Animal Care

PUPPY LOVE Mark Newton-Clarke, MA VetMB PhD MRCVS Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons

Writing this for the August edition, I really felt the need to go back to something more positive, indeed pleasurable, as we’ve all had a bit of a time of it over the last few months. The general interest in kittens and puppies started to increase early on in lockdown, not surprising as so many people spent a lot of time at home. The ban on international travel put a stop to the import of puppies from Europe (good!) and so demand quickly outstripped supply. I hate to think of living creatures as commodities but market forces still apply to buying and selling puppies and this has had the effect of inflating puppy prices by 100%. This is good and bad. Good because I hope the more value attached to an animal the better it is treated and bad because breeding standards suffer when demand is so high. All breeding dogs should have an eye test and be hip and elbow scored as a minimum. Many responsible breeders are also carrying out DNA tests for inheritable diseases and

the Kennel Club website will recommend which ones. The list of available tests grows longer by the day but used correctly, genetic analysis has the power to help us eradicate many heritable conditions.

When we see a puppy for the first time at our clinics, it is usually for the first vaccination. This visit gives us the opportunity to run through a check list during the examination and also for staff members to have a cuddle (of the puppy, that is). Many checks on the list can be done by prospective owners when viewing puppies at the breeder’s home. Firstly, general attitude is a good guide to future behaviour, as hyperactive and over-excited puppies often keep those traits well into adulthood. Conversely, very shy or wary puppies will need extra gentle handling in the first months to avoid being over-anxious. Clearly not the personality type for a household with young children. Healthy puppies have clear eyes and no tear staining on the face, symmetrical upper and lower teeth (although some breeds have purposefully overshot lower

Manushot/Shutterstock

jaws) and straight legs. Just because you’re a Dachsy doesn’t mean your feet should point outwards! Not the worst conformational defect but a fault just the same and can lead to problems in the future. Check for umbilical hernias, a bump on the tummy right in the midline and any swellings in the groin. This can be done in a second by gently holding puppy’s front legs up and having a good look. If puppy is male, there should be two descended testicles although they can be hard to find sometimes. Listening to the heartbeat with a stethoscope and checking for congenital cataracts is a job for us in a quiet consulting room.

There’s never a better time than the puppy consultation for me to chat to new owners about the four ‘critical resources’ of dogs. These are human attention, food, places of rest and play-exercise. Control these elements and obedience training will be much easier. The first and most important (also the most difficult) is controlling human attention and affection. Puppies learn very quickly that if they bark or whine, humans will invariably take notice and give them attention. They ask, you give. Not a good habit to get into so practice ignoring your new puppy for periods in the day so that your attention is a reward, not an automatic response to attention-seeking. A routine to the day should be established, toilet times outside with a reward for good performance, food, controlled play and then rest. If your puppy is not encouraged to spend some quiet time undisturbed during the day, it won’t be happy at night. I personally like puppy crates, the collapsible type that can also fit in the car. Confinement at night is a useful tool in house-training but will only work if enough opportunity for toilet trips is given and your puppy likes the crate.

Places of rest include your lap, the sofa, your bed and anywhere else humans normally sit. There are good reasons to keep puppies off high places apart from the behavioural issues of maintaining a degree of separation in resting places. Once you have established the pecking order in the family by controlling the four critical resources, some relaxation in the rules is usually possible, depending on the personality of your puppy. Dominant males will need a consistent reminder of the hierarchy so don’t relax too much. Essentially, if your puppy wants a lap to sit on, wait until it stops asking then ask it to come to you to be lifted - then you are making the request and the puppy is complying.

No matter how well-behaved your adorable puppy is, occasionally most can become over-excited, usually during a game. Avoid tug-of-war games with toys as it encourages play-biting and those baby teeth are sharp. If things do get out of hand, stop the game, remove any toys and exclude the bundle of biteyness to another room, not its crate. When things have calmed down, puppy can be quietly re-introduced into human company. Exclusion is the only form of punishment that you will need, and it should be used only until the red mist has lifted and calm has returned. Positive reinforcement for good behaviour is the more important side of the coin, with edible treats being used about half the time. The other half should be an affectionate gesture, made all the more meaningful as cuddles and kisses have been rationed and not given ad-lib.

