Official Launch of Inukshuk Factory Outlet

Fredericton dog owners can buy high performance Inukshuk Professional Dog Food factory direct

FREDERICTON, NB: This week, Atlantic Canada’s only commercial pet food manufacturer announces the official launch of its INUKSHUK PROFESSIONAL DOG FOOD Factory Outlet. Inukshuk Professional Dog Food is a high performance dog food primarily designed for working and athletic dogs. Mainly sold around the globe in bulk to K9 specialists, breeders, kennels, sled teams and working dog professionals, Inukshuk Professional Dog Food is available for “by-the-bag” purchase at the Inukshuk Factory Outlet on Hodgson Road.

Inukshuk Professional Dog Food is available factory direct. Inukshuk sales and marketing rep Scott Archibald says “...we’ve been selling Inukshuk out of the front office for 3 years now, but it just wasn’t something we advertised. But now we want every dog owner in Fredericton to know that they too can feed their dogs the exact same high performance food that is trusted by K9 handlers, professionals and working dog specialists all over the world. Inukshuk is a nutritionally rich, high performance food that is always fresh, affordable, and it’s made right here in Fredericton”.

To mark the occasion, the Inukshuk sales team had vinyl graphics of the iconic Inukshuk brand installed on the front windows of the building. “...now when people drive by the factory on the highway, they can’t miss us, and they’ll know they can buy one of the best professional dog foods on the market right here in Fredericton” Archibald says.

FDA Investigating Potential Connection Between Diet and Cases of Canine Heart Disease

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July 12, 2018

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting pet owners and veterinary professionals about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients. These reports are unusual because DCM is occurring in breeds not typically genetically prone to the disease. The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network, a collaboration of government and veterinary diagnostic laboratories, are investigating this potential association.

Canine DCM is a disease of a dog’s heart muscle and results in an enlarged heart. As the heart and its chambers become dilated, it becomes harder for the heart to pump, and heart valves may leak, leading to a buildup of fluids in the chest and abdomen. DCM often results in congestive heart failure. Heart function may improve in cases that are not linked to genetics with appropriate veterinary treatment and dietary modification, if caught early.

The underlying cause of DCM is not truly known, but is thought to have a genetic component. Breeds that are typically more frequently affected by DCM include large and giant breed dogs, such as Great Danes, Boxers, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, Saint Bernards and Doberman Pinschers. It is less common in small and medium breed dogs, except American and English Cocker Spaniels. However, the cases that have been reported to the FDA have included Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Whippets, a Shih Tzu, a Bulldog and Miniature Schnauzers, as well as mixed breeds.

Diets in cases reported to the FDA frequently list potatoes or multiple legumes such as peas, lentils, other “pulses” (seeds of legumes), and their protein, starch and fiber derivatives early in the ingredient list, indicating that they are main ingredients. Early reports from the veterinary cardiology community indicate that the dogs consistently ate these foods as their primary source of nutrition for time periods ranging from months to years. High levels of legumes or potatoes appear to be more common in diets labeled as “grain-free,” but it is not yet known how these ingredients are linked to cases of DCM. Changes in diet, especially for dogs with DCM, should be made in consultation with a licensed veterinarian.

In the reports the FDA has received, some of the dogs showed signs of heart disease, including decreased energy, cough, difficulty breathing and episodes of collapse. Medical records for four atypical DCM cases, three Golden Retrievers and one Labrador Retriever, show that these dogs had low whole blood levels of the amino acid taurine. Taurine deficiency is well-documented as potentially leading to DCM. The Labrador Retriever with low whole blood taurine levels is recovering with veterinary treatment, including taurine supplementation, and a diet change. Four other cases of DCM in atypical dog breeds, a Miniature Schnauzer, Shih Tzu and two Labrador Retrievers, had normal blood taurine levels. The FDA continues to work with board certified veterinary cardiologists and veterinary nutritionists to better understand the clinical presentation of these dogs. The agency has also been in contact with pet food manufacturers to discuss these reports and to help further the investigation.

The FDA encourages pet owners and veterinary professionals to report cases of DCM in dogs suspected of having a link to diet by using the electronic Safety Reporting Portal or calling their state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. Please see the link below about “How to Report a Pet Food Complaint" for additional instructions.

Check out our Inukshuk Pro, Justin Barbour!

"N.L. man to trek 1,700 km across Labrador and Quebec wilderness" - CBC News

'It's become a bit of an obsession': Justin Barbour planning 90-day adventure with his dog Saku

CBC News · Posted: Jun 17, 2018 5:01 PM NT | Last Updated: June 17

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Justin Barbour trekked 700 kilometres across Newfoundland last summer. Now he's planning to cross the Ungava Peninsula. (Justin Barbour)

Justin Barbour is no stranger to lengthy excursions in the wilderness, but his past trips are just a walk in the park compared with what he's got planned this summer. 

In July, Barbour and his dog Saku will travel 1,700 kilometres  from North West River in Labrador to the shores of Hudson Bay in Quebec, by canoe and on foot. He expects it will take about 90 days in total.

The teacher from Bauline was in the midst of a 700-kilometre hike across Newfoundland last summer, when he said he started thinking about how he could up the ante for his next excursion.

"It's become a bit of an obsession now," Barbour said. 

"For me, it's just interesting and exciting and I love being out there. I crave that challenge, and this seems to be the perfect one."

Barbour and Saku navigate a large marshy area in a remote area of central Newfoundland during last summer's trek. (Justin Barbour)

What it takes to survive

Barbour said he's been planning and researching the route for months.

"These trips, they don't happen overnight. I've been researching now since October, every little bit of information about this route, from the terrain, to the equipment needed."

The adventure will be a bit different this time around, however. Barbour said he'll be travelling mostly by canoe rather than hiking, and will have to travel against the flow of some rivers, something he hasn't done much of in the past.

He will carry enough food to sustain himself, and will supplement his diet by fishing and hunting game.

"This is not Survivorman, but I do rely on some fish and stuff for some extra calories," he said.

Barbour says his dog Saku is his best friend and will be an important companion on his excursion. (Justin Barbour)

A four-legged best friend

Barbour said Saku is a great partner on his adventures, for both companionship and some extra protection.

"He loves it. He's an outdoor dog, he's a Cape Shore water dog. He's meant to be out on the land," he said.

"It's very important to have a dog there, and Saku's my best friend and he's adventurous."

And his human family is warming up to the idea as well.

"They have trust in me and they know I'm gaining experience at this type of travel," he said. 

"But that doesn't mean that they're not nervous still. They're my biggest supporters, but they're also going to have some sleepless nights."

Barbour plans to leave North West River on July 26.