APRIL 2018, FREE
ALABAMA ROT: All you need to know
‘catastrophe’ Averted: the tale of one lucky black cat TOP PRODUCTS/PET CARE TIPS & MUCH MORE INSIDE
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This month’s cover star is Sophie, Pets Magazine’s Chief Columnist
At Crufts 8-11 March, Stand 1, Hall 2
WWW.ARTYLOBSTER.COM Vet
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Cavaliers’ Choices... Premium pet products, destinations & activities for you & your pet chosen by Sophie Nell and Rufus, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, assisted by Marie.
Luxury Dog Beds KZW Pet Interiors makes ultra-luxury products for the discerning dog owner. With a successful fashion background stemming from her career in New York, Princess Katalin zu Windischgraetz created the range by combining her love of animals and high-end interior design experience. The bespoke pet interior service includes beds, sofas, mattresses and toy boxes and gives pet owners the opportunity to decide between a range of designs to suit their home.
http://kzw-petinterior.com/luxury-pet-interiors
trust your instincts! Made with premium cuts of duck and turkey, True Instinct raw dog food contains the perfect balance of deboned meat and organs, with vegetables, fruits and superfoods, in a smaller bite for smaller mouths. Just thaw and serve! https://www.naturesmenu.co.uk/raw-bites-duckand-turkey-for-small-breeds
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Cavaliers’ Choices... well-heeled! Dougie Wallace has turned his camera on man’s best friend and the world of 'pet parents'. Dogs, and his pursuit of them, have taken him to London, Milan, New York and Tokyo. Wallace has used his observation and wit to portray these pampered pooches in his new series 'Well Heeled'. Wallace's dogs have human expressions and are strong characters, who, with their knowing looks, can even appear to play to camera. 'Well Heeled' captures details in a dog's eye view that we humble humans would not usually see. Behind the coiffured and pampered children in fur coats the focus is on their claws, paw pads, incisors, drool-drenched beards and wet noses. www.dougiewallace.com/books
Cosy up Pictured is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel fleece blanket, one of a range of breed specific dog blankets at the Dog Bedding Store. These fur fabric blankets are lovely and soft, fully washable, can be tumble dried and are ideal as a cover, throw, cage mat, bed or as a show piece for your breed. Size - 100cm x 75 cm / 40" x 30" . plain brown fleece on reverse. www.dogbeddingstore.co.uk
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Cavaliers’ Choices... Two's Company The Double Dog Extension Lead by Mountain Paws is constructed from durable nylon and designed to stand up to the daily exertion of walking even the most energetic of dogs. Easy to clip on to your normal lead, the double dog extension lead features two separate elasticated sections that offer increased freedom for your dogs and a reduced risk of shock from dogs pulling. Robust clips at each end of the lead can be securely attached to your pet’s collar. The lead also features a camlock that allows you to adjust the length between the two dogs, ideal when walking two breeds of different sizes. Each of the individual lead sections has an integrated grab handle, ideal for keeping dogs close when required. www.mountainpaws.co.uk
PS/ We’re always looking for premium products & services to review for both pets and people! Please get in touch with the boss at editor@petsmag.co.uk. Love,
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Sophie, Nell & Rufus
xxx
Alabama Rot Everything you need to know.
Hannah Inskip BVetMed MRCVS GPCertSAM is a vet working in a companion animal practice in the West Midlands. She discusses Alabama Rot, a potentially deadly disease aecting dogs.
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HANNAH INSKIP BVetMed MRCVS GPCertSAM is a vet working in a companion animal practice in the West Midlands. She discusses Alabama Rot, a potentially deadly disease affecting dogs, that is sadly on the rise in the UK. There has been a lot of coverage in the media recently about this potentially deadly disease, but what is Alabama Rot and how can we protect out four-legged friends?
Cases of Alabama Rot, April 2018, courtesy of Vets4Pets
the USA. CRGV was first suspected to be present in the UK in 2012. In 2014 it was discovered that histological findings in UK cases are the same / similar Otherwise known as to Alabama Rot. The first Cutaneous and Renal confirmed cases were in the Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV) Alabama Rot causes South of the country, mainly skin lesions which can range in and around the New from mild abrasions to deep Forest area. Now cases have been confirmed throughout ulcers. A proportion of the UK from as far South as affected dogs will go on to Penzance to as far North as develop kidney failure, which unfortunately is often Dumfries, as well as two cases in Ireland. As of fatal. January 2018, there were 122 cases reported throughout Alabama Rot was first discovered in greyhounds in 31 counties.
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A regularly updated map of confirmed case locations can be found online at www.vets4pets.com/stopalabama-rot (current map above.)
