A dog named Bella managed to upstage weather presenter Josh Judge when she nonchalantly walked in front of the camera during his weather forecast.
Author: Jasmine Kleine
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Firefighters Save Dog Trapped In House Fire
Firefighters have been praised by animal lovers around the world after announcing they had saved a dog trapped in a house fire.
The young dog named Tammy was in the front room of the property when a fire started from a tumble dryer in the kitchen. After rescuing her, the Merseyside based firefighters gave Tammy extra oxygen outside with a specialist pet oxygen mask to help combat the impact of smoke inhalation on her airways.
Photo Credit: Twitter.com/MerseyFireThe masks are becoming more widely available across the UK in an effort to save more pets rescued from house fires.
Madeline Pike, Head Veterinary Nurse at Direct Line, explains more.
“Although fire and rescue services only carry oxygen masks for humans as part of their standard equipment, some local services have begun trialling masks designed specifically for animals.
“Pet oxygen masks come in three sizes and are designed to fit over the snout of an animal in order to deliver more oxygen than human masks can. Effective oxygen therapy administered on the scene can be key if resuscitation is required, but can also begin to instantly treat the initial effects of smoke inhalation.
“Pets are particularly vulnerable during house fires because their initial instinct is usually to hide rather than flee, which makes them difficult to locate and extends their exposure to harmful smoke. Even a small fire in the home can leave pets vulnerable to illness as a result of smoke inhalation, as their airways are smaller, and more easily damaged than ours as a result.”
“Smoke inhalation not only causes physical damage to the lining of the airways, but will also induce oxygen deprivation and a reaction to the toxicity of inhaled materials. The extent of the damage may not always be obvious, and depends on the length and degree of exposure as well as what materials were burning at the time.
“It can take several days for signs and symptoms to appear, so often the damage can be underestimated in the initial hours after a fire when the need for treatment can be at its most critical. It is key that veterinary attention is sought for any animal involved in a house fire at the earliest opportunity, as the full effects of smoke inhalation cannot be determined instantly, and early intervention can save a pet’s life.”
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How To Train My Dog To Recall Using A Whistle
By far one of the most common questions dog trainers are asked is how do I teach my dog to come back when called?
Training a dog to come back when called is a lot simpler for dog and owner if there is no confusion, no emotion and a very clear understanding on the dog’s behalf as to what they are being asked to do. With this in mind, when you train a dog to recall using a whistle dog owners will often see dramatic results as a consequence of the clarity and uncomplicated nature of this most important dog training command. Let’s face it, having a solid recall is potentially a life-saving piece of dog training!
This video gives a nice, simple step-by-step approach to understanding how to train a dog to recall using a whistle.
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False Rabies Rumours in Thailand Result in 1400 Dog Deaths
At least 1,400 dogs have died as a result of an ongoing rabies outbreak scare in Thailand – a scare that by all verifiable accounts is not real, according to Thailand based charity, Soi Dog Foundation.
The animal welfare charity tells us that a couple of weeks ago three thousand dogs were rounded up in Nakhon Phanom province, which borders the Mekong River, and dumped in a government pound. In the crowded conditions, diseases, particularly deadly parvo and distemper, spread like wildfire.
In such close quarters, fights between dogs and death by starvation of small or sickly dogs, unable to compete for food, added to the toll.
However for the 1,500 dogs who remain, there is now some hope because an Emergency Reaction Team from the Soi Dog Foundation were given permission to go into the pound to treat the dogs inside.
The sight that greeted them was grim.
One member of the emergency medical team described it. “I would like to stay positive, but I can’t,’ he said.
“The pound is overcrowded and dog fights break out all the time. When it is feeding time, the weaker dogs don’t have the strength to eat. So the stronger dogs take all the food and the weaker ones don’t survive.
“The dogs are scared, depressed, and traumatised by their experience. It’s hard to stay positive about this place. It’s simply heartbreaking.”
