The Optimal Pet Food

Husse - Pet Food Products - AND THE WINNERS ARE.....

2011-11-03T12:24:00.001Z

Congratulations to Antosia, Skau and Woody for winning the Husse photo contest! We will contact you shortly through email so you will be able to collect your prizes.

Stay with us! A New Competition is coming soon :)

And if you still haven't please visit World Of Husse Facebook page - LINK

Husse - Pet Food Products - Quality Swedish pet food with FREE home delivery! Always with taste guarantee! For more info visit http://www.husse.com/

Husse - Pet Food Products - WIN ONE HUSSE SUPER PREMIUM BAG 15KG

2011-10-27T12:38:00.000+01:00

ONLY 5 DAYS LEFT!!! BUT IT IS NOT TOO LATE!

Read more about the Husse Photo Contest HERE

Husse Pet Food Products, Quality Swedish Pet Food with FREE Home Delivery!

Husse - Dog Food Products - Fun Cartoons by Nigel Sutherland!

2011-10-19T15:45:00.001+01:00

Husse - Pet Food Products - Quality Swedish Pet Food with Free home delivery and taste guarantee!

Husse - Dog Food Products - Is this the cutest dog in the world? Boo the Pomeranian has millions of fans and his own book

2011-09-26T13:16:00.001+01:00

He has nearly two million fans and a book deal. But Boo isn't a reality TV star, actor or a pop singer - he's a pet dog.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2040461/Boo-Pomeranian-Worlds-cutest-dog-millions-Facebook-fans-book.html#ixzz1Z3m7LjXN

Brought to you by Husse - Dog Food Products - Swedish Quality Pet Food with Free Home Delivery

Husse - Dog Food Products - Did you like the cartoons? :)

2011-09-23T07:33:00.001+01:00

Do not forget to join The Husse Cartoon Facebook page. Just click on the"LIKE" to the left on this page...

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Husse - Dog Food Products - Quality Swedish Pet Food with Free Home Delivery!

Husse - Dog Food Products - NEW CARTOON STRIP!! Nr. 3

2011-09-16T07:52:00.001+01:00

Husse - Quality Pet Food products - With free home delivery and always taste guarantee!

Husse - Dog Food Products - Poop bag made of corn!

2011-09-09T09:15:00.000+01:00

Today you are able to purchase our poop bags made of corn on Facebook as well as on http://www.husse.com/

Poop bags which you can easily burry into the groung or in the composte and it will desolve naturally.

Husse - Pet Food Products - Swedish Quality Pet Food with Free Home Delivery and Taste Guarantee!

Husse - Dog Food Products - Pictures from a dog show in Hampshire!

2011-09-08T09:54:00.005+01:00

Here you have pictures from a local dog show in Hampshire! Some of the winners in different classes were also glad to receive a Husse 2kg dog food products bag as first price. If you see us at a show do not hesitate to ask us for a free sample of our super premium dog food products!

Husse - Dog Food Products - Free Home Delivery and always with Taste Guarantee!

Husse - Dog Food Products - Guess what breed?

2011-09-07T08:58:00.002+01:00

We found this video on You Tube and we think the dog is sooooo cute! Please try to guess what breed!! We will give you the correct answer on Friday!

Which breed is your favorite one?

Husse - Dog Food Products - Quality Pet Food with Free Home Delivery!

Husse - Dog Food Products - Optimal food for giant breeds!

2011-09-06T07:46:00.007+01:00

OPTIMAL GIANT - Giant Breed Dog Food Products

Complete dog food products for giant breed dogs.

Optimal Giant is a dog food product which contains only the best ingredients with a high digestibility and a high nutritional value, specially developed to satisfy the nutritional needs of giant breed dogs. Optimal Giant is the ideal dog food product which keeps adult giant breed dogs in good shape and health. The size of the kibble is specially adapted for optimal intake in large breeds.

Dog Food Product quality:

Digestibility 92%,
Metabolised energy 4090 kcal

ENRICHED WITH TAURIN

Taurin supports heart function and is important in the nutrition of giant breed dogs.

ENRICHED WITH SEA ALGAE

Sea algae are supplemented for healthy teeth.

CONTAINS FRUCTO-OLIGOSACCHARIDES

Fructo-oligosaccharides are sugars that stimulate the beneficial flora to support digestion.

ENRICHED WITH VITAMINS A, C, E AND GRAPE SEED EXTRACT

Vitamin C is one of the most important biological antioxidants. The combination of vitamin A, C, E and grape seed extract supports the dog's immune system and helps prevent cell aging. This increases the value of this dog food product.

ENRICHED WITH SALMON OIL AND LECITHIN

Salmon oil (optimal ratio omega- 3/ omega -6) contributes to a healthy skin and coat and stimulates appetite.
Lecithin enhances the fat digestion.

VERY TASTY

Contains hydrolysed chicken protein to give a great taste.
Optimal Giant is a quality dog food product that dogs love.

THIS DOG FOOD PRODUCT CONTAINS GREEN MUSSEL EXTRACT

Green mussel extract is a source of chondroitin and glucosamine which are components of the cartilage in the joints; these substances support a healthy cartilage for supple joints.

For more information click on this link Husse - Dog Food Products

Optimal Dog Food Products for Giant Breed

Husse - Dog Food Products - DOG SHOW SEASON NOT OVER YET!

2011-09-05T10:21:00.002+01:00

Did you think the dog show season was over? Big mistake, there are tons of shows scheduled for the rest of this year. One good page to take a look at is http://www.dogfriendlybritain.co.uk/events_calendar.asp

Looking forward to see you there :) Husse - Dog Food Products

Husse - Dog Food Products - Takes on the fight against dog obesity!

2011-09-02T08:05:00.002+01:00

Dog Food Products

The Dog Food Product - Light Optimal, contains only the best ingredients with high digestibility and a high nutritional value. It is specially developed to satisfy the nutritional needs of less active dogs, overweight dogs, dogs with diabetes or dogs that tent to gain weight quickly. This complete feed is ideal to keep your dog in excellent shape.

Dog Food Product Quality

Digestibility 92%

Metabolised energy 3890 kcal

LOW CALORIE CONTENT FOR BETTER WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

Carefully chosen ingredients with high nutritional content but less fat

Rich in fibre to satisfy appetite with fewer calories

Feed Light Optimal to loose weight or to mantain weight, see feeding advice for recommended quantities. These dog food product can make the difference.

OUR DOG FOOD PRODUCT CONTAINS FRUCTO-OLIGOSACCHARIDES

Contains fructo-oligosaccharides to support the beneficial flora and a healthy digestion

THIS IS A DOG FOOD PRODUCT ENRICHED WITH VITAMINS A, C, E AND ANTIOXIDANTS

Vitamin C is one of the most important biological antioxidants

The combination of vitamin A, C, E and grape seed extract supports the dog's immune system and helps prevent cell aging

A HUSSE PET FOOD PRODUCT ENRICHED WITH SALMON OIL AND LECITHIN

Salmon oil (optimal ratio omega 3/ omega 6) contributes to a healthy skin and coat, and stimulates appetite

Lecithin stimulates fat burning

VERY TASTY

Contains hydrolysed chicken protein to give a great taste

Highest quality ingredients give taste that dogs love

CONTAINS GREEN MUSSEL EXTRACT

Green mussel extract is a source of chondroitin and glucosamine that are components of the cartilage in the joints; these substances support the cartilage for supple joints

SUITABLE FOR DOGS WITH DIABETES

Low energy content and presence of slow release fibres make Husse Light particulary suitable for dogs with diabetes

Dogs with diabetes should be fed smaller amounts of food throughout the day (4-5 meals)

CONTRIBUTES TO BETTER DENTAL HEALTH

Light Optimal contributes to better dental health

The texture of the kibbles was optimised in order to increase mechanical cleaning

This is a dog food product that contains natural substances that reduce plaque formation

Reade more on Husse.com - Dog Food Products

HUSSE - PET FOOD PRODUCTS - VOUCHER! Get £5 OFF on you NEXT ORDER when buying at HUSSE.COM

2011-09-01T10:15:00.002+01:00

Get £5 off on your next order when purchasing pet food products on http://www.husse.com/
Just type the code 454 in the voucher box.

You get it delivered home for FREE and always Taste Guarantee!

Husse - Pet Food Products - We want to get to know your pet! Cutest Video/ Photo will win one 7kg bag Super Premium Food!

2011-08-31T09:08:00.005+01:00

Picture of Sally taken by Martin, Norwich/ Norfolk.

Please send us a picture of your pet, or maybe a video?, and we will pick the cutest pet in the end of September! The winner will receive a 7kg bag Super Premium of Husse's Quality Pet Food Products.

The Pictures and Videos will also be published on Husse's You Tube Channel!
http://www.youtube.com/user/HusseChannel

Just e-mail uk@husse.com

Husse - Pet Food Products - Cartoon Strip Nr 2

2011-08-30T08:13:00.000+01:00

Husse offers quality pet food products for your dog, cat or horse. Always with Free Home Delivery and Taste Guarantee! Visit http://www.husse.com/ for more information.

Husse - Pet Food Products - Congratulations Gillian Hunt from Snettisham, Norfolk!!!

2011-08-29T09:43:00.000+01:00

Congratulations Gillian Hunt from Snettisham, Norfolk!!! You are the winner of a 7kg pet food Super Premium Bag from Husse - Pet Food Products!

Just LIKE Husse United Kingdom on Facebook and you have the chance to win next week. Random draw every Monday :)

HUSSE UNITED KINGDOM GIVE AWAY ONE 7KG BAG TO ONE WINNER EVERY MONDAY! QUALITY PET FOOD PRODUCTS FOR YOUR DOG OR CAT!

2011-08-24T08:43:00.006+01:00

All you have to do is to LIKE the group Husse United Kingdom on Facebook and you will be a part of the random draw every Monday. Just click on this link: Pet Food Products

(only for people living in the UK)

Husse - Quality Pet Food Products for your Dog or Cat.

Husse - Pet Food Products - Offer you a viral video from YouTube to enjoy :)

2011-08-23T08:04:00.000+01:00

The tiger and dogs have grown up together and are great friends. The video shows their morning play sessions.

Brought to you by Husse - Pet Food Products

Husse - Dog Food Products

2011-08-22T09:06:00.003+01:00

A strip made by Nigel Sutherland.

Husse offer quality dog food products. Please visit http://www.husse.com/ for more information!

The First Facebook Shop in United Kingdom - A Swedish Pet Food Company!

2011-08-19T08:10:00.001+01:00

By Tim Biörck Eliasson, Director of Husse United Kingdom

Husse has now launched the first genuine Husse Pet Food Facebook Shop in United Kingdom. People can now order, Like, share and comment the products. For a sneak peak please click on this Link

Experience the new pet food shopping experience via Facebook! Find dog food, cat food and many others. Our Facebook Pet Food Shop will bring a more closer and friendly platform.

We hope you will like it :) Feed back from Optimal Pet readers would be of great value for us! Do you also think this is the future of Facebook?

Best regards,
Tim Eliasson
Director
Husse United Kingdom

Some facts and theories about common cat behaviour.

2011-08-18T08:06:00.000+01:00

By veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Cats are fascinating creatures and common pets so many of us are familiar with the more common facets of cat behaviour but understanding precisely why and how they do various things is quite another matter, so lets cover a few of their behavioural traits..

1. Kneading : When your cat sits on your lap it often starts to knead with it’s paws before settling down, why do they do this? The most likely explanation is that this is an instinct left over from when they were very young kittens. A kitten will knead it's mothers breast area to stimulate milk production, they may continue do this around humans because it is us who feeds them.

Another theory is that as adults they may be scent marking with the glands on their paws, so claiming the area and incidentally yourself as their own territory before getting ready to relax. Whatever is going on here at the end of the day they only do this when they feel secure and happy.

2. Purring : Having your cat sit on you lap is relaxing for him and therapeutic for the owner, and after setting down a cat will almost always start to purr. Actually relatively little is known about the actual mechanics of purring. Purring is thought to involve activation of nerves within the larynx, these nerve impulses cause the vocal cords to vibrate at a set frequency and the diaphragm then serves as a pump and pushes air past the vibrating vocal cords thus creating the constant musical note of purring. Purring happens both on inspiration and expiration by the way and is to some degree under conscious control.

So when do cats purr? They do this when they are happy would be the average reply and yes this is true. But wait they can also do it when they are stressed, like all small animal vets I have had the responsibility of tending to quite a few cats close to the moment of death and strangely enough I have know a few purr then when they would obviously be far from happy. And I have also seen them do this when they have been under great stress and pain. Some authorities think they may do this to comfort themselves and this could be true but it may also be a response to the euphoria caused by endorphin release. Endorphins are the bodies own morphiates and are released into the blood stream when the cat is suffering stress or major injury. So you can see that cats do not always purr when they are happy.

Purring can also be a means of communication between cats, mother cats and kittens tend to purr to each other as and kitten purr while they are nursing. When kittens are very young and cannot see so well the purring from the mother cat is a sound they can follow. But it works the other way round as the kittens can purr before they can meow the mother cat can then find them easily. Adult cats who are strangers may purr to each other as they approach one another as part of a display of non threatening body language.

3. Why does my cat put his toys or other objects in to his water bowl? : This is more difficult to explain, my conclusion is that when a cat is doing this the most likely explanation of this behaviour is that your pet is trying to find a safe place for his or her favorite things. The things your cat places there will often be it’s most treasured toy of the moment, usually the last thing it was playing with, he or she is just trying to keep them safe for future use. This may be an extension of wild cats behaviour where they often take their prey back to their home territory and hide it from other animals in the area, you may have seen leopards do this on TV by taking the carcases of their prey up trees etc which is the safest areato them. Indoor cats like any other cats have a territory this being your house and they often consider their food and water dishes as the safest areas within this territory. Hence this type of behaviour.

I never tire of watching my own cats and what they get up to about the house but I guess at the end of the day to totally understand cat behaviour you would have to be a cat!

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

HUSSE £5 VOUCHER!!! Valid until the end of August!

2011-08-17T08:03:00.002+01:00

Order quality pet food with free home delivery from http://www.husse.com/ and get £5 off on your next order. Just type "888" in the voucher box, valid until the end of August. You can only use this voucher on minimum order £40.

Separation Anxiety

2011-08-16T08:08:00.001+01:00

By Veterinarian Peter McGovern BVSc

I had a client once who had a tradesman fit stainless steel sheets to the bottom half of most of the doors in her home. This became necessary after several doors had been repaired or even totally replaced because her dog had literally ripped through the doors using both feet and teeth. The damage always happened when the dog was left alone in the house. In addition the rooms were often soiled and there had been numerous complaints from neighbours regarding the dog screaming for hours on end. This is separation anxiety. It can be a disaster for pet owners often requiring major modification to their lifestyle and home.

The classic signs are

The behaviour only occurs when the dog is left alone
Usually the signs start within a few minutes of an owner leaving but can start as the dog begins to anticipate being left
Any destructive behaviour is often directed against doors or barriers, particularly exit points in the house
The dog is usually over-attached to the owner and single owner pets are much more predisposed
Vocalisation is often puppy-like. Repeated high pitched yipping, howling, crying

However there can be a big variation in what we see. Some affected dogs may just seem very withdrawn and depressed at first or as they anticipate an owner leaving they may start to pant and pace or cling to their legs. They will often anticipate your departure well in advance, recognising signs like a change of clothes, jingling of car keys or locking of doors. Some dogs have always suffered from the anxiety but it may also be something that has been triggered by previous events, perhaps being left for an abnormally long time or a stressful shift to a new home.

The destructive behaviour that the anxiety precipitates cannot simply be classified as boredom. These dogs are genuinely suffering from anxiety. We must not simply call this naughty behaviour or the effect of boredom. Punishment will only worsen things. When an owner returns to what can sometimes be severe damage to the home the dog will see the reaction in our body language and voice. This will worsen the anxiety.

So what can we do to help them? How can we relieve the anxiety?

The easy answer is to medicate the patient. There are a host of ant-anxiety medications available for this. Some will simply relieve the anxiety, some are strong sedatives. But this is not just an uncomfortable option; it is also not always a permanent solution, sometimes requiring ongoing medication. So it’s better to tackle the separation anxiety more directly. Let me go through the various steps and methods.

First you need to reduce your dog’s over-the-top attachment. This is very much a part of the problem. So don’t respond to every advance he makes. If he continually seeks attention, wants to be picked up or patted then try to ignore this. Give him attention at selected times of the day on your terms. Insist and encourage him to sleep or rest a reasonable distance from you, preferably in his own bed….not beside your feet at the sofa. This will encourage a feeling of independence. Of particular importance is to defuse the situation when you arrive home. Stagger the greeting, don’t make a big fuss the moment you see him. Ignore him at first.

