Category: Advice

  • Complementary Therapies to Help Your Dog’s Arthritis Pain

    Another article from Whole Dog Journal.

    There are many wonderful complementary treatments for dogs with OA. None will cure or heal the arthritic joint, but a combination of treatments can very well restore vitality and decrease discomfort, making a happy walk in the park a reality once again.

    1. Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin, and avocado and soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) can all work to slow joint degeneration. The combination of these over several months can improve function and decrease pain. Can also be used as preventive.

    2. Turmeric and curcumin together are a potent anti-inflammatory.

    (more…)

  • Dogs with dementia – canine cognitive disorder

    I recently wrote about my elderley (14 years) galga developing dementia after a stroke a year ago. Here’s an article in the Whole Dog Journal about the problem, with links to a book if you are interested in learning more.

    ‘Here’s how to love and care for a dog with dementia

    Recognize the signs of dementia earlier so you can take steps to slow the process.
    Is your dog pacing in circles, barking for no apparent reason, or forgetting his housetraining? Is he starting to get stuck in corners, stare at walls, or act a little distant? These and other behavioral changes may indicate that your dog is developing canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), a disease akin to Alzheimer’s.

    It’s been estimated that more than 14% of pet dogs over the age of 8 show some symptoms of age-related cognitive dysfunction – and a whopping 68% of dogs aged 15 to 16 years have symptoms of cognitive impairment. Some pet owners might joke about “doggie Alzheimer’s,” but this degenerative brain disease is a real thing.

    (more…)

  • How long to leave your dog alone?

    How long is too long to leave your dog ‘home alone’? Read the full article here.

  • Euthanasia – when is the right time?

    Carmela July 2019 400
    Regular readers will know that occasionally I publish links to article in the Whole Dog Journal, when I find the subject matter interesting or thought provoking. Recently a piece came in on the subject of euthanazie – when is the right time and as my galga Carmela has started to suffer from dementia, I read up some more. Links to a couple of articles are below.

    It is over 10 years since Carmela came into my life, during one of my many trips into Spain with L’Europe des Levriers to bring back podencos and galgos for homing in France. She had been rescued from a perrera and showed many signs of having been badly treated by her galguero, mostly in mental fear. She gradually gained in confidence living alongside my outgoing very friendly galga Sahara – who sadly was pts when riddled with cancer. No longer living in the shadow of Sahara, Carmela became a lively happy galga, a joy to behold.

    (more…)

  • Canine Lymphoma Risk Factors

    My galga Sahara died riddled with cancer. No external symptoms until her stomach swelled and I took her to the vet. Here’s an article on Canine Lymphoma.

  • Podenco Friends – Special treatment for Carley

    Bev Carley 400 29 8 2019
    From Bev Farmer 29 8 2019

    ‘We have agreed a treatment program for Carley she is going to start on Chemotherapy but this is an oral one that is in the form of a syrup. Its still a strong treatment but not like the one that Midas had and the main side effect she could get cystitis and then we would have to stop until it cleared up. So I have to ensure she drinks one and half litres of water a day to help the kidneys . Eduardo sat down and talked me through and showed me the medical journals explaining why she needs it and how it works basically its to try and stop the bad cells attacking the healthy cells in her body.

    So it’s not a cure but to try and stop it spreading to other organs and we will do monthly xrays and ultrasounds to check. She may need the chemo for 3/6 months and a specialist pharmacy has made it ready and tailored it for her . We can’t estimate how much it will extend her life but looking at the data in the journals and case studies some have lived for months and others years so lets hope for Carley its the latter .. I am comfortable with this and we can always stop if it makes her ill .. I have got to give her a chance and in her favour at the moment she is bright and happy and looking so well.’

  • Every podenco should have a forever sofa

    Bev podencos need a sofa 400
    Bev Farmer says ‘Rescuing a dog is so special and it saves their lives.

    No dog really deserves to be mistreated or abandoned on the streets..If people could find it in their hearts to adopt it will change that dog’s life forever. Not only will they save that dog, they will be saving another for rescue. Shelters, even perreras have limited space so when one is adopted it can open a space for another one to be rescued.

    Saving one life at a time – Podenco Friends’

  • Treating a dog stung by bees

    Bracken came in with a very swollen face. So here’s advice on what to do if your dog is stung.