Daylight Saving time ends Sunday 11/04 at 2:00am  ... don't forget to "fall behind" and set your clocks back 1 hour before you go to bed Saturday night!

Also, when you turn your clocks back this Saturday night, please check your smoke alarm batteries too — and if it’s been a year since you changed them, install fresh ones.

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Many folks (especially children) incorrectly approach a dog. The above illustration shows many of the incorrect ways, which stresses the dog, often resulting in the dog biting. Please read this fun and informative poster, and learn the correct way to approach a dog so that ALL (human & doggie) enjoy the experience!

~Zena~


* Poster compliments of Lili Chin and www.doggiedrawings.net

Free Pumpkin-Carving Stencils of Favorite Dog Breeds
 from Better Homes & Gardens


Let your friends and neighbors know which dog breed is best by carving a pumpkin that looks like your favorite canine.

Your dog is the best dog in the world, right? So show the world how much you care about Max or Buddy or Molly or Princess by carving a pumpkin with his or her likeness. The American Kennel Club's list of top breeds inspired this series of pumpkin-carving stencils.

How to use:

Start by cleaning out the pumpkin, scraping the flesh thinnest in the region in which you'll carve the design. Attach the pattern (enlarged on a photocopier) to the pumpkin with tape. Use a pin to make closely spaced pin pricks along the stencil lines, piercing the paper. Remove the pattern. Cut completely through solid lines (as shown on the stencil), but only peel away the skin within the dotted lines to enhance features.

Norwegian Forest Cat

Why buy 'um, when you can easily make 'um yourself?! ♥

Most everyone loves peanut butter, including our pets. So when we saw this recall notice, we thought it was important to spread the word.

The recall is due to Salmonella contamination at the Sunland Inc. processing plant in Mexico. The following peanut butter brands have been affected (the list is growing daily, so here is a link to the FDA for updates):

Archer Farms (Target), Earth Balance, Fresh & Easy, Late July, Heinen's, Joseph's, Natural Value, Naturally More, Open Nature, Peanut Power Butter, Serious Food, Snaclite Power, Sprouts Farmers Market, Sprout's, Sunland and Dogsbutter, among others.

So, in addition to watching out for your children and yourself, please beware when feeding peanut butter to your pets.

Salmonellosis symptoms in pets may include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (may or may not contain blood)
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss
• High fever
• Dehydration
• Weakness
• Abdominal pain
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Miscarriage 
• Mucus in stool

If your pet is exhibiting these symptoms, please call your vet ASAP.

By-the-way, Salmonellosis is a zoonotic illness. Meaning that YOU can "catch" it from your pets! Yikes!  To avoid becoming ill yourself, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your ill pet, and/or any of their utensils, or belongings. Bleach is the best method to kill salmonella bacteria in the environment.


UPDATE:  October 1, 2012
There have been a number of recalls related to the expanded Sunland Inc. recall of products which include peanut butter and other products made with nuts and seeds. Among those companies initiating related recalls are Chattanooga Bakery Inc., Fairytale Brownies, Falcon Trading Company/SunRidge Farms, Giant Food,   Gretchen Shoebox Express, Harry and David, Jer's Chocolates, Justin's, Late July Snacks, Newman's Own Organics , Oregon Ice Cream Company, Stop & Shop Supermarket Company and Whole Foods Market.

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So, we've all had problems crate training from time to time I'm sure, but if you follow a few simple steps it can be done!


1st - Place crate(s) in desired area, for this is the area you want your dog to feel comfortable



2nd - Place blankets and bedding into the crate, if you have bedding left over you can place it on top of the crate for later use.



3rd - Leave the crate door open so that your dog can get used to the crate, do not try to force the crate onto your dog, you want this to be a positive experience, and dogs being den animals should take to the crate naturally with given time.



4th - Let the dog be, and come to check every now and then to see if any progress is being made ...

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 Are you looking for something for your doggies that provides some mental stimulation, is lots of fun, and keeps them hydrated ... all at the same time?

Well, we saw this the other day, and thought is was a "cool" idea!

You can buy the kit, or do-it-yourself.



All you need is an empty ice cream bucket, water, liquid chicken stock, chew toys, and treats.

