April 23, 2008 — From Scientific American

WASHINGTON - U.S. makers of pet food and all other animal feed will be prevented from using certain materials from cattle at the greatest risk for spreading mad cow disease under a rule that regulators finalized on Wednesday.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which oversees animal feed, said excluding high-risk materials from cattle 30 months of age or older from all animal feed will prevent any accidental cross-contamination between ruminant feed (intended for animals such as cattle) and non-ruminant feed or feed ingredients.

The new rule takes effect in April, 2009.

Contamination could occur during manufacture, transport or through the accidental misfeeding of non-ruminant feed to ruminant animals.

Canada and the United States banned the inclusion of protein from cows and other ruminant animals such as goats and sheep in cattle feed in 1997, following a mad cow outbreak in Britain.

The measure issued today finalizes a proposed rule opened for public comment in October 2005. It goes into effect on April 23, 2009.

The major U.S. safeguards against mad cow disease are the feed ban, a prohibition against slaughtering most “downer” cattle — animals too sick to walk on their own — for human food, and a requirement for meatpackers to remove from carcasses the brains, spinal cords and other parts most likely to contain the malformed proteins blamed for the disease.

Mad cow disease is a fatal, brain-wasting disease believed to be spread by contaminated feed. People can contract a human version of the disease, know as Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, or vCJD, which scientists believe can be spread by eating contaminated parts from an infected animal.

The United States has found three cases of mad cow disease, including the first one detected in December of 2003. Soon after, U.S. beef exports were virtually halted. U.S. official have been slowly working to resume beef shipments.

FDA bans certain cattle parts from all animal feed………..
To read the entire story, click Here

Happy Spring! As many of you may know, in the past I treated humans as well as dogs. I no longer treat humans however my husband Norman Kraft, L.Ac. does. For those of you living on the North Shore of MA, we invite you to his new location in Salem. The Acupuncture Center of Salem (his practice name) is located inside the Essex Street Mall on the first floor, sharing space with Acupuncture Solutions.

Norman Kraft is an acupuncturist, herbalist, clinical hypnotherapist and author living and practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. In this holistic health and wellness practice his areas of expertise include:

* Headaches/Migraines
* General Wellness
* Infertility (female and male)
* Internal Medicine
* Musculoskeletal Disorders
* Oncology Support
* Pain Management
* Psychological/Emotional Disorders
* Sports Acupuncture
* Stress/Anxiety

To learn more visit his website at www.MyAcuDoc.com

Eco Dog
By Corbett Marshall and Jim Deskevich

Amazon Book review writes,”If the family is eating organic foods, recycling, and steering clear of chemicals, why shouldn’t it be the same for Fido?

Eco Dog is a comprehensive guide to nontoxic and planet-friendly dog care. It delivers information on the potential dangers of conventional pet food, grooming products, and accessories and then offers shopping tips and 25 home projects for all-natural alternatives.

Rosemary Conditioner replaces chemical-laden flea collars while a Felted Dog Blanket recycles sweaters long past their prime. With cheerful photos of doggies enjoying organic treats, Eco Dog is a clear reminder that a healthy dog is a happy dog.”

You can find Eco Dog at your friendly neighborhood bookstore, library or Amazon.com

Toxic chemicals found in dogs, cats, study finds
By Doug Oakley
East Bay Daily News
Article Launched: 04/17/2008 08:27:40 PM PDT

Fire retardants, mercury and stain-proof coatings are just some of the chemicals found in the bodies of live dogs and cats in a new study by an environmental group pushing for more regulation.

The chemicals could point to an increase in cancer and hyperthyroidism in cats and dogs, according to the Environmental Working Group, which released the study at a news conference in Berkeley on Thursday.

The group tested blood and urine from 20 dogs and 37 cats in a Virginia veterinary clinic. It found 48 industrial chemicals were present.

The pets likely ingested the chemicals because they live close to floors and lick the ground and their paws, the group said. Infants and toddlers also are close to the ground and put things in their mouths, which puts them at the same kind of risk as cats and dogs, the group said.

That scenario underscores the need for state and federal legislation requiring proof that chemicals are safe before putting them in consumer products, said Bill Walker, vice president of the group’s West Coast operations.

“We need a better system of regulating toxic chemicals in this country,” Walker said. “We need to test the chemicals before they are allowed on the market. Our animals are trying to tell us something here.”

Gary Richter, a veterinarian at Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland who attended the news conference, said he is worried about household chemicals and their effects on pets.

“There’s been an increase in cancer in dogs and cats and hyperthyroidism in cats,” Richter said. “Household toxins are concerning. We hope the research community can determine if the causes are environmental.”

Richter said the high number of cases of cancer and hyperthyroidism in pets can be attributed to better diagnosing of the illnesses. The fact that cats and dogs are living longer means they get more diseases as a result, he added.

Kendra Borja, a spokeswoman for the American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical manufacturers, said she had not seen the animal study, but said tests of chemicals in humans can be misleading without some context.

To read the rest of this article visit mercurynews.com

Give your dog the world! This Orbee-Tuff ball by Planet Dog has been voted the “world’s best dog ball”. Not only is this ball adorable but it is made of all non-toxic ingredients and is 100% recyclable.

Other eco-friendly products by Planet Dog include natural hemp collars and harnesses, dog beds and more.

Ask for Planet Dog toys and products at your local pet supply shop or visit their website.
www.planetdog.com

More than 4 million tons of dog poop is collected each year. Dog waste is thought to be third or fourth on the list of contributors to bacteria in contaminated waters. Yuck! (One more reason for you or your pets not to drink tap water.)

