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  • What Are The Japanese Doing to Their Dogs?

    What Are The Japanese Doing to Their Dogs?

    Japanese game shows have a reputation for being, erm, a little different from what we’re used to in the west. Dogs, though, have a very prominent role in Japanese culture. In the west, we’re not immune from following style and grooming trends and our dogs, too, have seen a fair few of these come and go. Dog clothes are a real industry in themselves. Crufts has seen its fair share of interesting cuts – Poodles probably being the most notable beneficiaries / victims – but what about dogs as….cubes?

    It begins here…

    Now then, what’s taking ‘shape’ here?

    Erm?

    What?

    The?

    Fudge?

    Cuboid canines eh?

    Are you a fan?

  • Vet Says Wash Dogs After Walks to Avoid Alabama Rot Dangers

    Vet Says Wash Dogs After Walks to Avoid Alabama Rot Dangers

    As the number of dogs who have lost their lives due to the deadly disease, Alabama Rot, continues to rise dog owners are being told to wash their dogs after walks if walking in muddy or woodland areas.

    The disease, which has taken the lives of almost 80 dogs in the last four years is no longer contained in Southern England but has been identified in the Midlands, Lancashire, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

    Symptoms of the dogs affected by the disease has risen since 2012 across the UK with outbreaks concentrated predominantly in countryside/woodland areas, but was first identified in the US in the 1980s.

    Although thought to be environmentally based with dangers heightened in woodlands, the cause of this disease is still unknown, and only one in three dogs are likely to survive, even if they receive rapid treatment.

    Here’s how to spot the signs of Alabama Rot:

    Owners are asked to remain vigilant for sores and lesions as well as signs which may point to kidney failure, including vomiting, reduced appetite and tiredness, but if you suspect your dog might have been affected then you should contact your vet immediately.

    Find out more about What Alabama Rot Is on K9Magazine.com.

     

  • Have You & Your Pet Experienced Problems When Travelling on Holiday? Share Your Stories

    Have You & Your Pet Experienced Problems When Travelling on Holiday? Share Your Stories

    As Summer is here and holidays are on the horizon, we’re thinking of holidays past. Has your pet travelled abroad with you on holiday?

    Mine haven’t yet, but I am currently going through the process of applying for pet passports two of three (the third already has his having travelled to the UK from Ireland when we adopted him).

    I’ve discovered there is a lot more to the process than I realised. Am I alone?

    We are working with a client on a particular campaign to bring some more dog owners travel stories about holidaying abroad with their beloved pets, places they’ve enjoyed, places they think more dog owners should know about and the highs/lows of travelling – for example, if you made a mistake or your dog’s microchip moved and you had problems, let others learn from it.

    It’s a nice way to make them famous and give them a legacy more can read about, don’t you think?

    If you have lessons to pass along to other dog owners and a story to tell, we’d love to hear from you.

     

  • My Dog’s Been Diagnosed With Epilepsy, Help!

    Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition amongst dogs, affecting an estimated 5% of the canine population. A dog with epilepsy will begin to display symptoms between the age of 1 and 5 years. Epilepsy is a condition that causes the sufferer to experience seizures, which have no physical cause. It is believed to have genetic roots and is, therefore, particularly prevalent in some breeds such as the golden retriever and Labrador.

    https://dogadvice.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/HcrUDBJ.png

    Of course, seizures can be indicative of a more serious condition such as a brain tumor or infection. Additionally, there is no test to confirm epilepsy. Subsequently, it is typically diagnosed after other possibilities have been discounted.

    As with human epilepsy, canine epilepsy cannot be cured. However, owners can take measures to reduce the severity and frequency of a dog’s seizures. There are many opinions over the best way to manage canine epilepsy. Therefore, it is wise for owners to familiarize themselves with the treatment options and make a decision based on their dog’s specific symptoms.

    Treatment

    In many cases of mild to moderate epilepsy, owners may decide not to place their dog on medication. Mild or moderate seizures are typically harmless to the dog. Although seizures may appear distressing, the dog will recover quickly and have no memory of the incident. This, coupled with the side effects caused by some drugs, leads many owners to decline medication.

