Discover Dogs

I dropped in to Discover Dogs on 8th November for a few hours and that wasn't long enough at all! So many breeds of dog that I've never even heard of, let alone seen! It was great to speak with the breeders and realise that despite recent negative press, they are committed to the health and welfare of the breed that they love. Of course they only represent a small fraction of breeders in this country so diligence is needed when thinking of buying a pure-bred dog (you can find out loads more in my ebook Puppy Power). There are many unscrupulous breeders only interested in making money as I've written about in previous posts.
If you get a chance to go to the next Discover Dogs I would recommend it as a fun day out where you can also learn loads!

A few thoughts.

I went to Toronto at the end of last month for a 'city break' with my husband. Unfortunately I got a chest infection which I'm just recovering from, hence the lack of blog updates!

Now I'm sitting here listening to the fireworks and wondering how many animals are scared stiff. I know that lots of clients have been in recently asking how they can help their dogs. DAP diffuser is very useful for dogs to help calm them. Also you can use Rescue Remedy from the chemist which has a good sedative effect using herbs only.
It's not just the pets I worry about when there are fireworks. What about all the wild animals? It is probably terrifying for birds and very dangerous for hedgehogs hibernating in stacks of wood that will be used for bonfires.
I would like to see fireworks banned for private use and just used for public displays on Nov 5th and Dec 31st ONLY.

On another note I have been contemplating the huge effect euthanasing a pet can have on their family. This week has been miserable so far, I have euthansed four animals already and given the bad news that one of my patients probably has terminal cancer (I'm awaiting confirmation from tests).
I know the mixed bag of emotions that accompanies euthanasing a pet- grief, guilt, relief, a feeling of loss and emptiness. I also know that time IS a great healer and that slowly the sadness is replaced with wonderful memories of all the fantastic time spent with the beloved pet.
If you ever have to make that decision, let your vet guide you and remember that the quality of your pet's life is much more important then the quantity of their life. We all have to die eventually. I feel lucky to have the choice to euthanase animals to relieve their suffering and say goodbye peacefully, maintaining some dignity for them.
At least my day at work can be balanced by attending to happy, healthy animals when they come for vaccination- a great time to bond with my patients!

On Saturday I'm going to 'Discover Dogs' at London Earl's Court. I'm interested to find out what breed standards the Kennel Club will be putting in place for breeds showcased at the event, especially after all the bad press they have received recently. I'll let you know my thoughts next week.....

Update on Harvey

I spoke with the Kennel Club about Harvey ( see my blog entitled 'Harvey the Docked Puppy' written on 11th Sept 08). They said that there is nothing they could do about the fact that Harvey was docked because it is still legal in Ireland and the person buying the puppy has the obligation to search for a puppy with a full length tail if they want one. They don't actually encourage breeders to stop docking within the confines of the law which I find appaling and I will be writing to them about this in due course...
In fact Mr Whelan is not even registered with them and so they advised I speak to Trading Standards and report him for false advertising. Harvey's owners have still not received any KC registered documents for him because he ISN'T actually registered! I asked Harvey's owner if I could report Mr Whelan but she doesn't want me to, because he has all her bank details and is obviously an unscrupulous person.
So, lessons learnt-
1) search for puppies with full length tails AFTER making sure you know what a full length tail actually looks like. See 'anti-dockingalliance' for pictures and a list of breeders.
2) if buying a pure-bred puppy, get breed documents at the point of sale, don't expect to get them later in the post.
3) don't give your bank details to anyone.
4) get a puppy from a rescue centre.

DEATHROWPETS

Unfortunately the number of animals being taken to rescue centres is increasing every year.

Why are pets being abandoned or relinquished?
The reasons for this are varied and include the owner experiencing financial or personal difficulties, moving into rented accommodation not allowing pets, changes in circumstance resulting in not enough time for the pet, the pet becoming ill or having behavioural problems, new children in the household, owners developing pet allergies, a new pet not getting on with existing pets. Unfortunately, sometimes people just buy pets on a whim and then realise a few months later that they made a mistake and take the pet for re homing.
Pets being taken to rescue centres are often young and not neutered (de-sexed), usually having only been owned for 7-12months. Many of these pets are taken on from friends with unwanted animals, often they have never been to a vet and many of the dogs have never had any obedience training.
In my opinion, not training and neutering your pet is just a sign of being irresponsible.
Rescue centres obviously make a huge effort to rehome these pets in a responsible fashion.
However the sad truth is that many are just on 'death row' and end up being euthanased. Often euthanasia boils down to inadequate funds to look after the animals rather then the animals having uncorrectable behavioural or veterinary problems.
My friends at 'DeathrowPets.net' are raising awareness of the plight of many animals in rescue centres that are ultimately waiting to die in cages in a rescue centre through no fault of their own.

