Natural Balance Pet Foods RECALL

>> Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. announces a voluntary recall of Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food Due to a Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Customer Service (800) 829-4493
Media Contact: Daniel Bernstein (310) 902-2554


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- June 18, 2010 - Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc., of Pacoima, CA, announces a voluntary recall of Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food with the "Best By" date of June 17, 2011, in 5-lb. and 28-lb. bags because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall notification is being issued out of an abundance of caution based on an isolated instance in which a product sample with a "Best By" date of June 17, 2011, had a positive result for Salmonella in a random sample test conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product was originally manufactured on December 17, 2009, and is the only Natural Balance product being recalled.

Salmonella can affect animals and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. This product was manufactured on December 17, 2009.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Recalled products were only distributed in pet specialty stores in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The only product affected by the recall is the Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food with the "Best By" date of June 17, 2011, product information as follows:




Consumers who have purchased Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog formula with the "Best By" date of June 17, 2011, are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. A separate letter and instructions will be forwarded to all relevant Natural Balance customers.

For additional information, please contact Natural Balance Pet Foods Customer Service at (800) 829-4493 (8am – 5pm, PDT) or by visiting www.naturalbalanceinc.com.

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Important! Summer Pug Tips

>> Friday, May 28, 2010

With summer almost upon us we ask that everyone please make sure your Pug does not become exposed to extreme temperatures for any duration of time. Anything over 80 degrees can begin to add stress to a seemingly healthy Pug's sensitive breathing and can create a life-threatening situation.

You can follow these simple rules to keep your pug cool and healthy during the warmer months.

SUMMER PUG TIPS:

1. Always have cold water available for your pug.
2. If you pug overheats (even in the house if you do not have AC, you can use a cold wet/water soaked towel or blanket to drap over them and have them sit/lie down in front of a fan.
3. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER leave your pug alone in the car during warm months (not even for a 5 minute, quick run into the convenience store).
4. When walking your pug, try do so early in the a.m., OR later at night when the sun has gone down.
5. When outside, if possible try to keep your pug in the shade.
6. If at a meet up or other event and no shade is present, continually monitor your pug and make sure they take breaks from playing.
7. As cute as outfits are, dressing your pug in hot weather can contribute to them overheating.

Signs and symptoms of heat stroke:
Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy panting, hyperventilation (deep breathing), increased salivation early then dry gums as the heat prostration progresses, weakness, confusion or inattention, vomiting or diarrhea and sometimes bleeding. As the condition progresses towards heat prostration or heat stroke there may be obvious paleness or graying to the gums, shallowing of the breathing efforts and eventually slowed or absent breathing efforts, vomiting and diarrhea that may be bloody and finally seizures or coma. Temperatures above 105 degrees Fahrenheit are dangerous!!

What to do in case you suspect heat stroke:
If you dog shows signs of serious distress from the heat it is best to cool him/her immediately with cool or tepid water rather than really cold water. If ice packs are available they can be applied to areas where circulation is very good, such as the "armpits", inquinal region, or neck. Blowing air over her with a fan as you cool him/her off with water can be helpful. As soon as he/she seems to be gaining some comfort proceed to your vet's. Dogs who suffer from heat stroke can develop delayed complications that are really serious, including death, if they are not properly monitored and cared for.

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Success Story: Flannery!

>> Thursday, April 29, 2010

You all remember Flannery, our one little survivor from Clementine's litter.

Flannery was adopted on 3/31/10 after being born into rescue on 10/07/09 to Clementine, one of our puppy mill rescue dogs. To read about their story, check out our site at www.curlytailpugrescue.org.

Drea fostered little Flannery, who needed 24hr supervision for the 1st two months of his life. Working with other volunteers they provided round the clock care ensuring Flannery was safe until he turned into a real puppy! And that he did!

Flannery has grown into an amazing pup who is well socialized, loves life, all puppies & people alike. He can give kisses a million licks a minute and that is his favorite thing to do.

Flannery's adoption has been in the works since November. It has been a long road but this epic puppy's story had quite an epic ending. From the pictures, you can see that Flannery (the happiest most lovable playful puppy on the planet) is with a super silly fun loving man who had been committed to Flannery, TRULY committed to rescue & working with curly tail for several months.

Flannery now lives on the water in San Fransisco with his new dad & his very own private dog run! He has the best life we could have ever hoped for. This is truly a pug puppy fairytale! Yeah for Flannery! May you have a long, happy life with your new dad.

