There’s a good chance that you, and your pets may be eating a livestock drug banned in 160 nations
By Dr Andrew | March 11, 2010
Mar 11
Here’s the surprising story….raising more questions about additives in our food system, and
who’s interest our regulators are REALLY interested in..
CounterPunch / By Martha Rosenberg
Why Has the FDA Allowed a Drug Marked ‘Not Safe for Use in Humans’ to Be Fed to Livestock Right Before Slaughter?
While researchers and scientists investigate the cause of our diabetes, obesity, asthma and ADHD epidemics, they should ask why the FDA approved a livestock drug banned in 160 nations and responsible for hyperactivity, muscle breakdown and 10 percent mortality in pigs, according to angry farmers who phoned the manufacturer.
The beta agonist ractopamine, a repartitioning agent that increases protein synthesis, was recruited for livestock use when researchers found the drug, used in asthma, made mice more muscular says Beef magazine.
But unlike the growth promoting antibiotics and hormones used in livestock which are withdrawn as the animal nears slaughter, ractopamine is started as the animal nears slaughter.
As much as twenty percent of Paylean, given to pigs for their last 28 days, Optaflexx, given to cattle their last 28 to 42 days and Tomax, given to turkeys their last 7 to 14 days, remains in consumer meat says author and well known veterinarian Michael W. Fox.
Though banned in Europe, Taiwan and China–more than 1,700 people were “poisoned” from eating Paylean-fed pigs since 1998 says the Sichuan Pork Trade Chamber of Commerce– ractopamine is used in 45 percent of US pigs and 30 percent of ration-fed cattle says Elanco Animal Health which manufactures all three products.
How does a drug marked, “Not for use in humans. Individuals with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure. Use protective clothing, impervious gloves, protective eye wear, and a NIOSH-approved dust mask” become “safe” in human food? With no washout period?
The same way Elanco’s other two blockbusters, Stilbosol (diethylstilbestrol or DES), now withdrawn, and Posilac or bovine growth hormone (rBST), bought from Monsanto in 2008, became part of the nation’s food supply: shameless corporate lobbying. A third of meetings on the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s public calendar in January 2009 were with Elanco, a division of Eli Lilly–or about ractopamine.
So what can you do?
Preferably, feed your pet’s NON contaminated beef and beef products.
Natural/Organic
Make some of your pet’s food with local beef if possible.
CONTINUE to be a SKEPTIC.
Question what you are told by the supposed ‘EXPERTS’ and think for yourselves.
Here are some NON additive eating pets…
Heal Your Pet At Home!
Best Wishes,
Dr Andrew Jones, DVM
Topics: Blogroll, Cat Health, Dog Health, Pet health | 4 Comments »
CBC News
Trooper, believed to be around one year old, is expected to make a full recovery. Trooper, believed to be around one year old, is expected to make a full recovery.
The owner of a dog found emaciated and near death in Maple Ridge, B.C., last week should be charged with animal cruelty, the B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says.
The golden retriever was brought to the SPCA last Sunday by a member of the public who found him wandering along Dewdney Trunk Road, covered in feces and urine.
“By the look of him, he’s obviously been very, very undernourished. He hasn’t been fed for a long time,” said Mark Vosper with the Maple Ridge SPCA.
“He had a very matted coat. We had to shave his coat — it was absolutely stinking. He must have been left in his own mess, his own feces and urine, for such a long time. He had no body mass at all, he was skin and bone.”
Vosper said the dog, whom staff at the SPCA named Trooper, is believed to be about one year old.
When he was brought in, Trooper weighed just over 10 kilograms — about one-third the ideal weight for his breed.
Vosper said Trooper has already gained more than one kilogram and is on a special diet, eating six small meals each day.
The SPCA has not released the name of the owner or revealed how the owner was located, but officials say they are recommending charges to Crown counsel.
Trooper visits a veterinarian for daily checkups and is expected to make a full recovery.
Trooper’s condition moved staff to tears
Mark Vosper with the Maple Ridge SPCA says it’s hard to imagine why someone would treat a dog so badly.
Despite the hardships Trooper has faced, Vosper said he is a lively dog that loves to play.
“He loves being around people. He loves affection. He loves treats. He likes everything that any other dog would like, but obviously he’s a special case. Everyone’s just fallen in love with Trooper.”
Vosper said Trooper’s story has touched everyone at the SPCA.
“The staff were moved to tears. Everyone that’s come through so far have just been moved to tears. We have staff here who have been working here for around 30 years … and Trooper is the worst body condition they’ve seen on a dog,” he said.
‘It’s pretty gruesome,’ says SPCA visitor
When he was brought in, Trooper weighed just over 10 kilograms.
Vosper said it will take about three months before Trooper is healthy enough to be placed in a good home. For the time being, he’s being cared for in a foster home.
He said cases like this are always hard to understand.
“Who would want to do this? Who in their right mind would want to do this?”
Visitors to the Maple Ridge SPCA on Saturday said they couldn’t understand it either.
“It makes me feel like people shouldn’t adopt dogs if they can’t handle them,” said teenager Taylor Bradshaw. “It’s sad.”
