GRESHAM, Ore., May 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gresham veterinarians are warning pet owners about the recent Diamond Pet foods recall. The following dog food brands may be affected and are currently being recalled: Kirkland Signature, Kirkland Signature Domain, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul, Country Value, Diamond, Diamond Naturals, Premium Edge, Professional, 4Health and Taste of the Wild. The recall is due to salmonella contamination reported in the processing center of Gaston, South Carolina. Eleven brands of dry dog food produced at the center have been linked to 16 human cases of salmonella in nine different states and Canada. Paws & Claws Pet Medical Center is encouraging pet owners to check their dogs’ food and to immediately report any salmonella symptoms.

Dr. Ken DeRemer, a Gresham veterinarian and founder of Paws and Claws Pet Medical Center, is warning pet owners about the recent salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated dog food. While no cases have been reported in Oregon, pet owners are urged to be vigilant and check their dogs’ food for recalls.

Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling products produced at its Gatson, South Carolina plant. Affected brands include Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul, Country Value, Diamond, Diamond Naturals, Premium Edge, Professional, 4Health and Taste of the Wild. Recalled foods have a production code with the number “2″ or “3″ in the 9th or 10th digit and an “X” in the 11th digit. The “Best-Before” date is between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Kirkland Signature pet food products are also part of the recall. These products have “Best Buy” dates between Dec. 9, 2012 and Jan. 31, 2013. The production code includes a ’3′ in the tenth digit and a ‘X’ in the eleventh digit. The products were distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

“While none of these products are known to have been distributed in Oregon, sold at Paws and Claws or any other Gresham veterinarian, nonetheless we are urging pet owners exercise caution and check their dog’s food for a potential recall,” said Dr. DeRemer.

The veterinarian stressed that all 16 human cases of salmonella were linked to humans handling the dog food. No cases of illness have been reported in dogs due to pet food contamination at the Gatson, South Carolina processing plant.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning in pets include a change in appetite, fever, bloody diarrhea, lethargy and vomiting. Pets who are infected may also act as a carrier for salmonella, spreading the disease to other pets and humans.

“Pet owners should be vigilant and promptly contact a veterinarian regarding suspected salmonella symptoms,” said Dr. DeRemer. “Prompt veterinary care could save a pet’s’ life.”

The center offers prescription diets, including Hills, Purina and Royal Canin, as well as nutritional counseling. They also provide emergency vet care, pet vaccinations and wellness programs.

If you have a cat, dog or other pets you know that health care costs are rising. Just the first year alone with a new dog can cost you a $1,000 or more in food, checkups, and medicine.

And an older pet can cost thousands of dollars if it needs additional medical care. But there are ways to bring those costs down.

Pet lovers hit with high bills

Chris Smallwood, of West Chester, can’t imagine taking walks at Voice of America Park without her English bulldog Leo.

But she knows the cute pup will be pricey. The bulldog she had before Leo cost her more than $2,000 in care before he died.

“He had pneumonia, his airways were blocked, he had ear infections, things like that,” Smallwood said.

Mike Bork of Hamilton, says even routine health care for his German shepherd is soaring.  “It’s like everything else,” he said. “Everything is going pretty pricey these days.”

$500 a year just for meds

Basic heartworm, flea, and tick medicine can cost $500 a year for some breeds and larger dogs. But smart pet owners are now finding ways to bring down those costs though generics and combination medicines.

Veterinarian Elizabeth Gigas, who runs the West Chester Vet Center in Liberty Township, says many people have sticker shock when they learn the cost of saving their beloved cat or dog.

Dr. Liz, as she’s called, says the good news is cancer or heart disease is now treatable in pets. “Many people don’t realize there are cardiologists, anesthesiologists, a lot of specialists for pets.
    
The bad news:  All this life-saving care can drain your savings account.

“Going to a veterinary specialist to keep an ill cat or dog alive can cost $5,000 or more,” Dr. Gigas said.  In the past, many people would have no choice but to put the pet down. But now they have many options, some of them very expensive.

Set up a pet savings account

Dr. Gigas suggests owners either set up a separate savings account for unexpected pet costs, or buy pet health insurance.

However, she advises that people check an insurance plan carefully before they buy. “Most will not cover pre-existing conditions,” she warned. So if you have a German shepherd with hip dysplasia, that will not be covered.”

For that reason, a savings account with $3,000 in it may turn out to be a much better value.

Buy pet food at Discount Stores

A n August 2011 article in Consumer Reports maga zine found that grocery stores are often one of the more expensive places to buy pet food, second only to your vet’s office.

Walmart and Target often had a much lower price, according to the article. Their larger bags tend to be the best value.

How to save on routine medicines

Tired of the high cost of heartworm, flea, and tick medicine?

Dr Gigas suggests buying medicines in bulk, such as 6 months of flea and tick medicine at a time.

And she says consider “combination” drugs such as Sentinel, which combines heartworm medicine with flea and tick medicine with one monthly tablet.

Ask About Generics

If your vet’s prices are still too high,  ask your vet for the prescription.  Then shop it to stores like, Target, Walmart, or Sam’s Club, where a $50 antibiotic can cost as little as $4.

Many pet antibiotics are the same ones used for humans.

And always ask about generics. Frontline Plus — which can cost $20 a month — went off patent last year, and is now available in generic form.  However, the more advanced Frontine is not yet generic, so be sure to ask your vet if your dog will get the same coverage.

Shelter Dog vs Purebreds

Finally, be careful what type of pet you decide to purchase. Purebreds are much more expensive to care for than a mixed breed, according to Dr. Gigas, due to years of breeding of recessive genes.

Want an inexpensive dog? Dr Gigas suggests you get a mixed breed one from a shelter, not a breeder. “If you want to see your vet every week, get an English Bulldog,” she said.

