Reported by: Heather Catallo
Email: hcatallo@wxyz.com

Some popular pet medication may be causing side effects such as seizures, tremors – even death. The medication is meant to protect, but the Action News Investigators found many pet owners complaining about dangerous reactions they say were caused by some flea and tick products.

Amy Vasquez said her dog, Mack, had a bad reaction to a medication.

“He would reach around and bite at himself,” Amy said. “He was scratching himself, and wouldn’t stop it.”

Normally those are signs of either flea or tick bites.

But, Amy said it was caused by a medication that is supposed to protect dogs from pests.

Amy bought Sentry Pro XFC, a spot-on flea and tick product that’s supposed to be applied directly to the pet’s skin.

“It had a nice package on it, and I thought it’s the most expensive one. So, it’s probably pretty good.”

She said she followed the directions.

“You kind of spread the fur and you just put it on about halfway down the back,” Amy said.

Hours later, Amy said Mack was acting strange.

“He was jumping around like something was poking at him. He just wouldn’t sit still. I was like what is wrong with this dog?” Amy said.

Then, she said she looked at the spot where she’d applied the Sentry Pro XFC.

“It looked like the worst sunburn you’d ever seen. It was obvious it was exactly where I’d applied it.” Amy said. “I gave him a bath, and washed it off. [That] worked until it got dry. Then, it came back. [Mack was] scratching, scratching and scratching. This went on and on until we gave him another bath.”

Amy said Mack still wasn’t better even after they gave him multiple baths.

Amy said she went online, looking for answers. She found hundreds of posts complaining about the same problems.

“And, the other dogs had it worse,” she said.

Among the posts were complaints of vomiting, seizures, burning and open wounds.

But, those are just some of the side effects dog owners said some spot-on flea and tick medication has caused.

The Action News Investigators received videos and emails from dog owners across the country describing the “horror of watching our loved one suffer.” One email described the pet’s reaction as like “watching them die.”

Many spot-on products use pesticides as the main active ingredient, because it kills pests like fleas and ticks.

The products that contain pesticides are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Now, the EPA is taking a close look at what it calls a large and growing number of cases involving spot-on products and reports of side effects such as tremors, seizures – even death.

According to the EPA’s records, more than 24,000 incidents were reported in 2008 relating to all spot-on flea and tick products. Of those 24,000 incidents, more than 250 major cases and nearly 350 deaths were reported in just one year.

The most complaints were made against Sergeant’s.

Sergeant’s makes the product, Sentry Pro XFC. It’s the same medication that Amy said caused her dog’s side effects.

Sergeant’s received more than 10,000 complaints out of all the reports collected by the EPA from 2008. According to the EPA’s records, that’s more than three times the amount of complaints reported against any other company that makes flea and tick products.

Dr. Diane Paster is veterinarian with an emergency animal clinic. She said it’s common to see pesticides used in flea and tick medications.

“Anything that you’re going to use that’s going to kill these little guys has to be called a pesticide,” Dr. Paster said.

But, Paster said the real problem may be the kind of pesticides being used. She said she tells her patients to only use flea and tick medications based on their vet’s recommendations.

“I think the ones that you can get from your vet a little bit safer.” She said. “I think they’re more effective.”

According to the EPA’s records, products sold by vets received fewer complaints.

“I would really like to see the [products] with the most side effects pulled,” Dr. Paster said.

In a statement Action News, Sergeant’s said:

“All of Sergeant’s flea and tick products are safe and effective when used properly. All meet government safety standards and have been approved by the EPA. Sergeant’s is not taking the products off store shelves because more than 99% of the millions of doses sold have provided pets and their owners with extremely effective protection from fleas and ticks and with no adverse reactions.

There is no consistency in the way that manufacturers report reactions to the EPA, therefore comparing one manufacturer’s numbers to another’s is like comparing apples to oranges. However, the vast majority of reports for Sergeant’s products were for minor skin irritations that were temporary. There will be cases in which some pets do have reactions to these products, just as humans may be allergic to milk or peanuts, for example.

Sergeant’s welcomes the EPA’s recommendations for the industry to improve the labeling and instructions for flea and tick spot-on products. This has been a concern at Sergeant’s for some time and prompted us a few years ago to launch our “Look at the Label” program to educate consumers about the safe and effective way to use flea and tick spot-on products.”

That is not the reaction Amy Vasquez wanted.

