A pet owner saved her puppy’s life after he almost choked to death on a plastic toy – using first aid skills she had learned on a charity course just a week before.

Janice Latreche, from Oldham, says her Springer Spaniel crossbreed Milton is alive today thanks to the training she received during a pet first aid course run by vet charity PDSA.

The 48-year-old was at home when her beloved puppy began choking and gasping for breath.

She said: “Milton had somehow got hold of one of my grandson’s action figure toys and was choking on it.

“I could see that he was struggling to breathe but I didn’t panic and remembered the skills I had learned on the PDSA course. I tried to see if I could pull the toy out from his mouth but I couldn’t, so I used a technique which is like an animal equivalent of the Heimlich manoeuvre – and it just popped out.”

As soon as the toy became dislodged Milton was able to breathe and Janice calmed him down before taking him to her vet for a check-up.

Kylie Jones, PDSA vet nurse who taught Janice, said Milton’s case proved why it was important for people to learn basic pet first aid skills:

“Life-threatening emergencies can occur at any time and require speedy action, so it’s important to know what to do in a situation like this. Many people have a basic understanding of first aid for humans but when it comes to pets, a lot of people wouldn’t know what to do.

“Knowing how to respond in an emergency, and being prepared, can make the difference between life and death.

“That’s why we want to pass on this vital information to pet owners and we’re really grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, as they’re funding a series of Pet First Aid courses across the UK this year.”

Janice, who works as a community engagement officer for housing association New Charter Homes, said: “If I hadn’t done the course I don’t think Milton would have made it as I wouldn’t have known what to do. I’m so grateful to PDSA for everything I’ve learned and I think a pet first aid course is something every pet owner should consider doing.”

PDSA vets say it’s important to be prepared in an emergency and are advising pet owners to keep a ‘pet friendly’ first aid kit at home that can also be used while travelling. Pet owners should also keep their vets’ phone number in their phone contacts to help save valuable time in the event of an emergency.

Kylie added: “Learning CPR for pets can also be beneficial. Speak to your vet for advice on attending a veterinary-led first aid course, to learn how to deliver CPR and other techniques.”

For further advice visit www.pdsa.org.uk/firstaid

Back in May 2009, Jack was a happy, normal six-month old golden Labrador. Only Jack decided late one night that he was going to eat the  entire alphabet.

 

Jack’s ill advised downing of a multiple fridge magnets in a midnight snack-attack resulted in his being rushed to PDSA’s Plymouth PetAid hospital the day after he’d been in for a castration operation.

Jack’s owner, Emma Keers, said: “After Jack’s surgery, he was sleepy after the anaesthetic so I put him in the kitchen to recover overnight. The next morning I noticed the whole alphabet was missing from the fridge though Jack wasn’t showing any signs of being ill. He can be quite greedy though and I suspected straight away that something was up so took him back to PDSA where x-rays showed he’d eaten something he shouldn’t have!”

The senior veterinary surgeon, Robert Newcombe, at Plymouth PetAid hospital, said: “We had to operate straight away with both a gastrotomy where we opened up his tummy and an enterotomy to remove more pieces of fridge magnets that had made their way to his intestine. The letters were well chewed and not easy to identify and as well as finding around 30 pieces of chewed plastic, he had eaten some white rubbery cloth!”

Jack stayed in for a couple of days to recover and within a week was back to his normal self. Emma said he now sleeps in the utility room well away from the fridge though she admitted she’s not buying any more fridge magnets!

The dog has been with us long enough to have gathered a nice collection of quotes, sayings and philosophical mutterings. You may have heard someone say something about dogs that you’ve had heard many times before but didn’t know exactly what the term or phrase meant. Well, let’s see if K9 Magazine can help.

Some of the common phrases you’re likely to have heard are much older than you might expect. Some of them date back to the ancient Greeks and Romans…and beyond.

Many of the phrases that are still used today are not used in the same manner as they once were.

“The Dog Days of Summer”

This phrase originated from the ancient Greeks and Romans and is often referred to as “die caniculares”, “Days of the Dog” or simply “Dog Days”. The phrase is used to refer to the extreme heat and miserable conditions that arrive with it each year. This time period was considered to be an evil period by many people.  Although it is no longer true, it was once thought that the heat was from Sirius, the Dog Star.

