarian must purchase the TiterCHEKTM test kit.
Resisting vaccine titer testing
As practicing clinicians, veterinarians are hesitant to adjust any clinical regimen they have adopted until they see research study data that they judge to be functional and applicable in the real world. Many veterinarians resisted rethinking the annual canine vaccine regimen based upon the early findings of researchers. However, the increased evidence linking over-vaccination to acute and chronic diseases in dogs has finally caused a mainstream conviction that vaccination protocols are not a one-size-fits-all healthcare decision. Indeed, Dr. Dodds, once considered a rebel by the veterinary profession, now speaks to standing-room-only audiences at the most prestigious professional conferences in the country. The perceived need for annual vaccinations used to motivate many dog owners to make appointments with their veterinarians for their dog’s annual wellness checkup. Veterinarians now hope that annual titer tests will perform a similar function. Having your dog examined by a veterinarian at least once a year is critically important for detecting, preventing, and treating any diseases or other ailments as early as possible. Adding the ability to check your dog’s immunological health and custom-tailor his vaccine schedule to his actual needs will impressively augment this important task. It has been estimated that only about 60 percent of pet dogs receive the minimum disease prevention vaccination protocol. Ironically, in an attempt to provide their beloved animal companions with the best possible care, many highly motivated owners arrange for their dogs to receive several times the necessary dose of vaccinations, to the point of risking the adverse effects of over-vaccination on the health of the dog’s immune system. Consumers who do care about managing the effectiveness of their dog’s immune system against the most dangerous canine viral diseases now have the means to do so without risking their dog’s health in the process. When you and your dog visit your veterinarian for an annual checkup, take the titer test.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lorie Long is a frequent contributor to WDJ. She lives in North Carolina with two Border Terriers, Dash (a three-year-old female and agility queen) and Chase (a five-month-old male with an agility future). 
Copyright 2002 Whole Dog Journal. Reprinted with permission, Belvoir Publications, Inc. For subscription and other information, call (800) 424-7887. www.whole-dog-journal.com
 
 

Lifelong Immunity

Lifelong Immunity – Why Vets Are Pushing Back

by Dogs Naturally on December 6, 2011 · 13 comments
Post image for Lifelong Immunity – Why Vets Are Pushing BackThe duration of immunity for Rabies vaccine, Canine distemper vaccine, Canine Parvovirus vaccine, Feline Panleukopenia vaccine, Feline Rhinotracheitis, feline Calicivirus, have all been demonstrated to be a minimum of 7 years by serology for rabies and challenge studies for all others.
In the Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines: What We Know and What We Don’t Know, Proceedings – Canine Infectious Diseases: From Clinics to Molecular Pathogenesis, Ithaca, NY, 1999, Dr. Ronald Schultz, a veterinary immunologist at the forefront of vaccine research and chair of the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Pathobiological Sciences, outlines the DOI for the following vaccines:

Minimum Duration of Immunity for Canine Vaccines:

Distemper- 7 years by challenge/15 years by serology
Parvovirus – 7 years by challenge/ 7 years by serology
Adenovirus – 7 years by challenge/ 9 years by serology
Canine rabies – 3 years by challenge/ 7 years by serology
Dr. Schultz concludes:  “Vaccines for diseases like distemper and canine parvovirus, once administered to adult animals, provide lifetime immunity.”  “Are we vaccinating too much?” JAVMA, No. 4, August 15, 1995, pg. 421.
Yet vets continue to vaccinate annually.  Dog owners feel that their vets are doing their dogs a great service by vaccinating every three years instead of annually – why do we allow it when these studies were done over thirty years ago and have been replicated time and again by other researchers?
Ian Tizard states:  “With modified live virus vaccines like canine parvovirus, canine distemper and feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, and rhinotracheitis the virus in the vaccine must replicate to stimulate the immune system. In a patient that has been previously immunized, antibodies from the previous vaccine will block the replication of the new vaccinal virus. Antibody titers are not significantly boosted. Memory cell populations are not expanded. The immune status of the patient is not enhanced.
After the second rabies vaccination, re-administration of rabies vaccine does not enhance the immune status of the patient at one or two year intervals.  We do not know the interval at which re-administration of vaccines will enhance the immunity of a significant percentage of the pet population, but it is certainly not at one or two year intervals.
Tizard Ian, Yawei N, Use of serologic testing to assess immune status of companion animals, JAVMA, vol 213, No 1, July 1, 1998.
“The recommendation for annual re-vaccination is a practice that was officially started in 1978.”  says Dr. Schultz.  “This recommendation was made without any scientific validation of the need to booster immunity so frequently. In fact the presence of good humoral antibody levels blocks the anamnestic response to vaccine boosters just as maternal antibody blocks the response in some young animals.”
He adds:  “The patient receives no benefit and may be placed at serious risk when an unnecessary vaccine is given. Few or no scientific studies have demonstrated a need for cats or dogs to be revaccinated. Annual vaccination for diseases caused by CDV, CPV2, FPLP and FeLV has not been shown to provide a level of immunity any different from the immunity in an animal vaccinated and immunized at an early age and challenged years later. We have found that annual revaccination with the vaccines that provide long-term immunity provides no demonstrable benefit.”
Why then, have vets not embraced the concept of lifelong immunity in dogs?
“Profits are what vaccine critics believe is at the root of the profession’s resistance to update its protocols. Without the lure of vaccines, clients might be less inclined to make yearly veterinary visits. Vaccines add up to 14 percent of the average practice’s income, AAHA reports, and veterinarians stand to lose big.  I suspect some are ignoring my work,” says Schultz, who claims some distemper vaccines last as long as 15 years. “Tying vaccinations into the annual visit became prominent in the 1980s and a way of practicing in the 1990s. Now veterinarians don’t want to give it up.”
The report of the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Taskforce in JAAHA (39 March/April 2003)3 includes the following information for vets:
‘Misunderstanding, misinformation and the conservative nature of our profession have largely slowed adoption of protocols advocating decreased frequency of vaccination’; ‘Immunological memory provides durations of immunity for core infectious diseases that far exceed the traditional recommendations for annual vaccination.’
‘This is supported by a growing body of veterinary information  as well-developed epidemiological vigilance in human medicine that indicates immunity induced by vaccination is extremely long lasting and, in most cases, lifelong.’
Both the AAHA and the AVMA must do more to “step up to the plate” says noted immunologist, Dr. Richard Ford. But the reality is the vets do not have to listen to the AAHA or the AVMA and it appears the state veterinary medical boards are not interested in enforcing vaccine schedules, opting to leave it up to the individual vet.
Dr. Bob Rogers hired a Chicago based law firm and initiated a class action suit for pet owners who were not given informed consent and full disclosure prior to vaccination administration. His article entitled “The Courage to Embrace the Truth”, states “While attending conferences like WSVMA and NAVMC I have asked over 400 DVMs from various parts of the country if they attended the seminars on New Vaccination Protocols. I was told by all but one, “I don’t care what the data says, I am not changing.” One DVM here on VIN even said “I am not changing until the AVMA makes me change.”
It seems that pet owners are against the wall when it comes to vaccination. The obvious conclusion is that pet owners who are concerned about the long term health of their companion animals must take it upon themselves to research vaccines, duration of immunity and vaccine dangers. At the very least, question every vaccine that goes into your animal – but none of the above information indicates you will get an honest or well-informed answer.
Be your dog’s advocate – protect him with knowledge and by taking a stand against unnecessary vaccination. His life may depend on it!

