Heather Weaver with Zippy

Ikin & Oxenham
64 Mill St
Ottery St. Mary
Devon
EX11 1AF
01404 814322

Exercising Your Dog

Ensuring your dog gets regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for him – As well as for you!

Exercise helps to control weight, build muscle and energy and maintain strong cardiovascular and immune systems.   It is also a great way to strengthen the pet/owner bond.

Exercise should be fun and varied, it does not have to be a chore.  If you stick to the same walking route everyday your dog will become as bored as you do.  Vary your route, if possible and try to build in some off the lead running and play.

If your dog is very energetic try playing fetch with a tennis ball or disc, this will provide a challenging exercise for your dog without exhausting his poor owner!

Avoid throwing sticks, as the wood can cause serious and life threatening injuries if it splinters or if the dog runs onto the stick.

Older dogs may enjoy a more leisurely walk with plenty of variety, which may help to keep a senior dog’s brain more active, slowing any onset of senility.

It is worth remembering that a dog’s primary sense is his sense of smell with which he sees a glorious technicolour world hidden to us, a world where he can smell into the future, on a prevailing breeze and he can also smell into the past, of old tracks and marks so do allow him to fulfil his natural character by stopping to have a good sniff.

Some breeds crave more vigorous and frequent exercise than others, usually as a result of the original role they were bred for.   Others have genetically inherited their favourite pastimes.  Terriers love to dig and go underground, Setters and Pointers will charge off after scent and for pastoral breeds such as Border Collies it is worth remembering that they are designed to work outside over very steep hills for up to 8 hours a day – a one hour walk for them is a non-strenuous warm up!

If you have a news years resolution to exercise yourself and your dog more, please start slowly at first, gradually increasing time, speed and distance.   Your dog may become stiff after vigorous exercise, just like you.

Also be aware that during the summer, tarmac and sand can be very hot and irritating to a dogs paws.

Do not exercise your dog after a meal – leave at least an hour for him to digest, preferably longer as it can lead to another life threatening condition called gastric dilatation.

Dogs are hardy and are ready equipped with warm and waterproof coats, do not be put off by a bit of weather as the dog won;t care  However, in overweight dogs or those with very thick coats (Keeshunds, Huskies, etc) avoid exercise in the heat of a summers day as dogs can suffer from heat stroke.

If your dog has a history of medical problems, especially relating to his joints or heart, please discuss his exercise programme with your veterinary nurse.

When taking your dog for a walk, remember to take plenty of poo bags, pick it up, bag it and bin it!

Article written by Heather Weaver, Veterinary Nurse, Ikin and Okenham 10/01/09

If you want to find out more about animal health visit the following website…

http://www.novartis.com/products/animal-health.shtml

Heather Weaver with Zippy

Ikin & Oxenham
64 Mill St
Ottery St. Mary
Devon
EX11 1AF
01404 814322

Worming Your Dog

Regular worming is an important part of responsible pet ownership because of the associated human health risk.   There are many types of worm that can affect your pet and these are divided into two broad categories:  Roundworms and Tapeworms.

Almost every untreated dog and cat will have worms, but although often present, worms rarely cause disease in pet animals, the main problem being the risk to human health from toxacariasis (caused by the roundworm larva).

It is important to realise that your pet may well have roundworms without your knowledge because the worm eggs are invisible to the naked eye.

How does your pet get worms?

1. Puppies are infected in the womb, before birth.  Puppies can also be infected via mothers milk
2. Roundworm eggs are passed in the faeces of an infected dog.  These eggs can remain in the soil for two years or more. Your pet can become infested after eating such eggs.
3. Fleas can carry tapeworms, so if you pet swallows a flea whilst licking or cleaning itself, it can become infested.
4. Other tapeworms come from sheep, cattle and wild animals, so if your pet eats raw meat or hunts birds, mice, rabbits etc..if may also become infested.

Toxacariasis in People

This is cause when a person accidentally swallows Toxacara eggs from the ground, and this is why crawling babies and toddlers are most at risk – they tend to put dirty fingers and toys in their mouths.

