It is expected that the lifting of these regulations by the government is going to save people who own pets around £7 million every year. When animals are being brought into the UK from outside the European Union they face around £2500 worth of these costs to make sure that the animal is free of diseases as it has to go through a lengthy quarantine period. The figure for animals coming from inside the European Union is much less at around £100 per animal.

For dogs who are going to travel outside of the United Kingdom the treatment for ticks will now be necessary and the tapeworm treatment is still part of the regulations. Lord Taylor is the animal welfare minister and he has commented, “Quarantine was initially introduced in the 19th century and since this time medicine has made a huge number of leaps forward and now we feel it is unnecessary to burden owners with the extensive amount of quarantine that was happening before.

This will allow those with pets to travel more cheaply but there will still be the protection required through vaccines and immunisations.” Battersea dogs home has welcomed the change and has also urged the government to consider important other factors relating to animal health and safety. It has said that micro-chipping of animals should be a legal obligation in the UK as it will allow health authorities to monitor the travel of animals anywhere.

Defra is responsible for animal welfare and they have commented, “We are trying to reduce the problem the country faces from irresponsible dog owners. There is not an easy solution but the efforts are expected to make the streets of the UK a safer place.” The Home Office has commented, “We have recently introduced new measures that allow councils and the police to enforce the law against dog owners in an easier way so people will take more responsibility for their pets.”

The risks of your pet being poisoned

How safe is your pet? The Kennel Club, RPSB, the Dogs Trust and the Feline Advisory Bureau are warning pet owners that over the past decade, at least 22 cats and 56 dogs are known to have died in pesticide abuse incidents. The majority of these come from poisoned baits that had been placed illegally with the intention of killing wildlife and birds of prey.

The problem is that these baits have been placed so indiscriminately that many pets have become the unintended victims. The animal organisations have warned the public to watch out for poisoned baits being left in areas where pets can get to them. Those who need to be particularly aware are cat and dog owners who live in rural areas, or walk their dogs there.

Martin Harper is the RSPB’s Conservation Director. He said: “To lose a pet is heart-breaking, but it must be unbearable to know that a pet has died because someone callously wanted to kill foxes or birds of prey and that your companion was just an unintended casualty in the war on predators.”

Employees on rogue shooting estates will illegally douse rabbit or pheasant carcasses with poisons. These poisoned baits are then carelessly left out in areas where foxes or birds of prey may take the bait, with the inevitable consequences. The use of poisoned baits was outlawed in 1911, but the practice still continues illegally.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: “Behind every one of these incidents is a tragic story, which could have been avoided. Whether it’s a red kite or a red setter, there are too many victims of illegal poisoning and it’s time for the law to change. We urge dog owners to avoid letting their dogs go out of sight when they are out for a walk, so that they can try and prevent them from picking up potential poisoned bait.”

Claire Bessant of the Feline Advisory Bureau, said: “We believe that too many pets and threatened species have died and it’s time this deplorable practice was brought to an end.”

Dogs Trust Veterinary Director Paula Boyden added: “Illegal baiting is a despicable practice that causes unimaginable suffering to wildlife and domestic pets. Should a pet owner have any suspicions that their animal has eaten something that might be toxic; they should call their vet for immediate advice.

“Although it is not always easy to do when walking a dog off-lead in rural areas, we strongly recommend that you prevent your dog from scavenging on animal remains and ideally encourage them to leave carcasses alone.”

The RSPB is campaigning for a list of the most widely-abused and lethal poisons to be added to the legislation, so that only those with a legitimate use for them can have them in their possession.

Jeff Knott, the RSPB’s bird of prey policy officer, said: “It is illegal to poison a bird of prey, but in a bizarre quirk, it is not illegal inEngland,WalesandNorthern Irelandfor individuals to possess some of the most deadly poisons capable of killing these species, even though they have no legitimate need to possess them.

“Currently it is only a crime to use these poisons to kill wildlife, but by making it an offence to hold stockpiles of these chemicals, we believe we can lower the threat to wildlife and pets.”