Put a few items in the bucket, fill a third of the way with water, add a bit of liquid chicken stock (low sodium is best), and freeze. Once frozen, add more items and 1/3 more water/stock, and freeze again. Later, add more toys/treats and fill with water the rest of the way, and freeze one last time.

Easy-peasy, huh!?!

Suggested items/treats:
- Kong (filled with peanut butter)
- Dog Treats
- Bananas (sliced)
- Hot Dogs (pieces)
- Salmon (cooked/canned)
- Sweet Potatoes (sliced)
- Green Beans (frozen or fresh)
- Hard-boiled Eggs
- Pineapple (chunks or rings)
- Apples (sliced, with NO core)
- Peas (frozen or fresh)

Of course, this will be very messy as it melts, so make sure to use as an OUTSIDE toy.

I hope Mom puts one of these in the doggie pool! ;o)

~Zena


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They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, a video must be worth ten-thousand then.

We have seen so many signs and posters over the past few weeks, warning folks about the dangers of leaving your pet in a parked car ... even for "just a few minutes" and with the windows rolled down.

But this is even better ... here is a great VIDEO.

We considered making a similar video ourselves, but are so glad we found this instead ... and now no longer need to make our own. Why suffer when you do not have to? Right!? Which is exactly the point ... why have YOUR pets suffer when they do not have too.

Please leave your pets at home when you run errands, where they are safe & cool. Your pets will thank you!

Do thunderstorms, fireworks, or those monsters in the laundry room (aka washer & dryer) cause your pets to tuck their tails and hide in fear?

If so, here is a great little app that plays relaxing "brown noise", to help mask those scary sounds. It is called SimplyNoise. It is FREE if you play it from their website, or for a small donation of any amount, you can download it, if you wish to. It is also available for download onto your phone, for 99 cents.

We tried it the other day while working in the office, and had to turn it off. Yes, turn it off! Why? Because it was soooo soothing that we almost fell asleep at our desk! Doggies were snoring away, of course, with no thought of the monsters in the other room. ;o)

They also have a Facebook page called "SimplyNoise Changed My Life...". Please stop by and tell 'um All God's Creatures Pet Services sent ya! Thx!

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We recently came across this story online in the Beijing News. Can you imagine such a thing happening here in the U.S.?  It would be amazing to watch  ... unless you were in a hurry to get somewhere, we suppose. >>>

In the Chinese city of Taizhou, nearly 200 miles from Shanghai, there is a farmer who often takes his flock of ducks from their home, to the pond nearby down the road.

Using only a long cane pole to guide his waddling friends the nearly one-mile walk, the farmer proudly says that in all their journeys over the past 6-months, he has never lost a duck!

Very cool!

We were going to make a wise-quack, but did not want readers to call fowl, so decided to forgo any puns. ;0)

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This is a great story ... worth reading.

They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie, as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes and a sealed letter from his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike. 

 For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls - he wouldn't go anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his old stuff, that I'd get him new things once he settled in. But it became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn't going to.

I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like "sit" and "stay" and "come" and "heel," and he'd follow them - when he felt like it. He never really seemed to listen when I called his name - sure, he'd look in my direction after the fourth of fifth time I said it, but then he'd just go back to doing whatever. When I'd ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey.

This just wasn't going to work. He chewed a couple shoes and some unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it, I could tell. The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cellphone amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the "dang dog probably hid it on me."

Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I also found his pad and other toys from the shelter. I tossed the pad in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home. But then I called, "Hey, Reggie, you like that? Come here and I'll give you a treat." Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction - maybe "glared" is more accurate - and then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down. With his back to me.

Well, that's not going to do it either, I thought. And I punched the shelter phone number.

But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that, too. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice" ...

To Whoever Gets My Dog:

Well, I can’t say that I’m happy you’re reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie’s new owner. I’m not even happy writing it. If you’re reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter. He knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time… it’s like he knew something was wrong. 

And something is wrong…which is why I have to try to make it right. So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you. First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier. Sometimes I think he’s part squirrel, the way he hordes them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn’t done it yet. Doesn’t matter where you throw them, he’ll bound after them, so be careful. Don’t do it by any roads. I made that mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly.
 
Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I’ll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones —”sit,” “stay,” “come,” “heel.” He knows hand signals, too:”back” to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and “over” if you put your hand out right or left. “Shake” for shaking water off, and “paw” for a high-five. He does “down” when he feels like lying down — I bet you could work on that with him some more. He knows”ball” and “food” and “bone” and “treat” like nobody’s business. I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens his ears like little pieces of hot dog. 

Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the morning, and again at six in the evening. Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand. He’s up on his shots. Call the clinic on 9th Street and update his info with yours; they’ll make sure to send you reminders for when he’s due. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car. I don’t know how he knows when it’s time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time. I’ve never been married, so it’s only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He’s gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn’t bark or complain. He just loves to be around people and me most especially. Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live with someone new.  And that’s why I need to share one more bit of info with you ….

His name’s not Reggie. I don’t know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I told them his name was Reggie. He’s a smart dog, he’ll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn’t bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I’d never see him again. And if I end up coming back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means everything’s fine.

But if someone else is reading it, well … well it means that his new owner should know his real name. It’ll help you bond with him. Who knows, maybe you’ll even notice a change in his demeanor if he’s been giving you problems. 

His real name is “Tank.” Because, that is what I drive. 

Again, if you’re reading this and you’re from the area, maybe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn’t make”Reggie” available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. You see, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could’ve left Tank with … and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq , that they make one phone call to the shelter … in the “event”…to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my colonel is a dog-guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he’d do it personally. And if you’re reading this, then he made good on his word.

Well, this letter is getting downright depressing, even though, frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I was writing it for a wife and kids and family ... but still, Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family. And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family, too, and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.

That unconditional love from a dog is what I take with me to Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible things ... and to keep those terrible people from coming to the U.S. If I have to giveup Tank in order to do it, I am glad to have done so. He is my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried too much the first time. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight – every night – from me.

Thank you,

Paul Mallory

I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure, I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.

"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.

The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright.

"C'mere boy."

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months. "Tank," I whispered.

His tail swished.

I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek.

"So whatdaya say we play some ball?" His ears perked again.

"Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?"

Tank tore from my hands and disappeared into the next room. And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.

Black Lab with Tennis Balls Artwork by Carol Lynn Nesbitt

* By-the-way ... this story is not true.  It is fictitious. No evidence has been found of a Paul Mallory (or anyone else fitting his circumstances) in the Silver Star, the Washington Post's Faces of the Fallen, or icasualties.org. However, just because it is not literally true, does not mean it is not figuratively true. Those serving our country do so at great personal sacrifice. So a story like this, whether literally true or not, reminds us all how much they give, how much their families (both human & furry) left behind give, and how much we owe them.

                                                   God Bless our soldiers & their families, and God Bless America!




** Photo Sources: unknown.

This is so cool, that we just had to share it with y'all ...

The last SIX (6) eggs that we have cracked open have ALL been double yokes!  How cool is that?!

Have y'all ever experienced something like this? We have six more eggs to go ... wonder if they will be double yoked too?!

By-the-way ... I LOVE eggs! Yum! ♥

~Zena

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We received this from the song-writer/musician, Dan Reising, asking if we would mind passing it along ...

So here ya go,
~Pamela~

Btw ... paintings are by Seattle artist Nancy Schutt.

We are so upset this morning! We have been lied to.

Last month, as you already may know if you read our blog, Diamond Pet Foods release a notice about a dry dog food recall on a product made at their South Carolina plant, due to a possible Salmonella contamination.  A week later they shut this plant down.

The week after that, another dry dog food recall ... and another, and another, and so on, and so on. As of this morning's recalls listed below, we are now up to 12+ dog food recalls. Twelve dog food COMPANIES, that is.  There are been so many different brands & varieties, that to be honest, we have lost track of them all.  It would be almost a full-time job to keep track.

On top of it all, as you may have also already read in our blog, the Centers for Disease Control has also issued a notice regarding an outbreak of illness in PEOPLE who have TOUCHED the dog foods listed in the recall, and then were infected with  Salmonella.

Why are we so angry, you ask?  Who lied to us?

Well, Diamond Pet Foods for one. When this first broke a month ago, we spoke with a representative of their company, and they totally played down the issue ... saying that it was only one brand/variety of dog food that MIGHT be affected, that no dogs had gotten sick, and that they were just being "proactive". This was all a lie.  If you look at the report from the CDC, and read all the recalls released in the past few days ... you will see that this has been a concern since LAST YEAR.

