How we're addressing COVID-19
Fallbrook Fertilizer, Feed & Farm Supply Customers
As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continues to unfold, I am reaching out to you – a valued customer – as Fallbrook Fertilizer, Feed & Farm Supply continues to navigate this ever-evolving situation. First and foremost, the health and wellbeing of you, your loved ones, and our own employees remain our top priority.
At Fallbrook Fertilizer, Feed & Farm Supply, we are committed to doing all that we can to help you and your animals during these challenging times, while simultaneously prioritizing the safety of our own employees. As we implement business continuity plans, please know that we are working to support you while sustaining the supply of Animal Food, Products & Agriculture Supplies.
We have implemented protocols at our store to limit the potential transmission of this virus, including limiting visitors, and enhancing our cleaning and sanitization efforts. Through all this, customer service remains at the heart of all that we do! Sorry, at this time we will not be accepting any returns or refunds on any products, due to limiting the spread of COVID-19.
However, our sales representatives will continue to work to serve the needs of you and your animals, helping to maintain inventories of essential products, and equipping you with any additional resources you may need in support of your needs.
We will be offering curbside assistance. Please call our store at 760-728-6717 or 760-728-5101.
If you need a delivery service please call Kathy at Road-Runner Errands at 760-277-0089.
Finally, in regard to our portfolio, we can confirm that while supply and demand vary by product, we are not aware of any significant near-term impacts on the availability of our supplies, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Should this change, we will be in touch with you.
Our thoughts are with those in all impacted outbreak areas, and we extend our sincere appreciation to the many healthcare providers and volunteers who are doing so much to assist our communities. As we continue to assess this fluid situation, we sincerely appreciate your patience and thank you for your ongoing partnership.
Warm regards,
the whole team at Fallbrook Fertilizer, Feed & Farm Supply
Hello, My name is "Potato" and I am Pet of the Month!
My name is "Potato" and I'm a sweet Red nose Pit bull. I have been rescued from "Cammies & Canines",a Veteran owned non-profit dog rescue. I am survived from next a day Death Row Dog. I am a sweet gentleman enjoying life, without cold cement floors and bars. I love to snuggle and snore, while I howl with joy when my pet parents come home from work and to be a couch potato.!
Firestick Plant Poisoning...
Warning! This beautiful but dangerous firestick plant sold anywhere! Sap gave me 3rd degree burns for 3 days skin was on fire!
Two Dogs Nearly Died After Being Exposed To Toxic Plant
BY ANDREA POWELL
Succulents are common plants for the garden and home because they are low maintenance and come in an array of shapes and colors. However, some are toxic and can cause more harm than good. One woman was devastated after one of the plants in her yard chemically burned one dog and left the other dog seriously ill.
Amy Kat arrived home to find her two beloved dogs seriously ill. Remi (a young great Dane mix) and Koopa (a Maltipoo) were lying on the ground surrounded by vomit. “I noticed Remi had sap on his fur, when I wiped it off his skin rolled off with it,” Kat told NBC San Diego. Terrified, she immediately brought the dogs to an emergency clinic.
Hart Nursery posted on their Facebook page, “This pet was chemically burned on 30% of his body by a plant! Yes a plant. This is what is called "Firestick succulent”. When a piece is broken off the milky substance is extremely acidic and toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. The smaller sibling ingested it and is also ill with serious vomiting and lethargy.”
The vet informed Kat that the dogs were reacting to the toxic sap of a succulent plant. The culprit was an alluring plant known as Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’ or pencil cactus. The toxic white sap lives in the fragile branches that are easily broken off.
The nursery posted,
“In fact all Euphorbia plants are poisonous. WARNING!!!!.”
Kat just moved into the home two weeks prior to the incident and said she was not aware of the dangerous plant. She said, “I checked for typical pointy plants and things that might hurt them, but I had no idea that pencil cactus could make them sick. I almost lost both my boys in one night.” She immediately removed all of the toxic plant from her yard. Both dogs survived the frightening ordeal because their mother said, “They have such an unbreakable spirit.”
Be sure to check your garden and home for toxic plants. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has a list of toxic and non-toxic plants for animals. Refer to this list and ask your local nursery before you purchase a plant.
March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month
Pet poison prevention tips for pet sitters and pet owners!
March is recognized as Poison Prevention Awareness Month and this year, March 17-23 marks National Poison Prevention Week.
With many common household items toxic to pets, it’s important that professional pet sitters encourage their pet-owning clients to educate themselves to ensure they keep unsafe items out of paw’s reach.
