Ark Veterinary Hospital : Ask The Vet

How about the recent pet food recall on 3/18/07! What do we do?
Everyone needs to check to see if your pet food is under the recall. The recall involves only foods package by Menu but sold under many brands of food including Eukanuba, Nutro, and many others. To see a complete list, go to www.menufoods.com. Science Diet voluntarily recalled all food packaged by Menu for them which includes only the Savory cut brands of canned cat food. For any brand of canned or foiled food you can do a google search for recall and the name of the manufacturer. There is a great website for up to the last minute news at www.avma.org . If one does a google search entering Science Diet recall, one will see the recall for science diet that includes only the following:
Science Diet Kitten Savory cuts Ocean Fish 3 oz and 5.5oz cans

Science Diet Adult Savory cuts Beef, Chicken and Ocean Fish 5.5 oz

Science Diet Senior Savory Cuts Chicken 5.5oz

On 3/30/07 feline dry m/d was added to the list of recalled foods since it also contains wheat gluten that is purchased from one of the same companies that supplies wheat gluten to menu foods. Hence Science Diet made a voluntary recall as a precaution. They are reformulating the food to make it without wheat gluten.

The FDA is still not sure as of 3/30/07 what poison the food contains that is causing kidney failure. There are two known contaminants that may have caused kidney failure in some cats, since the contaminat was found in both the suspected food as well as the affected kidneys.

Do not feed these foods or any pet food that is recalled. Instead, return them to the store that you bought them from for exchange or refund.
Also, it is a good idea to look at the label of whatever food that you are feeding to your pet and do not feed it if there is any wheat gluten.

Dr. Bennett's favorite past time

Following are sample questions and answers about the health and well being of your pets. This information is provided as an aid to you and is not intended to replace a visit to your vet. Be sure to check back on this page later for a new slate of information.

My pet has diarrhea. What can be causing this?
Commonly, a change in the diet causes this. It could be as simple as changing flavors or giving fattening table food or meat. Dogs are omnivores not carnivores and should be given less protein than cats who are true carnivores. Changing to a richer brand of food that is higher in fat and protein can cause it as well. Animals can develope sensitivities or allergies to ingredients in foods. Pancreatic insufficiencies can cause diarrhea as well as gastritis or colitis. Parasites from protozoal infections or intestinal worms can cause serious diarrhea that can kill animals, especially young ones. Best to perform a fecal examination and consult your veterinarian if diarrhea lasts longer than one or two days. Other less common causes can consist of cancer, endocrine disease, pancreatitis or other serious diseases.

Tamara Bennett just playing around...with very short legs

I have a new dog and my old dog is jealous. What do I do?
First, make sure they are not alone together, especially if one is alot larger. Then make sure there is not a food bowl down, empty or otherwise. Pick a new area to place water bowls that are different from old feeding area. Then feed dogs separately twice a day for only 10 minutes. Also, pick up all of the chew toys. Then go on a daily walk every day to some place new that the old dog has never been. Go there every day, walking both dogs, and they usually will become friends. Also, make sure that you give lots of attention to the old dog equally.

My pet has bad breath. Why?
Bacteria in the mouth causes plaque to form and causes the odor. Odor can also be from the things they eat, especially fish. There is an antibacterial mouth wash that should be used regularly to prevent and treat periodontal disease and plaque and odor. A good scaling of the teeth or dental can be performed to remove all of the hard plaque followed by using the mouth wash at home. Ask your veterinarian about checking your pet's teeth.

Can cats get heartworms?
Yes, cats are susceptible to heartworm disease, though much less frequently than dogs. There is now prevention available in a new, accurate screening test. Before this test was available, there was no way to accurately determine the prevalence of this disease.

My pet has fleas and I am using flea stuff from the vet. Why?
Topical products even from the veterinarian has their limitations. Frontline and Advantage do not hold up after baths. If you need an adulticide and still want to bathe then use Revolution. Fleas have to be present for a few days for any of these to work so hopefully the fleas that you are seeing are small ones that have only been there for a day or two. Sentinal and Program have a flea birth control that kills only the flea eggs. Capstar is a quick kill adulticide pill that is safe and kills all of the fleas in a short two hours and can be used with all of these other products simultaneously. Bottom line, know the limitations of the products and discuss pet's swimming and bathing schedule with your vet when considering which flea product is best.

Can hairballs be dangerous?
Cats spend up to 1/3 of their waking hours cleaning and grooming themselves. During grooming, tiny barbs on you cat's tongue pull loose hairs from the coat and are swallowed. Hair is not dissolved by the cat's digestive system, and can accumulate in the stomach and the intestine, interfering with normal digestion and elimination. Hairballs can cause chronic vomiting, constipation, lethargy, and/or loss of appetite. Daily brushing of your cat's fur to remove loose hair is good preventive practice. In addition to grooming, medications can be used to help eliminate hairballs and prevent their reoccurrence.

What is a proper nutritional diet for my iguana?
All plant material should be washed, chopped, mixed, and served at room temperature or slightly warmer.

For hatchlings up to 14 inches in length, feed twice a day or continuous availability with plant matter finely chopped or shredded. They need 85% plant material, 15% animal protein sources. Some say 50% plant in 50% cat food until they are 24 inches long.

For juveniles up to 2.5 years or 3 feet in length, feed once a day, plant matter chopped fine to medium or shredded, 90% plant material, 10% animal protein sources.

For adults over 2.5 years or 3 feet in length, feed every two days, plant matter coarsely chopped, 95% plant material, 5% animal protein sources.

What treats can be given to guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs require a daily dose of vitamin C. Be sure to use fresh pellets for guinea pigs that has a manufactured date on it. Food purchased in a box is not acceptable normally. Never use pellets that are intended for rabbits. Three short weeks without Vitamin C can kill your guinea pig! Children's chewable Vitamin C can be given daily. Give 25 mg everyday. If you like, 50mg of Vitamin C can be mixed fresh in the water daily. Parsley is an excellent daily treat since it has vitamin C. Carrots are also a favorite of guinea pigs. Do not give leafy romaine or iceberg lettuce since they can cause diarrhea and have little nutritional value. A little sunshine for all of your rabbits and guinea pigs is also helpful.

Deer at the ranch