Saturday, July 31, 2010

UNDIAGNOSED DIE OFF, FISH - USA: (MINNESOTA) CATFISH

****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Wed 28 Jul 2010
Source: The Post-Bulletin [edited]



Only one Lake Zumbro channel catfish was found in good enough
condition Tuesday [27 Jul 2010] to be tested for what killed many
hundreds of other catfish there.

The Department of Natural Resources received several calls Monday [26
Jul 2010] about dead catfish, said Kevin Stauffer, area fisheries
supervisor. But a sampling crew couldn't find any fish fresh enough
for toxicology tests. On Tuesday, one was found, and it was to be sent
to a lab.

The DNR estimated that it found about 500 dead fish along the shore
Tuesday, but many more could have sunk, gone over the dam, or been
eaten by predators, Stauffer said.

Though it's a lot of fish, "this probably is not a huge percentage of
the population," he said. Dead fish ranged from 8 inches to 26 inches
[20-66 cm].

Because the only fish found dead in large amounts were channel
catfish, it would appear the source wasn't a chemical but some natural
disease or bacteria. They are always present, but sometimes warm water
or other factors will trigger them to begin killing fish, he said.
Such outbreaks are not uncommon, Stauffer said. One in 2007 killed
about 3000 white bass. The source was never found.

He said people who see a kill happening should call a DNR fisheries
office. Especially in summer, "time is important," Stauffer said. "The
sooner we get there, the more options we have to determine the cause."

The phone number for the Lake City DNR fisheries office is (651)
345-3365. The phone number for the Lanesboro office, which covers the
southern part of the region, is (507) 467-2442.

[Byline: John Weiss]

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[If only channel catfish are dying, then there is possibly a disease
affecting this particular species. If it were a toxin, it would affect
more species than just channel catfish. Also unusual warm waters would
affect more than just one species. Hopefully the cleanup crew will
soon find something fresh enough to test. - Mod.TG]

[For photo of a 19.5 pound channel catfish, see:

- Mod.JW]

[Lake Zumbro, in south eastern Minnesota can be seen via the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map at
. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
Undiagnosed die-off, fish - USA: (NC) 20100728.2532
Undiagnosed die-off, fish - USA: (PA, ID) corr. 20100718.2410
Undiagnosed die-off, fish - USA: (PA, ID) corr. 20100718.2409
Undiagnosed die-off, fish - USA (WA) natural causes 20100718.2408
Undiagnosed die-off, fish - USA: (HI) puffer fish 20100716.2384
Undiagnosed die-off, fish - USA: (PA, ID) 20100716.2373]
........................................tg/mj/jw
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.
############################################################
############################################################

Monday, July 26, 2010

WHITE NOSE SYNDROME, BATS - USA (12): CONTROL

*********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Sat 24 Jul 2010
Source: The Statesman, Bloomberg News report [edited]



Hikers may be locked out of hundreds of caves and 30 000 abandoned
mines in the West and Midwest in a government plan to protect bats
from man.

The cave closings may come within the week, said Forest Service
spokeswoman Janelle Smith, and are the latest efforts to combat a
disease called white nose syndrome that has devastated bat communities
in 13 states and 2 Canadian provinces. The disease, perhaps caused by
a fungus, may spread to more states as hikers and tourists
inadvertently carry spores on their clothing, Smith said.

The loss of swaths of the bat population may threaten corn and soybean
crops and other parts of the agriculture and timber industries, said
Mollie Matteson, a conservation advocate at the Center for Biological
Diversity in Tucson, Arizona. Bats help control insect pests, eating
as much as two-thirds of their body weight per night, said Holly Ober,
assistant professor at the University of Florida in Quincy, Florida,
in a 2008 Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation document.

"It's a catastrophic situation for bats," said Jeremy Coleman, a
biologist with the Fish and Wildlife Service who studies white nose
syndrome in Cortland, New York. "We don't have any tools at our ready
to treat them or to control the spread, other than closing access to
humans," he said. "There are just too many unknowns," Coleman said.

The big brown bat, a species widely distributed in North America,
feasts on insects that destroy corn, soybean, and cotton crops,
according to the report by Ober.

The fungus thought to cause the disease was first detected in New York
in 2006 and may have killed more than 1 million bats, according to a
May [2010] report from the Fish and Wildlife Service. The agency
called the disease "the worst wildlife health crisis in memory."

The disease only affects hibernating bat species, which account for a
little over half of the 45 varieties in North America, said Matteson.
So far 9 species, including the big brown bat, are known to be
affected. Some of them are now threatened with extinction, the May
report said.

In a May [2010] news release, Austin-based Bat Conservation
International said the potential impact of white nose syndrome on the
local Mexican free-tail colony was still not known. "These bats share
their winter and summer ranges with many hibernating species," the
group said. "Biologists fear that migrating free-tails, even if they
are not themselves battered by the disease, may prove to be carriers
that spread the fungus."

[Byline: Arielle Fridson]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[In addition to the suffering of bats caused by this syndrome, which
essentially starves bats to death, this disease is also very
concerning because of its impact on ecosystem health. Bats eat a
tremendous number of insects such as mosquitoes, moths, beetles, and
flies, which help to control insect populations naturally in a
sustainable fashion. However, with the loss of over a million bats in
North America since the disease first surfaced in 2006 and the
prospect of further spread to other states and/or provinces, control
measures such as preventing human traffic in bat caves are being
considered and in some places apparently instituted.

The white nose syndrome is named for the white appearance on the nose
and muzzle of hibernating bats that appears when they are infected
with a fungus, _Geomyces destructans_.

Further details of the disease and a map of infected areas as of July
2009 can be found at the Wildlife National Health Center, United
States Geological Service (USGS) website at
-
Mod.PC]

[The fungus is often not confined to the muzzle but may spread to the
wings and all over the body. It depletes the bats' body fat and
awakens them so that they get hungry, fly out of their caves looking
for insects and, not finding any, starve to death. See images at:


- Mod.JW]

[see also:
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (11) 20100617.2033
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (10): (OK) 20100525.1732
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (09): (OK, MO) 20100518.1635
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (08): (TN) 20100518.1630
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (07): (DE) 20100502.1421
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (06): (MO, TN) 20100422.1300
White nose syndrome bats - USA (05): (NY) poss. treatment 20100325.0949
White nose syndrome - Canada: (ON) 1st report 20100322.0905
White nose syndrome bats - USA (04): (MD) 20100321.0896
White nose syndrome bats - USA (03): (WV) 20100225.0626
White nose syndrome bats - USA (02): (TN) 20100219.0570
White nose syndrome, bats - USA: (VT) 20100209.0438
2009
----
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (14) 20091014.3538
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (13): (NJ) 20090712.2495
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (12) 20090510.1750
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (11) 20090510.1743
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (10): cave closings 20090507.1703
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (09): (VA) susp. 20090427.1590
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (08): (MA) 20090414.1413
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (07) 20090320.1110
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (06): (PA) RFI 20090311.1011
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (05): (PA) 20090309.0975
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (04): (PA) 20090306.0931
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (03): (WV) susp 20090220.0711
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (02): (northeast) 20090208.0578
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA: (Northeast) 20090129.0401
2008
----
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (07): (Northeast) 20081102.3448
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (06): (Northeast) 20080331.1195
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (05): (Northeast) 20080304.0898
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (04): (Northeast) 20080304.0880
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (03): 2004 Dorset bat colony gate
20080221.0709
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (02): (Northeast) 20080220.0687
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA: (Northeast) 20080219.0675]
........................................sb/pc/mj/jw
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.
############################################################

