Pets

The tales of Flo & Trojan

by Lorraine Gibson When staff at the Margaret Green Animal Rescue first saw lifeless-looking Florence, they admit that they doubted she’d survive. Discarded on the side of the road, it was only by chance that someone spotted her and took her to the pet charity. Nothing could have prepared them for what they saw. “I have worked here for over 19 years and I have never seen such an emaciated dog,” said Helen, the centre manager at Lincoln Farm. “She urgently needed our help – who knows what could have happened to her. “We were shocked that she was alive, she was in such a bad way. “Her vital organs were shutting down, her eyes were sunken into her head due to lack of fat, her ribs and spine were protruding and she was hardly able to stand.” It was clear that Florence had been suffering for a long time so they quickly got to work. First, they made her a cosy bed with blankets to make her feel safe and warm; it was imperative that she have fluids and food so they gave her small amounts every two hours to prevent her digestive system from failing. Despite weighing a measly 10.4kg on arrival and facing a raft of other debilitating issues, not only has she survived – she’s thrived. Florence’s courage and determination has captivated all the staff who have found it heart-warming watching her improve daily, obviously with very slow steps. “She is such a sweetheart and has been through so much,” says Helen. “She had the biggest fight of her life and the last thing we all wanted was for her not to make it.” As Florence has proven, the centre has to be prepared for anything and that costs money. If you can help them, visit: margaretgreenanimalrescue. org.uk

nFlorence

by Faith Eckersall A 10-year-old dog that weighed the same as a baby elephant has been branded ‘Slimmer of the year’ after shedding half his weight in just 12 months. Alaskan malamute Trojan arrived at the RSPCA’s Ashley Heath Animal Centre in November 2020 weighing in at 101kg –around the same as a baby elephant –according to the charity. Kennel supervisor Nicola Anthony, whose colleagues have been caring for the dog, said: “Poor Trojan was in a terrible way when he arrived here a year ago. He was dirty, matted and unbelievably obese. “It’s taken a year, a very special diet and an exercise regime to help him

lose the weight slowly and safely and he’s now almost half of his original weight.

Thankfully, he hasn’t lost his big character!”

Trojan now weighs in at a much healthier 60.1kg and needs a home that can keep his previous health and age in mind when taking him on, said Nicola. “He is arthritic and has thyroid problems so will need ongoing treatment in his new home. These conditions won’t be covered by any insurance so his new owners will need to be prepared to cover these costs.” However, she said that whilst the dog was in his twilight years, he had ‘no intention of retiring’. “He is still strong and likes to go for short walks, plod around the garden and have a good sniff,” she said. “He gets on really well with other dogs but doesn’t like being jumped all over so he’s best around calm, respectful doggy friends. “We think he’d be best as the only dog in his new home so he can have all of the attention and affection; and he really deserves it!” Trojan’s new home should be one where he can be regularly groomed and lots of company. “He’s looking for somewhere with someone who will be around for most of the time and, once he’s settled in his new home and routine, may be able to be left for short periods of time.” nIf you’re interested in caring for Trojan or in donating to help the £4,000 a day running costs of the animal centre, contact Ashley Heath at ashleyheath@rspca.org.uk.

nTrojan

The signs of Alabama rot in dogs

Alabama rot or Cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) was first identified in the UK in 2012. There have been more than 290 confirmed cases, with nine out of 10 dogs infected dying as a result. What is Alabama rot? This is a nasty disease caused by damage to blood vessels of the skin and kidney. It causes tiny blood clots to form in the blood vessels which blocks them and can ultimately lead to damage of the affected tissue. In the skin, this causes ulceration. However, in the kidney it can lead to severe organ dysfunction (kidney failure) and even result in death. This disease is still rare, with gun dogs and sight hounds most commonly affected, eg, labradors, whippets, spaniels and vizslas. How will I know if my dog has Alabama Rot? Signs typically include skin sores on the feet, between the toes/pads or around the face. It is important to remember that most of the time a skin problem will NOT be caused by Alabama rot. The skin lesions in Alabama Rot can be difficult to distinguish from cuts, wounds, stings or bites. Signs of kidney failure can unfortunately start after three days. Sadly the survival rate of dogs fully affected is only around 10%. There have been cases of dogs that only show skin symptoms and in these cases they have a much greater survival rate. They respond well with antibiotics and go on to make a full recovery. What causes Alabama rot? Unfortunately, the cause is still unknown, but investigations are ongoing with veterinary specialists Anderson Moores taking the lead on this disease. How do I stop my dog from getting this disease? As the cause of Alabama Rot is still unknown, it’s difficult to say what to avoid, but we do recommend thorough washing down of your dog after walks to wash off mud and debris. Concentrate on paws, the under-carriage and face in particular. How is it treated? There is no specific blood test to confirm the disease nor any specific treatment. Tissue samples, alongside symptoms and blood tests will confirm a high index of suspicion. The use of antibiotics with dogs showing skin symptoms have helped with full recoveries in most cases. The key message It’s important to remember, that although Alabama rot can be extremely serious, the number of dogs affected with skin lesions and kidney failure remains low in comparison to the number of dogs in the UK. However, if you are ever concerned or suspicious that your dog may have Alabama rot we advise contacting your vet immediately for advice. www.vetsmiths.co.uk

Pets for sale/wanted

F1 cockapoo puppies gold and blacks,dogs and bitches,ready from 4/1/2022. Phone 07976 904175

Jack Russell puppies, 10 weeks old 4th January, brown & tan girl £900, black & tan boy and tan boy £750 each, chip and first jab for more information

Call 07779 124711

Gorgeous Cockapoo Puppies For Sale Ready 12/12/21 Please call for more details 07949 212210

2 green male budgies. about 2 years old. Wanted female spangle budgie. 07902 815851 Gorgeous KC registered Golden retriever puppies. Litter born 19 Nov. Ready to leave mid January with 5 generation pedigree, health certificates and microchipped. They come with a lifetime of support. contact AnnMarie on 07714 423247. Texts will not be replied to.

Beautiful KC reg labrador retriever puppies. Good pedigree. 2 yellow boys, 1 black boy, 1 yellow girl. Microchipped, vaccinated, wormed and ready 20th December. Puppy pack, well socialised £1800 per puppy. Call 07717 216794. View with Mum in family home. Lurcher pups Smith coated both parents can be seen microchipped and flead sturminster newton £350 07710 795806

Kittens for sale, very friendly, well handled £50 each Male guinea pigs at £10 & females at £20 Tel 01963 458199

Kcreg Black labrador puppies. Ready 22nd December. Brought up in family home. Please call 07512 079972.

Dobermann puppies. 1 girl, 1 boy. 1st vaccination and microchipped Can be seen with mum at home. £1,300 each. Tel: 07896 173336

Labrador pups for sale, wormed up to date, both parents hip, eye and elbow tested and can be seen,parents both kc registered and have lovely temperaments 07800 755862 £800

Black lab boy puppies, 2 only. Kennel Club registered, parents working gun dog pedigrees, mother family pet, father Drakeshead stud dog. Both parents good hips, eyes, clear of hereditary conditions. Microchipped, 1st vaccination, health checked. Ready for new homes from Mon 13th December (8 weeks).