Man's Best Friend - Be Tick Aware With Frontline Spot On!

With spring and summer slowly creeping up on us, what better way to chill out in the evening than take the dog for a walk? However, what some don't realise is there is a danger out there to our faithful friends in the form of a small parasite. Yes, I'm talking about ticks!

Ticks are actually a serious problem to our pets and can do plenty of harm if not treated properly. They lurk in grassy areas, not just in woodland but urban areas too, gardens, forests, parks and even beaches. This is where Frontline Spot On comes in! They've launched a great nationwide campaign to raise more awareness about the problem of ticks and how to protect your furry friend.

The Be Tick Aware campaign is supported by celebrity dog owner Sara Cox and Marc the Vet who has appeared on numerous TV programmes including ITV This Morning, Paul O'Grady Show, Crufts and Animal Rescue Live. Thankfully Marc hasn't had to treat any cases this year, but his team at Grove Lodge Vets based in Sussex are always on the lookout because of the beautiful countryside surrounding them.

I was lucky enough to be able to ask Marc a couple of questions about ticks and here are his answers.

If you're a first time dog owner, what should you look for to ensure your pet does not have ticks? 

First, learn to identify what a tick actually looks like both before and after feeding then, then ask your vet to advise you on the best methods of tick prevention. Ticks are generally oval, flat and small, the size of a sesame seed when unfed; once completely engorged with blood they've grown to the size and shape of a coffee-bean. Always check thoroughly over your dog's body when returning home from walks - especially at the skin's surface where they attach and feed. 

Are ticks more common in certain breeds of dog?
All breeds of dog can catch ticks, but I would say longer haired breeds are more at risk as ticks tend to latch onto hair then crawl down to the skin surface to feed. 

Are ticks more dangerous for younger or older dogs?
Ticks are dangerous for all ages of dogs, with young dogs experimentally appearing to be more susceptible; so if you think your dog has a tick then please seek veterinary help immediately and try to resist the urge to pull it straight off without the correct tool e.g tick hook as it can cause skin problems requiring antibiotics, even surgery if the tick's mouthparts are left in. 

Can this lead to permanent disability in dogs?

Cases of Lyme disease in dogs can be tricky to diagnose in dogs with symptoms include lameness, arthritic pain, loss of appetite and depression. It usually responds well to antibiotics, but can cause serious kidney damage if undiagnosed or left untreated. 

Lyme Disease can also affect people too which is why this campaign is so important. Cases in the UK have increased by 300 per cent in humans since 2000 and the flu-like symptoms can include fatigue, loss of appetite, fever and joint swellings. If left undiagnosed, it can also led to permanent disability.

The problem of ticks could also become more common due to changes in the Pet Travel Scheme. Pets will no longer be required to be treated for ticks before entering the UK, which could mean that foreign ticks spread exotic diseases which are even more serious and debilitating than Lyme Disease.

Frontline Spot On can help prevent ticks as it is a 'non-systemic' product, meaning it is able to kill ticks through contact and not through your dog's bloodstream. From where you apply this, it spreads all over your pet's body and concentrates on the sebaceous glands of the skin (microscopic glands which are attached to the hair follicles). This helps to prolong it's efficiency - even after bathing, swimming and grooming. It's best to apply Frontline Spot On every four weeks to ensure your dog is fully protected.

So don't delay! Make sure your dog is protected from these horrible parasites and prevent your pet and family from the deadly diseases ticks can carry.

Information Box:

For more information about ticks and how to prevent them, visit http://uk.frontline.com

Visit www.merial.com for a wide range of products to help enhance the health, well-being and performance in a wide range of animals.

Find out more information on Marc the Vet at www.marcthevet.com 

National Pet Month - Cat's Eyes

It's been so long since my last post, but I've been so busy turning 23 (I feel so old) that I just haven't had the time. Hopefully this post makes up for my lack of blogging!

National Pet Month is already underway (running from 1st April - 6th May) so I thought it would be fitting to blog about some popular pets.

First up is the cat! An obvious choice for many pet owners, most choose them as they are pretty independent and don't require exercise or a lot of space as dogs do. There are more than one hundred breeds of pedigree cats and a great variety of non-pedigree cats who can help you turn your house into a home.

All cats, whether they're domesticated, wild, big or small are the same in body. So a persian snoozing on your window sill is made in the same way as a ferocious snow leopard or tiger. Extremely flexible, cats have up to 26 more vertebrae than humans and their spine is held together by muscles rather than ligaments. They do not have a collarbone as this would broaden the chest, stopping them from squeezing through tight spaces. Instead they have a small scrap of clavicle tissue in their breast muscle.

There are so many breeds I would like to mention, but I'm going to narrow it down otherwise I'll be here forever!

The shorthaired cat is more common than the long hair in both domesticated and wild cats. They've been around for thousands of years and became more popular as they're easy to maintain and less prone to hairballs. There are three types, the British Shorthair which has a strong muscular body and large round eyes, the Foreign or Oriental Shorthairs which have slim bodies with long legs, large pointy ears and slanting eyes and the American Shorthair. These are larger and leaner than the British.