Upon arrival, the team first sorted the dogs.
The small dogs, the puppies, and the weak were separated from the large dogs, and as none of the animals are yet sterilised, the males were separated from the females.
They also did the same with cats that had been rounded up by the local office of the Thai government’s Livestock Department.
They then vaccinated every animal in the pound – injecting 60 an hour and daubing them afterwards with green dye so that no animal would be vaccinated twice by mistake.
The animals may survive but they now face spending the rest of their lives in captivity. This is because officials kept no record of where each dog came from, so they cannot be returned to their home territory.
In any case, those territories have already most likely been taken over by stronger, fitter or more wily dogs who managed to avoid the government dragnet.
The deaths in the pound are not the only ones to result from official knee-jerk reactions to a public panic over a “rabies outbreak” in Thailand that started in the new year. The panic has resulted in public calls for all eight million street dogs in Thailand to be killed, a “solution” dubbed “Set Zero”.
In March, 20 dogs in a Buddhist temple in the upper south of the country, including a family of puppies, were poisoned by government officials, causing outrage among animal lovers.
Poisoning – in Thailand usually using strychnine – results in a horribly painful death for the animals, that spend hours shuddering and spasming in agony, drowning in their own fluids, before death finally comes.
The officials later claimed that tests had shown that 16 of the 20 poisoned animals had rabies, but the test results were never released, leading to widespread suspicion that they were made up.
A number of activist groups have come together to bring criminal charges against the officials concerned, under Thailand’s Animal Cruelty Law.
The Thai Livestock Department has come under fire for not reassuring people that there is, in fact, no rabies outbreak at all, and for its inept and understaffed handling of captured dogs.
In March, fuel was added to the flames when the department also came under scrutiny over alleged irregularities in its procurement of poor quality canine rabies vaccine.
An internal investigation came to the conclusion there had been no irregularity, and that inferior-quality vaccine had not been the cause of a spike in rabies deaths at the beginning of the year.
However, the reports of poor quality vaccine had already spread, resulting in the calls for “Set Zero”. The department has denied having any plans to kill all stray dogs in Thailand.
Thailand has in fact been effective in reducing human deaths from rabies from hundreds a year in the 1990s to single figures in recent years.
In 2018, to date, there have been just seven human rabies deaths.
The Nakhon Phanom emergency is not the first time that Soi Dog has stepped in to save animals, particularly dogs, after the government has proved unable or unwilling to do so.
In 2010 it sprang into action to successfully contain an outbreak of parvo disease through a massive vaccination programme. In 2011, it rescued thousands of dogs from devastating flooding in Bangkok and in 2016/17 it did the same during floods in the south of Thailand.
Soi Dog – founded in 2003 by husband and wife John and Gill Dalley from Leeds in the United Kingdom – also played the leading role in stopping the horrific trade in dogs from Thailand to the dog meat restaurants of Vietnam.
It has launched an appeal for funds to help tackle the fallout from the rabies panic, such as the horror in Nakon Phanom. People may donate through the Soi Dog website at www.soidog.org
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What and Who Is Killing Dogs on the Costa Blanca?
The area of Benissa on the popular Spanish holiday destination of Costa Blanca has reportedly become ‘a hell for dog owners’ because dogs are being poisoned by eating affected meat that is being scattered around the area. There is concern for other wild animals and in particular cats as well. It is allegedly not the first time it has happened. Locals, many of whom who are desperate, angry and fearful, are suspecting hunters, but nothing has been confirmed. Police investigations are in progress according to the council.
Describing the situation, a local English lady said: “This walkers´ paradise on the Costa Blanca has been turned into a hell for dogs and their owners. The few dog walkers we still see in this lovely Benissa are clearly in despair, their dogs on a tight leash.
“The word ‘poison’ is on everyone’s lips. Nothing else is being talked about. We think hunters are behind it, who in this cowardly fashion are killing people’s beloved animals.”