    On the other hand, severe or cluster seizures can be more serious and in some cases life threatening. In this instance, the danger of the seizures will need to be balanced by potential side effects of medication. Although cessation of seizures is impossible, a dog’s epileptic fits and chances of brain damage or death should be dramatically reduced by available medication.

    Some people believe that it is wise to treat a dog’s epilepsy as early as possible, even if the symptoms are relatively mild, to prevent kindling. Kindling is a theory, which states that if left untreated seizures worsen over time. Therefore, early treatment will reduce the number of epileptic fits and, subsequently, the severity of seizures over a dog’s lifetime.

    Currently, there are many available drugs, including Phenobarbital and potassium bromide. Potassium bromide is believed to have relatively few side effects and has been used to control epilepsy in humans for over a hundred years. Phenobarbital is thought to offer better seizure management. However, it can cause liver damage, so it is imperative that a dog on this medication be checked every six months.

    If you do choose to place your dog on anti-seizure medication, it is essential that you do not suddenly stop the medication. Instead, the drug should be gradually decreased over a matter of months. Additionally, it is advisable to seek the guidance of a vet.

    Coping with a Seizure

    Dogs’ seizures are very similar to that of humans. Therefore, the same rules apply: never move the dog (unless their location places them in immediate danger), do not try to restrain their movements.

    Not all dogs experience seizures in the same way. For example, ‘absent seizures’ do not involve muscle convulsions; instead, the dog will be awake, but entirely unresponsive. Another common seizure is known as the ‘fly bite’ seizure, which causes the dog to bite the air around it. If your dog has epilepsy, it is a good idea to become familiar with its particular type of seizures and their severity. Any alterations should be cause for consultation with your veterinarian.

    After a seizure, you should try to reassure your dog and keep him, or her, comfortable. Your dog will notice your stress, so it is crucial to remain calm. It is also advisable to check your dog’s temperature, as seizures can cause overheating. Additionally, your dog is likely to have experienced a drop in blood sugar. Therefore, some owners choose to offer their dog some vanilla ice cream to boost sugar and cool body temperature.

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2980706

  • Save Hank Campaign Succeeds as He Returns Home to Belfast

    Save Hank Campaign Succeeds as He Returns Home to Belfast

    A two year old dog has returned home tonight after being seized last month for ‘looking like a pitbull’ leaving his owners, Leonard Collins and Joanne Meadows devastated.


    Photo Credit: Facebook/Save Hank

    Hank was taken by Belfast City Council last month for assessment.

    While the couple awaited the outcome of the council’s assessment, the kind-natured dog’s owners launched an online campaign which received global support from dog lovers and celebrities including DJ and TV presenter Dermot O’Leary, boxer Carl Frampton and dog behaviourist Victoria Stilwell, to bolster support and raise awareness about breed specific legislation.

    But good news was just around the corner.

    On 28th July the couple posted on the Save Hank facebook group announcing that “We have received word from BCC (Belfast City Council) that their assessment has concluded. They have deemed Hank to be “Pitbull Terrier type” but his “temperament is such that it does not pose a risk to the public”. The court hearing for the exemption order is set for next Tuesday, 2nd August.

    “Effectively this means that Hank will almost certainly come home on Tuesday.”


    Photo Credit: Facebook/Save Hank – Pictured above, Hank with owner Joanne

    Hank’s exemption order was signed in court and his owner, Joanne, wept as her hopes of being reunited with her boy were realised. He is only the 12th dog to be assigned exemption status on the register since 2011.

    Part of the exemption order means Hank has to be neutered, kept on a lead and muzzled in a public place, kept in sufficient conditions to prevent escape even when not in a public place and be made available to an authorised officer for inspection on demand.


    Photo Credit: Facebook/Save Hank – Pictured above, Hank with owner Leonard 

    Hank returned home today reunited with his owners, his home and everything he knows.

    Share in more of their special moments and get involved in the campaign to fight BSL alongside Hank on Facebook at ‘Save Hank’.

  • Dog Expert Welcomes Introduction of New Guidelines Condemning Stacking of German Shepherds

    Dog Expert Welcomes Introduction of New Guidelines Condemning Stacking of German Shepherds

    Dog expert Julia Robertson has welcomed new guidelines announced by The Kennel Club which no longer allow German Shepherds to be stacked or held up by their leads – how they are typically shown posing when being judged at dog shows.

