Purina recalls dog food due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D

 Nestlé Purina PetCare Company is recalling certain prescription dog food after two dogs exhibited signs of vitamin D toxicity, according to federal health officials. 

According to a notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration, the pet food company voluntarily recalled select lots of its Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental prescription dry dog food “due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D.” 

The affected dog food was distributed across the US by prescription only through veterinary clinics, Purina Vet Direct and Purina for Professionals. It was also sold by other select retailers that have the ability to validate a prescription, according to the recall notice.   

Purina said it was informed of two separate confirmed cases of a dog exhibiting signs of vitamin D toxicity after consuming the diet as of Wednesday. The company noted that each dog recovered when it was taken off the diet. 

Pet owners are told to “immediately stop” using the food and to throw it away in a container so that no animals can access it. Purina also instructed veterinary and other retail partners to remove and destroy the dog food. 

Purina said it was informed of two separate confirmed cases of a dog exhibiting signs of vitamin D toxicity after consuming the diet.

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company

No other Purina pet care products were included in the recall, according to the notice. The company issued an apology to pet owners and veterinarians for any issues or inconveniences related to this recall. 

“As pet experts and pet owners ourselves, the health and well-being of pets is our top priority,” the company wrote. 

Officials said that vitamin D is considered an essential nutrient for dogs, however, “elevated levels can lead to health issues depending on the level of vitamin D and the length of exposure.”

Signs of vitamin D toxicity can include vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling and renal (kidney) dysfunction, according to the recall. 

“If signs such as weight loss, excessive drooling, vomiting, loss of appetite or increased thirst or urination have occurred in their dog while eating this diet, pet owners should contact their veterinarian,” the notice said. 

https://nypost.com/2023/02/09/purina-recalls-dog-food-over-possible-high-vitamin-d-levels/

Biden failed students in State of the Union — but Republicans ready to work with him if he gets real

 President Joe Biden had a unique opportunity during this year’s State of the Union to express a bold vision to expand access to a quality education for all Americans, but, in the typical fashion of his presidency, he fell short. The only thing more disappointing than what he said during his brief mention of our nation’s education system was what he didn’t say.

I grew up in a single-parent household, and like so many children growing up in poverty, I moved from school to school throughout my childhood, attending four different elementary schools by the fourth grade. There is a transient nature to poverty that is a powerful headwind for kids trying to beat their circumstances.

I know firsthand the life-changing impact of a quality education, and I’ve witnessed the miracles that can happen when parents have the choice my mother never had.

When parents choose from every educational option, their kids have a chance. Unfortunately, instead of committing to equipping and empowering all families to make the choices best suited to their children — public charter schools, parochial schools, homeschooling and more — President Biden committed to doubling down on the same system that’s been failing too many students for too long.

Biden didn’t mention that many kids in underserved communities are being left behind in the classroom simply because of their ZIP code. He didn’t mention that last year, math scores saw their largest-ever decreases while reading scores dropped to levels not seen since 1992. It’s estimated this learning loss could cost American students $2 trillion in lifetime earnings. 

This devastating and unprecedented learning loss affected students from every walk of life — from the rural poor to the inner cities and everywhere in between — and will have lifelong consequences for these children. 

But Biden’s once again committed to the broken system that has failed a generation of American kids.

The bottom line: Right now we have a system that’s built for adults. We need a system that’s built for kids. I trust parents and students to make the best decisions for themselves. I trust them more than I ever will the whims and political calculations of big labor unions and their lobbyists.

The greatest misconception about the school-choice movement is that we’re anti-public-school. We’re not anti-public-school. We’re anti-underperforming-school. We’re anti-failing-school. We’re pro-students no matter where they get the education that best serves them. 

Kids trapped in failing and underperforming schools deserve an opportunity. No child should be denied a chance to learn because of where he lives or how much money her family makes. And no parent should have to buy their child’s way out of a failing school. I know there is no silver bullet, but school choice is a large step — a leap — in the right direction. 

Ultimately, President Biden had an opportunity to open the door to working with Republicans to expand educational opportunity. He had an opportunity to apologize for his administration labeling parents at school-board meetings terrorists, protect parental rights and stand up for kids. He failed to do so.