The council of Benissa has responded to the situation and a spokesperson informed the writer of this press release they have been coordinating efforts with the police of the Guardia Civil and Seprona, and Spanish animal-rights party PACMA (Partido Animalista Contra el Maltrato Animal, or Animalist Party Against Mistreatment of Animals).
He also said that the local press had been informed and that the police had been patrolling the area since the first reported case on March the 18th of this year.
Maria Jose Sanchez, territory manager of PACMA, said on April 11: “A few days ago the Alicante PACMA team had a meeting with the mayor of Benissa and the Guardia Civil to try to get a picture of what is going on. At the moment we know there are 28 dogs who died and a few wild animals. We have reports from vets which state the poison is strychnine, which means a painful death.”
Strychnine is illegal in Europe and is known globally for its use to intentionally kill dogs.
On April 23, the council spokesperson informed the writer of this press release that the municipality had not received any new information from Seprona, but that investigations were ongoing.
Local people themselves had also responded to the situation with a demonstration on the streets of Benissa on March 27. It is estimated a mixed crowd of about 300 local people turned up. The march was described by some who took part as ‘emotional, noisy and angry’, with many dog owners who had lost their dogs to poison carrying billboards showing their photos.
One of those was Jordan, a Spanish dog who was poisoned this March whilst being taken for a walk on the lead. The tragic event happened shortly after her owners, Dutch Spain lovers, had spoken to local press about the danger to pets in this area of Spain, and they themselves have since vowed to never return to Spain.
A toxicological report of Jordan was sent to a laboratory via the Guardia Civil (the Spanish police unit) by the vet Isidor Mollà, owner of Benissa veterinary clinic, who had earlier said the dogs poisoning was ´the work of professionals’. At the time of writing it is unclear whether a result from this report has come back.
Although there are some new fines of up to €30,000 for assault or abandonment of animals in Spain, when it comes to animal legislation in Spain, there is a great deal of uncertainty among the population about the effectiveness of the police and the proper enforcement of animal laws.
The demonstration ended up at with a full council meeting at the Town Hall, with the Mayor of Benissa, Abel Cardona Castell, present. During the meeting, the mayor pointed out the low number of reports and urged owners of poisoned dogs to report their cases to the Guardia Civil.
The fact that many locals suspect hunters was also put forward. Spanish hunters, who suffer a notorious international reputation for ‘hanging, drowning and poisoning 50,000 Greyhounds a year’ and leaving their dogs to ‘die en masse’, are known for shooting rabbits and would be motivated to kill foxes or free-roaming pet dogs for being a potential threat to the rabbit population.
However, the Mayor of Benissa told the writer of this press release that the local hunter association has been
cooperating in investigations, and Mollà was quoted in La Marina Plaza on March 28 that he dismissed the local hunter association as potential offenders and that ‘other lines of research were being addressed´.This is not the first report of dog poisoning in Spain and for example, in 2017 it was described how ‘pet killers’
were ‘operating on the Costa del Sol’.There have also been local news reports, and last year nine animals had been poisoned in Benissa. This too had reportedly prompted a Seprona investigation but the results are unclear at the time of writing.
Referring to the recent poisonings, Sanchez argued it is no wonder that in Spain a police department is dedicated to the environment and animals [Seprona], and that a stronger enforcement of the law is ‘absolutely necessary’. She attributed this to a lack of budget, staff and government support among others, and added that stricter sentences for animal abusers are needed, who, Sanchez reasoned, only ‘rarely go to prison once found guilty of animal offences.’
PACMA (Partido Animalista Contra el Maltrato Animal, or Animalist Party Against Mistreatment of Animals) is
the Spanish animal-rights party, which has been running educational programmes in Spanish schools and universities, has been calling for changes in the law, and the party was quoted in EL Pais in 2016 that in terms of animal rights, although ´progress was being made’, Spain was ‘running 20 years behind its neighbouring countries’.“Every little change that we achieve in our society gets us closer to a more advanced, compassionated and respectful society,” Sanchez said: ¨We have to start at schools. We have to create a strong police department
working in animal abuse showing to the community that animal cruelty is not without a price”Some residents hope that recent developments will serve as a warning for the large number of British, German, Belgian and Dutch dog owners who plan a trip to the Costa Blanca.
