Animal Care

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

Mark Newton-Clarke, MAVetMB PhD MRCVS, Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeon

Oh, the Merry Month of May is here, and the world is full of new life – much of it in the form of small canines. Over the last few months, tummies have been swelling and preparations made for the arrival of the next generation. Nervous owners have been checking their lists, making sure all is ready for whelping day, or more likely, whelping night. Just before sitting down to write this article, I attended the first born to a family of working cocker spaniels who live nearby. I expect to make several more visits over the next few hours!

For those of you with experience of dog breeding, you will know it can be quite stressful. The humans involved automatically take on the responsibility of the welfare of the puppies – not an easy task as inexperienced bitches seem to pace and circle around in the whelping box, oblivious of the precious little packages crawling around at their feet. The attending humans are aghast when a clumsy mum sits on a puppy, but rarely does this cause serious injury. I’m amazed how quickly a puppy – no more than an hour old – is able to use its voice in protest at too much pressure.

It’s not uncommon for new mothers to be shocked at the sight of their newborn and to try to get away, at least until maternal hormones and natural instinct take over. Some reassurance is usually all that’s needed. Just occasionally, a new mother will become aggressive towards some, or all, of her litter and this situation needs careful handling. Mild sedation with anxietyrelieving drugs can help in the short term, combined with supervised feeding and then separation of mother and puppies. Happily, most of the time this unfortunate phase is short-lived and normal family life is resumed.

Having spent quite a lot of time with pigs – clearly

ROOMPHOTO/Shutterstock

one of the smartest and most entertaining of animals – I’m struck by the similarity between a whelping bitch and a farrowing sow. When everything’s gone according to plan, an exhausted mother is laying on her side, while a swarm of hungry offspring compete for the milk. The rhythmic grunts of the nursing and contented sow or bitch, the warmth of the environment and the vigour of the newborn make for a very satisfying sight. However, the situation is rather different between those two species if problems during the birth occur. Apart from giant breeds of dog, helping to get a puppy out into this world is limited to gentle traction on exposed legs and wrapping a towel around mum’s abdomen, squeezing it like a corset in time to contractions. This simple manoeuvre increases abdominal pressure and helps to pop out the pup. When it comes to assisting at a farrowing, a more hands-on approach is needed, or rather, an arm-up. Having long arms and small hands, I was a popular choice. I smile at the memory of reaching ever further into a sow, feeling a little snout with my fingertips, only for it to wriggle backwards out of my reach. This meant a caterpillar-like body move over the bare floor, inching my arm even further in, hoping to hook fingers behind the head of the reluctant piglet and bring it into this world. It also meant pressing my face against the sow’s rear end, trying to get the last few millimetres of reach. All very James Herriot and quite a long time ago now.

Puppies, like piglets, need regular feeding and plenty of warmth. Hungry offspring don’t settle and are constantly pestering mum, who may have a problem with milk supply. Cold puppies and piglets huddle together in a heap, trying to preserve body heat; warm babies spread themselves out, luxuriating in the ambient warmth. Cold and hungry go together and are a very bad combination. Newborn animals have very little in the way of energy reserves, being dependent entirely on the last milk meal to maintain body temperature and activity, most importantly, the ability to suckle. So, a hungry baby quickly gets cold and weak, making it more difficult to get to that critical milk bar and a life-saving drink. First milk has much more than energy to offer; it holds the magical ingredient of antibodies, specifically directed at the diseases the mother has recently fought off (or been vaccinated against). Antibodies, being fairly large proteins, can only be absorbed by the neonatal intestines in the first 24 hrs of life, highlighting the importance of the early feeds. This protection lasts for a few weeks before the young start building their own immune defences, stimulated by vaccines and natural exposure to environmental viruses and bacteria.

And so, the circle of life completes another lap. The new generation must find their way in this often-challenging world and for our companion and domestic animals, with the help of we humans. For wild animals, they have to do it all on their own, although we can help by providing and preserving the right habitats that our wildlife need. Hopefully, the planned changes in agricultural subsidies will give a much needed boost to the countryside in this respect, balancing farmers’ needs to be productive with our wild animals’ needs to survive.

