Holloween Treats For Your Dog

"Pumpkin" Oatmeal Banana Doggie Treats

	30 mins
	Doggie-licious!
	Makes 12-16 treats

Dry Ingredients:
1/2 cup rolled Oats
1/2 cup gluten-free flour
1 tablespoon chia seed
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:
1 large ripe banana, mashed
1/2 cup pure pumpkin (like Fruitables Swithch)
(you can purchase Fruitables Switch on our website www.nalascorner.com)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a large bowl, mix together dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix wet ingredients. Slowly add wet ingredients to dry. Stir gently until mixed well. Using a teaspoon, spoon batter onto a nonstick cooking sheet. Bake about 14 to 16 minutes until light golden brown. Use the toothpick test to make sure treats are fully cooked in the center.
 


Happy snacking!

Razy Rack

Razy Rack is a bone shaped biscuit with hooks to hang your leashes, collars, harness', clothing and the other things you have for your pet. The Razy Rack comes in different sizes, and is also customizable. To order one for yourself or for someone else go to www.razyrack.com

Take a look at my Razy Rack

Keep your pets safe this 4th of July

Hot outside

I think this photo says it all!

Eighty percent of pet owners have owned a pet afraid of fireworks. Do you constantly worry about your pets during firework displays close to your home? Do you fear you may come home to find that your pets are unhappy or, even worse, dead because of the extremely loud noises? If you can't ask for quieter fireworks, you will have to do the best you can to comfort your pet. Here are the ways to keep your pet safe and cared for during fireworks.

Know when fireworks will be happening and how they'll impact your home. Contact your local municipality to find out when your area is likely to have fireworks. Mark the dates on a calendar so that you can keep track of when to ensure your pets are cared for. If you know or suspect that the fireworks will be heard at your house, take the precautions outlined in the following steps.

• Check that your pets' ID tags and microchips are in date; mark the calendar when renewal payments are due and be sure to make the payments. If your pet does go running off during fireworks events, it's much easier to be able to identify its ownership with these features.
• Fireworks upset pets as a result of the noise, smell of sulfur, and flashing lights.

Desentisation of noises helps to prevent a phobia of loud noises, use a cd like Sounds Scary, well before the firework season, or after the event.

 

Prepare the house. The house becomes your pets' safety zone, so it's important to prepare it properly.

• Keep some lights on. Keeping a light on will calm your pet and make him feel more secure, rather than being scared in a dark room.
• Dampen the noise. Close the curtains in the room and, if your animal is a caged one, cover up the cage in a thick blanket, but make sure it is breathable so your animal doesn't suffocate. This will also help to stop the flashes of light affecting your pet.
• Plan to use familiar sounds to drown out the noise of the fireworks. Music from a stereo or turning on the TV are likely familiar sounds that can sooth your pet. Just make sure not to play these sounds ridiculously loud as they can become bothersome themselves.

 Provide suitable sleeping spots

Prepare the room. Select a suitable room where you will contain the pets for the duration of the fireworks. An inner room that is least impacted by the noise is ideal. It should be a room that you can close off to prevent your pet from running about the house and injuring itself, wrecking furniture, etc. If you have more than one pet, be sure they don't mind being confined in the same room, or select several rooms for different pets. For example, dogs and cats will usually appreciate being kept separate.

• Make the room cozy. Put down familiar, clean bedding somewhere pleasant such as under a table, on or behind a chair, etc. Add some familiar chew toys, scratch pads, balls, etc., to keep your pets amused and distracted.
• Ensure that the room temperature is pleasant; warm if it's cold weather, or cool if it's hot weather.
• Consider whether sound might be soothing. If your pet is used to music, turn some on at normal volume. Also, the sound of rainwater is very soothing to pets.
• Use lavender. This is optional, but you might like to use lavender scented items to help calm your pet. Use a spray or gently bruise the leaves and flowers of some fresh plants. Just make sure that it's out of reach of your pet. Using heated scent oils or incense is not recommended as a frantic pet can knock them over and start a fire or injure themselves.
• Add a litter tray for cats.
• Remove any sharp items from the room in case your pet starts jumping or running around.

Keep your own worry under control

Prepare yourself. In the desire to ease our pet's pain, sometimes we can transfer some of our anxiety and upset to the pet. If you've prepared properly in advance, there is no need to feel upset and worried as you can be reassured about the safety of your pet.

