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Beating the Bulge

Is your dog a little over weight? Are you struggling to find the way to get your slim line dog back? I’ve been there with Daphne, so here are a few ideas to help.

Here is a list of safe vegetables to feed your dog. Feed in small amounts.
Broccoli – raw or steamed
Brussel Sprouts
Carrots – raw, steamed or boiled
Celery
Green beans
Peas – sugar snap, garden peas and mage tout
Sweet potatoes – plain, boiled ort steamed
Sweetcorn – fresh cooked corn – CUT OFF THE COB.

 

French word for snake is SERPENT

Top 5 Reasons to Feed Carrots to Your Dogs

1. Carrots help keep your dog’s dental health! 
As loving pet parents, one of the challenges we all face is keeping our dog’s teeth clean. Raw and frozen carrots gently scrape the teeth to help remove plague.

2) Carrots are a low calorie, low-fat treat for dogs.  
Carrots can provide dogs with low-calorie satisfaction for sweet and crunchy cravings between feedings.  Carrots are low calorie and low fat—with only about four calories per baby carrot— making them a healthy treat option.

3) Carrots can help canines with bowel movement regularity. 
Carrots are high in soluble fiber, and are therefore effective at adding bulk to a dogs stools if they have a loose stomach. Add carrots gradually to your dogs diet to get them used to the additional fibre plus ensure there is plenty of drinking water available.

4) Carrots are rich in beta-carotene.
Carrots can help protect and improve your dogs eyesight

5) Carrots are rich in Vitamin A. 
Vitamins .support many critical roles in your dog’s diet and are essential for growth and health maintenance. Carrots are rich in Vitamin A, providing a host of nutritional benefits to your dog.  Beyond supporting eye health, it also assists in supporting a thriving immune system and healthy skin and coat.
Remember though too much vitamin A can build up in the body and become toxic.

Prevention:
If you hear toads croaking when your dogs are outside at night, it is best to keep your dog on a lead. Be vigilant and if you see any of the signs of your dog in distress as above, call a vet immediately.

Information reference: Veterostrenen

Snakes

Most snakes in France are entirely harmless and only one person in 10 years dies because of venom from a snake bite. Snakes will normally go to great lengths to avoid humans and other animals and will usually only bite if disturbed unexpectedly or if injured. Even with that, the maximum strike range of a snake is about one half of its body length, so you or your dog would be extremely unlucky to be struck by a snake and with that a poisonous one.

Show a little caution when moving objects, or putting your hand into places, that could be possible hiding places for a snake, such as log piles or water meter boxes.

Approximately 80% of pets survive a snake bite if treated quickly, so a prompt response is essential.

French word for snake is SERPENT

Recognize the Symptoms

  • Trembling, shaking or twitching of muscles
  • Diarrhea and/or vomiting
  • Unsteadiness/weakness in hind legs
  • Excessive salivation, drooling or frothing at the mouth
  • Bloody urine
  • Dilated pupils
  • Paralysis
  • Evidence of bite wounds and pain/swelling around a bite site. In many cases, there may be minimal pain and swelling so this isn’t the most reliable way of determining whether your pet got bitten or not — you still have to watch for the other signs.

Urgent veterinary assistance should be sought.

Call the clinic ahead of your arrival so that the team can make the necessary preparations to treat your pet as soon as you arrive.
Important: You will probably be asked to identify the snake, but do not attempt to catch or kill it.

https://vetsoftherockies.com/education/how-to-treat-a-snake-bite-on-a-dog/

Prevention:
If you hear toads croaking when your dogs are outside at night, it is best to keep your dog on a lead. Be vigilant and if you see any of the signs of your dog in distress as above, call a vet immediately.

Information reference: Veterostrenen

Toads

There are several species of toads in France, including the common toad and the natterjack Toad. Unfortunately, they are all toxic to animals who lick the powerful secretions on their skin.

As they have very little need for water except when breeding or laying eggs, they can often be found in dry areas, such as gardens, bushes, forests, and up mountains even at 3000m for some species. They are active mainly at night and can often be heard with their characteristic vocals.

The powerful toxins secreted from the skin can cause symptoms in just a few minutes including kidney issues, stress, breathing difficulties and increased heart rate.

French word for toad is ‘CRAPAUD’ pronounced CRA-POH

Recognise the symptoms:
If your dog suddenly starts

  • vomiting
  • having diarrhoea
  • convulsing
  • salivating
  • licking carpets or furniture
  • rubbing its face
  • is disorientated

these could all be signs of licking a toad.

Urgent veterinary assistance should be sought.

The vet will no doubt rinse the mouth and nose and administer anti histamines, anti-convulsant plus other treatments. Eye care may also be necessary.

Prevention:
If you hear toads croaking when your dogs are outside at night, it is best to keep your dog on a lead. Be vigilant and if you see any of the signs of your dog in distress as above, call a vet immediately.

Information reference: Veterostrenen

Poisonous Portions for Dogs

Alcohol

Dogs are affected more strongly than humans by alcohol. Your dogs liver, stomach and kidneys can be badly damaged by alcohol.

