Mars Petcare US, the maker of pet food brands Pedigree, Ol' Roy and others, has announced a voluntary recall of products manufactured at its Everson, Pennsylvania facility because of potential Salmonella contamination.

While there have been no reports of pets becoming ill from the food, Mars Petcare US has voluntarily recalled the food produced between Feb. 18 and July 29 of 2008 at its Everson facility.

Owners can check the UPC code on pet food packages to see if the food is affected by the recall. For all Mars Petcare US products except Pedigree foods, recalled products will have "17" as the first two digits on the second line on the UPC information. Example:

Best By Feb 18 09
17 1445 1

Pedigree products have a slightly different UPC code and date format than other products. Consumers who purchased Pedigree should look for "PAE" on the bottom line - the sixth, seventh and eighth digits. Example:

PEDIGREE (R) Small Crunchy Bites
Best Before 02/2009
808G1PAE01 12:00

A complete list of recalled products and corresponding UPC information can be found at the Food and Drug Administration's website and at the Mars Petcare US website.

Symptoms of Salmonella in pets may include lethargy, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. In some cases, animals can carry the Salmonella infection with no visible symptoms and potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product or has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

To prevent the spread of Salmonella, the FDA recommends pet owners follow the safe pet food handling guidelines outlined here. If you have questions about the recall, call Mars Petcare US at 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com.

A $24 million settlement has been reached in the 2007 Menu Foods pet food recall incident. Pet owners whose pets died or were sickened by the contaminated pet food are entitled to file a claim for a portion of the settlement following a federal court ruling on Oct. 15.

The settlement brings a partial close to the largest pet food in history. In March 2007, Menu Foods, a Canada-based pet food manufacturer, recalled more than 60 million units of pet food after the food was found to be tainted with melamine, an industrial chemical commonly found in plastics. Pets that ate the tainted food suffered kidney failure and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration received more than 17,000 complaints regarding the food from pet owners. Though there are no official records regarding the number of pets killed by the tainted food, the Veterinary Information Network estimated the contamination caused between 2,000 and 7,000 deaths and cost pet owners between $2 million and $20 million in health care costs.

Pet owners have until Nov. 24 to file claims. Forms can be downloaded at www.petfoodsettlement.com. Following the recall, more than 100 class action lawsuits were filed in the U.S. and Canada against Menu Foods and approximately 30 other companies, including pet food distributors and retailers. Menu Foods claims it has spent more than $65 million so far as part of the recall. According to the Associated Press, more than 10,000 people have so far filed claims, with the average claim valued at $1,500. An independent arbiter will review all claims filed.

As part of the settlement, pet owners will be reimbursed for health care costs, including "veterinary screening or treatment bills, expenses related to our pet's illness and/or death, and other expenses such as lost wages and property damage," according to a statement on the settlement website. Documentation of these expenses is required. In addition, pet owners may also recover up to $900 for the "fair market value" of the deceased pet. According to a statement on the settlement website, any money left over in the settlement fund after all claims have been settled will be donated to pet-related charities. Not all pet owners involved in the suit were happy with the decision, though - according to the Associated Press, a few dozen owners formally objected to the settlement because it does not compensate pet owners for pain and suffering due to the loss of their pet.

Melamine-contaminated wheat gluten imported from China and used in the production of the pet food was found to be the source of the contamination. An investigation revealed that importers frequently add melamine to food products in order to increase the protein count of the food, which in turn would increase profits.

Though two of the Chinese companies responsible for the contamination were shut down and a U.S. grand jury issued 26 indictments related to the case, the pet food recall was just the first in a series of recalls involving products imported from China. Recalls of everything from childrens toys to toothpaste were announced in 2007, and in October 2008, the Chinese government ordered a massive recall of all liquid and powdered milk products made in September 2008 due to melamine contamination. While the FDA has instituted a pilot program to help alert pet owners should a future pet food recall occur, other reforms have been slow in coming.

Puppy socialization should begin early in life. In fact, the most important period of time for socialization of the puppy is during the first three months of his or her life. If the puppy is not well-adjusted, future problems may result. Some of these problems include, but are not limited to, fear and aggression.

