Elaine Pendlebury2013-05-20T15:01:57-04:00Elaine Pendleburyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=elaine-pendleburyCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Elaine PendleburyGood old fashioned elbow grease.Millions of Pets' Needs Are Being Neglectedtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.20926542012-11-08T19:00:00-05:002013-01-08T05:12:01-05:00Elaine Pendleburyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/elaine-pendlebury/PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report sadly revealed that many of our pets were not having their needs met. With the help of YouGov, PDSA surveyed thousands of pet owners, creating the largest report of its kind about the state of the country's pets.
It revealed that whilst pet owners in the UK definitely love their pets, the affection that owners have can often be misguided, and can even be detrimental to their pet's welfare, even though this is largely unintentional.
This year, the Report has focussed in on four of the most concerning issues:
• Problem behaviour and aggression in dogs caused by a lack of appropriate training and socialisation
• Inappropriate diets leading to pet obesity
• Lack of awareness in owners about the five welfare needs, in particular the lack of research done before taking on a new pet
• Lack of take up of preventive care, leaving pets at risk of life-threatening illnesses
Again the survey revealed some worrying statistics: 1.3 million dogs across the UK are displaying problem behaviour; 18.5 million dogs, cats and rabbits are being fed deadly diets; and 11.2 million pets are at risk of life threatening diseases due to not being vaccinated or neutered.*
Just as humans have basic health and welfare needs, so do animals, but the Report clearly showed that in many cases their individual needs are simply just not understood. As the UK's leading veterinary charity, we cannot ignore this important issue. We want to do everything we can to improve the long-term wellbeing of pets by helping owners understand what their pets really need to be healthy and happy.
I always regard pet ownership as a partnership - pets provide a lot for us and we have to reciprocate with love and the correct care as well as the basic essentials like food and water. But do you know what the five animal welfare needs are? If you're not sure, then have a look at this short video to find out.
The issue of dog behaviour and the dangers associated with it highlights the importance of socialisation in puppyhood. Our research showed that 65% of children have been scared by the way a dog has behaved, and nearly one-in-three owners have been bitten or attacked by a dog. Refreshingly, 95% of pet owners feel that dog owners must take full responsibility for their dog's behaviour, and that should include making sure their dogs are properly trained and socialised.
Worryingly, nearly a quarter (24%) of owners were not given any advice on any aspect of health or welfare when they got their pet. Many people appear to have no idea about the costs and long-term commitments involved when taking on a pet but all owners are responsible for the duty of care to any of their pets. Taking on a pet is a big responsibility, and as I vet I strive to make sure that potential pet owners know what they will have to provide for their pets.
Owning a pet can be a very enjoyable and fulfilling experience, with both physical and mental health benefits for owners. Pets give us unconditional love, and we owe it to them to ensure we can give them everything they need throughout their lives.
*The PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report 2012: Survey of 3,956 dog, cat and rabbit owners, 466 Vets and Vet nurses, and 553 children was conducted online between 10 March and 23 May 2012 through the YouGov panel. Data is weighted to be representative of dog, cat and rabbit owners in the UK.]]>Tackling the Growing Problem of Pet Obesitytag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.19361442012-10-05T19:00:00-04:002012-12-05T05:12:01-05:00Elaine Pendleburyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/elaine-pendlebury/
So how does the PDSA tackle the issue? For various reasons it isn't a straightforward matter. Once a pet has been identified as being overweight, bringing about the actual weight loss can be a challenge from a vet's point of view, as both the owner and the pet need to take part. Not only do bad habits often need addressing, but we often need to show owners that pet weight loss is actually possible.
One of the ways we do this is through our annual slimming competition, Pet Fit Club, which helps groups of obese pets from around the UK reach their ideal weight. First and foremost it directly helps these pets slim down to a healthier weight, with careful monitoring and guidance by veterinary staff at our PetAid hospitals. In addition, the campaign provides PDSA with a platform to raise awareness of pet obesity among a wider audience. This encourages many other owners, potentially millions, to take a closer, more honest look at their own pet's body shape.
