Keep watch as tick season approaches

The number of dogs and cats afflicted by life-threatening tick paralysis is already at an alarming level.

Even before peak season has begun, Balaclva vet Dr Paul Matthews’ clinics are treating up to four animals a day suffering from tick infestation.

The tick season starts in June and continues on till March, with the season peaking in September and October. Numerous dogs and cats succumb to the lethal neurotoxin secreted by the tick when it attaches itself to the host animal.

“The first sign of paralysis is wobbliness in the hind legs, progressing quickly to breathing difficulties, full paralysis and death,” said Dr Matthews. “It is so important to get your animal to the vet when signs appear as early treatment may help save the animal from an agonising demise.”

He urges owners to check their pet daily, even if they are already protected with chemical treatments.

“Every year we sadly lose some of our much-loved mates to this condition,” he said. “Be aware and be alert.”

Source: The Cairns Post

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Wagging School: A New Best Friend for Dog Lovers at abc.net.au

ABC Innovation has announced a brand new series for dogs and their owners – Wagging School .

Each episode is presented by ‘dog whisperer’ Chrissie McIntyre as she transforms a naughty dog into an obedient one, using practical and easy steps which can be followed by handlers to get their puppy or dog to do what they want it to do.

“Any dog can learn this – it’s pretty much always the owner who is confused and needs help,” says Chrissie.

The 10x5-minute series is available at abc.net.au/waggingschool and offers expert advice at no cost. It is obtainable anywhere at any time by downloading to your computer, mobile phone or MP3 player, and can be watched as many times as needed.

The episodes include:

• Why train your dog?

• Personality test for trainability – puppies and older dogs

• Home alone (no barking problems)

• Come here - sitting anywhere /anytime

• Heel – for walks

• Sit – stops dog jumping

• Lie down – anywhere/anytime

• Stay – stops dogs pushing in front of you

• Leave it – stops dog eating food in park; stops dog chasing cats

• 10. Stop/Go – at kerbs (not sitting)

Available at the Wagging School website are expert tips and advice, printable versions of lessons, free screensavers and more information about the dogs on the show.

Wagging School will also be broadcast on weekends on ABC2.

For further information, contact Aimee Lipscombe, ABC Innovation on ph: (03) 9626 1985, mob: 0402 258 482 or  email: lipscombe.aimee@abc.net.au

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South Australians urged to register their dogs

South Australians spend $235 million a year caring for their pet dogs, and have a rate of dog ownership of 21 for every 100 people, yet out of the estimated 350,000 dogs in South Australia , only 260,000 are registered. Councils are now urging owners to register the remaining ninety thousand before the August 31 deadline.

“People overall do the right thing and register their dogs,” said Deb Kelly, Executive officer of the Dog and Cat Management Board. She said many of those that were unregistered were in country areas.

Currently, councils spend about $1.2 million more on animal management than is raised through registrations and fines.

“By law, all the money derived from registrations must go to dogs – it’s not just adding money to council coffers.”

There is a further reduction to the payment if the dog is micro chipped, if they’ve reached a certain level of obedience, or if the owner is on a pension.  It is a worthwhile investment, when considering that the money pays for animal control officers, training, facilities and services.

Source: Andrew Fenton – The Advertiser

FDA and AQSIQ collaborate to improve China ’s food regulations

China has found itself in hot water this year following ingredient contamination in exports, which resulted in multiple pet food recalls in the U.S. With food safety under the spotlight, China is now working with the Food and Drug Administration to update its food safety laws and bring them closer in line with international standards.

In early May, Chinese regulators the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (AQSIQ) launched a nationwide inspection of wheat gluten manufacturers in the country, and found no products with melamine contamination.

According to Joanna Brent, team leader for World Health Organisation in China , approximately 300 million people are affected by food borne diseases in China every year.

“In China , food regulations and standards have been developed in an ad hoc way without the benefit of a basic food law,” said Brent.

“The situation of food supervision and inspection in China is improving, but we still have some problems,” said Sun Shuxia, director of the China Health Care Association. “Under constraints which include the shortage of equipment and the size of the country we have not been able to perform the supervision work as well as we expected.”

The US FDA began a joint investigation with AQSIQ on April 30, and the collaboration was reported by both agencies as smooth and efficient.

“We found them very cooperative,” said Walter Batts, deputy director of FDA’s International Programs. “We are satisfied they have shared with is the documents they have obtained and anything they found during the investigation.”