More Dog Food RECALL's

Two Dog Food Brands Recalled by Cargill

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Caution Tape
Cargill has announced a voluntary dog food recall involving two of its brands due to contamination with aflatoxin.
Both River Run and Marksman dry dog foods were produced at Cargill’s Lecompte, Louisiana plant.
The recall includes 13 states and 2 territories: Kansas, Missouri, Northeast Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Western Kentucky, Southeast Indiana, Southern Illinois, Hawaii, and limited areas of Florida, California Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by a certain species of mold commonly found in cereal grains.
The products listed have Lot Codes 4K0335 through 4K0365, 4K1001 through 4K1335, LL0335 through LL0365, and LL1001 through LL1335 on the tag or bag and include:
  • River Run Professional Formula 27-18 Dog Food 50#
  • River Run 21% Protein Dog Food (50# and 40#)
  • River Run Hi-NRG 24-20 Dog Food 50#
  • River Run Hi-Pro No-Soy Dog Food (50# and 40#)
  • Marksman 28-18 Dog Food 40#
  • Marksman 24-20 Dog Food 40#
  • Marksman 20-10 Dog Food (50# and 40#)

What to Watch For

According to Cargill…
“Exposure to excessive levels of aflatoxin, especially over extended periods of time, can lead to reduced liver function.
Call your veterinarian if your dog has had a product that may have contained aflatoxin and exhibits sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, diarrhea, or yellowing of the eyes or gums.”

What to Do

If a dog shows any of these signs, consumers should stop feeding the suspected products immediately — and consult a veterinarian.
You can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.
Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.
Cargill has suggested consumers return any unused portion of the recalled dog food to the store where it was bought for a full refund. For more information, call the company at 855-460-1532.


Get dog food recall alerts delivered right to your Inbox the moment we become aware of them. Subscribe to The Dog Food Advisor’s Dog Food Recall Alert email notification list now.
Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.

Ch I Want It All At Le-Vendosk "Paddington"~Shih Tzu male


Paddington @ 4 mos and 10 mos. &12 months.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Romi x Barbie Shih Tzu Puppies

photo's of Romi x Barbie 25 day old pups. My new show prospects.

Procter & Gamble voluntarily removed puppy food


Today, Procter & Gamble voluntarily removed one production lot of its puppy food, Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food from some store shelves. Please read P & G's release below for more information on the recall.
www.whole-dog-journal.com
December 6, 2011

P&G VOLUNTARILY RECALLS ONE PRODUCTION LOT OF DRY DOG FOOD
CINCINNATI, OH December 6, 2011 – The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) has voluntarily
retrieved a single production lot of 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
with Use By or Expiration Dates of February 5 or
February 6, 2013
7.0 lb bag
12784177I6
1901402305
8.0 lb bag
12794177D2
12794177D3
1901410208
17.5 lb bag
12794177K1
12794177K2
1901401848
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.
 
 
 
Today, Procter & Gamble voluntarily removed one production lot of its puppy food, Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food from some store shelves. Please read P & G's release below for more information on the recall.
www.whole-dog-journal.com

Thursday, December 1, 2011

puppy/dog Tear stains Review

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Dog with Tear StainsTear stains develop when bacteria and yeast form on the hair/fur located underneath the eyes of both cats and dogs. While it is possible to clean this area with a topical solution such as a wipe, the reality is that is only a short term solution. The next time tears gestate underneath the eyes, the same stains will return.
" The best way to get rid of tear stains is to attack the problem from the inside out with natural supplements."
Tear stains are most evident on light colored animals and commonly affect small breeds of dogs such as Shi-Tzus, Poodles and the Maltese. While tear stains are not life-threatening, they are often unpleasant looking and result in the appearance of clumpy, discolored facial hair. This is often very frustrating as most owners are very careful to ensure their pet is cleaned and groomed regularly. However, as previously stated, grooming will not stop tear stains from developing. The best way to remove tear stains is to use a supplement such as those listed below. These products work from the inside out and attack the root cause of the problem. After a few weeks of your pet taking these supplements the hair/fur underneath the eye will grow out and remain stain free. All you have to do is to trim the hair/fur as it grows out.
Our staff has reviewed dozens of tear stain removal products and has narrowed down their list to the top 6 products available online. It should be noted that while all of the products we list can help, some of them contain the ingredient Tylosin, which is an antibiotic. This is important to mention as some animals can become sick after taking it which is why we suggest using a tear stain removal product that does not contain Tylosin.
The following products are ranked according to the following criteria: strength and safety of ingredients, cost effectiveness, and overall customer feedback.