Please be responsible, make informed decisions before getting a pet and make looking after them for their whole lifespan a priority.

You can find out everything you need to know BEFORE you buy a PUPPY in my ebook 'Puppy Power'.

'Compassion for animals, passion for nature'

Harvey the docked puppy

Despite the recent change in legislation in England which should mean an end to docked dogs, I recently had a docked puppy presented to me at work. He is a cocker spaniel named Harvey and he is very cute! His owner had purchased him in Dunstable from Mr Whelan, a licensed registered breeder with the Kennel Club.
Harvey's owner didn't want a docked dog and didn't realise Harvey had been docked. She was also under the impression that Harvey had been born in Dunstable. Unfortunately the legislation in Ireland allows docking and in fact Harvey had been born there and then transported all the way to England for sale.
SO- there was no way that we can know the environment Harvey was born into or what age he was removed from his mum. Was he born on a puppy farm?
I have spoken to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and they say that it is impossible to do anything if the puppy was docked in Ireland, as Mr Whelan says he was, because it is still legal there.
I have spoken to Mr Whelan and he says he thinks ALL working dogs should be docked. He doesn't care if they are in fact going to be pets and docks them anyway. He actually told me 'he doesn't care what happens to them after he has sold them and got his money'.
I asked him to consider that some people actually want to buy puppies with natural length tails and could he consider NOT docking! Hopefully he will think about this.
Mr Whelan says he has many breeding bitches but is not a puppy farm. Who knows the truth?
If YOU want to buy a puppy with a full length tail, please make it your business to ask questions about your future puppy and make sure he or she is NOT docked before you buy. YOU HOLD THE POWER TO CHANGE THE MINDS OF PEOPLE LIKE Mr WHELAN.
As Mr Whelan is registered with the Kennel Club I want to ask them their opinion of what is actually happening. I am waiting to speak with someone and will let you know the outcome.....

Please see my post 'Dogs with tails!' from May 2008 and my ebook 'Puppy Power- everything you need to know BEFORE you buy a puppy' for more information.

'Compassion for animals, passion for nature'

chickens

It's odd- suddenly I'm seeing quite a few chickens at work! After 'Spirit' the cockerel I saw a little ex-battery hen called 'Esmerelda'.
I don't know how much you know about chicken and egg production so I'll just outline the basics- There are two distinct types of chickens- 1) broiler chickens which grow very rapidly and have a lot of meat on them and are slaughtered young for us to eat and 2) egg-producing chickens which are quite scrawny and are kept purely for their eggs, they are slaughtered at the end of their productive lives and go into pet food.
In western countries both of these types are generally reared intensively on massive farms in their hundreds.
It is difficult to tell what type of system broiler chickens have been raised in because even if they are organic it does not mean they have been raised in an extensive way. The RSPCA is starting to label some supermarket chickens to help the consumer identify which broiler chickens have been raised in a more welfare conscious way. See links below.
At the supermarket eggs are labelled as battery, barn or free range. Without seeing the actual facilities I am always a bit skeptical about the labelling! That's just me! Free range should be the best in respect to welfare and battery the worst- battery chickens are kept in very small cages and often are unable to even stretch out their wings. Personally I'm dubious about the welfare of chickens kept in barns.
All types of intensive farming have their problems with respect to animal welfare. Unfortunately chickens fare poorly in the welfare stakes.
Because chickens aren't mammals, it is easy to not feel as sympathetic as you might towards a cute calf or lamb.
Personally I have been reminded, by seeing Spirit and Esmerelda, just how beautiful chickens actually are.
Whenever possible I get my eggs from friends or small local farms where the chickens truly are free-range. As soon as I can, I will get some ex-battery hens myself. The RSPCA re home ex-battery hens to afford them at least a bit of quality life before they die. Unfortunately they often only live for about a year after they have been rescued from battery cages because they are often completely physically exhausted.
check out more info here-
http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=chickens
http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=consumerhomepage
Please make an informed decision the next time you buy chicken or eggs....

'Spirit' the Cockerel!