    The new rules, which came into force on Monday 1st August, and have been welcomed by the Julia who is the founder of a therapy centre which treats dogs suffering from chronic pain and arthritis through myotherapy – a specialised ‘hands on’ manual muscle treatment used to manage conditions brought on through compensatory issues.

    Having treated dogs suffering from issues which have arisen due to things such as stacking, and the impact it has a dog’s gait, she said:

    “Forcing them to hold a certain position for judges can put undue loading on joints and muscles, and if a dog is already having difficulty holding a pose, through conformational or other underlying lameness, the stress this practice puts on them can make their condition even worse.”

    “I have been working with dogs suffering from chronic muscle and skeletal pain for 14 years and have seen the damage stacking can do.”In its announcement, the Kennel Club GSD Breed Standard will read, ‘Characteristics: Versatile working dog, balanced and free from exaggeration. Must be capable of standing comfortably and calmly, freely and unsupported in any way, in structural balance, whilst both rear pasterns are vertical. Attentive, alert, resilient and tireless with keen scenting ability’.

    Perhaps a brighter future lies ahead for this breed because when you compare German Shepherds of a later year to the current breed shown on TV each year at Crufts, you can’t help but feel something went truly wrong to get to this point.

     

  • Listen to Incredible Call to Police About….DOG POO!

    Listen to Incredible Call to Police About….DOG POO!

    Some people have no judgement.

    Dog poo is a horrible, anti social menace. But just listen to the woman who called West Midlands Police to complain about dog mess.

    “I don’t know if I’m making a big fuss,” she says, “I’ve been outside to put my rubbish in the containers but there seems to be a lot of excretion in the garden.”

  • Fat Dog Needs Intervention – Now Look at The Transformation (Channel 5 Dog Rescuers)

    Fat Dog Needs Intervention – Now Look at The Transformation (Channel 5 Dog Rescuers)

    Alan Davies returns for an even bigger and better fourth series of ‘The Dog Rescuers’. Viewers will follow the familiar faces of the RSPCA’s finest, plus some new friends, as they continue their crusade against cruelty and neglect of dogs. The series features dramatic rescues, inspirational rehabilitations and heart-warming rehomings, plus the four-legged heroes who work on our behalf, new ways to bond with man’s best friend, and the life of a rescue pup from birth, through walkies, and all the way to adulthood.

    In this episode we meet an overweight whippet who has been spoiled by his elderly owner in Essex. Inspector for Essex Marie Hammerton responds to a call about an overweight whippet called Blue. With the help of a new diet and exercise regime from their vet, Blue must shed some pounds before there are any serious consequences.

    Blue the Whippet initially weighed 29kg and for the filming weigh-in for The Dog Rescuers has dropped down to 23.4kg. . In the month following this, he has continued his progress and lost another kilogram.

    Blue was fed a simple cup of biscuits a day, and was given strictly no snacks- apart from the occasional carrot. He also went on longer walks, multiple times a day and the whole family got involved in playing with Blue to keep him stretching his legs.

    Inspector Marie Hammerton was a prison officer for three years before turning her hand to animals in 2014. Her life has always revolved around animals and she dreamt of being an RSPCA inspector ever since she was a little girl with the hope of being able to rescue animals from desperate situations.

    RSPCA dog welfare expert Lisa Richards said: “Recent studies have suggested that around half of all pet dogs are overweight, and this can cause serious health and welfare issues for our dogs such as heart disease and diabetes. Being obese can reduce the length and quality of our dogs’ lives.

    The good news is that there are simple steps that owners can take to check that their pets are the right weight and keep them happy and healthy. And it’s always best to seek advice from a vet if you’re not sure if your pet is the right weight, or if you’re concerned that they might be overweight.”

    See Blue’s Amazing Transformation From Fat Dog to Healthy Hound

    Top ten tips for keeping your dog healthy from the RSPCA

    · If you think your dog might be overweight always consult your vet in the first instance.

    · As a guide – you should be able to see and feel the outline of your pet’s ribs without excess fat covering.

    · You should be able to see and feel your pets waist and it should be clearly visible when viewed from above.

    · Your pet’s belly should be tucked up when viewed from the side.

    · Get your pet weighed at the vets regularly if you are concerned.

    · How much your dog needs to eat depend on their diet, lifestyle and health. Read and follow the feeding instructions on any dog foods that you buy.