The Top Tear Stain Products:
Click Below to see the best pet products

Product Image Product Name Ability to Help Remove Tear Stains Ability to Help Prevent Future Tear Stains Ability to Help Support Healthy Vision Ability to Help Support the Immune System Contains Potentially Dangerous Ingredient Tylosin Learn More
1 Tearlax Tearlax Superior Superior Excellent Superior No Learn
More
2 Angels Delight Angels Delight Excellent Excellent Good Excellent No Learn
More
3 Angels Eyes Angels Eyes Good Good Fair Fair Yes Learn
More
4 Ocu-Clear Ocu-Clear Excellent Good Fair Excellent No Learn
More
5 I-Clenz I-Clenz Good Good Fair Good No Learn
More
6 Angels Glow Angels Glow Good Good Unknown Fair Yes Learn
More

American Kennel Club

We have a record-breaking entry at AENC this year! Will you be joining us as a competitor or spectator?
www.akc.org
American Kennel Club - News Article - Record-Breaking Entry of Nearly 4,000 Conformation Competitors at 11th Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Shih Tzu Proofing Your Home~from a reputable California breeder



When you bring your Shih Tzu/Yorkshire Terrier home everyone in the family is very excited and a lot of the times this might be your first Shih Tzu/Yorkshire Terrier experience. We reputible breeders work very hard home raising our Shih Tzu/Yorkshire Terrier's so that the adoption into your new home is smooth and fun. Shih Tzu/Yorkshire Terrier puppies have lots of energy and natural curiosity, and they love to explore their new world in your home. This is part of what makes it so much fun for the family but can also lead your Shih Tzu/Yorkshire Terrier into potential trouble and danger. Make sure you secure your home as you would for a toddler. If you are not sure and how to do this just read the steps below. Its easy!


  • Know which plants in your home are toxic to your new puppy and place them out of reach. Puppies love to smell and try new things like plants. Two plants that are typically found in your home would be Philodendrons and Caladium. Make sure these are out of reach.
  • Keep all medications out of your  puppies reach. Place them up high in your cabinets. 
  • Put bathroom trash cans off of the ground including sanitary supplies and kitchen trash as well. Puppies will search for items that have not been introduced to before such as toilet paper, paper towel rolls etc.
  • Although most of your furniture is safe for your Shih Tzu/Yorkie puppy there are still a few items you need to watch out for. Rocking chairs can sometimes harm your puppies tail or paw. Sliding doors can sometimes do the same since your puppy will follow you for love all over your home.
  • Electrical cords are possibly the most dangerous for your  puppy. Since cords are rubber/plastic and puppies love to chew this makes it a direct target for your Shih Tzu/Yorkie. Tie up your loose electrical cords and try to keep them out of site.
  • Keep small objects away from your puppy as you would away from a child. Coins, knits, clothing, jewelry and anything else your puppy would love to chew on.
  • Food scraps are your puppies desire! Make sure your puppy never gets to your chicken bones and or any other scraps left behind.
DON'T WORRY! This is not for ever. As your Shih Tzu/Yorkshire Terrier grows with your family he/she becomes adjusted to the rules and environment of your home. Although there are many steps you must look into, it does not take much of your time. You as a owner will also notice other steps yourself that may be dangerous to your puppy in your home. Once your  puppy is grown up it will all be about more fun for your family and your puppy.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Discover the breed characteristics of the Shih Tzu.

Shih Tzu

Jacklyn E. Hungerland, Ph.D.
Page 1 of 2

Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu
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It's easy to fall in love with a Shih Tzu of almost any age, but it is almost impossible to resist a Shih Tzu puppy. That adorable little ball of fluff simply demands that you not only pick it up but that you take it home immediately. When you do take your Shih Tzu puppy home, what can you expect from your newfound friend for life?
Character Traits
As described in the ancient standard for the breed, the Shih Tzu is a small, intelligent and extremely docile dog. It is truly a companion dog that likes to be near its owner. Because the primary role of the breed is to excel as a companion and house pet, the dog's ideal temperament is outgoing, happy, affectionate, friendly and trusting. The Shih Tzu's physical characteristics, such as a long coat and brachycephalic head (pushed in face), necessitate that it live as an indoor pet. They don't do well in situations in which they are separated from their owners, and they definitely do not belong in the backyard. Even as indoor dogs, though, they need to be protected from becoming overheated. Be sure that your home is well-ventilated and your dog has access to a room that is cool and protected from direct sunlight.
The Shih Tzu's broad nose makes breathing somewhat difficult, which partially explains its desire to stay indoors. While inside, this breed should never be put in a situation in which it doesn't have access to open free-flowing fresh air. With its bounty of fur, the Shih Tzu can tolerate the cold much better than it can the heat.