I was surprised yesterday to be presented with a chicken at work for an examination!
My consult list just said 'lame chicken'! The owners came in with a large carry cage and inside was a beautiful cockerel! He was indeed lame, probably after having a fight with the other cockerel over their harem of female chickens! Being well handled he didn't attempt to peck me (thankfully) but just crowed at me. He was otherwise in very good condition and clearly well cared for. 'Spirit' the chicken had a swollen and painful knee. After phoning the drug manufacturer for a dose, I was able to give him some anti-inflammatory pain medication to go home with and also prescribed a good rest.
Hopefully 'Spirit' will be fine.
There is never a dull day as a vet!
Seeing this beautiful animal reminded me how lovely chickens actually are. If you have never had the pleasure of seeing a live chicken perhaps you could visit a local 'petting zoo' or farm and take a look. They have chickens at Paradise Wildlife Park who are allowed to roam about... very funny!

Lynn and me at the Ball!

Lynn Whitnall of Paradise Wildlife Park and myself at the WHF Summer Ball!

more animals at PWP

corn snake at PWP!

Wildlife Heritage Foundation Summer Charity Ball

Last Saturday I attented the Wildlife Heritage Foundation Summer Charity Ball. It was fabulous!

Despite being a bit cold, we walked around the park looking at the animals for about an hour in the evening. Then we were treated to a champagne reception with live African music and a chance to meet some animals close up! There was a beautiful corn snake and a lively skunk (called 'Pepe'!) which we were allowed to hold and also a gorgeous owl (which we couldn't hold!).

Dinner was served in a lovely marquee, beautifully decorated. The food was delicious! Again we were treated to some more African music and dancing too. Dinner was followed by speeches and a raffle and auction to raise money for Wildlife Heritage Foundation (WHF).

WHF is a specialist conservation charity based in Kent, UK. WHF works closely with Paradise Wildlife Park. The main aims of WHF are to educate people in the protection and preservation of Big Cats and the environments in which they live. They also run a breeding centre to maintain genetic diversity of Big Cats which are endangered. The hope is to be able to release these cats back into the wild when their habitats are safe.....

You can find out more about WHF by visiting their website.

Michelle will 'Bare All' for Elliot Kay on the Radio...!

Inspire A Nation On playvybz.com
'live interview, radio show, life coaching, coaching, buisness advice'

Inspire A Nation is hosted by Elliot Kay on Saturday evenings and I will be this week's guest! Exciting!
click here for more information!
I'll let you know how it goes....

Meet Veterinary Blonde at Paradise Wildlife Park!

If you want a wonderful day out come and join me in paradise!!!
Paradise Wildlife Park is in Hertfordshire and I'll be there to answer all your pet questions on the following dates-

• 26th July,
• 2nd August,
  
• 16th August
  
• and 30th August

click here for information on the park and directions!

SEE YOU THERE !!!
Lots of love Michelle Shanson, your favourite Veterinary Blonde!
xxx

MAWS Trip CANCELLED

I'm very disappointed because the trip to Botswana to work for the Mawn Animal Welfare Society has been cancelled. There is a trip going in September which I can't make because it clashes with prior arrangements. I still want to go, so will look at trips next year..... and of course keep you informed!....

Another Pet Talk Radio Show- this one will make you laugh!

Various content in this one, lots of laughs! Just click here to listen!

