A couple of days ago I spoke about the quarantine kennels where a rabid dog had bitten 3 people.
So I've decided to write a more technical article on the subject of rabies in dogs and people.
Rabies (Lyssa) is one of the oldest known zoonotic diseases; an animal disease transmissible to humans.
It is caused by rhabdoviruses of the genus Lyssavirus and can affect all mammals including humans.
Transmission occurs when there is direct contact to infectious saliva; via bites, scratches and broken skin. The incubation period can range between 2 weeks and 3 months depending on the site of infection, the amount of virus and the virus strain.
Due to its neurotropism rabies viruses cause neurological symptoms that may differ in animals and humans.
After a bite, when the virus has travelled from the nerve pathways of the muscles into the central nervous system (CNS), it replicates quickly and spreads into many parts of the brain. The brain becomes inflamed and many functions of the CNS are affected.
Once symptoms of the disease develop, rabies is fatal to both animals and humans, except in very rare cases.
Clinical signs in animals
All animals exhibit certain neurological signs as a result of rabies. These symptoms may differ slightly between species.
Prodromal stage: After a certain incubation period, the onset of clinical symtoms follows. During this first stage which usually lasts for about 1-3 days minor behavioural changes can occur, e.g aggressiveness in pet animals, daytime activities in nocturnal animals, no fear of humans in wild animals or abnormalities in appetite.
Excitative (furious) phase: Eventually, the prodromal stage is followed by a period of severe agitation and aggression. The animal often bites any material. Rabid dogs, for example, may develop a typical high barking sound during furious rabies. Death may follow convulsions even before the paralysis stage.
Paralytic (dumb) phase: This stage is characterized by the inability to swallow, leading to a typical sign of foaming saliva around the mouth. Some animals may develop paralysis beginning at the hind extremities. Eventually, complete paralysis is followed by death.
Rabies is one of the most feared diseases which affects people.
Endemic canine rabies contributes to more than 99% of all human rabies cases; half of the global human population especially in the developing world lives in canine rabies-endemic areas and is considered at risk of contracting rabies.
In the developing world tens of thousands of people die from rabies every year. African and Asian countries are particularly affected by rabies. There are often insufficient controls and inadequate healthcare.
In developed countries, widespread vaccination and animal control programmes have reduced the incidence of the disease in people to low levels. Human cases are now rare in Europe, except for the Russian Federation.
Dogs are of great importance in the transmission of rabies to people, particularly in countries where there are cases of rabies in pet, feral and stray dogs.
The greatest risk of bringing rabies to the UK is either from human travellers (who are highly unlikely to pass the disease on to animals or people) or imported animals - the most important being pet dogs and cats.
Rabies has been associated with long incubation periods - that's why there is a six month quarantine for imported pets. However studies on rabies shows that incubation periods are normally between 2 and 12 weeks.
Once clinical rabies has developed, with rare exceptions, death is inevitable within a few days. There is no immune response in the incubating animal or person. The virus cannot be reliably identified in tissues before the onset of clinical signs, so there is currently no possibility of diagnosis of rabies in the incubating animal.
As well as affecting the central nervous system, rabies virus can also live in the salivary glands which allows the transmission of rabies by infected saliva through bite wounds – the usual route. Animals may pass the virus by this route before the development of clinical signs - up to 13 days in dogs.
While treatment of clinically infected animals and people is of no avail, post exposure treatment of people with vaccine and hyperimmune serum is used successfully. This remedial treatment is only partially successful in dogs and other animals.
Vaccines are used successfully against rabies and can give up to three years immunity, although vaccination does not preclude the possibility of rabies infection, as confirmed cases of rabies have occurred in previously vaccinated dogs and cats.
Nevertheless, overall, they provide a high level of protection. The protection they can offer is measured by the antibody level they stimulate.
Control
Since 1793, the Rabies in the United Kingdom Quarantine Act has been the main control method used to keep the UK free from rabies. The result of this policy is that there have been no indigenous human cases of rabies in UK until 2002 when a bat conservationist died in Scotland., afetr being bitten by a rabid bat.
Two cases of rabies have occurred in dogs after they left quarantine so additional measures, which included vaccination against rabies on arrival, were introduced in 1972, to help avoid cross
infection in quarantine kennels. Since then, quarantine measures have been completely successful.
Import of pets through quarantine is controlled by the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and OtherMammals) Order 1974, and its amendments.
The message is clear - don't smuggle animals into the UK. Keep It Out!
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Sunday, 27 April 2008
Rabies - a deadly disease - Keep It Out!
This is a picture of a rabid dog.
(It isn't the puppy mentioned below)
Did you see the report on the puppy with rabies at the quarantine kennels?
It bit 3 people - 2 members of staff and someone from the dog rescue involved.
Fortunately they were vaccinated against rabies, so only had to have boosters just in case. All the same, they have to wait and see. Not very nice for them. I wish them well.
Rabies is a very nasty slow painful death. It is spread by saliva - which is why a bite is so dangerous.
If it is not treated before the virus gets to the brain, then death is the outcome.
UK quarantine laws guard us against it becoming a problem here.
Imagine we had rabies here. Would you go anywhere near a strange dog? And what sort of measures would the government take? Would all domestic pet dogs have to be muzzled in public? I'm not saying that would happen, but as there seems to be a liking for heavy-handed measures in the UK now, who knows?
It was suggested on the news that the quarantine laws were going to be relaxed - it didn't say how. This is crazy considering what has just happened!
The quarantine system may be a nuisance for pet owners, but it does seem to work.
The pet passport scheme will NOT prevent rabies from coming to the UK. What it does is to allow responsible owners to take their dogs with them to some countries without having to go into quarantine on return to the UK.
I knew a guy who was bitten by a rabid dog some years ago. He had to have 20 injections into his stomach. Not nice, but it saved his life. Vaccinations have improved a lot since then!
It is possible that somebody will smuggle an infected dog into the country. The dog may seem very friendly but could be infected - the rabies virus may have not yet taken hold. Please don't ever feel tempted to bring a dog in without going through quarantine. No matter how appealing the poor stray is, or how bad the conditions from which it needs rescuing - don't do it!
You can always contact the British embassy, find out if there is a rescue who can help. If not they can tell you what you need to do to bring it home. If it is a bad case, how about contacting the media and drum up some support?
Just a few thoughts on the problem! Bye for now, Ti
Friday, 11 April 2008
Greyhound Pictures
Hi, I've decided to add some pictures of my greyhounds.
This is a picture of Spot (standing) and Olive. Spot was our much-loved male greyhound, who we lost at the age of 12 years. He was a dog of great character
This is a picture of Spot (standing) and Olive. Spot was our much-loved male greyhound, who we lost at the age of 12 years. He was a dog of great character
This is Boris and Olive having a rest at the holiday cottage in Scotland
A handsome greyhound!
Hope that you liked the pictures. Cheers, Ti
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Pet Bereavement - The Loss of a Dog - And The Rainbow Bridge
Yesterday I wrote about my greyhound Spot. It seems to me to be useful to write some more about the loss of a much loved dog.
When we lost Spot I felt as if my right arm had been cut off. Even now, I can feel great sadness about his loss, but it is tempered with wondeful memories.
Every dog lover knows the great joy that they get from their dogs, and the terrible pain at losing them.
Anybody in that situation has my deepest sympathy.
We all cope with our grief and come to terms with our loss in different ways. There is no right or wrong way to do this.
It is worth talking to other dog owners - you will get a sympathetic listener in most people.
There are pet bereavement counsellors who can help at this difficult time. Ask other pet owners, talk to your vet. Your local animal rescue may be able to help. You will also find information on the internet.
Many dog owners who have suffered loss have found comfort in The Rainbow Bridge poem.
Its origins are unknown.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had been left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together
Author unknown
My sympathy to all of you in mourning, Ti
When we lost Spot I felt as if my right arm had been cut off. Even now, I can feel great sadness about his loss, but it is tempered with wondeful memories.
Every dog lover knows the great joy that they get from their dogs, and the terrible pain at losing them.
Anybody in that situation has my deepest sympathy.
