PMI Nutrition Recalls Red Flannel® Cat Food

 PMI Nutrition Recalls Red Flannel® Cat Food Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

Posted by Susan Thixton on January 27, 2014 at 11:34 am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 25, 2014 – PMI Nutrition, LLC (PMI), Arden Hills, Minn., has initiated a voluntary recall of its 20 lb. bags of Red Flannel® Cat Formula cat food for possible Salmonella contamination. There have been no reports of illness related to this product to date. This recall is being issued out of an abundance of caution after routine testing by the FDA Detroit District Office identified possible Salmonella contamination.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
Red Flannel® Cat Food was manufactured by a third-party manufacturer for PMI. The product was sold through dealers to customers distributed in the following states: Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
The lot number is printed on the lower back side of the bag in a white box on the right-hand side. The lot number will be preceded by a time stamp that will be unique to each bag. (Example 14:32) The lot number and best-by date impacted by this recall are as follows:
Best by 05 06 14 096 13 SM L2 1A (lot number)
The UPC code for the recalled product is: 7 42869 00058 5.
No other products/lot numbers are affected by this recall.
Customers should immediately discontinue use of and return impacted product to their dealer for a full refund or replacement. We continue to work with impacted dealers and distributors to trace the bags.
For more information on the recall, customers can contact the customer service line for PMI products at 1-800-332-4738. Customer service representatives will be available Sunday, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST and Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST.

How to Select or Build a Doghouse

You want to build your dog his own house, but wonder just how elaborate it needs to be. Heat? Air conditioning? Cable hookup so he can watch reruns of "Rin Tin Tin"?

The first step to building a doghouse is to decide if he even needs one. If your dog spends his time primarily indoors, he's not going to want to move outdoors. Dogs are social animals, and they want to be near the members of the pack. The weather also plays a role – temperature extremes can put your dog at risk. If your dog is used to indoor living, it's best to keep him there.

That isn't to say all dogs must live indoors all the time. Many doghouses are simple structures for temporary stays (a few hours a day). Other dogs, such as guard dogs, may live in doghouses. These structures are usually much sturdier and more comfortable – many have fans and air conditioning built in.

Whether your dog spends only few hours outside or lives in his house, always check on him regularly. Inspect his doghouse to make sure he is not eating something dangerous, and that his area is clean and safe.

Size

Bigger is not necessarily better when it comes to a doghouse, especially in colder climates. During the colder months, your dog generates the heat that keeps him warm. If the doghouse is too big, your dog may not be able to generate enough heat to warm it.

The house should be wide enough to allow the dog to turn around in and long enough for him to stretch out without his body touching any side. You should measure your dog when he is lounging in his most relaxed position. The width of the door should be large enough so he does not have to scrunch his shoulders to get in – so measure his width as well.

The Roof and the Floor

The floor should always be several inches above the ground, preferably on concrete blocks (if possible). This is to prevent water from running inside, which can lead to illness.

Straw can be used for bedding, but be sure to change it periodically to keep the environment clean. Do not use hay, which can get moldy and cause illness.

The roof should be slanted so snow and rain won't build up. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) suggests building a hinged roof to make cleaning easier and to spray regularly for fleas and ticks.

The Materials

You may be tempted to use pressure-treated wood, which stands up great against moisture and rot. However, it is very poisonous (containing, among other things, arsenic and heavy metals). It should not be used for any part of the doghouse that comes in contact with your dog. This means the floor, ceiling and sides should be made from untreated wood.

Pressure-treated wood could be used for the base frame (which is then covered with untreated wood). Even so, inspect the house regularly to make sure he can't get to it.
The Placement

The house should be placed to protect it and your dog from the prevailing wind, rain and snow. It should be placed so the sun can reach it during a good part of the day during winter. In the summer, the doghouse should be in the shade and well ventilated.

If your dog will spend a lot of time in his house, you should consider running an air conditioning duct into it. A professional should help you do this. A duct should have a control on it to limit the amount of air running into the doghouse – you don't want him to be too cold.

The threshold to the door should be upraised to block drafts. In colder months, a heavy tarp or blanket can be used to keep out the bad weather. It should be removed for warmer temperatures.

A Word About Breeds and Doghouses

Some dogs are just not built for the outdoors. A toy or shorthaired dog, for instance, should consider his house more of a playroom than a residence. Working dogs are usually better prepared for harsher climates and can live outdoors in cold weather. Akitas, malamutes and St. Bernards are a few examples. But you also have to consider the warmer months – these breeds have denser coats. They can overheat if the doghouse isn't well ventilated and/or cooled by air conditioning.

Heart Health

Heart Health for Humans and Pets by Dr. Jane

	This month, Dr. Jane sets her sights on expanding the national dialogue about heart health to include dogs and cats. In side-by-side comparisons (of humans, dogs and cats), our Veterinary Formulator looks at the seven most commonly asked questions about heart disease. There’s a surprising range of issues, and certain things all species share in common. Learn about the health of your heart, as well as canine and feline heart health topics relevant to your pet kid.  Read Dr. Jane’s latest post now …

Do Dogs Feel Pain?: What You Need To Know

Today I want to talk to you about something important: how to tell if your dog is in pain.

Look closely at this photo. Does this dog seem to be in pain?



Pain can be really hard to detect in pets. Dog can't talk, so it’s not easy to tell if they are in pain. You have to look for the signs, and sometimes they can be very subtle. Look for things like stiffness, particularly in the morning or after a nap. Does your dog have difficulty going up and down stairs? Does your dog  favor a particular limb?