Who else lied to us?  Wellness/WellPet foods lied to us.  We also contacted their company directly to inquire as to whether ANY of their foods/products/treats were manufactured in the Diamond Pet Foods plant in South Carolina.  We were told (in writing) that "Diamond no longer produces any Wellness products." So we felt we were "safe", and let our clients know that they were too.

Now we see this recall today. Why recall ANY of your foods, if NONE are made in the Diamond plant??? Because Wellness LIED.

We STRONGLY encourage everyone to please open your eyes to all that is happening at the Diamond plant in South Carolina.

A company does not close down their plant, if it is "no big deal".

Dog foods are not recalled right and left (12+ recalls, so far?) in a few weeks time, if there is "no problem".

The Centers for Disease Control does not release a warning that people are getting sick all over the USA from TOUCHING the dog foods listed in the recalls, if this was "rare ... not happening very often".

However, the plant IS closed down, dog foods ARE being recalled all over the place, and the Centers for Disease Control DID release a public warning! Sounds like a BIG DEAL to us!






Below is a list of all the companies that have RECALLED their pet food manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods in the South Carolina facility (just click on their name to be taken to detailed recall notice):

• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
• Country Value
• Diamond
• Diamond Naturals
• Premium Edge
• Professional
• 4Health (sold at Tractor Supply Co)
• Taste of the Wild
• Kirkland (sold at Costco)
• Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods
• Canidae/Felidae
• WELLNESS  
• Apex  <<< Just added to list 05/07/12
• Kaytee Forti-Diet (hamster, mouse & rat food)  <<< Just added to list 05/07/12
• Solid Gold (added to list 05/08/12 @ 7:00am)

Last word of advice ... please be aware that where you live, does not make you "safe" from this recall.  

We live in a society where products are shipped all over the place, especially with the ability to order online.  So please check your bags, to see if they are on the recall list.  Or better yet, do as we are going to do in our home ... discontinue feeding ALL of the above foods, and switch to a company that has never had any in recalls at their plant.

Or stop feeding dry dog food kibble all together, and cook for your doggies just as you do the rest of your family.  ;-O
  
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Remember that "smoke" we mentioned yesterday ... well, looks like there is a "fire" after all.

In typical form, Diamond Pet Foods sent out an end-of-the-day/end-of-the-week/hope-no-one-notices news release late this afternoon, listing additional dog foods that are being added to their RECALL.  Below is a copy of their release, if you wish to read it.

Long story short, these are the dry dog foods on the recall list:

• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
• Country Value
• Diamond
• Diamond Naturals
• Premium Edge
• Professional
• 4Health
• Taste of the Wild
• Kirkland (sold at Costco)

Just hoping that this does not turn into a "raging fire" ...

~ Zena  (A Boxer girlie who is glad she does not eat any of the above)


*** Reminder ... these dog foods are also manufactured by Diamond, but not on the recall list (yet):

-Canidae/Felidae
-Solid Gold Health Products for Pets*
-Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods
-4Health (sold at Tractor Supply Co)

Diamond Expands Voluntary Recall

First the dogs, now it's people ... a notice from the Centers for Disease Control came out today regarding PEOPLE getting sick from touching contaminated pet food manufactured at Diamond Pet Foods plant in South Carolina.

• A total of 14 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Infantis have been reported from 9 states.
• The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (1), Connecticut (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (3), North Carolina (3), New Jersey (1), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (1), and Virginia (1).
• Among the 9 patients with available information, 5 (56%) were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
• Multiple brands of dry pet food produced by Diamond Pet Foods at a single manufacturing facility in South Carolina have been linked to some of the human Salmonella infections.
• Consumers should check their homes for recalled dog food products and discard them promptly. People who think they might have become ill after contact with dry pet food or with an animal that has eaten dry pet food should consult their health care providers.

As we have said several times over the past few weeks ... "where there is smoke, there is fire" ... if it were us, we would NOT feed our dogs ANY dog foods made by Diamond Pet Foods in their South Carolina plant:

First it was a recall on the Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice dry dog food, then they shut their South Carolina plant down. Next was the recall of Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food, and now TODAY, Diamond Pet Foods has issued a recall of their Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food. All due to salmonella concerns.

