October 4th World Animal Day 2011
September 30, 2011
Animal lovers are being urged to get involved in World Animal Day 2011 to show their support for animal welfare around the globe.
Launched in the UK on 4 October 2003, organisations, groups, animal shelters, places of worship, schools, clubs and individuals have participated in what was to become an annual event on this special day to celebrate the relationship between man and his animal friends.
Animal enthusiasts can learn more about how to get involved: http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/get_involved.asp
Resources: http://worldanimalday.org.uk/resources.asp
Just one of the events being carried out for World Animal Day 2011 is The Kucinski Wildlife Foundation’s Art and Photo Walk for Animals
Find out more: http://www.kwf-ecological.org.uk/WorldAnimalDay.html
Speaking about World Animal Day 2011, UK WAD Ambassador Ryan O’Meara says:
“Every day of every year animals have such a positive impact on the lives of millions of people. By dedicating a special day to honour that magical relationship, to organise events and to do whatever we can to help raise awareness about various animal welfare concerns, wherever they may be, is a wonderful way for us to commemorate our animal friends. World Animal Day is something I continue to be exceptionally proud to be associated with.”
If you’d like to organise your own event or help promote World Animal Day 2011 – go here: http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/get_involved.asp
Article source: http://www.dognews.co/october-4th-world-animal-day-2011/
PetScreen Announces Advanced Canine Lymphoma Test
September 30, 2011
Advanced canine cymphoma blood test helps you make a more timely diagnoses.
Canine cancer screening experts, PetScreen would like to say a big thank you to all the vets that have provided PetScreen with follow up on their patients after using the LBT. With your help, we have been able to further develop and improve the test.
The company says:
"Many clinicians have asked about the identity of the biomarkers detected in the LBT. Therefore, we have been busy characterising and identifying the biomarkers used in the original LBT and found that two of them are acute phase proteins (APPs). Although APPs have been investigated individually in veterinary medicine for some time, we have continued our unique multi-marker approach to develop specific analytical algorithms which combine the relative levels of both haptoglobin and C-Reactive Protein in serum. This has enabled us to develop the Advanced Lymphoma Blood Test (ALBT), which has numerous benefits over the original LBT."
"We have tested the ALBT with 194 rigorously followed up diagnostic samples consisting of lymphoma samples, samples from healthy dogs and dogs with benign lymphoid hyperplasia and other diseases with similar presentations to lymphoma."
"By measuring the APPs using immunoassay, we are able to achieve excellent levels of performance, reproducibility and objectivity typical of such tests."
What the ALBT offers:
Differentiation between patients with lymphadenopathy due to lymphoma and lymphadenopathy due to other conditions such as benign lymphoid hyperplasia.
Same day results – lymphoma can develop very rapidly, and time is of the essence.
A simple blood test, taken as part of routine blood work. If results come back as positive for lymphoma, you might want to consider more invasive tests such as FNA or biopsy.
Reduced cost. The new same day turnaround test costs less than the original 5 day turnaround LBT.
You can request the new ALBT straight away. The submission form can be downloaded from our website, please follow this link:
http://www.pet-screen.com/web/PETSCR/index.cfm?s=2&dir=5110.
If you have any questions, please contact us at vets@pet-screen.com or you can call the Freephone number 0800 028 4811
Celebrate World Animal Day 2011
September 30, 2011
Animal enthusiasts can learn more about how to get involved: http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/get_involved.asp
Resources: http://worldanimalday.org.uk/resources.asp
Just one of the events being carried out for World Animal Day 2011 is The Kucinski Wildlife Foundation's Art and Photo Walk for Animals
Find out more: http://www.kwf-ecological.org.uk/WorldAnimalDay.html
Speaking about World Animal Day 2011, UK WAD Ambassador Ryan O'Meara says:
"Every day of every year animals have such a positive impact on the lives of millions of people. By dedicating a special day to honour that magical relationship, to organise events and to do whatever we can to help raise awareness about various animal welfare concerns, wherever they may be, is a wonderful way for us to commemorate our animal friends. World Animal Day is something I continue to be exceptionally proud to be associated with."