These eggs may hatch and worm larva then enters the human body.  The larva can cause illness and eye problems, but luckily cases of permanent blindness are very uncommon.

Toxacariasis, although rare has led to a lot of publicity, and it is therefore extremely important for pet owners to regularly worm their pets.

In the opinion of Ikin and Okenham Veterinary Practice, this should be carried out 4 times a year.

Puppies and kittens will need worming more frequently, your vet will advise you.

Article written by Heather Weaver, Veterinary Nurse, Ikin and Okenham 31/10/08

If you want to find out more about animal health visit the following website…

http://www.novartis.com/products/animal-health.shtml

Extract from Families First for Health (see link below)

http://www.childrenfirst.nhs.uk/families/experts/w/worms_symptoms.html

Worms (symptoms)

How can I tell if my child has worms?

There are several different types of worm. The most common affecting children in northern Europe is the threadworm, a small parasite that lives inside the intestine.

When a child has threadworms there aren’t always clearly identifiable symptoms. But your child might complain of feeling itchy around the anal area at night and this can make it difficult to sleep.

Itchiness

The itchiness happens because the female threadworm emerges to lay tiny eggs usually when the affected person is asleep. While laying eggs, the worm also secretes mucus which acts as an irritant causing the person to scratch the itchy area. Eggs can stick under the fingernails and can be transferred to the mouth. Swallowed eggs hatch in the intestine and after a couple of weeks reach adult size and begin to reproduce, causing re-infestation. In cases of very heavy infestation, threadworms may cause loss of appetite, weight loss or insomnia.

Hygiene

Threadworms are usually passed on by poor hygiene. If the eggs stick under the nails of an affected person, these can be transferred to other surfaces that come into contact with people’s mouths - for instance children’s toys or kitchen utensils. The eggs are swallowed and the cycle starts again. Threadworms are most common in small children who are not fully aware of the importance of hygiene, come into close contact with each other and may easily forget to wash their hands.

The worms can be difficult to see because they are usually less than one cm in length and are white. Sometimes worms and eggs can be found in stools (faeces) - the worms look like small pieces of cotton thread.

Diagnosis

To diagnose threadworms, your GP might suggest applying a wide piece of hypo-allergenic tape, or ordinary sellotape, to the skin around your child’s anus at night. You can then take this off in the morning, or during the night if your child wakes up. This will pick up the eggs which can then be identified under the microscope.

Treatment

If this is the first time your child has had threadworms, your GP will probably simply suggest the following hygiene measures which should mean the problem clears up of its own accord within six weeks:

You will be advised to make sure:

§                     your child washes their hands frequently especially before eating and after visiting the toilet;

§                     your child has their own flannel and towel and doesn’t share them with anyone else in the family;

§                     your child’s nails are kept short;

§                     your child doesn’t eat in the bedroom as eggs can be shaken off bedclothes and survive in dust.

To be really effective, it’s best if the whole family follows these hygiene measures. Also most children do re-infect at school so it would be worth talking to your child’s class or nursery teacher. Your child will not need to stay away from class but the staff might like to consider the above hygiene measures.

What if it doesn’t clear up?

Go back to your GP. There is medication available that can remove threadworms that are proving tricky to shift. Your GP will give you details of the most suitable treatment for your child. All members of the family or household will need to be treated at the same time, to avoid re-infestation, even if they do not show symptoms.

Your GP may also suggest some more stringent hygiene tactics including:

§                     Daily vacuuming of carpets and damp-dusting surfaces;

§                     Daily disinfecting of bathroom surfaces;

§                     Your child wearing fitted underwear at night;

§                     Changing and washing all nightwear every day and also bed linen if possible;

§                     Washing around the anal area first thing every morning;

§                     Discouraging children from sucking their thumbs;

§                     Rinsing toothbrushes before use.

Further help and advice

§                     Please speak to your GP.

Last reviewed by Great Ormond Street Hospital: 27 January 2006