Kathy Bauck Trial

Due to a CAPS undercover employment opportunity of six weeks at one of the largest USDA dog brokering and breeding facilities in Minnesota, prosecutors recently brought nine counts of cruelty, including four felony counts, against Kathy Bauck, the owner of Pick of the Litter. The CAPS investigator documented many more acts of cruelty than the nine charges brought by the state. We have been investigating Ms. Bauck since 1997, but she has always been suspicious so it has been challenging to gain access to her facility. She has 800 to 900 adult breeding dogs and 300 to 400 puppies. Over the years, numerous consumers have filed complaints with CAPS regarding the purchase of sick puppies or those with hereditary problems.

Ms. Bauck already had a cease and desist order from the state vet board for the practice of veterinary medicine, including doing C sections and spay/neuter. This didn't stop her. She continued to practice vet medicine and do yet more C sections, which were documented by employees. Sadly, the state allowed her to plea bargain to just one charge for the practice of vet medicine and dropped the cruelty charge for killing a puppy. While on parole and serving work release, she continued to commit cruelty, which was being documented by our investigator using a hidden camera, daily field notes and reports, all of which we presented to the detective and prosecutor's office. Prosecutors brought nine counts of cruelty and four felony counts against Ms. Bauck. The pre-trial is set for January 26th 2009. The 4-day trial is scheduled to begin on February 10th 2009.

Read more at the CAPS website.

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Knowing Right from Wrong

Research shows that animals know right from wrong
By Marc Bekoff
Sunday, January 25, 2009

BOULDER, Colo. — Do animals have a sense of morality? Do they know right from wrong? In our forthcoming book, "Wild Justice: The Moral Lives of Animals," philosopher Jessica Pierce and I argue that the answer to both of these questions is a resounding "yes." "Ought" and "should" regarding what's right and what's wrong play important roles in the social interactions of animals, just as they do in ours.

Historically, others agree. Charles Darwin believed that animals, like humans, could be moral beings. He suggested that human morality is continuous with similar social behavior in other animals. Darwin paid special attention to the capacity for sympathy, which he believed was evidenced in a large numbers of animals. Darwin wrote, "Any animal whatever, endowed with well-marked social instincts ... would inevitably acquire a moral sense of conscience, as soon as its intellectual powers had become as well-developed, or nearly as well-developed, as in man."

More recently, Jane Goodall noted in her book "The Chimpanzees of Gombe," "(I)t is easy to get the impression that chimpanzees are more aggressive than they really are. In actuality, peaceful interactions are far more frequent than aggressive ones; mild threatening gestures are more common than vigorous ones; threats per se occur much more often than fights; and serious, wounding fights are very rare compared to brief, relatively mild ones." Read the entire article.

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Peanut Butter Recall

www.aspca.org

Effective Immediately: Please Discontinue Use of Peanut Butter Products, Pet Parents!
In light of last week’s FDA recall, which traced sources of Salmonella contamination to a plant owned by Peanut Corporation of America, the ASPCA is advising pet parents to temporarily discontinue the use of peanut butter products.

A popular treat for dogs, peanut butter is commonly stuffed into chewable activity toys. While healthy adult companion dogs are relatively resistant to Salmonella bacteria, pets with health issues, young puppies and older pooches with compromised immune systems may be at greater risk. “Pet parents should wash their hands after handling any potentially contaminated food and immediately consult with a veterinarian if any symptoms are noticed in their pets,” says the ASPCA’s Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President, Animal Health Services. Signs to watch out for in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy and drooling or panting. Cats may develop a high fever with vague, non-specific clinical signs.

In addition, pet parents handling a contaminated peanut butter product may also develop food poisoning. “Salmonella can be passed between humans and pets,” says Dr. Louise Murray, ASPCA Director of Medicine. “Adult cats are highly resistant, and most dogs infected with the bacterium appear normal, but may pass Salmonella in their feces, which can infect people or other pets. Therefore it’s essential that pet parents take steps to protect both themselves and their animal companions from infection."


Robin's Note: Please be advised that the peanut butter treats offered by Healthy Pet Net are not made from peanut butter that comes from this facility, and thus are safe for your pets to continue to enjoy.