If you'd like to organise your own event or help promote World Animal Day 2011 – go here: http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/get_involved.aspCanine Osteoarthritis A Growing Dog Owner Problem
September 27, 2011
Canine osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that reduces a dog’s mobility. A new report has suggested the problem is a growing concern for dog owners.
Arthritis in dogs is on the rise according to a study published by K9 Magazine.
The condition, which affects the mobility and joints of dogs of any age, is said to be increasing inline with the growing pet obesity problem which has seen more dogs than ever gaining weight and being above the normal healthy BMI for their age and breed.
Experts have suggested that canine osteoarthritis will continue to rise unless pet owners can gain control of their dog’s weight.
One of the key causes of arthritis in dogs is breed type and weight. It’s been claimed that as many as 1 in 4 dogs are above their natural weight.
Canine osteoarthritis is a chronic condition, meaning there is no cure. However treatment and management of arthritis in dogs is readily available, meaning a diagnosis doesn’t have to mean the end of a dog’s ability to enjoy life, go for walks and suffer in pain.
Learn more: https://www.prbuzz.com/home-a-garden/55209-arthritis-in-dogs-concerns-owners.html
Article source: http://www.dognews.co/canine-osteoarthritis-a-growing-dog-owner-problem/
Dog Arthritis a Growing Concern For Dog Owners
September 26, 2011
Animal health care experts recommend that obesity is the key component in the onset of the disease and suggest that it is the expanding waistlines of our pets that is leading to increased cases of arthritis in dogs.
Charles Vincent, associate publisher at K9 Magazine, says:"Our findings have shown that many dog owners are simply not sure about portion control when feeding their dogs. As a result, more and more dogs are above their optimal weight. This in turn leads to problems in their health such as arthritis, diabetes and other serious and debilitating conditions. We are always willing and keen to offer dog owners advice on how best to avoid the common health problems that can affect their beloved animals. It would appear that unless dog owners can gain a better understanding of proper dog nutrition we can expect to see more cases of arthritis and other nasty ailments." Canine Arthritis Awareness Month has been launched to provide dog owners with information on how to spot the symptoms of arthritis in dogs as well as what treatment plans are in place should a dog be diagnosed with this, or other common mobility and joint problems in dogs.
Dog Owners Turn to Vandalism in Protest at Dog Fences
September 23, 2011
A report in the Toronto Star highlights the lengths some dog lovers are going to in their protest at dog fences being erected in so-called off leash dog parks:
A lawless, self-styled Liberation Front is threatening mayhem in the heart of the city. But most residents have little to fear, unless they are dog owners fretful of their pooches running amok.
An unidentified individual or group called the Doggy Liberation Front has been vandalizing fences in High Park’s off-leash areas, presumably with the intention of thwarting city efforts to restrict the animals’ range. Whatever the motivation, the DLF is barking up the wrong tree, says the park’s K9 liaison official.
In August, the city started erecting fences in the designated off-leash areas near Grenadier Restaurant that include Dog Hill and Spring Rd. The fencing restricts the ability of dogs to range more freely, but also protects the natural environment, including black oak trees vulnerable to erosion.
Read in full: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1057784–dog-loving-vandals-target-fences-in-off-leash-areas
Article source: http://www.dognews.co/dog-owners-turn-to-vandalism-in-protest-at-dog-fences/
Syringomyelia Screening Scheme to Launch
September 22, 2011
The British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club Canine Health Schemes (CHS) management committee has given the go-ahead for a new Scheme to screen dogs, particularly potential breeding stock, for chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia (CM/SM) to start in January 2012.