The puppy should not be removed from its mother or litter mates before seven weeks of age. These first seven weeks are important in the socialization process. The interaction between mother and litter mates is the earliest and perhaps the most important socialization period.

Socializing your new puppy requires time, energy, and patience. Begin the socialization process slowly and gradually. Invite one or two friends over to your home to meet and play with the puppy. Take the puppy for short frequent walks. Always reward him or her for good behavior. Never give a treat, praise, or reward for bad behavior.

After your puppy has completed his series of vaccinations, introduce him to a public park where he can encounter large groups of people and other dogs. Do not force the introduction. Reward him with a treat whenever he meets another person or another dog.

It's important that your puppy socializes with children. Dogs often do not recognize the fact that children are small humans. They often misinterpret them for another species. Make sure that children are involved in the socialization process.

Puppy classes are an excellent way to learn how to socialize your new puppy. These classes are not only good for education, they also allow your puppy to socialize with other dogs in a controlled environment.

Call your veterinary hospital for a list of puppy classes in your area. The staff at your local veterinary hospital generally knows the classes and the instructors that have the best reputations.

Whiskers are very important in what makes a cat a cat. In fact, they are specialized tools that have many important functions including navigating, avoiding injury, hunting and social interaction.

If you look closely at your cat's face, you can see that the whiskers on the upper part of the lip are arranged in four rows on each side. Notice the upper two rows can move independently of the bottom two rows. These whiskers develop from specialized hair follicles that assist a cat's sense of touch. The follicles also have specialized muscle attachments, allowing the cat to have some control over whisker movement.

The whisker hair has no sensation and can be cut without causing any discomfort. However, any movement or touch to the whisker causes sensation to the hair follicle's nerve supply. It's definitely best to leave the whiskers and the whisker hair alone. Whiskers are too important to take the chance of confusing your feline, or causing your cat to feel disjointed.

Whiskers are an important part of a cat's sense of touch. This is especially true in the first 10 to 14 days of a kitten's life, when their eyes are not yet open. They navigate their surroundings mainly by sense of touch.

Have you ever seen newborn kittens moving about and bobbing their heads back and forth? They are collecting data through their whiskers. Their whiskers help them find mom and hone in on dinner. Whiskers act like antennae, warning them about impending danger, as well as helping them learn about their new home and surroundings.

As they get older, whiskers help cats navigate through danger and obstacles. Although cats have excellent night vision, it is a fallacy that they can see in absolute darkness. Their whiskers are what enable them to find their way in complete darkness. Even in perfect light, whiskers help tremendously.

Different whiskers do different things - the whiskers above the eyes help them avoid eye injuries and the upper lip whiskers can even help a cat decide if an opening is large enough for its body to pass.

One of the most important functions of whiskers is assisting the cat to hunt. A cat can sense the movement of its prey through air currents on its whiskers. This enables the cat to pinpoint exactly the location of the prey.

When a cat is pouncing on its prey, the whiskers are pointed as far forward as possible. This assists the cat in accurately catching its prey. The sensitive hair follicles associated with the whiskers tell the cat when its prey is dead. The dead prey can be put down without the possibility of having it escape.

Whiskers are also used for purely social purposes. When introduced to a new cat, part of the greeting ritual is touching whiskers - on the back, on the neck and on the flanks.

Whiskers also communicate emotions; when pushed forward they indicate openness and friendliness, when pushed back against the cheek, they indicate hostility.

You can see why your cat is proud of its whiskers. Remember - NEVER trim whiskers. They are an important part of your cats' anatomy and most importantly, they add a majestic appearance to you feline friend. Watch and learn next time your cat is stalking its favorite toy or greeting another kitty.

Aside from an accumulation of dirt, a persistent and unpleasant doggie odor could be caused by many factors. Some of these factors include dental disease, ear infections and oily skin.

A closer look at your dog may help you find the problem.

