Recently there has been a lot of attention focusing on canine pets that alert owners with serious diseases before they become extremely ill.
An example of this is Shirley the Labrador. Shirley saved a six-year-old child with type 1 diabetes from collapsing at a disco. Rebecca was dancing with her friends when Shirley detected that Rebecca's blood sugar was dropping. The Lab then proceeded to take the blood sugar testing kit out of her owner's medical bag to warn Rebecca. By being trained to do so Shirley, who is one of only ten dogs that are capable of detecting blood sugar, saved Rebecca from collapsing from low blood sugar.
Research into using canines to help people with illnesses will also give many dogs a second chance in life. Eddie, a three year old terrier cross was abandoned at a rescue centre in Sheffield as his owners had found him to be too high energy for them. However this was the exact trait Eddie needed to become a huge help for Andrew Eccle. Eddie has been trained to warn Andrew, who is epileptic, when he's about to have a seizure. This is to give Andrew the chance to make sure he is somewhere safe to wait for the seizures to pass without hurting himself or his daughter.
There is no concrete evidence to show how the dog is able to predict when a seizure is about to occur but there are a few theories including that the dog may be able to sense disturbances in the electric field which is caused by seizures.
Sheffield Support Dogs is currently the only charity in the UK that train dogs to predict seizures. This training costs the charity £10,000 per dog which is raised purely through donations.
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
New approach to change dog laws
Veterinary professionals and animal welfare groups are demanding a new Dog Control Bill to replace the Dangerous Dogs Act which has been frequently criticised.
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, amended in 1997, was introduced after the tabloids hugely publicised injuries caused by various dogs. This act focuses on four breeds, the Pit Bull Terrier included, making it illegal to sell, breed or exchange dogs and making sure they are muzzled and on a lead in public.
The act received much criticism as it only enforces laws on specific breeds and not the owners. These laws have not reduced the amount of dog bite incidents, which have increased by 43% in the UK. Not only do the bite incidents continue to increase but so does the cost. In the past three years the Metropolitan Police have spent ten million pound to take, kennel and euthanise the banned breeds. Even so, some dog owners receive their dogs back after it has been proven that the individual dog has exhibited good behaviour.
The new Dog Control Bill was proposed by Liberal Democrats peer Lord Redesdale and is supported by members of the Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group. This Bill will keep the public safer as it targets the responsibilities of the dog owner as it has been proven that the temperament of a breed is only a small factor resulting in how it behaves. Also the Bill would make dog attacks on private properties a criminal offense as this is where the majority of attacks take place.
The Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group have begun a petition supporting the Dog Control Bill which has already received over 10,000 signatures.
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, amended in 1997, was introduced after the tabloids hugely publicised injuries caused by various dogs. This act focuses on four breeds, the Pit Bull Terrier included, making it illegal to sell, breed or exchange dogs and making sure they are muzzled and on a lead in public.
The act received much criticism as it only enforces laws on specific breeds and not the owners. These laws have not reduced the amount of dog bite incidents, which have increased by 43% in the UK. Not only do the bite incidents continue to increase but so does the cost. In the past three years the Metropolitan Police have spent ten million pound to take, kennel and euthanise the banned breeds. Even so, some dog owners receive their dogs back after it has been proven that the individual dog has exhibited good behaviour.
The new Dog Control Bill was proposed by Liberal Democrats peer Lord Redesdale and is supported by members of the Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group. This Bill will keep the public safer as it targets the responsibilities of the dog owner as it has been proven that the temperament of a breed is only a small factor resulting in how it behaves. Also the Bill would make dog attacks on private properties a criminal offense as this is where the majority of attacks take place.
The Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group have begun a petition supporting the Dog Control Bill which has already received over 10,000 signatures.
Sunday, 4 July 2010
Travelling With Your Dog
Make sure your dog has a good walk before the journey begins. If your dog hasn't released enough energy before starting the journey then he will be extremely excited and cause you much more trouble. Give your dog at least 30 minutes exercise and he will be much calmer as he gets into the car and may even sleep as you travel.