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Man & Woman Encouraged Dog to Kill a Cat – Can You Help Identify These Abusers?
A member of public contacted the animal welfare charity after seeing a man and woman running along King Street with a black and grey lurcher that was carrying a long-haired tortoiseshell cat in its mouth.
Inspector Catherine Maddison, investigating, said: “The witness told us that the man was speaking to the dog which then dropped the body of the cat in the road before the pair and the dog ran off along Strangways Street.
“When locals went out to investigate they found the cat was dead.
“A little while later the pair returned with a lurcher puppy and were trying to encourage the dog to go towards the cat’s body but, when the dog was seemingly uninterested, the man kicked the cat off the road and they all left the scene.”
The incident took place at around 11.30pm on 30 March.
The man was described as white, in his 20s or 30s, of slim build with short dark hair, wearing a flat cap and a camouflage jacket. The woman was describe as white, in her 20s or 30s, of average build with ginger/blonde hair in a ponytail and wearing a large backpack.
RSPCA inspector Maddison went to collect the body of the cat and took statements from the witnesses.
“The puss is microchipped but the chip isn’t registered so unfortunately we haven’t been able to trace an owner,” she said.
“We arranged for vets to check over the body and found the cat had broken his/her spine and dislocated a hip. His/her intestines were protruding and some claws were broken.
“The vet said these injuries are consistent with a dog attack which is why we’re investigating. We’d like to hear from anyone who saw what happened or who knows who this poor cat belongs to to get in touch with us by calling 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for me.”
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Can Greyhounds Live With Cats? Of Course! Here’s More Greyhound Myths Busted
Dogs Trust Merseyside is holding its first ever Greyhound & Lurcher Awareness Week after finding themselves looking after more than they have ever cared for at any one time.
Of the 81homeless hounds currently at the Huyton-based rehoming centre waiting for forever homes, almost a quarter are Greyhounds and Lurchers, a cross between a sighthound such as a Greyhound and a Collie or Terrier. The awareness week will start on Monday (23 April) and the team are hoping that by shining the spotlight on them they will soon be racing off to their forever homes.
Georgina Lowery, Dogs Trust Merseyside Manager, said:
“We are determined to debunk the myths about gorgeous Greyhounds and lovely Lurchers! As Greyhounds are associated with racing people assume they need lots of exercise but that’s not necessarily the case, and when it comes to Lurchers they are often more lively and some here love our agility equipment, but they love a cuddle just as much. Greyhounds are even often known as couch potatoes as after a good sprint they like nothing more than to cosy up on a comfy bed and snooze in a warm home, being quite lazy at heart.
“Some can also live with cats or other small animals which also surprises people!”
Throughout the special week, visitors will be able to find out everything they need to know about Greyhounds and Lurchers. The team will be on hand to share facts and debunk myths about them, as well as chat about those waiting for their forever homes, including toy lover and oldest of the bunch eight-year-old ex-racer Buddy, two-year-old Lurcher, Jay, who came to the centre having been found as a stray and Lurcher Peggy whose favourite thing is having cuddles.
Georgina says:
“They are lovely, stunning dogs and make great pets too as many can live with children and other dogs. We believe the only reason they are overlooked is because they are truly misunderstood. We hope this special week will help change that and help them all get the chance they deserve to live a happy life in a loving home.”
A few facts about Greyhounds:
The Greyhound originated in Great Britain and is one of the oldest dog breeds in existence.
It is the only recognised dog breed mentioned in the Bible.
They are believed to be the fastest breed of dog on the planet – they can reach up to 45miles/hour over a short distance!