You need also to try to desensitise him to your departure. As I previously said, dogs will become very accustomed to the cues that signal your impending departure. So present these cues regularly during the day when you are at home with him. Even though you are not leaving, you may see the early signs of anxiety. Don’t respond to these signs as that can reinforce them in his mind. You should also do lots of small departures throughout the day. Just go out the front door and return straight away. Graduate to the front gate, perhaps start the car. But return quickly and try to do so before he gets too upset. He needs to not associate your return with his anxious reaction or destructive behaviour. This deconditioning is best done at a time when you will be around for a week or two so that it can be done gradually. What you might gain in one day can all be lost if the next day his anxiety returns with a prolonged period of being left alone.

A very important part of treating separation anxiety is to make the times of your absence as pleasant as possible for your dog. Particularly useful here is to have a special toy or treat available only whilst you are away. Of course you need to be sure that the sudden appearance of this item doesn’t act as a trigger for the anxiety. There are special dog toys that can be filled with treats that require some effort on the behalf of the dog to get. These items should only be available whist you are away. Some dogs get a lot of comfort out of a cuddly toy or perhaps a radio or light left on. Pheromone diffusers that emit calming chemicals cam be a great assistance.

If the techniques I’ve described don’t work then medication may be required. Of course you will need to see your vet for most of these. Don’t be dismayed if it comes to that. The medications are generally used in combination with the conditioning techniques I’ve described and can often be reduced and stopped in time.

Star Gazer’s Syndrome In The Dog

2011-08-15T04:12:00.000+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS, MRCVS

My first job when I qualified many years ago was in the wilds of Wales, it was mainly a large animal practice which was a mistake as I soon found out that my main interests in the veterinary profession was going to be treating dogs and cats. I found though that I liked the Welsh as they seemed polite and respectful and very often had their animals interests at heart, some of the older ones did have some strange beliefs though as I came to find out late one Sunday night …

The call out came about ten in the evening and when I asked what was wrong the elderly lady solemnly told me that her King Charles dog had a special gift and was able to see the spirit world and more than that was trying to protect her from these harbingers from another dimension. It was a long and dark thirty minute drive to the isolated farm house where this “ gifted “ dog resided, and in the pitch black Welsh night I gazed at a brilliant shooting star which lit up the sky as I drove along. Strangely this was in a way connected with the case I was about to deal with.

When I arrived I could see why the owner was thinking about some supernatural entity being at work. The small dog was frantically gazing about her in all corners of the room both right and left and up and down and was from time to time leaping forward and attempting to bite something which as far as I could see was not there. This had started out of the blue two or three hours previously and the little dog although frenzied was clearly getting tired now. She was ignoring any attempts to hold her and calm her down.

As a young newly qualified vet I had no idea what on earth was going on or what the disease could be so I phoned my boss listened to my tale and then pronounced it was most likely “ Star Gazing Syndrome “ and I would be best to sedate the dog and then see what was going to happen.

Over the next few days I was able to gather a bit more information about this exotic disease. It is also sometimes called “ Fly Catcher’s Syndrome “ and is really a form of compulsive behaviour which you can sometimes see in the dog. As the years of my career rolled by I was to both diagnosed and treated it on a number of occasions, but not very often, it is a rare disease. By the way the dogs that just sit and calmly look at unseen objects are “ Star Gazers “ where they do this and then try to bite the objects they then are termed “ Fly Catchers “. I will tell you a bit more about this odd condition.

1. This disease seems to affect small dogs as opposed to large breeds, the breed I have personally seen it in most in is the King Charles but I have also seen cases in Chihuahuas and various small terrier type breeds.

2. The actual causes of this disease are often difficult to pin down but some authorities are suspicious that this may be an inherited disease but as far as I know this has not been verified.

3. The symptoms of this disease are very striking and can be disturbing to watch. In its classical form these dogs appear to be staring fixedly at objects far in the distance or watching imaginary flies buzzing in front of their faces and then some dogs try to bite these imaginary objects. When they are having an attack they can spend a considerable amount of time engaging in this behaviour even to the detriment of eating, drinking, socialising and sleeping.

4. Where it is thought to be a pure compulsive disorder of some kind, this could be treated with behavioural therapy or drugs such as Prozac or other tranquilisers. While worth a try I have to say that behavioural therapy would be unlikely to succeed in most cases.

5. Sometimes it is thought that these symptoms are part of a “ petit mal “ type epilepsy attack. If this turns out to be the case then logically this could be treated with anti-convulsive drugs such as phenobarbitone.

6. Other authorities link this to some form of neck / spinal problem, the disease syringomyelia has been implicated in some breeds such as the King Charles. In these cases there would be some scope in trying to treat this form with anti-inflammatory drugs but surgery can be an option as well.

While the above are all the listed causes I know of, from my personal experience this can be a very difficult disease to treat and there would often be some element of trial and error in formulating treatments. Some cases I saw responded well but unfortunately at the end of the day sometimes this is just a condition which affected dogs have to live with.

I phoned the owner the next day and it turned out that her dog had calmed down overnight following the sedation and now seemed normal though a bit tired. A week later I was passing by on a farm visit and made a point of dropping in to tell the lady owner about all the information I had gathered about her dog’s likely diagnosis. Her dog had been quite normal since the first attack and while she listened politely to my explanations about the likely diagnosis the faraway and slightly doubting look in her eye left me in little doubt that she still favoured some form of a supernatural explanation.

Shortly after that I left that practice and headed towards London so I never heard how things had gone long term, but I never forgot my first case of Star Gazing Syndrome.

Scott Nimmo BVMS, MRCVS

Cheetah Girl

2011-08-12T07:24:00.000+01:00

This video has been recorded from France 3 (a french TV channel). I don't know who's the girl or what's the name of this documentary - if you know, just write it below!

The Devon Rex Cat Breed

2011-08-11T07:15:00.000+01:00

By veterinary Scott Nimmo MRCVS BVMS

I was brought up in quite a rural area of Scotland and while many people especially on the farms round about had cats and we of course had pet cats at home they were all “ Moggie “ cats and great characters some of them were. After I qualified as a veterinary surgeon I soon moved down to the South of England quite near London and I soon began to see pedigree cats in fair numbers in my clinic. My first sight of a Rex breed really freaked me out, when I first saw one I thought it was suffering from some exotic skin condition or other! Plus it looked like an alien!

There are in fact a number of accepted Rex cat breeds, although the list does change from time to time as some are accepted and some are not. There are of course the Devon Rex and the Cornish Rex which are now more or less well known but also consider the German Rex, The Oregon Rex, The Selkirk Rex and more …

So what exactly is a Rex breed of cat? Well these cats originate from naturally occurring genetic mutations in domestic cats which have then been selectively bred by man. They are generally distinguished by a wavy or curly coat which may be long or short or sparse or thick.

For today’s article lets cover one of the Rex breeds in more detail, the Devon Rex. The story goes that the origin of the Devon Rex’s curly coat resulted from a spontaneous mutation in a domestic cat. The exact circumstances are unknown but it is generally accepted that the father of the Devon breed as we know it today was a curly coated tom cat which was living in the wild around a mine near Buckfastleigh, Devon, England. He mated with a domestic cat sometime in 1960 and she produced a litter of kittens and these kittens became the foundation of the breed as we know it today.

The Devon Rex cat breed is different from other cat breeds in a number of ways, the most obvious being the coat which defines the appearance of this breed. They have a sparse, wavy, and extremely short coat which requires little brushing but the downside is that a build up of oily skin secretions means that they often need bathing and shampooing on a regular basis. If this is not done the coat will look greasy and this can be a contributing factor to various skin conditions as well as detracting from the defining appearance of the breed. Their other attributes other than the coat is that their skulls are said to be more wedge shaped compared to other cat breeds and their ears are unusually large and rounded at the tips.

While this breed can never be said to be stunningly beautiful like say a Birman the majority of them do have pleasing personalities and make very good companions as house cats. They just love human company and you could never call them aloof. Common colours include black, smoke, tortoiseshell, tabbies in silver, red, and brown, blue, and white.

.As I have said so far these are an an unusual exclusive breed which will appeal to someone who wants to make a statement in their lives and they do make good house pets, but there is another reason they are sought after. Some people are allergic to “ regular “ cats but still love felines, these people will go for a Devon Rex because they are said to have a much lower potential to cause allergies in humans.

Unfortunately this supposition is not always the case, at the end of the day no breed of cat is completely hypoallergenic, some human individual will always be allergic to cats no matter what. The facts are correct in that they do shed less hair and this may be helpful with some allergy prone humans but very often it is not the hair that causes the allergic reaction in susceptible people but an allergenic reaction to an enzyme called Fel d1. This is secreted via saliva and skin glands and Devons actually produce as much of this enzyme as any other cat breed, during grooming they spread it onto whatever fur they have so you can see that allergic reactions are still possible. Where the hypoallergenic feature comes in is that as this breed is regularly shampooed and washed the enzyme does not build up, I personally think that in many cases if you just regularly shampooed any cat then they would cause far fewer reaction in susceptible humans. Of course the down side is that any cat worth it’s salt really hates being washed and will make it’s feelings known in a very robust and meaningful manner!

So how does this breed compare from the vet’s point of view? Well as with all cat or dog breeds which have been selectively bred from a small gene pool there is an obvious danger of hereditary disease in some blood lines so you should check this out carefully before choosing a kitten. Cardiomyopathy and a muscular dystrophy-like disease called hereditary myopathy have been identified as occurring in the breed and as we said before skin diseases can occur as well.

The bottom line is this, I personally would never buy a cat, I would just pick up a stray kitten on the street or get one in some other way which need a home. But if you are looking for a strikingly unusual cat with loads of personality about your home then you could do far worse than a Devon Rex. Because of the bathing angle they would be a good breed to consider if you have allergies.

Scott Nimmo MRCVS BVMS

When The Time Comes

2011-08-10T07:58:00.000+01:00

By Veterinarian Peter McGovern BVSc

A couple of days ago my wife was taking a stroll in the sheep paddock at our small farm. It was a cold damp evening; not unusual weather for this neck of the woods in the hills behind the southern Victorian Surfcoast. There are about 150 head of ewes on the property. They are big, all heavy with a winter fleece and carrying lambs. They are due to lamb over the next week or two. But one wasn’t well. She was on her side, paddling and occasionally trying to get to her feet. My wife got her up but she collapsed again. Obviously I was called to attend to her. This was pregnancy toxaemia, known locally as twin lamb disease. Basically when the ewe carries twins the strain on her resources is too great, her glucose level drops and she staggers and falls. Once down the poor creature rapidly succumbs. When I got to her she was past the point of no return and pneumonia had set in. A sheep will never recover from this point and will gradually die over the next day or two. The only thing we could do was to humanely euthanase her. The injection was painless, administered directly into a vein and she simply went to sleep. The pain was over. Sad as it was to have to end the life of this poor ewe I felt comfort in knowing she didn’t have to endure a cold wet night and that she had died painlessly.

I am a companion animal veterinarian, working almost entirely with dogs, cats, cagebirds and other pet species. I have to deal with euthanasia on a daily basis. The most important role of a veterinarian is to prevent suffering. Most often this involves treating illness either surgically or medically and in most cases we will effect a cure. But sometimes we are presented with a problem that has no cure and where we cannot provide the patient with any quality of life despite treatment. Sometimes we need to provide relief by administering that final injection. Sometimes the pet owner will have this in mind when the appointment is made, knowing the seriousness of what is happening to their loved pet. Sometimes the vet is in the unfortunate position of having to tell an owner that there is nothing more that can be done. One way or another this vet visit can be one of the hardest for both vet and pet owner.

Making the decision to end your pet’s life can be very hard. Tears are almost always shed….and the vets and vet nurses will often be a part of that too. Feelings of guilt and betrayal are quite common. In most cases these feelings are not justified but it’s quite a common reaction where there is a great love between pet and owner. Throughout their lives our pets depend upon us almost entirely. They have a limited ability to care for themselves and we feel a great responsibility in the decisions we make that affect them. So when the time comes to make that final decision it can feel as though we are taking the easy way out, that it may seem that we no longer care. This isn’t true of course. Often owners feel that their pet is aware of what is going on as they fix their gaze upon our saddened eyes. But no….they are continuing to trust us to make the right choice and we must do that. We need to cast aside our feelings and do this for them. This final decision is the hardest decision we ever make for our pets but it is the least selfish and the most important.

So when that time comes, be brave, shed a tear but take comfort in knowing that you are continuing to attend to your pet’s needs as you have always done. It’s those who remain behind who suffer, no more pain for your loved pet.

Accompanying this article is a picture I took just outside a town called Corrigan in southern West Australia. The subject is one of the small graves in a dedicated dog cemetery.

All About Anal Glands

2011-08-09T08:07:00.000+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

The above picture is of a skunk ready to fire off her anal glands!

So what exactly are the anal glands in the dog and cat? : The anatomy of the area is that the anal glands consist two sacks under the skin and in the muscle of the anal region, they are connected to the surface by two very short ducts which emerge very close to the anus itself. In large breeds you might be able to see the duct openings but they are normally hard to spot by the untrained eye. The anal gland sacs are filled with a viscous dark fluid with a distinctive smell.

What is the purpose of the anal glands? : As each piece of faeces passes through the anus the anal gland sacs are squeezed and some of the anal gland contents pass up through the ducts and are deposited on the faeces as they pass along. In the wild this most likely serves as a territorial marker for dogs who are living in a pack situation and I guess that is why dogs always sniff at other dog’s faeces in the street. It is not the faeces they are interested it is the anal gland scent, in this way they will know which dogs have passed by. This is the same gland that skunk has by the way and in the skunk it is very highly developed as a weapon of defence. Both dogs and cats have anal glands but the anal glands of the cat are of much lesser importance and cause fewer problems than those of the dog so this article is really aimed at dog owners.

So what is the significance of these glands, what can go wrong with them? : Well there are three main significant problems which can potentially occur with anal glands in the dog. These are impacted anal glands, anal gland abscesses and tumours of the anal gland. Lets cover these one by one :

A : Impacted anal glands : Anal glands fill up and get impacted because modern dog diets are low in fibre compared to their wild counterparts. The diet of the wild dog such as the fox or wolf will be full of remnants of fur, feather and bone and so their faeces will be firmer and the gland will be emptied in a more natural fashion each time a wild dog passes faeces. In domestic dogs the danger is that with a refined diet the gland contents will just continue to build up and impaction is the result. Exercise could also play a part in these glands being emptied and this is something that a lot of pet dogs lack compared to their wild cousins.

You will know if your dog has impacted anal glands because they try and empty them by dragging their buts along the floor or carpet in a typical movement called “ scooting” or “ sledging “ . If you suspect your dog has impacted anal glands then your vet can easily empty them manually for you in the consulting room. However expressing the anal gland is something you can learn to do on your own as you would be unlikely to make matters worse as long as you are very gentle and only use very moderate force. It does however take practice so it would be a good idea to get your vet to demonstrate exactly how this can be done and then you could do it on your own thereafter.

To do this on your own first locate the anal glands which will be at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions taking the center of the anus as the center of a clock, the duct opening may be visible very close to the anus of your dog but they are very small. You should be able to feel the glands about the size of a grape under the skin in this position particularly if they are full and impacted.

Once you have found the glands press behind them with your thumb and forefinger and then gently empty them by pulling forward, you should feel a squirt as you do so. Have someone hold the dog for you when you do this and have a piece of kitchen paper ready over the anal area as the gland contents can squirt like a water pistol sometimes.

Expressing anal glands may be best done outside as the discharge does smell and can linger, and you might want to wear older clothes as well as it is not uncommon to get anal gland discharge on yourself. I have taught quite a few owners how to do this in the past and they now manage it successfully but you should consider having your vet show you how it is done in the first instance.

B. Anal gland abscesses : These are seen as a small inflamed swelling close to the anus, these like any abscess will grow in size until they burst and discharge their contents. They probably occur as a result of anal gland impactions but a primary infection is possible as well. Once the abscess has burst they will normally settle down with a course of antibiotics but some need lancing under anaesthesia. However when all is said and done these are almost always minor lesions and will resolve whatever happens.

C. Anal gland tumours in the dog : Tumors of the anal glands are uncommon in dogs but when they do occur they are often malignant and they can can invade local tissues such as the rectum, or spread through the body to invade other organs, they can do this even when the tumour on the anal area still looks very small. Even though an anal swelling looks minor you should seek advice as soon as possible in case you are dealing with a tumour. Radical surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy have all been used to tackle this aggressive cancer but unfortunately often with a poor outcome. Luckily though these are very rare cancers.

So there it is, the anal gland story, an indelicate subject perhaps but something every dog owner should know about.

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Nice to be back :)

2011-08-08T07:58:00.000+01:00

Hello :)

The Optimal Pet Team is glad to be back from holiday and we hope you have had a good time too!!