We all cope with our grief and come to terms with our loss in different ways. There is no right or wrong way to do this.
It is worth talking to other dog owners - you will get a sympathetic listener in most people.
There are pet bereavement counsellors who can help at this difficult time. Ask other pet owners, talk to your vet. Your local animal rescue may be able to help. You will also find information on the internet.
Many dog owners who have suffered loss have found comfort in The Rainbow Bridge poem.
Its origins are unknown.
The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had been left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together
Author unknown
My sympathy to all of you in mourning, Ti
Monday, 24 March 2008
Greyhounds Are Great! In Memory of a Much-Loved Greyhound
Greyhounds Are Great! A Personal Story and In Memory of a Much-Loved Dog
Like many people we never thought of having a greyhound for a pet. But when we met Spot at a rescue centre we were instantly won over. One look from those pleading eyes was enough! After doing some essential fencing work in our garden we had a successful home check, and Spot was ours to bring home. He settled in very quickly - within 3 days - and proved to be a well-mannered and clean dog.
Greyhounds are intelligent animals and will quickly learn about their new environment. They are laid back and self-contained. However, they do like a lot of affection and will lean heavily against you while looking straight up into your face. Totally Irresistible!
People often stopped to admire Spot (he had several local fan clubs!), and invariably asked if he needed lots of exercise. Greyhounds don't - they are built for speed, not marathons. The truth about them is they are couch potatoes! They will lie still for hours on end, usually with one leg stuck straight in the air, as if they are asking for permission to leave the room.
Quite often, Spot would go into a kind of trance, his eyes wide open and dreamy. This was a bit uncanny at first! He also tended to slide off the couch. Slowly and gracefully his back end slid to the floor, whilst his head was held high in the air. He never bothered to correct this, but stayed like that as if it was the most comfortable position in the world. A friend of mine who has kept lots of greyhounds says that this is a sign of a happy dog.
Spot had a tattoo in one ear, an indication that he may have raced in England. (Irish greyhounds have tattoos in both ears). I checked with the Greyhound Stud Book and found out his exact date of birth, that he was from a litter of eight, and that his racing name was Little Mustang.
Greyhounds are tattooed as a litter and start racing at about 15 months. By 4 years old they are near retirement. At this point they face an uncertain future., and many end up in rescue centres.
Greyhounds are very loyal and make wonderful pets. We were very happy that Spot the Greyhound came into our lives. We lost him soon after his 12th birthday. The poor lad developed a spinal problem. He saw a specialist, had scans, and an operation, but sadly nothing could be done. I would have sold the house if the money could have saved his life.
We dedicated a tree to him. It is a hazel, which in folklore is a protector of animals.
Sleep tight, Little Mustang.
Ti
Like many people we never thought of having a greyhound for a pet. But when we met Spot at a rescue centre we were instantly won over. One look from those pleading eyes was enough! After doing some essential fencing work in our garden we had a successful home check, and Spot was ours to bring home. He settled in very quickly - within 3 days - and proved to be a well-mannered and clean dog.
Greyhounds are intelligent animals and will quickly learn about their new environment. They are laid back and self-contained. However, they do like a lot of affection and will lean heavily against you while looking straight up into your face. Totally Irresistible!
People often stopped to admire Spot (he had several local fan clubs!), and invariably asked if he needed lots of exercise. Greyhounds don't - they are built for speed, not marathons. The truth about them is they are couch potatoes! They will lie still for hours on end, usually with one leg stuck straight in the air, as if they are asking for permission to leave the room.
Quite often, Spot would go into a kind of trance, his eyes wide open and dreamy. This was a bit uncanny at first! He also tended to slide off the couch. Slowly and gracefully his back end slid to the floor, whilst his head was held high in the air. He never bothered to correct this, but stayed like that as if it was the most comfortable position in the world. A friend of mine who has kept lots of greyhounds says that this is a sign of a happy dog.
Spot had a tattoo in one ear, an indication that he may have raced in England. (Irish greyhounds have tattoos in both ears). I checked with the Greyhound Stud Book and found out his exact date of birth, that he was from a litter of eight, and that his racing name was Little Mustang.
Greyhounds are tattooed as a litter and start racing at about 15 months. By 4 years old they are near retirement. At this point they face an uncertain future., and many end up in rescue centres.
Greyhounds are very loyal and make wonderful pets. We were very happy that Spot the Greyhound came into our lives. We lost him soon after his 12th birthday. The poor lad developed a spinal problem. He saw a specialist, had scans, and an operation, but sadly nothing could be done. I would have sold the house if the money could have saved his life.
We dedicated a tree to him. It is a hazel, which in folklore is a protector of animals.
Sleep tight, Little Mustang.
Ti
Sunday, 23 March 2008
Happy Easter ... Blizzards and Chocolate For Dogs and Me
Happy Easter!!
A nice covering of snow this morning. So a day to pig out on the creme eggs!
My lass took one look and decided the couch was the best place to be. She is arthritic and had a good walk yesterday. Anyway Boris thoroughly enjoyed it. There is a secure enclosed field that I can let him have a good blast around. Greyhound circuits galore!
We gamely battled against a bitter wind that cut through you like a knife. Add in the driving snow and it was like the middle of winter. Spring???
Back home to a warm drink and chocolate.
The dogs had their Easter treats too. But NOT human chocolate. This is very bad for dogs. I believe it can kill in extreme cases. If your dog gets to eat a lot of human chocolate , it would be a good idea to see your vet. I think that it damages the liver.
You can easily buy special dog chocolate at your local pet shop. It comes in all sorts of shapes and combinations.
It is safe for children. I tried some dog chocolate once. The first taste was well... OK. After that it was downhill! Dogs love it. Me - I'll keep to human chocolate!
See you again soon, Ti
A nice covering of snow this morning. So a day to pig out on the creme eggs!
My lass took one look and decided the couch was the best place to be. She is arthritic and had a good walk yesterday. Anyway Boris thoroughly enjoyed it. There is a secure enclosed field that I can let him have a good blast around. Greyhound circuits galore!
We gamely battled against a bitter wind that cut through you like a knife. Add in the driving snow and it was like the middle of winter. Spring???
Back home to a warm drink and chocolate.
The dogs had their Easter treats too. But NOT human chocolate. This is very bad for dogs. I believe it can kill in extreme cases. If your dog gets to eat a lot of human chocolate , it would be a good idea to see your vet. I think that it damages the liver.
You can easily buy special dog chocolate at your local pet shop. It comes in all sorts of shapes and combinations.
It is safe for children. I tried some dog chocolate once. The first taste was well... OK. After that it was downhill! Dogs love it. Me - I'll keep to human chocolate!
See you again soon, Ti
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Troublesome Ticks - A Danger To You And Your Dog!
Tick Invasion !!!
Did you saw the article in the Daily Mail (Monday 17th March) about ticks?
There has been a rapid spread of disease-bearing ticks across Europe. Apparently this spread is due to rising temperatures.
This viral disease is called TBE (tick-borne encephalitis). It causes swelling of the brain, fits, paralysis, hallucinations and can kill. If you survive the effects can be permanent.
Both dogs and people can be infected.
People can be vaccinated against the disease. I understand that this is only available privately and costs £70 per jab. So far I haven't discovered if dogs can be vaccinated against TBE.
TBE is not the same as Lyme Disease, which is also spread by tick bites.
Lyme Disease is present in the UK. It is usually contracted from deer ticks.
If you are taking your pet abroad do talk to your vet. And talk to your GP as well for your own sake!
For more info on the web try :
- DEFRA (defra.gov.uk)
- the ISW Group on TBE (tbe-info.com)
- CDC (cdc.gov)
- the Foreign Office (fco.gov.uk)
So what practical steps can we take?
- Carry out regular checks while you and your dog are out and about.
- Do a thorough check once you are back inside.
- Carefully remove any ticks (they can be very small).
- Thoroughly clean the area with soap and water.
- Monitor all bites for a couple of weeks.
- If there is any signs of infection ,or even just a red area , take your dog to the vet straight away, or see a doctor straight away. Delay can be very serious.
