Pet Care Workshop Sunday June 10th 1:00-2:30!

Pet Care Seminar JUNE10  1:00-2:30pm, light refreshments served. Come one... Come all... Its Pet Safety & Medical information class.... Its a First Aid, Medical advice, emergency care, oh my gosh care and I'm not sure what to do care.... Along with Is this a real emergency? how to give pills, drops, creams and more.... With time for you Q&A! This jam packed seminar is ideal for all owners (NO DOGS PLEASE) during this 1.5 session a variety of topics will be covered. Please feel welcome to bring friends and family. Please no children unless they can sit and enjoy the workshop. This Pet Care Seminar is taught by Kristen Neal; Kristin is a veterinary technician with experience and training in small and large animal wellness and small animal surgery. She is currently working as an anesthesia tech in the community spay/neuter clinic at Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society in Springfield, MA. Her veterinary passions are humane work and anything else that improves our pets' quality of life. Her personal loves are riding and training horses, teaching people, the great outdoors, and of course, training, playing with, and loving dogs! Held At Leading the Way, 18 Chestnut St Florence, Ma 01062 cost: just $5.00

Update on the Pet Food Recall... Please share with friends

Major Brand Pet Foods Recalled Due To Salmonella On May 4, 2012, Diamond Pet Foods expanded a pet food recall due to possible salmonella contamination.  More than a dozen people in several states may have been infected due to contact with contaminated pet food.   Affected foods include specific lots of dry dog and cat food branded as: Diamond Pet Food Kirkland Signature (Costco brand) Natural Balance Wellness (WelPet LLC) Canidae Apex Pet Foods Solid Gold Health Products For Pets, Inc. These foods were widely distributed in the U.S. and Canada. You can check your pet food to see if it has been recalled.  Affected bags of food have best-before dates between December 9, 2012, and April 7, 2013.   Recalled foods include: ·  Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul ·  Country Value ·  Diamond ·  Diamond Naturals ·  Premium Edge ·  Professional ·  4Health ·  Taste of the Wild ·  Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Lamb ·  Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken ·  Kirkland Signature Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken ·  Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken &    Vegetables ·  Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula ·  Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula ·  Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs ·  Wellness Complete Health® Super5Mix® Large Breed Puppy ·  Canidae Dog, All Life Stages ·  Canidae Dog, Chicken Meal & Rice ·  Canidae Dog, Lamb Meal & Rice ·  Canidae Dog, Platinum ·  Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog ·  Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog ·  Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog ·  Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog ·  Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Large Breed Bites ·  Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Small Breed Bites ·   WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food ·  Solid Gold WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Salmonella is a bacterial infection that can affect both animals and humans.  Symptoms may include decreased appetite, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain.  Pets and people who carry the disease can infect others, so if you or your pet are experiencing symptoms and you have purchased and used the affected dog food, take all due precaution and see a doctor and/or veterinarian.  You can prevent spread of the disease by washing your hands thoroughly and following physician instructions. If you have purchased one of the recalled pet foods, you should immediately stop feeding it to your animals, and contact the place you purchased the pet food from - refunds may be available.  For complete information, visit the Diamond Pet Foods recall page, the Costco pet product recall pages, the Natural Balance recall page, the Wellness recall page, the Canidae recall page, the Solid Gold Health Products for Pets, Inc. recall page, or the FDA's recall page, which has information on multiple brands in the Animal Health section.  The CDC also has information on documented salmonella contamination.