The previous Government accepted in 2006 that it was sensible to make it illegal for unauthorised people to possess these poisons, but despite the law being in place, the Government hasn’t listed the banned pesticides. This is despite the controls being in place inScotlandsince 2005, where police find it a very useful tool in the fight against wildlife crime as 10 convictions have already been secured. The RSPB is asking the Government to add a list of chemicals to Section 43.

The RSPB Birdcrime 2010 report reveals there were 128 reports of illegal poisoning in theUK, and the early figures for this year suggest a similar pattern. In 2010, 20 red kites, 30 buzzards, two goshawks, eight peregrines, five golden eagles, one white-tailed eagle and one sparrowhawk were found poisoned in theUK. The RSPB believes that the number of recorded incidents is way below the actual number.

Here at Hill’s we understand the importance of providing your precious pooch or cute kitty with a well-balanced and varied diet. That’s why we work around the clock to produce pet food products that are specially tailored to your pet’s size, weight and medical needs.

We’ve more than 150 veterinarians, Ph.D. nutritionists and food scientists worldwide who are constantly innovating tasty, new recipes. We are proud to have developed leading formulas and have the most extensive range of clinical nutrition products for sick, at risk and healthy dogs and cats.

We know that like human beings, every animal is different and requires a unique and specifically modified diet. That’s why our specialist team have created the Science Plan to make sure your canine or feline gets the right balance of antioxidants and high-quality ingredients. A bouncing puppy doesn’t need to follow the same diet as an aging cat, which is we have spent our time creating specialised meal choices.

Our Prescription Diet plans are also ideal for animals that are suffering from particular illnesses as they offer clinical approved nutrients. So, if your furry friend is feeling a bit under the weather Hill’s is here to help with a highly nutritious and specially tailored diet. We all need a bit of a boost when we are feeling low and eating the correct foods is essential to a speedy recovery.

Hills are dedicated to strengthening to relationship between you and your pooch and have devised a number of products to help with stiff joint in dogs and other animal ailments. We want you to enjoy a quality life with your pet for as long as possible and our passion for giving animals the best quality of life underpins everything we do.

So if you are looking to save money, cut back elsewhere and make sure you dog or cat is getting a top quality diet – after all they are one of the family, right? Find out more about Hill’s today and take excellent nutritional care of your furry friend.

Article Supplied by Hill’s

Breeding in extreme properties, in order to enhance specific physiological or psychological terms (effects) of specific individuals or groups (races, varieties etc.) Extreme can therefore be said to be the result of human desire with no other practical purpose than the visual.

Examples of physiological extreme is the breeding of individuals with fur, short legs, long back, big ears, short muzzle, etc. Examples of psychological extreme breeding of individuals are: high aggression; lack of bite inhibitions or little tolerance for other animals, etc. Changes take place within all breeding, but is particularly expressed where the exterior is of great importance.

Dog breeds today include: Western Afghan Hound; Bloodhound; Shar Pei; English bulldog; French bulldog; boxer; pug and the Poodle and others are products of the attitude change that occurred in the late 1800s. People wanted more and more extreme dogs (designer dogs). To achieve this, they were bred for specific exterior purposes and anatomical features. Nevertheless, one can not call it extreme.

Extreme has meant that some dog breeds or individuals can no longer bear his own offspring, and therefore need to give birth by Caesarean section. Some also have great difficulty breathing and eating normally. Others poorly tolerate heat and cold, and can barely move without shortness of breath or cardiac arrest.  Others are plagued with extreme and impractical hair as well as ears that shuffled the ground and attract dirt and grime.

Some have backs that are so long that they easily slip, legs that are so short that the intimate body parts are highly susceptible to damage, skin folds that collect dirt and grime and provides fertile ground for chronic eczema, eyes almost falling out of the eye cavity or lower lid that exposes parts of the eyeball and causes chronic inflammation. Some also have jaws that are so short that there is no longer room for all the 42 teeth that dogs should have.