WALKING YOUR DOG DURING LAMBING SEASON

Jordon Egan MRCVS, Kingston Vets

This past year, we have all found a lot more time to spend with our animals and have been able to enjoy long walks along footpaths and farmers’ land. With the days getting longer and weather getting warmer, there are a few things to bear in mind.

As we know, spring is the busiest time of year for farmers, with a lot of new life being brought into the world. Many of the fields will be filled with ewes and their offspring or ewes waiting to lamb. However, farmers have an ongoing battle due to sheep worrying.

Over recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in attacks on livestock with sheep being the most common victims. The term sheep worrying means chasing or attacking livestock, which could result in ewes aborting lambs as well as injury, suffering or death.

All dogs inherit a natural predatory drive and no matter how domesticated or well-trained your dog is, they may still have the instinct to chase sheep, even if it is only playfully. It is still enough to cause serious problems, not only putting livestock at risk but also themselves.

Here are some tips to keep both your dog and livestock safe this spring: •Where livestock is present, keep all dogs on the lead. •Stick to the footpaths. •Always give livestock plenty of space, when walking in the same field. •Think ahead: do not let your dog stray too far in front – they may enter a livestock field without you knowing. •Teach your dog to remain calm in the presence of livestock to reduce their interest of the animals. •Where possible take an alternative route to avoid areas livestock are grazing. •Clean up after your dog and always carry a bag.

Having an excitable dog is normal and, by following these simple steps, you can continue to enjoy our local countryside and keep stress at bay for both yourself and the farmers whose land we are privileged to use.

Livestock worrying is a criminal offence; if you see it happening, call 999. If you know of someone putting livestock at risk, call 101, or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crimestoppers. The penalty for livestock worrying can be six months’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £1,000.

In the unfortunate event your dog injures any sheep, or you come across an injured sheep, please contact your local farm vets and try to get in contact with the farmer.

Don’t be an irresponsible dog owner: Think dog, Think livestock welfare, Think lead.

kingstonvets.co.uk

NATURE AND MENTAL HEALTH

Lucy Lewis, Dorset Mind Ambassador

The 10th-16th May is Mental Health Awareness Week and, this year, the theme is nature. As the days get longer and life begins to brighten, now is the perfect time to enjoy the many benefits of being outdoors. Spending time in nature can provide a whole host of benefits to both your physical and mental health, including reduced stress and anger, boosted confidence and self-esteem, increased relaxation, and improved fitness. Additionally, a study by the Wildlife Trust found that 95% of their participants with mild mental health difficulties experienced improved wellbeing after just six weeks of volunteering outside. Time outside provides ample opportunity to improve your physical health, connect with friends and give back to nature.

Top tips and ideas for getting back to nature:

Work with your interests Don’t force yourself to do something you don’t enjoy. Take some time to try different activities and see what works for you.

Spend time with others Make sure to keep up to date with current restrictions whilst taking advantage of the social activities that are allowed. Try visiting a duckpond with a member of your household or meeting friends for a walk and a catch up.

Plan ahead Research local beauty spots and check out the weather forecasts beforehand for the best results. Chose a time of day to go for a walk when you usually feel most energised.

The GAP Project In partnership with Meyers Estate Agents, Dorset Mind deliver an ecotherapy group at The GAP Project in Dorchester. The service offers two weekly sessions, on Monday and Thursday mornings, to those with mild to moderate mental health and wellbeing challenges. These sessions run all year and involve a range of outside activities, including planting fruit and vegetables, planning outdoor spaces, upcycling, and creating wildlife habitats. If you are interested in taking part, please email thegap@dorsetmind.uk.

Try volunteering The Five Ways to Wellbeing is an evidence-based approach that anyone can use to improve their mental health. By volunteering in nature, you can experience all five ways in one go: by getting active, learning new skills, giving back to nature, connecting with other volunteers, and taking notice of nature’s beauty. Keep checking our volunteer vacancies at dorsetmind.uk for new opportunities with The GAP Project or other roles.