Pet Food Recalls May 2012

Update on the Pet Food Recalls! 2012 Recalls and Safety Alerts May 07, 2012 Wellpet LLC Voluntarily Recalls One Recipe Of Dry Dog Food Due To Salmonella At Diamond Pet Foods' Facility Salmonella May 05, 2012 UPDATED: CORRECT PRODUCTION CODE INFORMATION Canidae Pet Foods Initiates Voluntary Recall of Dry Pet Food Due to the Potential for Salmonella Salmonella May 05, 2012 UPDATED: CORRECT PRODUCTION CODE INFORMATION Diamond Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Recall of Dry Pet Food Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination Salmonella May 04, 2012 Apex Pet Foods Initiates Voluntary Recall of Dry Pet Food Due to the Potential for Salmonella - No Pet or Human Illnesses have been Reported Associated With Apex Dog Food Salmonella May 04, 2012 Natural Balance Pet Foods Initiates Voluntary Recall of Certain Dry Pet Food Due to the Potential for Salmonella Contamination Salmonella April 30, 2012 Kaytee Recalls Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk Salmonella April 30, 2012 Diamond Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Recall to Include Diamond Puppy Formula due to Possible Salmonella Contamination Salmonella April 26, 2012 Diamond Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Recall of One Production Run of Dry Dog Food Due to a Potential Health Risk Recall is limited to one formula of Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul distributed to 10 states Salmonella

Rosemary and seizures is there a connection..??

ROSEMARY EXTRACT = PET FOOD NEUROTOXIN   Does your new “natural” cat or dog food contain herbs such as rosemary extract, a neurotoxin that can cause neurological problems, seizures and anemia?   When Veterinarians reported that Premium Edge caused neurological problems in cats, testing found that one batch lacked Vitamin B1 (thiamine) but the real culprit in cat and dog foods may be rosemary extract, a natural neurotoxin. Adverse reactions, including seizures, can show up soon after ingestion but symptoms may also be delayed which complicates accurate diagnosis.   Nel Liquorman, Health Editor / © TheDogPress 03|12|10 - There is growing concern since pet food companies began adding rosemary extracts.  Very few veterinarians are aware that rosemary or other herbs present a danger.  Many vets don’t even realize that herbs have become a popular pet food ingredient.   When changes are made to existing recipes, new ingredients are simply added to the label listing.   According to Mombu.com/medicine, "ROSEMARY EXTRACT: Flavoring. PAE: illness. An ounce can cause death" (PAE indicates potential adverse affects).  We already know that rosemary extract can cause seizures in cats and small dogs, so it is possible that large dogs will also experience adverse effects depending on the ratio ingested.  Sadly, a vet may begin treatment for epilepsy without ever suspecting the real cause for seizures.  While Phenobarbital will control or reduce seizures, the animal continues to consume the ingredient and neurological damage continues.   Even though FDA considers most herbs GRAS (generally regarded as safe) Pet food companies should research any herbal extract intended for a pet food recipe. Holistic practitioners warn that herbal extracts, such as rosemary, sage, thyme, wormwood, dill, and mint, may be “mind-stimulating and “contributors to seizures” and note, they are referring to conditions brought about when these substances are ingested by susceptible humans, not by a dog or cat only a fraction of a human’s weight. When “Natural” became a marketing buzzword in pet food after the 2007 melamine disaster many cat and dog food makers capitalized on the “natural food” concept by adding herbs, including rosemary extract, to their foods. Notably, holistic practitioners refer to herbal extracts such as rosemary, sage, thyme, wormwood, dill, and mint, as mind-stimulating contributors to seizures. While a sprinkling of rosemary may be a healthy, delightful addition to spaghetti sauce, in certain forms, herbs can be anything but “healthy.” According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (1) rosemary can interact with supplements, medications, and even other herbs. Most references for herbal use carry the caveat “herbal extracts should be used under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner.” There have been reports of allergic reactions due to their volatile oil content. Reactions in humans include vomiting, spasms, coma and fluid in the lungs. Obviously the effect on a smaller animal such as a dog or cat could be much greater. European researchers found that rosemary interferes with absorption of iron in the diet, resulting in anemia in humans. When pets are diagnosed with anemia, the cause is commonly diagnosed as flea bites. Few vets would relate anemia to rosemary extract in pet food so the anemic dog or cat is treated for fleas with a regime of dipping or oral flea prevention which may further affect the immune system. UMMC states that rosemary oil (extract) should never be taken orally, so it makes no sense to add it to a pet food recipe. Their experts also said “Because rosemary has not been studied in children, it is not recommended for medicinal use in those under age 18.” That caution was for occasional medicinal use but when cat or dog foods contain rosemary extract, pets are ingesting it on a daily basis for months or years! In addition to problems associated with rosemary in pet foods, there are many other questionable substances, such as soy products, newly created fiber additives (prebiotics), live bacteria (probiotics), waste products such as soybean hulls, and even dangerous levels of fluoride in many cat and dog foods. The only good pet food is one that has been carefully researched!   http://www.thedogpress.com/DogFood/Rosemary-Neurotoxin-10032_Liquorman.asp #116125   Reference Article Link:  (1) http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/rosemary-000271.htm