Look in your dog's mouth.
Are the teeth discolored?
Do you smell more than the usual "doggie breath?"
If so, a visit to the veterinarian for a dental checkup and treatment may be in order. During your visit, your veterinarian may explain how you can clean your dog's teeth, in order to help protect against future dental disease.

Ear infections are frequently the cause of an offensive odor, especially among long-eared and floppy-eared dogs. The inside of the ear becomes moist and hot, providing the perfect environment for infections. Take a close look inside your dog's ears. Is the skin red and sore? Does the dog cry out in pain as you try to examine the ears? Does the ear canal have a bad odor? Any of these may be warning signs of an ear infection which should be treated by a veterinarian.

Do you feel a slight greasiness on your hands after you pet your dog? This may be an indication of seborrhea, a common skin disorder in dogs. These dogs have excess production of sebum, a normal product of the skin glands. The result can be flaky dandruff or an oily, waxy feel to the hair coat and a strong odor. Seborrhea may also dispose a dog to skin and ear infections. Frequent bathing with a medicated shampoo recommended by your veterinarian can help prevent much of the odor.

One other possibility for your dog's odor may be its rear end. Infection or improper emptying of the anal glands can cause odor and discomfort to the dog, and a trip to the veterinarian may be in order. Long-haired dogs sometimes have a soiled rear from defecating. Without daily brushing, the rear can become matted and smelly. Monthly clipping around the rear end helps, as does daily brushing and grooming.

Once you have investigated the cause of your dog's odor you can begin to help control it. Enlist the aid of your veterinarian in identifying the problem, treating it if necessary, and controlling it in the future. Never forget the importance of grooming on a regular basis. It is essential to keep a hair coat healthy by removing scale, dirt and dead hair; distributing the natural oils throughout the coat and preventing mats and tangles in long hair.

The practice of veterinary medicine often requires the use of anesthesia. Anesthesia is sometimes used in order to perform even the most routine procedures. Pets don't understand that they need to be calm and still during dental procedures or while an x-ray is being taken. Some pets are so nervous that they won't even allow a veterinarian to perform a physical examination without some type of chemical restraint (tranquilizer or anesthetic).

Pet owners are often concerned about the risks associated with anesthesia, particularly with an older pet. Even though the anesthesia risks are relatively minor for routine procedures performed on young and healthy pets, there is always the potential for complications.

A complete physical exam, laboratory blood tests, as well as other diagnostic procedures enable the veterinarian to screen for potential problems and risks before anesthesia is administered. This procedure is relatively inexpensive and well worth the time and money.

Studies have shown that about 10 percent of animals involved in pre-anesthetic laboratory testing have had their normal anesthesia protocol altered. In a third of these cases, the procedure was postponed until the problem was corrected.

A young healthy pet's blood work may simply consist of a total protein and red blood cell count. Older pets are more likely to have an underlying disease, and more extensive blood analysis (serum chemistry) may be necessary. The results obtained from the serum chemistry provide the veterinarian and animal health care staff with information on the health and function of the kidneys, liver, and other organs.

Veterinary Technician and Blood Analyzer

Remember that preanesthesia testing is advantageous to your pet's health. Preventative medicine is the best type of medicine available today.

Periodontal disease is classified under two categories; gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the more mild form of periodontal disease. With effective and timely teeth cleaning, gingivitis can be completely reversed.

Early Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a condition that may be controlled but not cured. It is often seen in pets that are over five years old. Most animals with periodontitis have bad breath, tooth mobility and bleeding gums. Severe inflammation of the gums, gum recession, alveolar bone loss (the bone that supports the tooth is "eaten away"), and pustular discharge are common signs of periodontitis.

Moderate-Advanced Periodontitis

Periodontitis is more serious than gingivitis and involves the loss of tooth support with permanent damage. At best, lesions of periodontitis are only partially reversible. Special (oral) surgical procedures are necessary in order to limit the progression of periodontitis.

Advanced Periodontitis

Advanced Periodontitis

Proper home dental care, along with regular veterinary dental checkups, will reduce the risk of periodontitis in your pets.