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Puppy Mill Bill in Illinois

www.aspca.org

As America ushers in a new era of federal leadership, many state governments are also getting back to work—and at least one of them is making puppy mill reform a priority. Last Sunday, the ASPCA joined animal welfare advocates and Illinois lawmakers in Chicago to announce the arrival of Chloe’s Bill, legislation that will help stamp out the worst puppy mills in the Prairie State.

“Illinois has a unique opportunity to adopt one of the strongest commercial breeding laws in the country,” says Cori Menkin, ASPCA Senior Director of Legislative Initiatives. “As commercial breeding increases throughout the United States, particularly in the Midwest, it is reassuring that Illinois is recognizing the need for stronger laws before the prevalence of puppy mills becomes a blight on the state’s reputation.”

As currently written, Chloe’s Bill would:

Limit to 20 the number of unaltered dogs a breeder may possess,

Ban anyone convicted of felony-level animal cruelty from acquiring a dog-breeding license,

Prohibit wire flooring in commercial breeding facilities and create guidelines for appropriate heating, cooling and ventilation,

Require pet stores and breeders to provide customers with a dog’s full medical history,

Establish penalties for violations, ranging from fines to animal seizure and license revocation.

Sponsored by State Rep. John Fritchey and State Senator Dan Kotowski, Chloe’s Bill is named for a young cocker spaniel—rescued from a Macon County, IL, puppy mill—who was present at Sunday’s press conference.


read the entire article.

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Peanut Butter Recall List - FDA

This list includes food products subject to recall in the United States since January 2009 related to peanut butter and peanut paste recalled by Peanut Corporation of America. This list will be updated as new information is received. This information is current as of the date indicated. Once included, all food recalls will remain listed. If we learn that any information is not accurate, we will revise the list as soon as possible. Click here to read the list.

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Rabies Challenge Fund Benefit/Fundraiser

The 2009 Northeast Rabies Challenge Fund Seminar & Benefit will be held March 14, 2009 at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.

Join us for a one day seminar to benefit the Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust and learn how to help your pets live longer, healthier lives.

Come listen to two of the foremost experts in the field of veterinary vaccine research:

Dr. W. Jean Dodds, world-renowned veterinary research scientist and practicing veterinarian

Dr. Ronald D. Schultz, leading authority on veterinary vaccines and Chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine.

Registration deadline: March 1

Click here for more details.

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Dog Treat Recall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- PHOENIX, AZ, January 20, 2009 -- PetSmart is voluntarily recalling seven of its Grreat Choice® Dog Biscuit products that contain peanut paste made by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). PCA is the focus of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation into potential salmonella contamination of peanut butter and paste made at its Blakely, Georgia facility.

Although PetSmart is not aware of any reported cases of illness related to these products, it has removed these products from its store shelves and website and is conducting the recall as a precautionary measure.

The recalled products include only the following types of Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits sold between Aug. 21, 2008 and Jan. 19, 2009:

Small Assorted 32 oz., UPC 73725702900
Small/Medium Assorted 4 lb., UPC 73725700601
Small/Medium Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700605
Small/Medium Assorted 10 lb., UPC 73725702755
Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700638
Extra Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700779
Peanut Butter 4 lb., UPC 73725700766

Customers who purchased the recalled dog biscuit products should discontinue use immediately and can return the product to any PetSmart store for a complete refund or exchange. Customers can visit www.petsmartfacts.com for more information or contact PetSmart Customer Service at 1-888-839-9638.

No other products or flavors are included in this recall.
read the entire article.

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Rose Hips - arthritis

Rosehip Supplement Eases Arthritis Pain Better than Painkiller Meds
by David Gutierrez, staff writer

(NaturalNews) Powder made from rosehip is more effective at reducing osteoarthritis pain than Tylenol, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of California, and Fredericksburg Hospital, Copenhagen University Library and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, and published in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis - painful joint inflammation - and is believed to be triggered by injury to cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis, a different condition, occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own joint tissue. An estimated 21 million people in the United States alone suffer from osteoarthritis, with studies suggesting that nearly 50 percent of the population will experience symptoms of the disease by age 65, while 80 percent will have asymptomatic arthritis.

Read the entire article.

Click here to read the abstract of the study.

Click here to read more about Rose Hips.

Olive Leaf - High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) often develops quietly and without symptoms. Ways to curb it include lifestyle and diet changes -- cutting salt and fat and getting the body moving.

webmd.com

An earlier study showed that when rats were given olive leaf extract, their blood pressure dropped.