Two Great workshops! One weekend!

Two great workshops in one weekend!

First!----

Sat: APRIL 14, 2012 Time: 12-5pm

Leading the Way is excited to hosting a Tellington TTouch Body Workshop

With Sally Morgan Tellington TTouch Instructor, this workshop will be April 14 from 12-5pm. SPACE is limited to just 12 handlers. Audit space available Cost: Dog Handler $50. Audit (no dog) just $15

To register simply send a response to THIS email with your contact info.

Don't miss this GREAT workshop!

T-Touch....

CAN HELP SHY DOGS

GREAT FOR RECENTLY RESCUED DOGS

FOR ALL AGES AND ALL STAGES

GREAT FOR PUPPIES

WONDERFUL TO WORK OF FEARS/PHOBIAS

Tellington TTouch Bodywork uses a combination of circles, slides and lifts to increase awareness and sensation, reduce stress and relax tension held in the body.

This promotes a sense of well being that allows the body to function to it's full potential in the healing process.

While bodywork may look like massage, it is usually gentler, with a softer touch and works on the nervous system rather than the muscles. By clearing blockages cause by tension and stress, we can send messages to the brain, allowing the animals to make conscious choices in behaviour.

As the body comes into balance via touches and groundwork exercise, the mind and emotions also find their balance!

TTouch uses non-habitual movements to activate unused neurological pathways to the brain. This indeed turns uncooperative animals into willing partners. While TTouch is used to alleviate many problems, it is also just a great way to connect and bond with your pet.

Tellington TTouch is a gentle and unique method of working with both health and behavioral problems in animals.

It includes both bodywork and movement exercises that positively influence behavior, performance, co-ordination, balance and well-being, while deepening understanding and the relationship between humans and animals.

These, non-invasive touches & exercises influence habitual patterns of tension and posture by giving new information to the nervous system. As a result, animals relax and learn to make better choices.

Developed by internationally known animal expert, Linda Tellington-Jones, TTouch is based on cooperation and understanding rather than dominance. These revolutionary techniques promote optimal performance and health without fear or force

TTouch ™ - the Tellington-Touch - is a method based on circular movements of the fingers and hands all over the body. The intent of the TTouch is to activate the function of the cells and awaken cellular intelligence - a little like "turning on the electric lights of the body." The TTouch is done on the entire body, and each circular TTouch is complete within itself. Therefore it is not necessary to understand anatomy to be successful in speeding up the healing of injuries or ailments, or changing undesirable habits or behavior.

Using a combination of specific touches, lifts, and movement exercises, TTouch helps to release tension and increase body awareness. This allows the animal to be handled without provoking typical fear responses. The animal can then more easily learn new and more appropriate behaviors. By using the TTouch and a variety of other tools, like the Confidence Course, you can assist the animal in experiencing self-confidence in previously frightening situations. Even the most difficult problems are often eliminated. You can also learn how to apply the Tellington TTouch to assist with recovery from illness or injury, or just enhance the quality of your animal's life.

This gentle method is currently being used by animal owners, trainers, breeders, veterinarians, zoo personnel and shelter workers in several countries. There are many certified practitioners teaching TTouch around the world who can show you how to help you with your dog, cat or other pet.

2 WHEN WOULD ONE USE THE TELLINGTON TTOUCH?

For Improving behaviour or temperament

For an older animal that is in pain [i.e. arthritis, hip dysplasia, etc.]