Henry VIII and Queen Victoria were both proud owners of Greyhounds. -
These 5 Stunning Holiday Rental Properties Are Dog Friendly
What better way to celebrate National Pet Month this spring than taking the dogs for a special “escape to the country” weekend away treat at one of HomeAway®’s many pet-friendly cottages, lodges and apartments across England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland? Find your purrrfect match in a holiday rental for you and your furry friend in one of the following:
If you wanted a picturesque, ‘Instagrammable’ stay in the Irish countryside, then you could stay at this beautiful 200-year-old thatched cottage situated in one of the most scenic areas in Wicklow, with endless long-walks for the pooches and a fine selection of dog-friendly village pubs, bars and restaurants to choose from.
If there’s a bigger group of you looking for a dog-walking weekend away in Merry Olde England, then this Treehouse situated out in the Malvern Hills is just the ticket. Set within its own magnificent surroundings with 10 acres of pastureland, featuring two acres of ancient woodland that are ideal for the dogs to roam and run free in.
If you fancy heading north of the border, then the exquisite detached and lovingly-refurbished Crofts Mill on the Glen Muick estate between Balmoral and Glen Tanar is ideal for long wildlife-spotting walks with the dogs, with so many rare and protected species to see in the region, including golden eagles, sea eagles, osprey, red deer, roe deer, otters and much much more.
Finally, if you wish to sample a little luxury on a long weekend away in the Welsh Gower Peninsula, then what better way to do it (dogs in tow!) than booking for family and friends to enjoy the opulence on offer at this magnificent Penmaen holiday home, which caters for large groups and features – amongst many other amenities – its own indoor heated swimming pool and sauna!
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Is Human Sunscreen Safe For Dogs?
If you’ve seen the warnings about the need to protect dogs from the dangers posed by the sun, you may have asked yourself whether human sunscreen is safe to use on dogs.
Well, the answer is yes. But you need to select the type carefully.
It’s possible to buy pet safe sunscreen, but if that’s not available to you & your dog is at risk of sun-burn, choose baby sunscreen.
Do not apply products containing zinc oxide is as that is toxic to dogs.
Sunscreen & Dogs – You Need To Be Aware of Another Danger
Summer can be a wonderful for the nation’s pets to enjoy long walks, playtime in the park and lazing in the garden but many owners are not aware of the hazards to animals, particularly in very hot weather. If pets are exposed to too much sun, it can cause heatstroke and can cause a pet’s skin, particularly delicate areas such as the nose or ears, to become sunburnt. Long-term sun exposure can prove fatal, as like people, pets can also develop malignant skin cancer so sunscreen for dogs is a valuable precaution to take.
Pets can also develop a skin disease called solar dermatitis, caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It can affect dogs on their nose, trunk or limbs and in cats solar dermatitis normally affects those with white fur or damaged skin that is not protected by enough hair.
To prevent your cats and dogs getting sunburnt, you need to reduce their exposure to the sun, especially between the hours of 8.00am and 5.00pm. Also ask your vet to recommend a suitable sun block, as they will also be able to identify the areas of your pet’s skin that are most likely to burn or be damaged.
To help keep your pets healthy and happy during the summer particularly in very hot weather, PDSA has put together some useful tips for owners.
5 Tips For Protecting Your Dog From Sun Related Dangers
1. Never leave pets in cars, not even for just a few minutes with windows open as temperatures can soar dangerously high, causing potentially fatal heat-stroke.
2. Don’t let pets sit out in strong sun, or leave hutches and bird cages in direct sunlight.
3. Use a suitable pet-safe sunscreen as advised by your vet.
4. Long-haired pets may need their fur trimming to prevent them from over-heating.
5. Walk your dog before 8am and after 5pm and only when outside temperatures have cooled as hot road surfaces, pavements and sand can burn a pet’s feet.