Tick Removal
A special tick removal tool can be bought from your vet , a pet shop, or on the internet. They are inexpensive to buy.
There are two types that I know of. One is a push-button operated clamp, the other is like a small bent crow-bar. Follow the instructions carefully.
Make sure that you fully remove the tick. Anything left behind could cause infection.
Thoroughly wash the area with soap and water.
Don't pinch your dog's skin - they don't like it!
Please don't use lighted cigarette ends or vaseline. These methods can shock the tick and cause it to release toxins into the blood.
Once you have removed the tick kill it by crushing the body and ,most importantly ,the head.
On that cheerful note I will finish! Bye for now, Ti
Did you saw the article in the Daily Mail (Monday 17th March) about ticks?
There has been a rapid spread of disease-bearing ticks across Europe. Apparently this spread is due to rising temperatures.
This viral disease is called TBE (tick-borne encephalitis). It causes swelling of the brain, fits, paralysis, hallucinations and can kill. If you survive the effects can be permanent.
Both dogs and people can be infected.
People can be vaccinated against the disease. I understand that this is only available privately and costs £70 per jab. So far I haven't discovered if dogs can be vaccinated against TBE.
TBE is not the same as Lyme Disease, which is also spread by tick bites.
Lyme Disease is present in the UK. It is usually contracted from deer ticks.
If you are taking your pet abroad do talk to your vet. And talk to your GP as well for your own sake!
For more info on the web try :
- DEFRA (defra.gov.uk)
- the ISW Group on TBE (tbe-info.com)
- CDC (cdc.gov)
- the Foreign Office (fco.gov.uk)
So what practical steps can we take?
- Carry out regular checks while you and your dog are out and about.
- Do a thorough check once you are back inside.
- Carefully remove any ticks (they can be very small).
- Thoroughly clean the area with soap and water.
- Monitor all bites for a couple of weeks.
- If there is any signs of infection ,or even just a red area , take your dog to the vet straight away, or see a doctor straight away. Delay can be very serious.
Tick Removal
A special tick removal tool can be bought from your vet , a pet shop, or on the internet. They are inexpensive to buy.
There are two types that I know of. One is a push-button operated clamp, the other is like a small bent crow-bar. Follow the instructions carefully.
Make sure that you fully remove the tick. Anything left behind could cause infection.
Thoroughly wash the area with soap and water.
Don't pinch your dog's skin - they don't like it!
Please don't use lighted cigarette ends or vaseline. These methods can shock the tick and cause it to release toxins into the blood.
Once you have removed the tick kill it by crushing the body and ,most importantly ,the head.
On that cheerful note I will finish! Bye for now, Ti
Sunday, 16 March 2008
Well The Show's over For Another Year ... Crufts Dog Show That Is!
Hi, Sorry that I've been absent for a while. Both my wife and myself had a really bad tummy bug. (There's a lot been going around!). I didn't have the energy to do other than what was necessary. We even missed out on going to Crufts!!!
I did get to watch it on TV and managed to lose myself in the doggy world for a while.
It was useful being able to go through the red button to get the extra stuff on freeview.
Two things always stand out for me at Crufts dog show.
The first and most important is the dedication and love that people from all walks of life have for dogs. It gives me hope for the human race!
Secondly, you get to meet all sorts of dogs that you don't meet every day. It's a real eye opener. The range of sizes, shapes, coats, abilities, etc is amazing.
I thought that the 'Friends For Life' feature was fantastic. That little girl with cerebral palsey touched my heart. She has a true friend in her dog.
Mary Rae was as brilliant as ever with her exhibition of heel work with dogs. Its good to see so many people getting involved.
I thought that the Best in Show deserved to win. (I still hope that a greyhound is going to win again one day!)
So I hope that you all enjoyed the show,either on the telly or by being there. If you haven't been it's well worth the effort. There is so much to see. And ,as I said, the love of dogs really shines through.
Speak to you again soon, Ti
I did get to watch it on TV and managed to lose myself in the doggy world for a while.
It was useful being able to go through the red button to get the extra stuff on freeview.
Two things always stand out for me at Crufts dog show.
The first and most important is the dedication and love that people from all walks of life have for dogs. It gives me hope for the human race!
Secondly, you get to meet all sorts of dogs that you don't meet every day. It's a real eye opener. The range of sizes, shapes, coats, abilities, etc is amazing.
I thought that the 'Friends For Life' feature was fantastic. That little girl with cerebral palsey touched my heart. She has a true friend in her dog.
Mary Rae was as brilliant as ever with her exhibition of heel work with dogs. Its good to see so many people getting involved.
I thought that the Best in Show deserved to win. (I still hope that a greyhound is going to win again one day!)
So I hope that you all enjoyed the show,either on the telly or by being there. If you haven't been it's well worth the effort. There is so much to see. And ,as I said, the love of dogs really shines through.
Speak to you again soon, Ti
Thursday, 6 March 2008
One Of My Dogs Was Pooing For England!
Recently my lass had a really bad bout of dog diarrhoea. She got me up no less than 6 times in the night. It was like water.
She's nearly 12 and on steroids, and very rarely has any problems in that area, so I was quite worried.
There was no blood or mucous present and my lad (6yrs) was OK.
Then I realised that the problem was probably the new food. I had changed them on to it quite quickly.
When you change dogs food it needs to be done slowly over several days. Add a bit more of the new to the old until the swap over is complete. Yes, I know that some dogs have cast-iron stomachs and won't be affected, but that isn't true for all.
I won't say what the new food is, as I do rate it, and it would be unfair to paint a bad picture of it.
I starved her for 24 hours, fed her tinned Chappie for a couple of days (small amounts several times a day) , and put her back onto the old food. The problem cleared up, and hasn't repeated.
If your dog has diarrhoea (this means loose, very soft as well as liquid), you do need to examine the output! Not nice, but all part of caring for your dog.
There may be worms - see your vet.
Blood and mucous (jelly like stuff) - if it persists see your vet.
IF IT LOOKS LIKE STRAWBERRY JAM AND SMELLS AWFUL GET TO YOUR VET AT ONCE. IT COULD BE PARVO - A KILLER. (EVEN IF YOUR DOG HAS HAD ITS JABS)
Sorry for shouting..... but I can't emphasise enough how serious it is.
So what best to do?
- a 24 hour starve ,unless you have an old or sick dog. Then just give tiny amounts of food several times a day. This rests the system.
- feed something like freshly cooked chicken and boiled rice (not too much). You can use plain pasta instead of rice. This is gentle on the tum and easy to digest.
- scrambled eggs are very good. They help to bind.
- tinned chappie (original) is very gentle on dogs stomachs and can stimulate the appetite.
- make sure there is plenty of fresh clean drinking water for your dog. Dehydration needs to be avoided.
- sterilise the dogs food and drinking bowls
- destroy or thoroughly wash any soiled bedding (you don't want to risk recurrence)
- make sure you thoroughly wash your hands to protect yourself and your family
- you can get Kaogel from your vet. It's like human kaolin or diocalm. This will stop the ouput and absorb any toxins in the dog's gut.
- rehydration powders may be necessary. You can get those from your vet.
If the dog diarrhoea problem persists or keeps happening a veterinary examination will be needed. Dogs can get a bacterial overgrowth in the intestines and it takes weeks of medication to get rid of it. A dog with this can quickly become emancipated.
I do talk about some horrible things don't I! Next time I'll keep things light.
I'll finish now so I can watch the opening days highlights from Crufts (BBC2 this week).
Bye , Ti
She's nearly 12 and on steroids, and very rarely has any problems in that area, so I was quite worried.
There was no blood or mucous present and my lad (6yrs) was OK.
Then I realised that the problem was probably the new food. I had changed them on to it quite quickly.
When you change dogs food it needs to be done slowly over several days. Add a bit more of the new to the old until the swap over is complete. Yes, I know that some dogs have cast-iron stomachs and won't be affected, but that isn't true for all.
I won't say what the new food is, as I do rate it, and it would be unfair to paint a bad picture of it.