• Realize that the startled and frantic reactions of your pet are often the principal source of your own upset. Being ready for their reactions can help to keep you calm as well.

Confine your pet.

Confine your pet. Half an hour to an hour before the fireworks are due to be set off, place your pet into the chosen room. If you're concerned about not being able to locate your pet (for example, cats aren't always easy to find), consider finding your pet several hours earlier. Mealtime is a good time to round up every pet, provided it falls before the fireworks are set off. If your dog needs a walk, be sure to walk her before confining her.

• Even if your pet is caged, place it into the secure and comfortable room you've selected.
• If your pet is a horse or other farm animal, make sure it has clean bedding and is inside the stable or barn.

Provide food and hydration.

Provide food and hydration. Be sure to leave sufficient water and food for your pet in the confinement space. Many pets will be uneasy, or even frantic. If your pet has access to water, it will help calm him, and food supplied in your pet's regular portion will make him feel like it's a normal day.

Keep an eye on your pet, and if possible, stay with her.

Keep an eye on your pet, and if possible, stay with her. Comfort her and talk to her. Be friendly but don't fuss over her too much; this can increase her anxiety if she picks up on yours and can reward and encourage fearful behavior. If it's not possible to stay with her, (perhaps because you're out or busy (you may be at the firework display), don't worry - the previous steps should ensure that your pet has been adequately cared for.

• Allow your pet to hide somewhere in the room if wished. It's your pet's way of coping (a "bolthole") and dragging them out of a safe spot can increase their anxiety levels. Don't fuss over her too much.

Check on your pet after the fireworks.

Check on your pet after the fireworks. Reassure him and remove the protection (blankets, etc.) as long as you're sure that the loud fireworks are over. Let him have free run of the house to see how he behaves before considering letting him return outside (it might be best to wait until morning, if possible). Check for signs of stress in your pet:

• For cats, signs of stress include running away, soiling the house, hiding away and refusing to eat.
• For dogs, signs of stress include barking a lot, running away, soiling the house, hiding and cowering, clinging to owners, whimpering, trembling and shaking, pacing and panting, and refusing to eat.
• If your pet is stressed, keep him indoors overnight. Keep a litter tray somewhere in the house, or walk a dog after the fireworks but don't let him off his harness and be sure to stay with him the whole time.
   

Do a yard sweep before letting your pets back outside.

Fireworks can contain dangerous chemicals like oxidizing agents (which typically are from the chemical potassium nitrate), reducing agents (like charcoal or sulfur), coloring agents (which are potentially dangerous heavy metals), and less dangerous substances like binders (a starch or sugar source) and regulators (a wick or fuse). The range of toxicity varies with what type of firework is ingested, how much is ingested and what type of coloring agents are used. Fireworks can also be dangerous to pets physically – when exposed to the spark or smoke, a thermal burn injury can result.

Fourth of July Safety Tips

 

For many people, nothing beats lounging in the backyard on the Fourth of July with good friends and family—including the four-legged members of the household. While it may seem like a great idea to reward Rover with scraps from the grill and bring him along to watch fireworks, in reality some festive foods and products can be potentially hazardous to your pets. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offers the following tips:

• Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.     
• Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.
• Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing—or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.
• Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pets severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes & raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.
• Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.
• Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.
• Never use fireworks around pets! While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.
• Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.

Warm Weather Pet Care

Below is a list of safety tips to keep your pet safe and cool this summer

1. Always provide plenty of fresh water and make sure that if the water bowl is outside it is safely secured so it doesn’t get tipped over and is in the shade.

2. Pets can get sunburned, especially if they are white, so make sure they have plenty of shade outside.

3. Apply a mix of equal parts of SPF 15 sun block and petroleum jelly to pets with pink noses before they go outside. You can also purchase sunscreen for your pet that is apporved for use on your animlas.

4. Dogs’ pads burn easily so avoid hot surfaces like blacktop during the hottest part of the day.

5. Before starting your walk, give the sidewalk a test with the palm of your hand. If it is too hot to touch then it can burn your dog’s footpads, so avoid that surface.

6. To avoid overheating exercise your pets either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Avoid exercising your pets between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. because this is the hottest time of the day.

7. Fleas, mosquitoes and ticks love the summer so make sure to protect your pet from these summer pests

8. Watch for signs of heatstroke such as excessive panting, red gums, dry to the touch gums, or disorientation. If you suspect heatstroke, take your pet to the veterinarian immediately.

