Don’t let pets pass on bugs
Owning a pet is one of life’s pleasures and can be good for children and adults.
Pet owners have a reduced risk of heart disease and tend to visit the doctor less often with other illnesses. Stroking a pet can aid stress relief and caring for a pet helps children to learn nurturing skills.
However, people are sometimes worried they may pick up diseases from pets. This does not happen very often, it is more common for illness to be passed on from another human, but keeping your pets healthy is an important precaution.
US: Pet Dental Health Week
The American Dental Association estimates that almost 80 percent of adults brush their teeth at least twice a day. Keeping our teeth clean is vital to our oral health and well being, and it shouldn’t be any different for our pets.
When is the last time you brushed Fido’s teeth or had them professionally cleaned? Pets need dental care, just as people do. Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, urges pet owners not to neglect their pet’s pearly whites.
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three. Dr. Brooke Niemiec, doctor of veterinary medicine, recommends an annual dental exam for all pets, but believes a bi-annual exam is needed for small and toy breeds.
“The main reason that pets need a dental exam is because pets do not show their oral infection or pain, yet a vast majority of pets have a problem in their mouth,” said Niemiec. “These problems cause not only local issues, but systemic disease as well.”
Niemiec treats the same problems over and over again in the animals he cares for. Periodontal disease is the most common problem for both dogs and cats. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an infection resulting from the build-up of plaque on the surfaces of the teeth surrounding the gums. If plaque is allowed to accumulate, it will irritate the gum tissue. This will eventually lead to infection in the bone surrounding the teeth.
He also sees regular cases of broken teeth, oral cancer, jaw fractures, orthodontic disease and tooth resorption in cats, which is the loss of tooth enamel that eventually leads to the loss of the tooth structure.
Dr. Tony Woodward, doctor of veterinary medicine, also sees similar issues in his patients. He cautions that even though there are not any specific warning signs to watch for, pets tend to act older.
“Besides the few obvious problems, like broken teeth or extremely bad breath, animals don’t really show symptoms from their dental problems,” explained Woodward. “Pets do become hesitant to eat and seem to think about eating before diving right in when suffering from periodontal disease or other dental issues.”
Both dentists stress the importance of preventative at-home care to help combat dental disease in pets and feel it is a critical part of dental care. Plaque forms on teeth within 24 hours and studies have shown areas can become re-infected with two weeks of a cleaning.
Woodward suggests four steps to help ward off gum disease and bad breath. The most important aspect of at-home care is to brush your pet’s teeth once or twice a day between one-two minutes. In addition, Woodward also advises pet owners to utilize oral rinses, as well as pet food and treats designed specifically to improve and promote oral health.
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) has compiled a list of products that are intended to help reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth of animals and created the VOHC seal of approval.
Niemiec suggests at-home dental care can be successful if started young, done consistently and made into a positive experience for the pet.
Schedule your pet for a dental exam today. For more information, please visit Pet Dental Health Month.
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Dignity For Owners And Pets
Leading veterinary charity PDSA has announced the launch of an innovative scheme to help supporters beat the credit crunch and raise funds for sick and injured pets.
As the average cost of a funeral continues to rise, PDSA has joined forces with one of Britain’s largest providers of funeral services to offer a range of pre-paid funeral plans.
The joint initiative with Dignity Funeral Plans will cover policyholders’ funeral expenses with a donation being made to PDSA for every plan purchased, helping the charity to achieve its goal of funding treatment for pets in need of vets.
John Cole, PDSA Head of Direct Marketing, said, “We believe that this scheme will appeal to the many people across Britain who support the very vital work we do as a charity as well as providing them with peace of mind.
“It’s never easy to talk about planning a funeral, whether it’s your own or that of a loved one. However, dealing with arrangements in advance, including the cost, is a practical and sensible thing to do and can also bring comfort at a most sensitive time.”
A Special Appeal for Black and Black & White Cats Who Are Normally Overlooked
February 23, 2009 by admin
Filed under Animal Charities
Two beautiful black and white cats
Celia Hammond Animal Trust Appeal
Celia Hammond was a famous model of the sixties who gave up everything to dedicate her life to helping animals in need. In 1986 Celia set up a charity called the Celia Hammond Animal Trust (C.H.A.T) to bring responsible pet ownership within the reach of everyone.
Celia has recently made a very important appeal regarding the difficulties they have had re-homing black and black and white cats.