6. Make sure pets have access to plenty of clean, fresh water at all times that is changed regularly throughout the day.
7. Make sure you regularly treat your pets and home for fleas as they are a particular problem during the summer, particularly in hot weather.
8. Leftover pet food can quickly go off in hot weather so discard any scraps as soon as possible to avoid flies.
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Pets Dictate the Homes We Choose, According to New Survey
A new survey has revealed that when it comes to choosing a home, a pet lover’s priorities include the number of bedrooms, location and garden space – but making that house a home includes having a pet to share it with.
According to IAMS, the estimated cost of a pet lovers dream home averages at just over £250,000.
However, despite the fact we put our pets at the centre of our households, there are almost 100,000 dogs and thousands more homeless cats across the UK.
Dogmagazine.net knows this from personal experience via www.dogsblog.com and its cat adoption sister site. Here are just a few who are looking for new homes:
This is Mel, she is looking for a new home on dogsblog.com
This is Lexie, she is on the look out for a young family to call her own on catseeker.com
Milly is also looking for a new home on dogsblog.com -
Remember, Dogs Die in Hot Cars – Here’s How to Keep Your Dog Safe
Last year the RSPCA received 7,199 calls about dogs suffering from heat exposure.
As the UK prepares for a heatwave, pet owners are being reminded to not take pets out during the hottest periods of the day and to leave them at home, rather than leave them exposed to rising temperatures in cars, which can result in heat stroke, or even worse, death.
With temperatures this week predicted to reach up to 29 degrees Celsius, a locked car interior would heat up to 48 degrees in one hour.
Madeleine Pike, Veterinary Nurse at Direct Line, said: “With this wonderful hot weather hitting the UK, it is important to remember that leaving your dog in the car whilst popping to the shops could have potentially fatal consequences or at least cause extreme discomfort to your pet.
“Cars heat up incredibly fast; even10 minutes when the temperature outside is 24 degrees Celsius could mean 34 degrees Celsius inside.”
Here’s how quickly your car heats up in even the shortest amount of time:
Madeline Pike continued, “Pet owners also need to remain vigilant when out and about and consider when they may need to introduce sun protection.
“Short haired dogs have ultra-sensitive skin which is often more susceptible to burning or causing the animal to suffer from heatstroke. To help prevent this, owners should apply sun cream to their dogs regularly for extra protection in warm weather and keep them hydrated and in a well-ventilated space.
“Limiting the duration and intensity of exercise during warmer days will also help to combat the effects of heatstroke and overheating. Symptoms of heatstroke in dogs include excessive panting, drooling and lethargy.”
Here are the pet insurer’s tips for keeping your pet safe during warm weather:
- Don’t leave your dog in a closed car for any length of time – as the temperatures above show, it’s just not worth it and even for a short spell, you risk your pet’s life
- Apply sun cream to dogs, especially those with short hair – even though most dogs have fur, their skin can be incredibly sensitive and need some extra protection against potentially harmful ultraviolet rays
- Keep your animal in the shade when the temperatures are at their highest and limit the duration and intensity of your animals exercise
- Exercise early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperatures are cooler and always check the ground is not too warm before your dog walks on it – if the back of your hand can’t stay on the concrete for at least five seconds due to the heat, then it is too warm for your dog
- Always keep a fresh water supply with you for your dog when going out in the heat to ensure they remain hydrated – a staggering 8 in 10 British dog owners said that they have been denied water for their animal when visiting a pub, cafe or restaurant, according to research by the pet insurer
Please share and help to spread the word and keep dogs safe during the hot weather.
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Is Goats Milk Good For Puppies?
You’ve got a new puppy. The breeder or rescue where you got your puppy from has given you an information sheet on all the things you need to know about caring for the canine youngster. But you are desperate to do the absolute best by your pup so you start asking questions about what you can or cannot feed puppy to give them the perfect start in life. One of the common questions new dog owners ask is, is goats milk good for puppies? Well, read on.