Fifi has lost 2kg on PDSA Pet Fit Club
When dealing with an overweight pet one frequent hurdle is the emotional aspect; for many owners food is intrinsically linked with happiness. However, when pets beg for attention they can be just as happy with a game, a cuddle or a walk - it is humans that can interpret this as a request for food. This not only becomes our way of 'showing our love' for our pets, but giving them treats in response to begging simply reinforces this behaviour - it is a learned response.
This is where things can get difficult, as ignoring pleading eyes, strictly rationing the food and going out for a walk, whatever the weather, takes dogged determination and motivation.
However, this is the most interesting consideration from my point of view; identifying the motivational factors that lead to owners really committing to their pet's weight loss, and following this through to completion. Pet Fit Club obviously has quite a solid incentive as the pets compete to be the slimming champion. This year's winner is a Spaniel, Jack, from Middlesex, who lost 31% of his bodyweight since being adopted by his new owner in January.
Jack is now able to walk, run, bark and play properly thanks to Pet Fit Club
But apart from this tangible reward, what else induces pet weight loss? Many of the owners taking part in the competition stated that the chance of winning was simply an added bonus - for them the real prize was improving their pet's health, quality of life and overall life expectancy. The willingness was there, but they simply needed to know how to go about it.
The Pet Fit Club Highly Commended awards this year went to Billie, Billy and Bobby - the 'three Bs'. The cat, dog and rabbit have all done exceptionally well, and their owners report that their pets are much happier, healthier and more active.
Billie's owner tells us how her cat now 'plays like a kitten', and Billy's owner that her Cocker Spaniel now 'has a spring in his step' and enjoys long walks without getting out of breath. Bobby the bunny now plays much more frequently, gets on better with her rabbit playmate, and regularly does 'binkies'.
Fifi's owner was desperate to help her lose weight to increase both the likely length and quality of her life, and she is delighted that the sassy cat is now more able to get around and 'be a proper cat'.
The owners of formerly fat dog Molly admit that they were previously in denial about her size. But they can now clearly see the benefits of her weight loss, saying that she is so bouncy and healthy now that she's like a different dog.
And while Deco the newly-slimline Labrador is now much healthier, and also better behaved, his owner has shed three stone herself too - talk about a win-win situation!
Together our Pet Fit Club pets have lost a staggering total of 68kg, or 13 stone and 7 pounds. This is particularly commendable when we factor in that cats and rabbits must lose weight very gradually, as losing weight too quickly can be dangerous for them.
Although an improved standard of life for their pets was a primary motivation for the owners, another strong incentive was the frequent check-ups - the pets were weighed monthly and the owners also had the opportunity to ask questions, or raise concerns. This appointment is as much for the owner's benefit as the pet's. Many veterinary practices now run weight-loss clinics, and I would highly recommend finding one in your area if your pet is on the porky side.
Sticking to the diet is essential, and while many owners admit to feeling guilt when they start to ration their pet's food, they quickly realise that pushing through this is in the best interests of their pet in the long run. Many comment that, after a couple of months, their pet no longer begs or craves treats.
We know people love their pets, and want them to have long, healthy and happy lives. But if the important issue of obesity is ignored then their pet's future could be very different.
PDSA's Pet Fit Club participants show other pet owners that, with persistence and a strong resolve to resist those puppy dog eyes, weight loss is achievable and will eventually result in a much happier, healthier pet.
]]>The Bravery and Devotion of Our Animal Friendstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.18645542012-09-10T19:00:00-04:002012-11-10T05:12:01-05:00Elaine Pendleburyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/elaine-pendlebury/
But it's also important to recognise the reverse - what animals do for us. PDSA seeks to commemorate this in many different ways, a prime example being the awarding of the PDSA Dickin Medal. Instituted by our founder Maria Dickin CBE, this is awarded to animals that display life-saving bravery or devotion to duty in a theatre of war. Awarded just 64 times since 1943, it is recognised as the animals' Victoria Cross and represents the highest honour an animal can receive.
The PDSA Dickin Medal contains the words 'We also serve' and these emotional words always remind me that these animals have performed supreme acts of gallantry to protect lives.
