Claire at Tails

10/10/2024

Love this!! 🐶

52 likes, 4 comments. “It’s hard for a working breed dog to learn how to settle without being taught how to do so and practice every day. Most people are very busy which leads us to rush our outings with our dogs to just get the exercise in and head back home to get back to work. It’s importan...

09/10/2024

Riley is a sweet and sensitive soul on the lookout for a forever home. He has a big heart with a lot of love to give, and loves hanging with his favourite people and receiving a fuss. He is also a fan of the great outdoors and will love to accompany you on a walk. 🌳🐶

If you would be interested in rehoming Riley, you can apply and view his full profile on our website: www.nawt.org.uk/rehoming/animal/9832/

05/10/2024

One thing I am passionate about as a vet is neutering! The pro’s and more than anything the con’s. Getting the correct timing, being sure it is right for the dog, making the owner aware of what to expect, and being confident to say I do not feel it is the right decision for some cases.

I see many dogs come in 3 months after their season to be spayed. You need to leave it at least 4 months to be sure hormones that often show phantom pregnancy signs have settled. If we spay during a phantom the dog remains in that state. This can lead to a life of anxiety that may result in aggression. Sometimes these symptoms show soon after they are spayed, and sometimes it can be months after. Fear, anxiety, and even aggression are the common signs of a persistent phantom pregnancy.

www.animallovepetfirstaid.co.uk
Never stop learning ❤️

04/10/2024

… I couldn’t agree more!! 🐶

Cockapoos have absolutely exploded in popularity due to their Teddy bear features.... but their heritage is hiding just under the surface of those gorgeous curls.

It's important to remember what makes up a dog in terms of breeds.....when we look at cockapoos they are made of cocker spaniels (quite often working line) and poodles.

Both breeds are highly intelligent working breeds. (yes even poodles)

As a result cockapoos are often very driven little dogs under a fluffy coat. These are not lap dogs no matter what their appearance. may suggest. They need training and appropriate breed relevant stimulation, without this you see many undesirable behaviours creep in.

We know they look cute, but if you don't want a driven little spaniel with a high maintenance coat then I'd look at a different breed.

19/09/2024

Arthritis is painful. Of course our dogs and cats hide pain very well. Well some are little more vocal about how they feel. But often they show signs of pain that perhaps is more silent and less obvious.

As one of the most common conditions see in our pets, I am considering a webinar dedicated to this condition as part of my healthy dog club. We would explore the topic in-depth. I feel it may need to run over 2 evening sessions as I’m not sure 2 hours is enough time!

Would you be interested in learning more about this topic? How can we prevent, recognise, manage, and treat. How do WE make a difference for them ❤️

www.animallovepetfirstaid.co.uk
One vet on a mission to improve health and wellbeing…

16/09/2024

16/09/2024

Soon I’ll be spaying my own dog Jelly. She will be around 2yrs 2months. Under 2.5 years lowers the risk of mammary cancer. I have allowed her to develop skeletally, sexually, and mentally. So now is the right time.

IF I left her entire I’d need to monitor for both mammary cancer (50% is malignant/nasty) and of course pyometra - pus in the womb. But neutering can also increase the risk of other cancers so balance and understanding of what to expect is important.

IF you keep you girl entire you NEED to be aware of this. Because it can be a killer if not treated ❤️

www.animallovepetfirstaid.co.uk

Take the understanding the unneutered female webinar…

https://www.animalloveonline.co.uk/pages/pre-recorded-webinars

09/09/2024

For all of you itchy dog owners!! I know there’s a lot of dogs that I groom with itchy skin and skin problems. This info is very useful. 🐶

I used to hate skin as a vet, but now I love helping these itchy cases. My consults are like 10 hours long, and I send the owner home with a silly list of things to do and supplements/topical treatments to buy! But the energy I put into these consults is worth it!!

Bathing an itchy dog is one part of solving the problem! I presented a skin webinar this year aimed at dog groomers, but absolutely essential for itchy dog owners!

The link to watch this important information is here:

https://www.animalloveonline.co.uk/pages/pre-recorded-webinars

30/08/2024

Free piece of Canine First Aid knowledge by the lovely Dr Sophie Bell. 🐶

Bandaging section from the Animal Love Canine Health & First Aid Course Online.One chapter of many from the Animal Love online course.https://www.animallovep...

24/08/2024

Could be beneficial for your dog? 🐶

21/08/2024

16/08/2024

Interesting read. 👌🏼

Written by Julia Baxter but sharing for education. The number of merle cockers I'm seeing is terrifying for the breed 😔

I thought I’d just clarify a few points regarding breeding, buying and registering of Merle dogs. The following are facts.

Breeds of dog that can be registered with the Kennel Club with the colour Merle:

Australian Shepherd
Beauceron
Bergamasco
Border Collie
Dachshund (colour known as Dapple)
Great Dane
Pyrenean sheepdog (long haired)
Collie (Rough)
Collie (smooth)
Shetland Sheepdog
Corgi (Cardigan Welsh)

The Kennel Club states :

“If your puppy is of a breed not mentioned and is merle, we regret that it will not be possible to register it. You must not register it as another colour.”

Cocker Spaniel is not on the list therefore it is not possible to register a cocker spaniel as Merle.

If you have been sold a Merle cocker with Kennel Club certificates than this has been fraudulent.

Some breeders have got around this by advertising “Merle” litters but registering them as “Roan”. This is again fraudulent.

Merle markings are present at birth whereas Roan markings tend to show through later.

Having a Non KC Merle cocker spaniel doesn’t make it legitimate. It isn’t possible to have a Merle cocker spaniel without it being a crossbreed. I believe that Collies and Dachshunds are generally the breeds being used to cross with cockers. If this is the case you have a cocker cross.

There is no such thing as a Merle cocker.

You can have a Merle cocker cross, just as you can have a Sprocker, Cockerpoo, labradoodle etc

If this is what you intended to buy and you are happy with your choice then that’s absolutely 100% fine. The reason for this post is to make people aware that there are unscrupulous breeders who hoodwink people into buying something that doesn’t exist.

How is Merle inherited?

“This type of coat is caused by a variation of a particular gene. Each dog has two copies of every gene; one that they inherit from their mother and one they inherit from their father.
The merle gene variant is dominant, which means that a dog only needs one copy, inherited from either of their parents, to have a Merle coat.”

Health concerns.

The Kennel Club will not register puppies out of two Merle parents.

“Dogs that have two copies of the merle gene variant, inherited from both of their parents, have an increased risk of problems with their eyes and ears, causing blindness and/or deafness.”

I hope this has clarified things a bit and that people will take time to read the information. There really is a bit more going on then “pretty colouring” and “rare markings”. Make sure you don’t get conned!!

For those that have regrettedly fallen into the trap, your dog will, I’m sure be a healthy and happy pet/worker!! Breeding from these dogs is not advised.

Photos show Merle on the left - Roan on the right.

11/08/2024

For you pups out there!! 🐶

If a pup wants to sniff walk for longer than the 5 minutes per month of age then they can. We no longer need to restrict the length of the walk just not subject them to certain movements like stairs and chasing a ball. But gentle walking as long as they aren’t tired is perfect!

www.animallovepetfirstaid.co.uk
All courses taught by a vet ❤️

02/08/2024

Please read! 👌🏼

We need heat to leave a dog’s body hence why we never cover them with cold wet towels when suffering from heat related illness. But lying on something cold, if it is kept cold can be super useful. Not only for prevention of overheating but also for management. This is why cooling mats can be very affective!

www.animallovepetfirstaid.co.uk
Unique courses taught by a vet ❤️