1. Use a seat belt harness for your dog. This will not only make you both much safer if you have an accident but will also stop your dog from jumping around the car while you are trying to drive. A seat belt harness gives the dog enough space to move from lying down to standing up so will not make your dog panic at being restricted.
2. Be prepared if your dog is travel sick. Go to your veterinary and purchase tablets for a travel sick dog and follow the instructions to have a happier dog. If you have a dog that is scared to go into the car then invite him into the car using treats or his favourite toys while the car isn't moving. This will make your dog associate the car with a positive experience and is more likely to be calmer through the journey. You should practice this from at least a month before you go travelling with your dog.
3. Take plenty of water with you. This is even more important if it is a hot day as a car becomes very hot extremely quickly. Water is an essential at all times when travelling with your dog so make sure that you have enough for the journey there and back.
4. Take regular breaks. When you are travelling long distances, your dog is going to get understandably bored. You should stop travelling after every 2-3 hours to give your dog a short walk and let him stretch his legs. Doing this will make your dog much happier and your journey calmer.
Thorough preparation before any journey is essential to guarantee a pleasant and safe journey for you both.
Monday, 28 June 2010
Caring For Your Dog As Temperatures Rise
Recently in the UK temperatures have risen dramatically as summer appears. The RSPCA have recently given advice to dog owners to prevent their pets becoming too hot.
The most important rule when caring for your dog in high temperatures is you must never leave your dog in the car unsupervised. It has been proven that parts of a car's interior can reach up to and over 40ºC, even when it is only mildly warm.
Chief veterinary advisor Mark Evans commented:
"Every year, we ask pet owners the same thing and remind them of the dangers posed but we still get thousands of calls from people who are concerned about animal welfare in the warm weather."
As well as the RSPCA's campaign, the Scottish SPCA has relaunched the Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign to also raise awareness of this issue.
If you are worried that your dog is suffering from heatstroke then there are certain steps to take. The first is to immediately contact your veterinarian and make them aware of the problem. After this has been done, cover your dog with tepid water and/or place him next to a fan. However, make sure that you do not lower your dog's temperature so much that he is shivering.
When temperatures are higher than usually, try to take precautions to protect the health of your dog. For example, when caring for your dog do not stay outdoors for a large amount of time with your pet and make sure that he has plenty of water to drink regularly.
The most important rule when caring for your dog in high temperatures is you must never leave your dog in the car unsupervised. It has been proven that parts of a car's interior can reach up to and over 40ºC, even when it is only mildly warm.
Chief veterinary advisor Mark Evans commented:
"Every year, we ask pet owners the same thing and remind them of the dangers posed but we still get thousands of calls from people who are concerned about animal welfare in the warm weather."
As well as the RSPCA's campaign, the Scottish SPCA has relaunched the Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign to also raise awareness of this issue.
If you are worried that your dog is suffering from heatstroke then there are certain steps to take. The first is to immediately contact your veterinarian and make them aware of the problem. After this has been done, cover your dog with tepid water and/or place him next to a fan. However, make sure that you do not lower your dog's temperature so much that he is shivering.
When temperatures are higher than usually, try to take precautions to protect the health of your dog. For example, when caring for your dog do not stay outdoors for a large amount of time with your pet and make sure that he has plenty of water to drink regularly.
Saturday, 26 June 2010
Different Ways To Exercise Your Dog
Regularly exercising your dog is an essential part of their daily routine. This not only benefits the dog and the owner's health but prevents your dog from being frustrated and behaving badly in your house.
Each dog and breed has different needs that need to be met during exercise. For example, if your dog is a large but low energy dog, they do not need to be exercised as much as a small, high energy dog. Age and weight are important factors to consider when planning how much to exercise your dog as you do not want to overwork a dog with health problems.
Dog owners often think that if you have a small dog or a large garden then it is acceptable to let your dog walk around the garden for 10-20 minutes, then bring him back indoors. This is not enough structured exercise as dogs require stimulation and exercise which they won't find in the garden.
The most common form of exercise is walking your dog. However, unless you have a small dog that has to run to catch up with you, walking is not enough exercise for a dog. It is recommended that you walk to an area where it is safe for your dog to run loose, for example a secured field. This gives them the freedom that they need so they won't be as much trouble at home.
