Apache Junction, AZ Animal Hospital Veterinarian Eva DeCozio Receives The 2014 Hero Veterinarian Award

 VCA Veterinarian Eva DeCozio Honored at American Humane Association's Gala with Inaugural ‘Hero Veterinarian’ Award

 Eva DeCozio, DVM of VCA Apache Junction Animal Hospital was recognized at the American Humane Association’s (AHA) Hero Dog Awards Gala with the 2014 Hero Veterinarian award sponsored by Zoetis

 Eva DeCozio, DVM of VCA Apache Junction Animal Hospital was recognized at the American Humane Association’s (AHA) Hero Dog Awards Gala with the 2014 Hero Veterinarian award, sponsored by Zoetis. Held on September 28 in Beverly Hills, California, this year’s popular event that celebrates American heroes on both ends of the leash featured hosts Terry Bradshaw and Beth Sterns.

 

 

 Recognized as a Hero Veterinarian, Dr. DeCozio embodies the qualities of a caring professional in the veterinary community. As medical director of VCA Apache Junction Animal Hospital which is located at the edge of a low-income Arizona neighborhood, Dr. DeCozio treats seriously ill pets on a daily basis. While many of her clients have scarce resources to pay for the necessary care, Dr. DeCozio refuses to turn them away because her mission is to help as many creatures as possible. Her dedication and commitment to improving the lives of pets with expert and compassionate veterinary services is what makes Dr. DeCozio a partner in care and real life hero among her peers.

“We congratulate Dr. DeCozio on being recognized with this special honor for the work she does on behalf of VCA along with her ongoing animal welfare efforts,” said Art Antin, Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder of VCA Animal Hospitals. “Eva is a caring and compassionate industry role model who exemplifies our mission that a pet’s health is our top priority.”

In addition to Dr. DeCozio’s dedication to caring for pets at VCA, she is co-founder of Panacea Animal Wellness Sanctuary (PAWS) where she has brought in hundreds of animals who might have been euthanized in other shelters, treats them, and helps them find forever homes. PAWS is a non-profit animal welfare organization that “exists to create a community in which there is no unnecessary animal euthanasia.” As a testament to Dr. DeCozio’s efforts, more than 800 animals have been given a second chance at life.

“I am overwhelmed and humbled by this huge honor,” said Dr. DeCozio. “This award is a credit to my family, my community, my clients, my patients, and of course, my technicians. I want to dedicate this award to everyone involved in our rescue group who helped make this dream of creating a non-profit a reality.”

About VCA

VCA operates more than 600 animal hospitals in 41 U.S. states and 4 Canadian provinces. These hospitals are staffed by more than 3,000 fully qualified, dedicated and compassionate veterinarians to give your pet the very best in medical care. Over 400 of our doctors are board-certified specialists who are experts in areas such as Oncology, Cardiology, Emergency & Critical Care, and Surgery for animals. VCA provides a full range of general practice services to keep your pet well and specialized treatments for when your pet is ill. For more information on VCA Animal Hospitals, please visit http://www.VCAhospitals.com.

Bravo Pet Food Recall For Possible Salmonella

Bravo Recalls Select Chicken and Turkey Pet Foods Because of PossibleSalmonella Health Risk

 Bravo of Manchester, CT is recalling select lots of Bravo Turkey and Chicken pet foods for dogs and cats because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The recalled product was distributed nationwide beginning on November 14, 2013 to distributors, retail stores, internet retailers and directly to consumers. The product can be identified by the batch ID code (best used by date) printed on the side of the plastic tube.

1) These products are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! TURKEY BLEND FOR DOGS AND CATS
Product Number: 31-102
Size: 2 lb. (32 OZ) plastic tubes
Best used by date: 11-05-15
UPC: 829546311025
Keep Frozen

Bravo! Blends All Natural Chicken Blend diet for dogs & cats
Product Number: 21-102
Size: 2 lb. (32 OZ) plastic tubes 
Best used by date: 08-11-16 
UPC: 829546211028
Keep Frozen

2) These products are being recalled out of an abundance of caution because they were manufactured in the same manufacturing facility or on the same day as products that tested positive.

