Charity Offers Advice To Concerned Pet Owners At Crufts

04 Mar 2009 - 16:14

As thousands of people prepare to descend on Crufts on Thursday for the annual celebration of all things canine, The Blue Cross animal charity is gearing up to offer advice and support to dog lovers who are concerned about recent controversy surrounding the health of pedigree dogs.

A survey of more than 1,000 pet owners, conducted by The Blue Cross earlier this year revealed that 74% were concerned about the issue of inherited health defects in some dog breeds, but 38% felt powerless to do anything about it.

Furthermore, while 33% of pet owners thought they would be able to help reduce the problem if they knew more about it, 65% did not know where to find reliable information about the health and welfare of pedigree dogs.

In response to these findings, the charity has produced a guide to pedigree dog health, containing practical steps that every dog lover can take to help make a difference through making informed choices and supporting responsible breeding practices.

Kim Hamilton, Blue Cross chief executive, said: “While there is some very positive work going on at high-level to tackle the problem of inherited diseases in dogs, we mustn’t forget the millions of pet owners in this country who also have a powerful voice.

“The British public has voted with its feet on other animal welfare issues in the past and we believe that by making the right choices, every single pet owner can make a difference to the health of pedigree dogs.”

As one of the UK’s oldest animal charities with a network of animal adoption centres and hospitals, The Blue Cross sees the impact of irresponsible breeding practises on all species of companion animals and is well placed to offer trusted, independent advice to pet owners.

Information on choosing the right pet will be handed out at Crufts from the charity’s stand (84) in Hall 2. Visitors will also be able to benefit from a jargonbuster guide to some of the more confusing terms in pedigree dog health - as well as a list of the key attributes of the top ten most popular pedigree dog breeds.

Experienced Blue Cross staff will be on hand to offer advice on all aspects of pet ownership, and a selection of more than 70 free advice leaflets will be on display for visitors to take away.

Debbie Curtis, The Blue Cross head of communications added: “We know that three quarters of pet owners are concerned about inherited health defects in dogs, so we will be attending Crufts to provide as much information as possible so that every pet lover can help us achieve a brighter future for our pets.”

Further advice is available to download free from www.bluecross.org.uk/pedigree and www.allaboutpets.org.uk - the charity’s online community for pet lovers.

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.

—

Looking for pet insurance? Compare and review pet insurance at www.UkPetInsuranceReview.com

Dog Owners More Likely To Share Germs With Pets By Not Washing Hands Than By Sleeping With Dog

Dog owners who sleep with their pet or permit licks on the face are in good company. Surveys show that more than half of owners bond with their pets in these ways.

Research done by a veterinarian at Kansas State University found that these dog owners are no more likely to share the same strains of E. coli bacteria with their pets than are other dog owners.

Dr. Kate Stenske, a clinical assistant professor at K-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, studied this association as part of her doctoral research at the University of Tennessee. The research is scheduled to appear in an upcoming issue of the American Journal of Veterinary Research.

Stenske said the finding that these human-animal bonding behaviors aren’t more likely to spread germs is good news because there are physical and psychological benefits of pet ownership.

“I became interested in the topic because there is such a strong bond between dogs and their owners,” Stenske said. “If you look at one study, 84 percent of people say their dog is like a child to them.”

Stenske said surveys also show that nearly half of all dog owners share food with their dogs, and more than half allow the dog to sleep in the bed and lick them on the face.

“We also know diseases can be shared between dogs and people,” Stenske said. “About 75 percent of emerging diseases are zoonotic, meaning they are transferrable between humans and other animals. With these two pieces of knowledge, I wanted to examine the public health aspects of such activities.”

Stenske’s study centered on E. coli bacteria, which is common in the gastrointestinal tracts of both dogs and humans.

Remember you can rate this article, along with any other at Pet Insurance Review. You can use the star rating system or leave your own review.

“People have it, dogs have it, and it normally doesn’t cause any problems,” she said. “But it can acquire genes to make it antibiotic resistant.”

The study examined fecal samples from dogs and their owners and looked at the bacteria’s DNA fingerprints. Stenske found that 10 percent of dog-human pairs shared the same E. coli strains. She also found that the E. coli had more resistance to common antibiotics than expected, although the owners had more multiple-drug resistant strains than their pets.

“This make us think that dogs are not likely to spread multiple drug-resistant E. coli to their owners, but perhaps owners may spread them to their dogs,” Stenske said. “What we learn from this is that antibiotics really do affect the bacteria within our gastrointestinal tract, and we should only take them when we really need to — and always finish the entire prescription as directed.”

The research showed that bonding behaviors like sharing the bed or allowing licks on the face had no association to an increase in shared E. coli. However, Stenske said the research did show an association between antibiotic-resistant E. coli and owners who didn’t wash their hands after petting their dogs or before cooking meals.

