Dear Dr. Forsythe: I was wondering if there was any new information about the pet food recall that happened earlier this year. I am still very weary of pet food, and I have been cooking for my dog. But I would like to get him some dog treats.
Karen,
Sonoma
Dear Karen: I do have a handful of clients who are dealing with complaints against the manufacturers of pet foods that we believe made their dogs/cats very sick earlier this year. These clients report to me that closure has been rather slow for them, with lots of correspondence, photocopying, and supportive documentation from my medical files as well.
I happened to have been at a high-end pet boutique in Marin County a few weeks ago and noticed that in addition to very high quality foods, the store also sold bags of jerky treats for dogs that were made in China. When I asked the store owner about this, he assured me that they were safe. However, some weeks later I noticed that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still testing multiple brands of jerky treats manufactured in China because there have been reports of vomiting and diarrhea and lethargy after ingestion. When I read this information, I immediately remembered seeing those bags of jerky in that store, just weeks ago, and thinking how careful we still must be when making choices for our pets.
I think it is perfectly fine for you to use an acceptable home-cook recipe for your pet, as long as you are consistent and don’t begin feeding scraps of “people food” which could cause stomach problems. I also suggest the healthy and natural treats that are readily available at Three Dog Bakery and Sonoma Dog Camp as well as other locations in town. Unless your pet has specific food allergies, these high quality, safe products should satisfy your pet’s need for a treat, and curb your worry about feeding harmful ingredients to him. I firmly believe that Melamine should stay in Corian countertops where it belongs and not be put into our pet Corgis, where it does not!!
Dr. F
Dear Dr. Forsythe: How often do pets that are staying overnight in a pet hospital need to be checked? Is there someone who stays overnight with them when they are in the “hospital”? Is there a policy with vets how often they must check the animals? Why don’t veterinary hospitals have visiting hours?
Missing my baby
Dear Missing: The amount of “checking” pets get depends on the facility they are in and the condition they are in. This is not something set in stone, nor is it regulated by an agency, but is up to the discretion of the people who operate the hospital. If your pet is in a primary care facility, (a basic care pet clinic) then the doctors or technicians usually come in after hours to check on a sick or recovering pet when necessary. If more than this level of supervision is required, the pet is usually sent to a specialty/emergency facility such as PetCare in Santa Rosa where doctors and nurses work 24 hours a day so the pet is attended to constantly.
There are a few reasons why it seems like veterinary hospitals don’t have “visiting hours.” Often pets become depressed after their humans leave after a visit. Veterinary hospitals are often cramped for space and are very busy, so creating a quiet, tranquil place for human/pet visitation can be a challenge, especially if the pet is receiving fluids or other treatments. Actually, many hospitals that I know do allow owners to schedule a time to come in and visit their pet if the pet is undergoing a long stay (i.e., more than a day or two). Since every pet is different, sometimes a visit from mom or dad will really help boost a pet up-often they will start eating better and perk up. So depending on the pets personality and owner/pet dynamic, veterinary hospitals usually try to be very accommodating and will let you have a chance to visit with your pooch or kitty when the pet is sick.
Thanks for a great question.
Dr. F