Tell USDA Stop Killing Canada Geese

Dear friends of Canada geese:

As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services continue to systematically round up and exterminate entire flocks of resident Canada geese all over the country, IDA is calling on every one of our supporters to get involved to stop this needless killing. In 2010, thousands of innocent Canada geese across the country have been or will be gassed to death or sent to slaughterhouses if we do not take action to stop it. Since non-lethal population control programs for resident Canada geese have proven successful throughout the country, the USDA must change course and switch to non-lethal, humane, and progressive population control.
Every person I have spoken with, whether they be in New Jersey or New York, has been outraged, horrified or saddened by the eradication of geese in their communities. Many are sickened that the slaughter occurred despite public protest or without considering the interests of the vast number of residents who enjoy the presence of the geese in the parks. Of course, the lack of consideration of the interests of the geese themselves is even more disturbing.
Please click on the link below to watch IDA's (In Defense of Animals) videoclip:
http://www.idablog.org/featured/urge-the-usda-to-stop-exterminating-canada-geese-today/

Please click on the link below to tell the USDA to stop exterminating Canada geese:
https://secure2.convio.net/ida/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1555


Thank you.


Choo and Earl Rosenbloom

Sunday, July 25, 2010

KY Shelter Mistakes Pet Dog for Coyote, Releases into the Wild

Terrible treatment of animal in KY Capital by local shelter and
"officials"
Beloved pet called a coyote, sent into the wild
By Kay Harrod
Copper, a female Shebu Inu, is still missing after being released behind Home
Depot off U.S. 127, after the Humane Society mistook her for a coyote.
A little lost dog named Copper is in the middle of a bureaucratic snafu stemming
from a mistaken identity that involves city and county governments, Frankfort
police and others.
"We don"t take coyotes," a Frankfort Humane Society employee told a Frankfort
police officer, who brought an animal later identified as Copper to the Kentucky
Avenue shelter.
"If it's a coyote, either shoot it or release it back to the wild," Wildlife
Solutions told a police sergeant who called the business for advice after Copper
was turned away.
Animal activist Trudi Johnson summed up Copper"s dilemma: "This story just goes
downhill and at the bottom of that hill lays the Humane Society's inability to
recognize a dog from a coyote."

"People would say when Copper was young, she looked like a fox with her pointy
ears and red coloring," said Copper's owner, Lori Goodlett, about her Sheba Inu,
a female officially registered with the AKC.
"But no one has ever mistaken her for a coyote."
The debacle, which could end badly, began Saturday, July 3.
Goodlett said she returned to her Cloverdale home around 3 p.m. after being away
for the night to find Copper gone from her fenced yard. A veterinarian friend
told her to call the Humane Society to see if Copper had been turned in.
Goodlett says the person who answered said, "We haven't gotten a stray dog
today," and that ended the conversation.
Goodlett phoned again to leave her name, number and Copper's breed.
"I was able to get out the breed of the dog, but the person reiterated they
didn't have one and once again hung up."
Goodlett says she's unsure how Copper could have escaped since the gate of the
chain-link fence has a clip that has to be released to open it. She also checked
to see if Copper had wiggled under the fence but found nothing.
"I've had her 11 years, and she has never jumped the fence."
On Sunday, Goodlett posted missing signs along with Copper's picture around the
west Frankfort neighborhood.
Monday, Goodlett said she was gone with her children to King's Island for most
of the day.
A Frankfort Police officer patrolling Cloverdale saw Goodlett's posted signs and
took one to the downtown station.
According to Maj. Fred Deaton, Copper was indeed the dog picked up by a police
officer.
The veteran officer and his captain drove to the Goodlett home and related the
chain of events.
"Honestly, if the police had not come to my house I would have not known any of
the events," Goodlett said. "They have been so forthcoming and offered so much
help."
A Frankfort police officer had been summoned to a Gramma Drive address on
Saturday morning to take a dog from a woman's yard. The officer put the dog in
his car and waited until after noon when the humane society opened and took the
dog there.
According to Deaton, the dog did not wear any identification or a collar.
However, he said he doubted if the animal were a coyote it would have gone
peacefully with the officer.
Animal Control Officer Mark Pardi, who normally responds to calls, was on
vacation that weekend.
The officer left the dog at the Humane Society only to be called back and told
the animal had to be removed from the shelter because it was against the law to
shelter a coyote.
The police officer, currently on military leave, refused to take the dog back.
His captain, Ray Kinney, was called and was told by the Humane Society Director
Regina McDaniel that the coyote had to go, according to Deaton.
In the meantime the police, since the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources was closed, contacted Wildlife Solutions, a private business, and were
told a coyote was considered a nuisance and could be shot or returned to the
wild.
The officer took Copper to the open fields behind Home Depot, removed her from
her carrier and let him go.
According to Goodlett, the captain and the veteran officer at her door were
upset with the chain of events.
"They continuously apologized, and they gave me a computer disc with all the
pictures that had been taken to document the event."
"Fortunately," Deaton said, "The officer had the foresight to photograph the
dog."
On Tuesday, Goodlett was joined by several police officers in a field search
behind Home Depot. Pardi, back from his vacation, also went looking for Copper
and set cages in hopes of capturing him.
Deaton says Kinney returned a second time "off the clock" to continue looking
for Copper.
"I in no way blame neither the officer nor the city police," Goodlett said. "The
officer tried to do the right thing. Throughout this whole matter, the police
department has been forthcoming, honest and deeply apologetic."
Goodlett does blame the Humane Society.
"How anyone there could have mistaken Copper for a coyote is beyond me. If
nothing else every employee needs training in breed recognition. They also need
training in responding to the public; the handling of my two phone calls was
totally unprofessional and inappropriate."
Goodlett said she has also made a trip to the Humane Society in hopes of at
least getting an apology.
"That visit went about as badly as my phone calls."
As it turns out, according to a police report on the matter, Goodlett's calls to
the shelter looking for Copper fell into the same time frame that the police
officer was there with her.
There's another dimension to the story. Copper was purchased years ago as a
friend to Goodlett's other Sheba Inu, Trigger. He's now 15, with a serious heart
murmur and, according to Goodlett, mourns for his little lost friend.
"Both dogs split time between being inside and outside. But when I leave for
just an overnight, they remain outside, since Trigger has grown incontinent.
Neither of them has ever left the fence unless a gate has been left open."
Goodlett has since talked with the woman on nearby Gramma Drive who called the
police. She told Goodlett she had no idea how the dog wound up inside her fence.
She also told Goodlett because she too was leaving town, she did not want to
leave Copper fenced in her yard.
Second District Magistrate Phillip Kring says there's a breakdown in the
system.
"Normally if Mark (Pardi) is out of town, the county's animal control officer is
called," Kring said.
According to Kring that officer is attached to the sheriff's office.
"Plus we (Fiscal Court) pay an assistant. Someone had to be on call."
Kring said to his knowledge Fiscal Court does not have any oversight of the
shelter nor does it require accountability from it.
"We pay the animal control officers and give the Humane Society roughly $50,000
a year to take the animals that are picked up in the county."
Otherwise, according to Kring, the Humane Society is a private non-profit that
has its own board of directors and hires its own manager.
City Commissioner Sellus Wilder said the city provides $55,000 to the Humane
Society out of its police budget.
"The city needs to hold the Humane Society more accountable for the public funds
they receive," Wilder said.
According to Joe Johnson, a board member of the Humane Society, to his knowledge
the board is totally unaware of the situation that occurred in early July.
"We just held a board meeting Saturday and none of this was brought to our
attention."
John Forbes, board president, said he stands behind the decision made by the
manager.
"If our manager (McDaniel) assessed the animal to be a coyote, then it is
against the law for it to be at the shelter. We rely on the people who work
there," Forbes said.
Trudi Johnson, the animal activist, sent a letter to the county judge, fiscal
court members, mayor and city commissioners advocating that both bodies request
a designee be placed on the Humane Society board to provide accountability.
"I advised them of the latest incident that has occurred and hope they will be
responsive to this latest situation," Trudi Johnson said.
"There was no reason for this situation to occur, except someone did not
recognize a dog from a coyote. That is a stretch for people who are supposed to
be professionals."
Johnson said there is a local group organizing who will do another search in the
area behind Home Depot.
"I know in my head Copper is gone for good, but in my heart I would like to
think some nice family found her and took her in," Goodlett said.
Anyone who might have any information about Copper may call Goodlett at (502)
226-2580 or Frankfort Police.
>
>
>
Outrage must be voiced to/demonstrated in Frankfort/Franklin County KY!
Franklin County officials -
(502-875-8751)
Frankfort City officials -
http://www.frankfort.ky.gov/city-government.html
(502-875-8500)
Franklin County Humane Society President: John Forbes -
jjfrankfort@fewpb.net
Franklin County Humane Society Shelter Director "Regina McDaniel -
rmcdaniel@franklincountyhumanesociety.net
State officials (they live here, too!) -
Governor - http://governor.ky.gov/contact/contact.htm
(502-564-2611)
First Lady - http://firstlady.ky.gov/contact/ - (502-564-2611)
KY Dept Ag Comm - http://www.kyagr.com/ (502-564-5126)