A caring owner can help his dog achieve her goal of caring for her puppy and then letting them fend for themselves and learn to eat on their own. The weaning process should begin at six weeks with the owner’s assistance if the mother dog has not already started it.

In fact, weaning the puppies off the mother is not at all difficult and just requires studied patience and a little effort on the part of the owner. Firstly, the mother and puppy should be separated for a few hours a day. The mother will still continue to produce milk, so there is no risk in this.

It is a gradual step-by-step process and the mother will eventually produce less milk and dry up. To achieve this feedings should be limited to two or three a day and gradually decrease every few days.

It is during this process that the puppy should be offered an alternative food source and it will begin to learn to eat solid foods. Ideally, the puppies will begin with softened dry puppy food or canned puppy food mixed with water. It is important this process is followed thorough as a puppy’s teeth may not develop properly if not and they may suffer from malnutrition related problems.

Most liver problems in dogs are caused by infections, cancer treatments, drugs, toxins, circulatory failure, blood clots, or even heat stroke in severe cases, such as when a dog is left in a hot car. The condition is clearly more common in dogs than cats as many are aware. However it is not related to a dog’s breed surprisingly, as many would imagine specific breeds would be more at risk. It is also not dependant on the age or sex of the dog.

There are a number of less obvious symptoms that owners need to be aware of if they wish to have an early warning opportunity to seek medical care. These include lethargy and depression in the animal, an instance of fluid in the stomach area and resulting enlargement of the abdomen and diarrhea (may contain blood).

Clearer symptoms of liver issues may include jaundice, vomiting, stupor, seizures, bleeding and the dog may eventually fall into a coma. Upon witnessing at least two of these symptoms, the owner should seek medical advice from a veterinary surgeon.

A veterinarian will be able to carry out various diagnostic tests to try to ascertain what the problem is and he will know reasonably quickly if there is any liver function impairment. The vet may choose to use a clotting profile, x-rays, ultrasound and CBC when examining the animal. He may also look at serum bile acid, urine and ammonia levels.

If necessary in serious cases he may wish to carry out a laparoscopy. This simply means he will be able to peer inside the liver with a scope. Abdominal surgery is sometimes used to get a really clear picture of the situation and to make a diagnosis to find the best medical treatment. Dogs with liver problems may be suffering from other associated ailments and the dog may require an IV to support the intake of fluids.

Alternatively, the veterinarian may recommend other treatments such as diuretics to help remove excess fluids, controlling vomiting with antiemetics and some kind of nutritional support. Possibly, the dog may be treated with colloids, enemas, antibiotics and ulcer treatments.

When a dog is well enough to return home the owner must be sure they have the time to administer his treatments properly and regularly to aid his recovery. This is important as he will not be fully recovered yet and his liver will still not be functioning like a healthy one. Owners need to watch their dog’s recovery closely, returning the pet to the vet if their condition worsens.

First up are grapes and raisins which are tricky given the fact that the healthy food appears to be a great healthy treat for pets at first glance, however, continual feeding of these items can cause kidney failure in dogs and eventually death.  Another sneaky food item that appears healthy is onions because the tasty vegetable actually destroys a dog’s digestive system over time and can lead to anemia and toxic shock if consumed in large amounts of consistently over time.

Another tricky item that you should never feed your dog is bones which are what dogs are known to eat in most households.  The simple truth of the matter however is that you should never give your dog chicken, steak, or any other type of bones off of meat given the fact that any bone can splinter and get lodged inside of a dog’s throat of their intestines causing permanent irreversible damage that you most likely will not become aware of until it is too late.

Everyone knows that dogs should not have chocolate as it is instant poison to their systems, but also on the list are any milk based products such as yogurt or milk.  While most dogs will go crazy over the chance to eat a little ice cream or milk the simple truth of the matter is that dog’s do not have enough to the lactose enzyme in their digestive track to digest these products and over time they can become quite ill from continually eating the substances just like someone who is lactose intolerant would be.

