Dog Flu Alert

PLAGUE IN COLORADO

"Plague" is a bacterial infection that is most commonly found in wild rodent populations. The bacteria that cause it (Yersinia pestis) are carried by fleas that infect wild rodents (e.g. prairie dogs, squirrels), rabbits and cats. The disease can be found every year in Colorado and other western states, typically from April through November.

Dogs are generally resistant to infection and humans can become infected. However, cats are highly susceptible to infection. The most common route of infection for cats is through consumption of infected rodents, although cats may also be bitten by an infected flea. Infected fleas can jump on to animal or humans, and may be transported on coyotes, foxes, and birds that feed on infected carcasses.

There are three manifestations of "plague." Bubonic is the most common form and causes high fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and enlarged lymph nodes. The Septicemic form is less common and will also cause high fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and progresses to vomiting, diarrhea, shock and possible death. The Pneumonic form of the plague is the most severe and may develop secondary to bubonic or septicemic forms. It is of particular concern to people in contact with infected cats. Pneumonic plague affects the respiratory system and causes fever, oral/nasal discharge, coughing and sneezing, and difficulty breathing. Most cases of plague are treatable with antibiotics if caught early enough.

Transmission of plague from cats to humans has occurred via transportation of infected fleas into homes, bites, scratches, direct contact with infectious tissues and fluid, and by inhalation of infectious aerosolized droplets. Flea prevention is highly recommended for outdoor pets, and people are encouraged not to pick up or come into contact with dead rodents, rabbits or stray cats. If you find dead rabbits or rodents, please report them to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (1-877-462-2911). If you suspect that your cat may be infected, or you have an outdoor cat that needs flea control, please call GoldenView Veterinary Hospital (303-279-9182) to schedule an appointment to evaluate your pet.

PET FOOD RECALL
NONE OF THE FOOD SOLD AT GVH IS AFFECTED.

March 19, 2007

At GoldenView Veterinary Hospital we are committed to bringing you the most up-to-the-minute information about pet health. This letter contains breaking news in the current recall of pet foods.

During the manufacturing process there was contamination of one or more of the ingredients used to make many different pet foods. It is not yet known where or when this happened, however, all the affected foods appear to contain an ingredient supplied by the distributor Menufoods. The contaminant causes kidney damage, and in some cases death. Symptoms of kidney failure are increased thirst and urination, decreased appetite, lethargy, and vomiting. If your pet has symptoms of kidney failure, make an appointment to bring your pet in immediately. In cases where the toxicity is caught early and treated aggressively, pets have recovered.

Foods involved are: cuts and gravy style canned and foil pouch dog and cat foods, and some dry foods and treats. There are many brands involved including Eukanuba, Iams, Nutro, NutroMax, Ol' Roy and numerous store brands. There have been reports of problems from every region of the US and Canada.

A list of affected brands and links to specific lot or serial numbers and/or UPC codes can be found at www.fda.gov and at www.menufoods.com.

If you can confirm that you have fed a product whose serial, lot number, or UPC code is on the list, save all unopened cans or pouches. Find any empty cans or pouches that may still be in your garbage and save them in plastic bags. Make an immediate appointment to have your pet examined and kidney function evaluated via laboratory testing.

If you have been feeding one of the foods on the list but have different serial, lot numbers, or UPC codes, we advise not continuing to feed these foods since the recall list may be expanded to include batches of food not originally recalled. Please save these foods in case they are added to the recall, so that they may be submitted for analysis if indicated.

If your pet has been eating one of the types of foods on the recall list, but you don't know if they have ever eaten one of the known affected batches, we advise that you make an appointment to have laboratory evaluation of kidney function performed. This appointment should be immediate if there are any signs of kidney problems, even if you cannot confirm lot, serial numbers, or UPC codes as being in the current recall.

At this time we do not know what, if any, costs of diagnostic testing or treatment will be reimbursed by the manufacturer. We require payment at the time of services and recommend that all receipts and product packaging be saved, and associated costs documented. We will cooperate fully in collecting any and all evidence that may be necessary in detecting any link between a pet's illness and this terrible incident.

Please call us (303)279-9182 if you have any questions regarding this pet food recall.

As leaders in the Veterinary Care Industry, GoldenView Veterinary Hospital makes every effort to maintain our standards of excellence through on-going education and by remaining knowledgeable with current animal health informaion.