Big Cats at Paradise Wildlife Park

On Tuesday 10th June, I had the great pleasure of attending the Big Cat Talk and Twilight Tour at Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire ( visit www.pwpark.com ).
We were extremely lucky with the weather which added to the magic of the park.
Our guides took us to one of the big cat enclosures to meet Rocky and Narnia. Rocky is a ten year old gorgeous male cat, 80% Siberian tiger with 20% Bengal tiger. Narnia is a beautiful two year old female Bengal tiger. Both of these magnificent animals were rescued from appalling conditions in French circuses. Fortunately they are now safe and clearly very good friends! As Rocky is not a pure bred Siberian tiger he has actually been castrated.
Because it is very important to provide stimulation for the animals, we watched as the keepers fed Rocky and Narnia using 'enrichment feeding' techniques. This involved hiding small pieces of food around their enclosure so that they would have to seek it out, using all their senses, to get a full meal. This way of feeding provides the cats with mental stimulation and encourages them to move about and exercise. Rocky is a bit greedy and the keepers ensure that Narnia does get a full share!
Whilst the cats were waiting to be let back into the enclosure and find their food, they were pacing up and down. This behaviour was only an indication of excitement and anticipation. This pacing is not to be confused with 'stereotypical behaviour' which is a repetitive motion causing a release of 'happy' hormones into the brain and almost a kind of sedation- animals exhibiting this are generally very bored and have not been provided with adequate stimulation in their environment.
After some time watching Rocky and Narnia find their food, we went to listen to a talk about the plight of Big Cats in the wild.
The numbers of Big Cats remaining in the wild is plummeting. The Fur Industry is the main persecutor of Big Cats. Also Big Cat bones are used in Chinese medicine to provide 'magical cures'. The demands for these products is pushing these amazing animals onto the verge of extinction.
Did you know that 'one' fur coat actually takes multiple numbers of animals to make? For example, to make one fur coat it would take 5 Snow leopards, 15 ocelots, 80 Pallas cats or 110 Geoffroys Cats- all this death in the name of fashion is completely unnecessary and morally disgusting.
The only way to ensure that these cats actually survive extinction is for zoos like Paradise Wildlife Park to focus on the pure breeding of individual species in the hope that they may one day be safely returned to the wild.
Paradise Wildlife Park works in conjunction with Wildlife Heritage Foundation ( visit www.whf.org.uk ) which is a UK based charity working hard to ensure that the big cat species of the world are protected from extinction.
All the money raised from the Twilight Tour and raffle went directly to the Wildlife Heritage Foundation.
I had an amazing evening in the beautiful Park with the wonderful animals. It is indeed a paradise there!
Remember, zoo animals are representatives of their wild relatives. Allow yourself to open your hearts to them and be inspired to make a difference and guarantee their survival. Learn what you can and help spread the word of their plight. Together we CAN make a difference and ensure survival of these magnificent creatures.'

'compassion for animals, passion for nature'

Maun Animal Welfare Society

I've signed up to go to Botswana in August to work for the Maun Animal Welfare Society for two weeks. This is a charity aimed at developing the welfare of animals in Botswana and in particular, those of the poor. I will be working as a vet, mainly concentrating on neutering the dogs and cats there and any other surgical procedures they may require. We will also provide medical care for the animals and education for the local children about animal health and welfare.
I am waiting to find out about working visas etc and will let you know if the trip goes ahead.......

another Pet Talk Radio chat! introduced by Dolly!

This is 'Dolly' Morris, a really cute 12 week old English Bull Terrier, who I met recently for her vaccination. She would like to introduce my new chat show for Pet Talk Radio..... just click here!

Urban the Weimeraner with a tail!

This beautiful boy is Urban Rowe! He is a young adult Weimeraner WITH A TAIL! Another one of my delightful patients!

Dogs with tails!!

Since the ban on tail docking I'm glad to say that we are starting to see traditionally docked breeds growing up WITH THEIR TAILS- yippee!!
Above is a picture of one of my patients, NELL SHAWCROSS- a beautiful young Boxer WITH A TAIL!! This picture was taken in my consult room, a place that Nell loves because she gets lots of cuddles and wags her tail non-stop!!





This is an excerpt from my ebook 'Puppy Power' concerning the docking of dogs' tails-

Docking involves removing the whole or part of a puppy’s tail when it is only 3-5 days old without the use of anaesthetic. Contrary to popular opinion, a puppy CAN feel pain at this age and will generally react with whimpering, squealing, wriggling the tail stump or whole body and sometimes urination.

You may wonder why such a practice would ever be condoned and the answer is that historically it was performed as a ‘prophylactic measure’ – to prevent the risk of the dog injuring its tail during future work. In more recent times it has become merely the fashion for certain breeds, such as the Rottweiler.

In England and Wales there is now a complete ban on the docking of dogs’ tails with the only exception being for a few particular types of working dog which require specific certification, or for certain medical treatment.

In Scotland there is a complete ban on tail docking and it is not allowed for any reason whatsoever.

In Northern Ireland docking can still be performed on puppies but for truly prophylactic reasons only, and not merely on request or just because a dog is of a particular breed or type.

In those parts of the UK where tail docking is still legal under certain circumstances, it is ONLY a qualified veterinary surgeon that may perform the procedure: the challenge, however, is often finding one who is willing to, since over 90% of vets strongly object to the practice.

Any animal naturally born with a tail relies on it for a number of things, including:

Ø balance;

Ø communication;

Ø demonstrating mood and emotion.

In my opinion there is no justifiable reason for performing tail docking as a prophylactic measure since the dog experiences evident disadvantages and no genuine benefit. I am especially saddened when I see dogs which have been docked for purely fashionable reasons. I think dogs are most beautiful and magnificent with their tails, as nature intended them and would encourage anyone considering this practice (within the legal framework) to please, think again.

copyright Shanson Ltd 2008

You can get a copy of my ebook on the website veterinaryblonde!

