Gastric dilation or bloat is a condition that all dog owners should be familiar with, since it can be deadly if it is not diagnosed and treated on time.

Dogs affected by this condition present a distended stomach filled with gas and/or fluid, rotated along its short axis. This will lead to pain, cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory distress, shock and eventually death.

Owners that have seen their dog suffer from this condition often describe signs such as anxious behaviour, abdominal pain, with pets often pacing trying to find some comfort, unproductive retching, vomiting thick saliva, an elevated respiratory rate, sometimes visible abdominal distension, and collapse.

Although the mechanism involved is not entirely understood, it is thought that this condition can be caused and influenced by several factors. The chances of a dog suffering from bloat seem to be affected by genetics as well as environmental factors.

This condition is more commonly seen in large or giant breeds of dogs such as the German Shepherd, the Standard Poodle, the Great Dane, and the Irish Setter, among others. Dogs that are older, deep-chested, and with abnormal gastric motility are at a higher risk of gastric dilation. Bloat is very uncommon in small dogs and in cats.

If you notice any of the previously mentioned signs on your dog, do not hesitate and get him or her to the vet! Quick gastric decompression is key for the dog’s survival and to reduce the chances of further complications.

The recommendations to prevent this problem include feeding your canine companions with two to three smaller meals a day instead of offering just one large meal and avoid using an elevated platform to place their bowl. There was a time where it was thought that using a bowl normally placed on the floor might encourage dogs more susceptible to bloat to swallow more air (aerophagia). However, over time, it has been shown that feeding your dog from an elevated platform is also a factor that predisposes to the occurrence of this condition.

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Phantom pregnancy or false pregnancy is a condition in which non-pregnant female dogs experience various physical and behavioural changes commonly associated with pregnancy. This is a relatively common condition among dogs and it occurs due to normal hormonal changes that happen during the dog’s breeding cycle.

Unneutered female dogs reach sexual maturity anywhere between 6 to 18 months of age. On average they go into “heat”, the time during which they can get pregnant, twice a year (every six months), but this is variable among dogs. When the dog comes into heat you may notice the vulva beginning to appear swollen as well as the presence of a vulvar discharge. A dog stays in heat for approximately 2 to 3 weeks.

A dog that is suffering from a phantom pregnancy will show signs commonly associated with pregnancy about a month or two after her heat period. This condition may occur regardless of whether or not she has mated.

If your dog is suffering from phantom pregnancy you may notice an increase in the size of her mammary glands and even the presence of secretions from the glands. These secretions are most commonly milk, however they may also be caused by an infection. The mammary gland should not be milked out, as doing so will stimulate the production of milk. The dog may also try to make a nest, become overly attached to her toys, display lack of appetite or even become unusually aggressive.

This condition usually resolves spontaneously in one to three weeks, however in some cases treatment may be required. Removing toys and stopping self-nursing behaviour, by using t-shirts for example, may be helpful. Permanent prevention of false pregnancy is achieved with spaying.

It is important to differentiate phantom pregnancy from a true pregnancy, so if you notice any signs of pregnancy in your dog, take her to the vet!

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Dogs suffering from separation anxiety become upset when separated from the person or persons to whom they are most attached to, usually their owners.

Separation anxiety may be driven by fear, anxiety, over attachment to the owner, and lack of appropriate stimulation or interactions. Changes in the household that are distressing to the dog can lead to separation anxiety, such as changes in the normal members of the household, changes in schedule or changing residence. Having experienced something that caused anxiety when your dog was home alone can also lead to the development of this behavioural problem.

Common signs of separation anxiety include destruction, vocalisation (whining, howling, barking), indoor elimination, and attempts to escape from an area where the dog is confined to.

Dogs with separation anxiety often start becoming anxious as the owners prepare to leave since they already know that getting the keys, putting on a coat or getting a bag means their owners are leaving the house. Dogs suffering from this behavioural issue usually show exaggerated welcoming behaviours when their owners returns as well.

There are many simple things owners can do to modify their dog’s behaviour. You can try to get your dog used to those actions that make your pet anxious, because he or she realises you’re leaving the house. Grab your keys, for example, a few times a day without actually leaving at first. Once your dog reacts normally to this, grab your keys and head for the door a few times. Then you can try leaving the house, initially for a few moments and progressively increasing the amount of time you spend outside. The idea is to gradually expose your dog to these actions in order to make them a normal part of the family routine and reduce the anxiety he or she feels towards them.