So, to all you new puppy owners out there, I am envious but at least I get my 15 mins of puppy love at the clinic on an increasingly regular basis.

‘Tim the Trim’ one of our foot trimmers and his hydraulic foot trimming crush

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VET John Walsh, BVSc Cert AVP DBR MRCVS, Friars Moor Vets

Pretending to be a cow for the afternoon… In this month’s article, I thought I would share

After the last few months of COVID with you the work we do as a practice to help prevent madness, we are finally returning to some sense cows from becoming lame. We have a superb team of of normality in the practice. It has been a challenging foot trimmers and veterinary technicians who work time trying to continue our services of seeing sick alongside the vets to help farmers reduce the levels animals and carrying out the essential routine farm of lameness on their beef and dairy farms. The team work, whilst at the same time trying to maintain social also run lots of training courses for farmers so they distancing both on farm and in the practice. The pet can improve their skills in treating lame cows on the side of the practice has been affected the most with farm. My role as a vet is to coordinate this team, so we people having to hand their pets over in the car park for achieve the best results for the farmer. examination and treatment. We know as an industry, After the COVID restrictions were eased, I could the difficulties of controlling a disease outbreak, as we get back to carrying out a lameness advisory visit for faced similar challenges when Foot and Mouth Disease one of our clients. There are many reasons why a cow broke out in 2001 and 2007. can become lame but there are three main causes we

concentrate on: 1: sole ulcers 2: white line disease 3: digital dermatitis

Each one points to different areas of farm management to focus on. Before the visit, I collect the last 12 months’ records of lameness from the farm and then analyse them to see which of the three main causes is the most common. I also look over time to see if there are certain problems at specific times of year that we can link with changes on the farm, such as cows going out to pasture after the winter housing period.

Now armed with the information, I spend an afternoon on the farm to assess the risk factors for lameness. I firstly construct with the farmer what is called a ‘time budget’ for the cows on the farm. This maps out how much time each day the cow spends being milked, sleeping, eating and of course, being merry! For example, if cows take too long to be milked then they can be stood up for too long which can predispose them to becoming lame. The next exercise is the fun bit (if you are a cow vet!) - you basically have to pretend you are a cow for the afternoon… I walk all the same routes the cow walks each day, looking for potential areas that we can tackle to reduce the risk of lameness. The buildings and fixtures give us the clues we are looking for, you just have to spot them. The whole time is spent measuring dimensions of cow cubicles, areas they have for lying down and standing, assessing the surfaces they walk on, the cow tracks to the fields, the tightness of turns they have to make coming in and out of the milking parlour, the amount of access they have for feed and many more measurements and observations.

At the end of the visit, together with the farmer, we then agree the top three things that will make the biggest improvements to lameness on that farm and set time scales for these improvements to be made. I then follow up this visit over the year to see how they are progressing and to keep up motivation.

This is very satisfying part of my job because you can the see the differences made after your recommendations have been followed. I am proud to work with such a knowledgeable and passionate team of professionals at the practice. We have seen many farmers reduce their levels of lameness to just a few percent of animals. This is not only a massive benefit to the cow but also to the farmer because lame cows will not be as productive as normal cows.

As a practice we are having ‘Healthy Feet Promotion Weeks’ for beef herds starting on 24th August and for dairy herds starting on 14th September. So, keep an eye out on our social media and website for more information and to see what antics we will be getting up to at the practice.

friarsmoorvets.co.uk @FriarsMoorVets Friars Moor Livestock Health

‘RECONNECTING WITH OUR FOOD’ POSTER COMPETITION WINNERS Congratulations to:

Cows graze grass to produce milk.

The farmer milks the cows and keeps it cold in a tank until it is collected by the milk tanker and taken to the factory to be processed.

At the factory, the milk is turned into cheese.

Ready to eat.