    · If you want to give your dog treats consider using low fat alternatives instead of shop bought treats try a small amount of cucumber, carrot or small pieces of chicken. Always consult your vet before doing this.

    · If you want to give your dog treats for example if you are training them you should incorporate this into their daily food allowance and reduce accordingly.

    · You could use playful interaction with your dog or a special toy as a reward instead.

    Always make sure your dog is getting plenty of exercise – how much this is depends on the age, health and type of your dog – but they should be going out for a walks at least once per day.

    In other stories, in Thornton Heath, South London, Inspector Nick Wheelhouse is called out to see three adult mastiffs and nine puppies who are all drastically underweight. Will Gaza, the mother and the skinniest of the dogs, be able to regain the weight she so desperately needs.

    Overweight whippet Blue had been spoiled by his elderly owner in Essex. With the help of a new diet and exercise regime from their vet, Blue must shed some pounds before there are any serious consequences.

    Back in January 2015 nine poodles were found by the side of the road near Winchester. Their wet, matted coats accounted for over 2/5 of their body weight. We catch up with Mavis and her new owner Sally Firth as she takes her for a full grooming and pampering treatment at Pooch Dog Spa in Farnborough.

    Prince the sharpei was found with barely a hair on his body. Anthony Pulfer checks in on him to see whether with treatment he has started to look more like a dog again.

    If you would like nothing better than to give a disadvantaged dog like these a happy home, we have a super staffy for you in our live appeal this week.

  • Breed Standards Aren’t Working for Dogs – Vets Call for Reform

    Breed Standards Aren’t Working for Dogs – Vets Call for Reform

    Following the release of new research data by Niels Pedersen from the Centre of Companion Animal Health, University of California, into breed health of the English bulldog, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has issued the following statement:

    Sean Wensley, President of the British Veterinary Association, said:

    “The research released today reflects the seriousness of the health problems associated with English bulldogs that our members are seeing in practice. Revision of breed standards, to include evidence-based limits on physical features such as muzzle shortness, and full consideration of other approaches such as outcrossing, are now needed to ensure high risk breeds, such as the English bulldog, do not continue to suffer unnecessarily.

    https://i.imgur.com/ftSueUy.jpg

    “Vets are reporting concerning trends in dog health and welfare linked to the rise in ownership of brachycephalic breeds, such as bulldogs, and we are unequivocal in the need for all those with roles to play – including vets, breeders, breed societies, the pet-buying public as well as others – to take action to combat the health problems that brachycephalic breeds experience due to extreme conformation. These issues include severe lifelong breathing difficulties, corneal ulcers, skin disease, a screw-shaped tail which is linked to painful spine abnormalities, and the inability to give birth naturally. As part of their pre-purchase research, prospective dog owners should consider the health harms perpetuated in dogs by purchasing brachycephalic breeds and choose a healthier alternative breed, or crossbreed, instead, and local veterinary practices are ideally placed to give this advice. Brachycephalic dogs should not be seen as cute or desirable, rather as dogs predisposed to a lifetime of poor health, and English bulldogs should not be hailed as a national symbol for the UK where animal welfare is strongly valued.

    “Vets have a duty to always prioritise the best interests of their pet patients, which, for affected animals, can involve performing surgical procedures to correct conformational disorders. They have a concurrent duty to be part of initiatives that aim to address the health and welfare of a breed beyond the individual affected animal. This is why BVA promotes the importance of vets submitting data on caesarean sections and conformation-altering surgery to the Kennel Club, to improve the future of dog health and welfare. We recognise and take seriously vets’ responsibility to develop and contribute to all such initiatives that aim to address the health and welfare of these animals and we will continue to work with all stakeholders who can positively influence and improve the health and welfare of brachycephalic breeds”

  • An Incredible Dog Rescue in the Australian Bush

    An Incredible Dog Rescue in the Australian Bush

    What you are about to read and see is an incredible, amazing story that actually happened. My husband and I took my dad to see some rock pools in a fairly secluded section of Mt Glorious National Park. As we walked along the creek bed, we noticed a disturbance in one of the deep pools ahead. Thinking it might be a roo or a platypus, we approached quietly, only to see this forlorn little face looking back. It was honestly the saddest sight.