I starved her for 24 hours, fed her tinned Chappie for a couple of days (small amounts several times a day) , and put her back onto the old food. The problem cleared up, and hasn't repeated.
If your dog has diarrhoea (this means loose, very soft as well as liquid), you do need to examine the output! Not nice, but all part of caring for your dog.
There may be worms - see your vet.
Blood and mucous (jelly like stuff) - if it persists see your vet.
IF IT LOOKS LIKE STRAWBERRY JAM AND SMELLS AWFUL GET TO YOUR VET AT ONCE. IT COULD BE PARVO - A KILLER. (EVEN IF YOUR DOG HAS HAD ITS JABS)
Sorry for shouting..... but I can't emphasise enough how serious it is.
So what best to do?
- a 24 hour starve ,unless you have an old or sick dog. Then just give tiny amounts of food several times a day. This rests the system.
- feed something like freshly cooked chicken and boiled rice (not too much). You can use plain pasta instead of rice. This is gentle on the tum and easy to digest.
- scrambled eggs are very good. They help to bind.
- tinned chappie (original) is very gentle on dogs stomachs and can stimulate the appetite.
- make sure there is plenty of fresh clean drinking water for your dog. Dehydration needs to be avoided.
- sterilise the dogs food and drinking bowls
- destroy or thoroughly wash any soiled bedding (you don't want to risk recurrence)
- make sure you thoroughly wash your hands to protect yourself and your family
- you can get Kaogel from your vet. It's like human kaolin or diocalm. This will stop the ouput and absorb any toxins in the dog's gut.
- rehydration powders may be necessary. You can get those from your vet.
If the dog diarrhoea problem persists or keeps happening a veterinary examination will be needed. Dogs can get a bacterial overgrowth in the intestines and it takes weeks of medication to get rid of it. A dog with this can quickly become emancipated.
I do talk about some horrible things don't I! Next time I'll keep things light.
I'll finish now so I can watch the opening days highlights from Crufts (BBC2 this week).
Bye , Ti
Wednesday, 5 March 2008
If Your Dog Is Not Eating It Could Be Serious!
Hello, I added a post to my dog blog on Tuesday 26 Feb about dogs not eating.
I've just realised I should have added a comment about the possible serious problems that can happen.
If your dog isn't eating it may be due to an internal blockage.
This may be due to having swallowed something like a toy or a piece of bone. This is something to be aware of if your dog is a chewer or a scavenger.
Another serious possiblility is an internal growth.
If your dog continues to refuse food or seems lethargic go to your vet straight away.
You will also need to go if your dog keeps being sick or is in discomfort.
Of course it may just be a temporary tummy upset which will sort itself out.
Bye for now , Ti
I've just realised I should have added a comment about the possible serious problems that can happen.
If your dog isn't eating it may be due to an internal blockage.
This may be due to having swallowed something like a toy or a piece of bone. This is something to be aware of if your dog is a chewer or a scavenger.
Another serious possiblility is an internal growth.
If your dog continues to refuse food or seems lethargic go to your vet straight away.
You will also need to go if your dog keeps being sick or is in discomfort.
Of course it may just be a temporary tummy upset which will sort itself out.
Bye for now , Ti
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
There's a Dog Rescue Near You That Needs Your Help
There are lots of dog rescues which need volunteers for all sorts of jobs.
Why not take a look on the internet or pop down to your local library to ask.
You don't have to be knowledgable, but you do need to be committed and reliable. It's really annoying if a volunteer doesn't turn up as expected. It means someone else has twice the work to do.
I started out as a volunteer. I walked in one day just to enquire - 3 hours later I was still there. I turned up regularly, regardless of the weather or anything else....they ended up offering me a job!
Charities have a duty of care to their volunteers, so expect a training session. You may think "I know all that, why should I do this?". The simple answer is that if a charity doesn't and something happens they could be in serious trouble. It might mean imprisonment for the manager or trustees, and the charity could be shut down.
If a dog rescue was forced to close ,what do you think would happen to the dogs? The sad reality is that most of them would be destroyed because there would be nowhere for them to go.
As a volunteer you do have certain legal responsibilities. Any issue relating to Health & Safety is everyone's concern. What is required is that you report any issues to a responsible person, e.g. the duty manager or senior member of staff.... duty discharged.
OK, so what can you do? Here are some possibilities :
- dog walking
- kennel cleaning
- helping run the charity shop
- sorting donated goods
- administration
- answering the telephone and handling general enquiries
- helping out on event days
- fundraising (Very Important)
- looking after the website
- photography
- editing and publishing the journal or newsletter
- anything else I haven't thought of !
What is available will depend on each individual dog rescue's needs.
If you want to work with dogs for a living (or work with animals in general) working as a volunteer will stand you in good stead. It shows commitment on your part, for a start.
When you go home at the end of your stint you will have that warm feeling of having done something very worthwhile.
It's not just the obvious animal charities or rescues that need help.
Remember that there are a lot of small animal charities who are desperately struggling to keep going. They only survive because of the (often badly paid) hard-working, dedicated staff and the goodwill of volunteers like YOU.
Go On - Give It A Go!
Ti
Why not take a look on the internet or pop down to your local library to ask.
You don't have to be knowledgable, but you do need to be committed and reliable. It's really annoying if a volunteer doesn't turn up as expected. It means someone else has twice the work to do.
I started out as a volunteer. I walked in one day just to enquire - 3 hours later I was still there. I turned up regularly, regardless of the weather or anything else....they ended up offering me a job!
Charities have a duty of care to their volunteers, so expect a training session. You may think "I know all that, why should I do this?". The simple answer is that if a charity doesn't and something happens they could be in serious trouble. It might mean imprisonment for the manager or trustees, and the charity could be shut down.
If a dog rescue was forced to close ,what do you think would happen to the dogs? The sad reality is that most of them would be destroyed because there would be nowhere for them to go.
As a volunteer you do have certain legal responsibilities. Any issue relating to Health & Safety is everyone's concern. What is required is that you report any issues to a responsible person, e.g. the duty manager or senior member of staff.... duty discharged.
OK, so what can you do? Here are some possibilities :
- dog walking
- kennel cleaning
- helping run the charity shop
- sorting donated goods
- administration
- answering the telephone and handling general enquiries
- helping out on event days
- fundraising (Very Important)
- looking after the website
- photography
- editing and publishing the journal or newsletter
- anything else I haven't thought of !
What is available will depend on each individual dog rescue's needs.
If you want to work with dogs for a living (or work with animals in general) working as a volunteer will stand you in good stead. It shows commitment on your part, for a start.
When you go home at the end of your stint you will have that warm feeling of having done something very worthwhile.
It's not just the obvious animal charities or rescues that need help.
Remember that there are a lot of small animal charities who are desperately struggling to keep going. They only survive because of the (often badly paid) hard-working, dedicated staff and the goodwill of volunteers like YOU.
Go On - Give It A Go!
Ti
Monday, 3 March 2008
It's Dog Show Time Again!....Crufts 6-9 March....What if your dog hates being left?
Well it's Crufts this week.....time to head down to the NEC near Birmingham.
I love going and will probably be there on Sunday because that's Hound and Terrier day.
I will, of course, be leaving my dogs behind. You can't take your dogs into Crufts unless you're showing. There is no shade in the car parks, and it wouldn't be fair to keep them shut in the car for hours anyway.
So what if your dog doesn't like being left?
Separation anxiety can sometimes be dealt with quite easily.
Tips to try are:
- Leave the house without doing anything special with your dog, e.g. don't fuss it or give a treat. Wait 5 minutes and then go back in and ignore your dog. The message is : leaving and coming back is no big deal. Then increase the time gone over the next few days or weeks.
- Put the radio on. The charity Dogs Trust has done research on this. Pop music and the human voice are broadly neutral. Classical music has a calming effect. Heavy metal drives them wild! So tune into ClassicFM. Leave the volume low - dogs have much more sensitive hearing than people. I do this with mine. We also used to do this at the rescue with good results. It is also useful when fireworks are going off.
- Rescue Remedy can help. Put a few drops on the tongue before you go. It is one of the Bach Flower Remedies and can be bought over the counter at your chemist (or on the internet).