Here are the details/production codes for Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food:

• Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 40 lb. DPP0401B22XJW 6-Apr-2013
• Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 40 lb. DPP0401A21XAW 6-Apr-2013
• Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 40 lb. DPP0101C31XME 11-Jan-2013
• Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 40 lb. DPP0401B21XDJ 7-Apr-2013
• Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 20 lb. DPP0401B22XJW 6-Apr-2013
• Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 20 lb. DPP0101C31XME 11-Jan-2013
• Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 20 lb. DPP0101C31XRB 11-Jan-2013
• Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 8 lb. DPP0401B2XALW 7-Apr-2013
• Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 6 oz. samples DPP0401

Consumers who have purchased Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food with these production codes and best before dates should immediately discontinue feeding it to their dogs.

For more information about this recall, consumers can contact Diamond Pet Foods at 800-442-0402.


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 Did you know ....


That not only are dandelions OK for your doggies to eat, but that they also may be beneficial?


Dandelions contain vitamins A, B, C, and E, plus potassium, calcium, and iron. They are known to help with an assortment of ailments such as acid indigestion, arthritis, constipation, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, loss of appetite, mild pain, and urinary disorders.

So next time your doggie eats a dandion, don't panic ... your doggie just might be needing a little something extra to help along his constipation. ;0)


Wonder if my chin will glow too, if  mom holds a dandelion flower up underneath it ...
~ Zena ♥



A word of caution - if you do allow your doggie to eat a few dandelions, be sure they are chemical free ... that no pesticides have been applied to them! Also, if your dog is on any medications or is being treated by a veterinarian for anything, be sure to double-check with your vet that dandelions will not cause a bad interaction.

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There sure have been a lot of recalls lately!  Ugh! This time, instead of a pet food recall, this one affects the heartworm medication, Iverhart Max.

We posted this recall on our Facebook page back in March, when it first came out. And later realized that we did not post it here too. Since it is now "that time of the year", when mosquitoes & heartworms are a danger to our pets, we thought now was a good time to post it here too.

Iverhart Max was voluntarily recalled because of concerns with the stability of the main ingredient, Ivermectin. Here is a copy of their press release >>>

Virbac Announces Voluntary Recall Notice for One Lot of IVERHART MAX^® Chewable Tablets (ivermectin / pyrantel pamoate / praziquantel)

March 26, 2012

On Monday, March 26, 2012 Virbac AH, Inc. announced a voluntary recall of a single production lot of   IVERHART MAX^® Chewable Tablets.

Affected Product:  IVERHART MAX Chewable Tablets, Lot #110482 (Large, 50.1 - 100 lbs)

The lot number is stamped on the side lid/flap of the box in a white text field and on the blister foil of the individual doses. Please note that this voluntary recall affects only this specific lot – no other products are affected by this recall.

Virbac, after promptly notifying the FDA, is coordinating with our distributor network to voluntarily recall the affected product.  Letters have been sent directly to veterinary distributors instructing them to cease distribution of this identified lot and to advise veterinary clinics in receipt of the identified product to cease dispensing this affected lot.

It is important to note that prior to releasing the identified product lot for sale and distribution, numerous tests were performed and all test results were within specifications permitting the release of the product. After release, routine product testing has determined that the ivermectin (an active ingredient) has failed to meet our required stability specifications. Consequently, some dogs dosed with the identified lot may not be fully protected against heartworm disease.

It is Virbac’s goal to ensure that all dogs receive adequate protection against heartworm disease. For potentially affected dogs, veterinarians should contact Virbac Technical Services (800-338-3659 x3052) to discuss recommendations for heartworm testing procedures. If any dog receiving IVERHART MAX Tablets is found infected with heartworms, treatment can be administered and will be covered under the IVERHART product satisfaction guarantee.

Virbac regrets this isolated incident and remains committed to manufacturing quality products.  Testing has confirmed that all other lots of IVERHART MAX Chewable Tablets remain potent. Only this single lot is affected by this recall. Since only the ivermectin is affected, protection against other internal parasites covered by the product is not compromised. Additionally, no heartworm-related adverse events or illnesses have been reported to-date with this lot of product.

 Call your veterinarian, if you have been giving this product to your dog, for further advice.

And as always ... hug your doggies ♥,
~ Zena & Pamela
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