“Raining Cats and Dogs”

This phrase has no definitive origination however there are many different suggestions as to how the phrase came to be. The most widely accepted version supposedly originated in 17th century England. During this time period there were strong rains and downpours that drowned large amounts of dogs and cats leaving their bodies to float down the flooded areas. Due to the severity of the drownings, it often looked as though it really was “Raining Cats and Dogs”.

“Three Dog Night”

This phrase originated from the original Australian inhabitants. During cold nights these people would lie down into a hole to sleep. They would have their dingo to sleep on them for warmth. On very cold nights they would sleep with three dingos for the added warmth.

“The Hair of the Dog that Bit You”

This phrase is used today as a metaphor. If you have a hangover you would “Have a bit of the hair of the dog that bit you”. Or in simple terms, have a bit of alcohol to cure your hangover. Originally the phrase was used when someone was bitten by a dog and some of the hair from the dog was placed inside the open wound.

“Hangdog Expression”

This phrase is used when someone is expressing their feeling to an extent that you think is excessive. Similar to that of a dog pouting or sulking after being forbidden to do something.

“The Tail Wagging the Dog”

This phrase refers to something that is of no importance, or very little importance, being used to make a scene or cover something of higher importance in a way of diverting attention for the main issue at hand.

Dog Quotes

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. ~Ben Williams

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. ~Samuel Butler, Notebooks, 1912

From the dog’s point of view, his master is an elongated and abnormally cunning dog. ~Mabel Louise Robinson

Dogs are miracles with paws. ~Attributed to Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy

Man is a dog’s idea of what God should be. ~Holbrook Jackson

The dog is the only animal that has seen his god. ~Author Unknown

Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really. ~Agnes Sligh Turnbull

My little dog – a heartbeat at my feet. ~Edith Wharton

We long for an affection altogether ignorant of our faults. Heaven has accorded this to us in the uncritical canine attachment. ~George Eliot

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive. ~Gilda Radner

I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren’t certain we knew better. They fight for honor at the first challenge, make love with no moral restraint, and they do not for all their marvelous instincts appear to know about death. Being such wonderfully uncomplicated beings, they need us to do their worrying. ~George Bird Evans, Troubles with Bird Dogs

Our dogs will love and admire the meanest of us, and feed our colossal vanity with their uncritical homage. ~Agnes Repplier

One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you’re feeling blue is that he doesn’t try to find out why. ~Author Unknown

Scratch a dog and you’ll find a permanent job. ~Franklin P. Jones

I talk to him when I’m lonesome like; and I’m sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat. For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that. ~W. Dayton Wedgefarth

When a dog barks at the moon, then it is religion; but when he barks at strangers, it is patriotism! ~David Starr Jordan

Properly trained, a man can be dog’s best friend. ~Corey Ford

If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them. ~Phil Pastoret

Want to Become Immortal?

Now’s your chance.

There’s a comment form below. Why not use it to submit your own words of infinite wisdom relating to dogs.

The RSPCA is urging pet owners to be aware of the signs and symptoms of poisoning in dogs as the number of incidents reported to the charity has leapt by more than 70%.

The animal welfare charity – the largest and oldest in the UK – has seen an alarming increase in the number of calls to its 24-hour emergency hotline to report suspected poisonings in dogs.

“Thankfully, confirmed cases of deliberate poisonings among cats and dogs are relatively rare but there are a number of foods and products we have around the house which can be lethal to our pets,” RSPCA welfare expert Alice Potter said.

“Every year we receive a number of worrying reports by members of the public claiming people have left out meat laced with paracetamol in parks and that pets have been deliberately poisoned with antifreeze.”

As of 2017 (1 January – 31 August), the charity has already received 244 reports.

In the four years from 2012 to 2016, the charity’s helpline has seen an increase of 73% in the number of reports about these types of incidents.

“Reports of deliberate poisonings are extremely concerning but pets can also end up suffering from poisoning accidentally as many everyday substances and human foods can be extremely dangerous for our four-legged friends,” Alice added.