The number of recognized show breeds that have defined, inherited characteristics has increased dramatically since the late 1950s as cats have become more popular home companions. The 30 to 40 distinctive breeds can be grouped into two general categories: the long-haired Persian and the domestic shorthair.

Almost everyone recognizes the words Siamese, Manx, and Persian as the names for certain breeds of cats. Until about a century ago, however, these terms had little meaning. Domestic cats bred freely as they spread through various parts of the world. As a result, cats of almost infinite varieties of sizes, shapes, and colors came into being. Some cat owners liked the qualities of certain strains and wanted to perpetuate them. They interbred the cats with the desired qualities, and, when these qualities continued to appear in generation after generation of cats (that is, when they bred true or pure), a new breed was established.

Cat breeders today follow essentially the same pattern. They consider a strain that breeds true for four generations a purebred, and proof of this true breeding is necessary before a new breed becomes accepted.

Differences in Body Type

Perhaps the most easily identifiable differences among the various breeds of domestic cats are in the length and color of the coat and in the variations of eye color. The majority of cats that are not purebred have short hair. Those with long hair have acquired it as the result of the crossbreeding of their ancestors with purebred long-haired cats. The body form of non-purebreds varies from slender, rangy types with somewhat elongated heads to stocky, thickset animals with short heads that are somewhat like those of the Persian cats. These differences in body type are most pronounced among the various pure breeds, ranging from slender Siamese to stocky longhairs.

What It Is

Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal allergic reaction to a foreign agent such as insect venom, vaccines or drugs. This allergic response involves the release of chemical mediators (histamine, serotonin and eicosanoids) from particular body cells called mast cells or basophils. There are two forms of anaphylaxis: anaphylactic reactions and anaphylactoid reactions. Both result in similar clinical symptoms.

Anaphylactic reactions are immune-mediated reactions. This means that pre-exposure to a particular antigen (medication, vaccine, snake venom) is necessary. After initial exposure, the animal produces antibodies (to that agent) that bind to the mast cells. When the dog or cat is exposed to the same agent at a later time, these antibodies activate the mast cells to release the chemical mediators, thus producing an inflammatory response.

Anaphylactoid reactions are identical to anaphylactic reactions in terms of clinical symptoms; however, anaphylactoid reactions are not immune mediated responses. A single exposure to the foreign agent can cause clinical symptoms.

In both conditions, activation of mast cells results in a number of physiological changes affecting respiration and circulation, causing a life-threatening emergency.

Agents That Can Cause Anaphylactic Reactions:

• Snake Venom
• Insect Venom
• Certain Vaccines
• Antibiotics
• Other Medications

Symptoms

Symptoms of anaphylaxis usually occur within one hour following exposure to the agent. Reaction may be restricted to the site of contact with the agent - local swelling and redness associated with insect stings or may be generalized, in which the whole body swells. Dogs suffering from systemic anaphylaxis are usually restless and excitable.

Clinical manifestations of anaphylaxis generally include nausea, vomiting, circulatory collapse, rapid heartbeat, edema of the lungs and some neurological signs.

Clinical symptoms can vary from one animal to another, depending on the "shock organ" of the species. In dogs, the shock organ tends to be the liver and gastrointestinal organs; in the cat, the shock organ is generally the lung.

Eventually, if left untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to collapse, convulsions, coma and eventually death.

Treatment

Systemic anaphylaxis constitutes a medical emergency. Circulatory collapse associated with results in oxygen deprivation to major organs. If symptoms of anaphylaxis occur, call your veterinary hospital immediately.

Complications

Complications associated with anaphylaxis can be severe and result in long-term or irreparable damage. Since the liver is considered a major "shock organ" in dogs, liver damage and eventually liver disease, can result. Intestinal damage with peritonitis often necessitates surgical removal of large sections of the intestine. A decrease in circulating platelets can cause internal hemorrhaging.

Prevention

Unfortunately, anaphylaxis usually occurs unexpectedly and very rapidly. The key to prevention is to avoid the agent that produces the reaction. However, in regard to vaccine and drug reactions, there is no reliable prevention. With vaccinations; however, it is probably best to observe your pet for a half-hour after administration.