WARNING:  COCOA MULCH IN YOUR GARDEN COULD EQUAL DEATH TO YOUR RATTIES

The following was passed along to the NRTA from a member:

    "Yesterday one of our dog agility friends experienced a tragedy and wanted me to pass a special message along to all of my dog-loving friends and family. Please tell the other dog owners you know. Thank you so much."

    The Story: Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. They loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog, Calypso, decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk. Half way through the walk, Calypso had a seizure and died instantly.

    The Reason: Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's website, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs. Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, which claims that "It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it." However, if you think logically about it, the smell of chocolate (hence the name, Cocoa Mulch) generally makes our pooches get all in a tither, trying to get "just one little bite". Naturally, the cocoa smell, which is so enticing to our noses, is doubly enticing to a rattie or other breed of dog that knows no better than to eat something that smells that good! It would be just my luck that my little curious rattie would be one of the 2% that would eat it ... and even worse, she would be one of the "50%" of that 2% that would suffer physical harm "to a variety of degrees".

    Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply, Target, Lowes and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called "Theobromine".  This Theobromine is the ingredient that is used to make all chocolate, especially the dark or baker's chocolate, which, if injested (eaten), is toxic/lethal to dogs. Eaten by a 12 pound dog (about the size of a small rat terrier), 2 ounces of cocoa bean mulch is lethal. In the case of animals, Theobromine is listed as "a chemical that affects the heart, central nervous system and kidneys causing nausea and vomiting, restlessness and diarrhea, muscle tremors and increased urination. Cardiac arrhythmia and seizures are symptoms of more advance poisoning. Other than induced vomiting, vets have no treatment or antidote for theobromine poisoning. Death can occur in 12 to 24 hours.

    True information about the mulch can be found here - both snopes and google have verified this potential hazard to our beloved animals:   http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoa.htm

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Recall for Royal Canin.
by: Gérard Lévesque
 (permission granted to cross-post)

The Department of  Agriculture and Markets has become aware of a recall of a ROYAL CANIN dog food. "ROYAL CANIN Veterinary Diet Canine URINARY SO in Gel" canned product has been Recalled because of excessive levels of vitamin D3. The excessive levels of vitamin D3 have resulted in 8 proven cases of hypercalcaemia in dogs. This product is only available for purchase through veterinarians. Please check any Royal Canin you may have in your pantry. The attached alert from the ROYAL CANIN Company contains important information concerning the recall of this product:

                        February 2, 2006
 IMPORTANT PRODUCT QUALITY NOTICE
We regretfully inform you of a recently uncovered problem with our ROYAL Canine Veterinary Diet TU canned diets.

Since November, we have had 8 reported cases from across the USA involving hypercalceroia dogs. Clinical work-ups suggested high levels of vitamin D3. All of the dogs affected were on ROYAL CANIN Veterinary Diet(tm)Canine URINARY SO(tm) in gel, canned diet.

Consequently we started an exhaustive nutrient analysis of our canned products. This week, we received the independent laboratory results of these nutrient analyses. It is now clear that there are production tots of ROYAL CANIN Veterinary Diet1"Canine URINARY SO(tm) in Gel" canned product in the market with excessive levels of Vitamin D3. The following production Lots are
affected (the "best before" date codes are noted on the cardboard tray pack): mURINARY SO"1 m gel canned (best before 03/2007, 05/2007 and 06/2007).  These production code lots should not be fed to pets.

Our veterinarians and representatives are available to support you at all times. You may contact your distributor for product replacement or refund. Please do not hesitate to contact your ROYAL CANIN  Veterinary Diet(tm) representative, or our technical veterinary support team at 800-592-6687 with any questions or concerns that you may have. The excess levels of Vitamin D3 in the affected production lots are due to a vitamin premix error. We have taken appropriate actions to ensure that this type of error does not recur. Subsequent code lots have been tested and, other than the production lots noted above, can be used with confidence.

We genuinely regret that this has occurred as we place the highest priority on the health of pets.

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XYLITOL WARNING

This includes many types/brands of sugar-free gum and candy, etc.

 Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is being used in some sugarless gums, candies, and certain toothpastes, as well as other products. Xylitol is very toxic to dogs.

When ingested by humans, Xylitol is not digested and passes through the system; however, if ingested (by dogs), it can lead to large amounts of insulin production with a resulting drop in the dog's blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia. This condition can cause possible seizures, coma, and permanent liver damage as well as death.

Please be certain to read any of your "sugar-free" items in the future, and pass this on to any of your friends, neighbors and relatives that own dogs.

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PETA TAKES A HUGE STEP TOWARD IT'S GOAL OF ERADICATING ALL DOMESTIC ANIMALS

WHEN IT HAPPENS IN CALIFORNIA, YOUR STATE WILL BE NEXT!!!!

IT'S ALREADY HAPPENED IN LONG BEACH, CA, AND CAT BREEDING IS INCLUDED!

BREEDERS AND OWNERS AND THEIR PETS, AND BREEDS WILL BE TAKEN FROM YOU.
THAT THIS GOT PAST IS UNBELIEVEABLE....  WE NEED YOUR HELP TO UNDO IT-
THE IMPLICATION TO ALL BREEDS AND OWNER DOGS IS IMMENSE.

Subject: ACF FEDERAL COMPLAINT CALIFORNIA SB 861

Yesterday and today ACF lawyers filed a 9 count federal complaint against the state of California for passing SB 861 which calls for mandatory spay
and neuter of specific breeds and breeding permits that can allow animal control to control you’re breeding of purebred dogs.