Experiment with a range of activities Whilst walking or jogging in the park is enjoyable for many, don’t forget to try other activities in nature. You could watch the stars, draw or paint outside, eat meals outdoors, walk a friend’s dog, or listen to a mindfulness podcast. There are many different ways to take advantage of nature’s benefits.

Be kind to yourself If you are struggling with your mental health, it can sometimes be difficult to motivate yourself. Take small steps and work towards your wellbeing goals. Always talk to your GP if you have a concern about your physical or mental health.

dorsetmind.uk

GET FIT THE FUN WAY

Barrecore and Cardio Barre

Anna Bucknall

The way we work out has changed. Everything has changed. Going to the gym and sharing sweat and germs with everyone else is not allowed – for now. But do we want to go back to how it was before?

Many people have used this enforced time at home to really think about their fitness routine whereas others have overindulged and let it slip. Feeling sluggish and lethargic has not helped with work, relationships, home school or mental health. But some have figured out how to stay motivated and have used the time to find something they enjoy at home alone, or with a partner, to help keep a positive mindset as well as prevent the lockdown pounds from piling on.

The good news is that it’s never too late and you are never too old! The key is to find fitness fun, which, in turn, will increase your heart rate and boost your mood. The best way to feel happier and more motivated is to dance, which is why I do barrecore and cardio barre to improve my mental health as well as my fitness.

The workouts include ballet-inspired exercises, which help tone and strengthen as well as improve posture and general fitness. It targets an array of muscle groups whilst promoting the lean physique of a dancer and has recently become a really popular way to exercise at home, as all you need is a bit of space and the back of a sturdy chair or a kitchen worktop instead of a barre for stability. By following routines online, you can do it when you want and wear what you want.

I make it part of my day, by getting up in the morning and putting on my workout gear as soon as I wake up. The thought of doing a backbreaking, muscle-pumping, cortisol-raising workout for an hour would reduce me to tears. Exercise should not be intimidating; it should be fun. Workouts only need to be half an hour, so it’s not daunting and you can get it done. A great playlist helps, so that it feels more like a party with all the benefits of exercise thrown in.

Barrecore and cardio barre are suitable for all fitness levels and abilities and you can progress as you go along. You can go at your own pace and do what you can, without anyone watching or judging. As long as you keep moving to the music, you will improve as you go. The secret is to start. So, put your trainers on, kick everyone out of the kitchen and enjoy getting fit at home.

STRETCHING

Craig Hardaker BSc (Hons), Communifit

Image: Stuart Brill

Speaking to people of all age groups, about their exercise habits, throughout the last year has produced two clear yet very different responses. People have either excelled by exercising regularly, whether that be daily walks or structured training routines, or conversely have really struggled to create any form of routine and now need to rediscover a determination to get exercising again.

I want to discuss stretching and how it could help you. Stretching is a great way to start moving the body after being sedentary for any length of time. If you feel nervous about restarting regular exercise, take the initial step of stretching to loosen tight muscle groups, increase blood flow and release endorphins – which in turn make us feel good. If you already exercise regularly, continue to stretch both prior to and following exercise, using potentially different methods.

The benefits of stretching are in abundance. Do it regularly and you will loosen tight muscles. This will make everyday activities much easier, and when you take on more gruelling challenges you will be better prepared. Increased flexibility also assists in reducing the negatives of the ageing process.

The probability of getting injured is also reduced by stretching and, as a consequence, spending lengthy periods of time in discomfort is also minimised. With the possibility of injury decreasing, you can be more confident in completing your training routines successfully.

It is amazing how many people have tight muscles, aches and pains. This can, in turn, reduce an individual’s range of motion leading to even more muscle tightness. Regular stretching is proven to help increase the range of motion in joints. Whether it’s because you are now working from home or you have been watching too much TV, back pain is on the rise. If this is you, let’s start stretching! Making sure you regularly stretch all joints and connecting muscle tissue is proven to not only to help cure, but also prevent back pain. Need some guidance? We are ready to help.