9. To cool down a pet that Is over heating, apply cool water [not ice cold, which can cause shock] to their coat and pads and take them to the Vet right away.

10. Avoid taking your pet in the car during the summer months and NEVER leave a pet in a parked car. Even with the windows down, it only takes a few minutes for the temperatures to rise in excess of 150 degrees, which can cause stroke, brain damage or death.



When: July 21, Saturday
Where: San Bernardino Sheriff's Academy, 18640 Verdemont Ranch Road
Contact: sbsdsearchdogs@sbsar.org, you will be assigned a time slot
Price: $70.00 (50% of cost goes directly to support SBSD Search Dog Team)

Payment due on day of event. CASH ONLY
(Multi-Dog discount: $5.00 off for each additional dog)

Sponsored by: San Bernardino Sheriff's Search Dog Team
Training is provided by High on Kennels

Missing Dogs!!

MISSING DOGS FROM REDDING, CA

Let's help this family find their missing dogs (Buddy and Shadow). I understand that the dogs were taken from their yard. Pass this wide and pass it far. Let's find these dogs. You in? Share the picture!

Horse Murdered!!

On the evening of May 5 2012, J & S stables lost a family member to sensless hate & violence. BO, a paint horse & trusted mount of the Shepard family for years was shot in the gut by a high powered rifle and made to flail and suffer in agony, fear and pain while his pasturemate watched until he bled out and ultimatly died. He was doing nothing more than grazing peacefully in his... roadside pasture on the corner of Old Folkstone Road and Country Club Road in the community of Sneads Ferry NC on a nice spring evening. Hunting is not allowed in the area and the Shepards are kind people who have no enemies. Bo was murdered for no other reason than "just because". Please share this horrible incident with whomever you think will care to read it. Someone knows who did it, and we want them brought to justice. If not only for justice for Bo and the Shepards, if they are not sorry enough to murder an innocent animal for fun, then they are capabale of doing the same to a human.

If you have ANY info, please call ONSLOW CO SHERIFFS DEPT @ 910 455 3113. There is a combined reward of $4500 between the Shepards and Crimestoppers available at this time to anyone with info leading to a conviction.

What would you do if this happened to you or your pets? Please pass the word.

Community Events

American Cancer Society
BARK FOR LIFE
A Canine Event To Fight Cancer

SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2012
PIKES PEAK PARK, NORCO
12:00 pm- 3:00 pm

Join us for the biggest dog party in the Inland Empire, and help "take a Bite out of Cancer"!

$20.00 per dog, including a FREE commemorative Bark For Life doggie bandana. All dogs must be on a leash (max 6'), licensed, and shots current.
Register online now! Prizes for the top fundraising dogs!
www.relayforlife.org/barknorcoca

The American Cancer Society Bark For Life is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer.

By supporting Bark For Life, you help the American Cancer Society save lives, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate goal of a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

So bring your best canine friend and join us for a fun-filled day starting with a walk, and then continuing with demonstrations, contests, and games.

Put your pup in one of the contests:
Best Trick
Biggest Dog
Smallest Dog
Best Costume
Best Creative Grooming
Owner/Dog Look-a-Like
Top Fundraising Dog

Entertainment will be provided by:
Gary Rogers & Denim County Agility - Agility Exhibition
Disc Dog Empire - Frisbee Dogs
Pamela Johnson of Pam's Dog Academy -
Canine Freestyle Dance
T-Bone and DJTek - Music
Filippi's Pizza Grotto will be selling food and drinks, donating 15% of their profits to our event.
So come hungry!
Jamba Juice will be selling ice cold smoothies!

Homeward Bound Mega Pet Adoption Event

The County of San Bernardino in conjunction with the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley, Yucaipa Animal Placement Society, and Animals aRe First Fund are sponsoring the First Annual Homeward Bound Mega Pet Adoption Event.

Saturday, June 16th, 2012
Sunday, June 17th,... 2012
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Jerry Lewis Soccer Complex (Yucaipa)

Yucaipa, CA

This is a collaborative effort between public and private agencies to raise awarenes of the many available and adoptable pets throughout the county.