Fleas- it's that time again!

What wondeful weather we're having!! I love the warm, sunny days. The only probem is that so do FLEAS!!
Fleas can be present all year round, it's just that the eggs hatch and the pupae develop faster in the warm, moist spring. Fleas are obviously really irritating and in some pets can actually cause allergic reactions- Flea Allergy Dermatitis is the most common cause of scratching and skin disease in cats and dogs. I have seen many cats and dogs driven mad with scratching just from fleas. Also their owners can suffer too from the flea bites!
Fleas can also transmit tapeworms so this is another reason to keep them under control.
Unfortunately I have also seen a few puppies and kittens actually DIE from anaemia caused by being covered in blood-sucking fleas.
Fortunately fleas are usually easy to deal with. There are brilliant, safe and effective products to kill fleas and protect against reinfestation available from your vet. There are also a range of products for the house too.
In my opinion, most pet shop products are a waste of money because they tend to be old fashioned products that fleas have become resistant to. I have had many exasperated clients come to the vet surgery to buy one of our products after wasting a fortune on ineffective pet shop products- a bit of a false economy really. Also the pet shop products are NOT safe to use in very young puppies and kittens so you must take these little ones to the vet if you have an obvious problem with fleas.
To increase awareness about fleas, Merial are launching 'National Flea Week' 19th-25th May. Check out their website for more information....
Have fun in this glorious weather and remember to protect your pets from fleas!

'Compassion for animals, passion for nature'

Amazing Connections

Last night I had the fortune to have dinner with an amazing man- Michael Meegan. Michael has lived in Kenya for many years, working with ICROSS to improve the lives of thousands of Kenyan people. My hope is to be able to help in a small way by working with their animals..... This is only the start of a long road learning how I can best assist. Of course I'll keep you all informed!
Please check out Michael Meegan and ICROSS.
For the moment I have introduced Michael to another amazing man Luke Gamble- we trained at Bristol Vet School together. Luke has gone on to found a wonderful charity called Worldwide Veterinary Services. WVS will be in Kenya next month and hopefully connect with Michael out there....


'Compassion for animals, passion for nature'

Pet Obesity Radio Chat!

My first ever radio chat for Pet Talk Radio can now be heard! It's about pet obesity- a growing concern in developed countries. Please have a listen by following this link- http://www.pettalkradio.com.au/audio/PTR-274-Seg-5.mp3
You'll pick up some interesting information and if you have any questions please send them to me via the 'questions box' on my website www.veterinaryblonde.com .....

'Compassion for animals, passion for nature'

June is National Microchipping Month

This is Dixie on Bournemouth beach last weekend. Because she is microchipped, if she ever got lost, I know we could find her.




I microchipped Dixie the day we got her!

National Microchipping Month is a campaign that encourages and promotes responsible pet ownership through microchipping as the preferred method of permanent pet identification.

The microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is inserted with a sterile needle under the skin at the back of the neck. In my experience, most animals don't really notice when the microchip is inserted.

Each microchip encodes a unique number which is picked up with a microchip scanner. All vets, rescue centers and police have microchip scanners and will check any lost animal brought to them.

Once microchipped, your pet's details and your details are logged with the unique number at a central database called Petlog. You just have to remember to update any change in contact details when neccessary.

Should your animal become lost, a microchip acts as a permanent form of identification and speeds your reunion with your beloved pet!

I have had animals presented to me at the surgery, lost and sometimes injured, when the microchip was the ONLY way we could contact their owner.

If your pet isn't already microchipped, please take him or her to the vet and get this done!

We can even microchip rabbits and tortoises, not just cats and dogs!

'Compassion for animals, passion for nature'

PET ‘M.O.T.s’- health checks and vaccination

Most people think that the vet is somewhere they take their pet when it is ill. Of course this is true but vets also play an important part in preventing illness and recognising the symptoms of illness at early stages when it is generally easier to start treatment.

As a vet, I recommend vaccination to prevent against infectious diseases where this is possible. There are currently vaccines available for cats, dogs and rabbits.

Taking your pet to the vet for his or her regular vaccination is, in my opinion, very important. Not only does your pet receive the protection from infectious disease from the vaccine, he or she should also receive a full health check. This health check, in my opinion, involves a weight check, examination of the eyes, ears, mouth, listening to the heart and lungs, palpating the neck, groin and abdomen, checking the anus and genitals and checking the general mobility and demeanour of the animal.

