Happy Hounds

30/11/2024

Next weekend is our last training of 2024! Gosh, where has the year gone? It’s not (quite) too late to book:

Chichester November 30th 10am-2.30pm: https://portal.dog-first-aid.franscape.io/class-overview/1835

Heathfield December 1st 1.30-6pm: https://portal.dog-first-aid.franscape.io/class-overview/1892

Sevenoaks December 1st 2-6.30pm: https://portal.dog-first-aid.franscape.io/class-overview/1884

Then we’ll be taking a much needed break to catch up on admin and make plans for 2025.

29/11/2024

This guy talks a lot of sense. Gives you the understanding from the dog’s point of view.

29/11/2024

All children need to be taught how to love and respect their dog. Everybody needs to learn danger signs. We, as parents can only give our children the advice we have learned.
Happy reading!

23/11/2024

Please check regularly.

Antifreeze spills and leaky engines are a lethal threat to our pets. Ethylene glycol, the main ingredient in antifreeze, is extremely toxic. Unfortunately, it is naturally sweet, which is why pets are tempted to drink it. As the weather continues to drop colder, please be extremely cautious of spills and leaks ❄️

Ethylene glycol is also found in car screen wash, brake fluid, radiator fluid and some garden water features. Even small amounts, if swallowed, is deadly as it causes permanent damage to the kidneys.

Symptoms of antifreeze poisoning in dogs and cats:
- Wobbliness and weakness
- Vomiting
- Low energy (lethargy)
- Drinking and weeing more to begin, and then less than normal
- Difficulty breathing or fast breathing
- Seizures (fits)
- Collapse

Sadly, antifreeze poisoning is usually fatal unless it’s treated extremely quickly. Call your vet immediately if you think your pet has come into contact with antifreeze - don't wait for symptoms to appear!⚠️

[Visual description: A ginger and white tabby cat walks by a car in the snow, looking to the ground. Text on the image reads: antifreeze warning.]

22/11/2024

When walking your dog, check your weather app first if you have one. Remember to always check what the weather FEELS like to know the real temperature. Keep an eye on them too. A shorter walk might be better for them.

Does your pet’s fur protect them from the cold? ❄️

In most cases, yes! But in really wet and cold weather, if your pet isn't able to keep active or get themselves somewhere warm, their fur coat may not be enough. Like us humans, our pets, though thankfully rarely, can develop a dangerous and potentially deadly condition called hypothermia.

Any pet can become seriously ill if the temperature of their body drops too low, and acting quickly and doing the right thing could save your pet’s life.

Here are some key symptoms to look out for during the winter months! And if you suspect your pet may have hypothermia, it’s important to call your vet straight away and follow their advice ⚠️

[Visual description: Infographic about hypothermia in pets. Signs and symptoms include; shivering, drowsiness, confusion, clumsiness, pale gums and loss of consciousness/collapse. What you should do; 1. Call your vet straight away and follow their advice. 2. Get your pet out of the cold. Take them somewhere warm (not hot) and sheltered. 3. If your pet is awake, try to get them to drink some lukewarm (not hot) water. 4. If your pet is wet, use towels to dry them by rubbing them over. Change the towels when they become damp. 5. Be careful not to heat your pet up too quickly, this can be dangerous. Use blankets and towels under and over them to keep them warm. Using hot water bottles and heat pads will heat them too quickly and may cause burns.]

22/11/2024

If you send your dog to doggy day care or home boarding then you need to read this.

😷 KENNEL COUGH
If your dog has been spending time with other dogs and now has a cough that sounds like either a goose honking or something is stuck in their throat, then it’s possible that they may have Kennel Cough.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
🔹 Kennel Cough is a type of infection that usually causes a persistent hacking cough that can sound like a goose’s honk.

🔹 If you think your dog is affected then you should phone your vet for advice.

🔹 Kennel Cough is not dangerous to most dogs, but can be more serious to young puppies, older dogs and dogs with underlying health conditions.

🔹 Most healthy dogs are able to recover on their own without any veterinary treatment but always contact your vet if your concerned about your dog.

🔹 Kennel Cough is highly contagious and if your dog is affected then you should keep them away from other dogs.

🔹 You can ask your vet about vaccinating your dog against kennel cough, especially if your dog regularly spends time with lots of dogs from different households. This may also be required if your dog stays in kennels or visits a doggy day-care.

07/11/2024

Some find it so scary and get so stressed. This information from Dog First Aid - Sussex is very helpful and well worth a read.

31/10/2024

Good advice!

31/10/2024

As is on a Tuesday this year, firework displays are spread across this weekend and next. We know this is a stressful time for many pet owners, so our vets have put together their top tips on helping anxious pets keep calm 🎆

Our free Firework Guide will help you make sure you've got everything covered for your pet: http://pdsa.me/pFGd

[Visual description: Infographic which has seven tips to help pets cope with fireworks. Each tip is next to a small picture related to the point. Tips include: make a den, play music and sounds, keep pets inside, pheromone plug-in, close doors, curtains and door flaps, cats feel safer up high, and if your pet seeks reassurance, comfort them normally.]

18/10/2024

Very good advise.