We are NOW OPEN, see our social media platforms for how we have changed.

www.oxleysc.com

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2M

ADVENTURE BIKES Mike Riley, Riley’s Cycles

In recent years, a new style of cycling has become popular known as ‘adventure cycling’. The bikes used are rugged with lots of options for attaching luggage and essential items for your adventure. The riding position is unique, and the bicycles have a combination of features from mountain bikes and touring bikes. They are called gravel bikes by some manufacturers because in the U.S. suburban roads change from asphalt to gravel trails on the periphery of built up areas. The road cyclist only had the option to turn around and return the way they came because their tyres and wheels would not cope with the rough stuff. Riders figured a bike that was enjoyable to ride on the road but capable of traversing gravel gave more choice of routes and a diversity of scenery.

These riders remembered that some older mountain bikes (MTB) have what is known as slack geometry and this is more suited to adventure bikes. However, the upright riding position is not suited to fast riding, so a few pioneers made ‘Frankenbikes’ which were MTBs

with dropped handlebars. This required all sorts of bodges because mountain bike gear levers don’t fit drop handlebars and road bike gear levers do not work with MTB derailleurs.

One bike to rule them all

There has been a desire in the cycle industry to develop a bike that will do everything a cyclist needs with a bit of adaptation. A few years ago, bikes designed for Cyclocross (a style of bike racing combined with mud wrestling) were offered as a solution to the ‘one bike for all jobs’ conundrum, but these were found to have geometry that was too twitchy for general riding and gears too fragile for adventure riding. Several innovations were required before adventure bikes could escape from bike tinkerers’ sheds into mainstream production: • A frame with clearance for wide tyres; the breakthrough which enabled this is disc brakes. • Tyres with close block tread pattern and rugged construction. • Simplified transmission, known as ‘one by’ because there is only one front chain ring, and ultra-low gearing, using a rear cassette the size of a dinner plate, and a range that allows barrelling along on the road or climbing a hill like the side of a house. • Drop bar levers, which integrate with MTB derailleurs, so large rear cassettes could be fitted. • Wide splayed drop handlebars.

Cycling adventures

Adventures could be a day out on local trails, a weekend away or a full-blown wilderness experience. Along with the bikes, new bike-packing accessories and luggage have been designed so you can go bike-packing without lugging a massive load with you and enjoy the ride rather than it being an endurance challenge. Clever solutions were incorporated such as a third bottle cage mount to carry fuel for a camping stove.

My colleagues, Darren and Stephan, and I have had a few experiences to share. Last summer, Darren cycled from Sherborne to the Isle of Wight on his Volagi. Camping on the way, the adventure bike meant he could take off-road routes to avoid traffic, such as the Sturminster Newton trail way. Stephan entered an ultra-endurance event cycling across part of the Namib desert, the same route featured on the Comic Relief celebrity challenge this year. More mundanely, I am writing this in Mother’s flat in Lymington on the edge of the New Forest because she broke her wrist. I threw my bamboo framed gravel bike in the car when I came to help. To demonstrate the bike’s versatility, over the course of three rides, I rode along the coast path on gravel tracks between Lymington and Milford through a wonderful wildlife reserve with superb views across the Solent. On the return leg, I accidentally ended up on a sharply winding path through woodland with many tree roots to negotiate. Here, I got into the flow I have previously enjoyed on my MTB and found myself relishing the solitude of riding in the woods as I did not see a soul for miles.

The next ride was an errand delivering Wilierbranded clothing to a customer; we arranged to meet halfway at Burley, about 18km away. Before departing, I inflated the tyres and loaded my handlebar bag with the clothing. Despite a strong head wind, I recorded an average of 13mph for the round trip, which I was pleased with.

Hype or hack?

Hack in this context means a simple solution to a problem. However, an alternative meaning is also relevant, i.e. a general-purpose bike for pottering about on.

During Lockdown, Alison has braved the roads with me, and the adventure bike has been my ‘go to’ choice for cycling with her. The comfortable position and the laidback feel lends itself to more recreational riding, which is perfect for riding with cyclists who are not racers and appreciating the view.

My son, Matt, has decided to trade in his lightweight carbon-framed road bike for a Genesis Croix de Fer, which is one of the original Britishdesigned adventure bikes. He can go off-road riding, with grandson Samuel on the back in his child seat, around ponds and beauty spots in Hampshire or later in the year, we plan to do part of the Lands’ End - John O’ Groats ride and he will use the same bike.