Now researchers in Germany and Switzerland have looked at how sets of identical human twins with borderline hypertension responded to taking olive leaf extract. Identical twins were used to help keep the data consistent, because genetic differences can make people respond differently to the same treatments.

The extract was obtained from dry olive leaves and put into capsule form.

Two experiments were carried out. One compared twins who took 500 milligrams of olive leaf extract a day at breakfast with a comparison group of their siblings who didn't. A second compared a group who took 500 milligrams a day to those who took 1,000 milligrams a day. A total of 40 people participated, aged 18 to 60; 28 women and 12 men.

Here are the results:

Those who took the highest daily dosage of olive leaf extract (1,000 milligrams) received the highest benefits -- "significantly" lowering their cholesterol and blood pressure when compared to the group that took 500 milligrams.

At the end of the eight-week study, the group that took 1,000 milligrams per day had dropped their systolic blood pressure (the "top" number) by an average of 11 points.

The participants who received 500 milligrams of olive leaf extract dropped their systolic blood pressure by five points, and those who took no supplements saw their blood pressure edge up by two points. Neither one of these changes was felt to be statistically significant.

Read the entire article.

Cl;ck here to read more about Olive Leaf.

Sunshine Vitamin

Nature’s Sunshine has a FREE gift for EVERYONE who joins NSP as a wholesale member January 7–February 28, 2009: a free bottle of Vitamin D3!

We call it "You, Me & D3!"

Everyone needs Vitamin D3—the “sunshine vitamin”—for immune health. This important vitamin is synthesized in the body with the help of sunshine—something often in short supply in the heart of winter. Nature’s Sunshine’s naturally derived Vitamin D boosts immune health. Call it our Sunshine Stimulus Package!

Whether the sky in your community is clouded by a tough economy or real winter storm clouds, we want to send a full month’s worth of wonderful—all natural—“sunshine” to you!

All new member sign-ups occurring between January 7- February 28, 2009 are eligible.
Membership Details: Free One-Year Membership with $40 Purchase, Get a free one-year membership ($40 value) and FREE shipping on your second order when you purchase at least $40 (direct cost) in products directly from NSP.


Click here to read more about Vitamin D3.

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Top Ten Pet Poisons of 2008

www.aspca.org

With various dangers lurking in corners and cabinets, the home can be a minefield of poisons for our pets. In 2008, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, IL, handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic substances, many of which included everyday household products. Don’t leave it up to Fido or Fluffy to keep themselves safe. Below is a list of the top ten pet poisons that affected our furry friends in 2008.

Human Medications
Insecticides
People Food
Veterinary Medications
Chemical Hazards
Plants
Household Cleaners
Heavy Metals
Fertilizer

Prevention is really key to avoiding accidental exposure, but if you suspect your pet has ingested something lawn-side, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Read the entire article.

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Pilots N Paws

Pilots fly doomed dogs to better life

Puppy love is reaching new heights.
Pilots are donating their time, planes and fuel to transport dozens of dogs a month from overcrowded shelters where they face almost certain death to rescue groups and shelters several states away that are committed to finding them homes.

The mission-of-mercy relocations are flown by general aviation pilots who have signed on with the recently formed Pilots N Paws, a Web-based message board where pilots can access information about animals in need.

Once the electronic connection is made, dogs plucked by rescuers from death row — mostly in the South where sterilization rates are low and pet overpopulation is rampant — are loaded onto small planes and flown one, two or six at a time to rescue groups and shelters that have available space.

"These are wonderful dogs that simply had the bad luck of winding up in a place where there are too many pets in shelters," says Pilots N Paws co-founder Jon Wehrenberg of Knoxville, Tenn. The retired manufacturing executive and weekend pilot has flown scores of dogs from high-kill shelters this year. Earlier this month, his mission involved six small mixed-breed dogs from Knoxville's Young-Williams Animal Center.

Source: www.usatoday.com

Pilots N Paws Website.

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“Marley and Me” - press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Babs Chandrasoma
AVSABonline.org

“Marley and Me” A Heartwarming Film But Not A Guide For Dog Owners
GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND (December 26th, 2008)- “Marley and Me,” a film based on John Grogan’s life with his loveable but unruly Labrador Retriever, is a wonderful example of the depth of the human-animal bond. However, much of Marley’s “bad” behavior was unknowingly created by his well meaning but poorly prepared owners and some of it was an anxiety disorder called storm phobia.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) makes the following recommendations.