Your vet can prescribe drugs, but why dope your dog up?
You could always ask a friend or good neighbour to pop in a few times.
Let me know if you've got or had a dog with seperation anxiety and what you found helped with the problem.
Cheers for now , Ti
I love going and will probably be there on Sunday because that's Hound and Terrier day.
I will, of course, be leaving my dogs behind. You can't take your dogs into Crufts unless you're showing. There is no shade in the car parks, and it wouldn't be fair to keep them shut in the car for hours anyway.
So what if your dog doesn't like being left?
Separation anxiety can sometimes be dealt with quite easily.
Tips to try are:
- Leave the house without doing anything special with your dog, e.g. don't fuss it or give a treat. Wait 5 minutes and then go back in and ignore your dog. The message is : leaving and coming back is no big deal. Then increase the time gone over the next few days or weeks.
- Put the radio on. The charity Dogs Trust has done research on this. Pop music and the human voice are broadly neutral. Classical music has a calming effect. Heavy metal drives them wild! So tune into ClassicFM. Leave the volume low - dogs have much more sensitive hearing than people. I do this with mine. We also used to do this at the rescue with good results. It is also useful when fireworks are going off.
- Rescue Remedy can help. Put a few drops on the tongue before you go. It is one of the Bach Flower Remedies and can be bought over the counter at your chemist (or on the internet).
Your vet can prescribe drugs, but why dope your dog up?
You could always ask a friend or good neighbour to pop in a few times.
Let me know if you've got or had a dog with seperation anxiety and what you found helped with the problem.
Cheers for now , Ti
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
My Dogs Slept Through The Earthquake
Hi, quite an earth tremor last night wasn't it!
We live in the East Midlands and it was quite strong. The house and contents had a good rattle at about 1am.
I went down to check on the dogs and they were fast asleep! So much for animals sensing earthquakes - at least as far as my two are concerned. Mind you, greyhounds can be pretty laid back.
Dogs do seem to have a 'sixth sense'. Have a look at these examples.
- My parents GSD always knew when I was paying a surprise visit. He would get up and look out of the window half-an-hour before I arrived, and would refuse to move away from his lookout.
- When a fox visits our garden in the early hours the dogs always know.
- There are dogs who have saved their owners lives by sniffing out cancers in the early stages of development. The dog persists in sniffing at the same place.
- A poodle who was trained as a hearing dog saved its new owner's life by waking her when a fire had just started in the house.
I'm sure that many of you will have examples of dogs sixth sense. Why not share them with us.
Dogs never cease to surprise and delight me. They really are mans best friend.
Cheers, Ti
We live in the East Midlands and it was quite strong. The house and contents had a good rattle at about 1am.
I went down to check on the dogs and they were fast asleep! So much for animals sensing earthquakes - at least as far as my two are concerned. Mind you, greyhounds can be pretty laid back.
Dogs do seem to have a 'sixth sense'. Have a look at these examples.
- My parents GSD always knew when I was paying a surprise visit. He would get up and look out of the window half-an-hour before I arrived, and would refuse to move away from his lookout.
- When a fox visits our garden in the early hours the dogs always know.
- There are dogs who have saved their owners lives by sniffing out cancers in the early stages of development. The dog persists in sniffing at the same place.
- A poodle who was trained as a hearing dog saved its new owner's life by waking her when a fire had just started in the house.
I'm sure that many of you will have examples of dogs sixth sense. Why not share them with us.
Dogs never cease to surprise and delight me. They really are mans best friend.
Cheers, Ti
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Help, My Dog Won't Eat !
I've just been feeding my two greyhounds.
One of them is on tablets, which I hide in a lump of Chappie. It works a treat.
This got me to thinking about dogs who are finnicky or have a poor appetite. (Lab owners will probably be puzzled at this point!)
Adding something tasty to a dog's dinner can work wonders.
Things you can try are:
- Tinned Chappie (the fish one)
- Tins of sardines in tomato juice
- Tinned tuna
Are you getting the idea that fish-based food is attractive to dogs? Too right!
Adding any kind of meat to a dry food can help a dog with appetite problems.
Remember not to overdo it. You are just adding flavour and smell.
Brown bread is a good appetite stimulant. I think it's due to vitamin B6.
One of the old greyhound trainers tricks is to feed cornflakes with full-cream milk. I've heard enough anecdotal evidence to believe it really works. This is only used to get the dog eating again. It isn't a proper diet.
The drawback is that it can make your dog loose.
Another thing to try is feeding at a set time. Leave the food down for half-an-hour then remove it. Your dog soon gets the idea and eats straight away.
Try feeding at a completely different time than when you eat. And no tit-bits off your plate either!
What we are trying to do is to establish a feeding pattern which hopefully will get our dogs eating correctly.
Please let me know any of your own tips.
Ti
One of them is on tablets, which I hide in a lump of Chappie. It works a treat.
This got me to thinking about dogs who are finnicky or have a poor appetite. (Lab owners will probably be puzzled at this point!)
Adding something tasty to a dog's dinner can work wonders.
Things you can try are:
- Tinned Chappie (the fish one)
- Tins of sardines in tomato juice
- Tinned tuna
Are you getting the idea that fish-based food is attractive to dogs? Too right!
Adding any kind of meat to a dry food can help a dog with appetite problems.
Remember not to overdo it. You are just adding flavour and smell.
Brown bread is a good appetite stimulant. I think it's due to vitamin B6.
One of the old greyhound trainers tricks is to feed cornflakes with full-cream milk. I've heard enough anecdotal evidence to believe it really works. This is only used to get the dog eating again. It isn't a proper diet.
The drawback is that it can make your dog loose.
Another thing to try is feeding at a set time. Leave the food down for half-an-hour then remove it. Your dog soon gets the idea and eats straight away.
Try feeding at a completely different time than when you eat. And no tit-bits off your plate either!
What we are trying to do is to establish a feeding pattern which hopefully will get our dogs eating correctly.
Please let me know any of your own tips.
Ti
Monday, 25 February 2008
Have Dog, Will Travel
Want to take your dog on holiday.....then read on....this is important.
Thinking of taking your dog abroad this year? Then you need to act now!
Unless you are only going to the Irish Republic, your dog will need a pet passport. This takes a long time to set up. In particular, the rabies jab and blood tests take the most time.
Your dog must have valid vaccinations,microchip, and paperwork. If not, then quarantine is compulsory.
Read my earlier post on pet passports. Check out the Defra website for the latest information and regulations. Make an appointment with your vet. Do it today.
Holiday in the UK?
It's now easier to find places to stay that are pet friendly, in particular that are dog friendly!
We stay at decent hotels as well as nice bed & breakfasts with our two greyhounds. No problems.
No longer do we hear " just one small quiet bitch is allowed" from supposedly dog friendly accomodation.
There are some very useful accomodation guides available.
Three I use are:
(1) Dog Friendly Pubs,Hotels and B&Bs published by Ebury Press
(2) Pets Welcome! published by FHG Guides
(3) Bed & Breakfast Nationwide - The Little Green Book
The last one we picked up at a B&B we stayed at. Not a specifically dog friendly publication, but lots in the book are, and they are good quality accomodation.
Hotel groups may state 'no dogs' in their brochures. (Check out the small print). But it's always worth asking a specific hotel in a group. You find that it is sometimes the decision of the manager rather than group policy that matters.
There are also some places that are totally dog friendly...having a dog with you is almost compulsory!
But start booking now to avoid disappointment.
Having to leave your dog in kennels?
Check vaccination requirements with your kennels.
They will need a current vaccination and may also need to be vaccinated against kennel cough. No proof of current vaccination, no kennels I'm afraid.
When choosing a kennels ask other people about their experience. Also ask the kennel owner if you can have a look around. If you aren't allowed a good look then go elsewhere. A good kennels doesn't have anything to hide.
Please book kennel accomodation for your dog early. It soon disappears.
When I worked in rescue,I was amazed at the number of dog owners who book their holiday well in advance, but leave their dog's needs until the last minute, only to find that there was nothing available.