David, one of the partners who has joined me in the business, has purchased a Brother Keppler which he loves riding and enjoys the comfort of the higher volume tyres and security of the disc brakes.

As you can probably tell, I think that adventure/ gravel bikes are a useful addition to the range of bike styles available and if I was a commuter riding in all weathers, I would seriously consider one for my journey with some mudguards added and maybe have some weekend adventures too.

HOW TO COPE WITH NEGATIVE NEWS OVERLOAD Lucy Lewis, Dorset Mind Ambassador

BREAKING NEWS

How we consume news media has evolved rapidly; technological advances and increased internet dependency means that it is harder than ever to avoid being bombarded with negative news. Especially as we are caught in the middle of a global pandemic. Perpetually updated news floods our timelines – and headspace. This means that regardless of your resilience, it is very easy to feel overwhelmed and for anxiety to set in.

Although it is important to be informed about relevant government guidelines and world issues, safeguarding your mental health should be your top priority. Here are four top tips to help you put positive strategies in place for a healthy media consumption:

Manage your consumption

Create guidelines for yourself to avoid constant exposure by experimenting with different habits to see which methods improve your wellbeing. These may include setting specific times to check the news, such as five minutes in the morning and evening. Additionally, you can arrange your routine so that you do something relaxing or enjoyable immediately after, such as sitting in the garden with a cup of tea or giving your pet a cuddle.

If you are really struggling, consider taking a longer break from the internet. If this is impossible, due to work duties or otherwise, try blocking news apps or websites that are unnecessary. You can always unblock them at a time that suits you.

Counter the negativity

It can often seem like there is no good news. However, this is partially because heart-breaking and sensational stories attract greater readership and therefore get more coverage. Additionally, we tend to experience a negative cognitive bias*, whereby distressing information and memories are more easily accessible than positive ones. People who struggle with their mental health may experience this bias to a greater extent. This is especially

ProStockStudio/Shutterstock

true for those who have depression, meaning it can be very difficult to maintain a positive headspace.

Attempt to counter these publication and cognitive biases, by balancing the scales with uplifting and inspiring news and reminders of joy. One method could be to follow positive news websites and social media accounts. The Happy Newspaper is a platform that shares only good news, and Happiful Magazine also shares life stories and news to create a cheerier society. There are many other great sources available online and offline.

On a more personal level, why not try jotting down a list of anything that makes you feel happy? These can be as seemingly trivial as your morning coffee, or as instrumental as your family or friends. You could fill your space with images that inspire joy, such as beautiful scenery, or photographs that capture happy memories or loved ones. Little doses of happiness can go a long way and remind you of the good things in your life.

Contribute

When you feel helpless and out of control, volunteering for a cause you are passionate about can help you regain hope and a sense of purpose. There are so many worthy causes and so many ways to contribute. It means you don’t need a lot of time or money to make a difference. If everyone contributed to a cause they cared about, whether it’s equality, mental health, environmental issues or otherwise, the world would be a much better place to live in.

‘Giving back’ is considered one of ‘five key ways’ to improve your wellbeing**. This could involve any attempt to improve the lives of others or the world at large, whether it’s small, random acts of kindness or inspiring change on a larger scale. Witnessing other people caring and contributing can serve as an important reminder that there is still good in the world, if you take the time to look.

Be kind to yourself

At every opportunity, we should endeavour to make choices that minimise suffering and better the world. However, we are fallible, imperfect human beings living in an enormous and complicated world, and sometimes just getting through the day is difficult enough. You are not obligated to remain entirely informed about every detail of every crisis. Do what you can to educate yourself and contribute, but not at the expense of your mental health. There is truth in the cliché about putting on your own oxygen mask first; you need to take care of yourself before you can help others.

Finding support

If you are struggling with your mental health, the first step is to make an appointment with your GP. But, if you find yourself in danger or a crisis, please ring 999. The Samaritans provide a listening ear at all times on 116 123, Freephone.

Visit dorsetmind.uk for resources and local mental health support, including a range of online services without waiting times. If you would like to help improve mental health in Dorset, visit dorsetmind.uk/get-involvedto explore volunteer roles and fundraising opportunities with the charity.

