Pleasing 4 Pets

UK Veterinary Charity, The Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals more commonly known as the PDSA, has released a list of the top ten most bizarre items removed by their registered veterinary surgeons from the stomachs of poorly pets.

Items on the list included a kitchen knife and a rubber duck.

One senior veterinary surgeon for the trust, Sean Wensley commented:-

“There is a medical term for pets eating strange objects - pica.

Dogs, especially puppies and younger dogs use their mouth to investigate objects as well as to eat. Sometimes a dog will swallow an object by mistake, even though it had only meant to investigate it.

PDSA is urging pet owners to do a ‘pet safety audit’ of their homes to identify and remove any dangers.

Owners should give their pets the chance to investigate new objects by providing them with plenty of pet-safe toys to play with.”

The complete list was published as follows:-:

1. Ten-inch tent peg
2. Christmas decoration (star shaped)
3. Kitchen knife
4. Alphabet fridge magnets
5. Man’s wig
6. Ann Summers underwear
7. Bell
8. Fishing hook
9. Socks
10. Rubber duck

Pet owners who would like further information regarding pet safety in the home can visit www.pdsa.org.uk/petcareleaflets for a free copy of the PDSA Pet Safety Indoors leaflet.

UK Veterinary Charity, The Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) issued a stark reminder to pet owners recently, warning them of the dangers of hypothermia and frostbite in pets during the winter months.

Despite often having thick coats of fur, the PDSA confirmed that any animal has the potential to develop frostbite after ongoing contact with any cold surface, although Hypothermia is more likely to be seen in small, aged or sick animals, particularly in breeds with thinner coats or naturally low body fat.

The PDSA advises owners of small furries, such as Guinea pigs and Rabbits to house them indoors during sever winter weather. Puppies and kittens experience particular difficulties controlling the temperature of their bodies and the PDSA recommends that they are kept indoors during spells of cold weather.

The charity also advises pet owners to dress smaller dogs particularly those with thinner fur, appropriately, and to remember to clean and dry body and paws thoroughly when they have been outside in cold or wet weather.

One senior veterinary surgeon, Sean Wensley revealed that shivering in an animal is the primary sign that an animal is cold, but that shivering stops when an animals body temperature becomes critically lowered after which animals appear subdued with cold paws and ears. He said:-

“Frostbite, which develops through prolonged contact with cold surfaces, can affect a pet’s ears, paws, tail, scrotum and mammary glands. Affected skin will at first appear white and will be itchy and painful.

In severe cases, the skin will turn black. Owners should check their pet over regularly as a pet’s fur can hide frostbite damage. The first thing you should do if you suspect your pet is suffering from hypothermia or frostbite is to make sure they are dry.

Then, gradually raise their body temperature by placing them next to a well-covered hot water bottle or use a hair dryer, on a low heat. It is very important to call or visit your vet for advice.

Don’t ignore the signs of possible hypothermia and don’t take any chances.

It’s easy for us to wrap up warm and add on layers to keep us snug, but it’s not that simple for our pets, That’s why, at PDSA, we are keen to give owners some important seasonal advice to help keep their pets safe and healthy as the cold winter weather sets in.”

The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) has chosen 8 of the UK’s most overweight pets to compete against each other in a battle to lose weight and win the title of Pet Fit Club Champ.

The domestic pets will each be required to follow a strict, but healthy diet, and whichever manages to lose the greatest percentage of its total body weight will be crowned the winner.

Contenders for the title will have 100 days to lose their excess weight.

Throughout 2007, approximately 30% of dogs in the UK were classed as being overweight, a worrying rise of 9% on the previous years figures.

One senior vet at the PDSA believes that pet owners who overfeed their pets are largely to blame and do not realise that they could be putting their beloved pets at risk of future health problems, he commented:-

“Many owners admit to spoiling and over feeding their pets. Alongside their daily portions of pet food, owners often show their affection by giving unhealthy human treats such as cheese, buttered toast and biscuits. They don’t realise they are actually killing their pets with kindness”.

The eight contenders for the title of Pet Fit Club Champion are:

German Shepherd Alfie, aged 7, from Broadway, Edinburgh, 57.3kg (126lb)

Yorkshire Terrier Paddy, 13, from Bradmore, Wolverhampton, 6kg (13lb)

Cavalier King Charles spaniel Bo, 2, from Hebburn, Gateshead, 19.75kg (44lb)

Beagle Toby, 5, from Southport, Merseyside 22.8kg (50lb)

Labrador Keano, five, from Plymouth, 46kg (101lb)

Cocker Spaniel cross Sam, five, from Llandaff, Cardiff, 20kg (44lb)

Cat Tinks, 13, from Walderslade, Gillingham, Kent 9.8kg (22lb)

Jack Russell Roxy, six, from Croydon, 9.35kg (21lb)

A leading UK veterinary charity, the PDSA which has been running for some 91 years, has revealed huge increased in the number of rabbits diagnosed with myxomatosis over the past 12 month period.

Myxomatosis is a disease which can often be fatal to pet rabbits, and PetAid animal hospitals in the South East and the west Midlands have reported dramatic rises in the numbers of cases being presented at facilities there, whilst similar facilities in both Hull and Romford have reported a massive 300% surge in the numbers of cases of the disease.

Myxomatosis can be spread amongst a rabbit population by flies or fleas that bite as well as by contact with other infected rabbits.

Symptoms of the disease include lethargy, lack of appetite and inflammation of the rabbit’s eyelids, head and genitals.

Sean Wensley, a PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon offered advice to worried rabbit owners, saying:-

“The effects of the myxomatosis virus are very distressing to witness and are usually fatal. By the time clinical signs have developed, such as facial and genital swelling, it is often too late to be able to help affected rabbits.

Myxomatosis is preventable through vaccination and protecting pet rabbits from disease and suffering should be a priority. I strongly advise owners to ask their vet about vaccinations, as well as how to minimise numbers of biting insects.

PDSA is drawing attention to these outbreaks because rabbit owners should be aware that myxomatosis is present and can cause terrible suffering if rabbits are not protected from the disease.”

He concluded there was presently no proof of a countrywide pandemic or of the disease being transmitted to any other species of animal.