If you do notice signs of pain in your pet, be sure to consult your veterinarian for treatment options right away. Thee sooner you detect and treat the problem, the better the prognosis – and the less your dog will suffer.

As dogs age they can develop arthritis, joint pain, stiffness and loss of mobility. The good news is that your dog does not have to suffer from these painful conditions.

With the proper treatment, your dog can start moving again with less pain and inflammation. You can also prevent pain by keeping your pet's joints healthy with frequent exercise, keeping your dog warm (especially on those cold mornings), and using supplements to support joint health.

As you know from earlier articles, I always prefer to use non-drug alternatives whenever possible to treat pain and inflammation associated with arthritis or pain as a first step. There are a number of natural, simple and effective ways to help your pet feel better before starting a medication regimen. In addition to the treatment your vet prescribes, I recommend the following feel-good secrets:

1. Help your pet lose weight – Joint pain can be aggravated in overweight animals. If your dog is overweight, consult with your vet about putting him on a monitored weight-loss program.
   
2. Plan a little play time every day – Help your dog maintain mobility and flexibility with frequent short sessions of moderate exercise and play. Excessive exercise is not recommended. Swimming is a great way for dogs to exercise without stressing their joints.
   
3. Keep your dog warm – Make sure your dog has a nice warm spot to rest and warm blankets when it's cold. You also can try using booties. A carpet also makes your sore dog more comfortable.

	TODAY'S PET TIP Ways to Help an Arthritic Dog
Arthritis refers to inflammation or swelling in a joint. The cause can be abnormal bone or joint development, instability of the surrounding ligaments and tendons, damage or injury to the joint, an infection, or injury caused by the immune system. While anti-inflammatory medicines are popular treatments for arthritis, another approach involves protecting the cartilage in the joint and "nourishing" the joint. Here are 6 things that you can do that may help your arthritic dog. 1. Slip-free Flooring 2. A Soft Bed 3. Ramps 4. Massage. 5. Weight Control and Dietary Therapy. 6. Exercise.

Good joint health is crucial to your companion animal’s wellbeing. The ability to walk, run and jump represents a large part of your dog’s unique ability to express emotion. Unfortunately, aching and stiff joints are just as much a part of aging for dogs as it is for humans. In fact, there are an estimated 68 million dogs experiencing hip and joint challenges – that’s nearly 60% of the canine population! At present, there are several hip and joint formulas marketed for companion animals. Unfortunately, most of these products treat the joint as an isolated goal; it is for this reason that they do not work as well as they could. Our Agility supplement is a holistic formula, which means that it takes into account the needs of the whole body, including all the parts that work with the joints. This formula helps maintain healthy joint cartilage and connective tissue, and to aid in the production of healthy synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints. 60 Ct. Your Price: $40.35 *Autoship Price: $32.57 What is Autoship? 120 Ct. Your Price: $70.65 *Autoship Price: $57.52 What is Autoship? This supplement features Glucosamine, MSM, sea mussels and hyaluronic acid. Agility Formula is a natural, holistic, multi-action joint support formula containing scientifically-tested ingredients. Glucosamine helps maintain and promote joint and connective tissue health. It has been shown to be essential in the healthy development and ongoing maintenance of connective tissue and synovial fluid. Research studies indicate that Glucosamine supports healthy joint flexibility, mobility and lubrication. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a natural source of organic sulfur, an element vital to the maintenance of healthy joints, bones, ligaments and tendons. Sea mussels also contain Chondroitin Sulfate, which works in tandem with Glucosamine. And hyaluronic acid helps to keep cartilage strong and flexible to better cushion joints. These nutrients work synergistically with the other ingredients in Agility (vitamins E and C, boswellia serrata, alfalfa leaf extract, chondroitin sulfate, manganese and boron) to supply your companion animal with a comprehensive formula to help maintain the health of the entire musculoskeletal system. And last but not least, this holistic formula has a delicious flavor that your furry friends will love! Join thousands of satisfied customers, and help your dog to live a healthier and happier life with Agility Formula.

What You Should Know About Feline AIDS

We lost a Loving Companion "Buddy"  to this Deadly Disease last August so Please have your cats checked and have them vaccinated to prevent the early demise of your companion.

 

Buddy Relaxing on the Glider

Buddy & Champ Napping

Learn about a deadly cat disease that is infectious and spread from cat to cat. It is called Feline AIDS is also known as FIV or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. It is spread primarily from cat to cat by bite wounds. If you didn't catch that article, this sums it up pretty well and tells you what you should know.

Go to: What You Should Know About Feline AIDS

I promised you I'd also tell you about another important cat disease - also infectious and spread cat to cat. It is called Feline Leukemia Virus. Many refer to it as "Fe-leuk" - pronounced Fee-luke. It is commonly abbreviated as FeLV.

Many people may know about the virus but they may not know what to do or how to test for it.

The most important thing to know is that any NEW cat you go to bring into your home should be tested. 100%. The new cat should be separated from your other cats for 1 month (ideally) and retested about a month later. This can vary a little depending on the cat's (or kitten's) age.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE - If you find a new cat, take him to your vet before you take him home. Have your cat tested for Feline Leukemia and the Feline AIDS test. This is a combo test (FeLV/FIV) - and depending on where you live it can cost anywhere from $30 to $60. It is important to keep your existing cats safe! Don't be foolish. Please.

This is one of the worst things cat owners do. They are well intentioned but do the wrong thing.

Learn more about testing - go to Feline Leukemia and the Feline AIDS testing.

There are also vaccines for both of these diseases. Learn more about them. Go to Vaccine Recommendations for Cats