    #2

    #2

    We approached cautiously, not knowing whether this was a domesticated or wild dog. Either way,  we couldn’t leave it there in the freezing water. It was completely exhausted from it’s attempts to struggle out of the deep section it had fallen into, and there’s no way it would’ve survived the night. We erred on the side of caution and armed ourselves with a BFS (big f*cking stick), just in case it wanted to defend itself when we pulled it out of the water. We gently looped a rope around it’s head/shoulders, and with a slight struggle, dragged it out onto the rocks. The dog wasn’t aggressive at all, and in fact very timidly lumbered away from us, up the bank and into the thick lantana beside the pool. As it turned away from us, we saw that she was a desexed female – at some stage she must’ve been domesticated.

    #3

    #3

    We figured if she’d been someone’s pet, there was a chance she had been dumped or lost. Even though she wasn’t interested in coming to us, we knew again that we couldn’t leave her there. She was in a completely inhospitable section of bush, in a gully with cliff face and hectares of national park on one side, and a scrubby, rocky, unscaleable bank up to a busy road on the other. There were also no houses within at least a 5KM radius, and no obvious way for her to make her own way out of the gully. We saw her podgy little rump disappear into the lantana, giving us no other option than to wade in after her. Because the scrub was so thick we lost sight of her. Occasionally we could hear her bashing her way up the bank, and eventually we spotted her around 10 meters up, laying low in the thick undergrowth. We approached from 3 sides, to try to keep her from escaping again. When we crept up to her hiding spot, we saw that she’d made herself a little dugout in the bank, and she’d even made a tunnel through the lantana, down to the waterhole.

    #4

    #4

    At this stage, we still weren’t sure if she’d let us get close to her, so we sat with her for a little while to see how she’d respond. She was very dejected, and obviously still exhausted. I snapped away the lantana from her little nest, and gradually got in closer, letting her get used to us being there. She was still apprehensive, but not aggressive, so after a while I took a chance and gave her a scratch on the head… and she rewarded me with a lick on the hand. Despite obviously having been camped there for at least a few days, we noted that our little companion wasn’t exactly lacking in mass, leading us to dub her Miss Piggy. We spent a bit more time getting acquainted with Miss Piggy, while we started to hatch a plan to get her out.

    #5

    #5

    The prospect of coaxing her back along the creek bed seemed pretty poor, given how tired and rotund she was, and given the difficulty of getting her round waterholes and over large rocks. We had ropes with us for climbing down waterfalls, and so figured that if we could tie her up securely, we might be able to make a run for the road above us. We created a makeshift harness with non-slip knots, and tried to coax Miss Piggy to slowly climb through the scrub and loose rocks with us. She (predictably) wasn’t overly keen on that, so we set about carrying/nudging her along – one person leading her and another pushing/carrying her from behind. We secured the long end of rope to some trees above, to prevent her from slipping down the bank, and tried to make some slow progress.

    #6

    #6

    Potato action pic of the bank. The main issue was that aside from the lantana and loose rocks under foot, the bank was extremely steep, and laced with vine. Each of us were becoming hitched up on the vines, and Miss Piggy was making little to no progress. We were working on getting her up over a small rock ledge, and as I gave her a push, she pulled off an full-body wriggle manoeuvre, completely slipping her harness. She made a break for her pathway under the lantana, with me crashing after her, trying to prevent her from escaping. The only way I could stop her was to get in front of her and head her off before she got to open ground. With her escape plan thwarted, she slumped down into the undergrowth and resumed her state as an immovable object.

    #7

    #7

    Miss Piggy was understandably frightened and worn out, so we sat a bit longer trying to give her some time to calm down, with lots of pats and reassurance.

    #8

    #8

    The little sweetie showed her appreciation of our patience by wriggling over to me and resting her head on my leg. I hadn’t wanted to be too familiar with her to this point, but she gave me the go ahead to give her a reassuring cuddle. It was becoming pretty obvious that she wouldn’t be able to make it up the bank unless we carried her, and so we were throwing around options for a harness and hammock set-up, using towels and ropes. My husband had a brainwave, remembering that we had a large canvas bag in our car (15 mins walk back up the creek). We figured that if we could get her into the bag, we could MacGyver together some apparatus to transport her out.