Sadly some owners abandoned their dogs while they went on holiday. I still can't get my head around that.
So when planning your holiday think dog! Give yourself plenty of time to get everything sorted.
Do it now, today ,at once, immediately, tout de suite. Please!
Thinking of taking your dog abroad this year? Then you need to act now!
Unless you are only going to the Irish Republic, your dog will need a pet passport. This takes a long time to set up. In particular, the rabies jab and blood tests take the most time.
Your dog must have valid vaccinations,microchip, and paperwork. If not, then quarantine is compulsory.
Read my earlier post on pet passports. Check out the Defra website for the latest information and regulations. Make an appointment with your vet. Do it today.
Holiday in the UK?
It's now easier to find places to stay that are pet friendly, in particular that are dog friendly!
We stay at decent hotels as well as nice bed & breakfasts with our two greyhounds. No problems.
No longer do we hear " just one small quiet bitch is allowed" from supposedly dog friendly accomodation.
There are some very useful accomodation guides available.
Three I use are:
(1) Dog Friendly Pubs,Hotels and B&Bs published by Ebury Press
(2) Pets Welcome! published by FHG Guides
(3) Bed & Breakfast Nationwide - The Little Green Book
The last one we picked up at a B&B we stayed at. Not a specifically dog friendly publication, but lots in the book are, and they are good quality accomodation.
Hotel groups may state 'no dogs' in their brochures. (Check out the small print). But it's always worth asking a specific hotel in a group. You find that it is sometimes the decision of the manager rather than group policy that matters.
There are also some places that are totally dog friendly...having a dog with you is almost compulsory!
But start booking now to avoid disappointment.
Having to leave your dog in kennels?
Check vaccination requirements with your kennels.
They will need a current vaccination and may also need to be vaccinated against kennel cough. No proof of current vaccination, no kennels I'm afraid.
When choosing a kennels ask other people about their experience. Also ask the kennel owner if you can have a look around. If you aren't allowed a good look then go elsewhere. A good kennels doesn't have anything to hide.
Please book kennel accomodation for your dog early. It soon disappears.
When I worked in rescue,I was amazed at the number of dog owners who book their holiday well in advance, but leave their dog's needs until the last minute, only to find that there was nothing available.
Sadly some owners abandoned their dogs while they went on holiday. I still can't get my head around that.
So when planning your holiday think dog! Give yourself plenty of time to get everything sorted.
Do it now, today ,at once, immediately, tout de suite. Please!
End of lecture!
Cheers, Ti
Sunday, 24 February 2008
Zoonoses - You Can Catch Them From Your Dog - A Cautionary Tale!
So what are zoonoses?
Also called zoonotic diseases, they are animal diseases which also affect people.
Here I will only be considering dog diseases.
A Cautionary Tale
Let's kick off with a true story.
One day while I was cleaning the kennels, I had a terrible itch near my left armpit. So I put my hand under my shirt and had a good ol' scratch.
A few days later I awoke to find what looked like red fingermarks near my left armpit.I assumed that they came from sleeping on my hand.
They didn't go away and then they started to appear on the other side. After I took a long hot bath I noticed faint red marks on my chest and stomach. Time to see my GP!
I found myself topless in a semi-darkened room, under an ultra-violet light, with no less than three doctors seeing if I would glow in the dark!
The UV light came from a special lamp with a magnifying glass called a Wood's Lamp.
Some skin diseases such as ringworm fluoresce under UV light. (Ringworm glows green).
I didn't glow and nobody was sure quite what sort of fungal infection I had - it would have required laboratory analysis.
So I was prescribed a special cream to apply. It didn't work and the infection continued its march South!
Then I had a long course of tablets (several weeks) which eventually cleared up the problem.
In the meantime I had to be scrupulously hygienic. I kept my towel away from others, slept in old shirts which were then destroyed. (They would have needed to be washed at very high temperatures). It also meant I had to be careful when giving my wife a hug!
Scratching your bare skin is an ideal way of introducing something nasty. With my knowledge and experience, I should have known better than doing that whilst I was cleaning kennels.
I used to drum into trainees the need to wash their hands thoroughly before eating, drinking or smoking. Add to that scratching!
Over to the technical stuff.
Zoonoses / Zoonotic Diseases
There are a few canine diseases which also affect people. These are known as "zoonoses".
The most important are:
- Rabies. A killer. It is a viral disease transmitted by saliva from an infected dog.No known cure, but both dogs and people can be vaccinated against it. If you visit a country with rabies obviously be wary of stray dogs. If somebody's pet dog licks you then wash thoroughly a.s.a.p. And if you get bitten (even a tiny nip) ,thoroughly wash the area and seek medical help at once. If caught in time (before it spreads to the brain) you can be treated.
- Ringworm. An infectious fungus which grows on the skin and within the dog's coat. Can be treated with special shampoos, creams, and oral drugs. Highly contagious.
- Fleas. Do prefer their own host but a human will do in an emergency. Dog fleas can act as intermediate hosts for other parasites. Difficult to physically kill - try squeezing them between your fingernails.
- Roundworm. The most important ones belong to the Ascarid family. Toxocara canis and Toxoscaris leonina live in the small intestine. Others infest the large intestine. Dog worms can infect people, and sometimes cause disease. Rarely, they cause a cyst in childrens eyes, which may require an infected eye to be removed. Good hygiene and common sense where children and dogs (especially puppies) are concerned should prevent problems. Puppies with worms have a 'garlic' breath.
I hope you don't have nightmares!
Simple precautions such as thoroughly washing and drying your hands (please don't underrate how effective this is) ,and being observant about your dog's condition are all that's really needed.
Well that's 'Z' is for... dealt with! I told you a couple of weeks ago that I had an article sorted out.
And, no ,I'm not cheating by jumping around. It's more interesting for me to post something which is in my mind, than to systematically plough through the alphabet.
Talk to you again soon,
Ti
Also called zoonotic diseases, they are animal diseases which also affect people.
Here I will only be considering dog diseases.
A Cautionary Tale
Let's kick off with a true story.
One day while I was cleaning the kennels, I had a terrible itch near my left armpit. So I put my hand under my shirt and had a good ol' scratch.
A few days later I awoke to find what looked like red fingermarks near my left armpit.I assumed that they came from sleeping on my hand.
They didn't go away and then they started to appear on the other side. After I took a long hot bath I noticed faint red marks on my chest and stomach. Time to see my GP!
I found myself topless in a semi-darkened room, under an ultra-violet light, with no less than three doctors seeing if I would glow in the dark!
The UV light came from a special lamp with a magnifying glass called a Wood's Lamp.
Some skin diseases such as ringworm fluoresce under UV light. (Ringworm glows green).
I didn't glow and nobody was sure quite what sort of fungal infection I had - it would have required laboratory analysis.
So I was prescribed a special cream to apply. It didn't work and the infection continued its march South!
Then I had a long course of tablets (several weeks) which eventually cleared up the problem.
In the meantime I had to be scrupulously hygienic. I kept my towel away from others, slept in old shirts which were then destroyed. (They would have needed to be washed at very high temperatures). It also meant I had to be careful when giving my wife a hug!
Scratching your bare skin is an ideal way of introducing something nasty. With my knowledge and experience, I should have known better than doing that whilst I was cleaning kennels.
I used to drum into trainees the need to wash their hands thoroughly before eating, drinking or smoking. Add to that scratching!
Over to the technical stuff.
Zoonoses / Zoonotic Diseases
There are a few canine diseases which also affect people. These are known as "zoonoses".
The most important are:
- Rabies. A killer. It is a viral disease transmitted by saliva from an infected dog.No known cure, but both dogs and people can be vaccinated against it. If you visit a country with rabies obviously be wary of stray dogs. If somebody's pet dog licks you then wash thoroughly a.s.a.p. And if you get bitten (even a tiny nip) ,thoroughly wash the area and seek medical help at once. If caught in time (before it spreads to the brain) you can be treated.
- Ringworm. An infectious fungus which grows on the skin and within the dog's coat. Can be treated with special shampoos, creams, and oral drugs. Highly contagious.