If you eat a lot of diet items you should also keep these to yourself and away from your dog because while you may think that you are offering them a healthy treat since these are healthy for humans, the truth is that artificial fats and sweeteners are actually harmful to their digestive system as well and unneeded risks.  The same goes for rich foods or any spicy foods because dogs are happy with food in its regular form and do not really need or have the capabilities to digest any food items that spiced and flavored.  In short, just because something is healthy for you does not mean it is healthy for your pet so always think twice before handing them a snack under the table!

•Be aware of their changing needs: As dogs get older, their nutritional needs change. Older dogs require lower caloric diets that are higher in fiber. Switching to a senior specific dog food can help your aging pup avoid obesity and digestive upset. Some dogs may also benefit from senior specific dog treats, raised dog bowls, orthopedic beds or other items designed specifically with senior canines in mind.

•Keep those pearly whites healthy! Periodontal disease is especially prevalent in older dogs, so dental care is a must. Veterinary dental check-ups and cleanings are good idea throughout a dog’s life, but even more crucial in the later years. Regular at home teeth brushing is also important. Dental disease can affect other organs including the kidneys and heart, so don’t overlook good oral hygiene for your senior companion.

•Be mindful of joint pain: Joint pain and arthritis are just as common for aging canines as they are for aging humans. To protect doggy joints, maintain an age-appropriate exercise routine, keep off excess puppy pounds and consider a joint supplement like Glyco-Flex for dogs or Cosequin Double Strength. Pet medications like these that support joint health contain glucosamine and chondroitin, which protect against cartilage breakdown.

•Rely on your vet’s expertise: Regular vet visits are extremely important as your dog enters his later years. The recommended once a year trip to the veterinarian turns into a recommended twice a year. Always discuss any questions or concerns about your dog’s health or changing needs with your pet’s veterinarian.

There are two types of saliva – a watery one, which is responsible for the vegetable food, and a rather slimy one, which are molecules of the meat-eating triggers.  Dogs respond to the same substances as man (sweet, sour, bitter and salty), but they speak less of the salty food.

In addition, they can, because of specific receptors which are situated mainly on the tongue tip, carry meat and a water taste.  In general, dogs reject sour and bitter, they also prefer meat to vegetables (in particular) beef and pork.

The different regions of the taste perception on the tongue are arranged somewhat differently than in humans. Thus, the lateral part of the tongue senses sweet, salty and acidic foods, while the rear part of the tongue responds to bitter tastes. The receptors which show meaty foods are distributed all over the tongue, however, frequently come before the first trimester.

If fleas are suspected it is important to rid the animal of the infestation as soon as possible. There are a number of different methods which can be used for the treatment of a flea problem. Combing the dog after bathing often helps alleviate the immediate problem but this  does not prevent another flea from  jumping onto the dog and causing it to start itching after  having established itself on the skin.

Over the counter products are available but your local Veterinarian would more likely recommend a  more effective and applicable flea treatment. These products normally work well in fending off  and destroying  adult fleas  as well as the flea eggs. But in most of  these products such as  Frontline, Advantage and the Program products, the chemical, methoprene is used.

Although this medication has proven to be the most effective way of addressing the flea problem, not only on the dog but also within the house, some owners have reservations about using the treatments because of the chemical. Methoprene has had adverse effects on some pets but there are no studies that show it is harmful to the animal.

Pesticides have been tried but after finding them ineffectual on the animals they have been discouraged as they have been found to be harmful to the environment. Flea collars are another form of treatment that can be tried. They can be used in conjunction with the products from the Vet.

Flea collars were introduced in 1960 and while they appeared to solve the flea problem on the dogs it did not address the problem of  fleas in their kennels or even in homes. The flea collar was placed around the neck and it was found that only that area was protected leaving the rest of the body exposed.  Skin irritation became an additional problem caused by the collar due to the chemical used in the manufacture of the collar.

Electronic flea collars use high pitched sounds or electromagnetic fields to repel fleas and   no chemical substances are used in their making.. There are a few dog owners however who are convinced that the electronic flea collar really does work. Whichever treatment chosen, the dog deserves the best.