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Pug Fiction Trailer

>> Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Please note - Adult Viewing Audiences Only - this trailer (& DVD to come) is R rated. The dialogue/voice over is directly from the original film. ***17yo and older or with parental supervision***Thank you!



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Horray for Hercules!!!

>> Sunday, February 28, 2010

Wonderful News! Our dear Hercules has found his forever home!

Hercules background: Hercules was an owner surrender. He is blind and deaf, and his elderly owners own medical needs found her unable to care for him anymore. She was devastated to have to give him up, but ultimately, she knew that curly tail could provide him with t...he love, care, affection, and that all of his needs would be met.

Hercules new family is amazing. They already have a 12 year old deaf and
hard of seeing pug, (Simon), so they're very used to some of Herc's needs. They live in a home with a really open floor plan and his new parents both have very flexible schedules - so someone is usually home. But this is a the best part - they have a 2.5 year old who totally understands and gets how careful she needs to be around Simon and also around Hercules when he joins their family. She usually does her own thing and is just excited when she sees Simon. She only gives him "pretend hugs" because she knows she has to be very very gentle with him :)


Kristin said, "Hercules adoptive mom is truly the warmest most compassionate person ever. as are her husband and daughter." The daughter started crying when Kristin was showing Hercules adoptive mom how to put eye drops in his eyes, and asked "does he have a boo boo,?" she said crying and sad for Hercules. With each pet, she gave to him, she would say.... "gentle for hercky." Really, does it get any better than that!! We are so happy for Hercules . . thanks to everyone who has helped him get here!

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Home for Hercules!

>> Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Dear friends and supporters,

We have an emergency situation with our sweet Hercules and are putting out an ALL CALL rally to help him.

Hercules is our sweet older boy whose elderly owner was no longer able to care for him. Herc is blind and hard of hearing, however he is potty trained to use his training pads in the mornings and he also eliminates on his daily walks outside.

He has become very attached to his foster mom and loves the security of being near her at all times. Unfortunately Herc’s her living situation has changed and she will no longer be able to keep Hercules.
Our current temporary foster homes are filled to the brim and Curly Tail fears moving Hercules into another “temporary” home will break this sweet boy’s spirit.
We are putting an all call notice out to try and find Hercules a Forever Foster home to avoid having to move him again.
Because Hercules is blind and deaf it takes him a long time to acclimate to his surroundings and we do not want him to move again only to lose another home.

Can you find it in your heart to take this sweet boy in and let him live out his Golden years with the peace and love that he so deserves?
Herc would do best in a one level quiet home where his warm human is around often to comfort him.


Please contact Jill with inquires regarding Hercules jill@curlytailpugrescue.org

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Stabilizing Sammie

>> Tuesday, January 26, 2010


Upon intake to his foster home Sammie was on 5 units of insulin after every daily meal. Sammie's insulin levels were never correct because of the Cushing’s syndrome, which made him go from too much insulin, leading to seizures or not enough insulin leading to hypoglycemia where he would be weak and stumbling around. Sammie also had chronic diarrhea which led him to be undernourished and skeletal. Once the Cushing Syndrome was confirmed, Curly Tail had to handle the fact that it could be dealing with one or two possible scenarios:

Scenario A.

Primary Cushing syndrome where there is a small tumor on his pituitary gland that is manageable with medicine

Scenario B

Secondary Cushing syndrome where there are tumors on the adrenal gland and is almost always malignant.

Further tests were performed: Sammie's first test was a cortisol stimulation test to confirm the diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome. Sammie had to have three different shots staggered throughout the day and his levels of cortisol needed to be measured. Unfortunately the test did not go well and Sammie had to spend the night in the hospital. During that visit he also had his glucose levels checked.

This latest visit was very costly at upwards of $1000. They confirmed the diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome and as a next step he will need an ultrasound to determing if his Cushing’s syndrome we are dealing with are the Primary or Secondary scenario’s noted above.

We will know more about Sammie’s diagnosis and prognosis shortly. Please stay tuned..

In addition to his diabetes and Cushings, Sammie also has cataracts in both eyes which have left him virtually blind.

Thank you for all of your support! It is only with the kindness, compassion and generosity of supporters like you that allow us to be able to help pugs like Sammie who would otherwise be facing grim alternatives.



Future updates and posts can be found on his personal rehab page: Stabilizing Sammie

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About This Blog

We find beauty in the most incomprehensible places and otherwise homely faces. It's our gift to see beyond the dirt, terror, sadness and defeat to find the true soul that lies within.... we are a rescue.

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