Chiari-like malformation (CM) is characterised by a mismatch in size between the brain (too big) and the skull (too small). This constricts the opening from the skull into the vertebral canal and alters the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). As a result a fluid-filled cavity develops within the spinal cord called a syrinx, with the condition being called Syringomyelia (SM). Both conditions can cause a significant amount of pain.
These debilitating inherited conditions affect certain breeds, most prominently the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but also the Griffon Bruxellois. CM/SM is also suspected to be inherited in a number of other small (toy) breeds including King Charles Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Affenpinschers and Maltese.
To take part in the Scheme owners will need to have their dog MRI scanned at a veterinary practice. The scans will then be reviewed by two scrutineers from a BVA-appointed panel of expert neurologists and radiologists and graded for severity for both CM and SM.
The results will be sent back to owners via the veterinary practice that performed the MRI scan. Results of Kennel Club registered dogs will be sent to the KC for publication on the KC Health Test Results Finder online and to the Animal Health Trust for inclusion in the Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) calculations.
Following consultation with breed club representatives and to achieve maximum take up of the Scheme it has been agreed that publication of results by the Kennel Club will commence once the first batch of results is available, which we expect by the end of the first quarter of 2012. In the interim, the online Health Test Results Finder will indicate that the dog has been screened and that results are available from the owner. User-friendly guidance on how to understand the results will be made available once the Scheme is launched.
The aim of the Scheme is to reduce, and hopefully eliminate, the incidence of inherited CM and SM in dogs.
Commenting, Harvey Locke, President of the British Veterinary Association, said:
“Syringomyelia is a terrible disease that causes severe pain. We are therefore delighted to announce the new Canine Health Scheme for CM/SM.
“It has taken over two years to develop the Scheme and we are confident that it will have a positive impact on the health and welfare of the afflicted breeds. The heritability of syringomyelia is sufficiently high that genetic selection against the disease should be very successful.
“We are very grateful to the team of scientists who have worked hard to make the Scheme possible and look forward to the launch in January.”
Prof Steve Dean, Chairman of the Kennel Club, added:
“We are very keen to encourage the greatest possible take up of the test by breeders of affected breeds. This is a key development in the work to tackle these debilitating conditions and we hope many breeders will use the Scheme.”
The full details of how the Scheme will work will be finalised between now and the end of the year and procedure notes will be circulated to ensure that scans taken from now on will fully comply with the Scheme.
Article source: http://www.dognews.co/syringomyelia-screening-scheme-to-launch/
New Website Launches To Help Canine Osteoarthritis Become A Walk In The Park
September 16, 2011
With the number of dogs in the UK now tipping 8.3million, it is estimated that up to one in five may suffer from canine osteoarthritis – a chronic, progressive and painful disease of the joints. However many may not be receiving the necessary treatment or may be living undiagnosed as their owners may not be aware of the condition.
A condition typically affecting older dogs, OA can often be overlooked in younger dogs due to its gradual onset. In older canine’s OA can simply be attributed to ‘old age’ as a dog slows down in pace. With this in mind a new website is being launched today called A Walk in the Park which aims to help dogs who suffer from OA by educating pet owners on how an integrated approach of treatment, exercise and weight management can improve the health and wellbeing of dogs.
A study conducted by A Walk in the Park found that 51% of pet owners aged 55 or over owned a dog that was more than eight years old, increasing the likelihood that many may have to deal with the condition. Yet 63% of those surveyed had difficulty in identifying the signs of OA suggesting that thousands of dogs in the UK may be suffering needlessly.
Veterinarian Sarah Heath comments: “With many dogs going undiagnosed it is important that we draw attention to the reality of canine osteoarthritis and help dog owners manage the illness and improve their quality of life. A Walk in the Park will help owners take up a controlled care programme which incorporates treatment, exercise and nutrition.”
For more information on canine osteoarthritis please visit www.awalkinthepark.co.uk
Article source: http://www.dognews.co/canine-osteoarthritis-advice/