Services that will be available:

Low Cost Vaccinations:
* Rabies - $6.00
* Combination - $10.00

Low Cost Micro Chipping
* Includes Registration - $20.00

Bernardino County jurisdiction

Free health screening for all adopted animals

Activities going on both days

* Extensive number of animals for adoption
* Music
* Giant Slide
* Face Painting
* Rock Wall
* Food and drinks available at nominal cost
* A variety of animal-related products for purchase

FDA releases report on Diamond Pet Foods

The FDA has issued a list of observations made during an April 20, 2012 inspection of the Diamond Pet Foods plant in Gaston, SC. The sloppiness of how the plant is maintained provides for numerous ways for the food they manufacture to become contaminated. Here’s the bulk of the report:

OBSERVATION 1
All reasonable precautions are not taken to ensure that production procedures do not contribute contamination from any source.
Specifically, no microbiological analysis is conducted or there is no assurance that incoming animal fat will not introduce pathogens into their production and cause contamination of finished product. Also, the firm’s current sampling procedure for animal digest does preclude potential for adulteration after sampling and during storage in warehouse. On 4/13/12, an employee was observed touching in-line filter oil with bare hands.
OBSERVATION 2
Failure to provide hand washing and sanitizing facilities at each location in the plant where needed.
Specifically, there are no facilities for hand washing or hand sanitizing in the production areas where there is direct contact with exposed finished feed/food.
OBSERVATION 3
Failure to maintain equipment, containers and utensils used to convey, hold, and store food in a manner that protects against contamination.
Specifically, paddles conveyor (South or Middle conveyor leading to the screeners going to packaging) were observed to have gouges and cuts, which exhibited feed residues. The damage to the paddles may allow for harborage areas for microorganisms and are difficult to clean and sanitize.
OBSERVATION 4
Failure to maintain equipment so as facilitate cleaning of the equipment.
Specifically, firm utilizes cardboard, duct tape, and other non cleanable surfaces on equipment. These materials were observed to have residues adhering. The foam gaskets around access doors to the bucket elevators were observed in deteriorating condition exhibited an accumulation of feed residues and dust.

Despite Diamond’s touted 151 Quality Checks, according to the report, the Diamond plant is a total mess. And obviously, the things mentioned in the report don’t just happen overnight – deteriorating gaskets, duct tape, lack of cleanliness, etc. With a manufacturing plant in that condition, it only makes sense that this has been an ongoing problem. So, how many people and pets have become ill over the past – who knows how long – as a result of contaminated food manufactured by Diamond?
My guess is that all of the Diamonds plants are a total mess. They still have openings in all three of of them for Quality Control Technicians. But it seems to me they’re going to need a heck of a lot more than a few new technicians to clean things up. They need to overhaul their entire company and learn to walk the talk they display so proudly on their website:

All of us take pride in our work, our departments and our company as a whole. Pride that manifests itself in uncompromising product quality and unsurpassed customer service. Pride that helps our company overcome any short-term obstacles and achieve long-term success.

If the observations made by the FDA inspectors represent Diamond’s “uncompromising product quality,” Diamond needs to take a serious look at how they’re doing things. From what’s in the report, it sounds like there’s plenty of room for improvement. And, I suppose the people and pets who have become sick due to their sloppiness are simply a “short-term obstacle.”

More Information on Diamond Pet Food Recall

Diamond Pet Foods has voluntarily recalled some brands of dry dog and cat food that it manufactured in its Gaston, S.C. facility between December 9, 2011 and April 7, 2012 due to potential Salmonella contamination.

The brands that were recalled on May 4 have not tested positive for Salmonella. The company is recalling certain batches of these brands, however, as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of customers and their pets. Consumers should check this website for the production codes and best-before dates on the bags of recalled food, and discontinue feeding it. To learn whether or not the brand of dog or cat food you use is included in the recall, please select it from the list below.

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Country Value Diamond Diamond Naturals Premium Edge Professional 4Health Taste of the Wild

Apex Kirkland Signature/Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Canidae

Information about the May 18, 2012 expanded recall of Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Food

Diamond Pet Food Recall

UPDATED: CORRECT PRODUCTION CODE INFORMATION

Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Food Added to Recall

May 18, 2012

Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula samples, 6 pound and 18 pound bag sizes, manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011, have been added to the limited voluntary recall, due to potential exposure to Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported.