It is also fair to say that it has been a stressful twelve months for most, if not all of us! Take a moment out of your day to find some silence, close your eyes and stretch. It is so incredibly empowering, relaxing and mentally beneficial. Work towards alleviating stress and anxiety by finding the time to stretch today. It will be worth the effort.

There are many different types of stretching techniques: static; dynamic; passive; active; ballistic and PNF – but we’ll save that exploration for another day.

Wishing everyone a very happy May and we look forward to seeing you all soon!

STRENGTH STRATEGIES

Simon Partridge BSc (Sports Science), Personal Trainer SPFit

Flamingo Images/Shutterstock

It has been so exciting to be able to re-open our small private gym again. Seeing smiling faces, once more, has been such a great tonic for everyone. We moved all our 1:1, small group training and yoga online, which will no doubt continue as many people’s lifestyles have now changed, but we now have the opportunity to provide hybrid training individually, in groups, online, in our gym or outside, all at the same time. As we spring into summer and with the easing of lockdown, it is a truly exciting time to get fit, strong and more flexible.

When you return to your ‘gym’, make sure you have a training plan and give yourself structure. But be kind to yourself. It may sound obvious but depending on what you have been doing during the pandemic, do not expect to be as strong, fit, fast, mobile or flexible as you were before.

My biggest tip is simply to make sure your first training programme is for a specific number of weeks and know exactly when you will change it. Don’t keep repeating the same sessions week after week, hoping to keep progressing.

This is the law of diminishing returns: doing the same workouts and wondering why, after all your hard work, you see fewer and fewer gains over time. This is because your body adapts and gets used to changes within six to eight weeks. So, the solution lies in variety - change your programmes after specific periods.

Here are 3 possibly unusual tips to have fun with:

Isometric holds These are static holds. Everyone knows the plank. We use them in switching up strength mechanisms in other body parts, then just the core. Take the bench press, for example. Use 110-115% max load, simply lift the weight off the rack – don’t try to press it – just hold it steady for ten seconds, or as long as you can, then put it back on the rack.

Test your instinct Your body is much stronger than you think. We can temporarily override our evolutionary instincts to protect ourselves by putting ourselves in an unstable environment. Try standing on a step, on one leg, and close your eyes; this stimulates your survival reflex. Step off, open your eyes and perform a squat. How does the squat feel?

Work on your weaknesses We all like to do what we are good at. But we are only as strong as our weakest link, so activating those muscles prior to heavy lifts can increase joint stabilisation and strength output.

Many of us neglect our neck, so use a bench, lie on the floor with knees bent, feet flat on the floor and both your head and neck on the bench. Push through your heels to lift your body up into a tabletop position, letting your neck take the strain. Hold for as long as you can.

Getting stronger has so many benefits for us all. It is also fun and rewarding, so good luck trying out different exercises, programmes and strategies.

LONG COVID

HOW TO GO FORWARD?

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

Cristina Conti/Shutterstock

As we all know, COVID-19 and the ensuing pandemic is a global tragedy. Its effects are felt on so many levels: unexpected and untimely fatalities; physical and mental health issues, compromised family and social relationships, not to mention livelihoods and society. And, for many, the effects continue… a cruel ongoing aftermath. Patients were initially called ‘long term’, then ‘long haul’ but now ‘long COVID’. It is more than a year since the virus first hit and many victims of the acute COVID illness are still suffering.

Long COVID manifested with a variety of symptoms, like the illness itself. Fatigue, shortness of breath and ‘brain fog’ are the most frequent. Others are pains in the chest and limbs, fevers, headaches, gut and skin problems, as well as more strange ones like limb tingling, eye disturbance, persisting taste and smell problems.

As long COVID is a new illness, it is still poorly understood. It is thought that it results from one or more of the following: damage caused by the coronavirus to organs themselves; an overactive inflammatory response; immune system disorder in which antibodies can start attacking our normal cells; persisting low grade viral levels, and reactivation of dormant virus like in shingles. Investigations are usually

negative but need to be performed to exclude any permanent lung and heart damage.

