Product Recall: Dogsbutter Peanut Butter for Dogs

September 24, 2012 – Sunland, Inc. has announced the voluntary recall of some of its human food products has now been expanded to include a pet food product, Dogsbutter RUC with Flax PB, due to possible contamination with Salmonella.

The event was reported by the FDA in anews release dated September 24, 2012.

Based upon the FDA bulletin, the recall appears to include the 16 ounce jars of Dogsbutter RUC with Flax PB.

The recalled product has a Best-If-Used-By date of between May 1, 2013 and September 24, 2013. This information is stamped on the side of the jar’s label just below the lid.

What Caused the Recall?

According to the FDA bulletin…

The voluntary recall was initiated after learning that between June 11, 2012 and September 2, 2012, twenty-nine people reported Salmonella Bredeney PFGE matching illnesses in approximately 18 states, including Washington, California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey and Maryland, according to a report issued on September 22, 2012 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What to Do?

Consumers are urged to discard the recalled product immediately. They are also invited to contact the company at 866-837-1018 for information on the recall.

In addition, a consumer services representative is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM MT at 575-356-6638.

You can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

Does Your Dog Do the Butt Scoot?

Have you ever seen your dog, or someone else's dog sit on the floor and then drag it's butt across the floor or in circles?  At first it looks hilarious, but if your pet does it often, there could be some underlying medical reasons that you should be concerned about.

Butt scooting is a result of anal gland problems, which may occur when our pet's feces are too soft, and while passing through the glands, do not empty them completely.  Also, if their glands produce too much liquid, it can thicken and clog.  If either of these happens, you will notice your pet begin to lick around their anus frequently and start butt scooting along the floor.

If the area around their anus starts showing signs such as appearing red or discolored, your pet is experiencing pain, developing fever, losing their appetite and becoming lethargic, please call your Veterinarian immediately!  In these situations it indicates that the glands have become infected and your pet will need antibiotics as prescribed by your Veterinarian.  Luckily if none of the signs of infection is apparent, simple home remedies can work for you and your pet !

1. Clean out your pet's anal glands.  Your pet's anal sacs are located just below their anus at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions.  By holding up their tail in the vertical position, place your fingers on the location of the anal sacs, and squeeze (not too hard, but like squeezing a grape).  Use a napkin to catch the liquid and DO NOT get any of it on you!  Afterwards apply a warm, wet cloth to the area to help soothe your pet's anal area for about 10 minutes.  Repeat process for at least three times.
2. Increase your pet's fiber intake.  This is absolutely, my most favorite recommendation.  Offer your pets some fresh vegetables, such as carrots, cabbage, celery, and pumpkin.  By adding more fiber to your pet's regular diet, it will naturally help them express or clear their anal glands due to an increased amount of poop they will make.  This is a natural remedy to eliminate problems of impacted glands.

Product Voluntary Recall: American Beef Bully Sticks

September 21, 2012 – Kasel Associated Industries of Denver, CO is voluntarily recalling its Boots and Barkley American Beef Bully Sticks product because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The event was reported by the FDA in a news release dated September 21, 2012.

According to the FDA bulletin:

"Salmonella can sicken animals that eat these products and humans are at risk for salmonella poisoning from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the pet products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
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 symptoms 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 any of these signs, please contact your veterinarian."

According to the bulletin, the affected American Beef Bully Sticks were distributed nationwide through Target retail stores from April through September 2012.

What Products Are Being Recalled?

The product is sold in a clear plastic bag containing six bully sticks each and are marked with bar code number 647263899189.

The manufacturer is recalling all lot numbers because the following lot codes tested positive through analysis by the State of Colorado Department of Agriculture:

• BESTBY20APR2014DEN
• BESTBY01JUN2014DEN
• BESTBY23JUN2014DEN
• BESTBY23SEP2014DEN

No illnesses have been reported to date in animals or humans in connection with this problem.

What to Do?

Consumers are urged to return the recalled product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Those with questions may contact Kasel Associated Industries at 1-800-218-4417 Monday thru Friday from 7am to 5pm MDT.

You can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.