If you don't live near a secure area for your dog to run, or if your pet cannot be trusted off the lead, then an easy way to exercise your dog is to use a skateboard, a bike or rollerskates to move alongside your dog as he runs at a quick enough pace to burn off excess energy that makes him dig up the garden or bark at your neighbours.
Another less common but useful method of exercising your dog is hydrotherapy. Using hydrotherapy is a good way to calm your dog as he swims freely in a pool of warm water. This can also be used as therapy after a dog has had an operation or an older dog who is less agile.
Treadmills are sometimes used to exercise a dog if people have little time to walk their dog far. However, this is not ideal as the only form of exercising your dog because it doesn't give your pet the social benefits of mixing with other dogs. Exercising your dog is part of forming a strong bond between you and your dog as well as keeping them a healthy weight. If your dog is on a treadmill alone then the owner-pet relationship is not growing.
Each dog and breed has different needs that need to be met during exercise. For example, if your dog is a large but low energy dog, they do not need to be exercised as much as a small, high energy dog. Age and weight are important factors to consider when planning how much to exercise your dog as you do not want to overwork a dog with health problems.
Dog owners often think that if you have a small dog or a large garden then it is acceptable to let your dog walk around the garden for 10-20 minutes, then bring him back indoors. This is not enough structured exercise as dogs require stimulation and exercise which they won't find in the garden.
The most common form of exercise is walking your dog. However, unless you have a small dog that has to run to catch up with you, walking is not enough exercise for a dog. It is recommended that you walk to an area where it is safe for your dog to run loose, for example a secured field. This gives them the freedom that they need so they won't be as much trouble at home.
If you don't live near a secure area for your dog to run, or if your pet cannot be trusted off the lead, then an easy way to exercise your dog is to use a skateboard, a bike or rollerskates to move alongside your dog as he runs at a quick enough pace to burn off excess energy that makes him dig up the garden or bark at your neighbours.
Another less common but useful method of exercising your dog is hydrotherapy. Using hydrotherapy is a good way to calm your dog as he swims freely in a pool of warm water. This can also be used as therapy after a dog has had an operation or an older dog who is less agile.
Treadmills are sometimes used to exercise a dog if people have little time to walk their dog far. However, this is not ideal as the only form of exercising your dog because it doesn't give your pet the social benefits of mixing with other dogs. Exercising your dog is part of forming a strong bond between you and your dog as well as keeping them a healthy weight. If your dog is on a treadmill alone then the owner-pet relationship is not growing.
Saturday, 22 May 2010
Why Worming Your Dog Is Important
The two most common types of worms in dogs are roundworms and tapeworms. These attach themselves to your pet's intestines and feed off their blood and the food that is being digested.
If your dog has a severe infestation of either of these, there will sometimes be symptoms of losing weight , vomiting and diarrhoea.
Another sign of worms is that your dog will drag it's bottom along the floor. However, this is not always the case and sometimes there will be another problem with your pet. It is recommended that you consult your veterinary surgeon if this continues after worming your dog.
There are often an infestation in your dog without there being any symptoms, so it is essential that you treat your dog every three months as your pet may be infected but doesn't show any symptoms.
If you have a puppy, worming your dog is highly important from it being two weeks old, every two weeks until it is around three months old. This is because it has been found that 70% of puppies have already been infected at birth and an infestation of worms can be fatal for younger dogs and puppies. Some symptoms of an infestation in puppies can cause pneumonia, coughing, not putting on weight and the appearance of having a “pot-belly”.
If you have a pregnant bitch then you need to treat her from the 40th day of pregnancy up to 2 days before. This will not eliminate the chance of the puppy being infected by worms at birth but it will reduce the chance.
You must remember that not every product is suitable for puppies and dogs during pregnancy so make sure you ask your veterinary surgeon for the best worming tablets to suit your dog. Also if you suspect that your dog has worms, check their bedding as you can sometimes find segments in their bed. They are the size of a grain of rice and are pale coloured.