This latest recipient is Theo, a British Arms and Explosives Search Dog who died just hours after his handler was killed in Afghanistan in 2011.
Theo's story is particularly inspiring. He was serving with his handler, Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, part of Royal Army Veterinary Corps, working to detect hidden weapons and explosives. While in Afghanistan, Theo detected these life-threatening items a total of 14 times: the most any Arms and Explosives Search dog in Afghanistan has found to date.
In March 2011, Theo and Liam were on a mission in Helmand when they came under fire and, tragically, Liam was killed. Theo was immediately returned to base but sadly died from a seizure hours later.
Liam's colleagues recall his wonderful working relationship with Theo, describing them as 'inseparable'. According to the British Army, Theo's actions saved many other soldiers and innocent civilians from death and serious injury.
The relationship between Liam and Theo is an example of the never-to-be-underestimated importance of the human and animal bond. They worked together as a team - not as individuals - devoted to their work and to each other.
For me, theirs is a truly inspirational story. How much would I give to save other people's lives? How much do I recognise the sacrifice that people and animals make to ensure we have safer lives? It makes me realise that I shouldn't get concerned about minor inconveniences in my life, such as a client arriving a bit late for an appointment at our PetAid hospital, when others are making such huge sacrifices for our benefit.]]>Owners Need to Take Responsibility to Tackle Dog Aggressiontag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.16378602012-07-01T19:00:00-04:002013-05-13T07:30:07-04:00Elaine Pendleburyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/elaine-pendlebury/
Firstly, let's get some cold, hard facts. PDSA's Animal Wellbeing Report (PAW Report) found that over 1 million dogs display aggressive behaviour, such as growling, snarling and biting, towards people and other pets on a weekly basis. The number of injuries sustained by people due to dog attacks has risen from just under 3,000 in 1997 to over 6,100 in 2010 - more than double.
National data also suggests that there is an increase in violent dogs on the street, with the number of people sentenced for dangerous dog offences increasing to over 1,000 cases in 2010. Vets see these problems on a daily basis - I don't know a single vet that hasn't experienced some kind of attack or aggressive behaviour from a dog, and I myself have been seriously bitten twice and felt under attack more times than I care to remember.
To understand what is causing these worrying increases, we need to understand what the underlying causes of aggressive behaviour are. I believe that in the vast majority of cases, behavioural problems are due to a lack of training and little or no socialisation.
Socialisation is the process of getting pets used everyday sights and sounds when young. This is incredibly important, as fear of the unusual can often result in aggressive behaviour in later life. Yet the PDSA PAW Report found that a quarter of all owners who had their dogs from puppies didn't adequately socialise them, and 44% of owners don't know whether their dog was socialised or not.
Kind and effective training is also essential to help puppies learn what sort of behaviour is appropriate, yet half of all dogs never went to training classes during their first six months of life.
So what can be done about this? The government is currently discussing various potential changes in legislation aimed at addressing some of the issues relating to dog aggression, such as compulsory microchipping, which PDSA supports. There are also proposed changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and one of my responsibilities at PDSA is to provide professional feedback for these debates.
But I think that in order to see real change it's also important to tackle the root causes. Work needs to be done to ensure that all owners, and all breeders for that matter, fully understand their responsibilities. The vast majority of dog owners that I know are very responsible and caring, but some simply don't fully understand how to properly train their dog, or the importance of socialisation.
PDSA's view is that much of the solution lies in education and ensuring that new and existing dog owners fully understand the needs of their pet and how to properly meet them. .
For new owners this education should start prior to even purchasing a puppy, and initiatives such as PDSA's Your Right Pet website, and the new Puppy Information Pack, will hopefully go some way to helping prospective owners fully understand the responsibilities of ownership.
Anyone with a young dog should, without exception, make a commitment to socialising and training their pet using effective and kind methods. It is up to owners to make sure that they provide appropriate early experiences for their young dog so that their pet grows up to be friendly and outgoing. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers can help you find an accredited trainer in your area that uses reward-based methods.