“I’d like it to be banned forever, taken off the shelves and not sold anymore,” Amy said.

In a statement to the Action News Investigators, the EPA said:

“EPA is concerned about the increase in incidents associated with spot-on flea and tick products. In response, EPA undertook an extensive analysis of data associated with these incidents and followed with an announcement of ways to reduce the number of incidents in the future through a variety of changes to product labels, the registration process, and consumer outreach. EPA is also developing more stringent testing and evaluation requirements for both existing and new products.

Flea and tick products can be appropriate treatments for protecting pets and public health because fleas and ticks can transmit disease to animals and humans. Pesticides are poisons and safe use is important. Consumers must read and follow label directions, taking care to use the product that is appropriate for their pet. We believe that the changes EPA is seeking will reduce incidents related to these products. EPA is committed to addressing these incidents by implementing the necessary regulatory changes to ensure that these products can be used safely.”

NORTH JEFFERSON — Pet groomers in northern Jefferson County are accepting donations to help with the oil spill crisis at the Gulf of Mexico.

But they aren’t asking for money; instead, many groomers are collecting hair.

“Hair absorbs the oil,” said Al Ramsey, a groomer who works with Stewart Animal Clinic in Warrior. “When they get the oil absorbed, they can squeeze it out of the hair booms and salvage the oil.”

Ramsey has been collecting hair for two weeks. He also works in Huntsville and Guntersville.

“I’ve got hair from everything from horses to cats to dogs. They don’t really care what it is, it’s all hair,” said Ramsey.

Myra Mabrie, owner of Doggie’s Choice Grooming Salon in Fultondale, said her shop used to just throw the hair away.

“Until this happened, we didn’t know they could use dog hair to do this,” said Mabrie. “All the groomers and hair salons ought to do it.” Mabrie said she would help deliver other groomers’ hair to collection centers if they couldn’t do it themselves.

Karen Morro, owner of Myra’s Pet Salon in Gardendale, said they just started collecting, but that hair accumulates quickly.

“We can fill up a 39 gallon garbage can in a day,” said Amanda Horsley, a groomer at Myra’s Pet Salon. Ramsey said he can collect as much as 20 pounds of hair a day, and Mabrie said she has collected several 50-gallon size garbage bags full of hair.

Horsley said most of the hair is even clean, since the animals are usually bathed before they have their hair cut.

Each groomer sends the hair to a collection center: Doggie’s Choice sends theirs to Trussville, Myra’s Pet Salon is sending theirs to a radio station that’s holding a hair drive, and Ramsey sends his to a woman in Huntsville. The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico started on April 20. It covers at least 2,500 square miles.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR Log (Press Release) – May 03, 2010 – RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association (www.ncvma.org) has announced that Gov. Bev Perdue has signed a proclamation declaring May 2-8 as Pet Week. National Pet Week is an annual week of awareness designed to promote responsible pet ownership, celebrate the human-animal bond and promote public awareness of veterinary medicine. This year’s theme, “Pets and People – Healthy Together,” aims to raise awareness about the similar health issues caused by obesity in humans and animals, including osteoarthritis, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and various cancers. Visit www.petweek.org for more information, animal health resources and games.

QUOTES:
“We are extremely pleased that Gov. Perdue has recognized Pet Week in North Carolina,” said Claire Holley, executive director of the NCVMA. “We hope that this week inspires pet owners to consider how they can lead healthy lifestyles along with their pets.”

DETAILS:
- National Pet Week was founded in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Auxiliary to the AVMA. For more information about the AVMA, visit www.avma.org.

ABOUT THE NORTH CAROLINA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION:
The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association (NCVMA) is a professional organization of veterinarians dedicated to compassionate animal care and quality medicine. The NCVMA promotes integrity and excellence in veterinary medicine, provides the highest quality continuing education programs and conferences, supports its members through public relations and marketing efforts to the public and governing officials, lobbies on behalf of the interests of the entire profession, and serves as an advocate and voice for veterinary medicine in the state. For more information, visit www.ncvma.org, or call (800) 446-2862 or (919) 851-5850.

Brittney Storm
MMI Public Relations
(919) 233-6600
brittney@mmipublicrelations.com
www.twitter.com/MMIPR
www.mmipublicrelations.com

Read more: http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/05/03/1454270/haircuts-support-animal-shelter.html#ixzz0mtYgKqCC

sschrock@star-telegram.com

By Elena Tucker, Staff Writer, The Boerne Star

Although Hollywood’s “dog whisperer” is internationally known, the Hill Country can actually boast a dog trainer whose credentials are even more impressive.

