Pet food recall & poison help reminder from trainer Nicole Berthiaume

Nature's Variety has issued a voluntary recall of all of its raw frozen chicken diets with any "Best If Used By" date on or before 2/5/11 due to possible Salmonella contamination. To view the full FDA press release with more info. on the recall, please click here:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm203612.htm

The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center has released its list of the 10 Most Common Pet Poisons of 2009. While human medications have held the # 1 spot for many years, a few notable lesser-known pet poisons include: grapes, raisins and xylitol, and plants such as azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera. To view the entire list, please click here:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/top-10-pet-poisons-of-the-year.html

A few of my clients have sadly lost their pets to accidental poisoning, and even more have had very close calls but luckily were able to save their pets thanks to preparedness and quick action. I HIGHLY recommend that all pet owners (including all family members and caretakers) input the phone numbers for their local After-Hours Emergency Vet Clinic AND the ASPCA Animal Poison Control into their cell phones. (It's also a good idea to input the address of your local Emergency Vet Clinic into your car or cell phone's GPS.)

Don't be shocked when the Animal Poison Control Center asks you for your credit card number. There is a $65 consultation fee, but they will tell you whether the type and amount of toxic substance your pet has ingested warrants a vet visit, and $65 is much cheaper than an emergency vet visit!

For more info. on what to do in case your pet is poisoned:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/what-to-do-if-your-pet-is-poisoned.html

I hope you never have to use them, but below are some important phone numbers to have in your cell phones in case of emergency:

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435

Emergency Vets:

TLC Pet Medical Center 24 Hour
www.tlcvet.com

South Pasadena
(626) 441-8555

West Hollywood
(310) 859-4852


Animal Emergency Clinic of Pasadena
(East Pasadena)
(626) 564-0704 or (800) PET-3911


Emergency Pet Clinic of San Gabriel Valley El Monte
(626) 579-4550

Eagle Rock Emergency Pet Clinic
(323) 254-7382

Animal Specialty Group
www.asgvets.com

Glendale/East L.A. Area
(818) 244-7977

Nicole Berthiaume, CPDT-KA
www.teacherspetdogtraining.com
www.petexpertise.com/teacherspet
(626) 841-1327