What can you do help? First, always pick up after your dog. But what do you put it in? Most people like to use the plastic bags that come from grocery stores. Unfortunately these bags are not biodegradable, becoming something that our great grandchildren will still be finding. It would be better to bring your own canvas totes to the grocery store and skip using their plastic bags at all. Many stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joes now sell reusable grocery totes for a mere dollar.

Back to the problem of where to put your dog poop. I never thought I would be suggesting this in a blog, but there is a solution: 100% biodegradable dog poop bags are now available.

For more information on dog poop bags, cat box liners and other environmental friendly pet products check out the Poop Bag website.

www.poopbags.com

Tune in Friday April 4, 2008

Thanks to Oprah Winfrey, the cruelty of puppy mills is being brought into the spotlight.

“The Oprah Winfrey Show” on April 4 shows how buying a purebred or trendy mixed-breed puppy at a pet store or Internet site often supports a cruel industry.

That’s because many of these pets are from puppy mills — large-scale operations that force “breeder dogs” to produce litter after litter to support consumer demand for puppies. The puppies themselves are prone to a variety of illnesses. Some die within days or weeks of purchase.

Click on Oprah’s website to find out when Oprah is on in your area www.oprah.com

You can help stop this suffering. Please visit the Humane Society website and sign the petition.
stoppuppymills

Bring Your Mat, and Man’s Best Friend
Yoga for Dogs Is Becoming Increasingly Popular Around the World
By RYAN OWENS and MELIA PATRIA
April 1, 2008

For thousands of years, the ancient practice of yoga has led to peace and enlightenment for people wishing to unite their body and mind. While some techniques have changed over time, chances are the early gurus did not anticipate the newest set of devotees: dogs.

“We’re going to Om, but I want you to actually Om towards the dog,” said instructor Kari Harendorf in front of a yoga class for dogs and their owners. “Inhale, Ommmm, Ommmm,” she continued.

The latest fitness craze for dog lovers is called “doga” and it’s coming to a mat near you. In a typical doga class, owners help their pups facilitate different poses, and they also do their own poses using the animals as helpful props. Owners also perform doggy massage and acupressure to help soothe and relax their pets.

“This is about you and your dog, and time with your dog,” said Harendorf as she began the class and instructed the owners on how to gently stretch their dogs’ legs and paws.

To read more of the ABC News article click on abcnews.go.com

Warming Recipe for your Dog

We all know there is nothing like a nice warm home cooked meal on a cold damp winter night. Here is a recipe for those dogs who suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia and other ailments made worse by the cold damp.

This is the recipe I used for my dog Merlin, a German Shepherd who suffered from hip dysplasia. He received regular acupuncture treatments, took Chinese herbs and had home-cooked congee for his meals. Merlin lived to be almost 15 years old.

Recipe for Merlin’s Magic Congee

Grains should be thoroughly cooked for animals, as they don’t really chew their food. Congee is a Chinese dish made from rice, meat and vegetables that is slow cooked and easy to digest

In a crock pot or heavy pot with lid add:

* 5 cups of spring or filtered (not tap) water or free-range chicken broth.
* 1 cup of grain.
* Several pieces of frozen or fresh organic chicken or turkey.
* 1 cup or more of chopped or frozen veggies such as carrots, celery, sweet potato, yams, parsley,string beans.

Use brown rice during the cold winter months. Use white basmati rice for spring or summer.

If cooking in a crock pot, set on low and cook for 4-6 hours. If using a heavy pot on the stove, set the flame or electric burner on the lowest setting, and cook for 4-6 hours.

New York Times
By MICHELLE SLATALLA
Published: March 13, 2008

WHEN my dog Otto was a puppy he behaved like an idiot, even for a Labrador retriever.

We haven’t been invited back to the Hamptons since the time he stole a cheeseburger from the hand of a child. Then he jumped into the pool, climbed out and shook himself off on the guests. That was probably forgivable. What came next — joyfully vomiting pool water, grass and ground beef at the host’s feet — was not.

I would like to say this behavior was atypical. But Otto was a spirited dog. He once toppled an elderly neighbor after he snouted her crotch too enthusiastically.

How I miss those days.

Now Otto is a slow-moving 9: X-rays show that he is arthritic, with swollen elbows. His orthopedist recently said he had a bulging disk. Despite every treatment known to modern veterinary science — from glucosamine tablets to prednisone to monthly injections designed to protect the cartilage in his joints — the only thing Otto throws himself into these days is our other dog’s food bowl.

Nobody is happy about Otto. A few weeks ago, he watched dejectedly as my husband and I set off on a hike without him.

Then, at the very place on the trail where Otto once rolled happily on the carcass of a dead mouse, we suddenly heard a rhino crashing through the bushes.

A crazy-eyed, burr-covered retriever emerged. We would have mistaken the dog for the ghost of Otto’s youth if not for its white, old man’s muzzle.

The dog’s owner appeared on the trail a few seconds later.

“How old is he?” my husband asked, absently picking a burr from behind the dog’s ear.

“Twelve,” the owner said.

“He’s in great shape,” my husband said.

“He used to be barely able to walk,” the owner said.

What helped relieve the dog’s arthritis and joint pain? Acupuncture, the owner said.

We were skeptical. “Otto would pull out the needles with his teeth,” my husband replied.

“No, it doesn’t bother them,” the owner insisted.

We watched his dog grab a 10-foot branch at the side of the trail and wave it dangerously, like a scimitar. Just like Otto used to.

“Any minute now, he’ll put out someone’s eye with that sharp tip,” I said wistfully.

The next morning, I Googled “veterinary acupuncture.” That is how I learned that this version of the ancient Chinese therapy that calls for inserting needles into specific locations on pets is gaining steam, even outside Northern California.
To read the rest of this article click on newyorktimes.com