Life, Interrupted

Spread the word -- this is a premium pet food line, not one you'd expect to have any problems.

***********

1. FDA Health Alert for Merrick Beef Filet Squares Dog Treats ...

"14 Jan 2010 ... The US Food and Drug Administration is warning
consumers not to use Merrick Beef Filet Squares for dogs distributed
by Merrick Pet Care with ..."

www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm197700.htm

From: U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) <fda@service.govdelivery.com>
Sent: Fri, Jan 15, 2010 11:09 am
Subject: FDA Health Alert for Merrick Beef Filet Squares Dog Treats
Packaged and Distributed by Merrick Pet Care


FDA Health Alert for Merrick Beef Filet Squares Dog Treats Packaged and
Distributed by Merrick Pet Care
Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:35:00 -0600

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use
Merrick Beef Filet Squares for dogs distributed by Merrick Pet Care with a
package date of ?Best By 111911? because the product may be contaminated
with Salmonella.

He's still interested in things, moving around, and determined to eat things he shouldn't -- in other words, almost normal, although not necessarily wanting to eat more than a bite, so he got his soft A/D a couple of hours ago. Merlyn thinks the New England Boil is just fine, as did Maisie. Max shrugged, but did sniff. I've been giving him five drops of milk thistle and a drop of the Carnivora when I remember to add to the meat mix. He will still eat 3 or 4 bites of Fancy Feast gourmet dry crack for cats. (Always be suspicious of dried food that does NOT give you an amount per pound of cat....) But that's I hope temporary.

I could get in to friends' Kristy and Leslie's vet Friday, so drove down to Bee Caves Road. The staff is very professional and yet friendly -- your bill even tells you the name of the tech. Dr. Asbury told me what my other vet didn't tell me months ago -- that when you "say heading for Renal Failure", that means about 70% of that function is gone. The good news is, a cat or dog can go along for 6 months -- 2 years just fine on 30%. Dr. Broux made it sound a lot scarier. Rates are competitive, and Dr. Angela tried to make it simple for us both.

Since pilling 1/2 a Pepcid is hard, I will give him .02 of liquid Pepcid to make sure no ulcers form (TB thin needles, awesome!). Max's response to it is a hair-crinkle of the lip to show me a fang. I compliment him on his nice teeth, hold the injection site closed for 15-20 deconds, and he's fine. She recommended getting saline on-line, and get the ones with potassium in them . (Right now he gets 1/4 tsp. potassium with food.) Only thing I'm not sure about -- can I re-use the lines and ports, since it's saline, and his fluids never touch the tube?

Whit picked up a couple of the green label Fancy Feast with greens in them -- also kitty crack for some kitties. Merlyn liked it fresh out of the can to lick -- Max, nothing. They no longer like the binder/fat for 9 lives beef in gravy. They used to really get into that one, although they didn't care for the meat.

sheilagh also likes her vet, Dr. Culp up on 620. I've filed her under services, to have a vet closer.

Thank you for all your help!

Max is currently rotating between the throw rug in the sunbeam, and the hot flax seed & rice sack on the massage table. The best news? I heard Merlyn throwing himself at Maisie's door in the time-honored fashion of cats. Turned out it was Max, not Merlyn!

Max is feeling much better! He wiggles for his subcutaneous fluids, but he's thrown up water once, so he also needs these every day. His coat is silky again. Now he drapes himself over my chest when he wants all my attention.

But I go to go get the big syringes (thank g-d that warming the muscle makes it go in easier!) So they are on their own....

Some of you may have heard about this already--if not, this is a good time NOT to go to dog parks, play days, etc.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9697415/