Once the condition has been diagnosed on the patient’s story and physical findings being present for more than 12 weeks, thereafter the recovery is dependent on time and the management of lifestyle. This will facilitate the natural healing processes of the body.

In order to repair the damage to the tissues and immune system caused by the virus, the body needs to receive all the components for cellular repair and physiological balance. A mixed balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates and fats – contained in non-fatty meat, fish, vegetables and fruit – is needed. They will provide all the necessary micronutrients, vitamins and trace elements as well as prebiotic materials to nourish the gut micro-bacteria. This is so important in supporting the immune system as well as production of our mental health hormones.

Much has said been said about the effect of Vitamin D on COVID regarding prevention and recovery; a recent article in the British Medical Journal is circumspect but supportive of taking ‘over the counter’ supplements as a general health measure in view of its support of the immune system. Multivitamins are probably not necessary, but they won’t do any harm. Probiotics are also used to assist the ‘gut-friendly’ bacteria. Again, their effectiveness is debatable but there is no harm in taking them, as long as they are not too expensive!

The measures outlined above will help restore and repair the COVID damage to the body. An equally important aspect of long COVID repair is the focus on energy and its management, especially as fatigue is the commonest symptom. The two objectives are conservation of current energy reserves, as well as measures to slowly rebuild energy supplies.

We have learnt from our management of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome the importance of pacing, planning and prioritisation. These are all measures that will prevent unnecessary loss of energy. Pacing is basically the moderation and limitation of the amount of energy expended; being ever cautious of conserving energy, breaking tasks into small manageable portions and not pushing yourself too hard. To achieve this, you must plan your time; this is best done by structuring your day and incorporating two 30-minute periods of rest per day. Some Long COVID patients have found ‘brain rest’ using mindfulness meditation especially helpful during these rest times. And finally, prioritisation – disregard unimportant, less necessary tasks and delegate to family members or willing friends. And so, keep in mind, pace, plan and prioritise to conserve energy – always try to keep some energy in the bank!

Besides saving energy, of equal importance to tackling fatigue is energy building, but only when the body is ready for it. Having had months of inactivity, the muscles have lost condition, become shortened and tighter. To tackle these aspects, the cells in the muscles need to be gently exercised to stimulate mitochondrial ‘power battery’ function. A short walk initially in the house, then around the garden is needed – and then slowly built up over weeks, as long as this does not cause an energy relapse. To help loosen tight muscles gentle stretching is needed; long COVID sufferers have found yoga and tai chi helpful.

Another essential ‘energy builder’ is good quality sleep – for cellular repair, mental thought processing and immune system support. Part of the structured day mentioned above is adherence to a strict waking and bedtime routine, as well as avoidance of daytime naps. Other sleep hygiene measures are as follows: caffeine avoidance, no ‘blue light’ iPad screens at bedtime, eye visors to ensure blackout (to support the production of the circadian rhythm hormone Melatonin). Use herbal night sleepers such as Nytol or antihistamine such as Piriton that have no side-effects and are non-addictive, unlike prescription sleeping tablets such as Zopiclone and Temazepam. Some patients also purchase Melatonin from the internet and health food stores, in the short term. Whilst all these measures will help with the long COVID sleep disturbance, they will not help with its underlying causes namely anxiety, panic, frustration, despair, as well as concerns about the future. However, with a full understanding of the condition and a structured plan for recovery, hopefully those factors will be less troublesome and sleep-interfering.

And finally, to bring some reassurance to those unfortunate patients who are still battling with long COVID - the collective experience thus far from specialist clinics, including our newly formed one here in Dorset, is that the fatigue, shortness of breath and ‘brain fog’ will all slowly resolve with time. Meanwhile our objective is to reassure our patients, advise and guide to facilitate the natural cure of this hideous disease.

doctortwrobinson.com glencairnhouse.co.uk