It can happen to even the best pet owners—you turn around for one moment (or accidentally leave medication or chocolate on the counter) and your pet ingests a potentially harmful or fatal pet poison.
As professional pet-sitting business owners, it is vital that you, as well as any staff sitters, stay up-to-date on the most common pet poisons and educate your clients on the importance of pet-poison proofing their homes.
Many items commonly found around our homes can be dangerous to pets, including:
For dogs:
- Chocolate, particularly bakers and dark chocolate.
- Xylitol, the sweetener used in sugarless gums and candies, as well as some medications.
- NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen and naproxen found in products like Advil and Aleve.
- Over the counter cough, cold and allergy medications.
- Rodenticides (mouse poison).
For cats:
- Lilies and all plants in the Lilium species, such as Easter, Tiger and Asiatic lilies.
- Household cleaners that are concentrated, such as toilet bowl or drain cleaners.
- Flea and tick treatments that are created for use on dogs.
- Antidepressants, such as Cymbalta and Effexor.
For a complete list of pet toxins, visit the Pet Poison Helpline at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.
You can also view the Top Pet Toxins of 2018 as reported by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
Pet owners (and pet sitters) should contact their veterinarian or a pet poison helpline immediately if they suspect their pets have ingested a potentially toxic item.
Most pet owners already know that exposure to things like chocolate, bleach, and pesticide can be dangerous for our animal companions. But what about other lesser-known toxins?
These common households items are probably already in your home, but you might not know that they could be harmful—or even deadly—to your beloved four-legged friend. In observation of National Poison Prevention Week (the third week of March), American Humane is warning pet owners about these five surprising pet poisons hiding in plain sight.
Over-the-Counter Medications
You could probably guess that human medications and pets are often a bad combination, but it might surprise pet owners to know that even common, over-the-counter pain relievers—such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen—can be toxic to animals. These pills often have sweet outer coatings that make them appealing to pets—think of an “M&M,” except a potentially deadly one. Even one or two pills can cause serious harm to a pet, such as kidney failure, so keep these medicines away from your four-legged friends!
Fabric Softener Sheets
Dryer sheets help to disperse static cling by coating fabrics with chemicals. Unfortunately, these chemicals can harm your pet if they chew on or ingest a sheet, even a used one. Plus, the fragrant smell that we like so much in our laundry is also appealing to our furry friends, which means pets can be especially susceptible to poisoning from dryer sheets.
Batteries
Most common household batteries contain chemicals that pose serious health risks to animals if ingested. Even if your pet doesn’t swallow an entire battery whole, they can still puncture the battery casing allowing toxic fluid to leak out. Although it may seem harmless—or even humorous—when your dog chews on the remote or steals your kid’s favorite toy, but biting any battery-operated devices can be very dangerous.
Sugar-Free Gum and Breath Mints
Sugar-free gum and breath mints often contain a substance called Xylitol that can be deadly to dogs. Dogs process Xylitol differently than humans: They absorb it quickly and it can spike their insulin levels, causing dangerously low blood sugar levels that can be life-threatening if left untreated. Xylitol can be found in common products such as toothpaste, candy, chewable vitamins, and mouthwash. This safety tip is something we all need to remember the next time you accidentally spill a packet of Tic Tacs in the backseat of your car, or your toddler squirts toothpaste on the bathroom floor.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and their dried counterparts, raisins, may seem harmless, but not to dogs. Even small amounts of grapes or raisins can prove fatally toxic for a dog.
Signs of Pet Poisoning:
The symptoms of a poisoned pet can differ vastly depending on the type of toxin and how much they ingested. While the signs vary from case to case, some of the most common signs of pet poisoning include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea and upset stomach
- Seizures
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Drooling
- Abnormal behavior
- Excessive thirst or urination
- Weakness
How to Handle an Emergency:
- If you know or suspect your pet may have ingested something poisonous, immediately contact the National Poison Control Help Line at 1-800-222-1222. Text “POISON” to 797979 to save the contact information for Poison Control in your smartphone.
- Finally, remember that it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you have any reason at all to believe your pet might be poisoned, seek immediate veterinary assistance—the life of your animal companion could depend on it.
Essential Oils and Your Pet are Like Oil and Water
Essential Oils and Your Pet are Like Oil and Water – They Don’t Mix
What are essential oils? Essential oils are volatile, organic constituents of plants that contribute to fragrance and taste. They are extracted from plants via distillation or cold pressing. Essential oils are utilized in a variety of ways in varying concentrations: as insecticides, in aromatherapies, personal care products (e.g., antibacterials), flavorings, herbal remedies and liquid potpourri.