1) Puppies require a great deal of time, attention, and training. Prospective owners should be well educated and prepared to begin teaching good manners from the minute they get the puppy. Waiting until the puppy is so large that he is uncontrollable will make the process much more difficult

2) Owners should enroll puppies in puppy classes as soon as possible. This is important for the owner’s education and for socialization of the puppy. This should be arranged before the puppy comes home.

3) Unruly behaviors such as jumping, pulling on the leash, and chewing household items can be prevented in the adult dog by teaching and rewarding mannerly and appropriate behavior in growing puppies.

4) At no point was “Marley” trying to be the “alpha male of the pack,” as claimed by the film’s dog trainer. Training does not require “dominance” and harsh corrections. Being a good leader by training and reinforcing desired behavior using positive reinforcement is the safest and most effective way to train puppies. For example, kneeing Marley in the chest to stop jumping up was potentially dangerous, completely ineffective, and unnecessary. Simply teaching him from puppyhood to sit for petting would have eliminated that problem.

5) Many dogs suffer from behavior problems that are unrelated to traditional training. For example, destruction and vocalization during storms often occurs because of the well-recognized condition of storm phobia. This condition is very treatable by veterinarians with a special interest or certification in animal behavior. “Most veterinarians and veterinary behaviorists see this problem very commonly. Treatment at an early age can alleviate stress experienced by the family and improves the quality of life for the dog itself,” said Dr. John Ciribassi, Immediate Past President of AVSAB and owner of the Chicagoland Veterinary Behavior Consultants.

6) Viewers should resist the temptation to adopt a puppy or dog based on a movie. What is on the screen is entertainment, not reality—even if it based on a true story. Shelters were filled with Dalmatians purchased after people saw the Disney film “101 Dalmatians” several years ago. Once the adorable little puppies grew up into rambunctious and destructive young adults, many owners simply dumped them.

“Having a dog in your life can be a tremendously satisfying and enriching,” said Dr. E. Kathryn Meyer, AVSAB President and owner of Veterinary Behavior Clinic in Gaithersburg, MD. “However, there is a significant level of commitment required and it is a decision that should not be made lightly.” AVSAB has published position papers on Puppy Socialization, Choosing a Trainer, The Use of Punishment, and Dominance Theory in the Behavior Modification of Animals. These documents are available at AVSABonline.org.


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Solid Gold Recall

Voluntary Product Withdrawal - Turkey Canned Food
http://solidgoldhealth.com/news/
December 15, 2008

Solid Gold Voluntary Product Withdrawal - Turkey, Ocean Fish, Carrot, & Sweet Potatoes Formula

Turkey, Ocean Fish, Carrot, & Sweet Potatoes Formula Canned Dog Food 13.2 oz

Cans – POP-TOP CANS ONLY WITH A 'USE BY DATE 01/02/2010' located on the bottom of can

A limited production of this Turkey canned food was made with the POP-TOP, and none of the product was distributed in any of the following states: Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Hawaii, or Alaska.

Solid Gold has received several complaints regarding mold found in a batch of 13.2 oz canned Turkey, Ocean Fish, Carrot, & Sweet Potatoes Formula, with Pop-Tops. As a precautionary measure, they ask that you return any of this product with the 'Use By Date 01/02/2010'; you will find these numbers on the bottom of the cans.

* 13.2 oz Turkey and Ocean Fish Canned Dog Food
* Purple label with a POP –TOP (Pull top) only
* Date on bottom of can 01/02/2010
* Turkey and Ocean Fish cans without a Pop-Top are not affected.

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Melamine

"It's been about a year since the first reports of tainted pet food poisonings brought melamine, the chemical additive that can boost the protein quotient of soy and other feeds, to consumers' attention. Tragically, not only many pets died but also at least six infants died (and 300,000 were sickened) from drinking formula that had high levels of melamine, which can lead to kidney failure."

Click here for additional information.