The current American Kennel Club Standard for the breed states in part: "The Shih Tzu is a sturdy, lively, alert toy dog with long flowing double coat. Befitting its noble Chinese ancestry as a highly valued, prized companion and palace pet, the Shih Tzu is proud of bearing, has a distinctively arrogant carriage with head well up and tail curved over the back. ..." These are characteristics Shih Tzu possess when they come into the world. How do these traits translate into a home companion? What is it like to live with this energetic and enchanting but stubborn little doggie?
Training? Me? Surely You JestTouched with a dose of pride and arrogance, the Shih Tzu is not easy to train. After all, in ancient China, nothing more was required of the Shih Tzu other than looking beautifully ornamental while accompanying emperors and empresses in processions throughout the Chinese streets. Such regal bearings have seemed to stay with the Shih Tzu from one generation to the next because this imperial attitude can still be found in the modern-day Shih Tzu. Along with this arrogance, the Shih Tzu can be quite stubborn, and making this dog do what you want it to do can be a challenge.
Shih Tzu don't like rules. They have relatively short attention spans and selectively short memories. They can become easily distracted and forget where they are and what rule applies to the situation at hand. These are traits that make Shih Tzu the happy-go-lucky little clowns that attract us in the first place, so you must be very patient with training expectations. Some of the more difficult areas of training merit discussion.
Housetraining: Getting the concept of what is commonly known as housebreaking across to the Shih Tzu presents the greatest challenge to its owner. It is probably easier to train your Shih Tzu to eliminate on a newspaper than it is to teach it to go outside. Waiting is not one of the Shih Tzu's better qualities. Sometimes they choose to "forget" their training if you have done something they don't like.
If your Shih Tzu still has a lot of puppy hair or if it is in a trim with full hair on its legs, it might be even more challenging to housebreak it. Remember, these are small dogs with short legs that are close to the ground, which makes it difficult for you to see if they are squatting or lifting a leg. Lots of mistakes may be made along the way to success, but patience will eventually pay off. You will just have to plan ahead to spend the time needed to get the message across to your Shih Tzu. Be sure to take your Shih Tzu outside frequently to prevent it from having any unnecessary accidents inside your home. You are equally responsible for the successful housebreaking of your Shih Tzu puppy or adult. If you are present when your dog eliminates in the proper place, lots of praise and a few cookies will motivate your dog to again properly relieve itself. It is also possible to train small dogs such as the Shih Tzu to use a litter box for emergency needs.
Don't leave me!: Being alone is not what comes naturally to a Shih Tzu. They are people dogs and want to be with you as much as possible, if not all of the time. This trait cannot be overstressed: Shih Tzu are companion dogs and that means that they want to be your companion.
Many people work outside of the home and enjoy numerous activities outside of it as well, therefore, it is inevitable that at times your Shih Tzu will be home alone. Under these circumstances, your Shih Tzu needs a place of its own. A bed is good, but a crate is preferable. If your puppy spends "time-outs" in its crate from the beginning, it will soon learn that it is a safe, quiet place away from family hubbub. Quite often, if you leave the crate door open, your Shih Tzu will voluntarily venture inside for a refreshing nap. If you make the crate a luringly comfortable placesoft cushion, water bottle and a few toysit becomes a little suite for the dog. Once accustomed to spending time in its crate, the dog will be happier if it has to go to the vet or to the kennel or on an airplane. Your Shih Tzu will feel safe, even if its feelings are hurt because you are putting it on a time-out for misbehaving.
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