Celia Hammond’s appeal states:
Our shelters always have many black and black and white cats looking for new homes. We are asking all potential adopters not to overlook cats just because they are black or black and white and, if needed, to try and see through the cats initial nervous nature - many have had their worlds turned upside down, losing their homes, often through no fault of their own. Some have been cruelly treated and of course they will take time and human effort to learn trust again - they just need to be given the chance.
Celia Hammond has asked prospective owners if they would like to home an animal from C.H.A.T. to please see the Celia Hammond Animal Trusts ‘Animals for Homing’ pages or call their centres for more information. See relevant details below.
Don’t worry if you live to far away from C.H.A.T. to help re-home an animal, you can also help by donating well needed funds at the link below:
Also if you have any unwanted mobile phones, broken jewelery, watches or foreign coins, C.H.A.T has joined up with a recycling company to help C.H.A.T. raise well needed funds. For more information on this recycling scheme please call C.H.A.T.’s Head Office on 01892 783367 or send them an email info@celiahammond.org
You will find there are many animal charities right on your door step, so should Celia Hammond Animal Trust Centres be to far away please don’t hesitate to contact a local charity as there animals would be just as grateful of your help.
CANNING TOWN BRANCH
151-153 Barking Road, Canning Town, London, E16 4HQ
Tel: 020 7474 8811 (Weekdays, 10am - 5.30pm)
Email: canningtown@celiahammond.org
LEWISHAM BRANCH
233-235 Lewisham Way, Lewisham
Tel: 0208 694 6545 - RESCUE AND REHOMING ENQUIRIES ONLY
Email: lewisham@celiahammond.org
TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH
Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Tel: 01892 514655. Email: tunwells@celiahammond.org
GREENACRES SANCTUARY
Brede, Near Hastings, East Sussex, TN31 6BT
Tel: 01424 882198 (please phone for an appointment first)
Email: info@celiahammond.org
Please remember that most charities are very busy and can often take a while to get back to prospective owners. Don’t let this put you off, it just means they’re out looking after your future member of family. It takes a lot of time and money to do this, something I’m sure we all appreciate.
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Pet euthanasia service prosecuted
A company called Pet Heaven are being prosecuted in the US for a mobile pet euthanasia service they offered.
Pet lovers told to avoid online scammers
Pet lovers are being warned to be on alert for an online scam taking advantage of dog buyers.
The threat emerged as The News reported yesterday how a family from Portsmouth had been conned out of £716 by an African gang, with the false promise of a puppy being delivered.
The Dunkley family were hit by the scammers when daughter Chalsea selected a cute poodle puppy from an online advert.
Snow: Dumped kittens rescued
Two kittens were rescued in the village of Syresham, Northamptonshire - having been left in just a card box with no bedding or food, reports the BBC.
To make matters worse the incident happened on Monday - in some of the worst snow the UK has seen in a decade.
[The kittens] used up one of their nine lives when they were found abandoned in a box as heavy snow began to fall.
The pair were dumped, without bedding or food, next to a bus stop in the village of Syresham, Northamptonshire, as temperatures plummeted on Monday.
Francine Wilkins discovered the four-month-old brothers and took them to the RSPCA where they were given a clean bill of health despite their ordeal.
Ms Wilkins decided to keep one and her friend plans to take in the other.
RSPCA inspector Claire Ryder urged people not to abandon unwanted pets, especially in the cold weather.
She said: “People who don’t want their pets for whatever reason should make sure they find a new home for them.
“There are organisations like the RSPCA who will help.
“You must never abandon animals, especially in this sort of weather when they have little chance of surviving for long.”
Churchill Pet Insurance
From the Churchill Pet Insurance website:
Cat insurance overview
- From just £5.50 a month
inclusive of insurance premium tax- 10% discount
when you buy online- Up to £3,000 for vet’s fees
for 12 months from the start of each new condition, including up to £1,000 towards complementary treatment- Up to £1,000 for advertising and reward
if your cat is lost or stolen- Up to £500 of your cat’s purchase price if your cat dies
due to accident or illnessDog insurance overview
- From just £8.50 a month
inclusive of insurance premium tax- 10% discount
when you buy online- Up to £3,000 for vet’s fees
for 12 months from the start of each new condition, including up to £1,000 towards complementary treatment- Up to £1,000 for advertising and reward
if your dog is lost or stolen- Up to £500 of your dog’s purchase price if your dog dies
due to accident or illness
Our revew:
Churchill are a big brand in insurance.