For mobility problems

To Help injuries and surgery to heal more quickly

To deepen the bond between you and your pet

To improve you pet’s confidence, balance, agility or performance

If your animal is fearful of thunderstorms and loud noises

If your animal is getting near the end of it's life and you'd like to do something to alleviate the pain and help in the passing.

About Sally Morgan, she is:

Licensed Physical Therapist, Certified CranioSacral therapy techniques, Certified Upledger teaching assistant, Presenter CST Intro/Overview/ShareCare Instructor for Equine and Small Animals CST classes Reiki Master TTEAM/TTouch Practitioner (Equine & Companion Animal) NARHA/Centered Riding/Mass. Riding Licenses FEI level dressage trainer/instructor

**********2nd workshop----APRIL 15th!********************

Canine Massage:

Discover the benefits and bonding of canine massage. Learn different strokes, pressure pionts, etc. Canine massage benifits your dog and your partnerhip with him in so many ways. Its benifits the immune system, helps heal and prevent injuries. This jam packed class will improve your relationship with your dog. Along with Acupressure and of techniques. This relaxing class teaches both beginning and advanced techniques. Ideal for all ages of dogs! Especially beneficial to shy and older dogs.

Your dog not comfortable, we have demo dog available to learn with to take the practice home to your fur-baby!

We are excited to welcome Linda Jackson back for another great workshop!

April 15 11:30-1:30, light snacks provided. FREE! our gift to you. Limited to 20 handlers. accepting donations to for Dakin & NSPCA

Private massage sessions will also be available after the workshop for a small fee for both dogs and CHAIR massages for the humans. Just $15 for 15 glorious minutes of pure relaxation.

Linda Jackson, is a licensed acupuncturist with Master’s Degrees in both Education & Oriental Medicine. At The Centre for Acupuncture in Gt. Barrington, MA., she offers services in acupuncture, massage, herbal medicine to both people and their dogs. She also offers lifestyle coaching in exercise such as yoga & Qi Gong, meditation, breath and nutrition according to Oriental Medicine principles.

Linda has been in the holistic health field for over 30 years with an extensive background in holistic health, including Kripalu Center in Lenox, MA where she was a founding member, developer and instructor of programs in yoga, massage and health.

Linda has published, with co-author Jody Chiquoine, a popular book, "A Dog Lover’s Guide to Canine Massage". This book is a thorough workbook for dog lover’s to learn massage and stretching for their canine companions to keep them healthy and stress free. This book is a must for every dog owner and dog lover.

Emergencies happen when we least expect it, and anesthesia could be a necessary component required to treat your pet. Treatment recommendations your veterinarian makes could also include dental care involving anesthesia. You may elect to neuter or spay your pet. Anesthesia will be required. Repair of broken bones and retrieval of foreign material from your pet’s stomach will require anesthesia. There are benefits and, of course, there are risks. How can you make an informed decision without information? You can’t. So, let’s change that now.

If there is a time your pet requires anesthesia during a surgical procedure, your veterinarian will fully examine your pet. During the examination, your doctor will check your pet’s organs and vital functions to ensure overall health and wellness to accept the anesthesia and the planned surgery itself. Your doctor will report to you the outcome of the exam and help you complete all treatment recommended.

Anxious About Anesthesia by Sheilah Robertson helps educate pet owners about the facts and risks of anesthesia in the veterinary operating room. Robertson advises that blood tests before a procedure help your veterinarian “choose the right anesthetic drugs” for your pet. Dr. Robertson also explains that if your veterinarian is concerned about your pet’s heart or lungs, more tests may be needed.” Your doctor will “talk with you about whether it’s safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia.”

Delaying care or failing to treat your pet because anesthesia is involved may cause your pet some health complications or a decline in current health. Your veterinarian is concerned for your pet, too. The doctor you work with will take many steps before, during and after your pet’s surgery to ensure a positive outcome. Keeping up with your pet’s health, activity levels, knowing current lab results and accurately predicting how your pet will react to the anesthesia are all part of your veterinarian’s job.