    #9

    #9

    Our first measure of success was that she fit into the bag.

    #10

    #10

    The boys gave her a lift to see if they’d be able to carry her up. On their estimation, Miss Piggy tipped the scales at about 40KG. On flat ground, this probably wouldn’t be an issue, but we didn’t want to risk dropping or dragging her down the bank.

    #19

    #19

    Bobby’s happy reunion with her much loved dad. She was overwhelmed with joy to see him – such a beautiful thing. We have no idea what she’d been doing between 30 June and 23 Jul when we found her. Her condition was surprisingly good for a pup that had been homeless for nearly a month. We also have no idea how she came to be in such an isolated part of the bush, with no signs of injury and only basic signs of exposure. We’d speculated that perhaps she was picked up and later dumped, or that she’d found a temporary home but hadn’t stuck around. Whatever the story, we were just happy to have been in the right place at the right time to be able to help her.
    (CREDIT)
  • Kids Nagged Dad for a Dog So He Came up With This Unusual Plan

    Kids Nagged Dad for a Dog So He Came up With This Unusual Plan

    When this father’s children refused to stop pestering him about getting a dog, he decided he needed to adopt a novel approach. He got legal on them.

    Before agreeing to bring a dog in to their home some ground rules had to be agreed. Naturally a contract was drawn up so everyone was clear what was what.

    rjohnstone13 posted on Reddit the newly adopted Family Dog Contract.

    Here are some highlights:

    • Dad never has to pick up dog poop. Ever. The dog’s poop is picked up at least 3 times per week by children to dad’s satisfaction.
    • The dog does not slobber or have a runny nose. All parties agree that those kind of dogs are gross.
    • Dad has unrestricted veto power over the dog’s name.
    • The dog is never referred to as a child or sibling. All parties agree that the dog is a dog.
    • The dog does not receive organic, gourmet or special diet dog food. All parites agree that plain old dog food is fine.

    So, how did it go?

    “Two weeks after contract was signed, we got a three-year-old white fluffy mutt from a shelter that weighs 15 lbs., was already house-trained and doesn’t shed or drool.

    “We named him Kershaw (veto power not exercised). It’s been two years, and the kids (now ages 12, 13 and 15) have been pretty good about doing everything.

    “Kershaw eats dry dog food from Trader Joe’s, and so far hasn’t created any indoor messes that have required the use of harmful cleaning chemicals. Everyone (including Dad) adores the dog, which has been a fantastic addition to (though not member of) our family.”

    http://i.imgur.com/PGou9qP.jpg

  • WATCH: This Police Dog Is Taking Part in a Push Up Challenge to Raise Awareness of Veteran Suicide

    WATCH: This Police Dog Is Taking Part in a Push Up Challenge to Raise Awareness of Veteran Suicide

    A police dog named Monty has taken part in a push-up challenge to raise awareness of veteran suicide in the UK and USA.

    Led by his handler and former marine commander PC Steve Hopwood from Avon and Somerset Police, the crime fighting duo has been doing 22 push-ups daily as part of the #22Pushups challenge.

    Watch the Video

    The duo’s efforts seem to be doing more than just raising awareness after the Avon & Somerset Police Dog’s Twitter account tweeted this:

    Well done Monty!

     

  • ‘Queen of Clean’ Shares Top 5 Tips for Keeping Homes Risk Free This Summer

    ‘Queen of Clean’ Shares Top 5 Tips for Keeping Homes Risk Free This Summer

    As a pet owner, we all know one of the downsides to Summer can be the added worry of parasites. From fleas to ticks, parasites thrive when the climate heats up. But it’s not just your pets that are at risk, your home could also have more pesky parasites hidden than you can even imagine.

    Did you know…?

    Flea infestations are common during warmer spells but only 5% of fleas live on your pet, with the remaining 95% living in your home.

    Aggie MacKenzie, also known as the ‘Queen of Clean’ is best known for her no-nonsense approach on the TV show ‘How Clean Is Your House?’ so it’s no surprise that as she teams up with Bob Martin to offer advice to pet owners, she takes a no-nonsense approach to tackling the problem.