Taking your pet regularly to the vets when he or she is healthy and well also allows your pet to find the experience enjoyable rather then painful and frightening and aids a happy long term relationship with your vet practice. It is also a perfect time to discuss any preventative care, for example reducing the symptoms of arthritis as your pet ages.

As Cesar Millan, ‘the dog whisperer’ commented, having a positive state of mind and happy energy when taking your dog to the vet will rub off on your dog so that their experience is happy. Obviously it is easier to be in this state of mind when your pet is healthy and you are going to the vet for routine, preventative care.

Whenever pets come to the clinic I prefer to weigh them. Changes in weight can be a warning sign. Sometimes pets start to get overweight so slowly that their owner doesn’t actually notice. However the scales don’t lie and often the move towards obesity can be stopped in its tracks. Likewise weight loss, especially if consistent or rapid can also cause alarm bells to ring. Weight loss can be an early warning sign of many conditions, for example, kidney and thyroid disease in older cats, heart disease in older cats and dogs and dental disease in rabbits.

Many owners find it difficult to look into their pet’s mouth which can provide a wealth of information on general health. The colour of the gums, the smell of the pet’s breath and the state of the teeth can all be evaluated. Dental disease is common in all species and can be the cause of chronic pain. I have also found tumours in pets’ mouths at routine vaccination which could be removed quickly, before they had a chance to cause major problems.

Obviously pet owners are unable to listen to their pet’s heart and lungs properly. Diagnosing heart conditions before the pet becomes debilitated is very useful for implementing a long term treatment plan.

I have also palpated masses inside pets’ abdomens at routine vaccination which allowed investigation and treatment to be initiated before the animal had become very unwell.

The anus and penis or vulva of their pet, are regions many pet owners do not check themselves. Again the vaccination is a great time to make sure these areas are all normal.

There are no vaccinations for guinea pigs or ferrets but these animals can live for up to six and eight years respectively. Chinchillas can live for ten- fifteen years. It is therefore useful for these species to have a yearly check up too, checking for any changes that may indicate early signs of illness.

I love seeing happy healthy pets at vaccination or health checks, having a quick cuddle with the pet and chat with their owner. I’m sure other vets feel the same way!


Please visit my website www.veterinaryblonde.com

‘Compassion for animals, passion for nature’

Copyright © Shanson Ltd 2008

Pet Talk Radio

To find loads of really interesting pet related chat shows check out pet talk radio!
xxx

The Pet Photographer

I recently met an inspiring woman called Lori Cheung who is a professional pet photographer. I would highly recommend her for pics of your favourite pets!! Visit her website thepetphotographer and check out all the cute animal pics!!! xxxx

Play To Win!

I've just got home from a three day seminar called Play to Win which was amazing. It is an experiential seminar where you learn about all aspects of business and sharing visions and goals.
visit frontiertrainings for more info....
HAVE A BRILLIANT DAY!

Stick Injuries In Dogs

When I walk my dog I’m often astounded at the number of people I see allowing their dogs to carry sticks, play with sticks and fetch sticks that they have thrown. As a vet I see the potential disasters that can occur from this practice and wonder why people think that sticks are safe toys for dogs. I suppose that the main reason is that sticks are natural, abundant and can be left in the park at the end of the walk. Unfortunately sticks can cause a variety of injuries of varying severity, are relatively common in dogs and can in fact actually cause death.

The simple act of carrying a stick in the mouth can cause small splinters to become embedded in the soft tissues of the mouth- the lips, cheeks, tongue and oropharynx which is the area at the back of the mouth where the larynx and oesophagus start. The small splinters can create a problem because they drag bacteria into the tissues and create inflammation as the body tries to expel them, what is known as a ‘foreign body’ reaction. Often the dog does not show any signs of a problem until eventually an abscess forms. Then they experience pain in the mouth, go off their food and can start drooling.

The only way to correct the problem is to surgically excise the offending splinter. This is often easier said then done. Wood does not show up on x-ray at all and even with advanced imaging techniques such as MRI they can still be difficult to find.

If the veterinary surgeon can see the abscess itself then the whole area can be excised. This is often difficult because there are many important blood vessels and nerves in the face which can be damaged during surgery. If any abscess or splinter is left behind then the whole problem will re-flare at a later date.

Splinters can also migrate through the tissues of the mouth into the area behind the eye, into the neck and all the important structures there and even down into the chest. There is one report of splinter migration causing an abscess in the spine of the dog’s neck resulting in quadriparesis so the dog was unable to move any legs.