Sources: *verywellmind.com search ‘negative bias’ **dorsetmind.uk search ‘the five ways’

MENTAL HEALTH Craig Hardaker, BSc (Hons), Communifit

I’m sure you already know that exercise is good for your body. But did you know it’s also effective in helping deal with depression, anxiety, stress and more?

What are the mental health benefits of exercise?

Exercise is not just about increasing aerobic capacity and muscle size. Undeniably, exercise can improve your physical health and your physique, trim your waistline and even add years to your life, but that’s not only what motivates most people to stay active.

Those who exercise regularly tend to do so because it gives them an enormous sense of wellbeing. They feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have a sharper memory, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives. And it’s also a powerful medicine for combating many common mental health challenges.

Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety and more. You don’t have to be a fitness fanatic to reap the benefits. Research indicates that modest amounts of exercise can make a difference. No matter your age or fitness level, you can learn to use exercise as a powerful tool to feel better.

Exercise and depression

Studies show that exercise can help treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressant medication but without any negative side-effects, of

Image: Stuart Brill

course. A recent study, undertaken by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, found that running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour can reduce the risk of major depression by up to 26%. In addition to relieving the symptoms of depression, research also shows that maintaining an exercise schedule can prevent you from relapsing.

Exercise provides powerful depression-relief for several reasons. Most importantly, it promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and wellbeing. It also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in your brain that energise your spirits and make you feel good. Finally, exercise can also serve as a distraction, allowing you to find some quiet time to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression.

Exercise and anxiety

Also a natural and effective anti-anxiety treatment, exercise relieves tension and stress, boosts physical and mental energy, and enhances wellbeing - again through the release of endorphins. Anything that gets you moving can help, but you’ll get a bigger benefit if you pay attention instead of zoning out. Try to notice the sensation of your feet hitting the ground, for example, or the rhythm of your breathing, or the feeling of the wind on your skin. By adding this mindfulness element - really focusing on your body and how it feels as you exercise - you’ll not only improve your physical condition faster, but you may also be able to interrupt any flow of worries which may be running through your head.

Exercise and stress

Ever noticed how your body feels when you’re under stress? Your muscles may be tense, especially in your face, neck, and shoulders, leaving you with back and neck pain, or painful headaches. You may feel a tightness in your chest, a pounding heart, or muscle cramps. You may also experience problems such as insomnia, heartburn, stomach ache, diarrhoea, or frequent urination. The worry and discomfort of all these physical symptoms can in turn lead to even more stress, creating a vicious circle, affecting both your mind and body. Exercising is an effective way to break this cycle. As well as releasing endorphins in the brain, physical activity helps to relax the muscles and relieve tension in the body. Since the body and mind are so closely linked, when your body feels better so, too, will your mind.

To summarise, mental and emotional benefits of exercise include: Sharper memory and thinking Higher self-esteem Better sleep More energy Stronger resilience Just some of the important reasons to start, and then keep, exercising.

GYMS IN THE FUTURE Simon Partridge BSc (Sports Science), Personal Trainer, SPFit

Today is Saturday 4th July and I must admit to being frustrated that pubs can open whilst gyms, swimming pools and dance studios cannot, which would surely benefit the health of our nation. However, hopefully by the time you read this, Boris will have made an announcement that we can all reopen.

Like the wider world, the fitness industry has changed so much over the last few months. It’s made us think more creatively and adapt in ways to meet the needs of an ever-changing landscape. Looking for training methods that have more ‘bang per buck’ in the home, or a gym as previously allowed, is something that we like to offer. We want to look after our members by offering methods that hold multiple benefits.

One form of training that targets multiple muscles at the same time is ‘Suspension Training’ (TRX to many people). Suspension training utilises a huge amount of muscle integration, which means more muscles are working together for a better tone and calorie burn, as well as increased strength and often reduced injury risk. All the exercises require more core control strength than most other forms of training.

So, at present, flexibility, creativity and changes are often afoot to meet the demands of our deserving clients and that’s not a bad thing. It’s good to refresh and revitalise. With that in mind and looking to SPFit’s future, we’ve made some developments recently that help us to create that ‘bang’…

Dan Ogden joined our team in July, a welcome addition. Prior to joining SPFit, Dan worked at an osteopath clinic specialising in rehab work. This specialist knowledge, together with his previous experience in a national gym chain and his talent for playing rugby with a very good local club, means that Dan can bring an unusually wide breath of knowledge and experience to our members. I really believe Dan has a very bright future and I am excited about what he brings to us.