Here is a soft kick off with a viral video :)

TOP-TEAM IS NOW ON VACATION UNTIL AUGUST 8TH!

2011-07-23T23:57:00.004+01:00

WE ALSO WISH YOU A NICE HOLIDAY!

Laika, Come Home

2011-07-20T08:52:00.001+01:00

We found this video on You Tube and thought we should publish it as a tribute to the bravest dog in the world!

Sincerely,
TOP-Team

'Cat-nav' to study pet behaviour outside the home

2011-07-19T12:06:00.001+01:00

18 July 2011 on BBC

Scientists have been using special miniature cameras and a GPS system, nicknamed cat-nav, to learn more about the behaviour of cats.

The new study reveals what our pets really get up to when they go out on their own. Cat owner Jim Fowler tells BBC News it was interesting to see where his pet travelled to.
Richard Westcott reports.

The Role of Smell in Cats

2011-07-18T07:39:00.000+01:00

By Veterinarian Peter McGovern BVSc

The other day a friend asked me why her cat rubbed its face and chin against objects, in particular the furniture and doorways but even her own legs and face. It’s not just affection. A lot of this has to do with smells. In humans the sense of smell is usually considered to be the least important of the senses. We could probably lead a reasonably normal and unaffected life without this sense. Although our sense of smell can act as an early warning sign as with fire or chemical leak we mainly use it in combination with taste or sight, often for reasons of pleasure….the smell of a rose or our dinner cooking. But in many animal species the olfactory sense performs a very important social role. So when two animals meet each other, as with dogs in the park the first thing they do is sniff each other. Horses will sniff the breath of other horses and also their human companions. Many of us would have been in the situation of returning home from the vet with one of their cats to find that other cats in the home react with suspicion and sometimes with aggression when they smell their returning friend.

The focus of the sniffing will be directed towards specialised tissues that can provide valuable socialisation information between individuals. The sites of these specialised tissues vary between the species. In dogs it is primarily the anal sacs and perianal glands that sit below the tail. Cats in particular are very sensitive to smells and will use odours that they produce from specialised glandular tissue to influence other cats in some way. The chemicals that are produced by these glands contain very special compounds called pheromones. Pheromones are compounds that can generate a behavioural and emotional response in other members of the same species. These responses can include relaxation, fear, aggression and excitement. You’ve probably heard of animals “smelling fear”. When cats rub their chin on objects they are marking a “safe zone”, an area that is theirs. They do this primarily with the chin and cheek glands but sometimes (unfortunately) with their urine and anal sac secretions. Similar scent glands are in the toe pads and this is a part of the reason cats will scratch furniture as they try to rub the scent into the material.

You may have seen cats sniffing where another cat has been. They will curl up their lips with an open mouth as they inhale the scent into their mouth. This action has a name; it is called the Flehmen response and it acts to direct the air onto the vomeronasal organ (Jacobson's organ) which sits on the roof of the mouth. Specialised receptors in this structure recognise the pheromones and from there signals are sent directly to the brain where a response is elicited.

So why is all of this important? Well we can make use of a cat’s reaction to odours. There are now available synthetic pheromone sprays and aerosols which we can use to pacify cats which are stressed, perhaps because of high cat activity in the neighbourhood. These products are particularly effective in reducing urine spraying activity in the home. Urine spraying is usually a stress response in cats as they try to reclaim their habitat from what they see as invaders. We need to also understand the importance of not over-washing a cat’s possessions like blankets and baskets particularly when moving house or when a new pet is to be introduced. Understand also that many of our household sprays and chemicals can be quite irritant to the sensitive noses of our feline companions.

Do you need any nutritional advice for your pet?

2011-07-15T08:28:00.002+01:00

Hello, Readers :)

We would like to introduce our new Forum by starting with the topic "Do you need any nutritional advice for your pet?"

Please feel free to ask any questions you have about your dog's nutritional needs, issues or maybe questions what you should/ shouldn't give your pet etc.

Just click on this link and join the discussion - Ask a question!

We will then let a Husse representative answer these questions.

Best regards,
TOP-Team

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. { FLUTD }

2011-07-14T08:05:00.000+01:00

BY Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS.

The above image is of an ultrasound view of a cat’s bladder which is showing signs of FLUTD. The urethra is dilated and there is a "driving snow" appearance visible within the bladder.

This disease is one which cat owners can get dramatically wrong if they try and sort things on a home remedy basis. They see their cats are straining in the litter tray and naturally assume that the poor cat is constipated and accordingly try the likes of liquid paraffin { Also called mineral oil }, orally. But beware, sometimes this does not work because the cat had a blocked bladder instead of constipation and the time lost in getting to a vet could well be critical as kidney failure can be a consequence.

It is important for owners of male cats to know about this disease so lets cover it this week. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease { FLUTD } is a very common disease in cats, and actually is a general term as it is not really one disease but is a number of related conditions which can appear individually or in combination. The most common symptoms you might see would include cystitis, lower urinary tract infection, blockage of the urethra of male cats, and uraemia which is an accumulation of poisonous wastes in the cat’s bloodstream. It is much more a problem in male cats because of the anatomy of the urethra the tube which leads from the bladder to the outside, in male cats this is very narrow and can easily block and cause severe problems.

So what causes this disease? : It is easy to think that this is related to a bacterial cystitis as you may see in dogs, in fact this is not the case. Bacterial infection is a very rare cause of cystitis related FLUTD, but viruses may play a part, dietary factors which predispose to stones or crystals in the bladder have often been implicated and stress might be involved as well.The bottom line is that we often do not know the exact predisposing factors for this common cat disease.

What symptoms would I expect to see? With female cats you will see signs typical of a cystitis, you may see your cat straining to urinate, it may be trying to urinate much more frequently than normal, typically it will be spending prolonged amounts of time in the litter tray so much so that as I said before some owners will suspect that their cat is constipated. With some cats you may see blood in the urine, and often your cat may show increased grooming of the genital area. Most cats with FLUTD will be uncomfortable and quite unhappy, they may not be eating well or going outside as normal and may seek attention.

While this disease is without doubt very uncomfortable for female cats it is very rarely too dangerous a situation. With the male cat this can be a very serious disease, at it’s lower level the disease may present with cystitis like symptoms but the affected cat can still pass urine to some degree. Often though the bladder of affected cats can be completely blocked, these cats will be in pain and distress and will be straining to pass urine but will not be able to do so. If you suspect that your male cat may be in this position you should seek immediate hands on veterinary help as complications such as a ruptured bladder or kidney failure are more than possible if there is any delay.

How is it treated? : At its simplest level antibiotics or anti inflammatory drugs or a combination of both may be enough but if there is any hint of a urethral blockage in a male cat then a catheter should be passed, this will involve a general anaesthetic and a few days stay at the clinic. Often an x-ray is useful to see if there is sediment or stones in the bladder and samples may need to be sent for analysis.

Once your cat has had an episode of FLUTD how can you prevent it happening again in the future? : There are special diets on the market designed to prevent recurrence of this distressing disease, Katt Urinary from Husse would be very suitable for this purpose in a great many cases. It would also be worth feeding to cats which had not yet had an episode of urinary tract disease as it is formulated for adult cats to help maintain their urinary health.

The moral of the story is that if you have a cat, especially a male cat showing any of the symptoms I have listed you should have the cat checked over as soon as possible by your vet. No matter if it is the weekend, bank holiday or Christmas Day just get your cat to the vet!

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS.

Hello there...

2011-07-13T08:33:00.010+01:00

The Optimal Pet met Tim Eliasson, Director for Husse United Kingdom, and one of the Authors of this blog for a quick chat... Husse is the European leader in home delivery of quality pet food.

Hello Tim, how are you today?

Fine thank you, working hard for the release of our new Husse UK Facebook Webshop which will be integrated into our Facebook page. It will be launched soon, within a week or two, maybe sooner!

A webshop on Facebook?

Yes, exciting isn't it? As far as I know the first pet food webshop on Facebook in the United Kingdom, maybe the first in Europe.

We will offer all the products we have on our regular web shop as well as some special items which you can only purchase on Facebook if you live in the UK.

E.g. our Soft Food Barrels.

This is a service we want to offer our customers though we know that people spend a lot of time on Facebook. We will also offer introduction offers for the first people purchasing from this new webshop, but I can come back to you about that when we launch.

That sounds very good, whatelse do you have in the pipeline?

Well. we are constantly looking for distributors in the United Kingdom who would like to obtain the exclusive rights for our brand and product range in their local territory. We have over 80.000 registered Brittish clients ín our database, but not enough franchisees to deliver the products to them. We are recruiting one new distributor per month, but we need more. So we can offer a great platform with extensive support to those who wish to start a business.

How can someone receive more info if interested?

Please just click on this link for contact info and to download the prospect. We were also featured in the Farming National Monthly this other day. Feel free to read the digital copy for more info on page 7 (click on this link).

We will also provide contact details to existing franchisees for their references.

That sounds interesting, when will you write for The Optimal Pet again?

I am planning to write an article for Friday about the difference between quality pet food and cheaper pet food, though people should know that in this business you get what you pay for.

We are looking forward to that! Thank you for your time and talk to you soon!

Best regards,
TOP-Team

Dove ruins kitten's nap

2011-07-12T07:33:00.000+01:00

The Dachshund Dog Breed, The Sausage Dog!

2011-07-11T07:19:00.002+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS, MRCVS

The dog in the left in the photo is a Standard Dachshund, the one on the right is a Miniature.

Everybody loves this comical breed, you cannot help but smile when you see one moving along in their characteristic style … The Sausage Dog. They are of course one of the group of dogs which have German origins, this is borne out in the two words in the name dachs hund which literally means “badger dog” in German. Now you would be forgiven in wondering how the average Dachshund you see in the street could possibly tackle a badger it would seem much more likely that the badger would chase away the Dachshund! The answer of course is that most Dachshunds you see are Miniature Dachshunds and there is a standard variety which is very much larger and could well take on a badger and win.

Now some more about this popular breed. There are in fact three varieties of Dachshunds, The Standard, The miniature,and The Kaninchen, this word means rabbit by the way. The kaninchen is not recognised as a breed standard in all parts of the world and I have rarely seen one. The difference between these variations is only size, a Standard Dachshund weighs around 28 lb, a Miniature less than 11 lb and the Kaninchen weighs 8 lb.

It comes as no surprise given the name that this breed was purpose bred to hunt badgers, they originated from Europe and their ancestry though now unclear includes a mixture of German, French and English hounds and terriers. The Miniature breed has been used to hunt rabbits and the the Kaninchen has been used to hunt prairie dogs in America, though nowadays it would be rare to find a working Dachshund, they are happily mainly pets and companion animals.

As there are three sizes of Dachshund there are also three coat varieties, smooth coated, long coated and wire haired. However,whatever type of coat your Dachshund has it is not difficult to look after, just a brushing through now and again will be fine. Their coats come in a variety of colours, including red, merle and black and tan.

We all know their amusing looks, but are they temperament wise the right dog for you? Well many Dachshunds can be good and loyal pets to their owners but some can have a strong headed streak in them and can sometimes be difficult to train. For a small breed they make excellent watch dogs and will soon let you know if a stranger is about, given the chance they will spend endless time chasing other animals such as cats, birds, and squirrels. Another habit they have which gives away their origins is that they take great delight in digging holes in the garden. In short they are great characters and in my experience this breed often attract owners who are great characters as well!

I could go on for long enough about this exceptional breed but sadly they are in my opinion another breed which should not be bred from in it’s present form, why? Well the answer is three words - intervertebral disk disease. All small animal vets will have seen Dachshunds which are either fully or partially paralysed as the result of a slipped disk type injury, while this may be due to some minor trauma such as jumping up it can also happen spontaneously. The basic problem is their elongated backs which can bow in the middle and cause pressure on the vertebrae in the dog’s spine. This situation is not rare and is a distressing and painful disease for the individual dogs and stressful and expensive for the owners as they seek a cure. Sometimes this situation will slowly resolve with rest and anti-inflammatory drugs, others need extensive surgery on their backs which is not always successful and other dogs end up with a poor quality of life and it may be best to reluctantly put them to sleep.

There are measures you can take to protect your Dachshunds back, use your common sense and try and avoid them jumping up or avoid any obvious situation which will stress their back. You should also try and keep their weight towards the low end of the normal weight range, feeding the likes of Husse Light Optimal dog food can help in this regard and regular moderate exercise would be a good thing as well. However as I said before in another article about Dalamatians and Deafness the breeders should put their house in order and start to breed dogs with a more healthy conformation.

From a vet’s point of view the back problems are the most serious disease in the breed but they also suffer to a much lesser extent to other medical conditions. This is in fact not too much of a worry to potential owners as each dog breed has a list of medical conditions associated with it. These would include epilepsy, slipping patellas, cherry eye and patent ductus arteriosus amongst others.

So there we have it, the Dachshund a comical breed who often suffers from far from comical back problems.

Scott Nimmo BVMS, MRCVS

Whatever People Can Do, Dogs Can Do Better!

2011-07-08T07:01:00.000+01:00

Pet Business Opportunity: Husse offer food for thought to "cereal" entrepreneurs!

2011-07-07T15:55:00.001+01:00

By Tim Biörck Eliasson, Director for Husse United Kingdom

Hello!

Last month Husse was featured in the Brittish Farming Monthly National as a suitable pet food business opportunity for farmers in rural areas or people living in suburbans. Feel free to click on this link for a digital copy of the magazine and please go to page 7 - Faming Monthly National June 2011

What To Do If Your Cat Stops Using It’s Litter Tray

2011-07-07T08:23:00.000+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS, MRCVS

{ The above photo is my cat Peter enjoying his new life }

I have two indoor house cats who live with me, Peter and Avatar, they are scrupulously clean animals and use their litter tray every time. Peter came to me as an injured rough tough Philippines street cat but he took to his litter tray within hours of arriving. From observing him I am sure that using the litter tray is not learned behaviour but completely natural instinct in cats.

However not everyone is as lucky as me, many of my clients have experienced the situation where their cats suddenly stop using the litter tray and become dirty in the house. They may do this as young kittens or even as quite old cats who suddenly start this as well. While I love cats I also like to live in a nice clean smelling environment so if your cats starts to misbehave like this what can you do about it? Lets work through this on a point by point basis.

1. The first thing to do is to get your vet to check your cat over in case this behaviour is disease related. I have known cats be dirty in the house when they are suffering from cystitis for example. While this may not be the reason your cat is not using it’s litter tray you have to rule out medical reasons before you go any further.

2. If your cat has been checked over by a vet and gets a clean bill of health then clearly this is not a medical problem so it must logically therefor be a behavioural issue, so lets work through the possible remedies. The first one is that when you clean up after where your cat has urinated or defecated in the house you should use one of the odour eliminator type solutions you can get from your vet or better pet stores. These work as they have a biological action like a washing machine soap powder and digest organic matter. In fact a dilute solution of such a soap powder is a very good thing to use as well. You see if you just use normal soap and water as most people will do your house will smell fine to you but to your cat and it will still smell afterwards. The moral of the story is that if the place smells like a public toilet to a cat he or she may just use it as such!

3. The next step is to moving the cat litter trays, that's often a very good thing to do. Also make sure you keep the litter tray well away from your cat’s food or water bowls because that could be part of the reason it does not use it. Also sometimes providing another litter tray elsewhere in the house is a very good idea as well.

4. If at this stage the problem continues you should change your cat litter to another brand which is very different in colour and texture from the brand you are using now. A good one to try is Premium Clumping Litter from Husse or their ECO Kattströ system brand, cats would prefer these over the modern crystal cat litters as it is not sore on their feet when they dig and the consistency and smell of both these products is attractive to them. A change of cat litter should be your first step but if that fails you could also consider using earth from the garden instead of cat litter. This is not quite so absorbent as cat litter in terms of smells etc. but it is much more natural for the cat and might your cat back into his or her litter tray. If this works you can then slowly and gradually switch back to normal cat litter.

5. Some cats abandon their litter trays and start to be dirty in the house because they are marking out their territory in response to some anxiety or fear, another cat in the neighborhood which has been hanging about near your house for example. This is a very common cause of cats starting to territorial mark in the house. There are diffuser type products which have a calming effect on cats and these are very useful in these cases, you can get them from your vet or better pet stores. Finally some cats respond to low level tranquilisers where territorial anxiety concerning other cats is a factor but this is a last resort, it often works well though.

As a parting shot behavioural problems in the cat are always more difficult to understand than those in the dog because cats function very much on an instinctive level as opposed to a learned response in the dog. The subject we have covered today is the most common behavioural problem which vets encounter in the cat. It is often difficult to overcome but if an owner were to work through the above list with patience and kindness then in may cases this behaviour can be corrected, losing your temper with a cat will just make things worse.