Not only are worms dangerous for animals, they can cause severe illness if they are passed on to humans. This usually happens if your dog licks your plate or fingers. If you have young children then it is essential that you are regularly worming your dog as they are more vulnerable to infestations.
If your dog has a severe infestation of either of these, there will sometimes be symptoms of losing weight , vomiting and diarrhoea.
Another sign of worms is that your dog will drag it's bottom along the floor. However, this is not always the case and sometimes there will be another problem with your pet. It is recommended that you consult your veterinary surgeon if this continues after worming your dog.
There are often an infestation in your dog without there being any symptoms, so it is essential that you treat your dog every three months as your pet may be infected but doesn't show any symptoms.
If you have a puppy, worming your dog is highly important from it being two weeks old, every two weeks until it is around three months old. This is because it has been found that 70% of puppies have already been infected at birth and an infestation of worms can be fatal for younger dogs and puppies. Some symptoms of an infestation in puppies can cause pneumonia, coughing, not putting on weight and the appearance of having a “pot-belly”.
If you have a pregnant bitch then you need to treat her from the 40th day of pregnancy up to 2 days before. This will not eliminate the chance of the puppy being infected by worms at birth but it will reduce the chance.
You must remember that not every product is suitable for puppies and dogs during pregnancy so make sure you ask your veterinary surgeon for the best worming tablets to suit your dog. Also if you suspect that your dog has worms, check their bedding as you can sometimes find segments in their bed. They are the size of a grain of rice and are pale coloured.
Not only are worms dangerous for animals, they can cause severe illness if they are passed on to humans. This usually happens if your dog licks your plate or fingers. If you have young children then it is essential that you are regularly worming your dog as they are more vulnerable to infestations.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Preparing To Adopt a Rescue Dog
If you want to adopt a rescue dog instead of buying a puppy you will need to spend around 10-12 years, depending on his current age and the breed, of commitment to your dog. There are also the essentials of looking after any dog like food, training, exercise, shelter, veterinary treatments, vaccinations, companionship and keeping him away from danger. However, there may be extra work involved depending on the different backgrounds of each rescue dog.
There are many reasons why a dog needs rehoming, none of which are the dog's fault. It could be anything from lack of money for veterinary care, owners moving house or because a small, cute puppy that was a Christmas present has turned into a large dog. This is why it's important to prepare for the amount of work that having a dog is going to be.
You should always adopt a rescue dog that is suited to your lifestyle. For example if you are out of the house for long periods of time throughout the day, you should get a low energy dog but still give him two walks a day. If you get a high energy dog yet haven't got the time to give it regular long walks, it will lead to the dog being bored and frustrated leading to being destructive and possibly aggressive.
When you adopt a rescue dog, he will be unsettled and frightened at first in his new home because of the unfamiliar surroundings. This is why most of us would want to fill his first days in his new life with lots of treats and affection. However, this is one of the worst things you can do. If you don't set limits and boundaries for your dog in the first few days, it will cause more confusion for your dog when you are suddenly throwing him off the sofa. If you gently ease him into a routine, your new rescue dog will be a happy new addition into your family.
There are many reasons why a dog needs rehoming, none of which are the dog's fault. It could be anything from lack of money for veterinary care, owners moving house or because a small, cute puppy that was a Christmas present has turned into a large dog. This is why it's important to prepare for the amount of work that having a dog is going to be.
You should always adopt a rescue dog that is suited to your lifestyle. For example if you are out of the house for long periods of time throughout the day, you should get a low energy dog but still give him two walks a day. If you get a high energy dog yet haven't got the time to give it regular long walks, it will lead to the dog being bored and frustrated leading to being destructive and possibly aggressive.
When you adopt a rescue dog, he will be unsettled and frightened at first in his new home because of the unfamiliar surroundings. This is why most of us would want to fill his first days in his new life with lots of treats and affection. However, this is one of the worst things you can do. If you don't set limits and boundaries for your dog in the first few days, it will cause more confusion for your dog when you are suddenly throwing him off the sofa. If you gently ease him into a routine, your new rescue dog will be a happy new addition into your family.
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