New and old ways to train have been reviewed and revisited. The lockdown has undoubtedly changed the way many people exercise, perhaps forever. We now do more training sessions with more variety than before, so that is definitely a good thing. The easing of the lockdown provides even more opportunity to be creative; we offer a range of indoor and outdoor sessions in varying group sizes, or just one to one, and with or without equipment. We’ve been working online with clients and helping them get to grips with home equipment that they have purchased and would like to get the best from. Equally, we have also been having a dialogue and providing an online support package to members that do not want to spend money on home equipment – so creativity is really key in these instances.

There really are effective training techniques to suit all needs and we enjoy getting people on track with the right programme for them. Resistance bands have featured a fair bit in some online sessions; they seem to be social media’s favourite piece of kit. Similarly, kettle bells are great and we are in the midst of developing a programme for this too.

The future of exercise is definitely positive for us all. We just need to make sure we choose the safest and most effective ways to train to achieve the goals each of us actually want. We are all different and sometimes it is good to try something new.

spfit-sherborne.co.uk

SUPPORTING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom GP & Complementary Practitioner

Support for your immune system is extremely almonds have been shown to boost viral attack. Omega important in order to combat infection and 3 fatty acids, as found in oily fish like salmon, mackerel protect against disease. The Covid-19 pandemic and sardines, have anti-inflammatory activity amongst has highlighted the importance of this to us all. many other supportive functions throughout the body,

The immune system has two components to it: the brain and heart, in particular. Two portions per week innate more primitive and less specific barrier, and the of fish or daily omega 3 fish oils from the health store adaptive, more advanced, specific elimination system. are recommended. Omega 3 is also in flaxseeds and The largest component of the innate system in the body walnuts but in much lower quantities. Vitamin D is is the gut, stimulated by the microbiome - the ‘friendly’ manufactured in the skin through the action of UV bacteria in the intestines. Stress, illness and antibiotics light but in our higher latitudes, there is less UV and can disrupt this but taking probiotics will help to shorter days. Supplementing with tablets or a spray restore the bacteria. Other important parts of the innate under the tongue, 1000IU daily is recommended. The immune system are the ‘natural killer’ white blood cells herbal preparation echinacea has been shown in a few that attack anything that they don’t recognise as ‘self ’, studies to increase the number of immune protective such as viruses as well as substances and cells in the cells when taken at the time of a viral infection. anti-inflammatory system. The adaptive system makes Equally important in immune support is taking into antibodies to combat and provide on-going protection account the overview regarding optimal health. Regular against future attacks. All these components are aerobic exercise, vigorous walking, running, cycling, manufactured by a healthy immune system, the lymph and swimming has been shown to increase the immune tissues and bone marrow, which depend on those tissues cells circulating around the body. Likewise, good quality being in the best state of health. sufficient sleep is very important – measures such as

In order to achieve this health, we must ensure a regular routine, darkened room, reduced caffeine sufficient supplies of all the components that make stimulants before bedtime; the herb valerian in Nytol up and support the immune systems. The most are all advisable. fundamental starting point must be a mixed, balanced Finally mind-body stress-relieving practices, such as diet containing the micronutrients, vitamins, minerals yoga, tai chi and mindfulness, have all been shown to and the correct proportions of the macronutrients, increase immune system markers. They also reduce the carbohydrates, proteins and fasts. circulating hormones, cortisol and adrenaline, both of

Vegetables and fruit will provide the necessary which cause immune dysfunction. vitamins and minerals; vitamins C, A and E, as well As always, remember to take the holistic approach as selenium and magnesium. They also provide the to maintain a healthy lifestyle, in order to support your phytochemical antioxidants that give them their immune system in particular, but well-being in general. spectrum of colours. Vitamin B12 is contained in meat protein. All eight of the B vitamins are important for doctorTWRobinson.com cellular metabolism. Zinc is contained in shellfish, and glencairnHouse.co.uk