Abscesses forming behind the eyeball cause severe pain and often result in the whole eye being removed. Migrating splinters can cause intermittent symptoms of fever and pain as well as potentially resulting in release of bacteria from the abscesses into the blood causing septicaemia and death. Splinters reaching the chest cavity can cause abscess in the lungs which can be practically impossible to locate and excise This can mean that long term medication with antibiotics is required in a dog that has become chronically debilitated. Long term infection can even lead to immune mediated diseases such as diabetes occurring. All this is possible from a small wood splinter.

Catching a moving stick can be very dangerous for a dog. If the stick splinters on impact, then splinters can be sent deep into the tissues of the mouth and neck, lacerating important structures such as blood vessels, nerves and the oesophagus. Sometimes the whole stick can become impaled in the eye, mouth, neck or even chest if the dog catches it at the wrong angle.

Fatal injuries occur if the stick lacerates the carotid arteries in the neck or causes a ruptured oesophagus.

Please don’t take a chance with your dog.

It is natural for dogs to want to carry things, catch and fetch. If your dog likes these games please buy him or her an appropriate sized ball, Frisbee or rope toy- these toys are much cheaper financially then the vet bills associated with treating stick injuries and will avoid the emotional risk of having an ill dog or even a fatal accident from a stick injury.

Please visit my website www.veterinaryblonde.com

'Compassion for animals, passion for nature'

Copyright © Shanson Ltd 2008

Trottiscliffe Park, Kent in the Snow!

This is Zach, my husband with Dixie, on our walk this morning. Taken as a big pile of snow fell on my head!!
Oh, the joys of dog walking!!

Dixie in the SNOW!!

I can't believe the snow in April! We went out this morning and there was about 10cm of snow! Dixie was practically buried. Only yesterday we were in the same place and the sun was shining and the woods were full of bluebells. Is this is a sign of things to come- crazy weather all year?

Bones are BAD for dogs!

I was speaking with a veterinary colleague who had a long day in the surgery and spent over two hours working with one specific patient that I'd like to tell you about-

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier had been brought to the surgery just after Easter weekend. He was vomiting up blood and small shards of broken bone, crying and straining. When my colleague examined his abdomen he screamed in pain and she could feel a very hard, concrete-like mass in his rectum. This poor dog had been fed the left-over from Easter Sunday lunch which was basically COOKED LAMB BONE. Now the crunched up pieces of bone had impacted into a hard mass in his rectum.

He was admitted and anaesthetised. Xrays of his abdomen revealed lots of small pieces of bone in his stomach and a 'concreted' mass of bone in his rectum. He was put on intravenous fluid and given a soapy enema that took 1.5 hours to fully soften the faeces and allow it's removal. My colleague was really worried about the damge to the rectum from the sharp pieces of bone and concerned that it may perforate and lead to an infection of the abdomen. Thankfully this didn't happen. Over the next few days the small pieces of bone in the stomach moved through and the discomfort was controlled with pain medication. Happily the Staffi made a full recovery.
HE WAS LUCKY.

Perforation of gut by sharp pieces of bone can happen and can result in death. Pieces of bone can become stuck at any point along the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation and pain, possible obstruction and possible perforation. Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract causes severe debilitation and must be corrected surgically. This is of course a horrible experience for the dog, distressing for the owner and also expensive.

So, please DON'T feed your dog BONES of ANY description. Lets PREVENT problems like this from happening in the first place.


please visit my website www.veterinaryblonde.com

'compassion for animals, passion for nature'

Copyright © Shanson Ltd 2008

veterinaryblonde on film!

Today I was filmed for a short presentation to be posted on my website in the next few weeks... after editing etc. It was a bit nerve-racking intially and weird speaking to a camera! I had to imagine the camera was a friendly 'alien' that was having a chat with me! So, I imagined the camera was 'E.T.'! Wasn't that a great film!? Anyway it was fun in the end and I hope you enjoy it when it's posted...

This is my dog DIXIE enjoying herself on a walk!

VET FEES from the VET’S PERSPECTIVE

There has been publicity over the years about the rising cost of vet fees. As a vet I am concerned about the misconception some people have about why vet fees are on the increase. The most common comment made directly to myself is ‘oh! You’re a vet, you must be loaded, vet bills are so high’. In fact most vets earn a respectable wage but generally still less then their medical equivalents- doctors and dentists.

The reason that vet fees are rising is because the service being offered is getting better and better. The body of professional knowledge continually increases. Vets are able to offer more diagnostics and treatments then ever before. If they don’t charge for these services how can they offer them?