Though helpful for your own homeopathic treatment, essential oils can pose a toxic risk to household pets.
Without a solid understanding of essential oils or not being educated on appropriate use is what tends to cause the concerns that we see with cats and dogs.
TIP! The higher the concentration of the essential oil (i.e. 100%), the greater the risk to your pet.
Essential oils are rapidly absorbed both orally and across the skin in cats and are then metabolized in the liver. Cats lack an essential enzyme in their liver and as such have difficulty metabolizing and eliminating certain toxins like essential oils.
Essential oils that are known to cause poisoning in cats include oil of sweet birch, citrus oil (d-limonene), Ylang Ylang oil, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil and eucalyptus oil.
Both dogs and cats can have harmful, poisoning side effect from melaleuca or tea tree oil, pennyroyal/squaw mint, oil of wintergreen and pine oils can have harmful, poisoning side effects.
Symptoms that your pet may develop depend on the type of oil involved in the exposure and can include drooling, vomiting, tremors, ataxia (wobbliness), respiratory distress, low heart rate, low body temperature, and liver or renal failure.
Prevention is the best medicine in limiting essential oil toxicities in pets. If you are going to use essential oils in your daily life, find a reliable source to gain the education that you need to keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe.
Pet Poison Helpline is a 24/7 animal poison control service available for pet owners and veterinary professionals who require assistance with treating a potentially poisoned pet. Pet Poison Helpline has the ability to help every poisoned pet, with all types of poisonings. Normally $59 per incident, with AKC Reunite you can plan ahead and subscribe your pet to this life-saving service for only $15 for the lifetime of your pet.
WHAT WILL YOUR PET GET INTO NEXT?
HOW THE PET POISON HELPLINE WORKS
1. OH NO! HELP!
You think your pet has gotten into something potentially toxic. Don't delay, call AKC Reunite at 800-252-7894 for help!
2. VERIFICATION
Provide your pet's microchip ID or AKC Reunite collar tag ID. You will be transferred to the Pet Poison Helpline once your Pet Poison Helpline activation is confirmed.
3. CONSULTATION
Pet Poison Helpline experts will create a detailed report reviewed by veterinarians, licensed veterinary technicians and other experts.
4. TREATMENT ADVICE
In your pet's time of need, you are provided recommendations to treat the problem yourself or directed to get immediate professional attention.
March 2020 Pet Holidays
March includes holidays that recognize a couple of nontraditional pets, salute our K-9 military veterans, and acknowledge a group of people who make life better for both pets and their people — pet sitters.
- Poison Prevention Awareness Month
- Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
- March 1: National Pig Day
- March 3: If Pets Had Thumbs Day
- March 5–8: Crufts Dog Show
- March 9–13: Professional Pet Sitters Week
- March 13: K-9 Veterans Day
- March 14: National Spider Day
- March 16–22: National Poison Prevention Week
- March 23: National Puppy Day; Cuddly Kitten Day
- March 28: Respect Your Cat Day
- March 30: Take a Walk in the Park Day
Virulent Newcastle Disease Notice
The regional quarantine is still in effect.
For a list of virulent Newcastle disease cases since the outbreak began in May 2018, visit the USDA VND website.
Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND)
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March 27, 2020
Virulent Newcastle Disease Update from State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones
Many southern California residents may be wondering why their local feed and pet stores do not have chicks for sale this spring. While virus levels in the region are greatly reduced, VND continues to impact backyard flocks inside the regional quarantine area, as evidenced by the detection of more than 20 new cases this winter. DNA from these recent cases suggests they are all related, most likely from a single source with further spread due to bird movement, lax biosecurity, and commingling at feed and pet stores.
Feed and pet stores provide a critical infrastructure for bird owners. Not only are they a source of feed, equipment and birds, they are also a gathering place for like-minded people where information and experiences can be shared. Unfortunately, this foot traffic also means that some customers may be carrying the virus on their shoes or clothing. When a store with this type of foot traffic also houses poultry, it gives the virus a chance to find a new host and become even more infectious. Keeping poultry, including baby chicks, out of these important community businesses will help the region become VND free.
The best defense against the virus is to continue practicing good biosecurity.
- DO NOT MOVE YOUR BIRDS
- Disinfect and change shoes and clothes before and after handling your birds
- Do not wear clothes and shoes used with your flock to places with poultry or other bird owners
- Wash hands thoroughly
- Do not handle birds while at feed or pet stores
- Disinfect anything purchased at the store before introducing it to your flock (feeders, waters, etc.)
