Diamond Pet Food Recall May 9, 2012

My bullmastiff, Petunia, enjoying a home-prepared meal.

 

One of the most enjoyable ways that we have to interact with our pets is in feeding them and watching them enjoy their meals.  That’s also the reason why finding out that what we might be feeding them could be harmful is so upsetting.

Diamond Pet Foods has recalled several brands of dog food that were manufactured in their South Carolina plant due to potential Salmonella contamination.  If you feed any of the following foods, please check your bag and the link below to see if your food is affected by the recall: Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul, Country Value, Diamond, Diamond Naturals, Premium Edge, Professional, 4Health, Taste of the Wild, Apex, Kirklnad Signature/Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain, or Canidae.

Diamond Pet Food Recall Website

 

The following excerpt is from the Center For Disease Control’s website about Salmonellosis:

Salmonellosis is an infection with bacteria called Salmonella. Salmonella germs have been known to cause illness for over 100 years. They were discovered by an American scientist named Salmon, for whom they are named.

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

Dogs infected with Salmonella can exhibit similar gastrointestinal symptoms including anorexia.  If you or your pet are experiencing any of these symptoms please call your doctor or veterinarian today.

 

I usually get questions from my clients about home cooking after a pet food recall occurs.  My favorite book for providing clients with non-raw and easy-to-prepare home cooked diets has always been, Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: The Healthful Alternative by Donald R. Strombeck, DVM, PhD.

This book is now available online and the following is one of the many easy recipes that Dr. Strombeck has developed.

Poultry Meat and Boiled Rice Diet

1/3 pound (weight before cooking) poultry meat (152 grams)
2 cups rice, long-grain, cooked (320 grams)
2 tablespoon sardines, canned, tomato sauce (38 grams)
1 tablespoons vegetable (canola) oil (14 grams)
1/4 teaspoon salt substitute-potassium chloride
1/10 teaspoon table salt
1/2 teaspoon bone meal powder (3 grams)
1 multiple vitamin-mineral tablet

provides 879 kcalories, 43.1 g protein, 37.3 g fat
supports caloric needs of 29 to 30 pound dog
Omission of sardines reduces caloric content by 68 kcalories, protein by 6.2 g and fat by 4.6 g.

 

If you would like to discuss your pet’s diet and how you can change to a healthier and safer option, give me a call today at Marmalade & Mobile Vet to schedule an appointment – I’d love to help you help your pet.  (856) 375-1314

 

peace, love, and plenty of tail wags~

Dr. Forsyth

Cinco de Mayo Celebration May 2, 2012

My Chihuahua, Seaweed, in his favorite Mexico fútbol jacket getting ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

 

With Marmalade & Mobile Vet getting under way this week I thought it wouldn’t be complete without a celebration!

This Saturday we will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo!  And what kind of celebration would it be without some kind of sale???  So if you schedule an appointment for this Saturday May 5th, 2012 you will get cinco dólares ($5) applied to your bill!

 

It also wouldn’t be a celebration without food!

So open up a cold bottle of Corona, Modelo, or Dos Equis from D’Agostinis, my favorite local bodega, and get cooking.

***Drink Cerveza (beer) responsibly and don’t share it with your pets***

 

Cinco de Mayo Fish Tacos – para mis perros (for my dogs)

Ingredients

Marinade
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (approximately 1/2 lime)
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay™
1 pound tilapia fillets, cut into chunks

Dressing
1 (8 ounce) container plain nonfat yogurt
1 tablespoons fresh lime juice (approximately 1/2 lime)
1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay™

Toppings
1 (10 ounce) package whole wheat tortillas
3 ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 small head cabbage, cored and shredded

Directions

To make the marinade, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, honey, garlic,  and seafood seasoning  in a bowl until blended. Place the tilapia in a shallow dish, and pour the marinade over the fish. Cover, and refrigerate 6 to 8 hours.
To make the dressing, combine the yogurt, lime juice, and seafood seasoning.  Cover, and refrigerate until needed.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Remove fish from marinade, drain off any excess and discard marinade. Bake fish in preheated oven (I use a glass pyrex pan) until it easily flakes with a fork, 11 to 15 minutes.
Assemble tacos by placing fish pieces in the center of tortillas with desired amounts of tomatoes, red bell pepper, and cabbage; drizzle with dressing. To serve, roll up tortillas around fillings, cut into 1 inch slices (to prevent choking), and serve to your favorite four-legged friend.

 

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

and as always …

peace, love, and plenty of tail wags~