What causes Alabama Rot? We don’t know! It’s believed to be a toxin released by bacteria. The organism is suspected to be found in mud / soil. The Alabama Rot in the USA has been confirmed to be caused by a toxin released by E Coli bacteria, whereas no E Coli have been found to be
involved in the UK cases. The latest research is involving a bacteria commonly found in fish, that is found in fresh and brackish water (commonly near dog walking areas). A lot more research is required to find out the cause, and organizations such as the Alabama Rot Research Fund (ARRF) are working on this.
Diagnosis and treatment The disease starts with skin lesions, often on the legs, muzzle, abdomen and / or
sample from the dog, maybe several over several days to check for kidney disease. A proportion of dogs will go on to develop severe kidney disease which can include signs such as drinking a lot, reduced appetite, lethargy and vomiting. Treatment involves aggressive intravenous fluid therapy and wound management. Unfortunately this is often unsuccessful and the mortality rate is estimated to be 80%. Diagnosis can only be confirmed on samples obtained by postmortem.
Skin lesions are a sign of the disease; photo courtesy of Vets4Pets
tongue. There is no such thing as a “typical” skin lesion from CRGV, but any non healing skin lesion should be checked by a vet.
There appears to be no risk to humans from CRGV. Dogs are the only species affected.
If CRGV is suspected the vet may want to take a blood
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Prevention Most cases of CRGV have been in dogs walking in muddy, wooded areas. Ideally avoid these areas, particulary between November and June, which is when most cases have been picked up. Dogs have picked it up when they have been walking in the same area at the same time – it is not known whether the disease can spread between dogs directly or whether it’s because they were in the same time at the same place. If your dog does get muddy then wash the mud off as soon as possible. Any skin lesions should be checked by a vet immediately. But remember there are lots of (far more common) things that cause skin sores so try not to panic. Hannah Inskip BVetMed MRCVS GPCertSAM is a vet working in a companion animal practice in the West Midlands. She has a strong interest in canine behaviour and enjoys walking her shih tzu, Noodle.
Congratulations Sir Jack & Vanessa! We’re delighted for Vanessa Holbrow and her Border Terrier ‘Sir Jack Spratticus’ who won the Friends for Life ‘Dog Hero’ competition at Crufts recently. The lovely duo are featured in our May and June editions - watch this space!!
Beloved rescue Border Terrier ‘Sir Jack Spratticus’ has been announced as the winner of the dog hero competition, Friends for Life, at Crufts 2018. Owned by Vanessa Holbrow, from Friends for Life winner Vanessa Holbrow and Sir Jack Spratticus with Geri Horner. Credit Flick.digital. Burnham on Sea, Somerset, Jack, had was one of just five dogs to Genting Arena at Crufts by been to four homes before Geri Horner nee Halliwell. being rescued at the age of make it to the final of the Friends for Life competition Together they raise 13 months by Vanessa, and awareness and breakdown he is credited with changing at Crufts, which celebrates the close bond between stigma attached to mental her life, helping her to live health issues. Jack has given with complex mental health man and dog and celebrates heart-warming Vanessa the motivation and issues, by giving her confidence to speak on local confidence, companionship stories of friendship in adversity. The winner was radio and write articles for and stability. Rethink, and together they Jack, who was selected from chosen by public vote and have raised thousands of the Breed Rescue category, was announced in the pounds for mental health
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charities.
health issues and he is my family. I don’t know what I Jack was accepted by the would do without him.” organisation Canine Geri Horner, said: “Before Generated Independence in Vanessa, people had given August 2017 and is now up on Jack, but Vanessa nearing the end of his never did, and Jack never training to be an official gave up on Vanessa, which assistance dog to Vanessa. Vanessa and Jack were presented their award and a cheque for £5,000 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust for charity Border Terrier Welfare, the charity that rescued Jack. The four other finalists also received £1,000 for their chosen dog charity for getting through to the prestigious final. Speaking about their win, Vanessa: “I am in absolute disbelief and am so proud of Jack. He had such a bad start in life and it took me a year to train him, but this just shows what love and patience can do. He is training to be an official assistance dog, he helps to raise awareness of mental
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makes this such a beautiful partnership. This competition epitomises what Crufts is about – we care for dogs, and they care for us as well.” Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “Huge congratulations to Vanessa and Jack for their incredible win – their story is so moving and inspiring, it really shows how dogs can transform the lives of their owners. Pets Magazine
“We have had some amazing finalists for this year’s Friends for Life competition, and they all should be extremely proud to have got through to the final five. Each finalist has helped to change and improve the quality of their owner’s life, showing unwavering loyalty and they are a great example of the incredible difference that dogs can make to people’s lives.” The five dogs which made the 2018 final were selected by a panel of judges from the Kennel Club, where they were chosen for the lifetime of love and loyalty they give to their owners and for the way that they have irrevocably changed their lives. We will be featuring an inspirational story by Vanessa on how Jack has changed her life in our May and June editions.
‘Singeing in the Rain...’ Retired vet and author of Pets Aplenty MALCOLM D. WELSHMAN on a lucky cat saved by a downpour of rain...
