Pet Health Care

The Michigan Department of Community Health has immediately suspended the license to practice veterinary medicine of Kurt A. Henkel, D.V.M., based on his convictions in the 40th Judicial Circuit Court, Lapeer County, Michigan.

Lane County Animal Services (LCAS) wants your pets to have a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday. Please keep in mind that while the festivities may be enjoyable for people, they can be traumatic and even dangerous to pets.

To keep your pets and animals safe this holiday, LCAS staff offer the following tips:

Secure pets or animals in a quiet place where they will feel safe.

Use caution with open flames and fireworks as pets may be burned or could chase the fireworks and become injured.

In light of the heat-related death of a dog left in a vehicle at the Rivertown Crossings Mall in Grandville, the Kent County Animal Shelter reminds pet owners that it is NEVER acceptable to leave pets unattended in vehicles.

The European Commission adopted a proposal according to which transitional animal health requirements applicable to the movement of pet animals travelling with their owners to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Sweden and the United Kingdom are to be extended until 31 December 2011. The proposal will be discussed by the European Parliament and the Council, with a view to formal adoption through the co-decision procedure.

What do the rules currently in force provide for?

In light of the recent seizures of 96 young red-eared slider turtles, the Baltimore City Health Department, in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, reminds the public that Maryland and federal laws prohibit the sale or public distribution of turtles with a shell length of less than 4 inches and viable reptile eggs. Reptiles and other pets may carry and transmit harmful germs (including salmonella) to humans.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the approval of Palladia (toceranib phosphate), the first drug developed specifically for the treatment of cancer in dogs.

Palladia is approved to treat canine cutaneous (skin-based) mast cell tumors, a type of cancer responsible for about 1 out of 5 cases of canine skin tumors. The drug is approved to treat the tumors with or without regional lymph node involvement.

The diagnosis of a rabid raccoon in the Flat Rock Community of Conecuh County has prompted public officials to encourage pet owners to ensure their dogs and cats are vaccinated against the fatal disease.

Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE COMPLETE CARE Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO MAX Cat Dry Foods with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries. This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier.

Therapy dogs might be responsible for spreading MRSA and C. Difficile. One such study suggests that canines used for pet therapy; kissed, and handled by patients might also need their paws sanitized to prevent spread of MRSA and C. Difficile.

The Nassau County Department of Health, in partnership with the Town of North Hempstead, is offering a free rabies vaccination clinic for dogs, cats and ferrets on Saturday, May 16, 2009.

Open to all Nassau County residents, the clinic will be held from 10:00 AM to 1:00 P.M. at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter located at 75 Marina Avenue, Port Washington, New York. Please keep dogs on leashes and cats/ferrets in carriers.