Her dad, Bill Bradshaw, said Trooper’s condition was shocking.
“It’s pretty gruesome. I’m just speechless,” he said.
Topics: Blogroll, Cat Health, Dog Health, Pet health | 34 Comments »
Hi to you and your significant others this morning.
I am a little fuzzy after having to do an emergency eye removal last night. A dog was in a fight, had his eye punctured, and it would not stop bleeding.
He’s doing well now.
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The Killer Whale Story
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Here’s what happened..
ORLANDO, Fla. — SeaWorld Orlando trainer Dawn Brancheau died Wednesday from “multiple traumatic injuries and drowning” after a killer whale pulled her underwater by her long ponytail near the theme park’s Shamu Stadium, autopsy results released Thursday revealed.
As horrified fellow trainers and visitors to the theme park watched, the 12,000-pound orca named Tilikum shook and tossed Brancheau and circled around in a tank with her arm in his mouth, witnesses told the Orlando Sentinel.
Brancheau, 40, was petting and otherwise interacting with the killer whale in knee-deep water about 2 p.m. Wednesday when he grabbed her by the ponytail and wouldn’t let go, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office determined.
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P.S. An all around horrible story – on top of the fact that Tillicum had been involved in another Trainers death at the Vancouver Aquarium.
What is the value of holding these large wild predators in captivity?
In the ocean killer whales can wander for hundreds, even thousands of kilometers, swimming at speeds exceeding 50 km/h, one of the fastest marine mammals.
Is it ANY WONDER that this clearly smart and distant traveling animal, when CONFINED to a small tank barely a few of it’s body lengths, leaving it’s pod ( family) and forced to swim it’s life in a chemical soup would do UNPREDICTABLE things?
The behavior that led to the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau is similar to a hunting technique used by the whales in the wild.
Unfortunately Tilikum has little to no chance of surviving in the wild – he’s become adapted to captivity.
The Killer Whale from the movie ‘Free Willy’ was released, but he ended up following boats at a port in Norway – he had accepted humans as part of his family. He later died of pneumonia.
Is there MUCH value in having Killer Whales in captivity?
Nope.
If you want to see a Killer Whale, spend some time on BC’s West Coast- I passed by some this summer traveling in my small fishing boat from Galiano to Saltspring Island.
Feel free to leave your thoughts here – click the ‘Comments’ link.
Heal Your Pet At Home!
Best Wishes,
Dr Andrew Jones, DVM
Topics: Pet health | 47 Comments »
A big Hi to you and your pets on this Tuesday Morning.
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Keeping your pet healthy
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Many conflicting opinions…. there are MANY people telling you many things.
Vaccinate…or Not.
Feed this….or NOT.
Give this oh so safe drug….???
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Marketing and Big Dollars
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The Pharmaceutical Industry is approaching a TRILLION DOLLAR industry worldwide – much bigger than the economies of several countries.
Meaning you can get influenced in MANY ways.
Via overt advertising… videos and stories of HAPPY people and pets because they are on a anti-inflammatory drug. These companies have HUGE advertising budgets. And they KNOW how to Influence people.
Big Pharma and Government policy. One of the HIGHEST paid team of lobbyists at Capitol Hill in Washington are lobbying on behalf of the Drug Industry. This literally influences and shapes Government policy.
Then via your health care provider- they can influenced by the drug ‘rep’ and how they are ‘educated’ on the pharmaceuticals. When I first started in Veterinary practice, I was treated to more than a few meals and beers by my oh so friendly drug representative… it’s then natural to prescribe their drug of choice.
Then there is the institutions that educate your Heath Care Providers – many receive funding from some of the Pharmaceutical Companies.
Our mindset – we now WANT instant results and gratification… and there is a pill for this.
All in all, can you see how you or your pet are likely to be on a variety of conventional medications?
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So what can YOU do?
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Be an INVOLVED Patient and Pet Owner.
ASK a TON of Questions.
About side effects
About Alternatives
About Safer Options or if the drug is even needed.
Take matters into your OWN hands…
… and PREVENT Disease in the first place.
Specifically with a supplement.
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WHY is a Supplement Needed?
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There are far too many sick and chronically ill pets – diabetes… liver disease… cancer… allergies… arthritis… autoimmune disease…
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HOW do I know?
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I see these sick pets on a DAILY basis. And unfortunately I am seeing some very ill pets at younger and younger ages.
Many experts have called it a ‘Pet Health Crisis’.
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WHY?
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There are MANY reasons, BUT the single most IMPORTANT cause is… POOR QUALITY NUTRITION.
ALL nutrition can NOT come in a bag (in spite of those glossy marketing brochures).
It’s NOT possible.
Would you eat the same processed/extruded/nutrient devoid/toxin filled food every day and then NOT expect to get sick?
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So WHAT can YOU do to keep your dog healthy and prevent disease?
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IMPROVE you dog’s nutrition every day.
SUPPLEMENT your dog’s food.
Give them a QUALITY Dog Health Supplement.
Here’s where you can grab your Bottle NOW:
http://www.thedogsupplement.com
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DOES it WORK?
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YES.
