Somewhat related to this, I also
wanted to mention the drug Librela, which is often prescribed for osteoarthritis in dogs of all ages, although it's a condition associated with old age.
We tell
you about dog food recalls and don’t discuss animal drugs. But I’ve had two subscribers, Jean and Sharon, mention the drug to me. They, tragically, lost their dogs and believe Librela contributed to those deaths. My heart goes out to
them.
I can’t comment on any potential connection, obviously, but I can let you know that the FDA has sent a letter to veterinarians notifying them of reported adverse effects from Librela. If your dog is on the drug and you have any concerns, I suggest consulting with your
vet.
I also want to mention H5N1 avian influenza, also known as ‘bird flu’. The virus has spread widely among wild birds and
there’s been a spillover to domestic and livestock animals. You may have read reports of pet cats dying after contracting the virus, apparently from drinking raw milk or eating raw food. There has been one cat food recall and one warning issued to date.
We’re putting together articles on this with the help of experts but this takes time. For now, I’d urge caution not panic if you’re worried about your dogs, especially if you raw feed.
Keep your eye on the news and keep your dogs away from wild birds, especially if there’s a chance of them taking a bite. To the best of my knowledge, only one dog in North America (in
Ontario) has tested positive for the virus and that came from eating a contaminated goose.
Yesterday, the first bird flu-related human death in the U.S. was reported. Louisiana health department said the person was over the age of 65, had other underlying health conditions, and contracted the virus through contact with flocks of birds. It also said "the risk to the general public remains
low".
People are still learning about the virus. If your dog shows signs of illness, speak with your vet as you would
normally. If they suspect bird flu, tests are available. And we’ll let you know of any dog food recalls, as always.
I guess I did ramble a bit, so well done for getting this far.