The product was distributed in the following states, further distribution through other pet food channels may have occurred:

· Colorado

· Illinois

· Kentucky

· Louisiana

· Michigan

· Minnesota

· Missouri

· Oklahoma

· Pennsylvania

· South Dakota

· Tennessee

· Texas

· Wisconsin

Production Code & Best Before Dates:

DSL0801, 20-Oct-2012 (Product manufactured on Aug 26, 2011 and packaged on Oct. 20, 2011)

DSL0801, 26-Aug-2012

DSL0801, 27-Sept- 2012 (Product manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011 and packaged on Sept. 27, 2011)

DSL0801, 18-Oct- 2012 (Product manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011 and packaged on Oct. 18, 2011)

DSL0801, (Samples)

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 am – 6pm EST.

Diamond Pet Foods apologizes for any issues this may have caused pet owners and their pets.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATED: CORRECT PRODUCTION CODE INFORMATION

Diamond Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Recall of Dry Pet Food Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

Batches of the brands manufactured between December 9, 2011 and April 7, 2012 are affected

PLEASE VISIT DIAMONDPETRECALL.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION AND UPDATES.

Consumer Contact: 866-918-8756
Media Contact: 816-255-1974

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 5, 2012

Diamond Pet Foods today announced that it is expanding a voluntary recall to include batches of nine brands of dry pet food formulas manufactured between December 9, 2011 and April 7, 2012 due to potential Salmonella contamination.

In April 2012, Diamond Pet Foods initiated three voluntary recalls of Diamond manufactured dry dog food. Although none of the additional products being recalled have tested positive for Salmonella, the company is pulling them from store shelves as a precaution. Diamond Pet Foods is coordinating efforts with federal and state health and regulatory agencies and decided to independently expand the recall to ensure the safety and well-being of customers and their pets.

The company stated: “We have taken corrective actions at our Gaston, S.C., facility and voluntarily expanded the recall out of concern for our customers and their pets.”

Brands included in the recall include:

• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
• Country Value
• Diamond
• Diamond Naturals
• Premium Edge
• Professional
• 4Health
• Taste of the Wild
  

To determine if their pet food is recalled, consumers should check the production code on their bag. If the code has a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “X” in the 10^th or 11^th position, the product is affected by the recall. The best-before dates for the recalled products are December 9, 2012 through April 7, 2013.

The following graphic is an example of how to read the production code and best before date:

The recall affects only products distributed in the following U.S. states and Canada. Further distribution through other pet food channels may have occurred.

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• Canada

The Kirkland Signature products included in the recall include:

• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula (December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
• Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs (December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)

To determine if their pet food is recalled, consumers should check the production code on their bag. If the code has both a “3” in the 9^th position AND an “X” in the 11^th position, the product is affected by the recall. The best-before dates for the recalled products are December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013.

UPDATE:

For Kirkland Signature product sold in Taiwan, if the best-before dates fall between June 9, 2012 and July 31, 2012, the bag is affected. The same production code elements apply to the recalled products.

The recall affects only products distributed in the following U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Canadian provinces:

• Alabama
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Brunswick, Canada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Newfoundland, Canada
• North Carolina
• Nova Scotia, Canada
• Ontario, Canada
• Pennsylvania
• Quebec, Canada
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Puerto Rico

Diamond Pet Foods apologizes for any issues this may cause consumers and their pets. Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST. Consumers may also go to a special website, diamondpetrecall.com, for more information. The company is working with distributors and retailers to ensure all affected product is removed from shelves.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. 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.

Individuals handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. People who believe they may have been exposed to Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who are more likely to be affected by Salmonella include infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS and people receiving treatment for cancer. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have received a limited number of reports of salmonellosis, the illness caused by Salmonella. We are working with the CDC, but due to patient confidentiality, we cannot comment further.

Chicken Jerkey Treat Recall

Very important chicken jerkey recall information. Please take the time to read this.

Nearly 1,000 dogs now sick from jerky treats, FDA reports say

Nearly 1,000 dogs reportedly have been sickened by chicken jerky pet treats from China, according to a new tally of complaints from worried owners and veterinarians submitted to federal health officials.

The Food and Drug Administration has logged some 900 reports of illnesses and deaths since November, when it warned owners about continued problems with the products known variously as chicken jerky strips, treats and nuggets, a spokeswoman said.

Back then, the agency already had heard from 70 owners about problems ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to kidney failure and other serious ailments after animals reportedly consumed the treats.