Source: Rachel Liu and Wang Fangqing, Trombly Ltd

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Sales of ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ pet food soar

In a move to eat healthier, pet owners in the U.S. are increasingly looking for natural and organic products to feed to their pets. This is such a significant trend that sales of natural and organic pet foods are expected to outpace those in the overall pet food market in the near future.

This development is reflected on the shelves. In 2005, 535 SKUs tagged “natural” were brought to the US market, compared with 674 in 2006; while the number of “organic” SKUs rose to 243 in 2006, from 62 the previous year.

“There is evidence of greater doting on pets with the advent of such things as pet insurance, gourmet foods, stylish clothing, etc. Retailers are not a group to invest very long in new items that don’t sell, and we’re seeing much more attention given to premium private label products (i.e., Ol’ Roy Chicken Strips, Wegmann’s Bruiser line, Safeway Select products) being brought into pet food,” explains Steve Rubow, a regular contributor/columnist for Private Label Magazine.

Senior pet market analyst with Packaged Facts, David Lummis, affirms that sales of natural pet food in 2005 reached US$520 million, and sales for 2010 are estimated at US$1.042 billion, with the organic section approaching US$100 million. This reflects compound annual growth rates of 15% and 25%, respectively. While this activity is mostly centered among smaller, specialty marketers, Lummis believes major mass marketers will also be firmly entrenched in natural and organic pet food by 2010.

As an increasing number of companies embrace the notion of manufacturing organic products, issues relating to proper regulation and production practices come to the forefront. Challenges also include ensuring that organic ingredients maintain their organic integrity from arrival and until they reach the shelves.

Source: Jenny Kvamme, DVM

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Adore Animals Foundation

Adore Animals is proud to announce the establishment of the Adore Animals Foundation, a non-profit organisation whose aims are:

• To promote a culture that protects, respects and cares for all animals
• To promote responsible pet ownership
• To improve animal welfare, both in the home and in improving habitats in the wild 
• To celebrate the diversity and wonderment of the animal kingdom
• To advocate and bring about real and meaningful change in the way animals are treated

The over-riding philosophy of the Adore Animals Foundation, like that of the magazine, is to foster positive relationships between humans and animals based on protection, respect and care for both domestic animals and wildlife, and their environments.

The foundation will also support like-minded organisations, provide educational publications and programs and conduct a range of projects, activities and events that enhance these objectives.

To enable them to concentrate on the launch of this exciting new Foundation, Issue 8 of Adore Animals magazine has been rescheduled for release in December. In the meantime all current subscribers (including libraries) will have free online access to issues, and the series will still be available both online and in print, part of which will go to supporting the Adore Animals Foundation.

To this end, Adore Animals Foundation’s first project will be a beautiful new publication on children and animals. This gift book will continue Adore’s love affair with photography and will highlight the benefits animals have on children; assist in raising funds for the Adore Animals Foundation; promote awareness; and give support to shelters in conjunction with their first program.  

For their advertisers and sponsors, Adore is offering new and exciting benefits that include deeper market penetration, greater flexibility in the advertising message and its currency, and a greater range of choices with which to associate their products and services.

If you have loved Adore Animals magazine, please consider a donation to their Adore Animals Foundation. Membership packs will be available soon with free online publication access and information about the Foundation, including ways in which you can become involved.

For further information, visit www.adoreanewbreed.com.au

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Dental Disease Effects Pets Too

People are aware that caring for their own teeth is a must in order to avoid a painful visit to the dentist. However, few brush their pets’ teeth, and many feed them junk food, which is why virtually all adult dogs and cats have some dental disease.

Dental disease begins when food gets trapped between the teeth and gums. The food becomes fertile ground for bacteria to grow, and plaque is formed. Plaque then combines with calcium to form the concrete-like tartar which creates a barrier, catching food and bacteria.

If left in this state for too long, the rotting material builds up against the gum line, causing infection which can ultimately lead to the teeth becoming loose and falling out. This is extremely painful and can cause pets to cease eating.

To check your pet’s teeth, sniff its breath. Bad breath often indicates bad teeth.

Open your pet’s mouth and inspect the teeth and gums, especially the large teeth at the back. Your pet has dental disease if you notice yellow/brown staining or build-up on the teeth, red inflamed gums, or cracked, loose or worn teeth.

If bacteria are left to grow, they are continually absorbed into the pet’s body, causing a range of diseases elsewhere, damaging the heart, liver, kidney and lungs.

Considerable dental disease is not likely to resolve itself and does require treatment from your veterinarian.

Source: Northern Territory News/Sunday Territorian

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Website: www.petnews.com.au

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