Caffeine

The caffeine in coffee and tea is a  stimulant and can make dogs anxious, hyperactive, and affect their heart. Too much can even cause collapse or a seizure. 

Chocolate

A BIG no-no is chocolate. It contains theobromine – a substance similar to caffeine that’s poisonous for dogs.

Xylitol

Sugar is generally bad for dogs, so dont give them human biscuits, cakes or sweets. Xylitol is a common artificial sweetener, and is toxic for dogs – it’s often in things you wouldn’t expect (like peanut butter).

Most nuts

Avoid giving your dog any type of nut. Most nuts can leave your dog very poorly – and macadamia nuts are particularly dangerous, as they can cause vomiting, fever, and muscle weakness.

Apple pips

Apple pips contain cyanide – so ditch the core, and serve tasty pip-free slices instead.

Milk and cheese

Dogs can’t digest lactose properly, so it’s best to avoid feeding them milk, cheese, or any other high-lactose dairy products.

Blue cheese

Blue cheese can be especially dangerous. It releases roquefortine C – a toxin that, in severe cases, can cause tremors and seizures.

Grapes, raisins, and currants

These are all highly toxic, causing serious problems – including kidney failure. If your dog gets hold of these, it’s best to get them to the vet quickly.

Onions, garlic, and leeks

These all contain thiosulphate which causes gastrointestinal problems and severe anemia. Lots of dishes contain any one of these, so keep anything risky out of reach.

Avocado

This brunch staple contains persin – a chemical that can upset your dog’s stomach. 

Shellfish

Many types of fish are fine for dogs, however,  shellfish like crab, prawns, and crayfish contain pathogens that can make your dog very unwell. Shellfish also has high levels of an amino acid called histidine, which can cause an allergic reaction.

Bones

Cooked bones are brittle, meaning pieces can break off and get stuck in your dog’s throat or digestive system. Raw bones must be stored properly, as they can carry nasty bacteria that will upset your dog’s stomach

Be vigilant when your dog is around human food and drink. Never leave any food unattended or within reach, which could cause illness to your dog.

Information reference: 

tails.com

Dog Days - Calendar dates to celebrate living with your dog

Alcohol

Alcohol affects dogs more intensely than humans and is really damaging to lots of your dog’s organs – including the kidneys, liver, and stomach. Be extra careful if sweet alcoholic drinks are around, as the sugar can cover up the alcohol flavour that normally puts dogs off.

Chocolate

Another big no-no is chocolate. It contains theobromine – a substance similar to caffeine that’s poisonous for dogs. Dark chocolate can be especially dangerous as it contains much more theobromine than regular milk choc.

Caffeine

Coffee (and tea) is a stimulant – it can make dogs anxious, hyperactive, and affect their heart. It can even cause them to collapse or have a seizure if they have too much. It’s best to keep that morning brew out of reach.

Apple pips

Apple pips contain cyanide – so ditch the core, and serve tasty pip-free slices instead.

Blue cheese

Dairy is best avoided altogether, but blue cheese can be especially dangerous. It releases roquefortine C – a toxin that, in severe cases, can cause tremors and seizures.

Grapes, raisins, and currants

These are all highly toxic, causing serious problems – including kidney failure. If your dog gets hold of these, it’s best to get them to the vet quickly.

Onions, garlic, and leeks

These all contain thiosulphate which causes gastrointestinal problems and severe anemia. Lots of dishes contain any one of these, so keep anything risky out of reach.

Xylitol

A common artificial sweetener, xylitol is toxic for dogs – and it’s often in things you wouldn’t expect (like peanut butter).

Avocado

This brunch staple contains persin – a chemical that can upset your dog’s stomach. 

Milk and cheese

Dogs can’t digest lactose properly, so it’s best to avoid feeding them milk, cheese, or any other high-lactose dairy products.

Shellfish

See what fish is fine here  – but shellfish like crab, prawns, and crayfish contain pathogens that can make your dog very unwell. Shellfish also has high levels of an amino acid called histidine, which can cause an allergic reaction.

Most nuts

When it comes to nuts, avoid everything except xylitol-free peanut butter. Most nuts can leave your dog very poorly – and macadamia nuts are particularly dangerous, as they can cause vomiting, fever, and muscle weakness.

Bones

Cooked bones are brittle, meaning pieces can break off and get stuck in your dog’s throat or digestive system. Raw bones must be stored properly, as they can carry nasty bacteria that will upset your dog’s stomach.

Information reference:

What foods are harmful to dogs?

Savage Summer Seeds

This season, the summer seeds seem to be causing more havoc than usual with both my dogs and my clients dogs. In just a few weeks, both Daphne and Dexter have been to the vets, her with a seed up into her “private parts” and him with a horrible seed which had perforated his ear drum. To top it all I’ve just found a horrid spiky seed in Daphnes eye – stuck right up inside her upper eyelid.

Dogs with hairy pendulus ears such as Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels and Cockapoos are more prone to problems with seeds inside their ear canals.