When you come home, don’t make a big fuss of the dog until he or she calms down. Do not punish your dog for anything he or she may have done while you were gone, since your dog won’t be able to associate the punishment with any specific action that may have displeased you. They realise their owner is not happy and they respond to that but, they won’t be able to make a connection between the punishment and whatever they did wrong. Please keep in mind that anxious behaviours are not the result of disobedience. Your dog is upset and trying to cope with great stress.

Providing physical and mental stimulation to your pet is a really important part of treating many behaviour problems, since it will not only keep your pet fit and healthy, it will also decrease stress and prevent boredom. Make sure your pet has enough exercise and use toys to keep him or her mentally stimulated, as this might increase his or her ability to cope while you are away.

If your pet is showing signs of separation anxiety consult your vet as medical issues can play a part in your dog’s behaviour. After medical issues have been ruled out, your vet or a qualified dog behaviourist can help you set up a strategy to manage and modify your dog’s behaviour!

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Summer is finally here and the warm weather is the perfect time to take a few days off from work and enjoy lots of fun outdoor activities with your pets. It is also important to remind owners that there are a few precautions that should be kept in mind now that the temperatures are rising.

Dogs and cats only sweat through their footpads and when the temperatures are higher they are able to loose body heat mainly through panting. For this reason these animals are more susceptible to heat stroke during hot weather. This condition can cause serious damage to your pet’s internal organs and is often life-threatening.

This summer please keep your dog safe:

• Make sure your dog always has a shaded area to rest and escape from the sun as well as clean water available. You can add a few ice cubs to your dog’s water to keep it cool for a while longer.
• Avoid taking your dog for walks and exercise during the hottest hours of the day.
• Never leave your dog locked and alone in the car. Most people don’t realise it because they simply open the car windows or turn on the air conditioning when taking the car somewhere, but if the car is parked and locked the temperatures inside can rise to unbearable levels in just a few minutes. Even if the car is parked in a shaded area, if the windows are cracked and even if it doesn’t seem to be that warm outside, the temperature inside the car can rise to the point of causing heat stroke and death to your pet in about 15 minutes.

Special care should be taken with very young or very old animals, or pets that suffer from health conditions such as respiratory and heart diseases, and excessive weight. Flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, dogs with dark coats such as Dobermans and dogs with thick hair coats such as Huskies are also at a higher risk for heat stroke.

Have a great summer everyone and keep your pets safe!

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The main functions of a dog’s hair coat are to protect the skin and to help regulate temperature. Canine hair grows from hair follicles in the skin and these cycle during the entire lifespan of a dog.

The hair cycle can be divided in three different phases: an active growth phase, termed anagen, in which the hair reaches its genetically determined length; a transitional phase, named catagen, when the hair growth stops and degenerative changes occur in the base of the follicle; and a resting phase, called telogen, when a new anagen hair starts growing and the telogen hair is shed. Hair replacement tends to be mosaic in pattern, which means that over the same area of skin there will be hair follicles at all three stages of the hair cycle at the same time. The duration of each of these phases can vary according to the photoperiod, temperature, stress as well as the dog’s breed and nutritional status.

The photoperiod (the number of light hours in the day, natural or artificial) has a big influence in the hair cycle. In general, dogs shed at a slow steady rate all year round, with periods of increased shedding in the spring and fall, which can last for about a month. However, if your dog is kept primarily indoors he or she may shed more than usual, due to exposure to artificial light.

This cycle also varies among breeds. Poodles and breeds with similar coat types have an anagen dominated cycle, which means hair follicles are in anagen for long periods of time. Plush coated breeds such as the Chow Chow, Malamute and Pomeranian have telogen dominated hair cycles, which means the hair follicle spends long periods of time in the telogen phase.

Regular brushing is the best thing you can do to keep your home free of hair. Brushing will make your pet’s coat softer and cleaner. An appropriate diet is also really important, since the quality of a dog’s coat often reflects the quality of his food.

There are many diseases that can affect the skin and hair coat of your dog, so if you notice abnormal amounts of shedding or if you see hairless spots on your dog’s body you should take him or her to the vet!