In fact, his administration is blocking the expansion of charter schools by adding burdensome regulations to charter schools’ mission to acquire funding.

If the president has a change of heart, Republicans stand ready to put parents, students and families first.

A quality education is the closest thing to magic in America. It creates viable options for all families regardless of socioeconomic status. It’s how more young kids with the world stacked against them can find their way to the United States Senate.

Sen. Tim Scott is a Republican representing South Carolina.

https://nypost.com/2023/02/09/biden-failed-students-in-state-of-the-union-but-republicans-are-ready-to-work-with-him/

Man shot and killed in Times Square in drug-related shooting

 A man was killed in Times Square Thursday in a shooting that’s believed to have been carried out by suspected drug dealers, police and sources said.

Two men rushed outside of a deli near the corner of West 44th Street and Eighth Avenue around 5:15 p.m. and began shooting, striking a 22-year-old man in the chest, cops and the sources said.

The victim was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. It’s unclear if he was targeted in the attack.

A police officer stands next to a shell casing at the shooting scene Thursday night.

Robert Mecea

The two suspects are believed to be drug dealers, law enforcement sources said.

The gunfire in the bustling tourist and commuter district left passersby rattled.

One straphanger told The Post he was coming out of the subway station when he heard a shot ring out.

“There were two uniform policemen… in front of the turnstiles when you come out and I shouted for them to come out,” said the man, who gave his name as John Smith, adding that he felt “frightened” walking onto the street.

Another New Yorker said he was “shocked” that there was a shooting in the busy tourist area.

1of5

A man was fatally shot at 44th St. and 8th Ave.

Robert Mecea

Police are on the hunt for two suspects.

Robert Mecea

Advertisement

Sources say the two suspects are drug dealers.

Robert Mecea

Advertisement

“I could have been the one. That’s my thought. I could have been the one,” Steve, who chose not to share his last name, told The Post, noting that he works in Times Square.

“I have a daughter at home, my wife at home. Like I could have been the one. So I’m happy that I am not the one; that I’m here and it’s scary.”

The NYPD shut down the entire intersection as dozens of officers investigated the shooting.

The gunmen are still on the lam, police said.

https://nypost.com/2023/02/09/man-fatally-shot-in-times-square/

Fetterman remains hospitalized as doctors monitor for signs of seizures, rule out new stroke

 Sen. John Fetterman remains hospitalized in Washington, DC, and is being monitored for signs of seizures after feeling lightheaded during a Democratic Party retreat Wednesday night. 

“According to John’s doctors at The George Washington University Hospital, the results of the MRI, along with the results of all of the other tests the doctors ran, rule out a new stroke,” Fetterman’s communications director Joe Calvello said in a statement Thursday. 

The Pennsylvania Democrat, 53, suffered a stroke in May 2022.

“John is being monitored with an EEG for signs of seizure – so far there are no signs of seizure, but he is still being monitored,” Calvello added. 

An electroencephalogram, or EEG, is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain using electrodes attached to the scalp.

1of5

John Fetterman remains hospitalized after feeling lightheaded at a Democratic retreat.

AP

Fetterman defeated Dr. Oz in November’s election.

REUTERS

Advertisement

If found not fit to serve, Gov. Josh Shapiro would appoint a replacement for Fetterman.

REUTERS

Advertisement

On the campaign trail, Republican opponent Dr. Mehmet Oz pressed Fetterman to release his medical records after his health scare, which kept the former mayor of Braddock, Pa., out of the public eye for months in the run-up to the November election. 

The stroke left Fetterman with lingering auditory processing issues and speech difficulties, which requires him to use special closed-captioning technology in the Senate to perform his duties.

If the senator’s latest health issue leaves him unfit to serve, Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro would need to appoint a replacement, and then a special election would be held in 2024 to select a candidate to finish out Fetterman’s term. 

https://nypost.com/2023/02/09/sen-john-fetterman-remains-hospitalized-as-doctors-monitor-him-for-signs-of-seizures-rule-out-new-stroke/