Scott Nimmo BVMS, MRCVS

Dental Care

2011-07-06T08:13:00.001+01:00

By Veterinarian Peter McGovern BVSc

In practice I see a wide variety of animal species. Of course as a small animal practitioner the majority of my patients are dogs and cats. But in my practice we had a policy of treating anything that could be brought through our front door. Now in Australia snakes are popular as pets, in particular pythons. Pythons are not venomous but they still have teeth and with that comes dental and gum problems.

I remember one day when I was asked to assess a sick python. This snake was quite unwell and it had a very smelly mouth. It was suffering from stomatitis, a common problem in snakes often called “mouth rot” or “canker”. Treatment was fairly straightforward but the reason I remember this case so well is because of the owner. She was a new client, a lady of voluptuous qualities and she identified herself to our reception desk simply as “Bardot”. No first name; just “Bardot”. From her appearance we guessed that she was an “entertainer” and that this was her stage name. It turned out that the python was a prop used in her act. I recall seeing her sitting in our waiting room plumb in the middle of a line of clients. A vet’s waiting room can be quite a social event for pet owners and clients will usually chat to each other about their pets. But mostly the pets are on display…either on a lead or in an open cage. In front of Miss Bardot was a hessian sack…..and it was writhing around. The lady with the Pomeranian beside her politely asked Miss Bardot what she had in the sack. “My snake” was the reply. All of a sudden Miss Bardot sat alone as the other clients scrambled for more distant seats.

Treatment of this snake was quite straightforward and successful. But this brings me to the point of this article……dental care. Teeth and gum problems, in particular periodontal disease account for a large percentage of a vet’s work. Up to 85% of middle aged cats and dogs suffer from periodontal disease. You can significantly reduce gum and teeth problems in your dog or cat by following some simple measures.

Much of dental and gum disease in cats and dogs relates to the build-up on the teeth of plaque a pasty mix of bacteria, oral debris and saliva. Left there, in time this plaque mineralises to form a brittle coating called tartar. Bacteria can shelter beneath this hard shell and the important gum margin becomes infected and damaged. This allows the bacteria to invade deeper, damaging the surrounding bone and eventually causing tooth loss. In more advanced case the bacteria can cause severe bone infection and can even spread via the blood to more distant organs. It can be very serious. However if we catch the problem early when there is just gum infection we can reverse the problem.

First you should look for tell-tale signs of dental and gum disease in your pet. This will include a bad breath, drooling and signs of mouth soreness like difficulty eating or the dropping food. Lift the lips up at the sides and front of the mouth and look at the teeth. They should be white and smooth. A brown to black discolouration is likely to be plaque or calculus. The gingival membrane which runs along the tooth should be pink and smooth and should form an intimate bond with the tooth enamel. If it is swollen, red or irregular there is probably a problem. Your vet will usually check your pet’s teeth at routine visits. If there is a build-up of calculus then a dental cleaning procedure may be suggested.

But in mild cases it may just mean some management procedures which you can do yourselves. The first and most important preventive measure is to encourage chewing. This can be done by feeding good quality commercial dry food. There are even special dry food diets designed to maintain healthy teeth and gums. There are also a variety of chewy dog treats which will clean the teeth and massage the gums. Tugg Plus is one such product. Bones are not the answer as they can damage the sensitive gum margin and cause tooth fractures. On top of this bones can be associated with an assortment of other problems particularly in dogs. You can read more about this in the article, The Dangers of Feeding Your Dog Bones.

Some dogs and cats will allow their owner to clean their teeth. It’s important though that use a toothpaste designed for cats and dogs. Human toothpaste contains compounds that can cause injury to your pet if swallowed. Specially designed toothbrushes and finger brushes are available to make this task easier.

So keep a watch on your pet’s mouth. Look after their teeth just like us humans should look after our own.

"Shame On You Pet Owner"

2011-07-05T08:09:00.001+01:00

Margarita from Stockholm, Sweden, sent us this picture showing a sign with the words "Shame on you pet owner" and the rest speaks for itself :)

Is this a problem in your town? are there many irresponsible pet owners out there who just let the s#"t be?

What Are The Causes Of Deafness In The Dog?

2011-07-04T10:00:00.001+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

I can speak from personal experience with this one, when I lived in the UK I used to have two beautiful collie cross mongrel dogs. In the morning I used to walk them in a large park close to where I lived before I went to work in the morning, it was good for me as it was a nice quiet time of day with no one about and good for them as they loved it and ran everywhere. As time passed of course they grew older as did I but they of course aged more quickly. One morning I whistled and Jennie did not come back as she normally would have done and after that she quickly became noticeably deaf and some six months later the same thing happened to my other dog Meg. As a vet I would have thought that this form of deafness would have been slowly progressive but as a dog owner I have to tell you that both dogs seemed to get deaf almost overnight.

So what form of deafness were they suffering from? This was certainly deafness of senility, not that the dogs were senile in any other way but this form of deafness is just due to old age and a general wearing down of the working mechanism of the ear. This is the commonest form of deafness which a vet will see in his or her consulting room but unfortunately there is no possible treatment. When you examine the ear canal or carry out other tests everything looks normal, these dogs are usually about thirteen or fourteen years of age and the owner may tell you that their dog now cannot hear high frequency sounds such as whistles but it can respond to low rumbling noises.

This can be a very confusing situation for the dog but all is not lost, many dogs particularly intelligent breeds like border collies will adapt to the situation and look to you for commands via hand signals. You have to be patient but I have known many dogs learn to interact with their owners in this way and regain a good quality of life. Where you have more than one dog the deaf dog may even follow the one with unimpaired hearing and look to it for guidance.

So are there other forms of deafness a vet may encounter in their consulting room? Indeed there are, I would say another two categories, congenital deafness and acquired deafness. Lets cover the congenital form first. This is usually associated with a dominant or recessive gene depending on the breed, certain dog breeds are well known to be potentially affected, These breeds include The English Setter, The Great Dane and The Dalmatian to name but three, but there are others. In practice I personally often wondered if there is not a connection between the white or merle coat colour, blue irises, and deafness in the dog, I would not be surprised if I was right.

The best known breed which suffers from congenital deafness is of course the Dalmation. I really wonder sometimes why people breed dogs like Dalmatians when they know there is a high chance of some of the puppies being deaf? You see nearly the entire Dalmatian population carries the gene for deafness. There are of course Dalmatians which are perfectly healthy, in fact around 70% of them can hear with both ears, about 20% have some degree of hearing in one ear, and the other 10% of Dalmatians pups are deaf in both ears. And what happens to these deaf pups, why the majority get put down. Again there is no possible treatment, the breeders of Dalmatians should get their house in order …

So that just leaves the third category which is acquired deafness. This is a rare situation but probably very under diagnosed in practice. Trauma to the head or ear mechanism is a possible cause, a blow to the head following a road traffic accident for example or repeated exposure to loud noises such as could occur with gun dogs and the sound of firing. There are other possible causes though, It can also happen as a side effect to various drugs those which have been implicated include steroids, aspirin and erythromycin to name but three, this form of deafness is quite rare though. Acquired deafness can also be the result of infections of the inner, middle or outer ear, but again most ear infections will resolve and not leave lasting damage to your dog’s ear. Of the three categories of deafness in the dog this is really the only form you would have much chance of treating if you can determine the underlying cause.

So there we have it the three categories of deafness in the dog. And Meg and Jenny? They are long gone and are just pleasant memories. And me? Well I now have a hearing aid, poetic justice I hear you say!

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Seborrhea and Seborrheic Dermatitis

2011-07-01T20:01:00.004+01:00

By Veterinarian Peter McGovern BVSc

Does your dog stink? Is he always scratching? Even though you just gave him a bath he starts to smell again almost straight away. The smell permeates your home, gets on your hands and clothes. It puts you off hugging him.

This might be Seborrhea, a common problem in dogs, particularly in some breeds. The condition is quite common in Cocker Spaniels, West Highland White Terriers, German Shepherds and Shar-Peis but any breed or cross breed can suffer from this. The signs of seborrhea can include excessive body odour, itchiness, an oily feel to the skin, thickened skin, reddening of the skin and sometimes dark pigmentation.

(Click on the picture to zoom in)

Seborrhea basically involves an excessive turnover and/or build up of skin. An affected dog may be producing successive layers of skin at 2-3 times the rate found in a normal dog. The top layer of skin is actually dead and is called the keratinised layer. It needs to be shed continually to allow for the layers migrating up behind it. The keratinised layer should exist as just a thin layer on the surface. In addition some dogs have overactive sebaceous glands and the oil produced by these glands binds the keratin layer down, further slowing its shedding. The skin becomes thickened and normal skin bacteria and yeasts breed in this. As they do so they break down the oils to produce that typical yeast/doggy smell. These organisms also produce enzymes that can irritate the skin causing itchiness. The patient then licks, chews and scratches, making matters worse. We usually then call the condition seborrheic dermatitis. As the condition becomes chronic we get a thickening of the skin and hair loss. In time pigment is deposited as a response to the continual irritation.

Untreated this condition can get quite out of hand and the poor dog can become very difficult to live with. So what do we do? We need to use a combination of therapies.

1. Keratolytic shampoos to dissolve away the built up keratin layer. Combined in this shampoo it is preferable to have an anti-bacterial and anti-yeast medication and these shampoos are readily available It should be used twice weekly until the problem is under control then perhaps weekly or fortnightly as a long term preventative.

2. Antibiotics to control the bacterial overgrowth. Antibiotics must be used under the direction of your veterinarian.

3. Corticosteroid (eg prednisone). This drug is very effective in controlling seborrhea. It relieves itch, slows the skin turnover rate and reduces oil production. The dose is usually gradually reduced as the condition responds but some dogs need the medication intermittently through life. With effective use of medicated shampoos often we can stop cortisone altogether. Corticosteroids also should only be used under the direction of a veterinarian.

4. Diet. A good quality balanced diet is most important. Don’t make up your own diet. There are a variety of low allergy diets that promote a healthy skin. Husse is a pet food company which sells such diets.

5. Flea control. This is of paramount importance. Use a spot on flea preventative.

Very effective improvements can be made providing an owner is willing to put in the work (shampoos) and willing to medicate the patient. But seborrhea is not curable and you must be prepared to continue putting the work in. On the other hand if you do so you will have a much smarter looking pooch and much more comfortable relationship with your companion.

The Birman Cat Breed

2011-06-30T07:55:00.000+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

I love cats but I have never bought a pedigree cat in my life, I have always adopted strays brought to my clinic who needed help and now that I live in a new country I continue to do so, in fact I have four of them at my house with me right now. To be clear I am not any sort of saint { Far from it! } but I now have a very good life, and at the end of the day it was the cats and dogs of the UK who were treated at my clinic over the years who gave me what I now possess, so it is only right I should show respect to the animals that I encounter here. Of course the cats that live here with me and those in my past are all “ Moggies “ but today’s question is which cat breed would I personally choose if I had the choice?

Well to answer this question my mind goes back to the early 1980’s when I set up my practice close to London in the UK, of course at first I had very few clients so I could spend a lot of time with them, one of my founding clients was a breeder of Birman cats and she introduced me to the breed. I had never seen a cat of this sort before and I quickly became captivated by them, not only their stunning looks but also their character. So this is a good lead in for today’s article, The Birman Cat Breed.

This breed should not be confused with the Burmese breed but it is a very ancient breed in it’s own right and like most ancient breeds there are fascinating legends which go with it. In the Birman’s case it goes like this, many centuries ago the people of what was Burma but is now Myanmar built a Temple where they worshiped a golden goddess with sapphire-blue eyes, called Tsun-Kyan-Kse. A prominent priest called Mun-Ha often knelt in meditation before the Goddess with Sinh a beautiful white temple cat, beside him, both gazing at the golden figure of the Goddess.

However one night the worst happened and robbers attacked the temple and Mun-Ha was killed. As Mun-Ha died the cat Sinh placed his feet upon his fallen master and faced the Golden Goddess. The Goddess answered the cat’s prayer and all the hairs of his white coat turned golden, his yellow eyes turned to sapphire blue, like those of the Goddess he worshipped. His four white legs turned earthy brown, but where his paws rested gently on his dead master, they remained white as a symbol of purity. Next morning all the hundred white cats of the temple were as golden as Sinh who did not leave the sacred throne until seven days later he also died to carry his fallen master's soul into paradise. Since that time, whenever a sacred cat died in the Temple of Lao-Tsun, the soul of a priest was said to accompany it on its journey to the hereafter.

An emotional story but on to more modern times and more solid facts, in the early 1920s a pair of temple cats were given to a couple of European travellers who brought them to France, unfortunately the male did not survive the long sea voyage but his mate was pregnant and so the breed became established in France and in 1925 Birmans were recognised as a breed in their own right. For a time the breed developed and it’s numbers grew in size but by the end of the Second World War there was once again only a single living pair in The West, but again in the more settled times of peace the breed again rose phoenix like and spread to different countries till in 1966 it was recognised as a breed in the UK. Today although not a common breed most vets will see them in their consulting rooms from time to time.

So what is so appealing about this breed? Of course at first glance they are a strikingly beautiful cat and they can reach quite a large size which enhances their presence. They have a beautiful semi-long haired coat but their piercing blue eyes are their most prominent feature, put the package together and you have a cat with almost mystical presence. But as in all things in life looks are not everything, however with this breed the character can often surpass their looks. The best way to sum this up is that they are very people orientated cats and will seek your company, if you are relaxing in the house or working in your study your Birman cat will not be far behind and will soon be sitting at your side quietly demanding some attention or perhaps just happy to be near you. They are a playful breed and will play with each other or happily occupy themselves on their own with any odd objects they find about the house. It is just these qualities which make them ideal as house cats.

From a vet’s point of view they have few health problems in the breed, this may be due to their long history where only the healthy specimens would get the chance to breed unlike some man made cat breeds of today. They may be slightly prone to cardiomyopathy but that is about it in my experience. Back in the 1980’s they had a reputation for being sensitive to anaesthetics and the breeders were understandably quick to bring this to my attention and this may have been the case, I know I was always particularly careful with them during surgery. Nowadays with modern anaesthetics such as isoflourane and propofol this is now much less of a problem.

So there we have it, the pedigree cat breed I would go for myself if I had free the choice, The Sacred Cat Of Burma, The Birman.

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Cat boxing dog. Who wins?

2011-06-29T03:50:00.000+01:00

Chat with the Optimal Pet Team!

2011-06-28T09:18:00.001+01:00

Hello Everyone!

Now you can chat with us directly on our "Chat with the Optimal Pet Team" - page! Please feel free to check it out. Feel free to ask questions about related topics or maybe you just have some feedback :)

To enter the chat click here - The Optimal Pet Chat

Best regards,
The TOP-Team

My Dog Pees When She Greets Me

2011-06-28T07:34:00.001+01:00

By Veterinarian Peter McGovern BVSc

How annoying is this! You arrive home and your pup runs up to greet you. She’s wagging her tail, whimpering with happiness and bouncing with glee. You’re so happy to see her. She rolls over on her back and then all of a sudden she releases a big stream of urine….all over the carpet. The same thing happens when visitors arrive or sometimes even when you call her.

Although there can be anatomical problems that predispose a dog to this it is usually considered to be a behavioural issue. It is seen most often in immature dogs but can occur at all ages and in both males and females. We call it submissive urination. It is usually associated with a dog’s acceptance and recognition of being of a lower status, designed to send this message to dogs of a higher rank. So we will also see it happen when a dog meets a more dominant dog.

The basic mechanism is that the bladder sphincter muscle relaxes when something causes a strong emotional response. That can be pleasure, excitement or fear. This sphincter muscle relaxation is due to stimulation of the autonomic nervous system which is very much tied to emotions. It is basically an involuntary action. The urine then leaks out and contraction of the bladder muscles will usually follow. Please note that occasionally a subclinical congenital defect (eg ectopic ureter) can be involved, predisposing a dog to any cause of urine leakage but in that case we might expect the leakage to be occurring as a more continual event.

In the wild, within a dog pack a very strong indicator to other members of the pack that an individual dog recognises their dominance is to urinate, often from a submissive posture like rolling over. For this reason anything that promotes your dominance over your dog could trigger the action. So it’s very important to not punish your dog for wetting but also to avoid showing any strong signals of concern. That means no shouting or saying “no”, etc.

Medication is not usually effective for this problem.

The correct way to tackle this is to defuse the situation. That means the patient needs to be ignored when you first arrive home in order to reduce the impact of your arrival. Minimal eye contact, no physical contact and don’t bend over to her. Even walk past her as though she didn’t exist. It may seem to be a little mean to do so but it’s quiet important to do this. Regular visitors may need to be instructed to do the same. As your dog starts to lose the initial excitement you can begin to show some recognition. Calmly saying “Hello”, “Good girl”, etc. This technique usually works well and in time the dog grows out of the problem.

