by Yasmin | 6 Apr, 2023 | Blog, Pug Health
If you’re walking your dog or holidaying in new, particularly grassy areas, you may want to be extra vigilant regarding ticks. They can be present all year round & are not just a warm-weather hazard.
Ticks are 8-legged parasites, related to spiders, that lurk on grass to attach to your dog (mammals) & feed on their blood.
They rank second to mosquitoes in spreading infectious disease to both pets and people. So please regularly check your clothing & your dog after walking in potentially high-risk areas.
There are many ways to avoid & prevent you or your dog from getting them, including safe repellent, or tick-control products.
Although very tiny, they can swell up to the size of a pea after feeding on your dog. If you identify one on your dog, your vet should be consulted to ensure safe removal and no further consequences.
For more detailed information please see:
by Yasmin | 5 Apr, 2023 | Blog, News, Pug Health
It’s officially Spring and Easter is upon us already, so it’s worth remembering the potentially dangerous hazards that are around to our furry friends.
Temptation will be indoors and out, so please be vigilant, and know what to avoid, reminding visitors or children who may not be as aware as we are, so to enjoy this time of year, safely:
Most of us know about keeping Easter chocolate away from temptation but our dogs will endeavour to seek things out with their highly sensitive sense of smell.
Theobromine found in chocolate is a stimulant. It may cause excitability or muscle twitching, tremors, even fitting, or they may have an increased heart rate. They may initially be sick, but don’t try to make them sick. If vomit is frothy and foamy it could get into their lungs, making matters worse.
Other signs might include drinking a lot, drooling, not walking in a straight line and fast breathing. If enough is eaten then the effects can be severe or even fatal.
Some sugar-free chocolates contain xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener especially poisonous to dogs. It can cause a dog’s blood sugar level to drop to dangerous levels, also possibly liver failure.
If you suspect your pet may have eaten chocolate, keep the packaging and call your vet immediately. Help them regarding the type of chocolate that’s been eaten (dark, plain, milk, white etc.) and how much has been consumed.
To learn more about chocolate toxicity and the signs and symptoms: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/conditions/chocolate-poisoning?
For more on Easter dangers: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/easterdangers?
FURTHER FOOD HAZARDS include:
– All chocolate, lying around, discarded or forgotten out on Easter hunts!
– Fruit or Simnel cake, hot-cross buns, anything with sultana’s and raisins (grapes)
– Traditional roasts where bones can easily splinter
– Stuffing, gravy, anything which may contain onion, chives, garlic.
– Other foods, such as certain nuts, blue cheese, fatty and salty foods
Although chocolate foil wrappers are not poisonous, they can cause an obstruction if eaten. This can be dangerous enough to require surgery. Signs of an obstruction may include being sick, being tired, they may be off their food, or finding it difficult to go to the toilet!
If you are spring cleaning, make sure that products are inaccessible to your dog and that they are kept away from areas while being cleaned, or have recently been cleaned.
There’s a whole array of OTHER hazards, especially outdoors, including: poisonous plants & bulbs, weed killer, pesticides including slug pellets, compost bins, even grass cuttings!
Many different plants commonly found in the home, gardens and outdoor areas can make your dog ill. Some of these are highly poisonous, while others may only cause a mild tummy upset. Incidents of poisoning from spring bulbs are most likely to occur from dogs eating the bulbs in spring when they begin to flower and autumn when they are planted.
For more information, please see:
Poisons | Dog health | The Kennel Club
Including a comprehensive list of poisonous plants:
Poisons in your garden | Dog health | Kennel Club (thekennelclub.org.uk)
On a sunnier note, here are some, from many, that are regarded to be safe for our dogs:
However, if you suspect your dog might have ingested anything that is appearing to make them ill, contact your vet immediately.
by Yasmin | 2 Apr, 2023 | Blog, News
Paul O’Grady MBE – 14/6/55-28/3/23
We very much wanted to express our great sadness at the recent passing of Paul O’Grady. As well as his glittering TV career, he was also incredibly active over many years with dog rescue and rehoming causes and will be particularly remembered by animal lovers for this. He has left five rescue dogs of his own.
From 2012 to 2023 Paul presented ‘Animal Orphans’ and ‘For The Love of Dogs’, the latter being centred around the incredibly important work of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Apparently, Paul had wanted to work on a show like this for years and it was a role he took to with great passion and enthusiasm.
Over the 11 years of shooting ‘For The Love of Dogs’, Paul brought the importance of rescuing dogs right into our living rooms and helped to raise awareness of this issue to unprecedented levels. In each episode he interacted with members of the Battersea staff, highlighting a selection of dogs in their care and following their stories through to successful adoptions. It’s reported they have received over £100,000 in donations since Paul’s passing earlier this week.
Although originally only scheduled to last for 6 days, Paul ended up staying on as a volunteer for 6 months and at the end of the 1st series was invited to become an ambassador for the home. As a mark of thanks, a bronze statue of his late dog, Buster, who ‘co-hosted’ the Paul O’Grady show, was erected on a plinth at the centre.
Ultimately, the show was so successful that it won several awards, including ‘Favourite Factual Show’ (5 times) and ‘Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme’ (twice). It was also nominated for a BAFTA for ‘Best Features Programme’ in 2013.
Also in 2013, Paul took part in the ‘Pedigree Feeding Brighter Futures’ campaign which aimed to give a million meals to rescue dogs nationwide. In September 2016 he was recognised for his work with animals when he won the award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Animal Welfare’ at the RSPCA’s Animal Hero Awards.
From Olga Productions PAUL O’GRADY’S FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS November 2019 on ITV
Pictured: Paul O’Grady and Pancake the Pug at Battersea
Paul died unexpectedly but peacefully, on 28th March 2023 at the age of 67. His death was announced by his husband Andre Portasio and tributes quickly came in from his many high-profile friends. We’d like to express our sadness and best wishes to all of his family and friends and also express our deep gratitude for everything he did to publicise and help the cause of dogs in need.
ITV will broadcast a tribute show titled For the Love of Paul O’Grady on Easter Sunday, 9th April, 8pm and have confirmed that the 11th series of Paul O’Grady For the Love of Dogs will premiere on Thursday 13th April at 8.30pm.
by Yasmin | 1 Apr, 2023 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
UPDATE: 1 week on, Alvin & Simon have found their forever homes. Along with their siblings they will all be enjoying a very special EASTER with their new families!
ORIGINAL POST:
We are looking for 2 suitable forever homes for puppies, Alvin and Simon!
They are nine-week-old male pug puppies who came from a litter of four. We have already found homes for their siblings.
*Alvin and Simon require homes with plenty of time to give, and have given serious thought to taking on, potentially a 15-year responsibility.
*More suited in a home with children of 8 years plus.
*They are typically playful, confident pups, who are both healthy, busy, cuddly, and love attention.
Alvin is the more boisterous of the two!
If you feel you can provide the right, dedicated, forever home for either Alvin or Simon, please apply here: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
Quote Reference: Alvin 23062 or Simon 23064 on your application form.
If you are already on our waiting list & are interested in adopting one of these delightful pups, please contact your PDWRA Area Coordinator directly.
by Yasmin | 28 Mar, 2023 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Doug is one of those special pugs who needed a particularly calm environment to settle into.
He was reactive and anxious but there was a gentle, loving pug seeking reassurance under his potentially problematic reactivity and barking.
Dear Doug has found his desirable countryside home where he can thrive, and we couldn’t be happier for him and his new family who will benefit from his loving companionship too!
Dear Doug needs a countryside home!