ACF has three lawyers Greg Kohler (pit bull owner), Jeff Shaver (Rottweiler owner) and Carol Chan (pit bull owner) representing ACF.

ACF is claiming California sided with PETA and other radical extreme animal rights organizations and completely ignored canine experts. ACF has made it known that PETA wants the end to domestic pet ownership and its addressed in
the federal complaint

This is the most powerful federal legislation to ever come about over the issues of breed specific legislation and we believe we have a strong chance to prevail.

WE NEED TO SUPPORT OF THE DOG FANCY AND DOG REGISTRIES

Without your support we can't fight this case giving it 100% No matter where you live SB861 can affect you if its not stopped, other states will adopt it in the future.

Spay and neuter of dogs will not reduce the populations in shelters, for one thing a dog lives 12 years and the majority of dogs impounded are not there because of being intact. SB861 is not going to reduce shelter numbers, it’s supported by PETA and its intent is to exterminate dogs of all breeds to end domestic pet ownership.

ACF REPRESENTS YOU THE RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER AND YOUR RIGHTS!!!

This case is being litigated for all the Dog Fancy in California, the United Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, American Dog Breeders Association and all responsible dog owners to ensure purebred dogs continue to exist and our rights are not taken from us. This lawsuit is to stop animal control agencies in California from requiring you to turn over your pedigrees for approval before you are allowed to reproduce canines.

SUPPORT THE LEGAL ACTION IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AGAINST SB 861
Send you donations to:

ACF
23969 NE State Rte 3
Suite G101
Belfair Way. 98528
or pay pal at legislation2003@hotmail.com

ACF's new website at americancaninefoundationlaw.com will be published today
at 5:00 pm PST!

C McCammon
ACF

Gregory J. Kohler - SBN 144063
ALBERS, BARNES & KOHLER, LLP
1401 Commercial Way, Suite 220
Bakersfield, CA  93309
Telephone:(661) 716-3900
Facsimile: (661) 716-3899

Carolyn Chan – SBN 147978
2701 Del Paso Rd
Ste. 130-#373
Sacramento, CA 95835

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Subject: Pet Legislation-Yes on SB1144 and SB1145

Greetings Senators, Representatives, and members of the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee:

    As a pet owner, I am writing to strongly urge you to support both Senate Bill #1144 and Senate Bill #1145.  Pet owners are entitled to have the same disclosure information accompanying veterinary drugs that they receive with human prescriptions, enabling them to recognize any adverse side affects and seek immediate, appropriate medical intervention.  Veterinarians who fail to perform the drug manufacturer's recommended prescreening of an animal prior to administration should be legally subject to potential disciplinary action by the State Veterinary Board under the Veterinary Medical Practice Act.

    Two years ago, my 6 year Labrador Retriever, Meadow, underwent two significant surgeries relating to an aggressive cancer he developed at the site of a rabies vaccination.  After his second surgery, his veterinarian sent him home with pain medication containing no information other than the drug name (Rimadyl) and dose frequency.  Fortunately, an e-mailed announcement of the Rimadyl lawsuit settlement arrived just before Meadow was due for his first dose.  After educating myself about the potentially deadly side affects associated with Rimadyl, I opted to forego the medication and avoid the risks, my dog had enough challenges to face with cancer.

    The veterinary pharmaceutical industry recognizes the importance of drug disclosure information for pet owners.  The following link for the veterinary drug, Rimadyl,
http://www.rimadyl.com/display.asp?country=US&lang=EN&drug=RC&species=CN&sec=610 will take you to the Dog Owner Information warning of potential adverse reactions and contraindications from the drug manufacturer, Pfizer, and state: "This summary contains important information about Rimadyl. You should read this information before you start giving your dog Rimadyl and review it each time the prescription is refilled."

     If veterinarians are not required to give clients disclosure sheets with the veterinary drugs they dispense, pet owners will be unable to recognize life-threatening side affects in their beloved companions.  Passing this legislation mandating disclosure information accompany dispensed veterinary drugs will mean that ALL pet owners in Pennsylvania will be entitled by law to receive this vital information from their veterinary care providers.  Another benefit to passing these bills will be that of alleviating veterinarians of potential liability for failure to perform prescreening or give disclosure information to a pet owner whose animal suffers a significant adverse reaction under their care.  Passage of this legislation will benefit both pet owners and veterinarians -- it is reasonable and responsible.

Sincerely,

Kris L. Christine
Alna, ME  04535

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IF I DID NOT HAVE DOGS .............
Author unknown.

1. I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.

2. My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

3. All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of Dog hair.

4. When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a 100 dog kennel.

5. When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through dog bodies which beat me there.

6. I could sit on the couch the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.

7. I would not have strange presents under my Christmas tree-like dog bones, stuffed animals or have to answer to people why I wrap them.

8. I would not be on a first name basis with three vets.

9. The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: "out", "sit", "down", "come", "no", "stay", and "leave him/her/it ALONE".

10. My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.

11. My pockets would not contain things like poo bags, dog treats and an extra leash.

12. I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L or F-R-I-S-B-E- E or W-A-L-K or C-O-O-K-I-E-S.

13. I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.

14. I would not look strangely at people who think having their ONE dog ties them down too much.

15. I'd look forward to Spring and the melting of the snow instead of dreading "mud season".

16. I would not have to answer the question "Why do I have so many dogs?" from people who will never have the joy in their life of knowing they are loved unconditionally by something as close to an angel as they will ever get.

17. How empty my life would be....

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