Premium Turkey Formula BRAVO Balance RAW DIET
Product Number: 31-405 
Size: 5 lb. (80 OZ) 2.3KG plastic tubes
Best used by date: 11-05-15
UPC: 829546314057
Keep Frozen

Bravo! Blends All Natural Chicken Blend diet for dogs & cats
Product Number: 21-105 
Size: 5 lb. (80 OZ) 2.3KG plastic tubes
Best used by date: 08-11-16
UPC: 829546211059
Keep Frozen

The recall was initiated after routine testing by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of Salmonella in two lots of product. This batch tested negative by a third party independent laboratory prior to release for distribution to consumers.

No additional products affected by this recall. The company has received no reports of illness in either people or animals associated with these products to date.

In addition to the voluntary recall of the above products, Bravo has chosen to voluntarily withdraw the following poultry products from the marketplace to provide its customers with the certainty of safety. Those products include all sizes (2 lb., 5 lb. and 10 lb.) of Bravo Chicken Blend(s), Bravo Turkey Blend(s), Bravo Balance Chicken Balance and Bravo Balance Premium Turkey Formula frozen raw diet products with best used by dates between June 20, 2016 and September 18, 2016. This is being done out of an abundance of caution despite no evidence of any manufacturing defect or distribution problem. None of these products are known to have tested positive for the presence of pathogens. This market withdrawal has NOT been requested by the FDA, but is being done voluntarily by Bravo.

The recalled product should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners who have the affected product at home should dispose of this product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle). Customers who have purchased the recalled pet food can return to the store where purchased and submit the Product Recall Claim Form available on the Bravo websitewww.bravopetfoods.com for a full refund or store credit. More information on the Bravo recall can also be found atwww.bravopetfoods.com, or call toll free (866) 922-9222 Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST).

Another Recall By PEDIGREE For Their Adult Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Food

 PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition Limited Recall Due to Metal Fragments

 At PEDIGREE®, we care about all dogs and their safety and well-being is extremely important to us, and to our mission – to make a Better World for Pets. For that reason, we have announced the extension of a previous voluntary recall of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food products due to the possible presence of a foreign material. The voluntary recall still affects 22 bags shipped to Dollar General across four U.S. states, but it now is being expanded to 55-pound bags of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food products sold in Sam's Club in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

This recall is being expanded to Sam's Club in the U.S. because some of the affected production lot was originally said to be held in inventory but was instead released to consumers, which has necessitated the expansion of the recall. We are confident no other packages or retailers are affected by this recall.

Bags may contain small metal fragments, which could have entered the packages during the production process. The foreign material is not embedded in the food itself, but may present a risk of injury if consumed.

We encourage consumers who have purchased affected product to discard the food or return it to the retailer for a full refund or exchange. We have not received any reports of injury or illness associated with the affected product. The lot codes indicated below should not be sold or consumed.

At Mars Petcare, we take our responsibility to pets and their owners seriously. We sincerely apologize for this situation and encourage you to reach out to us at 1-800-305-5206 from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. CST if you have questions.

This voluntary recall affects two packages sold in the United States only. No other PEDIGREE® products are affected, including any other variety of dry dog food, wet dog food or dog treats. The affected packages are:

• 55-pound bags of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food sold at Sam's Club will have the lot code432E1KKM03 printed on the back of the bag near the UPC and a Best Before date of 8/7/15. See below for a list of Sam's Club stores.
• 15-pound bags of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food sold at Dollar General stores will have the lot code432C1KKM03 printed on the back of the bag near the UPC and a Best Before date of 8/5/15. See below for a list of Dollar General stores.

UPC	DESCRIPTION
23100 10944	PEDIGREE® Brand Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food in 15 pound bags
23100 10731	PEDIGREE® Brand Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food in 55 pound bags

Dollar General
Affected 15-pound bags were sold between August 18 and August 30 at Dollar General stores in:

• Arkansas:
  • Perryville
  • Cabot
• Louisiana
  • Baton Rouge
  • Calhoun
  • Hineston
  • Jonesville
  • Pineville
  • Slaughter
• Mississippi
  • Magnolia
  • Vicksburg
• Tennessee
  • Memphis

Sam's Club Affected 55-pound bags were sold between August 14 and August 30 at Sam's Club in:

• Michigan:
  • Comstock Park
  • Muskegon
  • Jackson
  • Roseville
  • Saginaw
• Saginaw
  • Kokomo
• Ohio
  • Dayton
  • Holland
  • Lima