JoAnn Dimon
A.R.W.N.Y
www.akitarescuewny.com
"It's better to live one day as a lion, than a thousand years as a
lamb."
Zack de la Rocha

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Louisiana Parish Shelter to Euth 113 Pets!

SOS -113 dogs will be PTS---Kaplan Pound, Vermilion Parish, So Louis
Posted by: "Hedy Litke" hlitke@optonline.net hedylitke2004
Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:22 am (PDT)

My friend predicted there will be a massacre in LA of animals from the BP
spill. Here it comes, PLEASE HELP

4 days to live, then GASSED. No adoptions. Not rescue friendly.
Kaplan Pound, Vermilion Parish, South Louisiana.

http://animalnewsinfo.posterous.com/vermilion-parish-la-cats-and-kittens-looking


113 dogs there now.
Only 501 (c)3 rescue groups can take dogs from the pound.
Phone: 337-643-3160 Fax: 337- 643-3161

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

CHYTRID FUNGUS, FROG - PANAMA: (COCLE) FROG EXTINCTION

*****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Tue 20 Jul 2010
Source: National Geographic News [edited]



30 amphibian species wiped out in Panama forest
-----------------------------------------------
A "catastrophic" epidemic has made 30 amphibian
species locally extinct in a region of Panama --
including 5 species that were lost before they
were even formally identified, a new study says.

The species are the latest victims of the deadly
chytrid fungus, which has caused major amphibian
declines in Central and South America as well as
in Australia since the late 1980s. The fungus
infects an amphibian's skin, sloughing off the
skin's layers, and causing lethargy, weight loss,
and eventual death.

Suspecting the imminent arrival of chytrid,
researchers had visited the forests of El Cope
[Cocle province] between 1998 and 2004 to record
genetic information from the region's frog and
salamander species. Chytrid swept through El Cope
in 2004, wiping out amphibians so quickly that
dead frogs littered the forest floor, according
to study leader Andrew Crawford, an evolutionary
biologist at the University of the Andes in
Bogotá, Colombia.

The mysterious fungus acts so rapidly that
scientists are rarely able to track its
destruction. But armed with the genetic database,
the El Cope team was able to make the 1st
before-and-after comparisons to pinpoint the
exact species lost to the fast-moving fungus --
including a handful of species that proved to be
new to science.

"We're discovering species and losing species at
the same time -- these 2 conflicting trends have
to clash at some point," Crawford said.

Species not gone globally, but hope dim
---------------------------------------
Before chytrid hit El Cope, Crawford and
colleagues had collected DNA samples from 63 frog
and salamander species in a 1.5-square-mile
(4-square-kilometer) tract of forest. The
information was added to a larger genetic
database of known amphibians. By matching unknown
specimens with existing genetic lineages, the
team discovered 11 unnamed species among those
collected in the forest before the outbreak.

A post-epidemic survey conducted between 2006 and
2008 showed that 25 of the 63 species had been
lost. 5 of the missing species were among the 11
that were new to science.

Another 9 species had seen population declines
between 85 and 99 percent since the earlier
survey, according to the study. Though the
species aren't globally extinct, there's "not
much optimism" that amphibians from unaffected
areas will recolonize El Cope, Crawford said.
Past experiments -- such as in Costa Rica -- show
that frogs don't bounce back after a chytrid wave
comes through.

A frogless forest could have reverberations
throughout the ecosystem, Crawford added. For one
thing, tadpoles are crucial to stream
environments, because they munch on moss and
algae along stream beds, taking in protein and
other nutrients needed by animals higher up the
food chain.

Frog fungus a hint of what's to come?
-------------------------------------
No one knows what sparked the spread of chytrid,
but it's possible that globalization -- with
people and goods becoming more interconnected --
is a key factor, Crawford said.

In general, the outbreak is an "alarming"
reminder of how such emerging pathogens can
devastate whole ecosystems. For instance, chytrid
is so potent that it's killing off distantly
related species of frogs that are as genetically
different from each other as rats are from
whales, he said. "Hopefully we don't get
pathogens like that that hit mammals," he said.
"This could be just one example of what's coming."

The amphibian die-off findings appear this week
[week of 19 Jul 2010] in the journal Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences.

[Byline: Christine Dell'Amore]

--
Communicated by:
James M Wilson V, MD
Executive Director
Praecipio International


[A map of the affected region may be viewed at
.
The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Panama is available at
.