Stewart Hilliard, who didn’t acquire his first working dog until he was 20, got into the work because his home had been broken into.

Upon asking police how to prevent future robberies, he recalls being told, “’Well, a dog really helps.’ I took that as an excuse to talk my mother into buying a German Shepherd,” he said with a smile, “and that began about 30 years in dog training.”

These days, with a doctorate in animal learning as well as a well-muscled curriculum vitae, Hilliard has become author, informational video writer and director, internationally recognized consultant to military and law enforcement groups and an in-demand lecturer.

His seminars generate rave online reviews from amateur attendees and peers alike. His work with explosives detection dogs could be considered a front-line defense.

“In the 21st century, dogs have never been as important as they are right now, principally because of their olfactory capabilities,” Hilliard said. “And there is nothing on the horizon to replace them.”

He also makes home visits. Given the demand for his services, why does Hilliard work with everyday pet owners? It boils down to his personal pooch relationships.

“I’ve always had a dog around,” Hilliard said. “Having a dog is just indispensable to me. I need the smell, the feel, the warmth of a dog. At all times. Always.”

While a lot of people may share his feelings, many don’t understand the dispositions of their pets.

“Most people are not in very good touch with the nature of the dog,” Hilliard said. “They don’t understand very well what dogs are.”

Such misunderstandings give rise to incompatibilities, which, in turn, can create frustration, disappointment, embarrassment, anger or even danger. Hilliard is all-too aware how many dog owners are “having to work way too hard” or, in worst-cases, actually end up surrendering their pets to a shelter or having them put down.

Such failures don’t happen because people don’t care. Hilliard knows that. “People go to extraordinary lengths to accommodate their dogs,” he said. “They simply don’t know how to make the dog fit in.”

The same genetic origins that allow dogs to live so happily with people can also be the most misunderstood.

“The reason that dogs interact so well with humans is their heritage of living in groups,” Hilliard said. At the same time, he added, their “pack” mentality will trigger needs and impulses that “are not compatible with domestic life unless you manage them.” Given a dog’s instincts and capabilities, Hilliard said, “the world that we experience is not the world that the animal experiences.”

What Hilliard most wants to see is a successful relationship between the pet owner and the dog, “to improve the welfare of the dogs and the way dogs function in the home.” Default seems to indicate that if the owner is not happy, the dog will not be happy either. “Ultimately,” Hilliard said, “dogs have to conform to our ways.”

Aggression in pets is one of the most common and potentially damaging issues that Hilliard is called upon to address. It can also be the most stubborn and hard to correct – but aggression is also a behavior that Hilliard has spent an entire career studying.

“The kind of stuff that your average dog trainer does to try to fix a really aggressive dog is normally not successful,” Hilliard said. “These problems are intractable – lots of people have no success with them and vets refer these people to me.”

However Hilliard’s expectations for pet owners embrace more than mere safety.

“I don’t just do training for dogs with profound problems,” Hilliard said, “I do training to just try to make the experience of owning a dog more fulfilling and more fun.”

According to Hilliard, it can be the dog owner’s very efforts at kindness that often become the greatest obstacle to the dog’s happiness.

“I’m often surprised at the complete behavioral freedom some owners give their dog,” he said. “What a novel notion to people that it is not only their prerogative, but it’s their obligation to control their dog’s behavior – that dogs cannot be allowed to follow all their impulses, otherwise they will not fit in to our society successfully.”

Such training is easiest given early on. “Ideally the best time for somebody to call me is when they buy an 8-week old puppy. Or, as soon as they bring their dog home from the shelter, they can call me in order to avoid problems.”

Although Hilliard admits that his is a “strange m�©tier,” he also says that there are dozens of dog trainers like himself across the United States, and that the field is continually developing.

“Dog training now is unrecognizable to what it was 50 years ago,” he said. “Our understanding of the way that dogs learn and how we can most clearly communicate with them and how we can most effectively motivate them is increasing by leaps and bounds. Dog training is a subject that you can pursue all of your life.”