An alternative technique is to teach your dog a competing command. This may be something as simple as “sit” or just directing her to her bed to lie down. Or you can concoct a new command like “relax”. Train her to respond to this at times when she’s not excited or upset. So “relax” might mean she has to stop doing whatever she is doing and remain still. This distracts her from the submissive gesture when used at the appropriate time….but you must get this competing command in early…before she urinates….be quick and predictive. You can also modify this technique by using a competing or distractive activity like throwing a ball to be retrieved. This quickly takes her out of “pack mode” where the submissive behaviour occurs and into play mode.

You should make good progress with these methods and hopefully she’ll soon mature out of the problem. Remember though, if she starts to show signs of genuine urinary incontinence then you must see your vet. He/she may suggest investigating for a congenital problem or medication for urethral sphincter muscle incompetence.

Should I Neuter My Cat?

2011-06-27T07:51:00.001+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

{ The above photo is of a female cat under anaesthetic being prepared for spaying }

When I lived in the UK I spent quite a bit of my professional life neutering cats, from time to time I wondered if it was really necessary and it crossed my mind that perhaps I was putting them through an unnecessary procedure. Now I live in a third world country where there is a large population of feral cats some of the members of which I see each day as I go about my business I have no such reservations. I now know without doubt that I was previously doing the right thing and I was doing the cats I operated on in the past a very big favour.

So today lets cover the ethics of neutering in the cat, { most of this equally applies to dogs by the way } first some terminology, neutering just means carrying out a procedure so that cats cannot breed, both in the male and the female, castration is a term used to describe the removal of the testicles in male animals. In the female the procedure is called spaying and usually means of removal of both the ovaries and uterus, this operation is called an ovariohysterectomy and is a much larger procedure than that carried out in the male as it involves entering the abdominal cavity. Both male and female cats are usually neutered around the age of six months by the way.

So lets cover the pros and cons of these procedures, first the benefits.

1. The most obvious benefit is that neutering removes the risk of pregnancy. Even in the developed world pet overpopulation is a serious and harrowing problem to cat lovers. Some people think that it is good or “ lovely “ to let their female cat have a litter or that it is in some way good for them, wrong, wrong, wrong! Why is pregnancy a bad thing? Well each year world wide thousands of cats end up in animal shelters and not all find a home, many are destroyed, and who helps feral cats if they have an accident or become sick? If your cat has a litter of kittens it is not always easy to find homes for them, and if you should keep the litter yourself a responsible owner has the obligation of the cost of vaccines, parasite control, toys and food for several more little guys in the family in these hard economic times.

2. Not all pregnancies and deliveries go to plan and sometimes there can be complications, having your cat spayed eliminates this health risk. Un-neutered male cats are very prone to be territorial and frequently fight with other cats, long term this can be bad for their health as infected cat bite wounds are not uncommon and some significant diseases can spread in this way. Un-neutered cats both male and female tend to wander, sometimes quite a distance and this makes them vulnerable to car accidents and other traumatic episodes such as encounters with dogs.

A final positive aspect of spaying your cat is that spayed female cats tend to have fewer health problems later in life. Spaying is the removal of the ovaries and womb, you see without these organs, ovarian cysts, uterine infections and cancer of the reproductive tract are no longer a concern.

3. A neutered cat tends to be a more settled house cat and more affectionate with their owners. For example male cats have a tendency to territorial mark and urinated indoors, and their urine does smell. A unspayed female cat will not “ call “ when they come into season and the family will be spared their high pitched serenades and singing as their instinct to attract a mate kicks in. you can bet your bottom dollar they will always do this when there is something interesting on the TV!

Of course as with everything in life there is a down side, so lets cover that.

1. Neutering operations are just that an operation which will require an anaesthetic and there is always the potential for something to go wrong, bleeding, post operative infections and basis surgical errors. Thankfully though most small animal vets become very slick at these procedures and the percentage of post surgical problems is very low and with care many of those that do occur can be treated. But make no mistake there is always a risk albeit very small.

2. Some cats have a tendency to gain weight after neutering, you see if left intact they have a strong mating desire and can expend a lot of energy seeking out a mate. Without this imperative the calories they did not burn out in this quest may be converted to fat. As with overweight people fat cats may be prone to various disease conditions such as heart disease and iliac thrombosis. Of course you can do something about that, watch your cat’s weight and adjust it’s diet accordingly and encourage it to exercise by providing toys and games if he or she is an inside cat.

As far as the downside goes that is about it so now all you have to do is to weigh things up in your own mind and decide which way is best for you and your cat. Really though this decision is a complete “ no brainer “ !!!

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Sorry for not publishing any post yesterday!

2011-06-25T18:27:00.003+01:00

Hello, Everyone

Sorry for not publishing any post yesterday! but the Optimal Pet crew were off thanks to the Midsummer holiday.

A traditional Swedish midsummer.

Background from Wikipedia:

European midsummer-related holidays, traditions, and celebrations are pre-Christian in origin. They are particularly important in Northern Europe - Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania - but are found also in Germany, Ireland, parts of Britain (Cornwall especially), France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine, other parts of Europe, and elsewhere - such as Canada, the United States, Puerto Rico, and also in the Southern Hemisphere (mostly in Brazil, Argentina and Australia), where this imported

European celebration would be more appropriately called Midwinter.

Midsummer is also sometimes referred to by Neopagans and others as Litha, stemming from Bede's De temporum ratione which provides Anglo-Saxon names for the months roughly corresponding to June and July as "se Ærra Liþa" and "se Æfterra Liþa" (the "early Litha month" and the "later Litha month") with an intercalary month of "Liþa" appearing after se Æfterra Liþa on leap years. The fire festival or Lith- Summer solstice is a tradition for many pagans. Solstice celebrations still center around the day of the astronomical summer solstice. Some choose to hold the rite on the 21st of June, even when this is not the longest day of the year, and some celebrate June 24, the day of the solstice in Roman times.

Although Midsummer is originally a pagan holiday, in Christianity it is associated with the nativity of John the Baptist, which is observed on the same day, June 24, in the Catholic, Orthodox and some Protestant Christmas because Luke 1:26 and Luke 1.36 imply that John the Baptist was born six months earlier than Jesus, although the Bible does not say at which time of the year this happened. churches. It is six months before. In Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Quebec (Canada), the traditional Midsummer day, June 24, is a public holiday. So it was formerly also in Sweden and Finland, but in these countries it was, in the 1950s, moved to the Saturday between June 19 and June 26.

Best regards,
TOP - Team

Itchy Dogs And Difficult Clients

2011-06-23T07:47:00.002+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS.

{ The above photo is of a microscope image of a mange mite, sarcoptes }

There are some situations which are sent to try the patience of the average vet, I remember one particularly busy Saturday morning surgery when a client arrived at the front desk without an appointment { or their dog with them } demanded to see me, and then explained that their dog had an itchy skin so could I just give her something to cure it over the counter, oh yes, and could I do it quickly as she was in a hurry. I explained that I would have to check the dog over first to come to a diagnosis but that was not well received and there was a clear underlying insinuation that I was just trying to extract money from her and did not care in the least about her dog.

In this situation a vet just has to stick to their guns, there are a number of common reasons why dogs would be itchy some of which can be demanding to both diagnose and treat so you have to get it right both for the dog’s sake and also to make sure that the client in fact spends their money on the right treatment. This story is a nice lead in to today’s article, common causes of itchy skin condition in the dog.

There are three main avenues I would look down when considering why a dog has an itchy skin.

1. External parasites such as fleas and lice, this is just a case of looking in the dog’s coat as these insects are visible to the naked eye and easily identified. They are also easily treated via flea sprays etc. and this is one situation where over the counter remedies can be perfectly adequate. However there are also microscopic mites such as those responsible for sarcoptic mange, you can see an example in the photo above, this disease is confirmed via skin scrapings which the vet will look at with their microscope and check for the mites. Sarcoptic mange can be difficult to diagnose on clinical signs alone and sometimes difficult to treat but if you are determined with the treatment it can usually be resolved. Prescription drugs would sort this disease out best …

2. Bacterial skin condition happen now and then either as a primary condition or secondary to something else. This group of skin diseases is easier to diagnose because of the typical appearance of the skin and treatment would usually be a course of antibiotics.

3. The last of the three general causes is the worst group for any vet, the allergy or hypersensitivity based skin conditions, in this group is atopic dermatitis { atopy } and also things like contact dermatitis. It can occur on a seasonal basis at the same time each year. Some possible causes would be

A. Some cases of atopy are due to an allergy to a small protein in the saliva of the flea which the flea passes when it bites. Stringent flea control is a must not only on your dog but in the house as well. Where a dog is hypersensitive only a couple of bites may be enough to trigger a massive skin reaction and prescription drugs are almost always needed to cure or control the situation. Other insects such as flying insects can also be involved.

B. It can be an allergy to components of the diet so consider a hypo allergenic diet trial, your vet will advise, there are quite a few on the market. If you go down this road your dog will have to be fed only this type of diet and water and be aware that it may take six weeks for this approach to show any signs of success. These diets work because because they contain food components not normally part of a dog’s diet such as lamb and rice in the case of the Lam and Ris sensitivity diet from Husse, you can read more about this diet HERE.

C. Other allergies are more than possible and difficult to diagnose, such as reactions to pollen or house dust mites, these dogs can be maintained on prescription drugs such as steroids or the likes of atopica . Again diseases in this group are generally best treated with prescription drugs but other treatments can be used such as desensitisation.

The above are the three main general causes of itchy skin disease in the dog, of course there are are a range of other more rare causes such as some hormonal disorders. But back to the client at my front desk, previously you would have thought it would have been reasonably easy just to have given her some wash or pills or something and kept her quiet but having read the article you can now see how stupid this course of action would have been. While to the client I would have been their “ Blue Eyed Boy “ for a few days the chances are that after a week or so she would have been back in the surgery telling me that their dog was more itchy than ever and I did not know my job!

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS.

KITTEN in Hamster Ball stuck in the middle

2011-06-22T08:43:00.000+01:00

Scooting

2011-06-21T08:25:00.004+01:00

By Veterinarian Peter McGovern BVSc

It’s often seen. It’s often laughed at. You see a dog (sometimes a cat) sitting, bottom on the ground and with its hind legs extended out in front whilst it drags itself along by its front legs. The expression on its face is usually one of pure bliss. It looks funny but somehow seems distasteful and it can be quite an embarrassment to some pet owners. We call this scooting. It’s a problem vets see regularly in practice.

Often the first thing that comes to an owner’s mind when their pet does this is “worms”. But that’s not always the case. When your pet scoots it simply means that there is an irritation in the area surrounding the anus and under the base of the tail. They are itchy and seek relief by rubbing. There can be many causes but the most common are as follows:

1. Impacted or infected anal sacs (anal glands). The anal sacs are paired structures sitting one on either side of the anus in the sphincter muscle. They normally express a secretion into the stool as part of territorial markings. In effect they are “scent glands”. A dog sometimes also expresses these sacs if excited or frightened. This can produce a nasty fishy smell. Sometimes the anal sacs become blocked or infected and this causes the dog or cat irritation. They will attempt to relieve this by scooting. Your vet can simply express the anal sacs and provide instant relief. If infection is present the vet will prescribe antibiotics. A balanced diet with good fibre levels will often prevent anal sacs from becoming overfull. Good quality commercial pet foods provide adequate fibre. Anal sac impaction is also more common in overweight dogs so keep your dog slim.

2. Tapeworm. The adult tapeworm exists as a very long worm in the small intestine. Segments of the worm (loaded with eggs) break free and make their way to the anus. They are mobile and crawl out of the anus eventually drying up on the skin. When they are mobile they look like little maggots but when they dry up they appear as a light brown coloured "seed" a little like a sesame seed or grain of rice. If tapeworm is the cause of the scooting and you look under the tail of your pet when it’s scooting you will see the segments. An "all wormer" will clear the tapeworm and effective flea control will prevent recurrence (fleas pass the tapeworm to dogs and cats).

3. Dermatitis. Any rash or infection around the anus will cause scooting. Check to see if the area is red. If this is the case sometimes the cause is contact dermatitis which may in turn be caused by a plant species or something else that your pet is sitting on. Treatment is generally an anti-inflammatory ointment and restricting access to the cause.

4. Dirty bottom. This speaks for itself really.

In summary anal sac issues are the most likely cause but you should have a look under the tail to see if you can see any of the other signs I have discussed. Make sure your pet is properly wormed and that you feed a balanced commercial pet food with good fibre. If in doubt, your vet will quickly work out the problem.

The Standard Poodle Dog Breed

2011-06-20T08:16:00.003+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

I have recently come back from a trip to Paris, I have been there before many times in my life and while my wife enjoyed it as a first time visit I unfortunately noted a few adverse changes I have never previously saw such as a multitude of beggars, con artists, and graffiti everywhere. However some things have not changed, if you sit and have a coffee at a pavement side cafe you will see elegant ladies still walk along the Champs Elysees with their tiny Poodles trotting along beside them, sometimes in their arms, or in one case viewing the world from the depths of a designer handbag.

Personally the Toy and Miniature Poodles great characters though they are would never be the breed for me, but the Standard Poodle, now that is a bit more like it! Despite the Poodle name and it’s connotations this is a rough tough intelligent breed and a good companion for any outdoor guy. It’s origins are not ornamental or fashionable you see, it was in fact used for many centuries as a hunting dog which specialised in retrieving fallen game from water, this may well be borne out in it’s name, “ pudelin “ this in German means to splash in the water, which Standard Poodles really love to do. These origins are still very apparent today in the temperament and character of this breed.

Four or five centuries ago it may have first appeared as a variant of a rare French breed called the Barbet and I have always thought that the Irish Water Spaniel is very like a Standard Poodle as well, and these to this day are a working breed with an affinity for water so there may be some association. The effeminate haircut and pom poms so popular with the ladies along the Champs Elysees actually serve a function in a working dog. The pom poms are useful as they help prevent traumatic damage to the dog’s joints while they are working and they also serve to keep these vital structures warm while the dog is about it’s business in water or damp conditions.

Poodles in general are highly intelligent and the Standard Poodle is the most intelligent of the group, they can easily be trained and you used to see them as circus dogs balancing on balls for example. While I rather think this may be rare now they were used as one of the dogs which could seek out truffles as opposed to the traditional truffle pig but with the price of truffles as it is today I would not be surprised if there still remains Standard Poodles which are used for this secretive work. Their intelligence has also made them up to the task of service dogs, guide dogs for the blind and they excel at agility events.

As a family pet they are usually fine but they will need proper exercise and diversion as they can like all intelligent breeds such as the Border Collie suffer from boredom and then behavioural problems can set in. As far as I can recall I have only had one presented at my clinic which was aggressive and unreliable but that one belonged to a well known local problem family. The trick here is to research the breed of dog which will be suitable for your own particular circumstances.

From a vet’s point of view they are prone to various diseases, for example their body shape makes them susceptible to twisted stomachs, of course this will only affect a small percentage of the breed but it is a very distressing condition. They are said to be more prone to Addison's disease than other breeds and epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy and hip dysplasia are sometimes seen as well. One last disease they are likely to get is external ear infections, this is because of the hair they have in their ears and the shape of their ear flap and ear canals, however while uncomfortable this is usually a minor disease, click HERE to see my previous article on ear disease in the dog. As a vet it is easy for me to run through this list, and the conditions mentioned really do occur but in my experience the majority of this breed are usually healthy and long lived.

So there we have it, the Standard Poodle, he looks like a soft lad but he is really a toughie! The downside, well the coat will need clipping and attention from time to time.

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Lucy Conquers Stairs

2011-06-17T13:12:00.000+01:00

By gmiddlet (youtube channel)

Lucy had surgery on her head and had to wear the cone of shame so that she would not rip out the stitches. This was the first time she went up the steps unassisted. (For those wondering...she was born with a scar on her head. It became infected several times...apparently due to a cyst at the base of a hair follicle. The vet said it could become cancerous if not removed. She's completely healed now.)

External Ear Disease In The Dog

2011-06-16T06:39:00.002+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

The above picture is of an ear infection in a Cocker Spaniel.

The ears of the dog and that of mammals in general are divided into the outer ear canal, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Potentially dogs can get various ear diseases in all three parts of the ear but the commonest area for dogs to get ear disease is the outer ear canal, and the general term of disease in this area is otitis externa or canker. This disease is very common, in fact all small animal vets will spend a lot of their working time dealing with external ear disease, mainly in dogs but sometimes in the cat as well.

What are the causes of external ear disease? : The possible causes of external ear disease in the dog would include the following : Bacterial infections, fungal infections, ear mites, foreign objects in the ear canal, polyps and tumours in the ear canal, allergic causes, and others.