 

Since then, complaints have mounted steadily, putting growing pressure on the FDA to solve the problem.

The agency sent inspectors earlier this year to Chinese plants that make the jerky treats, two Ohio lawmakers previously told msnbc.com. No results of those inspections are yet available, FDA spokeswoman Tamara Ward said Monday.

Despite repeated tests since 2007, FDA scientists have been unable to detect any toxin responsible for the animal illnesses, officials said. The agency has asked certain pet owners to send in samples of suspect treats along with their animals' veterinary records.

Three top brands of chicken jerky treats were among those most recently cited by pet owners and veterinarians in complaints of harm, FDA records obtained by msnbc.com showed. They included Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brands produced by Nestle Purina PetCare Co., and Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats, produced by the Del Monte Corp.

Import data compiled by the firm ImportGenius showed that Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch treats are produced and supplied by JOC Great Wall Corp. Ltd. of Nanjing, China.

Both manufacturers have insisted their chicken jerky treats are sound and that any illnesses are unrelated to the products.

But representatives from Milo’s Kitchen confirmed that the firm has paid at least one owner who complained about a sick dog $100 in exchange for a release of all liability.

The company examined treats submitted by the pet owner and reviewed veterinary records for the animal, according to Joanna DiNizio, a spokeswoman for the firm.

“Following the evaluation, the veterinarian consultant concluded the symptoms experienced by the pet were not related to consuming Milo’s Kitchen chicken jerky treats,” DiNizio said in an email statement.

The dog owner has declined to be identified, but Milo’s representatives said they provided the $100 as a “goodwill gesture” and asked that the consumer sign a “standard release form.” Firm officials said such arrangements are conducted on a case-by-case basis and they declined to confirm how many similar agreements are in place.

A spokesman for Waggin' Train, Bill Salzman, said last month that the firm also negotiates agreements with complaining pet owners individually.

Such signed agreements do legally absolve firms of future claims, said Ron Simon, a Texas food safety lawyer.

“What the company is up to is to try to assuage consumer complaints without accepting liability,” said Simon.

However, he noted that in most states, pets, no matter how precious, are regarded as property with little change of recovering damages beyond the animal’s literal worth. Most lawyers probably wouldn’t accept such a case, he added.

“You don’t get mental anguish,” he added.

That’s outrageous to pet owners who believe their animals were harmed or killed by contaminated jerky treats.

Robin Pierre, 50, of Pine Bush, N.Y., contends that Waggin’ Train chicken jerky treats were responsible for the sudden death last fall of her previously healthy 2-year-old pug, Bella, who developed kidney failure.

"Right now the laws are protecting the rights of these manufacturers and we as victims/consumers have none," Pierre wrote in an email to msnbc.com.

Pierre is the founder of a petition to ban the jerky treats which now has logged more than 10,445 signatures.

FDA officials have said companies are free to recall the treats at any time but regulations do not allow for products to be removed based on complaints alone.

 

Pet owners can submit complaints to the FDA's safety reporting portal.

 

More chicken jerky treat news:

• FDA inspectors probe pet treats in China
• 3 big brands may be tied to chicken jerky illness in dogs, FDA records show
• More dogs sick as FDA steps up scrutiny of chicken jerky pet treats
• Chicken jerky treats linked to mystery illnesses in dogs
• VIDEO: Dog owner claims treats killed his dog

Sneek Peek at New Website

Hello There Folks! We have been hard at work on creating a great new website for you. As we list items on our new site you will see items missing from this site. Do not be alarmed, you will still be able to order those items. You will just have to visit the new site. Please let us know what you think about the site. Thank You

Here is the link to our new site: nalascorner.mybigcommerce.com/index.php

Visit our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nalas-Corner-Premium-Pet-Products/134445263243439?sk=app_184217821649480

From our facebook page you can shop our store without ever visiting our website. Give it a try.

I know we have not been doing doing a whole lot of blogging but, we have been very busy. If you have not been to our website please check it out. We have a lot of great items for your dog (and your kitty too!) We try and add things on a weekly basis. There is a lot more to come on our website and I hope you stick with us and watch us grow.

While you are visting our website please join our mailing list. You are going to want to be on it. We have a great special coming up in February, wish I could say more. You can join our mailing list two ways: You can visit our website to join or you can text the word nalascorner to 22828.

www.nalascorner.com