Hilliard, who will be featured on FOX News’ Sean Hannity show later this month, suffers no shortage of venues when it comes to big-time teaching opportunities.
But the role of companion dog holds an obviously warm place in Hilliard’s heart. “I heard the saying somewhere: ‘Heaven is the place where every dog you’ve ever owned runs up to you,’” he said, “And when I think about having each of my dogs in vigor and health run up to me in heaven – it can just about yank tears out of my eyes.”

Similarly, the clients with whom he most enjoys working, Hilliard said, “are the people who really, really like dogs and care about dogs – but they have a very practical sense of what a dog is. They understand that our priorities come before the dog’s priorities and that the way to live most successfully with a dog is to humanely, but effectively and assertively mold the dog to your environment and your lifestyle, rather than molding yourself and your lifestyle around the dog.”

It’s the only way to live in harmony with the dog, Hilliard emphasized again. “It is the humane thing to do. Because if you control your dog’s behavior effectively,” Hilliard concluded, “the dog will be a successful dog for you and he will live all his life with you and die a happy dog.”

Need to fix a problem with a pooch? To schedule a home visit, call Dr. Stewart Hilliard at 210-382-4872.

Our phones have been ringing with regard to the news that family cats in Ames, Iowa, and Oregon have been confirmed with the H1N1, or swine flu virus.

While the stories are true and there is concern as far as which species may break with the virus, it frankly does not change the way we treat felines with respiratory virus symptoms.

However, it does bring sanitation issues to the forefront, just as the human exposure to the H1N1 has caused us to have conscientious sanitation habits.

I’ll summarize these recommendations at the end of the column.

First, let me address the common questions I’ve been answering lately:

n Do we have a vaccine against H1N1 for pets? No. We have parinfluenza, canine influenza (a different virus), and bordatella vaccines for dogs. We also rhinotracheitis, calicivirus. and bordatella vaccines for cats.

However, there has been no H1N1 vaccine developed for dogs or cats. The human vaccine is not recommended for pet use.

n Is there a reliable test for H1N1 in pets? Unfortunately, not a convenient test for practitioners.

The case of the Iowa cat was only pinned down because of the special interest by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University and their associated diagnostic testing center (National Veterinary Services Laboratory) based in Ames.

Such testing is not economically or time practical for the practicing veterinarian as it is a government-requested test that must go through NVSL channels.

n How does a veterinarian recognize a case of H1N1 or for that matter, any other flu case in a dog or cat? Actually, this is not too different from human flu symptoms.

Fever, lethargy, runny nose, lack of appetite, coughing and possibly sneezing. In other words, the symptoms resemble the respiratory viral infections in pets that we’ve traditionally seen over the years.

n So what can you veterinarians do for a dog or a cat with these symptoms?

We use supportive care, including fluids, antibiotics and I personally employ anti-pyretics to initially reduce fever. Most pets respond well at home, as long as they are eating, and as long as other pets aren’t potentially in line to get infected.

n How contagious do you think this swine flu is? As a profession, we’re not sure. However, we do know that good sanitation begins with us as health care providers for pets and that extends to within our facilities.

The AVMA came out with a statement for veterinarians this past week, encouraging following stringent protocols for keeping infectious diseases under control.

Any contagious-appearing pets should be isolated/quarantined, and all veterinary staff should practice thorough disinfection and hygiene throughout the day. Of course, thorough hand washing between patients is a must.

I’ll keep you readers posted on H1N1, and note if and when other cases are reported.

For the record, three cases of ferrets being positive for H1N1 have been reported, once again from households where human influenza had been active. Once again, we humbly monitor, yet cannot predict when and where the H1N1 virus may show up next.

Dr. Chris Duke, a veterinarian at Bienville Animal Medical Center in Ocean Springs, welcomes questions for this column. Write to South Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, 20005 Pineville Road, Long Beach MS 39560 and include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

The FDA Pet Food site”ensures that the ingredients used in pet food are safe and have an appropriate function in the pet food”

Since April 2009, four major pet food companies have had recalled pet food products. Perhaps the reason why the pet food industry has disregarded pet health consumption can be attributed to the increase in pet supply sales, as the pet food companies focus solely on making money rather than keeping pets healthy. Since 2007, pet sales have continued to rise, even during the recession. American Pet Product Association’s 2008 research shows pet supply distribution has reached a $4.2 billion total.

“This increase in sales should not be a reason why our pet’s health and consumption is being overlooked,” said Victoria, PR Director of Pet-Super-Store, an online pet supply company.

The FDA will continue to survey all future pet food products.