- Fleas. Do prefer their own host but a human will do in an emergency. Dog fleas can act as intermediate hosts for other parasites. Difficult to physically kill - try squeezing them between your fingernails.
- Roundworm. The most important ones belong to the Ascarid family. Toxocara canis and Toxoscaris leonina live in the small intestine. Others infest the large intestine. Dog worms can infect people, and sometimes cause disease. Rarely, they cause a cyst in childrens eyes, which may require an infected eye to be removed. Good hygiene and common sense where children and dogs (especially puppies) are concerned should prevent problems. Puppies with worms have a 'garlic' breath.
I hope you don't have nightmares!
Simple precautions such as thoroughly washing and drying your hands (please don't underrate how effective this is) ,and being observant about your dog's condition are all that's really needed.
Well that's 'Z' is for... dealt with! I told you a couple of weeks ago that I had an article sorted out.
And, no ,I'm not cheating by jumping around. It's more interesting for me to post something which is in my mind, than to systematically plough through the alphabet.
Talk to you again soon,
Ti
Saturday, 23 February 2008
Poodles
I've just come across this post about poodles.Thought you might be interested.
Confessions of a former Poodle ridiculer
Be careful what you make fun of. It could someday rule your life.
Probably no one ridiculed Poodles more than I did before Misty the alpha Poodle entered my life through a series of unlikely circumstances and put a spell on me.
Nothing has been the same since.
I realized quickly that she understood everything I said…and thought. She can do inductive and deductive reasoning. She’s so smart, it’s scary. She is a good teacher and intelligent enough to be an incredibly charming, eager to please companion.
In my pre-Poodle years, I thought I had a lot of reasons to ridicule them. First is the name. Poodle is just a funny sounding name. Other dogs get to have distinguished place names like Yorkshire Terrier, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Maltese, but the Poodle is named after a pudel, the German word for puddle, something you might find on a sidewalk after a shower.
Several years ago they were officially called French Poodles, with all the courage and valor associated with that particular country. (Sorry Carol) French was dropped when it was established that Poodles originated in Germany and France dropped out of favor.
The word Poodle is associated with lap dog, wimp, someone who carries out the wishes of a more powerful person.
We can’t overlook the “no bad, silly or yappy dogs, only bad, silly or yappy owners” truism that sometimes applies to Poodles. At one time they were the trendy dogs of the day, the spoiled Darlings of the Silly Set.
And of course the Poodle haircut. At first, I considered having her trimmed like a terrier, but I soon understood the historic and totally logical reason that the Poodle clip has been around for thousands of years. I even wrote a post explaining my theory on the origin of the Poodle clip.
However, I still wasn’t a fan of the show clip. There are so many cute and practical pet clips. The show clip seemed to be over the top.
Partly it is the hours and hours of grooming, the sacrifice of puppy hood that the show dog endures while they stand still for endless grooming. What a boring way for human and dog to spend time together.
BUT, to be perfectly honest here, whenever I see a dog show, I fall under the spell of the Show Poodle Presence. In their centuries-old-clip, Poodles are the dogs people notice, the beauty queens, the fairy tale princesses, the Prince Charmings. No other dog can match their unique Poodle-ness, their striking bearing and prancing paws.
That’s when I wonder how much it would cost to have a pet groomer come to my house for a few hours every day…
Then Misty the alpha Poodle smiles at me and says, “Don’t even think about it.”
http://thepoodleanddogblog.typepad.com/the_poodle_and_dog_blog/2008/02/confessions-of.html?PHPSESSID=fpqluved8d0l6hi3a1bjhcqjv1
I've added a comment to their blog about a poodle who saved its owner's life. Ti
Confessions of a former Poodle ridiculer
Be careful what you make fun of. It could someday rule your life.
Probably no one ridiculed Poodles more than I did before Misty the alpha Poodle entered my life through a series of unlikely circumstances and put a spell on me.
Nothing has been the same since.
I realized quickly that she understood everything I said…and thought. She can do inductive and deductive reasoning. She’s so smart, it’s scary. She is a good teacher and intelligent enough to be an incredibly charming, eager to please companion.
In my pre-Poodle years, I thought I had a lot of reasons to ridicule them. First is the name. Poodle is just a funny sounding name. Other dogs get to have distinguished place names like Yorkshire Terrier, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Maltese, but the Poodle is named after a pudel, the German word for puddle, something you might find on a sidewalk after a shower.
Several years ago they were officially called French Poodles, with all the courage and valor associated with that particular country. (Sorry Carol) French was dropped when it was established that Poodles originated in Germany and France dropped out of favor.
The word Poodle is associated with lap dog, wimp, someone who carries out the wishes of a more powerful person.
We can’t overlook the “no bad, silly or yappy dogs, only bad, silly or yappy owners” truism that sometimes applies to Poodles. At one time they were the trendy dogs of the day, the spoiled Darlings of the Silly Set.
And of course the Poodle haircut. At first, I considered having her trimmed like a terrier, but I soon understood the historic and totally logical reason that the Poodle clip has been around for thousands of years. I even wrote a post explaining my theory on the origin of the Poodle clip.
However, I still wasn’t a fan of the show clip. There are so many cute and practical pet clips. The show clip seemed to be over the top.
Partly it is the hours and hours of grooming, the sacrifice of puppy hood that the show dog endures while they stand still for endless grooming. What a boring way for human and dog to spend time together.
BUT, to be perfectly honest here, whenever I see a dog show, I fall under the spell of the Show Poodle Presence. In their centuries-old-clip, Poodles are the dogs people notice, the beauty queens, the fairy tale princesses, the Prince Charmings. No other dog can match their unique Poodle-ness, their striking bearing and prancing paws.
That’s when I wonder how much it would cost to have a pet groomer come to my house for a few hours every day…
Then Misty the alpha Poodle smiles at me and says, “Don’t even think about it.”
http://thepoodleanddogblog.typepad.com/the_poodle_and_dog_blog/2008/02/confessions-of.html?PHPSESSID=fpqluved8d0l6hi3a1bjhcqjv1
I've added a comment to their blog about a poodle who saved its owner's life. Ti
Pet Travel
Hi, I came across this which you might find interesting.
February 20, 2008
Pet Travel is increasing - what do you think?
Here's the last "bonus" item in my Pet Industry Trends for 2008 article.
More people traveling with their pets From day trips with the dogs in the back of the car, to trips abroad with your pets, more and more people are including their cats and dogs in their travels. As a result, more hotels, such as the Comfort Inn all the way up to the Westin are accommodating pets beyond just allowing them on the premises. This gives small businesses the opportunity to provide services to local hotels for pets or for accessories to make traveling even easier.
Recently someone asked me about my pet travel assertion and how I determined this trend.
In answer to that questions, there’s no magic stat that I’ve seen; I use the mosaiic theory - put a number of other stats and observations together and draw a conclusion.
From Michael Dillon’s report Pet Industry 2007 Strategic Report, he comments on the baby boomers retiring and their pet spending:
55-64 year-olds represent a very compelling demographic due to 4% projected growth through 2010, according to the Census Bureau. 55-64 year-olds are the fastest-growing age demographic in the pet industry, spending $7.75 billion in 2005, up 127% from 2000. With the active boomer generation set to spend more time with their pets, whether at home or on the road, we expect to see more travel products for pets over the next two years.
Boomers travel more than most (trends from the TIA Domestic Travel Market Report)
Proliferation of pet friendly hotels (intercontinental, Crowne Plaza, Wyndham Hotel, Ritz Carlton, Radisson, Marriott, Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Comfort Inn, Red Roof Inn, La Quinta, etc.)
Appearance of numerous specialty travel services either for pets or involving pets (Bailey Knows Travel, Pets Welcome, Puppy Travel )
And so on…
http://blog.embracepetinsurance.com/2008/02/pet-travel.html
Don't forget to look at my article on Pet Passports
Ti
February 20, 2008
Pet Travel is increasing - what do you think?
Here's the last "bonus" item in my Pet Industry Trends for 2008 article.