The amphibian chytrid fungus (_Batrachochytrium
dendrobatidis_) lives on the skin of frogs,
making it difficult for them to breathe through
their skin or adjust their body temperatures. If
frogs are infected with the disease, the signs
may include lack of movement or spastic jerking
in their legs, especially the hind ones, and
anemia. Species that are nocturnal or live in
trees sit out in the open throughout the day;
they show little movement or do not react or
blink at all if touched by humans, and when
turned over, they cannot return to their original
positions. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Chytrid fungus, frogs - worldwide: review article 20100130.0323
2009
----
Chytrid fungus, frog - South Korea 20090920.3301
Chytrid fungus, frog - Philippines: (Luzon) 20090527.1976
2008
----
Chytrid fungus, frogs - Panama 20081014.3246
Chytrid fungus, frogs - Spain (Majorca) 20080928.3065
2007
----
Chytrid fungus, frogs - Japan (02): wild frogs 20070613.1924
Chytrid fungus, frogs - Japan 20070113.0176
2006
----
Chytrid fungus, frogs - worldwide: possible source 20060524.1463
Chytrid fungus, frogs - South Africa 20060203.0344
2005
----
Chytrid fungus, frogs - UK (England) 20050916.2741
2004
----
Red leg disease, frogs, fatal - UK (02) 20040914.2560
Red leg disease, frogs, fatal - UK 20040912.2542
2002
----
Frog deformities - USA (02) 20020425.4030
Frog deformities - USA 20020422.4012
Frog mortality, virus - UK 20020201.3458
2001
----
Chytrid fungus, frogs: background 20001201.2096
2000
----
Frog deformities - USA (Northeast) 20000420.0579]
...................................tg/mj/lm

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

DIE-OFF, RIGHT WHALE - ARGENTINA (02): (CHUBUT)

This report coming out of Argentina concerning a whale die-off would be laughable if not so tragic a subject. Seems they are wanting us to believe that "blunt force trauma" from "boat collisions" and/or sea-gull attacks" may be to blame! Read carefully and you will see, that of the over 300 deaths, only limited testing has been done on a few of the deceased whales.....apparenlty they dont want to find the truth,....that its our TOXIC OCEANS killing them off.

***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Wed 30 Jun 2010
From: Marcela Uhart [edited]


[Re: ProMED-mail Die-off, right whale - Argentina: (CH) RFI 20100630.2179]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Since 2003, when the Southern Right Whale Health Monitoring Program
(SWRHMP) was established by a consortium of local NGOs, a total of
366 right whale deaths has been recorded, with peaks in 2007 (83),
2008 (95), and 2009 (79). Most (91 percent) of the dead animals have
been 1st-year calves. Necropsies conducted on dead whales have been
performed following internationally recognized standard protocols.
Samples for histopathology, serology, nutritional status,
contaminants, infectious disease and biotoxin diagnostics, genetics,
stable isotopes and fatty acid composition analysis, have been
collected, archived, and distributed to analytical laboratories.
Since 2003, nearly 3500 samples have been collected by the SRWHMP.

Over the past 7 years, gross necropsy examinations have provided
information on the cause of death for only 7 animals. This has
included blunt-force trauma (that is, rough-surf injury, boat
strikes, blows from whales), chronic degenerative lesions of the
spine, and dystocia. Given rapid decomposition of dead whales and the
fact that they come to shore at variable times after death, good
samples for histopathology have been collected on a limited number of
carcasses (approximately 20 percent of total dead whales each year).
Histologic examination has been performed on 53 of the 366 (14
percent) right whales (majority condition code 3 or 4). In these
animals, establishing a cause of death has been variably limited by
tissue preservation and availability. A variety of histologic lesions
(typically mild) have been identified in examined tissues; however,
common significant lesions or pathologic processes (such as,
infectious disease) to explain the yearly or recurrent strandings
have not been identified.

Scars and wounds from gull attacks have become an increasingly common
finding on the backs of right whales at Peninsula Valdes and are seen
in approximately 80 percent of calves. Gulls could potentially act as
vectors for infectious disease transmission or bacterial toxin
transfer. Samples of gull peck lesions have been available for
histological examination from 6 dead calves. Of those 6 samples,
wounds in 3 of the animals were associated with local inflammation
and a disseminated process, possibly related to gull peck wounds, was
present in one of these 3 animals.

Blood suitable for infectious disease serology was available from 4
calves sampled between 2004-2009. These samples were negative for
brucellosis, leptospirosis (18 serovars), influenza type A,
morbillivirus panel, and seal herpesvirus (only tested on animals
stranded in 2009). Two calves sampled in 2004 and 2005 were
serologically positive for canine herpesvirus. Mass tag (respiratory
and pan viral panels) was run on serum from 2 animals from 2009 with
negative results. Pathogens included in the respiratory panel were:
_Haemophilus influenzae_, _Chlamydophila pneumoniae_, _Neisseria
meningitis_, _Streptococcus pneumoniae_, _Legionella pneumoniae_, and
_Mycoplasma pneumoniae_. Those included in the pan-viral panel were:
adenovirus, influenza A & B, RSV [respiratory syncytial virus] A and
B, coronavirus, HPIV [human parainfluenza viruses] 1 to 4,
metapneumovirus, enterovirus. PCR for _Brucella_ sp. on ovary,
spleen, testicle, and lymph nodes was negative for 26 whales examined.

Although a limited number of samples have been tested for heavy
metals and other pollutants like organochlorines, these are likely to
be of little significance given the low trophic level and
predominantly offshore feeding habits of southern right whales.

Biotoxins from harmful algal blooms have also been considered
potential causative or contributing factors in the whale mortalities.
Blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate _Alexandrium tamarense_ and the
diatom _Pseudonitzschia_ sp. have occurred at Peninsula Valdes from
2005 through 2009; however, they have not been temporally associated
with the highest peaks in whale mortality in any year and there were
no observed die-offs of other marine mammals, marine birds, or fish
during these times. Also, although traces of domoic acid were found
in the blood of one adult female and one calf in 2005, an additional
90 samples collected from 28 dead whales since 2007 tested negative
for domoic acid and paralytic shellfish poison.

While many samples and much information has been gathered to date,
additional data are needed to determine the causes for the recent
deaths. Ongoing monitoring for independent,
multifactorial/interrelated, or concurrent disease processes,
including infectious, toxic or nutritional disease, genetic or
environmental factors including food availability, and maternal and
calf fitness are critical for establishing the cause(s) of the recent
recurrent, significant mortality of young right whales at Peninsula Valdes

A full report on the southern right whale die-offs can be found at
the International Whaling Commission website,
.

Note: The Southern Right Whale Health Monitoring Program (SRWHMP) is
a collaborative effort of the following NGOs: Wildlife Conservation
Society, Whale Conservation Institute, Instituto de Conservacion de
Ballenas, Fundacion Patagonia Natural, and Fundacion Ecocentro.

--
Marcela Uhart

Wildlife Conservation Society, Associate
Director Global Health Program,
Latin America. Supervisor
Southern Right
Whale Health Monitoring Program

[This is a very thorough response regarding the situation of the
right whales. Dr Uhart has presented their findings and it clearly
represents an extensive investigation into a situation that is still
baffling to everyone.