Recovery time after your pet receives anesthesia will be important. Your veterinarian and surgical staff will monitor your pet closely. They will also require that your pet remain with them until your pet is awake and fairly alert. You will want to support your doctor’s requirement that your pet be watched vigilantly after a surgical procedure involving the use of anesthesia.

If your pet is obese, a senior or a smaller animal your veterinarian will have additional considerations. These pets are carefully evaluated before a surgery and well guarded after it. Keeping your pet healthy and well includes maintaining an appropriate weight. Pet obesity and surgery can require your pet’s vital organs to work even harder than normal. Senior pets may have an unknown health condition that becomes known during the surgery. That condition may interrupt speedy healing that would otherwise occur. Smaller animals are just that – smaller. A small pet can become colder during a procedure involving anesthesia so will need extra attention.

Drugs used during the giving of anesthesia to pets are monitored and recorded for accuracy and proper dosage. Your veterinarian will take careful note of your pet’s weight and health status before using anesthesia. Your doctor will be careful to give your pet only the amount needed and nothing more.

When your pet needs anesthesia ask your veterinarian to answer your questions before the procedure. Let your doctor know you’re concerned about your pet and want its health restored. Apprehensive pet-parents help veterinarians stay alert and tuned in during surgical procedures. Your vet will always work with you for your pet’s best health. You’re a team and you both want your pet to “win.”

The pet product you are using protects you pets from? Be sure...

Topical Confusion: Are You Really Protecting Your Pet?

Dr. Ernie Ward

Last week I had to deliver some bad news to a pet parent: her dog had heartworm disease. “Impossible!” she shrieked. “I give him his medication each month.” I reviewed the fact that we hadn’t dispensed nor written a prescription for her dog’s heartworm preventive in over two years. “I don’t buy it from you. I buy it at the store.” She had made a fatal mistake for her dog in an attempt to save a few bucks. She was buying the wrong preventive.

First of all, I didn’t fault her for trying to save money. We all need to save wherever and whenever we can these days. Where she, and millions like her, went wrong is not involving their veterinarian. This lady was administering a topical flea preventive incorrectly believing it protected against deadly heartworm disease. A big mistake that may cost her dog its life.

This spring you’ll be inundated with a plethora of products promising protection for your pets from fleas and ticks. What they’re not protecting your dogs and cats against is heartworm disease. Heartworm disease is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are most susceptible but other species, including humans, can be accidentally infected with heartworm larvae. In our area every dog and cat, even if they live indoors, needs to be protected year-round (Remember those wonderful 70-degree days back in December and January? The mosquitoes do.).

If you bought a preventive without a prescription you’re not protecting against heartworm. The drugs that prevent heartworm are prescription medications governed by the FDA as opposed to topical flea and tick preparations regulated by the EPA. This is an important distinction because heartworm meds are subject to more stringent testing and safety oversight than flea treatments. This is why the EPA has begun issuing “black box” warnings on topical flea and tick solutions; there were so many reported side effects and reactions in 2010 and 2011.

Back to the saving money part. Most vets, including me, have made great efforts to keep heartworm preventives affordable. How much do mine cost, you ask? Whatever you can buy it for from the big online pet sites. It’s been that way since 1999 (when the economy was much better). I’ve always been committed to providing affordable preventive pet healthcare. That may not always be the best business sense, but it always seems to me like the right thing to do. Whenever clients call and say they can buy preventives cheaper elsewhere, we find they haven’t asked how much ours cost. If you’re thinking of buying pet supplies online, I ask you to consider spending your money locally. Your vet employs neighbors, church members and valuable constituents of Brunswick County. If your vet’s price is less than five dollars difference, help our local economy instead of New York, Florida, or California. Unemployment in our area tops 13 percent; we’re all part of the solution.

Make sure you’re protecting your dogs and cats properly this year. And help our local economy recover. Lord knows, we need everyone’s help.

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