More people traveling with their pets From day trips with the dogs in the back of the car, to trips abroad with your pets, more and more people are including their cats and dogs in their travels. As a result, more hotels, such as the Comfort Inn all the way up to the Westin are accommodating pets beyond just allowing them on the premises. This gives small businesses the opportunity to provide services to local hotels for pets or for accessories to make traveling even easier.
Recently someone asked me about my pet travel assertion and how I determined this trend.
In answer to that questions, there’s no magic stat that I’ve seen; I use the mosaiic theory - put a number of other stats and observations together and draw a conclusion.
From Michael Dillon’s report Pet Industry 2007 Strategic Report, he comments on the baby boomers retiring and their pet spending:
55-64 year-olds represent a very compelling demographic due to 4% projected growth through 2010, according to the Census Bureau. 55-64 year-olds are the fastest-growing age demographic in the pet industry, spending $7.75 billion in 2005, up 127% from 2000. With the active boomer generation set to spend more time with their pets, whether at home or on the road, we expect to see more travel products for pets over the next two years.
Boomers travel more than most (trends from the TIA Domestic Travel Market Report)
Proliferation of pet friendly hotels (intercontinental, Crowne Plaza, Wyndham Hotel, Ritz Carlton, Radisson, Marriott, Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Comfort Inn, Red Roof Inn, La Quinta, etc.)
Appearance of numerous specialty travel services either for pets or involving pets (Bailey Knows Travel, Pets Welcome, Puppy Travel )
And so on…
http://blog.embracepetinsurance.com/2008/02/pet-travel.html
Don't forget to look at my article on Pet Passports
Ti
Friday, 22 February 2008
A few thoughts on Dog Collectibles
Hi,
I've just seen the Royal Mail special stamps with a working dog theme. They are to celebrate Year of the Assistance Dog, which is this year.
The dogs have been photographed by Tim Flach, the man behind the Andrex puppy adverts.
As you can imagine the quality of the stamps is outstanding.
So a very nice set for you stamp collectors out there.
Stamps not your thing?
There's lots of things with a dog theme that you can collect.
Postcards, cigarette cards, old dog books, dog bronzes, pottery, figurines, old dog prints, original art (old or new), jewellery, ephemera. And probably others!
I think there are a few basic rules for a collection.
- have a coherent collection of a specific dog breed, or just collect postcards, for example,of any dog related subject.
- buy the best you can afford
- condition is everything
- talk to other collectors and specialist dealers. They have knowledge and enthusiasm for their subject.
- try not to get carried away!
- stick to your budget, especially if bidding at auction.
As I said, just a few thoughts. Speak to you all again soon. Ti
I've just seen the Royal Mail special stamps with a working dog theme. They are to celebrate Year of the Assistance Dog, which is this year.
The dogs have been photographed by Tim Flach, the man behind the Andrex puppy adverts.
As you can imagine the quality of the stamps is outstanding.
So a very nice set for you stamp collectors out there.
Stamps not your thing?
There's lots of things with a dog theme that you can collect.
Postcards, cigarette cards, old dog books, dog bronzes, pottery, figurines, old dog prints, original art (old or new), jewellery, ephemera. And probably others!
I think there are a few basic rules for a collection.
- have a coherent collection of a specific dog breed, or just collect postcards, for example,of any dog related subject.
- buy the best you can afford
- condition is everything
- talk to other collectors and specialist dealers. They have knowledge and enthusiasm for their subject.
- try not to get carried away!
- stick to your budget, especially if bidding at auction.
As I said, just a few thoughts. Speak to you all again soon. Ti
Sunday, 17 February 2008
'M'is for Microchipping
Hello again,
Today's post is about having your dog microchipped.
What is a microchip?
A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. It has a unique number coded into it. This can be read with a specialised scanning device.
The chip is pre-loaded into a special hypodermic needle. This has an attachment which is inserted into a microchip 'gun'. The gun is a hand held trigger which drives the chip out of the needle.
Each chip and needle is made and sealed in its own packet within a sterile environment.
They are for one-off use and the used needles are disposed of in a sharps box.
What is the procedure?
The chip (or implant as it also known) is injected just under the skin. The favoured location in the UK is between the shoulder blades. This prevents it in moving out of that area. It also stops your dog from scratching or biting that area.
Some countries I think still implant the chip at the top of the leg.
Unfortunately they can travel before fixing in place. I have found one just above the paw and another under the chin!
Firstly the chip assembly is scanned to make sure that it is functioning.
Your dog's skin is then cleaned with surgical spirit and then the chip is implanted.
There can be a small amount of blood. Pressure is applied to stop blood flow.
Your dog is scanned to make sure that the chip is actually in place.
It is very important that you do not rub the area for 24 hours. This allows the chip to fix in place. Otherwise it may come out.
All your dog feels is a short sharp prick in its skin, exactly the same as when thre vet gives a vaccination.
Have a nice treat ready as a reward!
Then the paperwork is done. This has your contact details as owner and description of your dog, such as sex, age, breed , colour, distingushing marks, and name.
If you move or change phone numbers it is vital to inform the registration company A.S.A.P.
Any vet or qualified microchipper can implant a chip into your dog.
Many rescue centres have qualified staff who will carry out the procedure.
Why have it done?
- If you apply for a pet passport having your dog microchipped is compulsory.
- It uniquely identifies your dog as being yours.
- If your dog becomes lost it can be scanned and re-united with you. Vets, animal rescues, dog wardens all have scanners.
- It can protect against theft or disputes over ownership. You will be given a special tag to attach to your dog's collar. Once closed it cannot be undone. It is also a good idea to have something like 'Please Scan my Chip' engraved on your dog's identity disc.
One last point. The microchips are passive. That is they have nothing keeping them active.
When your dog is scanned the chip becomes active. It is a good idea to ask your vet to scan your dog when you take it in for its annual health check. Or at any other time!
Bye for now, Ti
Today's post is about having your dog microchipped.
What is a microchip?
A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. It has a unique number coded into it. This can be read with a specialised scanning device.
The chip is pre-loaded into a special hypodermic needle. This has an attachment which is inserted into a microchip 'gun'. The gun is a hand held trigger which drives the chip out of the needle.
Each chip and needle is made and sealed in its own packet within a sterile environment.
They are for one-off use and the used needles are disposed of in a sharps box.
What is the procedure?
The chip (or implant as it also known) is injected just under the skin. The favoured location in the UK is between the shoulder blades. This prevents it in moving out of that area. It also stops your dog from scratching or biting that area.
Some countries I think still implant the chip at the top of the leg.
Unfortunately they can travel before fixing in place. I have found one just above the paw and another under the chin!
Firstly the chip assembly is scanned to make sure that it is functioning.
Your dog's skin is then cleaned with surgical spirit and then the chip is implanted.
There can be a small amount of blood. Pressure is applied to stop blood flow.
Your dog is scanned to make sure that the chip is actually in place.
It is very important that you do not rub the area for 24 hours. This allows the chip to fix in place. Otherwise it may come out.
All your dog feels is a short sharp prick in its skin, exactly the same as when thre vet gives a vaccination.
Have a nice treat ready as a reward!
Then the paperwork is done. This has your contact details as owner and description of your dog, such as sex, age, breed , colour, distingushing marks, and name.
If you move or change phone numbers it is vital to inform the registration company A.S.A.P.
Any vet or qualified microchipper can implant a chip into your dog.
Many rescue centres have qualified staff who will carry out the procedure.
Why have it done?
- If you apply for a pet passport having your dog microchipped is compulsory.
- It uniquely identifies your dog as being yours.
- If your dog becomes lost it can be scanned and re-united with you. Vets, animal rescues, dog wardens all have scanners.
- It can protect against theft or disputes over ownership. You will be given a special tag to attach to your dog's collar. Once closed it cannot be undone. It is also a good idea to have something like 'Please Scan my Chip' engraved on your dog's identity disc.
One last point. The microchips are passive. That is they have nothing keeping them active.
When your dog is scanned the chip becomes active. It is a good idea to ask your vet to scan your dog when you take it in for its annual health check. Or at any other time!
Bye for now, Ti
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