Your Dog July 2022

I have to admit that I’m the owner of one of those dogs who isn’t really interested in play. He’d play as a puppy, but not now. Having reached the grand old age of 11, he’s totally uninterested, although — being a terrier — he’ll still occasionally run after a squeaky toy and rip it to shreds. But whether that constitutes play, I’m not too sure! Of course, there are lots of things that our dogs can learn through play both with other dogs and with us, so Carol Price’s series on the importance of play, which starts on page 10 this issue, is a must read. This issue Carol explains how play is a rehearsal for real life and next month she’ll be revealing how you can use toys…

A big-hearted vet has not only performed life-saving surgery on an unwanted puppy but has ended up giving him a new home. Miniature Schnauzer Sprout was diagnosed with severe congenital heart disease at just eight weeks of age. He was facing euthanasia due to the high risk of heart failure and death, until Jo Harris, veterinary cardiologist with HeartVets at Linnaeus-owned Cave Veterinary Specialists in Somerset, stepped in. Jo’s cardiology colleague, Alex Laver, diagnosed the poorly pup with pulmonic stenosis and tricuspid valve dysplasia — both congenital conditions that obstruct blood flow through the right side of the heart and result in severe thickening of the heart muscle. After Jo saw a photo of Sprout she couldn’t resist taking him on. “I knew that surgery would be extremely challenging,” she…

THERAPY DOGS SHOWN TO LESSEN PATIENTS’ PAIN Scientists at Canada’s University of Saskatchewan found that just 10 minutes with a therapy dog can reduce levels of pain, anxiety, and depression in hospital patients. The research, published in the scientific journal ‘PLOS One’, focused on more than 200 emergency room patients at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatchewan, which was chosen for its longstanding visiting therapy dog programme. Results revealed that patients who spent time with a ‘canine comforter’ reported significantly lower pain, compared to those who weren’t visited by a therapy dog. STEPPING OUT FOR CHARITY Nottinghamshire Police control room dispatcher Daniela Evans walked 280,000 steps in one month to raise money for a canine cause close to her heart. Daniela has so far collected £1,075 for charity the Thin…

The Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) is running the first Grass Seed Awareness Week this month to highlight the effects grass seeds can have on our pets. SAVSNET, based at the University of Liverpool, has undertaken a study to raise awareness of the risks and signs of grass seed foreign bodies (GSFBs) in dogs. Researchers analysed millions of health records submitted by 245 veterinary practices across the country between March 2014 and September 2020, and discovered that although cases of GSFBs were recorded all-year-round, 90.6 per cent occurred between June and September, with July being the worst month (176 times more likely than January). The Dogs Trust-funded study ‘Seasonality and risk factors for grass seed foreign bodies in dogs’ revealed that spaniel breed types have a greater chance (7.7…

A nine-year-old boy has completed Scotland’s challenging 96-mile West Highland Way to raise vital funds for a leading vet charity. Johnathan Westacott, from North Devon, trained for months before walking for a total of 59 hours, covering more than 310,000 steps in eight days, to collect over £1,700 for PDSA through his JustGiving page. The animal-obsessed schoolboy was inspired to tackle the gruelling hike with his family and their spaniels, Fudge and Coco, after reading fundraiser extraordinaire Kerry Irving’s Max Out in the Lake District Facebook page. “We are so proud of Johnathan and his achievement,” said his mum, Jennifer, 37. “It’s an incredible distance and seeing him finish the West Highland Way in aid of his favourite charity has made me burst with pride. “It wasn’t easy but we…

Owners wanting to repay their dogs for their love and loyalty, or thank them for improving their health and well-being, can nominate them for a special award. Relaunching its popular Woof & Well Award, pet food business Vet’s Kitchen is on the lookout for tales of heroic dogs across the UK. Has your canine companion made you and your family feel better, helped you get fit, or been there for you through tough times? Rescue Roxy, owned by Sarah Rhodes from Norfolk, was chosen as the 2021 Woof & Well winner after bringing her family comfort and amusement, and enabling them to cope with life more easily. The dog judged to be the most inspiring will receive a trophy, a selection of Vet’s Kitchen products, and a short break for…