Many practices now have ultrasound machines, endoscopes and some have digital x-ray machines. Some referral practices now also have CT and MRI facilities. These pieces of equipment allow vets to diagnose conditions which would have been much more difficult before their advent. Examples of such conditions include brain tumours, spinal cord lesions, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, elbow dysplasia and pancreatic tumours.

Previous diagnostic methods may have been much more invasive and dangerous to the animal. Some conditions may not even have been possible to diagnose.

Because of these technical developments animals are able to be diagnosed and then treated for a lot more conditions now then ever before. However, the cost of purchasing these pieces of equipment can reach hundreds of thousands of pounds. Unfortunately some of the cost must be passed on to the client in the fees.

As veterinary knowledge expands animals are also treated for a variety of conditions that may have resulted in euthanasia at other times in history. Examples include successfully managing kidney failure in cats, overactive thyroids in cats, diabetes in cats and dogs, dental disease in rabbits, bladder stones in guinea pigs. Many tumours are now successfully cured or palliated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Hip replacements are now possible for dogs with debilitating hip dysplasia.

I think these advances in veterinary care are amazing!

We are very lucky in the UK to have subsidised dental care and ‘free’ health care. Of course we pay for these services with our taxes but we don’t see the actual bills for individual treatments. If we did I’m sure we would appreciate what good value veterinary care actually is!

Also, one needs to remember that the costs of running the actual premises of the surgery are increasing slowly all the time. There are mortgages, council tax, water bills, electricity and gas bills, buildings and indemnity insurance, telephone bills, internet connection, computer system hosting to consider. Waste disposal is also a huge expense for a veterinary surgery. There is clinical waste to consider as well as normal paper based waste. I’m sure there are other costs to consider that I’ve not mentioned!

Surgeries that employ fully qualified nurses will also have higher training and employment costs. It is very important the veterinary nurses and veterinarians continually refresh and update their knowledge by attending Continuing Professional Development courses. Again these cost money!

When you get your next vet bill, please remember that you are paying for the expertise of the veterinary staff and support staff, the medications and equipment costs and all the costs involved in running an actual building. Vet practices, in my experience, generally charge fairly for the services they provide and generally profits are ploughed back into the practice to keep offering better and better services.

I hope this has helped in providing some explanation about the costs of veterinary care. Also, please discuss pet insurance with your veterinary surgery. I highly recommend pet insurance so that if your beloved pet should need veterinary care for an illness or accident, the worry of the fees will be lessened.

Please visit my website www.veterinaryblonde.com

‘Compassion for animals, passion for nature’

Copyright © Shanson Ltd 2008

HOW TO UNDERSTAND YOUR VET

Having worked as a vet in small animal practice for almost nine years, I realise most clients only retain about 50% of what we discuss in the consult room.

I think this is because clients often feel stressed at the vet- they are worried about their pet, there is often quite a bit of noise, they may have waited a while in the reception area, they may not have good grounding in medical knowledge.

Unfortunately in general practice vets only have 10-15minutes per client to complete a history of the problem, physical examination of the pet, make a decision on an action plan and discuss everything with the owner. We may then have to dispense medication as well.

In this short time how can you, the pet owner, ensure you understand your vet?

My advice is to stay as calm as possible, bring a book to read whilst you wait or have a pleasant chat with the reception staff or other clients. (Obviously in an acute emergency you would be seen very quickly and would understandably be stressed but, thankfully, this is not a common reason for going to the vet).

Remember the vet wants you to understand and has the welfare of your pet as the highest priority. I have never thought an owner ignorant or stupid for asking questions so don’t be shy to say that you don’t understand. So, remember to ask the vet as many questions as you need to.

Taking notes is very helpful, then if you do forget or become confused about what was discussed, you can refer to your notes later on.

When it is very busy or your pet is especially unwell, the vet may not have much time to go into detailed explanations straight away. In this case you need to trust their expertise and wait to have a more detailed conversation later.

Sometimes it is easier to speak with your vet later on the telephone or come back for a consultation without your pet to worry about.

Other staff at the surgery can also be a wealth of information. Nurses and reception staff can often spend more time with you then the vet and can be very helpful in explaining some more common or basic problems.

Remember that the vet is on your side! We want to work as a team to ensure the best treatment for your pet. If you don’t understand just say so and ask for further explanation. I’m sure your vet will be happy to help.

Please visit my website www.veterinaryblonde.com

‘Compassion for animals, passion for nature’

Copyright © Shanson Ltd 2008