Any owner that is concerned about their pet's behaviour should seek professional advice immediately. The first port of call should be their vet, who will check for any underlying medical causes that can sometimes result in aggression or behavioural change. If a clean bill of health is given, then your vet may refer your pet to a behaviour specialist who will look for the underlying cause of the pet's behaviour. The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors can help to put owners in touch with professional help in their area.
The hard fact to remember is that owners are ultimately responsible for ensuring their pets remain under control. Spending time properly training and socialising your dog and keeping it under proper control to prevent any risk of your pet permanently injuring or even killing a person or another pet is vital.]]>Pet Obesity - Why Your Pet's Weight Is a Crucial Health Factortag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.14051102012-04-09T19:00:00-04:002012-06-09T05:12:01-04:00Elaine Pendleburyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/elaine-pendlebury/
The cause of obesity is quite simple - a combination of too much food and not enough exercise results in weight gain. By giving into the desire to treat our pets with food, rather than cuddles, games or exercise, we may well be affecting their health and in some cases, their life span. If a pet is overweight, this can lead to a whole host of problems, including difficulty in exercising, heart problems, breathing difficulties, problems with joints, sugar diabetes and a decreased liver function.
Fifi Bottomley is twice the cat she should be, and is now battling the bulge with PDSA's Pet Fit Club
PDSA's annual pet slimming competition - Pet Fit Club - directly helps a group of overweight pets each year to slim down to a healthier weight. But the great thing is that the campaign also allows our vets to raise awareness of the issue of pet obesity widely, and encourages many other owners to take a closer look at their own pet's body shape.
One of the key issues seems to be that many owners don't know what a healthy shape for their pet is. ThePDSA Animal Wellbeing Report found that 84% of owners thought that their pets were the right weight, yet nearly 6million cats and dogs are classed as overweight or obese.
If you think your pet is carrying extra weight, then the first thing to do is make an appointment to see your vet. This is important, as there may be an underlying medical reason for the weight gain; get a clean bill of health before making any changes to your pet's diet or lifestyle.
Additionally, some pets, such as rabbits and cats, need very careful supervision if dieting, as it can be harmful for them if they lose weight too quickly. Vet practices sometimes run weight clinics which can be a great way to ensure your pet loses weight safely, plus meeting other owners in the same situation can be very reassuring.
PDSA also has leaflets on the website that can be downloaded for free, which explain how to assess your pet's body shape correctly.
The best thing to do is to weigh your pet's daily food allowance in the morning, then split this into several small meals over the day. This prevents accidental over-feeding, which is easy to do when feeding 'by eye'. Specially formulated diet foods are particularly good for very porky pets to ensure they get enough essential nutrients.
It's also important not to feed any treats in between meals, as what might be relatively few calories for you is a different factor for pets. A small cube of cheese (approx 28g) is the equivalent of half a pizza, or one-and-a-half burgers for a medium sized dog. Sometimes treats may be needed as a training aid, but remember to reduce your pet's food allowance for that day to compensate.
In addition to strictly managing your pet's diet, ensuring they get enough exercise is an integral part of the weight loss programme. If your pet is very portly then they won't go from coach potato to super-pet overnight. Instead try to gradually increase their activity levels using games and toys. For dogs, several short walks a day may be more manageable than a long one initially.
The crucial factor is owners as they manage their pet's weight - it's definitely not the pets who opens the tins of food or gets the treats out of the box. That said, I don't want to simply vilify owners in this position. As PDSA's findings show, there seems to be widespread misunderstanding about what a healthily-sized pet looks like, and the important thing is that when given the correct advice and information, owners change their habits.
Following PDSA's Pet Fit Club finalists through their six month slimming programmes will help to show other pet owners that it's achievable. Persistence, and a strong resolve not to give into those begging paws, will eventually result in a much happier, healthier pet.
Last year's Pet Fit Club winners, Alsyon King and labrador Lucky, went on a joint weight-loss journey and lost an impressive seven stone between them. Alyson said: "I'm sure if Lucky could talk he'd say how much happier he is now that he's slimmed down and I would urge other pet owners to help their pets get fitter too.