    Aggie’s top 5 tips

    1. Treat your pet for fleas
    2. Wash your pet’s bedding
    3. Vacuum everywhere to treat the fibres
    4. Remember to hoover the skirting boards and the curtains
    5. Use home flea products to kill any fleas that may intrude

    Watch the Video

     

     

  • Scientists Think They Might be Able to Slow Down Ageing in Dogs (Rapamycin: What is it?)

    Scientists Think They Might be Able to Slow Down Ageing in Dogs (Rapamycin: What is it?)

    You know, the one problem with dogs – and it is just one problem – they come and go far, far too soon. They’re here for a good time but, sadly, not a long time. But all that could be about to change, according to a new study.

    Dr. Matt Kaeberlein, a biology of ageing researcher at the University of Washington, has been collaborating with a VCA Animal Hospitals, a US-based veterinary chain and together they have been testing the efficacy of a drug called Rapamycin.

    Rapamycin, although not currently approved for use in dogs, has been shown to delay disease onset in mice and has been previously approved for use in human transplant patients.

    So what does this mean for the future? Could we really be on the verge of a medical breakthrough for man’s best friend?

    The study was conducted at VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle by a team led by Dr. Karen Kline, VCA medical director and Dr. Heidi MacLean, cardiology specialist. Dr. Kline was in charge of performing physical exams on all patients, blood draws and interpretations, and communication with owners. Dr. MacLean performed echocardiograms on all patients and was responsible for measurements and interpretation. Dogs that were found to have any abnormalities in pre-study testing were excluded from participation. The study was a tolerability and safety study of the medication and used variable doses and placebo.

    Dr. Kline found the findings of the study to be meaningful and multilevel. “I found that the human-animal bond is so deep in dog owners that they want to extend and help their companions live longer. It also allowed us to validate early detection of cardiac and metabolic abnormalities that in and of itself can extend lives.”

    While Rapamycin is not currently approved for use in dogs, Dr. Kline stated: “This study is an essential building block to confirm safety which will then allow a study of the prolongation of ageing in a much larger population of dogs. The implications are exciting for a range of domestic animals if drug safety and minimal side effects can be proven.”

    The VCA Clinical Studies program started three years ago and has coordinated a large number of studies for various industry sponsors. The program also performs non-sponsored studies with various VCA clinicians, residents and interns for the advancement of research in clinical animal care.

    Dr. Philip Bergman, VCA director of clinical studies said, “With more than 600 hospitals nationally, of which about 10 percent are ER/specialty hospitals, we have the ability to do these clinical trials internally and externally in an efficient way. Our programs’ main goal is to move veterinary medicine forward and this latest study is another great example of how partnerships between private companies and universities are doing that.”

    The study has passed an important first hurdle. Dr. Matt Kaeberlein has reported that rapamycin caused no significant side effects, and dogs receiving the medicine had hearts that pumped blood more efficiently. Next up, the team hopes to conduct a 5-year study in 450 dogs, pending much-needed funding.

    Rapamycin has been interesting scientists for a long time in relation to a number of significant health issues. In April of 2016, the National Cancer Institute started their own research to see whether the drug is effective in shrinking osteosarcoma tumours. The work could yield a new treatment option in both dogs and people, particularly children, who develop osteosarcoma at higher rates than adults.

  • WATCH: This Dog Just Broke The Guinness World Record for Bursting 100 Balloons

    WATCH: This Dog Just Broke The Guinness World Record for Bursting 100 Balloons

    Meet Twinkie, a Jack Russell Terrier from California. She’s a dog like any other, except she comes from a long (ish) line of dogs who LOVE to burst Guinness World Records. And balloons.

    Twinkie smashed her attempt popping all 100 red balloons in just 39.08 seconds, beating the previous record of 41.67 seconds which had been held by Cally The Wonder Dog, who shot to fame on the TV talent show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.

    Watch the Video

    Twinkie is the daughter of Anastacia who set and broke the record twice between 2005 and 2008 and held onto her record for seven years demonstrating her talent on TV shows across the States.

    Cally The Wonder Dog gracefully congratulated the tenacious Terrier on Facebook saying, “Congratulations to the new GWR holder back in America – nice to be balloon popping and what fun! I am now retired and relaxing on my dog yacht. With all the popping and my earnings I made in my year as holder it’s time I hung up my claws.”

    So it seems we don’t need to worry about a US vs USA battle. Or do we…could your dog be a contender for next year?