ProMED-mail wishes to apologize to our readers as this email has only
recently been brought to the attention of this moderator. ProMED-mail
also wishes to thank Dr Uhart for the continued diligence to get this
report to us. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Die-off, right whale - Argentina: (CH) RFI 20100630.2179]
...................................tg/mj/dk

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.

Poultry: Industry Watchers Optimistic

The poultry industry’s ‘new normal’
14 Jul 2010

Although the financial position for the poultry industry has improved considerably, challenges remain as the volatility surrounding the industry seems to increase at a faster and faster pace, according to Mike Donohue of Agri Stats.
Donohue was speaking at the 2010 Financial Management Seminar, sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association's Poultry & Egg Institute.

Donohue examined current trends in the broiler, turkey and egg industries, reminding the group that his theme ‘A time of Challenges for the Poultry Industry' was essentially a continuation of the past 2 years. "The industry must recognise that these changes have created a ‘new normal' and adjust accordingly. As an example, we need to expect corn prices at $4.20-$4.40 per bushel. Corn may never return to what were traditional levels of $2.50, since so much of the crop is being diverted to ethanol production and the price is now driven more by speculation than at any time in the past," he said.

Carl Blackham of BMO Capital Markets and Anthony Bahr of CoBank discussed bank lending trends. Bahr's statement ‘what a difference a year makes' reflected on what he considers improved credit markets for borrowers. Bahr also said "the U.S. appears to have emerged from recession, but economic growth still is somewhat subdued for this point in the cycle. However, the U.S. is ahead of the EU and Japan in recovery cycle and is poised to lead a global recovery," he added.

Blackham acknowledged that 2009 "was the worst credit market in many years, perhaps in our lifetime, but things are showing improvement." He said that merger and acquisition activity, which was at a 15-year low in 2009, has turned the corner in 2010, although the majority of the recent deals are much smaller than in the past.

"With cash shown on the balance sheets of investment grade companies currently at 60 year highs, many firms appear to be sitting on the sidelines waiting for just the right deal or waiting for the European financial crisis to be resolved," Blackham said. He noted that markets are generally improving for borrowers and that refinancing opportunities are available, but borrowers should consider refinancing sooner than later.

The program, developed by a committee of experienced industry professionals, also featured updates on domestic and global poultry markets, taxes, an economic outlook, and provided detailed guidance on other industry-specific financial topics.

* Photo: Alan Duncan (center), Mountaire Farms, and program committee chairman, reviewed the agenda with speakers Bob Childress (right) and Rob Gunther, both of Frazer Frost LLP, who presented a "Tax Update".

Source: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association;

http://worldpoultry.net/news/the-poultry-industryE28099s-E28098new-normalE28099-7694.html

Slaughter Business Thriving in Up-State New York

Unfortunately, all of these places mentioned in the article below are within a 50 mi radius of my home.

-------------------------
When the owners of Eagle Bridge Custom Meat & Smokehouse opened the
doors of their new slaughtering facility in November, they expected to
kill no more than 1,200 animals by the end of their first year in
business. Just over eight months later, they’ve easily surpassed 2,000 animals —
including pigs, sheep, goats and cattle — and are booked solid through
December. Calls for appointments from small and mid-sized farmers within a
300-mile radius show little sign of abating.
"We’ve had enough requests that, if we weren’t careful with our
schedule, we’d become overwhelmed pretty quickly," said Debra Bell,
operations manager at the slaughterhouse, located in southern
Washington County.

Eagle Bridge’s tight schedule highlights what many who raise animals
in the area say is a pressing need: access to a safe, clean and
dependable slaughterhouse where dignity and quality are paramount.
Across the country, and in the Northeast in particular, demand for
locally raised meat is growing, and producers are multiplying. As the
market has grown, though, producers say a vital link in the chain
between farm and table — the slaughterhouse — is lacking.
Federal statistics underscore the point. The number of federally
certified slaughterhouses has steadily waned over the years, as large
producers took hold and consolidation occurred.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest statistics,
there are now just 13 federally certified poultry slaughterhouses and
35 federally certified livestock slaughterhouses in the state. That’s
half the number that existed two decades ago.

Federal certification is required for any slaughterhouse that produces
meat to be sold at markets or to restaurants. Farmers in the area who raise animals for sale say the lack of certified facilities has forced them to make appointments with
slaughterhouses months, if not a year, in advance. It’s a timetable
that can make raising the animals difficult.
The lack of facilities can also lead to more time away from the farm
for farmers who have to transport animals to a slaughterhouse. The
transportation itself increases costs and diminishes the end product,
farmers said.
Still, farmers who raise animals in the area say they are better off
than most of their peers across the country. In addition to Eagle Bridge, Washington County is also home to Locust Grove slaughterhouse in Argyle, which has been open since 1972. Both
facilities are federally certified. Several state-certified slaughterhouses also exist in the area, though meat processed at those businesses cannot be commercially sold.
There is also a slaughterhouse in Greenwich that specializes in
chicken, ducks and turkey and can process up to 20,000 birds a year.
"For some people, it’s two hours both ways, and I don’t think we could
afford to do that," said Karen Christensen, who operates Mack Brook
Farm in Argyle, a certified humane farm that sent more than a dozen
grass-fed bovines to Locust Grove last year.

"It’s a huge concern for a lot of people in this business, so we feel
very fortunate to be within 10 miles of a slaughterhouse," she said.
"We’re the envy of most people we talk to."

Mike Yazzi, of Flying Pigs Farm in Shushan, knows what it’s like to
travel long distances to find a slaughterhouse. When his farm opened in 2001, he transported pigs to Connecticut for slaughter. As the operation grew and slaughter services were needed on
a weekly basis, though, Yazzi said it became clear the model wasn’t sustainable.
With 300 to 400 pigs slaughtered each year, having a location like Eagle Bridge close at hand, he said, probably trims around $25,000 from his annual costs.
"That’s a big number for me," said Yazzi, whose pork products are
largely sent to restaurants and markets in New York City.

Slaughterhouse numbers have been falling for several reasons, industry
experts say. The lack of a stable work force and strict federal safety
and health guidelines are among them.

At Locust Grove, for example, a federal inspector is on site eight
hours a day every day. Reams of paperwork have to be filed for every
animal slaughtered, and tests occur at nearly every step in the
process.

"It’s a whole new industry now," said Bill Tripp, who said his Locust
Grove facility originally catered only to farmers looking to get meat
for their own families.
Large start-up costs are also a barrier. At Eagle Bridge, family
savings had to be used to turn what was a processing facility into a
full-service, animal-welfare approved slaughterhouse.
Pens, additional cooler space, a 45-foot trailer to hold and transport
rendered product, a scalder and additional staff were among the
investments that had to be made to grow the business. Previously,
Eagle Bridge offered only processed and smoked meats.
Eagle Bridge’s owners say they were confident they were making a wise
investment. After raising animals of their own, they experienced
firsthand how difficult it was to find a slaughtering facility.
"We knew the business was there," said Stephen Farrara, Eagle Bridge’s
manager, during a tour of the facility recently. "We realized there
was a niche."