18/10/2024

We are very lucky to have these people looking after our pets. These people don’t know us from Adam but the love of dogs spreads near and far. So thank you to Canine First Aid and PDSA. Just so much to be aware of in and out of our homes.
Christmas info coming. Thank you guys keep info coming.

We're in the height of autumn now, and with a new season comes new hazards for our four-legged friends ⚠️

From woodland walks to Halloween-themed fun, keep a close eye on your furry companions this autumn!

What else would you add to this list? 👇

[Visual description: An infographic showing different autumn hazards for pets. This includes dark mornings and nights with images of clouds and a moon. Compost next to a green compost bin. Poisonous plants next to purple and yellow plant. Harvest mites with a picture of a brown mite. Mushrooms with a picture of a red toadstool mushroom. Fireworks with an image of fireworks in a box. Conkers next to an image of a conker. Halloween treats next to a pumpkin basket with lots of sweets in it. Adverse weather next to an image of a cloud and lightening bolts. Rubbish in leaves next to leaves and a warning sign. Fallen fruit next to a rotting apple and pear. Antifreeze next to a jerry can with a snowflake on it.]

18/10/2024

More toxic information!

🍁 AUTUMNAL TOXIC PLANTS FOR DOGS 🍁
A particular concern for dog owners is whether their autumn garden is harbouring plants that could be poisonous to their pets. Most people are unaware of the plants that could be dangerous and even potentially fatal to our dogs.

Here are 6 of the most harmful autumn plants:
🔸 Hydrangeas: The bulbs of these plants are highly toxic to pets, as they contain cyanide. Although serious cases of poisoning are rare they can cause stomach problems, vomiting and intestinal blockages.
🔸 Yew Trees: The needles and seeds of a yew tree are extremely poisonous to most animals. Eating just the leaves can lead to dangerous consequences (even leading to death in severe cases). The leaves are easily identifiable, so you should be able to spot them. If you have a pet that likes to run free around your garden, it’s best to avoid planting this.
🔸 Horse Chestnut Trees: Be cautious around Horse Chestnut trees from September onwards. The tree bark, leaves, flowers and conkers can all be fatal to animals if consumed. It can cause gastrointestinal distress, disorientation, spasms and even death.
🔸 Autumn Crocuses: These flowers might be outwardly beautiful, but they can be toxic if dogs get too close. If ingested they can cause general gastrointestinal upset including drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. These flowers also bloom in Spring.
🔸 Amaryllis: All parts are toxic to cats and dogs, but especially the bulbs. Also present in winter.
🔸 Chrysanthemum: All parts of the plant are toxic, although the smell is likely to deter dogs and cats.

18/10/2024

Please make sure your children are aware of this. It’s great fun playing with conkers and of course we don’t want to stop our children having fun, but they need to be aware of the dangers.

🍁 AUTUMN DOG ADVICE - CONKERS 🍁
On autumn walks your dog may come across conkers that have fallen from a horse chestnut tree, but these shiny seeds are poisonous to dogs!

WHAT IS A CONKER?
A conker is a shiny, round, red-brown seed from a horse chestnut tree. Conkers are often found on the ground in autumn after dropping from the tree encased in a green or brown spiky fruit.

HOW MANY DOES A DOG HAVE TO EAT?
The amount of toxin in each conker is different, so it’s impossible to know the amount of conkers that your dog would need to eat to make them unwell.

Conkers actually taste quite bitter, so it’s unlikely that most dogs will eat enough to make them very ill. But if enough is eaten it can produce more serious effects, and in rare cases can be deadly.

How your dog is affected by this toxin will also depend on their size, when they last ate, how much they chew up the conker and if they have any other health issues.

OTHER RISKS
Poisoning is not the only risk from these seeds. Conkers are large and hard and could cause your dog to choke on them or could block their stomach or gut.

HOW CAN I PREVENT THIS?
If your dog is prone to eating conkers, then keep them on a lead when going for autumn walks (especially in areas where you know there are conker trees). When walking near ‘conker trees’, bring along a ball or a chew toy to help keep their mouths occupied.

WHEN SHOULD I CALL THE VET?
If your dog has eaten conkers, then you should contact your vet for advice. If you’re unsure whether your dog has eaten them, but they’re showing signs of poisoning, then you should speak to your vet. Never try to make your dog sick as this can be dangerous and may cause other problems.

10/10/2024

Thank you Kathy for educating us on this subject.

08/10/2024

Not to long now before the main event. If you have a new puppy now is the time to prepare them.

Fireworks season can be particularly stressful for dogs. It's a great idea to get prepared and make fireworks season more manageable and enjoyable for both you and your pooch ❇️👉 https://bit.ly/3NgpGXh

[Image description: An infographic for dog owners to help prepare their dogs for fireworks. It include advice such as; planning ahead and finding out when local displays are happening, adjusting your schedule so you can walk and feed them before any fireworks start, talk to your vet ASAP so they can offer you advice and plan for a cosy night in with a safe space for your dog.]

01/10/2024

I see many sorts whilst walking the dogs.
There is many things to be looking out for!

26/09/2024

Seizures are frightening so it helps to know how to support our dogs during and after the seizure.

Seizures is one of the subjects we discuss in our workshops, providing lots of facts, information and advice.

It’s a difficult scenario and goes against your instincts of wanting to talk to and stroke your dog.