Plus, many shelters will cover the cost of spaying or neutering. If you buy a dog privately, you will have to absorb all those costs.

Don’t let the fear of high prices keep you from getting your next pet. But think hard when choosing a pet which you want, because of the rising price of care.

As always, don’t waste your money.

_____________________________

Don’t Waste Your Money is a registered trademark of the EW Scripps Co.

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WINNIPEG, MANITOBA–(Marketwire -05/15/12)-
Kane Biotech Inc. (TSX-V: KNE), a biotechnology company engaged in the development and commercialization of products that prevent and remove microbial biofilms announces it has successfully completed the StrixNB™ pilot dog efficacy study using the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) recommended test protocol.

The objective of the pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of StrixNB on the reduction of dental plaque, calculus and gingivitis in adult dogs. Additionally, the study monitored food and water consumption, and also body weight change in dogs on StrixNB vs. the control. The results of StrixNB efficacy study showed: (i) a reduction in dental plaque, (ii) a reduction in calculus, and (iii) a reduction in gingivitis. Furthermore, no difference in food or water consumption and in body weights was observed, suggesting that all dogs were considered to be in good health.

The pet oral care market in the US is estimated at $450 million per year. Dental disease is the number one oral disease in dogs and cats and over 95% of all dogs and cats will have dental disease. Bacteria in the mouth cavity form plaque and as the plaque builds up, the bacteria cause infection of the gum known as “gingivitis”. As time passes, plaque hardens to form “tarter”, which holds the infection to the tooth surface and helps push bacteria and debris under the gum line. Periodontitis is an infection of the tooth root, which ultimately results in infected teeth. When periodontal infection starts, these bacteria get into the pet’s circulation system eventually leading to heart, liver, kidney, bone and joint disease.

“Completion of the pilot study has demonstrated the efficacy of StrixNB against bacteria associated with dental plaque and periodontal disease in dogs”, stated Dr. Sri Madhyastha, Vice President of Research and Chief Scientific Officer of Kane Biotech. “This combined with the palatability and no observed adverse effects of StrixNB plus our previous results of testing against competitive products demonstrate the excellent safety and efficacy of product for pet oral care”.

“With these encouraging results the Company now plans to initiate the full dog study to confirm and further evaluate StrixNB’s efficacy in preventing pet oral diseases as the next step in our commercialization”, stated Mr. Gord Froehlich, President and CEO of Kane Biotech.

StrixNB is a patent pending pet oral care product comprising a unique combination of GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) ingredients that have demonstrated the synergistic antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against oral bacteria. The product not only inhibits plaque formation, but also kills bacteria embedded in preformed dental plaque.

About Kane Biotech Inc.

Kane Biotech is a biotechnology company engaged in the development and commercialization of products to prevent and remove biofilms. Biofilms are a major cause of a number of serious medical problems including chronic infections and medical device related infections. They develop on surfaces such as catheters, prosthetic implants, teeth, lungs and the urogenital tract. Biofilms are pervasive, costly to deal with and are involved in approximately 80% of all human bacterial infections. The healing of chronic wounds alone costs the United States health care system $20 Billion per year.

Kane Biotech uses patent protected technologies based on molecular mechanisms of biofilm formation/dispersal and methods for finding compounds that inhibit or disrupt biofilms. The Company has evidence that these technologies have potential to significantly improve the ability to prevent and/or destroy biofilms in several medical and industrial applications.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial securities legislation (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, our objectives, goals, targets, strategies, intentions, plans, beliefs, estimates and outlook, including, without limitation, our anticipated future operating results, and can, in some cases, be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “may” and other similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements.

These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, among other things: Kane’s early stage of development, lack of product revenues and history of operating losses, uncertainties related to clinical trials and product development, rapid technological change, uncertainties related to forecasts, competition, potential product liability, additional financing requirements and access to capital, unproven markets, supply of raw materials, income tax matters, management of growth, partnerships for development and commercialization of technology, effects of insurers’ willingness to pay for products, system failures, dependence on key personnel, foreign currency risk, risks related to regulatory matters and risks related to intellectual property and other risks detailed from time to time in Kane’s filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, as well as Kane’s ability to anticipate and manage the risks associated with the foregoing. Kane cautions that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on Kane’s forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Kane, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events.

These risks and uncertainties should be considered carefully and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Kane cannot provide assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Kane undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

DENVERDAAWG PETSITTING denvdaawg@hotmail.com • 303-884-4294 http://www.denverdaawgpetsitting.com
IN-HOME PET VISITS • DOG WALKS • HOUSE CHECKS•

Denverdaawg Pet Sitting is the friendly neighborhood pet care specialist! Whether you are going on vacation, a business trip, or just spending long hours at the office, Denverdaawg Pet Sitting is here for you. We provide a variety of attentive services for ANY pet, from private dog walks and park adventures, to cage-free in-home sitting, private boarding and day care as well as cat play.We’ll keep a watchful eye on your home, bring in the newspapers and mail, water the plants and keep everything safe while you’re away! And of course we’re fully licensed, bonded and insured for your peace of mind.

Denverdaawg Pet Sitting offers loving, attentive pet care, professionally trained and includes references so you can be sure your pets are well taken care of and given the extra TLC they need while you are gone.Best of all, we are situated in your local neighborhood. No more having to call around or stay home because your sitter wasn’t available. One call to us is all it takes to line up professional pet care in your area. For more information visit us on the web at http://www.denverdaawgpetsitting.com , contact us via email at denvdaawg@hotmail.com, or call usWe look forward to meeting you and your furry, feathered friends soon!Denverdaawg Pet Sitting is a Licensed, Bonded and Insured business. References Available! We are Proud members of NAAPS & Pet Sitters International

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