The stresses are particularly acute in the livestock and pork trades
because those products are more often purchased rather than homegrown.
People who raise chickens, ducks or other birds in their back yards,
by contrast, are more apt to slaughter and process the animals
themselves. Still, the Garden of Spices farm in Greenwich, a poultry
slaughterhouse run by Ben Shaw, is busy. Demand has steadily grown in
the five years the farm has been open, as more people begin to raise
their own birds, he said. Shaw said he expects to process around 20,000 birds a year for farmers
from the Canadian border to the Catskill Mountains.
"When someone comes in and says they’re thinking about opening a (meat
processing) facility, I try to encourage them," he said. "The main
reason we opened was that we wanted to raise birds ourselves on a
large scale, and there was no facility around."

Interest in local meat isn’t likely to abate any time soon.
Farmers and slaughterhouse operators say they think concerns over food
safety, along with new emphasis on local foods, will only increase
over time.

Restaurateurs like Jason Baker are driving the demand.
Baker owns Black Watch, a Glens Falls-based steakhouse, and he raises
cattle on a farm in Easton and has them slaughtered and butchered at
Eagle Bridge. The process typically yields around 600 pounds of beef
every two weeks. On the menu, it’s sold as the ‘Farm du Jour,’ a meat that Baker said
has unique marbling and a "delicate floral flavor," honed through a
carefully controlled diet. Having a local slaughterhouse to help make the dish possible, he said,
is "huge," and helps patrons, chefs and servers at his restaurant gain
a better understanding of where food comes from.
"I think it’s really important to have a relationship with your food
and to have a respect for an animal who gives its life," he said.
"Just to realize that food doesn’t come out of a vacuum, people can
take that for granted."
Posted in Local on Monday, July 12, 2010 1:00 am Updated: 12:08 pm.

http://poststar.com/news/local/article_aa5835f6-8d53-11df-8fa0-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=story

Tags: Slaughterhouse, Farming, Eagle Bridge

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Warning! Fort Dodge's Fel-O-Vax-Lv-K vaccine

Received this warning from Furkids Rescue:

Date: Sunday, July 11, 2010, 3:43 PM

Dear Colleagues,

Furkids had an experience this week with Fort Dodge Leukemia vaccines that we want to share with you in hopes that no one else has this happen to their animals.

On July 7, we vaccinated 20 cats with Fort Dodge's Fel-O-Vax-Lv-K vaccine (167346B, exp. 2/20/11).

ALL 20 cats spiked high temperatures within a few hours of receiving the vaccine. We recorded temps over 105. We had to send six cats to emergency (one with seizures). We administered fluids and metacam and benadryl. Thankfully, the cats seem to be rebounding today. In our eight years, we have never seen anything like this.

Fort Dodge has offered no explanation. We will no longer be using the Fort Dodge products and wanted to pass along our experience with their vaccine in case any of you have the same lot. If you do, you should contact your rep and return them immediately.

Thanks,

Sam

Samantha Shelton
Executive Director & Founder Furkids, Inc.
770-613-0880
www.furkids.org
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Friday, July 9, 2010

San Francisco to Consider Pet-Sale Ban

PLAGUE - USA: (CALIFORNIA) GROUND SQUIRREL

******************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Sun 4 Jul 2010
Source: Los Angeles Times [edited]



Campground closed after ground squirrel tests positive for plague
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Los Angeles County public health and US Forest Service officials have
closed the Los Alamos Campground in the Angeles National Forest after
a California ground squirrel captured 2 weeks ago tested positive for
plague.

The camp, between Gorman and Pyramid Lake, was closed Saturday
afternoon [3 Jul 2010] and will remain closed for at least 10 days,
said Jonathan Fielding, the county's public health director. Squirrel
burrows in the area will be dusted for fleas, and further testing
will be conducted before the campground is reopened.

[Byline: Ruben Vives]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[The causative bacterium _Yersinia pestis_ is transmitted to people
through fleabite and direct contact with infected animals. Each
rodent species is host to one or more species of fleas which, when
infected, are carriers. These fleas generally do not infest other
animals unless their natural hosts are unavailable.

Domestic cats and dogs can also contract plague from infective fleas.
They may carry infected fleas home to their owners or, especially
cats, serve as a direct source of infection. There are many flea
treatments and repellents appropriate for pets and available. Some
products may be suitable for dogs but not cats or may be suitable for
an adult but not a younger animal. Be sure to consult your
veterinarian, as some products may be toxic to cats, kittens, and
puppies, even resulting in fatalities.

[see also:
Plague, canine - USA: (NM) 20100418.1259
Plague, cougar - USA (WY) 20100208.0429
2009
----
Plague, feline - USA (CA) 20091205.4150
Plague, fatal - USA (05): (IL) lab strain susp. RFI 20090921.3320
Plague, fatal - USA (04): (IL) lab strain susp. RFI 20090920.3298
Plague, fatal - USA (03): (NM) recovery 20090715.2530
Plague, tularemia, prairie dogs - USA (SD) 20090712.2494
Plague, fatal - USA (02): (NM) risk, prevention 20090611.2153
Plague, fatal - USA: (NM) bubonic 20090605.2080
Plague, rabbit - USA (NM) 20090415.1435
2008
----
Plague, human, prairie dogs - USA: (AZ) 20081012.3229
Plague, bubonic - USA: (CT ex WY) 20080827.2672
Plague, wildlife - USA: (CO) rabbit 20080727.2289
Plague, prairie dogs, ferrets - USA: (SD) (02) 20080722.2213
Plague, prairie dog, ferrets - USA: (SD) 20080708.2082
Plague, feline - USA (WY): mountain lion 20080522.1694
Plague, prairie dogs - USA: (CO), susp., RFI 20080506.1552
Plague, human, feline - USA (NM): early season cases 20080127.0340]
...................................sb/tg/mj/lm

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.
##########################################

Thursday, July 8, 2010

UPG Expands Pet Products Recall

United Pet Groups Expands Recall to Include Cat & Dog Products
Pro-Pet products, Excel-branded and private label pet supplements and clean-up products for cats and dogs included in recall.
Posted: July 6, 2010, 3 p.m. EDT

Recalled vitamins for dogs and cats come in tablet or powdered form, which can be added to food.

Due to salmonella concerns, United Pet Group of Cincinnati has expanded its recent recall of its Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin tablets for dogs to include additional branded and private label pet care products. The expanded recall, issued July 2, includes more Pro-Pet products as well as various Excel-branded and private label pet supplements and clean-up products for cats and dogs.

Laboratory testing has revealed that some lots of these products may be contaminated with salmonella, according to the company. The company said it is recalling additional products out of “an abundance of caution.”

The affected products are in tablet and powered form and were sold nationally at various retailers, including Petco and Doctors Foster and Smith, United Pet Group reported.