Mrs Hassett had been insistent Cradle Cottage’s on the left in a on the phone. No way could she dip in the road.’ bring the cat in. It would That dip have to be a visit. And seemed to be as soon as possible the reservoir please. Her tone of for the whole voice suggested of the South someone you’d not wish Downs. It was to argue with; and if you awash with did try it would cut no water from the ice with her. So I didn’t. early summer Her directions had been deluge we’d Malcolm and Dora clear enough. been having since ‘Drive straight down daybreak. Arrows of rain lanced Chawcombe’s high street,’ she’d a murky, foamy whirlpool in said. ‘Turn left by the Queen’s which twigs and leaves swirled: Head into Mouse Lane. Cat’s and in which, moments later,
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my boots churned and slipped as I waded across from my car and climbed the steps to Mrs Hassett’s front door. She opened it to give me a tight-lipped look as she took in my rain-drenched figure. She was in her sixties, unattractively thin, all bumps and points like she’d swallowed a shelf’s worth of hardware. Her hair snow-white, her eyes cold as blue-green water flowing under ice. ‘You made it then,’ she said, her voice frosty.
‘Just about,’ I muttered, through clenched teeth, fighting to remain civil.
I curbed my rising irritation. It seemed Wellington had given himself the boot.
Ah, how prophetic on today of all days. Friday 13th. A black cat. In folk lore traditions, contrary to the widely held ‘So where’s the patient?’ I said Mrs Hassett snapped her bony belief that a black cat crossing as calmly as I could. knuckles together and eased your path bestows you with her angular frame round the good fortune, the sighting of ‘Wellington’s through here,’ she side of the settee. ‘He may have such a creature can mean replied as we entered a lowslipped under the sideboard.’ impending death. A bad omen. beamed living-room with an inglenook fireplace, its dark Especially if the cat’s seen aperture filled by a large pot from behind. Which is what of white peace lilies. I saw of Wellington as Mrs Hassett dragged him out. There was nothing in Mrs Great. Just what I needed to Hassett’s demeanour to lift my spirits. Had I a dying suggest similar moggy on my hands? peacefulness. She was like a stalactite about to crack. I was aware of her glacial look as I gazed round at the shabby furniture. A twoseater settee with an antimacassar. But no cat on it. A small fireside In folk lore traditions, seeing a black cat can mean impending death... chair, a stool. Both cat-less. With great difficulty, she sank ‘He came in wet through and down like a melting iceberg and collapsed on the hearth,’ she ‘Well he was here a moment peered under. ‘Ah, there you explained and sat down on the ago,’ said Mrs Hassett, her are, you naughty puss. Let’s be settee to cradle the soggy cat in white cheeks quivering. having you.’ Her spindly arm her arms. swung under the sideboard and ‘He was lying in front of the emerged with a large, limp cat ‘Thought maybe he’d been hit fireplace, unable to move.’ attached to it, his black fur in by a car.’ black strands, slicked against black flanks.
‘Had I a dying moggy on my hands?’
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The same thought had struck me. Wellington was clearly shocked, his breathing rapid, his pupils dilated. But when I unsheathed his claws there was no evidence of shredding of the
At which point, her icy manner began to thaw. Clearly she’d ***************************** been worried about Wellington. Malcolm D. Welshman is
author of Pets Aplenty ‘I do appreciate you coming out published by Austin in such foul weather,’ she said, Macauley Publishers showing me to 0207 038 8312 at £7.99 the door, Kindle version 99p ‘But just think, if www.malcolmwelshman it hadn’t been for .co.uk.
I noticed my fingertips were slightly blackened... nails as so often happens when cats scrabble on the road after being hit by a car. As I straightened up I noticed my fingertips were slightly blackened. There was similar smearing on Mrs Hassett’s skirt where it was in contact with Wellington’s fur. I ran my hand down the cat’s back. More blackness. Soot. When we began to gently dry Wellington with a towel it soon became obvious that his coat was singed. Somehow he’d been too near a fire for his own good. Someone’s bonfire perhaps?
all this torrential rain, Wellington might have fared far worse.’
‘Indeed yes,’ I said to myself as I negotiated the puddled pavement back to my car. Some good had come of this downpour after all. The thought lifted my spirits somewhat. But not to the extent that I wanted to start dancing in the gutter like Gene Kelly. Besides which, what would I sing? Singeing in the rain?
Having checked to make sure there were no actual burns, I gave Wellington an injection to counteract any shock and assured Mrs Hassett that he would make an uneventful recovery.
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LARS B. ANDERSEN, CEO of Arty Lobster On 3D Pet Sculptures Click this link to watch the video.
And here’s two examples of Arty Lobster’s fantastic 3D sculptures. Visit their website at www.artylobster.com to order a 3D sculpture of YOUR pet!
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