The WatchDog

The Watchdog provides information that may effect the way we feed, train and treat our pets.

Addresses for the representatives involved are usually included.

September 21, 2003
ProHeart 6-Is It Really Safe?
A Concerned Vet Explores the Evidence
Please visit the following website to read a letter sent to veterinarians from Fort Dodge, the makers of ProHeart 6: http://concernedvet.netfirms.com/letter.html The letter is dated July 22, 2002 but has only recently been brought to my attention.

July 2003
City Dog Laws
Joe Kapelos of Ewe-Topia, the herd dog trainer and judge attended a July 2003 meeting in Seattle on proposed changes to city dog laws. He reports the attorneys had a strong preference for eliminating ownership of dogs and moving to guardianship. This change has been used by other cities to force better dog care by suing on the dog's behalf, but any change in status from property to guardianship would also make it easier for cities to seize and destroy any dog reported as a problem --- without having to wait for legal hearings requested by guardians.

June 12, 2003
The Canine Genome Project
The Canine Genome Project at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center developed under the guidance of Elaine Ostrander, PhD., as part of the international collaboration of scientists working to build a comprehensive genetic understanding of the canine genome. The primary goals of the canine genome project are to map and identify genetic markers linked to inherited diseases, and to use this information to improve the overall health of the canine population and to further the understanding of the many complex diseases that arise in the canine genome.

If you have a purebred, AKC registered dog and would like to add your dog to the research above, go to this link: http://www.fhcrc.org/science/dog_genome/info_for_dog_owners/ It's very simple.

March 20, 2003
Draft AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act with commentary (Draft Revision for comment 12/23/02)
I'm a little late on this one, but it is still worth checking out. Our right to talk about treatments or how we feed our pets on email lists or newsgroups (and websites) may be affected by this: http://www.ancienthealingarts.org/vets-1-03.htm.

March 19, 2003
Guidance for Industry Manufacture and Labeling of Raw Meat Foods for Companion and Captive Noncompanion Carnivores and Omnivores.
Whew, this is better than what I thought was going to happen! Go to http://www.fda.gov/cvm/guidance/dguide122.pdf to read all about it.

Dec. 20, 2002
FDA preparing guidance to regulate manufacture of raw diets for pets.
If you are a raw feeder or the manufacturer of raw food products for pet foods, this may be of interest!
The FDA is preparing a guidance document to regulate the manufacture of raw diets for pets. Go to http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2002/ANS01183.html and http://www.fda.gov/cvm/guidance/dguide122.pdf to read the actual FDA stuff.

Reprinted from Petfood Industry Electronic Newsletter Dec 17, 2002 Raw meat guidance document.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the availability of the draft guidance entitled Manufacture and Labeling of Raw Meat Foods for Companion and Captive Noncompanion Carnivores and Omnivores. This draft guidance document is intended to provide specific guidance on the manufacture and labeling of foods that contain raw meat, or other raw animal tissues, for consumption by dogs, cats, other companion or pet animals and captive noncompanion animal carnivores and omnivores.

The FDA does not believe that raw meat foods are consistent with the goal of protecting the public from significant health risks, particularly when such products are brought into the home and/or used to feed domestic pets. According to the FDA, for firms choosing to manufacture and market raw meat and raw animal tissue products, more specific guidance is warranted for how such products could be manufactured and labeled to protect pet owners and pets from risks involving food safety and nutritional deficiency.

Comments on the draft guidance must be submitted within 75 days of publication in the Federal Register (December 18, 2002) to ensure their consideration in preparation of the final document. Electronic comment submissions can be sent to www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments. Comments should be identified with the full title of the draft guidance document and the docket number 02D-0468. For further information, contact William Burkholder, Center for Veterinary Medicine, E-mail: bburkhol@cvm.fda.gov.