What are the symptoms of external ear disease in dogs? : Many dog owners will be familiar with these, the symptoms would include irritation and scratching of the ears, redness of the ear canal, a smell coming from the ear canal, and perhaps a visible discharge from the ear canal.

How is it diagnosed : As a first approach your vet will take good look deep down your dog’s ear canal with their otoscope and then carry out a thorough general physical examination of your dog. This is often enough to give him or her a very good idea of the likely causes. Where an ear disease is resistant to first line drugs then it may be necessary to send sample to a laboratory for culture and sensitivity. These tests are designed to pin down a precise cause such as a particular bacterial or fungal infection and then show which drug will resolve things best. Very occasionally further tests such as x-ray are needed.

How is it treated once diagnosis has been made? : On a first presentation your vet will decide which of the normal causes is most likely and prescription drugs such as antibiotics or anti-fungals usually in the form of drops to put into the ear canal a couple of times a day for a week or so. Usually us vets are lucky and hit the target the first time and resolve the condition but sometimes another look is needed and a different ear drop has to be prescribed.

If the first line approach fails the disease may have become chronic and a different approach will be needed. This would include laboratory tests as I have said above and sometimes a general anaesthetic or deep sedation is used to enable the vet to flush all the debris out of the ear canal and then pack the ear canals out with whatever drug is indicated. In a very few cases more major surgery is necessary such as a Zepp’s operation this is where the horizontal ear canal is opened up and exposed to the air. These operations are done as a last resort.

What are the predisposing factors to ear disease? : Ear shape and the presence of excess hair in the ear canals are obvious contributing factors, and some dogs such as the West Highland White are prone to allergic skin disease and this can often affect the ears as well. Dogs breeds which are more natural and wolf like such as the German Shepherd will have a lower incidence of ear disease because their large prick up ears will facilitate ear flow into the ear canal. Other breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel have flap over ears with little air flow and often excess hair in the ear canal. The conditions in the ear canal of these breeds will be dark, warm and moist, these are ideal conditions for bacterial or fungal growth. Really it is as if these breeds have bacterial incubators on either side of their heads so you can expect problems.

When you go to pet shops and some chemists you will often see a range of over the counter products for treating ear disease on a home remedy basis. Sometimes this approach can be successful but the problem you face is to identify the precise cause of the condition before you treat it. If you get things wrong you could potentially make things worse particularly if the ear canal is not intact. At the end of the day treating ear disease is probably best at least initially carried out by your vet.

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

New author joining the Optimal Pet blog!

2011-06-15T08:09:00.004+01:00

The Optimal Pet - team would like to welcome Mr. Peter McGovern as one of the authors for this blog.

Mr. McGovern is an Australian veterinarian, registered in the state of Victoria who graduated in 1974 from the University of Melbourne Veterinary School. After graduation he joined a large and busy companion animal practice in the Melbourne suburbs and soon became a partner. As a senior partner Peter played a major role in the introduction to the practice of advanced techniques, cutting edge technology and modern equipment. He gained extensive experience in all aspects of canine and feline medicine and surgery from both his work at the practice and by his regular attendance at local and international seminars, workshops and conferences. He has particular interests in companion animal behavioural problems and preventive medicine as well as orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. Peter retired from his veterinary practice in 2007 but since then has continued his passion for pet health and pet owner education by writing pet health related articles and as an advisor on an internet veterinary help site.

However, Peter started his life far from Australia. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and spent all of his childhood years in the United Kingdom. It was whilst he lived with his parents in Dumfries, Scotland, as a nine year old that he met his good friend Scott Nimmo, also writing for the Optimal Pet, and found himself heavily influenced in his career path by Scott’s father who was a veterinarian. Peter’s family soon moved away and settled in Australia where Peter completed his education and became a vet.

The Optimal Pet team gives Peter the warmest welcome!

Do you also want to become an author for The Optimal Pet? Click on this link

Exposing kids to pets during infancy could prevent allergies later in life

2011-06-14T08:01:00.002+01:00

Article from NY Daily News, publsihed June 13th 2011, by Kathryn Kattalia

Having Fido or Whiskers around children at an early age could help protect them from developing pet allergies later in life, new research shows.

Children who are exposed to pets during infancy may be less likely to become allergic to dogs and cats, according to an 18-year study published Monday in the medical journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy.
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that babies younger than one who lived with pets were much less likely to develop sensitivity to animals than kids who got a family pet later in childhood, Health Day reported.

Researchers followed 560 now-18-year-olds from birth, starting in 1987. They tracked the children's pet histories and tested blood samples for a specific antibody indicating sensitivity to pets.
They found that boys and girls who lived with cats during infancy were both half as likely to be sensitive to them later. The risk was also cut in half for boys living with dogs during that time.

But for girls younger than one, exposure to dogs actually increased chances of becoming allergic to pets.
The possible benefits and disadvantages of exposing children to pets early in life have long been debated by experts, some of whom claim that early exposure could trigger allergies rather than prevent them.

But the study's researchers say that putting kids and pets under the same roof at an early age increase a child's immune system against various forms of bacteria, making it less likely to react to animal dander later in life.
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 70% of American households have pets, Health Day reported. Allergy symptoms can range in seriousness from watery eyes and sneezing to full-blown asthma attacks.

Researchers said the latest study doesn't prove that exposing infants to pets prevents allergies, only that more research is needed to determine allergy risk.

Obesity In Dogs, A National Epidemic

2011-06-13T08:59:00.000+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Like most vets who have practiced in the UK I have seen a great many overweight dogs in my life. Dogs in developed countries are overweight for much the same reasons as people are and this is now just as much an epidemic in dogs as it is in people. The reasons for this rise are similar to those that humans experience, basically the root cause is too much food and too little exercise, it is as simple as that.

The above photo is of a Doberman, a proud and dignified breed and as far as weight goes this example is probably how a dog should look.

So what health problems can obesity cause in dogs? Studies reveal that a high percentage of overweight dogs will experience joint problems such as arthritis as they reach the last portion of their lives. This obviously is painful and uncomfortable for them but it also restricts their ability to exercise which will only make things worse. Where a dog is overweight it will have problems with its lungs and chest due to the extra fat which pushes against the lungs and diaphragm and this again will make exercise more difficult. As in the human extra weight will place strain on the heart muscle and respiratory system and may trigger other diseases. If your dog is in the correct weight range then there is no doubt it will be healthier, happier and will live longer.

So how do you know if your dog is overweight, well just looking at the dog and some common sense will usually tell you this, however one way to get an idea if your dog is overweight is by checking their ribs. The ribs should not be visible when your dog stands at rest but you should be able to feel them easily. If you cannot feel your dogs ribs then your dog is probably overweight. When your dog is having it’s yearly vaccination check is a good opportunity to bring up the subject of weight up with your vet. Your vet will be able to record your dog’s weight and will have charts with the average weight range for each breed. With small breeds it is easy to see visually if your dog is overweight but with larger breeds this can be difficult so checking your dog’s weight against the chart for it’s breed is a good idea, large breed dogs especially hide their weight well. Your vet will be able to help you decide if your dog is overweight and advise you. Another reason to get your vet involved is because in some cases weight issues might be due to medical conditions, such a thyroid problems for example, this however is rare.

So what can you do about it? Well the first thing is to get your dog on a suitable diet, many modern dog foods are very high in calories so you should change to a diet which is designed to help your dog reduce weight but still contain all the vitamins, minerals and other components needed to keep your dog healthy, Husse Light Optimal (Super Premium) or Husse Light (Premium) are good examples of this sort of diet. Your local Husse Consultant will deliver it to your door and you can order free samples via the Husse web site.

The second thing to look at is how much and when to feed your dog, many people use treats as a reward while training their dogs or just as a a much appreciated way of showing their dog affection, try to cut this out if you can. Dogs have a strong need for affection but try and satisfy this with playing games with them, petting them, or taking them out for a walk, of course the occasional treat is OK if it is included in your dog’s normal daily diet. Do not leave food out all day, one meal per day or perhaps two small ones is fine for the average dog. If dogs beg at the table and someone gives them food, they learn that begging results in getting what they want so this is something you want to cut out. To help stop this change feed your dog before you eat and keep them in another room while you take your meals. You need the cooperation of the whole family here as often someone feels sorry for a begging dog and will slip them a treat

The third factor to take into account is exercise because this will burn up fat. If your dog is not used to exercise you should start slowly for just a few minutes a couple times a day and build up from there to establish a regular routine, this will be good for you as well as your dog! Another way to achieve this aim is by playing games such as ball chasing and frisbee with your dog on a regular basis.

At the risk of repeating myself I can tell you that loving your dog is not indulging it with treats or neglecting it’s exercise, a dog in the correct weight range will have a happier, healthier life.

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Cat playing with an Xbox

2011-06-10T08:09:00.000+01:00

The Lhasa Apso Dog Breed

2011-06-09T04:45:00.000+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

In Tibet this breed is called The Bearded Lion Dog, The Lhasa Apso is a small, hardy breed, much of it’s attributes and appearance such as the thick coat and the eye settings are adaptations to it’s origins in the cold climates of Tibet. Despite their small size they are not always lap dogs and they can be independent of character, they are said to be better suited to a family with older children as they can be intolerant of the attentions of very young kids. As they are a guarding breed they can be suspicious of strangers but if treated kindly will soon accept the incomer. Because they are an ancient breed and have lived in a harsh environment for many centuries natural selection has made them very healthy, long lived, and hardy. I had a breeder on my books who had two examples which were over twenty years of age.

As many people know this breed has an intriguing history, perhaps more so than any other dog breed in the West today. When you look at a Lhasa Apso you would not think it was closely related to the wolf but recent research has shown that it is and this is related to the age of the breed. It is in fact one of the oldest recognised breeds in existence, in Tibet where the breed originated records show it dates back as far as the 800 BC.

Tibet of course until recent times was a very isolated part of the world where they jealously guarded their beliefs and culture from outsiders and this included their dogs. In Tibet this breed’s main function was as guard dogs, this does seem a paradox for such a small and friendly breed, it does not seem likely that they could see off an intruder. However the fact of the matter is that the large and aggressive Tibetan Mastiff was the dog that “ Did the business “ when there was an intruder but the Lhasa Apso had better hearing and was more vigilant so their barking would awake the sleeping Mastiff to do his duty. They are indeed a “ Yappy “ dog to this day.

They were prized and revered in Tibet for other reasons as well, the Tibetan monks believed that Lhasa Apsos were associated with the souls of deceased monks or the spirit of the owner while they awaited reincarnation into a new body in the great cycle of life. For this reason Lhasas in Tibet were never sold, the only way a person could get one was as a gift, often from nobility and this was a very rare event.

Now and again the odd dog did get brought out of Tibet in the last century. It is is generally accepted that a Mr Cutting was presented with a breeding pair by the then Dalai Lama in the 1930’s. He brought them back to America and the breed in the West sprang from those two, following that Lhasa’s were accepted as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1935. Because of extensive breeding out of Tibet the breed in the West is now a little bit different from the dogs which have continued to exist in Tibet and there is a move afoot to introduce more breeding stock from Tibet to correct this and return the breed in the west to it’s more natural state. However given the politics of the area this will be no small task.

So what is this breed like? : It is a small breed of course but quite stocky with short legs. The coat colours include golden, sandy, honey, dark grizzle, black, white or brown. As it is sometimes called a Tibetan lion dog, golden or lion like colours are the often preferred look with dark tips to ears and the beard. As far as owners are concerned the coat will need quite a lot of attention if you are going to maintain your Lhasa in pristine condition, these dogs will need to be groomed on a regular basis and they will need to be clipped a couple of times in the year.

From a vet’s point of view as I said they are a hardy tough breed but they do seem to suffer from some breed related problems. Over the years I have had a couple of breeders on my books and from my experience I would say that they can have slipping knee cap problems, various eye problems such as cherry eye, dry eye syndrome, and progressive retinal atrophy. Though I have not seen it myself I am aware that the breed can be prone to sebaceous adenitis which is an inherited skin condition. However do not be concerned, if you speak to a vet or breeder about any dog breed they will reel of along list of conditions that the breed is prone to, the truth is that Lhasa Apsos are healthier and hardier than most other types of dog.

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Deer Runs Over Dog

2011-06-08T08:17:00.003+01:00

Based on an article from Swedish Aftonbladet

This 2-year-old boxer, his name is Charlie, from Sweden probably didn't expect this when he was taking a stroll with his master one afternoon earlier this week.

The Swedish wildlife service thinks that the deer is probably just trying to protect her newborn baby. The problem is that the baby deer kids do not emit any odor the first 24 hours once they are borned, so poor Charlie was not aware of it and probably got very suprised.

The wildlife service believes that this incident probably could have been avoided if the dog had been tied, then the owner would get a chance to pull the dog to himself and the incident could have been avoided.

Husse is now entering the RM - Area!

2011-06-07T09:06:00.002+01:00

By Tim Eliasson, Director of Husse United Kingdom

Husse is now available in the RM-area (North London/ South Essex) thanks to Mr. Johnson Oduyemi who is from today the local distributor. The pet food business have always interested Mr. Oduyemi and he also attended the University of Ibadan,western Nigeria, from september 1976 to december 1983 where he graduted as a Doctor of Veterinary Surgeon. So he felt this was a natural step for him after been living in United Kingdom for almost 11 years.

So people in the RM-area are now able to purchase quality pet food products on www.husse.com and get it delivered home for free, with "Taste Guarantee" which means that if your pet doesn't like the food Husse will buy it back from you. Pet owners are also always welcome to ask their local Husse distributor, or contact Husse directly, for nutritional advice concerning which food they should give to their pet.

A Guide To Feline Infectious Peritonitis

2011-06-06T09:05:00.005+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

{ The photo above is of a cat with FIP, note the distended abdomen }

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a progressive and unfortunately almost always fatal disease of cats caused by a coronavirus. This is not a straight forward disease and it’s details are often not understood by clients so it is worth covering it as an article topic.

I was always taught when I was younger that cats could transmit the disease to other cats via saliva, urine, and in other cat to cat ways. It was also thought that where there was more than one cat in the household the risk of disease was increased. Recent research has changed this view, where there is an infected cat in a household it is very unlikely that this disease will spread from one cat to another. Probably cats living with an FIP cat will be no more likely to contract this disease than a cat living on it’s own.

The situation is that a great many cats are infected with a benign form of the coronavirus and this will often not result in any symptoms whatsoever, or only transient minor ones. However in a very small number of cats the virus mutates to a pathological form and the result is clinical FIP. If this model is correct then it means that the corona virus which is found in many cats at some time or another can mutate or more likely not not mutate into the clinical FIP form of the virus due to factors unknown. And it is these factors which cause the appearance of clinical disease not the original coronavirus virus infection which is everywhere anyway. Sorry to be so long winded but the bottom line is that this disease is not an infectious disease in the usual meaning of the word. Relatively little is known about this disease but factors that increase the risk of infection are thought to be concurrent infection with feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus.

Now more about the disease itself : There are two forms of the clinical disease, effusive (The wet from) and non-effusive (The dry form) some authorities think that a crossover between the two forms is possible.

With the effusive form the main clinical sign is a distended abdomen or chest full of fluid and this in turn can cause breathing problems. With the non-effusive form there is no accumulation of fluid so the cat will not be distended but you will see a variety of other symptoms such as weight loss, inappetance, and depression, secondary disease may set in such as kidney failure or liver failure, and these will present with their own specific symptoms as well. Neurological symptoms are also possible.

What symptoms would you expect to see? : These are very variable but would include fever, weight loss, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, jaundice, and signs of anaemia such as pale gums. In the effusive form you may see any of the above symptoms plus an obviously distended abdomen and breathing difficulties.

How is the disease diagnosed : This can be a very difficult disease to diagnose because of the variable symptoms. Where there is abdominal distention then it is more easy to diagnose by ruling out the other causes of this symptom. Beyond that you would be looking at a thorough clinical examination plus a complete blood profile. There is a serum antibody test but this can cause confusion because although it can identify the presence of antibodies against coronaviruses in general it cannot pin point with certainty the antibodies that are specifically involved with the form of the coronavirus which causes clinical disease. Newer diagnostic tests are being introduced such as the polymerase chain reaction test which may be better in this respect. An eye examination is always worthwhile as there are eye changes which are sometimes associated with this disease and examination of fluid from the abdomen can be a help as well.

How is this disease treated? : At present there is unfortunately no cure for this disease and many affected cats will die, some of the cats with the non-effusive form can last some time in the chronic stage of the disease but often with a poor quality of life. The outlook is generally very bleak I am afraid in almost all cases.

Where treatment is attempted it has included, fluid therapy, antibiotics, steroids, vitamins and feeding via a naso-gastric tube amongst others. More experimental therapies have included cyclophosphamide and human interferon as well as a range of alternative therapies but so far there has been no conclusive cure.