The affected products carry expiration dates from “01/2013” through “06/2013.” Products with expirations dates before “01/2013” or after “06/2013” are not included in the recall.

The following is a list of the recalled products with Label Sku, UPC, Label Description and Expiration Date:

353, 825141273447
Doctors Foster and Smith Brewers Yeast Mega-Tabs with Garlic and Essential Fatty Acids 180 Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

5619, 18065056191
5619 Nature's Miracle Pet Mess Easy Clean-up Net WT 12oz, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

1152092, 800443076576
Petco Breath Tabs for Dogs Liver Flavor 50 TabletsPetco Breath Tabs for Dogs Liver Flavor 50 Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

33805, 825141059485
Doctors Foster and Smith Dis-Taste Small Dog Tablets 250 Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

33806, 825141008629
Doctors Foster and Smith Ext Strength Dis-Taste Tablets 180 Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

33807, 825141063680
Doctors Foster and Smith Ext Strength Dis-Taste Tablets 500 Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

35908, 825141095629
Doctors Foster and Smith Fresh Breath Tablets for Dogs 100 Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

36763, 825141291250
Doctors Foster and Smith Cran Health Support Normal Urinary Tract Health 60 Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

673110 bottle,1094181 box, 800443037065
Petco Ear Powder For Dogs 1oz (28g) Box Label, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

72157, 825141055043
Doctors Foster and Smith Brewers Yeast Tablets for Dogs and Cats 750 Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

9305, 825141003921
Doctors Foster and Smith Ear Powder Net WT 1oz (28g), EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

9306, 825141005154
Doctors Foster and Smith Ear Powder Net WT 4oz (113g), EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

J707, 26851007074
Excel 3 in 1 Ear Powder Ear Care Net WT 1oz(28g), EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

J7110, 26851071105
Excel Glucosamine Joint Care 120 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

J7113, 26851071136
Excel Glucosamine with MSM Joint Care 120 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

J720, 26851007203
Excel Deter Coprophagia Treatment Behavioral Aid 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

J724, 26851007241
Excel Deter Coprophagia Treatment Behavioral Aid 500 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

J7311, 26851073116
Excel Gas Preventative Digestive Aid Digestive Care 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

J7315, 26851073154
Excel Calm-Quil Calming Tablets Behavior Aid 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

J74016, 26851074014
DDS Dental Breath Mints Breath Control 40 Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

K1723, 26851017233
DDS Dental Breath Tabs Breath Control 200 Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

K1775, 26851017752
Pro-Pet Brewers Yeast Daily Supplement 250 Chew Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

K701, 26851007012
Excel Calcium Daily Supplement 125 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

K746, 26851007463
Excel Calcium Daily Supplement 500 Tasty Chew tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

K776/PR, 26851007760
PR Excel Brewers Yeast with Garlic Skin and Coat 150 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

K777/1, 26851007777
Excel Brewers Yeast with Garlic Skin and Coat Care 600 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

K778, 26851007784
Excel Brewers Yeast with Garlic Skin and Coat Care 1000 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

K785, 26851007852
Excel Brewers Yeast with Garlic Skin and Coat Care Mega Tabs 216 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

N1701, 26851017011
Pro-Pet Senior Daily Vitamin Supplement 100 Tasty Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

N700TR, 26851007005
Excel Pupply Multi Vitamin 100 Tasty Chew Tabs Time Release, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

N7301, 26851073017
Excel Small Breed Multi Vitamin 45 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

N7309, 26851073093
Excel Lutein Vision Maintenance Eye Care 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

N845TR, 26851008453
Excel Adult Multi Vitamin 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-78030, 26851780304
Excel Advantage Adult Multi Vitamin 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-78031, 26851780311
Excel Advantage Puppy Multi Vitamin 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-78032, 26851780328
Excel Advantage Senior Multi Vitamin 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-78033, 26851780335
Excel Advantage Skin and Coat Essentials 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-78034, 26851780342
Excel Advantage Glucosamine Plus 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-78035, 26851780359
Excel Advantage Glucosamine Advanced Strength 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-78065, 26851780656
Excel Adult Multivitamin 120 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-78066, 26851780663
Excel Senior Multi Vitamin 120 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-82530, 26851825302
Pro-Pet Glucosamine Joint Care 60 Chew Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-82531, 26851825319
Pro-Pet Stool-Eating Preventative(Corprophagia Treatment) 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-82534, 26851825340
Pro-Pet Anti-Stress Calming Tabs 60 Chew Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-82562, 26851825623
Pro-Pet Glucosamine Plus Joint Care 100 Chew Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-82618, 26851826187
Pro-Pet Breath Tabs 40 Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-82619, 26851826194
Pro-Pet Breath Mints 200 Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-82654, 26851826545
Pro-Pet Gas Relief Digestive Aid 40 Chew Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-82656, 26851826569
Pro-Pet Glucosamine Advanced Joint Powder Net WT 10oz(283g), EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-82658, 26851826583
Pro-Pet Daily Vitamin Supplement Powder Net WT 10oz (283g), EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-83062, 26851830627
Pro-Pet Puppy and Small Breed Daily Vitamin Supplement 100 Chew Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-83065, 26851830658
Pro-Pet Glucosamine Advanced Joint Care 60 Chew Tablets, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-N78012, 26851780120
Excel Joint Ensure Moderate Care 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-N78013, 26851780137
Excel Joint Ensure Advanced Care 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

P-N78014, 26851780144
Excel Flare-Away Joint Tabs 60 Tasty Chew Tabs, EXP 01/13 thru 06/13

The company had issued a voluntary recall in late June of all unexpired lots of its Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin tablets for dogs. At that time, the company reported that one lot of the vitamin product was contaminated with salmonella.

Pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans, according to the company. Pet owners are urged to contact their veterinarian if their pet has consumed the recalled product and is exhibiting these symptoms.

Humans can also become infected, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the raw pet food or surfaces exposed to the recalled product, according to the company. Symptoms in humans may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and headache. Children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to infection, according to the company.

Consumers who have purchased the affected products are urged to contact United Pet Group or the place of purchase for further direction. Consumers may contact United Pet Group at (877) 399-5226, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST.

Sweet Pittie in Lindenhurst NY to be PTS!!!

Marietta W AlfaroJuly 8, 2010 at 12:15am
Subject: SAVE WILLIAM pls !
Dear Friends, i would like to forward this message to all of you hoping that someone would be in a position to help this baby: Pls read!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Mary has sent you a message:
Please forward far and wide (and pray, if you do) and help make sure this sweet doggie isn't euthanized! Thank you!

William is a pitbull who was hit by a car and left for dead. He has had surgery but NOW there is talk of euthanizing him. That is just WRONG! If you can help William it would be greatly appreciated. He is in Lindenhurst, NY.