“Different substances can affect animals in different ways. Some symptoms can take days to appear so we’d advise anyone who is concerned that their pet may have been poisoned to contact their vet as soon as possible.

“Pet owners should be very careful and keep a close eye on what their pet may be eating or is able to get access to. And we’d also ask people to be careful when using substances to ensure that animals are not affected – slug pellets and antifreeze for example – and that substances are securely stored and properly disposed of, rather than dumping them on a roadside or in a park.”

A typical household has a variety of substances and foods which are capable of causing serious harm to our pets. Some of the most common poisons include: alcohol, antifreeze, aspirin, carbon monoxide, chocolate, drugs and medicines, fertilisers, grapes and raisins/sultanas, insecticides, lead (mainly from paints or old car batteries), metaldehyde (slug bait), mushrooms and toadstools, onions, other plants (such as lilies), rat and other vermin poisons, weedkillers and xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum and baking).

Signs that your pet could have been poisoned vary and can include any of the following:

• depression
• lack of appetite
• vomiting and diarrhea
• breathing difficulties and bad breath
• twitching
• seizures.

Different substances can affect animals in different ways. Some symptoms can take days to appear.

Deliberately poisoning an animal could mean a six-month prison sentence and/or an unlimited fine, if prosecuted of an offence under the Animal Welfare Act.

For information on how to detect poisoning go to www.rspca.org.uk/poisoning.

A 33-year-old man has been banned from owning or having contact with animals after he viciously beat a dog in front of shocked pub-goers and the attack was caught on CCTV.

Daniel McCreedy, 33, from Brighton, has been given a 12-month Community Rehabilitation Order and been banned from owning or having any contact with any animal until further notice.

In a 20-minute long video, shown to the court, McCreedy was seen repeatedly punching and kicking the poor dog, choking him and dragging him across the floor by his collar and at one point he even poured some of his pint of beer over the poor animal.

He was sentenced today after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to a dog in his care by subjecting him to a prolonged period of abuse which was caught on camera by a pub’s CCTV. He was also given a curfew order restricting him to his home address from 8pm to 8am every day, effective for the next 8 weeks, and will have to pay £300 in costs and £85 in court surcharges.

McCreedy (DOB 11/05/1984) of Campbell Road, Brighton, appeared before Hastings Magistrates’ Court on Friday 11 August where he pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a cross breed dog called Babe, (also known as Tyson) by subjecting him unreasonable physical violence, contrary to the Animal Welfare Act on 13 April this year at the Royal Oak public house in Lewes.

The incident was reported in April when the shocked staff of the Royal Oak public house were told there was a man in their beer garden abusing a dog. The owners asked the man to immediately leave the pub, but it was only later when viewing the CCTV footage they realised the extent of the abuse.

The shocked pub staff posted a short segment of the footage on the internet in a bid to identify the man and reported it to the police and RSPCA. A number of people came forward to positively identify McCreedy as the man responsible in the footage.

Babe, did not belong to McCreedy, but he had been looking after him. Once his owner was traced the dog was examined by the RSPCA and a vet and fortunately did not have any significant injuries as a result of the abuse. Babe now remains in the care of his owner, who was horrified to discover what had happened to his dog.

RSPCA Inspector Tony Woodley, who led the investigation said: “Watching this video is just heart-breaking and stomach churning. This dog is completely subordinate and this prolonged period of abuse is totally unwarranted and frankly disturbing.

“The poor dog is just absolutely terrified and also confused, one minute McCreedy is hitting him repeatedly in the head, the next minute he is cuddling the dog in a bid to pretend he is a caring animal owner. It is just horrific to see and a vet who watched this said that in their opinion there is no doubt this dog was caused pain and suffering during this sustained attack.

“It is perhaps lucky that the poor dog did not suffer any lasting physical injuries as a result of this attack, but he would clearly have been severely traumatised by McCreedy’s actions.

“I would like to thank everyone who has helped to bring this case to court including the witnesses who gave statements and of course the landlady who provided us with the CCTV which quickly led to McCreedy’s identification.”

This investigation was originally a joint investigation between Sussex Police and the RSPCA but was handed over to the RSPCA due to the charity’s expertise and knowledge of animal welfare investigations.