So there we have it, a complex viral disease of cats which unfortunately often has a poor outlook …

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

What is the general feeding advice for dogs suffering from diarrhoea?

2011-06-03T10:54:00.001+01:00

Based on Husse Nutrition School

Irrespective of the cause of the digestion problem, the first step in case of diarrhoea is to put the dog on a full 24-hour fast. Undigested food will irritate the intestinal wall and slow down recovery. While the dog is recuperating, make sure he’s getting enough water. Diarrhoea can rapidly lead to dehydration.

If the dog seems better after a day, small amounts of a highly digestible food may be given (Husse Lamb & Rice or Husse Lax & Rice). Start him off with small amounts every four hours. Start by feeding the dog 1/3 of his normal quantities for the first day. The day after, 2/3 of the normal food quantity is given. Only after 3 days
does the dog receive normal food quantities again.

If the dog still has diarrhoea after two days, call the vet.

Talking dog

2011-06-02T11:11:00.000+01:00

Why is a good heat treatment necessary for dry pet food?

2011-06-01T09:26:00.005+01:00

Based on Husse Nutrition School

Starch is present in plant cells as granules. In a granular state, starch is not very digestible, as the digestive fluids cannot reach the content of the starch granules. During cooking, water penetrates the granules and makes the starch granules “implode”and release their contents. This cooked or “gelatinised” starch is highly digestible. The same process occurs during the baking of bread or the cooking of potatoes. Also, for humans, uncooked starch, present in raw potatoes or unbaked dough, is poorly digestible.

Microscopic image of starch:

Raw Starch in "granular" state

Gelatinised or cooked starch

More about starch!

Starch is the most important carbohydrate in dry pet food. Starch is a vegetable carbohydrate present abundantly in grains. Wheat, corn and rice contain about 60% starch. Starch is a good energy source. Before mammals can digest starch, it has to be submitted to a heat treatment.

The Bengal Cat Breed.

2011-05-31T22:37:00.002+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

As a vet I am always interested in the wildlife here on The Island Of Mindanao where I live, this is a problem as close to where I stay are many thousands of acres of banana plantations and I have observed that the banana tree renders the countryside sterile, partly because of the constant aerial pesticide spraying and partly because of the nature of the tree itself. It seems to me that not a bird sings in the plantations and other wildlife is absent, I have ventured into true jungle habitats a couple of times but this is not thought to be a good idea for a foreigner like me so I have to take a couple of escorts who know the area well. The animal I would most like to see is The Leopard Cat { Prionailurus bengalensis }, this is a very shy cat, and predictably so far I have not been successful. This is a small cat as wild cats go, a little bit bigger than a domestic cat but marked like leopard, very handsome, I hear they can be tamed if you get a kitten but taking animals out of the wild is always a bad idea, but who knows one day I might get a rescue or orphaned one. This a real possibility as the adult cats are taken for the fur trade.

The main interest to people outside of Asia is that The Asian Leopard Cat is often mated with a domestic cat to produce hybrid offspring known as a Bengal Cat and these are fast becoming a popular breed in the UK. This is a good lead in to today’s article, The Bengal Cat Breed.

The Bengal is a relatively new hybrid breed of cat formed by the cross of a domestic feline and as we said an Asian Leopard cat, the aim is clearly to produce a cat which is affectionate as a normal domestic cat but has the looks of the wild cat ancestor. For the typical pet owner a Bengal cat kept as a pet should be at least four generations removed from the Leopard Cat to try ensure a good temperament and manageable companion.

Prior to 1960 there were over the years sporadic reports of crosses between the Asian Leopard Cat and domestic cats but these were accidental crosses and merely regarded as curiosities. In the 1960’s various breeders started to develop what was to become the Bengal cat breed in earnest by crossing leopard cats with a domestic cat called a Egyptian Mau. Many Bengal cats alive today are derived from this line.

So what is the Bengal Cat like to look at? : The Bengal is a large, sleek and very muscular cat, it’s hind quarters are normally slightly higher than its shoulders with a thick tail that is carried low. The coat pattern of course distinctive with a spotted or marbled leopard like coat. The coat colour is either classed as a brown-spotted or snow-spotted although there are more colours which can occur brown and snow are the only colours which are accepted for breeding and showing.

So what is the Bengal Cat’s temperament like? : Bengals because of their recent wild ancestors are intelligent, active, energetic cats, they are said to have a love of water and this will be due to their wild cat ancestors which also like water. They are a very vocal breed and have a voice unlike other cat breeds. When you research their temperament on the Internet you will invariable find that they are said to get along well with other pets and people. In many cases this is true but a word of warning in a few cases I dealt with in the UK Bengals were very aggressive with other cats in the household and did inflict serious damage and they can do this with people as well. I will stress that this is just a small a minority but really what did you expect to happen when you cross breed with a wild cat? It is like those people who have Wolf / German Shepherd crosses, usually they are fine but when problems occur they occur big time.

And what is this breed like from a vet’s point of view? : Though generally robust they do suffer from some inherited conditions, this is common in “ manufactured “ hybrid breeds. These conditions include a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and eye conditions such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy.

So there we have it, the Bengal Cat breed, a new, ultra showy and fascinating hybrid. It is not the only one though, there are Serengeti Cats, Savannah Cats, Toygers and Cheetohs. Best leave those for another article!

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

What Benefits Can You Get Out Of Looking After A Pet?

2011-05-30T07:40:00.001+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

This really is an argument with two sides, clearly the advantage to the pet dog or cat is being looked after for in terms of food, shelter, and other care. I spent the last thirty years working as a vet in the UK but now I live in Asia, on an island in the South China Seas. People here are aware I am a vet and they are aware what I do in this country and I am often asked questions such as “ Do you really buy special food for dogs and cats? “ or “ Do the animals live in your house and sleep on your bed? and “ Do the British care for animals more than their children? “.

But the main question boils down to “ What good do you get out of looking after pets when there are a great many other things you could spend your money on? “ There is of course a cultural difference at play here but the question has set me thinking, what are the benefits to having a pet dog or cat? The following would be just some of the reasons in my opinion.

The elderly : Where I live here in Asia there are no old folks homes to speak off, geriatric people are respected and usually looked after in their relative’s homes and isolation would be uncommon in an extended family setting. In the UK this is often not the case, I had many older clients who lived on their own but had a dog or a cat as a companion. The value of this in English society cannot be overstated.

Every human being has a need for socialisation, without being able to talk and express your feelings then depression is possible. Imagine living alone as many elderly people do in the UK and only having a conversation with another living person once a week when your kids visit. A dog or cat can fill this void to some extent and your retirement is the perfect time to get a dog. Having an affectionate cat who will sit on your lap and let you stroke it while you watch TV is also very therapeutic. Another factor is that having another creature dependant on you will give your life some sense of purpose.

Walking a dog at a certain time each day gives an elderly person something to do and to look forward to. Walking is of course cardiovascular exercise and is especially good for the older persons who may not exercise in other ways, just what the doctor ordered! Also when you walk your dog you will meet other dog owners who otherwise would not normally speak to you, visiting a park with your dog is one way to enjoy your pet and also to meet and make friends with new people. For most older folks smaller breeds are best of course but there are also some people in their later years who can easily handle a well behaved older dog as well. It would be a good idea when choosing a dog for an older person to give a home to a well behaved adult dog from a rescue shelter, that way you avoid the naughtiness of puppy-hood and the training process and you give a deserving dog a home into the bargain.

The very young : Pets can help start to teach young children to be responsible, children can learn the importance of responsibility at an early age by acting as a carer for a pet. It has to be said that the likes of a goldfish would be a good first pet because young children can then play a large role in looking after them. However as the child gets older other pets that require more attention, like a cat or dog can be introduced but you have to monitor things with regards to the pet's welfare as well. Showing children what it means to be responsible for another creature can result in teaching important lessons in life such as discipline, patience, kindness and attentiveness.

A surprising benefit to looking after pets is in the prison setting. We have all seen the film The Birdman of Alcatraz which showed the benefits that particular prisoner had by being given a purpose in life. More recently I read about Project Pooch (Positive Opportunities, Obvious Change, With Hounds), where teenage delinquents looked after dogs as part of a therapy program in prison. The results showed that a high percentage of the teenage offenders did not return to the correctional system when compared to other out of the Project Pooch program. In this program problem youths were paired with problem dogs so that they could learn acceptable behaviour from each other. Both sides learned respect for authority, responsibility, patience, and compassion.

I have come to learn that how animals are looked after is usually based on the customs of the country where you live, but if you treat an animal with respect there are benefits to both sides.

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Cat mom hugs baby kitten!

2011-05-28T23:15:00.000+01:00

Time Lapse: Puppy to Adult in 40 seconds.

2011-05-27T10:45:00.000+01:00

A photo a day of Dunder the German shepherd. 8 weeks old to 1 year in 40 seconds.

Dealing With Fear Of Thunderstorms In The Dog

2011-05-26T04:38:00.003+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Phobias and anxieties about thunderstorms are relatively common in dogs, some dogs are just fine but others can get really worked up and anxious. Thunderstorms can cause these dogs to panic and run for cover, often they can become destructive particularly if they are in the house alone, and I have even known dogs hurt themselves in this type of situation. I would not be surprised if dogs can sense a storm's approach by some means perhaps by the falling air pressure which precedes storms. I say this because many of my clients have told me that their dogs begin to show signs of anxiety even before the storm arrives.

While you will need patience it is possible over a period of time to reduce the effects of this phobia and make your dog feel more comfortable when exposed to all the noise and bright flashes.

Here are some tips for you to work through, these will not only be of use in thunderstorms but also can be used where there are fireworks or other loud disturbances.

1 .Always keep proper identification securely fastened to your dog’s collar in case in he escapes to the outside, a scared dog can run for miles and get lost. An identichip is your best option as these cannot be removed and many vets and rescue organizations have a chip reader these days.

2. Prepare a safe place for your dog to stay in when storms are imminent. This should be quiet den like area away from windows where your dog can feel secure, it is a good idea to normally feed your dog in this area and it should be where your dog usually sleeps. Some dogs are secure in a crate and having some background noise like a radio would be a good idea as well. When a storm is coming take your dog to this area and sit with him and keep him reassured and calm.

3. Another approach is to try and desensitise your dog to the problem sounds, this will take many weeks but can be successful. As in the human situation the key to overcoming phobias is often exposure to that particular phobia. For this you should obtain a specialist CD which contains the sounds of thunder and other noises which can cause anxiety to a dog. The idea is that you play these very softly in the background at home on a constant basis and over time gradually increase the volume while making your dog feel reassured and comfortable, I have known this work very well but as I said it will take time. Here is an example of this sort of product : LINK

4. Dogs are first class at picking up fear and anxiety from their owners so it is important that you keep a calm, matter of fact attitude during storms. Treat your dog as normal and perhaps try and distract him with his favourite toy or activity. While your aim is to keep him reassured avoid going over the top as this can be interpreted as praise for his nervous actions during a storm.

5. With the best will in the world there are dogs which will continue to be excessively nervous in this type of situation despite your best efforts. Sometimes in these cases it is wise to have your vet assess the situation and see if prescribed sedatives or tranquilisers may be of help. The problem with this is that these drugs may need a half hour or so to get into your dog’s system so you will need some warning of a storms approach.

Thunderstorms, a common phobia in the dog but it can often be worked through.

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

What is the biological value of proteins? Which protein sources have the best biological value?

2011-05-25T08:41:00.001+01:00

Based on Husse Nutrition School

The biological value of proteins is a scientific method of calculating the quality of proteins, taking into account the concentrations of the essential amino acids. Proteins with high amounts of essential amino acids present in the same proportions as in the body tissues have a high biological value. Proteins with low concentrations of essential amino acids or with essential amino acids in the wrong proportions will have a low biological value.

In general, animal proteins have a higher biological value than vegetable proteins. Egg protein has the maximum biological value of 100 as it contains all essential amino acids in the same proportions as the body tissues. Poultry proteins have also a very high biological value.

The Husse premium products contain egg and poultry protein. Both are protein sources with a very high biological value!

Who said a blind cat can't catch a fly? :)

2011-05-24T08:07:00.001+01:00

Blindness is the loss of vision in both eyes and can be caused by several things such as glaucoma, corneal problems, cancer, trauma, retinal diseases and cataracts. If your cat becomes blind, she may require extra care, but it is likely that she will continue to live a long and happy life. Just as humans adjust to their blindness, so do cats, and they learn to rely on their other senses.

Iza, from Poland, sent us this video of an incredible blind cat catching a fly :)

Please feel free to send us pictures or videos of your pets or others to uk@husse.com

Best regards,
TOP-Team

Hyperthyroidism In The Cat

2011-05-23T07:58:00.001+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo, BVMS MRCVS

Author to the photo Dimitri Torterat (Diti)

This will be a familiar situation for any small animal vet but a confusing scenario for the owners. You see although their cat has a very good appetite, even a remarkable appetite, they are losing weight and showing other symptoms so clearly something wrong. This of course does not sound right to the average owner because with almost any other disease one of the main signs you will see is a reduced interest in food.

And the name of this disease? Hyperthyroidism, the word basically means too much circulating thyroid hormone. This disease is very common in older cats but extremely rare in the dog, dogs tend to suffer from hypothyroidism which means too few circulating thyroid hormones. This disease is the commonest endocrine disorder of cats and seems to be very much on the increase. The disease was first described around 1979, whether it had been present before then is a matter for debate, possibly it was but had just not been picked up. The rise in the reported cases may be just down to an increased awareness of the disease, improved diagnostic testing such as blood tests, and the recent increased life expectancy of pet cats in the last century, this being a disease of geriatric cats.

That is all well and good but what symptoms would you expect to see in hyperthyroid cats? : Symptoms can be variable but you might expect to see a cat which is very hungry, they will cry for food at every possible occasion, and will get between the owner’s legs each time they approach the fridge. They may also seem more nervous and will cry more than usual, despite this voracious appetite they will be thin and unkempt. The coat may be dull, the abdomen a bit distended and changes to the muscles of the face may give them a permanently worried expression. They may drink more than normal and their faeces will be pale and soft.

How is this disease diagnosed? In the early stages it can easily be mistaken for other common cat diseases, particularly those that cause excess drinking but the increased appetite is a often a good clue as is the affected cat’s age group. This is a disease of geriatric cats, say older than twelve years of age. Once you suspect the disease on clinical signs then a precise diagnosis is easily reached via simple blood tests which measure the amount of circulating thyroid hormones.

One you have your diagnosis then how is this disease treated? To be honest this is often not 100% satisfactory or easy in every case but there are three main ways this disease can be tackled.

1. Radioactive Iodine. This is given by injection and has the effect of reducing the thyroid gland down in size, because iodine is not concentrated by any other cells in the body other than the thyroid gland there is very little radiation exposure (or side effects!) for the rest of the cat, the radioactive iodine will build up in the thyroid and kill or disable the thyroid gland cells. The advantages of this treatment is that no anaesthetic is involved and the treatment is very simple.

Of course handling radioactive materials is never easy so this form of treatment would normally be carried out at a specialist center. The down side is that it is expensive and the cat has to be kept in isolation for a number of days afterwards, unless you want a radioactive cat sitting on your lap! Also some cats can develop under active thyroid glands after this treatment. Having said all this radioactive iodine treatment is the therapy of choice if it is available.

2. Surgery. This is quite an easy procedure which most small animal vets will be able to tackle, a portion of one or both thyroid glands is removed and logically this reduction in the gland will produce a lower level of circulating thyroid hormone. The advantage of surgery is that you get an immediate beneficial effect and the cat usually requires no further treatment or medication. The down side of surgery is that of course an anaesthetic is required in an older cat and care must be taken not to damage the parathyroid glands which are in the same area. Very occasionally the gland grows again and repeat surgery has to be carried out.This can be a very successful treatment.

3. Medication. There are drugs available which will reduce down the size of the thyroid gland, in uncomplicated cases good results can be had. The plus side to these drugs is that the owner can give them themselves in tablet form at home. However the down side to medication is that blood tests are needed a number of times a year to monitor the situation and some cats can resent being dosed with tablets twice a day and this can be present very real problems.

While most treatments with drugs are satisfactory there are a fairly high number of side effects reported to these medications, these can include vomiting inappetance and lethargy. Owners should note that their cats may be on these drugs for the rest of their lives so the long term cost will mount up over the years.

So there we have it, a description of the disease, how it is diagnosed and how it is treated. The fact it generally occurs in geriatric cats can make treatment choices difficult sometimes but the good thing is that this disease is not fatal, however it should be treated if possible because it will cause chronic debilitating long term disease.

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Leptospirosis In The Dog

2011-05-23T07:57:00.003+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Leptospirosis is a serious disease of dogs which occurs world wide, that said it can that affect other animals as well. It is also of significance in that it is possible that humans can contract this serious disease if exposed to urine from an infected dog or rat but this is very rare and basisc hygiene measures such as hand washing or immediately washing contaminated skin would go a very long way to reducing this possibility.

