Salmonella infection is more of a concern for pet owners themselves, who are more likely to become infected from handling uncooked food like raw chicken than their healthy pets.

This contaminant may be of concern for your pet if he or she is not well, or has a weakened or compromised immune system (immune disease, cancer, chemotherapy treatments, etc).  Discontinue feeding any food with the production codes listed here and return the food.

Take precautions with any pet food, wash hands thoroughly, and don’t eat the food yourself (no matter how yummy the kibble appears).  Most dogs and cats have a better ability to digest foods with Salmonella and handle these types of bacteria than we do.

At this time, no raw food diets have been affected.

Be sure to pick up print copies of PAWS Chicago Magazine during your next visit, and keep checking here for featured articles written by Dr. Royal.

Three years ago Red was shot during a home invasion in Chicago’s Lawndale neighborhood and his owner was badly beaten.  Police responded to the home invasion, Officer Brian Cicio found Red laying in the kitchen, bleeding from a gunshot to the spine, and knew something needed to be done.  Officer Cicio stayed with Red for three hours until an Animal Control Officer came.

Red’s owner was unable to keep him after the home invasion, and tearfully surrendered him to Animal Care and Control.  While there, a PAWS staffer making her rounds at the shelter agreed to take Red to PAWS.  From there he grew to become PAWS unofficial mascot, using a specialized cart to move around the shelter and surrounding area (his hind was paralyzed as a result of the gunshot).  Since November of 2009, Red has come to Royal Treatment Vet Center to receive care from Dr. Royal and physical rehabilitation to maintain health and strength.  His positive attitude and the natural attention he received drew a lot of interest in potential adoptions, but some were quickly dropped once they learned of Red’s special needs.

Six months ago, Dawn Schaible saw Red’s profile on PAWS’ website and became interested in fostering him.  Since then Red has been lounging on a couch with Dawn’s beagle, Razor and following her 2-year-old, looking for food scraps and attention.

On Sunday as Red was having his goodbye party, Officer Brian Cicio and his fiance, Dr. Royal, PAWS staffers, volunteers, and other well-wishers all came out to see him again, a tearful but warm and happy goodbye for a dog whose future looked so bleak three years ago.

You can learn more details about Red and his journey by following these links:

Chicago Tribune – “Red the paralyzed pit bull gets adopted”

Red’s very own Facebook page!

Dr. Royal’s Facebook page!

Dr. Barbara Royal

Dr. Royal was featured on Voice America’s Outreach Today internet radio program where she spoke about her upcoming book due out later this year and tips to keep your pet “wildly” healthy.  You can hear her interview by clicking here.  Enjoy!

Dr. Royal would also to remind clients to bring their pets in for annual Heartworm testing through April.  Please call 773.267.9966 to make an appointment today!

Dr. Royals lectures on pet longevity

Thank you to everyone who came out to the First Annual Party Animal Celebration (and Dr. Royal’s actual birthday) on Thursday, February 23rd.  Dr. Royal and the staff were very excited to see such a large turnout of clients, friends, and family – including some of our furry friends!

The evening’s events consisted of a lecture on pet longevity from Dr. Royal, introductions from our Chiropractor Dr. Sarah Watson and one of our massage therapists, Pam Kuhn.  Rehabilitation technician Alex Kislaitis worked with Isabelle to demonstrate how the underwater treadmills work, and Dr. Royal’s sister Anastasia performed fun paw readings.  Paula Fasseas, founder and chairwoman of PAWS Chicago was in attendance with her dog Piper, who also worked in the underwater treadmill!

Dr. Royal and the Staff would like to a huge thank you to everyone who attended and donated to one of our charities (PAWS Chicago, AHVMA Foundation, and RTVC’s Needy Animal Fund), you helped raise a ton of money!  An even bigger thank you to the individuals and organizations that helped us throw a wonderful party, it would not have been the same without your help.

Thank you to Melissa Cox for providing amazing food and good company, Cynthia Buczko & Isabelle for helping us with the underwater treadmill demonstration, Darwin’s Natural Pet Products for providing wonderful goodies for our pet attendees, and Idexx Laboratories for sponsoring the event!

Dr. Royal on WGN Channel 9 News

This morning on WGN Channel 9 mid-day news, Dr. Royal was featured in a segment that discussed the benefits of  appropriate diet, vaccines, her upcoming party & lecture, and other wildly healthy topics.

You can visit WGN Channel 9 News to watch Dr. Royal’s midday morning segment now!

Valentine’s Day — a time to think about your heart and the heart of someone you love. Where do you find more love than in the heart of your pet? Yes, we have husbands, wives, family and friends, but there’s no substitute for that happy thump-thump-thump of a wagging tail, or the resonant vibration of a contented purr. Uncomplicated love.

-Dr. Royal