“We should use common sense and practice good general hygiene,” she said.

Stenske said future research might focus on the relationship between shared E. coli and the behaviors of cat owners. Not only is cat ownership higher than dog ownership in the United States, but cats also interact with people in different ways than dogs, she said.

“We have a lot to learn,” Stenske said. “In the meantime, we should continue to own and love our pets because they provide a source of companionship. We also need to make sure we are washing our hands often.”

Source: ScienceDaily

Adapted from materials provided by Kansas State University.

Common Pet Health Problems and Solutions

Fleas

Fleas are nasty little critters that can infest your home and make your pets miserable. To rid your pets and home of fleas you must attack them from all sides. To combat fleas you have to make sure that you treat your pets and all indoors and outdoors of your home.

You can begin by using a product that prevents the flea pupa from leaving the egg. You can get this type of medicine from your vet. It is usually prescribed in tablet form which is given to your pet once a month. This treatment prevents flea breeding but does not kill fleas. You will want to also use a product which will kill adult fleas; some type of topical insecticide. These types of products are usually in aerosol form. They work by dissolving into the fatty skin tissue of your pet which means your pet will still be protected after shampooing. Some of these products last up to 3 months. You can also use flea powder and flea collars on your cats and dogs. You should also use a flea spray for your home. Make sure it is the kind of spray that takes care of both adult fleas and their larvae. Most of these types of products last up to 7 months. The most important step is to vacuum thoroughly and often. Vacuuming is very effective and should be done daily.

Worms

A person should have their cats and dogs wormed regularly. The reason for this is that worms carried by cats and dogs can be a health risk to other people and animals. There are many different types of worms and parasites that your pet can be infected with. Since young animals have a lower resistance to infection and unborn pups and kittens can be infected while in their mother’s womb. It is important to start worming pups and kittens at about two weeks of age. There are different types of worms, including; roundworms, tapeworms, whip worms, and hookworms. Since all of these types of worms are common in pets it is hard to prevent them from getting infected; but you can control them by worming your pet on a regular treatment schedule. Usually the doses can be giving orally in powder, liquid or tablet form. By using preventive care and making sure that your cat or dog is wormed at least every three to four months you can control infestations.

Ear Mites

Ear mites are very small parasites who infect the ears of cats and dogs and live in the ear canals. Ear mites are highly contagious among animals. Ear mites can be seen using a magnifying glass or by looking at a sample of tissue from the ear under a microscope. These types of parasites are not always easy to see with the naked eye. Unfortunately, if one of your pets has ear mites then the rest of your pets probably do too. Ear mites easily spread between animals. It is also a good idea to use flea products on their bodies as well, such as flea powder or flea shampoo. Ear mites can be found on other areas of the body besides the ears. It is also recommended that you wash the pet’s bedding. The type of treatment for ear mites depends on how severe the infestation is. Your veterinarian can prescribe ear medications with anti inflammatory ingredients which will give your pet relief. If the ear mites are severe you may need your pet’s ears cleaned along with ear medication.

Today with things such as the cost of medical treatment and veterinarian visits for your pets at a all time high and still increasing; a smart move is to buy pet insurance. This will give you piece of mind and the ability to take care of your four legged family members in case of a medical emergency or injury. You can get pet insurance on older pets too. They don’t have to be puppies or kittens to be eligible; as long as you keep the premiums up they will be covered for their lifetime.

So please visit us to see how we can help protect your pet - you can buy online easily too at Pet Insurance by Animal Friends.

Pet Slimmer of the Year

Weight and obesity always seem to be hot topics in the news. Yet it’s not just people that need to watch the pounds, our pet dogs are just as at risk from the health implications of obesity as we are.

A Labrador dog has been crowned pet slimmer of the year in a UK wide competition after shedding 9 and a half kilos! A diet of fatty foods, and too many of them and the extra weight piled on Oscar, the black Labrador.

A one hundred day diet of water and dog biscuits, along with regular exercise and Oscar is now unrecognisable as a slim fit and energetic pet. Well done Oscar!

No matter what breed they are, all dogs enjoy food. Most of them would eat you out of house and home given half a chance but it is important not to indulge your pup too often. Like us humans they need a balanced diet and lots of exercise.

Pets to be given same costly lifesaving procedures as health service

One of the country’s leading veterinary surgeons has revealed plans for a pet hospital that will offer treatments as sophisticated as anything available to humans on the NHS.

Pets to be given same costly lifesaving procedures as health service

Read more Pet news at UK Pet Insurance Review

Arthritis cases in pets on the rise in winter

Does your pet look a bit stiff while walking and having trouble getting up from a lying position these days?

If yes, then its time to consult a vet as these are symptoms of arthritis which gets aggravated among the canines in winter.

Arthritis cases in pets on the rise in winter

Read more Pet news at UK Pet Insurance Review