Is Goats Milk Good For Puppies? These Pups Would Say Yes!
Five adorable Jack Russell puppies are the picture of health after their lives were saved by St Helen’s Farm goats’ milk, after they lost their mum.
Animal lover Lorraine Wright, who nurtured the puppies, along with her amazing story, are to be featured on more than half a million St Helen’s Farm goats’ milk cartons, nationwide during February.
The puppies’ chances of surviving were very slim when they were first born in October. Their mum Georgie had to have an emergency caesarean and sadly died three days later due to complications.
Lorraine, from Shepton Mallet, took over the maternal role but was fearful of losing the tiny dogs when they became seriously ill after drinking formula cows’ milk.
In a desperate attempt to save them Lorraine searched the internet for help and found that goats’ milk had been successfully given to orphaned pups. She was sceptical but decided to give it a go as time was running out fast.
She lovingly bottle fed the pups every two hours, day and night, using St Helen’s Farm goats’ milk and probiotic goats’ yogurt.
Lorraine was using litres of milk and large cartons of yogurt every day as she tried to build up their strength using what she dubbed ‘The St Helen’s Farm Goats Milk Mix.’
The pups enjoyed the taste, gulped it down and slowly but surely their weight began to climb.
Now almost six months on the puppies are in the best of health and still enjoying the ‘St Helen’s Goats Milk Mix’ with their food.
It’s not only the puppies that are enjoying the benefits of goats’ milk though, Lorraine has a mild intolerance to dairy products and now uses goats’ milk in her daily porridge too.
She loves the taste and it has replaced the rice milk she had previously used. Her mum is also a convert and another fan, after discovering she loved the taste.
Lorraine says the Jack Russells – Lavender, Brutus, Lottie, Toki and Fonz – could have died had they not been saved by goats milk.
“I really thought the puppies were doomed. What happened to their mum was awful and I was beside myself with worry when they lost weight so dramatically on cows’ milk.
I panicked and realised I had to do something quickly to save them. Some people said if I had one puppy at the end of week three it would be a remarkable achievement, but I felt determined to do the best I could for Georgie and try and save all of them.
It was a frantic, worrying time hand rearing them all the way through to the New Year but all I can say is St Helen’s Farm is fantastic.
The fact that all five puppies are here today full of life says everything; I can never thank the farm enough.
I have even had other animal lovers and experts asking me about the St Helen’s Goats’ Mix, they are keen to use it themselves to help orphaned animals.”
Yorkshire based St Helen’s Farm heard about the puppies when Lorraine wrote and told them about her positive experience with the milk and the farm decided to feature Lorraine and her story on the cartons in February.
St Helen’s Farm spokesperson Mike Hind comments:
“We were intrigued to hear Lorraine’s tale about her Jack Russell pups that are now thriving on our goats’ milk. After a very precarious start to life, all five pups had to be hand reared.
They loved the taste of goats’ milk and have also developed a liking for our probiotic natural yogurt. Well done to all the pups, we are delighted with their success. We would be thrilled to hear from anyone else who has used our range to help animals as well as humans!”
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Artificial Sweeteners Are VERY Dangerous For Dogs
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has warned dog owners of the danger that the artificial sweetener, Xylitol, can pose to their pets, writes Jasmine Kleine. Xylitol is not considered harmful to humans, but if ingested by a dog the substance is dangerous because it triggers a sudden release of insulin which causes a dramatic drop in blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) and can lead to liver damage.
Xylitol is increasingly used as a sweetener in sugar-free chewing gum and other confectionary; it is used in dental hygiene products and is also found as an excipient in many medicines. Of particular concern are the sugar substitute products that contain Xylitol which are used in home baking as well as in manufactured goods. Cakes, biscuits and other goodies made with it are toxic to dogs. Owners may not be aware of these dangers and may not associate clinical deterioration with ingestion of these foodstuffs.
No sweet tooth for dogs.