What is the cause of this disease? : It is caused by a form of bacteria called a spirochaete, these are found in the environment and are associated with water. Not all spirochaetes cause disease but several strains such as Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae will and wildlife such as rats in the wild act as a reservoir for the disease and wil pass it on. This organism may be associated with free flowing water or still water such as ponds or even puddles. The disease is most common in places around the world with mild or tropical climates because the spirochaete does not tolerate freezing.

What symptoms would your dog show? : The clinical signs of this disease are quite variable and can be difficult to diagnose. The most common signs are general fever and depression, affected dogs will be cold, weak, shivery, and stiff. They may drool and appear to be in abdominal pain and they will often drink excessively.

As the disease progresses some dogs will develop eye inflammation, there may be red tinged urine and neurological sign may become apparent and dehydration is common. As liver damage is possible the tell tale yellow tint of Jaundice in the dog’s mucous membranes can appear. Unfortunately not only liver damage but kidney damage is also possible so you should look out for the signs of renal failure. As I said the symptoms of this disease can be very varied, no two cases would be alike.

How is the disease diagnosed : As clinical signs are vague and it can easily mimic other diseases I have often thought it would be a very smart vet who would pick up leptospirosis at the first consultation. Diagnosis would be via a thorough clinical examination combined with accurate knowledge about the extent of this disease in the local area. A complete blood panel would give you further clues and there are more specific tests such as the Leptospirosis PCR test and antibody testing. It may be possible to see the spirochaete in body fluids such as urine under the microscope but this can be difficult, unreliable and inconclusive.

How is the disease treated? : Once diagnosed treatment is fairly easy because many common or garden antibiotics such as penicillin or tetracycline drugs work well. Most vets would use antibiotics of the tetracycline family to treat this disease but they are given for prolonged courses. Very often sick dogs require intense care to get them through the severe early stages of the disease. This could include things like intravenous drips and antivomiting drugs as well as antibiotics. Maintaining fluid therapy is particularly important where kidney disease is suspected. If treated promptly many dogs recover but where the liver or kidneys are affected then this can cause chronic or permanent damage. This however is rare if treatment is carried out promptly. One consideration of importance is that recovering dogs can continue to excrete the organism responsible for for leptospirosis for some time after they have appeared to recover so care should be taken.

Prevention : In areas where leptospirosis is a problem you should limiting your pet’s access to any potentially contaminated water in your dog’s environment. This would include eliminating any standing water such as puddles etc. in your yard, also take measures to minimise the presence of rodents such as rats in your area through traps and poisons and getting rid of any source of food which might attract them.

In some parts of the world there is a vaccine available to protect against leptospirosis. However many vets regard this as a non essential vaccine except in areas of severe risk. The reason being that there is a high level of side effected reported with this vaccine and immunity imparted can be very short term.

This is not a disease you can hope to tackle on your own on a home remedy basis so if you have the slightest concern that your dog may have contracted a disease such as this you should get your vet involved without delay.

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

How does Husse's new Swedish cat litter system "Eco Kattströ" work?

2011-05-19T23:55:00.002+01:00

To read more about this product click on this link Eco Kattströ

Hungry Kittens Want Food

2011-05-19T12:36:00.003+01:00

The Shiba Inu Dog Breed

2011-05-18T07:47:00.002+01:00

By veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Over the years as a vet I kept a couple of foxes as pets, I did not seek them out of course because I firmly believe that wild animals should be in the wild and not kept as pets, but they were brought to me injured as cubs and in this way I got an affinity for foxes. As far as my own pet dogs go I have done much the same and never bought a pedigree dog but just kept strays and ones that needed a home. I have always said though if I could choose a pedigree dog for myself it would be a Shiba Inu no doubt because they look just like little foxes.

They are a Japanese breed of course, the word “ Inu “ is easy to track down as this is Japanese for dog but the “ Shiba “ part is more unclear. Shiba is said to mean brushwood so these dogs may have been used to hunt in brushwood and undergrowth or it could be that the Autumn colours of the brushwood match the Shiba Inu’s red fur. However another explanation is that in some local colloquial Japanese diets “ Shiba “ means small, and it is a small breed.

Whatever the origin of their name they are an old breed and records of Shiba Inu type dogs can be traced back to the third century in Japan. In the past the were used for hunting and their small size made them ideal to flush out small game. Nowadays both in japan and other countries they are almost exclusively pet dogs. After the second world war their numbers were at a very low level, this was in part due to the privations of the war and in part to ravages of dog diseases such as distemper which were then prevalent but as Japan’s economy recovered in the post war period so did the Shiba Inu.

Their more modern history is that in 1954, an American service family brought the first Shiba Inu back to the USA from Japan and the breed grew from there as people were captivated by their foxy looks and the breed was recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1992 and from there the breed spread to Europe and the rest of the world.

What do they look like? Foxy is the word I would use, they are about the same size as an adult fox but stockier built, this appearance is very much so in the variants with the red coat colour. The tail is curled though and not straight like a fox. Other coat colours are possible such as black and tan, or sesame, a cream or white coat colour is also fairly commonly seen but although pretty it is not accepted as a standard colour.

What is their temperament like? In my experience they can be nervous with strangers but will settle down once they are used to you and then will become affectionate and playful. Like many ancient breeds they are a highly intelligent breed because of natural selection, over the years only the smart ones survived to breed and then the smart genes were passed on, very much like street dogs you see in Asian countries today. They still have a strong hunting instinct so you have to be careful with them round cats and other small dogs and you can never really 100% trust them in this respect.

Some people say they are cat like in may ways and this is shown in their fastidious cleaning habits as they can often be seen licking their paws and legs much like a cat. They like water and swimming and are usually very easy to train. One unique characteristic is the "shiba scream", they make this high pitched sound both when unhappy and when excited to see their owner, again this is a fox like trait.

Their cleanliness makes them good house pets and they will adapt well to life as a house dog though as they have a strong pack instinct they will be more content and less destructive if kept in pairs. From a vet’s point of view they are healthy robust dogs but some diseases are noted in the breed such as ingrowing eyelashes { entropion }, glaucoma and cataracts, also hip dysplasia and leg problems related to the knee cap. Do not let this put you off though, most examples of this breed are very healthy and any vet will reel off along list of abnormalities associated with any dog breed you care to mention.

So there we have it, the dog breed I would choose for myself …

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

I ALSO LIKE THE OPTIMAL PET ON FACEBOOK

2011-05-17T15:29:00.003+01:00

You can now find The Optimal Pet on Facebook. Click on the "Like" button on the upper left side of this page and become firends with us : )

Best regards,
TOP - Team

Cat and owl playing

2011-05-17T08:26:00.000+01:00

ANOTHER AUTHOR JOINING THE OPTIMAL PET BLOG

2011-05-16T10:51:00.002+01:00

Tim Eliasson is the director for Husse's operations in UK, the European leading company in home delivery of quality pet food. After three years of studies in journalism at the University of Södertörn in Stockholm, Sweden, he has been working with media and marketing for the last 6 years, both in Stockholm and New York.

Last year Tim joined the family company as a marketing manager, and quickly expanded the Husse Network to Czech Republic as well as Greece, and has now been trusted as Director to establish the brand in United Kingdom. He also realy enjoys the Optimal Pet Blog and is proud to be a part of it. He is looking forward to write posts about Husse, quality pet products and the pet business in general.

He is also an owner of two cats :)

What Not To Feed Your Dog.

2011-05-16T08:05:00.002+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo, MRCVS BVMS

There are a number of commercial dog foods on the market and Husse products are up there with the best of them. Some owners make a mantra about formulating their own food for their dogs but my attitude is why invent the wheel? It makes sense to feed your dog a well known commercial dog food such as Husse products because a vet much smarter than myself has been involved with the formulation. You are then sure that your chosen product is well formulated in terms of minerals vitamins and nutrition and has everything your dog needs for a healthy happy life like the one in the photo.

Many pet owners spoil their pets, I know I do! I guess that is what they are there for and in the process they may give their dog human type treats and foods and here is where the problems begin. You see many human type foods can be unexpectedly toxic to dogs and serious consequences can occur, so today lets cover what foods you should not give to your dogs.

1. Tea coffee and alcohol. These should never be given to dogs, even in small amounts, tea coffee contain caffeine and theobromine which are problem substances for dogs. And dogs are more prone to alcohol poisoning than humans and small dogs need not swallow very much for effects to be seen.

2. Grapes and raisins, these are toxins we are just beginning to understand. This is a variable poison but there are cases where dogs have been affected by just swallowing a few raisins, deaths and kidney failure have been noted. Avoid giving your dogs grapes and raisins at all costs, chocolate covered raisins present a real threat.

3. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and they do love it so poisoning incidents are not rare. White chocolate is the least toxic followed by milk chocolate but even a few squares of cooking chocolate can be very poisonous. Deaths are in fact rare but severe symptoms are possible, the effects of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate and restlessness.

4. Fruit such as apples, apricots, cherries, peaches and plums. While quite a lot has to be eaten it is known that the pips { seeds } contain cyanide. These sorts of fruits are best avoided.

5. Avocado contains a substance called Persin that is in fact highly toxic to dogs and it can greatly upset their stomachs causing diarrhea and vomiting and more severe symptoms are possible. Again this is a food which should never be given to dogs.

6. Milk and dairy products, though not toxic as such can cause problems as many dogs are lactose intolerant. While some dogs tolerate dairy products well others may suffer vomiting and diarrhoea.

7. Onions and garlic, this is again an unexpected toxin because these substances are fine for people. The situation is that humans have the enzyme to be able to digest them and dogs do not. Thiosulphate which is contained in these foods can cause haemolytic anemia in dogs. While it is true that fairly large amounts need to be swallowed you would be wise to keep onions and garlic out of your dog’s diet as if it is given day in day out the toxic effect can build up.

8. Green potatoes or potato sprouts contain a substance called Solanine and these potatoes may be available to dogs, particularly in rural areas. Solanine can have very adverse effects on your dog and symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, paralysis and even cardiac arrest have been noted.

9. The Macadamia nut. I know about this one because one of my friends fed just a few to his dog while he was wolfing them down himself and worrying symptoms quickly followed. This nut is also called the Australia Nut or the Queensland Nut, and is one of the foods that can have severe toxic effects on dogs. Symptoms include lameness, stiffness, abdominal pain, vomiting and depression, avoid it at all costs.

10. Fatty foods and oils, pet dogs usually get these through giving them our our leftovers. Foods that contain too much oil and fat can potentially cause pancreatitis in dogs.

11. As much as too much salt intake is dangerous for man, the same holds true for your dog.

This is by no manner of means meant to be an exhaustive list of foods which are potentially dangerous to dogs, I am sure there are many more, the ones I have listed are the ones which I have had direct experience with over the years in my work as a vet. The moral of the story is that it is best just to keep your dog on a good well balanced commercial dog food such as the Husse range. Why take risks, human foods and treats can be unexpectedly toxic to dogs.

Scott Nimmo MRCVS BVMS

Picture of the Day

2011-05-11T08:35:00.000+01:00

Morning Meeting between the four-legged colleagues reviewing the rules of conduct. My dog to the left, Ida the Irrish Setter, is 4 years old and she enjoys hanging out in our office space with the other dogs. I work on a PR firm in Stockholm and so far it has been no problem to bring your pet to work. Love my job :)

Best,

Katti from Sweden

WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW YOUR PET.

Feel free to send your picture and info to uk@husse.com

What is the third generation of pet food?

2011-05-10T08:15:00.004+01:00

Based on Husse Nutrition School

Supplementing nutraceuticals in the diet is a new tendency in super premium pet food. Scientists call this type of food “third generation food”.

Nutraceuticals are a combination of nutrition and pharmaceutical components in foods claimed to have a positive effect on health and condition. In the last decade, positive effects on health of specific food components have been discovered. Their effectiveness have been scientifically proven in humans as well as in animals. Examples of nutraceuticals are:

• Prebiotics: specific sugars which promote beneficial gut flora.
• Carotenoids: biological anti-oxidants which protect the body cells and support immunity.
• Glucosamin and chondroitin: natural components in cartilage which improve the condition of the joints.
• Grape-Extract: powerful anti-oxidants with cell protection and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: which improve the function of the brain and have anti-inflammatory properties.

“First generation food" comes from a period where little information was available on nutritional requirements. The food only contained the energy required to maintain body weight.

In the last century a lot of scientific information became available about the nutritional requirements of humans and animals. Animal food was developed to meet all nutritional requirements as the need for minerals, vitamins and aminoacids etc. were better understood. This nutritionally balanced food was considered “second generation food”.

Since the existence of health promoting nutraceuticals was discovered and widely accepted, new diets were developed containing these health promoting components. This complete new generation of food is more often described as “third generation food”.

Team Six had backup from a four legged friend when it took out Bin Laden

2011-05-09T12:16:00.000+01:00

The Persian Cat Breed

2011-05-09T07:24:00.001+01:00

By Veterinary Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

Said by some to be the most popular cat breed ever, while I do not know if this is true I have to say that the breed certainly has lasting popularity. The Persian is undeniably beautiful, elegant and of royal bearing, I remember as a child that our our aged and slightly eccentric neighbour really admired the Persian cat we had then and often said he was so like the late King George V and of course the name stuck, the cat called George.

So what is the history of this regal breed? : This is an ancient cat breed and their ancestors originated in the part of Persia called Khorazan. Persia is now Iran of course, from there they travelled to the Roman World via caravans which were then plying trade and in the sixteenth century they started to reach Europe via the trading routes then in existence between Europe and Turkey.

In modern times Persians appeared in the 1871 cat show held in London's, this was one of the first modern cat shows in the world and the breeds popularity started to spring from this publicity and it soon became a sought after breed in the UK. The situation was much the same in the USA and the rest of the world as imported Persian cats were used for breeding and their progeny became a fashionable pet.

So what does this breed look like? : There are two distinct types, one being the extreme and the other being the traditional. The extreme has a more button nosed look, the face is very flat and the nose is nearly as high as the eyes. Both types have small round ears and wide round eyes. While the coat patterns and colours can come in and pattern and hue the coat itself is long thick and glossy, it often stands up compared to other cat breeds often giving the Persian a larger than life appearance. But even under the fur these are large boned cats.

From a veterinary point of view the main problem in this breed is inherited polycystic kidney disease. This is seen in cats between the ages of three years to ten years of age and it will cause enlarged kidneys as well as general kidney dysfunction. Cats that have this condition will be born with cysts as they grow and progressively enlarge, the kidney’s normal function is gradually reduced. There is unfortunately no currently treatment for this disease.

Also their very short nose and facial structure can lead to a number of health problems. These can include excess tear production with associated staining round the face and blocked tear ducts. Inherited kidney disease is common and hip dysplasia and retinal degeneration can also occur. But do not let all this put you off the breed many cat breeds have a number of associated health problems and most Persians live a long full life.

And it’s personality? : Persians are a laid back breed, so much so that some would call them lazy. If you are looking for a cat which will be glad to sit on your lap or sit by your side while you read a book then a Persian could be the cat for you. Like all cats they do enjoy short periods of playing but most of the time they will prefer just to sit and be admired.

This is a breed which loves human company and affection and if you know how to interact with your cat you will have a devoted companion for life. Unlike other cat breeds they are not so vocal and not so demanding when they want their presence felt. This is beautiful and elegant cat breed which could well have a soothing and calming influence on their owners but the downside is looking after their long coats, brushing and de-tangling now and again is a must. They are said to be particularly good for apartment living.

Scott Nimmo BVMS MRCVS

What's the story behind these pictures?

2011-05-06T08:22:00.003+01:00

Rob, the web manager for Husse.com, sent us these very adorable pictures and asked us to find out the background story. After a little "googling" we eventually found the answer: (click on the link below) http://odetoeverything.tumblr.com/post/2906130500/leopard-salati-snuggles-up-beside-golden

Leopard ‘Salati’ snuggles up beside golden retriever ‘Tommy’ in the back of a 4×4 at the Glen Afric Country Lodge on May 04, 2010 in Pretoria, South Africa. Salati the leopard turns the assumption that dogs love to chase cats on its head by running playfully after Tommy the golden retriever. Animal wrangler Richard Brooker, 23, hand-reared 10-month-old Salati and gives her and family pet dog Tommy their daily exercise together. He takes them out into his family’s 750 hectare estate and lets them run amok, saying “Wherever you see one the other is right behind”. Rescued as an orphaned cub, Salati was donated by a local vet to the family-run country retreat, which helps to rehabilitate injured and needy animals. The Brookers’ hard work and breeding programmes with elephants, lions, and giraffes has helped boost wildlife numbers in the area.

Best regards,
TOP-Team