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The importance of our pet’s dental health is often underestimated. Having poor dental health doesn’t affect just a pet’s breath. Pets with poor oral hygiene can suffer from painful oral infections, premature tooth loss and the problem is not restricted to their mouth. The bacteria causing infection in their mouths can also spread and affect other organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver.

Dental disease will develop if the plaque (a soft yellowish film that accumulates on the teeth surface after eating) becomes too thick. The bacterial population becomes more pathogenic causing inflammation of our pet’s gums (gingivitis).

If left untreated the problem will become more serious and our pets will develop periodontal disease, which means the inflammation involves not only the gums but also the tissues that surround and support the teeth (gums, ligaments and bone). The damage to our pet’s teeth is caused by the inflammatory mediators produced to fight the infection, by the bacteria themselves and by their metabolic products.

This condition is a very common problem and it is estimated that more than 80% of pets in the UK suffer from some form of periodontal disease. Although this disease can cause a lot of discomfort and even pain, many pets adapt, learn how to live with it and may show few signs of disease.

Common signs of periodontal disease in our pets include bad breath, appearance of a yellowish-brown crust near the gum line, red looking gums that may bleed easily, reluctance to eat, decreased appetite, difficulties eating, loose or missing teeth, depression and weight loss. Some pets can drop the food from their mouths when they try to eat and dribble.

The treatment for pets suffering from this condition is the removal of the bacterial plaque off the surface of their teeth through professional dental cleaning under general anaesthesia and can include teeth extraction if severely damaged teeth are found during the procedure.

It is really worth taking the time and the necessary measures to prevent this disease and the best way to do it is to regularly remove the plaque from our pet’s teeth. This can be achieved through daily brushing using an appropriate pet safe toothbrush and toothpaste. It is not recommended to use toothpaste designed for humans since pets can’t spit the paste out like we do. They will swallow the product and it can upset their stomach.

For pets that do not allow regular tooth brushing other options such as giving your pet chew toys or feeding them hard or course textured food can also help. Ideally pet owners should start brushing their pet’s teeth from a young age, so they can gradually get used to the procedure and feel comfortable with it.
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Babesiosis, a tick-borne disease that can be fatal for dogs, has been recently diagnosed in Essex. Two of the infected dogs did not survive and three other dogs needed intensive support treatment and blood transfusions.

It’s the first time this disease has been diagnosed in the UK and the affected dogs have not travelled outside England. New outbreaks are to be expected from now on since each female tick can produce up to 1000 eggs and it is likely for the disease to spread. The situation is causing a wave of concern all across the UK.

Babesiosis is caused by single-celled protozoan parasites that are transmitted by ticks. They can also be transmitted through blood transfusions and biting although it is less common. Dogs of any age or breed can be affected. These parasites can be found inside our pet’s red blood cells and cause the immune system to destroy its own red blood cells, leading to a severe anaemia.

Affected dogs can show a wide range of clinical signs and the disease can go from mild to acute with some dogs deteriorating quickly. Clinical signs include lack of energy, lack of appetite, weight loss, fever, pale gums, red or brown urine, an enlarged abdomen and yellow or orange skin (jaundice).

The best way to avoid this disease from spreading and to protect your pet is to keep your dog’s tick control treatment up-to-date and make sure you are using products that are effective against ticks. Consult with your vet so he or she can recommend an adequate product to protect your dog.

It’s unlikely for a tick to transmit diseases if it has been attached for less than 24 hours. For this reason it might be worth checking your pet for ticks after walks and remove them as soon as possible. Ticks can attach anywhere on the dog’s skin but they tend to be found on their face, on their tummy and on their feet.

When you come home from walks smooth your dog’s fur all over, go through your dog’s hair brushing it back and look for ticks. If you find any, use gloves and please remember to use a tick hook to make sure the whole tick is removed and that there is no head or any mouth parts left behind. To avoid the possibility of any removed ticks to re-attach themselves to other dogs or laying eggs, ensure they are safely disposed of. You can flush them down the lavatory with hot water for example.

A good outcome is more likely to occur if treatment is started in the early stages of the disease, so if your pet is showing any of the signs mentioned earlier do not hesitate and bring him or her to the vet!

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