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Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification

Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
www.AVSABonline.org

AVSAB is concerned with the recent re-emergence of dominance theory and forcing dogs and other animals into submission as a means of preventing and correcting behavior problems. For decades,some traditional animal training has relied on dominance theory and has assumed that animals misbehave primarily because they are striving for higher rank. This idea often leads trainers to believe that force or coercion must be used to modify these undesirable behaviors. In the last several decades, our understanding of dominance theory and of the behavior of domesticated animals and their wild counterparts has grown considerably, leading to updated views. To understand how and whether to apply dominance theory to behavior in animals, it’s
imperative that one first has a basic understanding of the principles.

Read the entire article.

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Canine Weight Loss Tips

Safe Canine Weight Loss Tips
by C.C. Holland
Whole Dog Journal

Does your dog waddle when he walks? When he lies around the house, does he cover more floor space than your area rug? Does he have four legs – and two chins?

If so, you may have an obese dog. But despite the inclination to view fat dogs as happy or jolly, it’s no laughing matter.

Recent studies indicate that up to 40 percent of dogs in the United States may be obese. The risks associated with canine obesity include musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, compromised immune function, problems during surgical procedures, delayed wound healing, skin infections, and diabetes.

Read the entire article.

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Weight Loss for Dogs

It's the time of year when we all think about over indulgance at the holidays and we look at our pets as well. Does your pet need to trim down a bit?

Life’s Abundance Weight-Loss Formula is veterinarian-formulated to help your dog lose weight and maintain optimum health.

Click here for more information.
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Cats - Potpourri

Potpourri: Hazard to Cats
by Jill A. Richardson, DVM, Veterinary Poison Information Specialist
ASPCA/National Animal Poison Control Center
http://www.cfainc.org/articles/potpourri.html

Simmering potpourri is becoming more popular as a household fragrance. Even though it's a common object, few pet owners know the potential hazards of the product. If the oil is used in your home, there is always the chance that your cat could be accidentally exposed.

Most potpourri liquids contain natural or essential oils, which if ingested can cause vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, weakness, and possibly liver damage. Some products also contain cationic detergents, in which case the signs tend to be much worse.

Cationic detergents can be caustic. This means that if ingested, it can actually burn the mouth and tongue. With eye or skin contact, there can be severe pain.

In most cases received by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, cats are often exposed to potpourri oils by rubbing against leaky bottles or pots containing the oil, or from spilling the oil containing pots over themselves.

If there is skin contact with the oils, the skin will become very red in color and be extremely painful to the animal. Instinctively, cats will tend to try to groom off the product, ingesting the potpourri. In both ingestion and skin contact, the cat may have extensive damage from the cationic detergents in the potpourri oil. Signs seen with potpourri contact include depression, drooling, food refusal, and tongue ulcerations. Treatment can be extensive and may involve several days of hospitalization and supportive therapy.

If your cat is exposed to potpourri, here are some useful hints:

Be extremely cautious when working with any cat in pain. Try to avoid harm to both yourself and your pet. If your cat appears to be in severe pain, you should safely coax your cat into a pet carrier and take directly to your veterinarian.

If there is skin exposure, the cat should be bathed immediately with a mild dishwashing detergent or baby shampoo. Afterwards, the cat should be dried thoroughly with a bath towel to prevent chilling.

Always assume that if the cat has the liquid on its fur, it most likely ingested some also, so you should offer your cat a few laps of milk/water.
Carefully examine the cat's mouth. It may be safer to glance at the
tongue while your cat is lapping milk. If there is discoloration to the tongue, a veterinarian's assistance should be sought. Ulceration could take a few hours to occur, so you should check the tongue every hour for about 4-6 hours.

Monitor your cat closely; if it becomes sluggish or weak, salivates excessively, or refuses to eat, the cat should be taken to a veterinary hospital immediately.
Once you have prevented further exposure to the potpourri oil, you should contact your veterinarian or an animal poison center and be ready to give the ingredients of the potpourri to determine if there are cationic detergents in the liquid, in addition to the essential oils.

If the cat is showing signs such as an increase in salivation, depression, lung congestion, or oral pain, you should see your veterinarian immediately for treatment.

Fortunately, with proper treatment and good supportive care, most cats will recover within a few days. Supportive care may include veterinary prescribed use of gastrointestinal protectants, antibiotics, and pain killers. Adequate nutrition during this time is extremely important. Cats may refuse to eat commercial hard cat food, so soft or canned food should be available to the cat.

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