Be aware of the signs of VND in your flock and report any sick birds to the CDFA Sick Bird Hotline (1-866-922-2473) right away.
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December 23, 2019
Virulent Newcastle Disease Update from State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones
Over the past month, Virulent Newcastle disease cases have increased because people have violated the CDFA VND Regional Quarantine by moving infected birds or contaminated equipment and secondary spread to neighboring flocks. We now have 20 new cases under investigation, all linked to the recent Bloomington area outbreak. Most of the cases are in San Bernardino County, with two in Riverside County and one in Los Angeles County. Backyard flocks as well as retail pet/feed stores are involved.
Based on phylogenetic analysis and epidemiologic studies, we understand how the disease spreads in Southern California. This highly contagious virus has been spread when people move exposed birds or equipment, or when people carry the virus to their own unfortunate flock on their hands and feet. It moves long distances as people illegally move birds or equipment. When introduced to a new area, it is amplified as the previously uninfected poultry succumb until the environmental virus load is so great, the outbreak spreads from yard to yard. Exposed poultry around a newly infected flock are the “virus amplifiers,” particularly just before they show signs of disease.
Put simply, your birds can spread the disease before they show symptoms, so the only way to stop it is to not move birds – period – if you are in the CDFA Regional Quarantine Area.
As a reminder, last year the disease was spread from San Bernardino to LA and Riverside counties and beyond, leading to widespread highly infected areas, infected poultry farms, the death of over 1.2 million birds, and significant financial and emotional strain on poultry owners and disease control agencies.
We need your help to stop the spread of this virus and end this outbreak. Specific actions you can take to protect the poultry in your community are on the CDFA VND website in our biosecurity videos, guidance documents and links, but general keys to success include:
- DO NOT move poultry or poultry equipment within the VND Regional Quarantine without a CDFA permit.
- DO NOT let anyone with birds near your poultry.
- DO NOT accidentally bring this virus home to your flock on your clothes, hands, feet or equipment.
Please work together to ensure we do not see this outbreak grow as it did in 2018. Stopping the spread will take the combined effort of all bird owners. Talk to your neighbors and friends.
Keep Southern California safe for poultry!
February 25, 2020
San Bernardino
Backyard exhibition chickens
February 21, 2020
San Bernardino
Backyard exhibition chickens
February 18, 2020
San Bernardino
Backyard exhibition chickens
January 13, 2020
San Bernardino
Backyard exhibition chickens
January 8, 2020
San Bernardino
Backyard exhibition chickens
December 26, 2019
San Bernardino
Backyard exhibition chickens
December 26, 2019
San Bernardino
Backyard exhibition chickens
December 26, 2019
San Bernardino
Backyard exhibition chickens
December 21, 2019
Riverside
Backyard exhibition chickens
December 21, 2019
San Bernardino
Backyard exhibition chickens
December 21, 2019
Los Angeles
Retail feed store
It is important to note that any bird movement within a quarantined area is prohibited by law and violators are subject to fines ranging from $100 to $1,000, or up to $25,000 if a violator is proven to have moved the virus.
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Attention: The United States Postal Service (USPS) is not allowing shipments of live birds (all) or hatching/embryonated eggs into or out of zip codes 90000-93599 in California. For more information: https://postalpro.usps.com/node/6643
The modified quarantine extends from the Northern and Southern borders of western Riverside County to the Salton Sea—including the Coachella Valley—and as far east as Yucca Valley in San Bernardino County, with a Northern boundary of State Route 58 at the Kern County line.
Unfortunately, even birds and flocks that previously tested negative, but now fall within a designated mandatory euthanasia area, must be euthanized. USDA/CDFA staff will contact affected bird owners with orders specific to their property.
The disease put California on a quarantine, keeping businesses from buying new chickens, leaving cages empty. The incident, according to CDFA, started May of 2018.
Symptoms owners should look out for:
- Sudden death and increased death loss in flock;
- Sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing;
- Greenish, watery diarrhea;
- Decreased activity, tremors, drooping wings, twisting of head and neck, circling, complete stiffness; and
- Swelling around the eyes and neck.
The disease does not affect meat humans consume. People can catch the disease through touching a chicken's bodily fluids, and a person could come down with mild flu symptoms
To report any sick birds, San Diegans are asked to immediately call the Sick Bird Hotline, 866-922-2473."