One of my favourite shorthairs has to be the Tortoiseshell. Living for 14 years and more, they've been around for more than 100 years. They were developed like most British shorthairs by selective breeding, however they are actually very difficult to breed. Virtually female-only, there was a big debate about how to continue breeding them due to the mix of colours including red, cream and black patches difficult to produce.

With a strong, stocky body, they're extremely good natured and have always been one of the most popular cats to own.

Now the Longhaired cat. Believed to have developed by natural selection in cold countries, another theory is they simply mutated and this feature was enhanced by interbreeding. Most of these are known as the Persian, however others include the Maine Coon and Angora from colder climates. Unbelievably there are 16 different types of Persians and these include the Chocolate Longhair, Tabby Longhair and Blue Longhair.

One cat I also just have to mention is from the semi-longhaired and hairless section. The Munchkin was named after the little people in the Wizard of Oz as they are cats with very short legs. This is a fairly new breed and was created by a genetic mutation that affects the leg bones. They first appeared in the 1980s and only a few cat registries recognise this breed as others consider them to be suffering from a skeletal abnormality called achondroplasia.  Agile, they have a sweet-natured disposition and are get on well with children, dogs and other cats.

Fact File:

•  Make sure your cat is microchipped so they be identified if they go missing
• Check regularly for fleas! 
• Most cats are actually lactose intolerant as they lack the enzymes needed to break lactose down which is present in milk.
• Ensure they have plenty of exercise and toys to keep their brains stimulated  
• Keep your cat at the correct weight, obese cats can suffer from a range of health problems including diabetes, cancer and arthritis 
• If you're thinking of adopting a cat, why not try a local rescue centre such as the Cats Protection? 

Easter Tales - The Dangers of Chocolate to Dogs

Now I don't know about you, but I had a lovely Easter break and enjoyed eating some of my favourite Easter Eggs. Malteasers, Dairy Milk... the list was endless!

However, not everyone can enjoy this treat. Chocolate is extremely dangerous to dogs because it contains a stimulant called theobromine. A bit like caffeine, this stimulant mainly affects the the heart, central nervous system and kidneys and can cause death in serious cases.

Dark chocolate contains the most theobromine and the side effects of ingesting this usually occur between four to 24 hours depending on the amount your dog has eaten. If you think your dog may have taken a sneaky bite of your chocolate egg, you should look out for:

• Vomiting 
• Rapid breathing
• Diarrhoea
• Restlessness
• Muscle tension
• Increased heart rate
• Seizures

If you're able to estimate the amount of chocolate your dog has eaten, this can be invaluable to helping treat your beloved pet. Even taking the wrapper with you to the vet will help determine the dosage of theobromine as white chocolate contains a minimal amount. Milk chocolate contains 44-64mg whereas if they ingest semi-sweet or sweet dark chocolate this jumps up to 150-160mg. Even dry cocoa powder and baking chocolate is toxic and should be put out of reach. 

Unfortunately, there is no antidote for chocolate poisoning and all vets can do is either make your dog vomit, or wash out the stomach and feed them charcoal to absorb any theobromine left in the intestines. Depending on the signs your dog is showing, they may also put them on a drip or medication to help control the heart rate, seizures and blood pressure. 

The PDSA vigorously campaigned this Easter to try and raise awareness about this serious and potentially fatal problem. They revealed that last Easter more than 400 dogs were treated for chocolate poisoning, an astonishing figure, and a PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report found that seven per cent of owners regularly feed their dogs chocolate as a treat. 

It's also not just Easter eggs you should watch out for. Other Easter goodies including chocolate covered raisins, peanuts and coffee beans are even more dangerous because of the lethal cocktail of of toxic chemicals they contain. 

These statistics found by the PDSA are incredible considering the number of dog owners in the UK. There are plenty of chocolate free alternative treats you can provide for man's best friend to make Easter more pet friendly. 

Pets at Home have a range of of cocoa and gluten free Easter Eggs for dogs. Made from carob, a commonly known substitute for chocolate, it's a dog friendly treat to show your dog you care. Just visit Pets at Home Easter Range Or if you prefer not to give your dog food, why not treat he or she to a new toy or a long walk (when the sun eventually comes out). 

It's not just dogs who can enjoy an Easter treat, Pets at Home also provide Easter Egg alternatives for small furries and cats too. 

So if you have any leftover chocolate this Easter, make sure you put it away somewhere secure where no dogs can get to it. There's nothing worse than a trip to the vets and your dog will appreciate a substitute a lot more.

All About Birds - A Mix of Different Birds From Tropical Wings

Before I graduated in May 2011, I decided to dedicate my online journalism module from my BA (Hons) Journalism Degree to all the different types of birds found in the world.

One aspect that I am most proud of is my video as I eventually decided on showing how different birds are trained when they participate in demonstrations. I thought this would be something that people with an interest in birds and just people in general would be curious about, as we don't often get the opportunity to go behind the scenes.

I filmed my video at Tropical Wings based in South Woodham Ferrers and they allowed me to go along with my Grandad to film the birds during the demonstration. They also let me talk to the falconer about the methods used, as well as film other birds including the Raven, Stork and Parrot.

Here's my video which I created, I hope you enjoy!