Here is a bit of his story:

Sweet William is exactly that, sweet. He is a Pit Bull with a very uncertain fate and we have to help him! Here is his story: He had been struck by a car and left for dead with two broken legs and multiple injuries. An animal Rescue in Long Island, New York took him in ...gave him the surgeries he needed and he was put up for adoption. Due to some unfortunate circumstances and people being neglectful of what is most appropriate for the dog, Sweet William had a couple of minor accidents and is now going to be Euthanized, unless we find another place for him to rest his head soundly. Sweet William has been through some traumatic events in his life and just needs some extra TLC, some training and baby steps. He is not aggressive by any means, he is sweet and loves attention. He certainly does not deserve death. We are reaching out to everyone, everywhere and asking for help to find this sweet boy another r escue facility, no-kill shelter or organization. He is currently in New York and time is running very short.Please pass this along to all you know no matter where they are located, time is important right now,not where, there are people ready to take him where he has to go, once a place is found. Donations are not necessary at the moment, depending on the cost of relocating him they may be helpful in the future, but for now all we need is a place for him to go. I know first hand from working one on one with him every day that he is a good dog! We cannot let another good dog die for no reason! Thank you for your help and support.

PLEASE SHARE SHARE SHARE ....After all he's been through he does not deserve to die now. He's still a baby.

Thanks everyone. I know we can do this!"


To reply to this message, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox%2Freadmessage.php&t=1294620215000&mid=29f52d6G2c3904afG6d11c6fG0&n_m=

Sunday, July 4, 2010

A Call to Action in DC - Equine Advocates / Animal Rights Activists

LOBBIEST NEEDED FOR DC ANIMAL RIGHTS CONFERENCE : Participants need participants for Respect 4 horses lobbying trip to Washington D.C. and animal rights conference. July 17th through July 23rd. Please spread the word. Time is short and we need more people to be able to see all the legislators we need to. We have very effective presentations for all legislators in the committees that have been holding up the bills. If interested, please call Simone at 928.308.6718

Birthday Action Against Vivisection

Forwarding for Camile of NIO, whos BD is tomorrow.

Subject: Vivisection will cease on the day it becomes unprofitable

I thank you for your birthday wishes, but, up until five minutes ago, the and a key to impeding funding is to create public outrage (and guilt) about how the public is responsible for financing death with their tax dollars...

We are trying to challenge the propagandists to publically admit to the human injuries and deaths for which they are responsible. (http://www.facebook.com/l/eb0000Z0P0pkVpadXQPA5AlrXtw;negotiationisover.com/2010/07/03/the-human-cost-of-vivisection-letters-to-the-media/ ) If we can successfully raise the issue of consequent human injuries (1) people will be more receptive; (2) once they understand that their taxes fund torture and murder, they will remain complicit or they will demand answers, and (3) the pro-vivs will necessarily reveal themselves as paid mercenaries -- with no interest in science or the "do no harm" tenet of medicine. deaths are simply a negligible liability tfactored into a soulless bloody business model.

1- The only place we've been published so far is on Opposing Views (Jentsch's and Ringach's playground). While we're trying to find a sympathetic journalist (e.g., bill moyers, amy goodman, jane valez-mitchelll) this is the only place we've been published so far:

http://www.facebook.com/l/eb000OqBUL3jgS17bvHNLLqGl0A;www.opposingviews.com/i/the-human-cost-of-vivisection-the-public-needs-to-understand

while this is a relatively uselss forum to achive any public awareness, your comments would be appreciated.

2- July 5 is my birthday.Thank you for the early birthday wishes but I'd appreciate it if we could all do something instead: please send an email to this block of my favorite vivisection pararsites:


"Frankie Trull" , "Richard W. Bianco" , "Earle M. Holland" , "Paul M. Browne" , "Thomas Mattia" ,"Tom Holder" , "Jackie Calnan" , "Dario L. Ringach" , "J. David Jentsch"

and demand that they address one issue...

"if animal research advances medical science, how come when the animal experiments end and the products go to market, the humans experiments begin? why is there a new class-action lawsuit almost monthly? people are regularly injured, maimed, left in vegetative states, commit suicide, or are simply murdered by bad drug -- that is, by YOU. the human casualties appear to be a simple cost of doing business.

how do you account for the human devastation incurred as a direct result of the animal "research" you promote? i'm assuming that all of the animal blood spilled provides a steady stream of income that more than washes out any balance sheet liabilities from those annoying class-action law suits.

I am morally opposed to the NIH using my tax dollars to fund your obscene sadism and the public will be outraged as well. So, if I'm wrong, this is your chance to make me understand."

Sincerely,
your name

____________________________________________________
FYI - these are the aberrations you are writing to:

Frankie Trull – info@fbresearch.org
Founder & President, Foundation for Biomedical Research; Lobbyist
promotes “public understanding” yet she has no education or experience in medicine or science

Richard W. Bianco – bianc001@umn.edu
Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Minnesota
To help Trull manipulate “public understanding,” Bianco believes that “if we could get a celebrity, that would change everything.”

Jackie Calnan – amp@amprogress.org
President, Americans for Medical Progress (AMP)
Multi-national corporations that profit from vivisection (e.g., Pfizer, Abbott Labs, GlaxoSmithKline, Wyeth, Charles River) comprise the Board of Directors; they award fellowships to lay people who in turn become vivisection propagandists.

Earle M. Holland – Holland.8@osu.edu
Vivisection Public Relations, Ohio State University
Sits on the AMP Board of Directors
Holland excuses the violations, torture, and murders of hundreds of animals at Ohio State and the NIH rewarded those crimes with $34 million from taxpayers.

Tom Holder – tom@speakingofresearch.com
Spokesperson, UCLA’s Pro-Test for Science
AMP paid Holder to move from U.K. and financed the inception of Speaking of Research (the public relations arm of UCLA Pro-Test)
Like most paid industry spokespersons, Holder has no scientific education or knowledge. He claims that he advocates animal abuse “for my health.”

Paul Browne – contact@speakingofresearch.com
Sits on the Speaking of Research Committee
He is a science blogger who joined this group of vivisectors because he was “tired of seeing the half-truths and misinformation” going “unchallenged in the press”. Here is the second opportunity I am offering him to fulfill this goal.

J. David Jentsch – jentsch@psych.ucla.edu
UCLA Vivisector, Co-Founder of Pro-Test for Science
addicts animals, including nonhuman primates, to illegal narcotics
the NIH awards Jentsch/UCLA hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars annually to repeat and refine his methods of creating insanity and physical debilitation in his victims.

Dario L. Ringach – dario@ucla.edu
UCLA Vivisector, Co-Founder of Pro-Test for Science
the NIH awards Ringach/UCLA hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars annually to restrain, blind, and murder animals which would explain his vocal position: “I fully support and defend the use of animals (including primates) in responsible biomedical research.”

Thomas Mattia – thomas.mattia@yale.edu
Chief Communications Officer, Yale University
Yale’s vivisection spokesperson has no scientific background. But, in 2007, the Coca-Cola executive brought them a wealth of information about soft drinks.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Dog-Breeding Tax Heroine




Kimberly Alboum is HSUS’s North Carolina State Director, overseeing all programs in that state. She joined HSUS in 2009 from Willis of the Carolinas, a human-resources consulting firm where she was a vice president.

Her chief area of interest in 2010 is dog-breeding regulations, specifically the passage of State Bill 460 to require dog breeders to pay sales and income taxes to the state government.