Other animals such as ferrets and cats may be similarly affected and the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) is monitoring all referred cases.
BVA Past President Nicky Paull commented:
“While most dog owners are now aware that foods such as chocolate and grapes can be toxic to their pets few are aware of the dangers if their dog eats a cake or muffin containing Xylitol.
“If you think your dog may have eaten chewing gum or a sweet or cake containing Xylitol and appears unwell, perhaps vomiting or lacking coordination, then contact your vet for advice immediately and be ready to provide information on what’s been consumed.”
The BVA Animal Welfare Foundation and the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) have produced an easy reference guide to keeping pets safe from harmful substances. The ‘Pets and poisons: keeping your animal safe’ leaflet can be easily downloaded from the BVA AWF website at www.bva-awf.org.uk or you can request a copy from the Foundation.
Alexander Campbell, Head of Service at VPIS, added:
“With the increasing number of products containing Xylitol on the market the VPIS recognises the extreme importance of raising awareness of the danger to dogs of ingesting this substance, particularly in the light of a case we handled the other evening which involved a dog eating a muffin made with this sugar substitute.
“This is yet another instance where a food or food additive deemed safe for human consumption proves to be dangerous for other species. Pets should really only be given foodstuffs formulated for them.
“It is possible that other animals such as ferrets or cats might be affected similarly, but few cases are yet documented. The VPIS continues to monitor all referred cases in all animals with the aim of clarifying the situation in other species as and when more data become available.
“The VPIS would like to see manufacturers of these products provide some visible warnings and information on the packaging and to inform the retail outlets they supply of the potential risks to dogs.”
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Why Won’t My Dog Sleep Through The Night?
According to research, dogs sleeping in the bedroom is actually good for you and good for them, but for many owners it’s difficult to cope when a dog won’t sleep through the night.
Dogs, just like us, need high quality sleep in order to function, be healthy and happy, so a lack of sleep is not good for them.
If a dog is not sleeping through the night, there are a few issues that could be at play:
1. Are they needing the toilet? If so, is their an underlying medical issue that needs to be looked at by a vet?
2. They are being disturbed by a noise in the home, maybe a timed event such as central heating being turned on or off?
3. Are they experiencing discomfort, if so, what?
4. Are they – now wait for it – being disturbed by you or another human in the home? Some people are prone to loud snoring or sleep talking / shouting, which could in turn be waking the dog up and causing them to be agitated?
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How Long is OK For My Dog To Be Left Home Alone?
A dog separation anxiety study conducted by the University of Brisol has suggested that a huge number of dogs are suffering with separation anxiety as a result of being left home alone at home for too long.
We wanted to solicit the views of dog owners on this thorny issue as it often proves one of the most commonly asked questions we receive here at advice.dog…just how long is too long to leave a dog at home alone.
There tends to be two schools of thought about how long is too long to leave a dog home alone:
1. Working people should be able to have dogs, but leaving the dog at home for more than a few hours at a time is cruel and proper arrangements should be made to cater for the dog’s needs i.e professional dog walker or owner returning home to take the dog out.
2. There is a certain ‘cut off point’ at which it is simply too long to leave a dog at home on their own.
How Long Can a Dog Be Left At Home For?
So, the question is, where do you stand?
Is there a magical number after which it’s not OK for a dog to be left alone and, if so, what is it?
Should dogs EVER be left alone for periods of longer than, say, two hours?
Are we getting worked up over nothing? Is it OK to leave a dog alone for the length of a normal working day (above 6 hours).
And finally, what tips, experience etc do you have in helping a dog cope with potential separation anxiety issues?
We’d be interested in your thoughts, so feel free to add your views in the comments section.
According to the University study, Dr John Bradshaw, a fellow at the Anthrozoology Institute at Bristol University, has revealed that dogs may be ‘traumatised’ by being left at home while their owners go out to work — shocking the countless dog owners who assumed they were fine to be left alone, and highlighting how little we really know about our pets.