I 100% stand behind what is in my supplement. I have specially formulated it to include ALL of the essential vitamins and minerals most often lacking in commercial dog food.
On top of that there are literally HUNDREDS of testimonials from satisfied clients like you.
You can see them here:
http://www.thedogsupplement.com
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P.S. Here is what you should be looking for in a Quality supplement:
1. In choosing a natural supplement, ensure that NONE of these are on the label: wheat, soy, dairy, sugar, artificial ingredients, additives or fillers.
2. The ingredients should be derived from Natural Sources. Some of the more common natural ingredients include vitamins, minerals, flax, fish oil, amino acids – plus both naturally derived animal and plant related components. This includes ingredients such as herbs, mushrooms, colostrum, Glucosamine, and digestive enzymes.
3.Ensure that the supplement is NATURALLY preserved. Vitamin E and being ‘air tight’ is the preservative of choice. AVOID BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin.
4.Natural flavor and color – if the supplement is chemically flavored or colored DON’T use it.
My Ultimate Canine Health Formula is NATURAL.
Here is a List of the NATURAL Ingredients:
Complete Vitamin Blend
Complete Mineral Blend
JOINT SUPPORT BLEND
* Glucosamine HCl
* Chondroitin Sulfate
* MSM (methylsulfonyl methane)
PREBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS BLEND
* Fructooligosaccharides
* Lactobacillus acidophilus
* Bifidobacterium bifidum
OMEGA FATTY ACIDS
* Flaxseed oil (Omega Fatty Acids)
KEY AMINO ACIDS BLEND
* l-lysine
* l-methionine
* l-arginine
KEY IMMUNE PROTECTIVE BLEND
* Bovine colostrum
* Inositol hexaphosphate
* Aloe vera
* Maiitake
Here’s the full list of ingredients:
http://www.thedogsupplement.com/ingredients.php
Here’s where you can grab your Bottle NOW:
http://www.thedogsupplement.com
Heal Your Pet At Home!
Best Wishes,
Dr Andrew Jones, DVM
Topics: Pet health | 2 Comments »
A Big Hello to you and your pets on this oh so happy Thursday..
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WHY GIVE YOUR DOG SUPPLEMENTS?
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Firstly, it’s helpful to understand that not all dog food is made equally.
You’ve probably heard me say this before.
A lot of it is full of corn, by-products, dyes, unhealthy preservatives, filler grains and all sorts of nasty stuff.
A lot of pet food companies are perfectly happy to the dump cheap leftovers and things that aren’t safe for human consumption (from human food processing plants) into their foods.
Will it kill your dog? No, usually not. It of course has to meet some basic nutrition standards.
But is it healthy? In many cases, NOT by a long shot and can cause illness.
Of course there are also some very good dog foods on the market.
Just like humans, dogs can benefit from supplements for many of the very same reasons we do.
Dogs need a proper diet combined with the right amount of vitamin and minerals in order to prevent sickness, disease, and promote longevity.
Deficiencies in the right vitamin and mineral balance usually shows up in poor health, illness and/or behavioral problems.
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BENEFITS OF GIVING a DOG SUPPLEMENT
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* A good daily multi-vitamin and mineral complex will ensure that your dog receives the additional supplementation the current diet may lack, as well as best prepare the immune system for dealing with common ailments.
Not to mention many other additional additives included in a supplement such as OMEGA 3 oil, Probiotics, Key Amino Acids, Joint Support additives (including Glucosamine), and other Key Immune support ingredients.
All of which work to help maintain the health & comfort of your dog.
* Vitamins are rich in antioxidants which fight free radicals. As you may know, free radicals can cause cancer.
Giving your pet nutrients when sick helps the body to fight the disease and heal much more quickly.
* Vitamins are essential to your pet’s sense of vitality.
Without the micronutrients needed to build the body, fight infection and relieve stress, pets are more susceptible to disease.
Many dog owners, in general, only supplement their dogs when an illness (caused by a vitamin or mineral deficiency) arises.
Though this is better than not supplementing at all, bit bear in mind that you may not see any immediate results if you leave it until an illness occurs (even the manufacturers claim otherwise).
It requires time for the supplements to take effect and some owners do not have the patience to see it through.
My advice to any dog owners is to consider a dog supplement for their dogs before an illness strikes.
Prevention is always better than cure.
Not only this will save you money and headaches in the long run, but your dog will enjoy many more healthy and happy days.
Remember since your dog cannot make their own health decisions, they rely on us to do what is best for them.
One of the best dog supplements I advise is one I have created:
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“Dr Jones Ultimate Canine Health Formula”
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It contains a range of Minerals, Vitamins, OMEGA 3 oil, Probiotics And Prebiotics Blend, Key Amino Acids Blend, Joint Support Blend (including Glucosamine), and Key Immune Protective Blend.
This Complete, All-Natural Nutritional Health Supplement for dogs is available as a 30 day trial for only $18.97 (plus postage under $5) so it definitely worth trying.
That’s 50% off the usual price so a smart time to take the trial.
You are protected with a 60 day refund guarantee as well.
You can grab it here:
Dr Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula
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P.P.S. Why you are not as AWESOME as your dog…
Topics: Pet health | No Comments »