It Shouldn't Happen at a Vets
Back in July Panorama aired a programme exposing the rather dubious practices carried out by one of the UK's largest veterinary chains. Panorama showed secret footage of rough, inconsiderate handling of pets, procedures being carried out by untrained staff, inflated prices and overcharging amongst other things. This programme is well worth watching and raises questions about who we allow to care for our pets in their hour of need.
Click HERE to watch this documentary
Friday 27 August 2010
Thursday 26 August 2010
Hampstead Heath toy and small dog play group
We have recently set up a playgroup for toy and small dogs in North London. The meetup group is called Hampstead Heath toy and small dog play group. The idea is to hold regular meetings on Hampstead Heath for toy dogs and their owners. Hampstead Heath provides the ideal location for dogs to run around and have lots of fun, something even small dogs like to do!
Our first meeting is scheduled for Saturday September 11th, time and exact location tbc.
Cross country running with your dog!
Canine Cross Country Running in London (CaniX Event)
More familiar with the sound of traps springing open and greyhounds pounding the tracks, this September East London is hosting a whole new kind of dog race. Hackney Marshes sees the London debut of CaniX, canine cross-country racing, on Sept 11th as part of the Two2Go Family sport festival.
CaniX is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and sees owners and their four legged friends taking part in distance races together. Whether it is simply with a collar and lead or with the more dedicated running harness, dogs run alongside their owners (or occasionally pulling them along!) creating a unique and exciting experience for the runners, the dogs and the spectators! A wonderful way to get fit whist exercising your dog, CaniX is a unique discipline with competitive races taking place all over the UK and Europe.
Up until now, CaniX races have been mostly restricted to the countryside and large open spaces, but for the first time the dogs are going urban and are coming to London. Two2Go expect to see well over a hundred participants with dogs of all sizes and breeds race 5k around the famous Hackney Marshes. Anyone can take part and everyone is welcome with no special equipment, fitness level or training required – just a dog, a lead and a sturdy pair of trainers.
So come and join in with this brand new sport for London: CaniX – where your dog takes YOU for a walk!
Due to it’s original and innovative nature, Two2Go have been granted Olympic Inspire status for this event.
Two2Go family sport festival is taking place on Hackney Marshes, Homerton Road, E9 5PF on Saturday 11th Sept from 10am – 6pm. Other events include a trail marathon, 10k, 5k, guided historical walk, free drop in sport & exercise workshops, face painting, live music, art workshops and food & drink. Come and join in the count down to London 2012.
For information about entering the CaniX 5k race and registration, go to:https://www.canix.co.uk/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=479
Cushings in dogs
Cushings Syndrome V Cushings Disease
Cushings is something that you only really find out about once you look after a dog who suffers from it. But what exactly is Cushings?
A common misconception is that cushings disease in dogs is the same as cushings syndrome in dogs. The reality is, they're not one and the same.
Cushings syndrome and cushings disease are similar, but they're actually two different things. They both involve high amounts of cortisol in the dog's body. The difference is, though, that cushings disease is the name for the problem when it originates in the dog's pituitary gland. Cushings syndrome, on the other hand, is the name that is given to any increased cortisol problem in a dog, no matter how it occurs.
Cushings disease as well as other forms of cushings can occur in a dog of any age. It's much better to catch it early or take measures to prevent it, though, since it can be harder to treat any form of cushings when it's complicated by other medical conditions.
Common Causes of Cushings Syndrome in Dogs:
Some of the common causes of cushings syndrome are adrenal hyperplasia and adrenal tumors, as well as pituitary tumors. Since the pituitary gland controls the dog's adrenal glands, both gland types can be affected, not to mention other systems in your dog's body. For example, cushings can cause heart and liver problems for your dog, if it is left untreated.
Another common cause is drugs (iatrogenic causes). Essentially, if your dog is taking any steroid medications for unrelated medical problems, it can cause the hormonal balance in their body to be thrown off, creating a case of cushings. So, if your dog is showing signs of cushings, you may want to examine any medications that they are on, such as prednisone.
Homeopathic Treatment:
You may want to consider homeopathic treatment for cushings disease in dogs as an option for your pet. After all, a lot of traditional medications for cushings have harsh side-effects. Herbal remedies and supplements do not.
The practice of homeopathy is over two-hundred years old. One of the interesting things about it is that it often uses a diluted version of a substance to create a cure for that substance. Also, homeopathic remedies are always all natural. That means they're made of things that are commonly found in nature, like herbs, minerals and plants.
The thing that you need to remember about your dog is that, originally, dogs roamed wild and free. They fended for themselves and they ate whatever they found out in the wild. Now that they've been domesticated, though, they are often exposed to environmental toxins, processed foods and other things that are just not good for them at all.
As an owner, it's your responsibility to pick up the slack and compensate for the domestication of your dog. He or she can't fend for themselves like their wild ancestors. So, talk to your dog's vet about the best all natural ways to prevent or cure cushings disease in dogs, as well as other diseases and disorders that your dog may be prone to.
Article courtesy of Janet Markowitz.
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