Nature’s Variety issues raw diet recall

Friday, February 12, 2010

Nature’s Variety has initiated a voluntary recall of its Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10 because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The products affected are limited to chicken medallions, patties and chubs.

The affected product was distributed through retail stores and internet sales in the US and in limited distribution in Canada.

No pet or human illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this lot code.

Stay posted for details, as they become available.

Genetically Modified Corn Causes Organ Damage

Virtually anyone who pursues an interest in natural health has heard of controversies surrounding genetically modified foods. Two of the big questions of this topic:   When the molecular structure of a food source has been altered through genetic manipulation, will the body still metabolize it the same way when consumed?  And, if not, what might be the consequences?

Well, a new study published in the International Journal of Biological Science strongly suggests that the consequences of eating or feeding genetically modified corn— a common ingredient of grain based pet foods— might be anything but good.

The study concludes that genetically modified maize can damage the liver and other internal organs in mammals.  Other effects were also noticed in the heart, adrenal glands, spleen and haematopoietic system
In the study, rats were fed three GM maize products (NK 603, MON 810, MON 863) found in food and feed around the world, for four and half months. Compared to the rats consuming non-GM feed, the GM-fed rats experienced adverse impacts to many organs but particularly the liver and kidneys.   “Our analysis highlights that the kidneys and liver are particularly important on which to focus such research as there was a clear negative impact on the function of these organs in rats consuming GM-maize varieties for just 90 days,” the researchers said.   Read more…

Milk Thistle Shown to Reduce Chemotherapy Related Liver Toxicity

Milk Thistle

A brand new study, funded by the American Institute for Cancer Research, the Tamarind Foundation, and the National Cancer Institute, has just been published that supports what most herbalists have known for quite sometime— milk thistle (Silybum marianum), helps to reduce liver toxicity in patients receiving chemotherapy. The study, which was published on December 14, 2009, also shows that milk thistle appears to have no antagonistic impact on chemotherapy drugs. To read more, click on this link: http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/Leukemia/17506

Greg Tilford talks about Herbs for Pets on “Welcome Home”

While at SuperZoo, the pet industry trade show in Las Vegas last September, I was interviewed for a segment of “Welcome Home”, a TV show which aired in November in the greater New York city/New England region.  In the video I talk about my work as a veterinary herbalist and introduce viewers to the Animal Essentials line of natural pet supplements and  principles of  holistic pet care.   You can check out the video right here— but if the buffering seems slow, I recommend that you link directly to YouTube  by clicking here.  Hope you like!     —GT

Rethinking Cancer

The “C” word. Many people dare not even think about it, fearful that the monster will someday awaken within them if they do. Someday it might come for our pets too, and if it does, our greatest weapons may be useless against its attack. To many, cancer is synonymous with “certain death”.   After all, it has no cure, and there is really nothing we can do but hope and pray that it doesn’t claim us or our loved ones. Right? Wrong!  There are actually many things that can be done to prevent cancer from striking your companion.

Natural Aids for Treating IBD

Here is a link to an excellent article from Veterinary Practice News on the subject of using complimentary therapies in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).  The article, written by Dr. Narda Robinson, DO, DVM, MS, FAAMA , identifies the potential of using various herbs, supplements, acupuncture  and raw foods in the management of IBD in dogs, cats and other animals…  http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-news-columns/complementary-medicine/natural-aids-for-treating-ibd.aspx

WHOLE DOG JOURNAL READERS: Welcome… This Blog’s for You!

Hello!  I am very happy to be writing for Whole Dog Journal again, and equally excited to introduce you to my new blog.  Here you will find upto-date, unedited information about holistic pet care,  natural pet care products,  and current issues within the rapidly expanding natural animal care industry. 

 

I invite you to subscribe to this site, to keep up on the latest news and to share your comments and experiences with me and thousands of other like minded animal lovers!

Herbs for Pets 2nd Edition Released!

<>The long awaited second edition of Herbs for Pets , by author/herbalists Gregory L. Tilford and Mary L. Wulff has just been released from Bowtie Press… FINALLY!

For the past decade, Herbs for Pets has been an indispensable resource for anyone who owns or cares for companion animals. Written by two of the world’s most respected animal herbalists, the second edition of this exhaustive compendium offers the latest scientific information as well as traditional, historical and philosophical perspectives on hundreds of medicinal plants and and natural therapies— all in a more compact portable package. Here you will find an illustrated tour through the herbs— primarily Western, but also ayurvedic and Chinese— that grow in North America; their holistic applications and contraindications; and alternative approaches to treating a wide range of ailments. You will also learn to identify and grow a variety of herbs for yourself. Valuable to the health of your pet and the environment, this book will prove a go-to resource time and again for helping your pet the natural way. 328 pages; soft.

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL— 25% OFF WHEN YOU ORDER FROM ANIMAL ESSENTIALS.COM!

Herbs for Seasonal Allergies in Pets

Cedar, an Australian cattle dog has red, runny, eyes. He itches too. Probably because of a sudden rise in

Nettle (Urtica spp.)

mold or pollen, an event that always follows a spring snowmelt. Regardless, he’s suffering, and I need to do something.

The cat is sneezing again too— just like she does every spring. Come to think of it, I’ve been waking up with sore, red eyes too— and I am sneezing a lot. Yep… hay fever season is upon us.

A large percentage of dogs, cats, and probably most other animals suffer, at least to some degree, from seasonal allergies— just like humans. Airborne pollens and molds are probably the most common culprits, but the list of possibilities is practically endless. Finding and removing the exact allergens that cause your pet’s misery can be virtually impossible. It doesn’t matter where you live either — with spring comes a plethora of potentially allergenic particles— particles that are everywhere— in the wind, and in the water dish.

Pet Food Supplements Sales Expected to Rise

Consumers spent $1.3 billion on natural pet care supplements in 2007, and annual sales are expected to continue rising to as much as $1.8 billion by 2012.