"Working with PDSA on Pet Fit Club really helped me to stay focused, so I would highly recommend anyone with an overweight pet to ask their vet for help and advice. With PDSA's help, Lucky lost a quarter of his body weight - dropping from around 52kg to a much healthier 38kg. It really could make the difference between life and death for your pet. As for me, I've got much fitter too, so I hope our story encourages others in that situation to do the same."
What a win-win situation! ]]>Why Your Christmas Dinner Could Poison Your Petstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.11653222011-12-22T19:00:00-05:002012-02-21T05:12:02-05:00Elaine Pendleburyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/elaine-pendlebury/
Well as it turns out, quite a lot. By giving into the desire to treat our pets with human food, we may well be putting their lives in danger. This may all sound a bit 'Bah humbug' but several ingredients in our annual turkey-stuffing ritual can actually do serious damage to pets.
The first problem is onions and garlic, often present in the stuffing, gravy and possibly as a flavour or garnish in other components of the dinner. Cats appear to be more sensitive than dogs, but both species can be seriously affected.
Signs of poisoning may develop within 24 hours, but it is more likely that it will be over a few days and can include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weakness or lack of appetite. The toxin destroys pets' red blood cells, leading to anaemia.
Turkey bones can also cause problems for our pets as they can be easily swallowed. The bones can get stuck inside them or penetrate the pet's intestines - especially so with brittle chicken and turkey bones that have very sharp ends when they break. A recent case treated by PDSA vets was Milo, a six-month-old Jack Russell Terrier puppy from Birmingham. He had to undergo complex surgery after a wishbone from a discarded chicken carcass got stuck in his throat, but luckily he made a full recovery.
When discussing the toxic elements of Christmas dinners, it's also worth mentioning several other festive favourites that can be toxic to pets.
Grapes (and therefore raisins and sultanas) have been known to be toxic to dogs, although the exact reasons for this are not yet known. Some anecdotal evidence also suggests cats can be affected as well. Therefore mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas cake should all be strictly off the menu for your pets. Signs of poisoning usually appear within 24 hours, and can include vomiting, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and lethargy.
Peanuts have been reported to cause adverse affects in some pets. Signs include muscle spasm, twitching, hallucinations and agitation. Macadamia nuts are also toxic, and have been associated with lethargy, weakness and collapse.
Too much fatty food can cause pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas. Signs include abdominal pain and sickness and in severe cases it can lead to kidney failure, heart problems and diabetes. In extreme cases it can even lead to the pancreas digesting itself, which is often fatal.
All in all, this can make for pretty grim reading.
But the simple conclusion is don't risk a costly (and potentially fatal) emergency trip to the vet by 'treating' your pet with a Christmas dinner. Instead, treat pets with a new toy, or extra attention and playtime. Our pets (and their waistlines) will thank you!
Pets should only be fed foods appropriate to their breed and age, and the correct portion size is really important. Obviously our pets are much smaller than we are, and require much smaller amounts of food. In fact, if a medium-sized dog were to eat a full turkey dinner like ours, it would be the equivalent of a human eating three dinners in one go! Clearly not a good idea.
Another problem with feeding pets big portions is gastric torsion, which is when the stomach dilates due to excess food and gas, either from swallowing air whilst eating or from the meal fermenting. The stomach then twists around on itself, blocking digestion and restricting blood flow, affecting the internal organs.
Gastric torsion is a life or death situation - even with treatment it can be fatal. Affected dogs get sick very quickly, will retch yet not bring anything up, and salivate a lot. Their stomach will swell up feeling hard like a drum, they will have difficulty breathing and may collapse. As the condition progresses, toxins will accumulate and the dog will go into shock, eventually dying.
The condition can affect any dogs of all ages and types, but a number of risk factors have been identified. These include older dogs over the age of seven, larger dogs with a deep and narrow chest such as Great Danes, Weimeraners and Setters, eating too quickly, overeating, and exercising immediately after a meal.
Dog owners often ask if there is anything they can do to prevent this condition. Feeding several small meals a day rather than one large one, and ensuring a minimum of one hours rest after feeding can help to reduce the risk.
