Autumn 2009

Wellbeloved
THE MAGAZINE WITH A SERIOUS COMMITMENT TO YOUR PETS’ HEALTH
good
life
living the
Keeping your four-legged
friends happy and healthy
feline
heart disease
dandie
dinmont terrier
pet
winter care
AUTUMN 2009/ISSUE 35
inside
welcome
features
I hope this issue finds you
all well, we’ve had great fun
working on this edition of the
magazine. The competition
that we ran online entitled ‘Pets
in Spring’ resulted in some
tremendous photographs. You
can see the winners on page 12.
Ex-Coronation Street star Roy
Barraclough tells us about his
involvement with the charity
Pets As Therapy on page 17.
We also find out more about
the fascinating but rare breed
– the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
on page 8.
We’ve also tackled the serious
subject of heart disease in cats
on page 10, what the signs
might be and what treatment is
available. We’ve also looked at
allergies and food intolerances
in pets on page 19.
Thank you to everyone who
sent us their pictures and
letters, please keep sending
them and have a happy
autumn.
Best wishes
Emily Day
(with Phoebe)
eDITOR
Designed and produced by
Specialist, Clifton Heights,
Triangle West, Bristol BS8 1EJ.
Tel: 0117 925 1696. www.specialistuk.com
Editor: Emily Day
Designer: Emily Selwood
Picture research: Sinead Millea
cover images: photolibrary/superstock
06
10
12
14
19
Playtime
Turning play into training
Heart disease
Spotting the signs in cats
Pets in Spring
Winners from our competition
Holistic health
Winter health care
Food for thought
Allergies and intolerances
regulars
04
08
17
20
22
24
27
News
Including a slug warning!
Breed profile
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Celebrity chat
With Roy Barraclough
Ask the experts
Your pet queries answered
What’s on
Great days out for the family
Your letters
And your lovely pictures!
Prize draw
Win a Wellbeloved welly bag
contributors
Holly Mash
John Bonner
Paddy Driscoll
Dr Bradley Viner
Holly is a veterinary
surgeon specialising
in complementary
medicine
– homeopathy and
acupuncture. She
is based in Bristol,
where she has her
own referral practice,
but she also runs
regular holistic
medicine clinics in
West London.
The former
news editor of
The Veterinary
Record, John is
a freelance
science journalist.
He specialises in
animal behaviour,
genetics and
physiology, and is
a member of The
Medical Journalists
Association.
Paddy is a dog
expert with years
of experience in
dog handling
and training.
She has a great
understanding of
dogs, has spent a
lot of time working
with rescue dogs
and is currently a
canine behaviour
teacher.
Bradley is a practising
vet and offers expert
advice regularly on TV
and in the press. He
is an elected council
member of the Royal
College of Veterinary
Surgeons and often
works with Battersea
Dogs & Cats Home.
This issue, he shares
his expertise on feline
heart disease.
www.wellbeloved.com
03
news
round-up
What a lucky, mucky pup!
We all know that our dogs can
get a bit messy from time to time,
but when one little lad decided his
puppy “needed a wash”, he could
never have anticipated the drama
that he was about to cause. Fouryear-old Daniel Blair from Middlesex
accidentally flushed his four-weekold puppy down the lavatory in a
bid to get him clean. The poor pup
was trapped in the waste pipe for
almost four hours as firefighters and
plumbers fought to retrieve him.
All clean and safe now!
Beware snails
and slugs
Cats know how to get the cream
Next time you leave Fido’s ball or
Benji’s bone outside, make sure you
check for slugs. Gareth Richardson,
a vet in Southend, is warning dog
owners about how dangerous slugs
and snails can be if dogs eat them.
The cause for concern is that slugs
carry parasites that can lead to a
lungworm infection. The worms live in
the artery leading to lungs and cause
various symptoms. In some cases,
the infection can even lead to a fatal
disease called angiostrongylosis.
Symptoms to look out for include
coughing, reluctance to exercise,
weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea,
weakness, depression or persistent
bleeding from minor cuts. Owners
who notice any of these symptoms,
or think their dogs have eaten slugs
or snails, should contact their vet for
a consultation. Thankfully, treatment
is relatively simple and a prescriptiononly drug is available.
04
Eventually, a special camera was
used to locate the puppy, who was
found lying upside down in a pipe 20
yards away, under the neighbour’s
house. The plumbers then gently
nudged him towards the nearest
manhole cover, where they managed
to scoop him out and take him to
safety. Commenting on the dramatic
rescue, Daniel’s mum Alison said: “I
never thought a dog could survive
being flushed down the loo. He’s a
real little fighter.”
They may not be able to talk, but our feline friends certainly know how to turn on the charm
to get what they want, according to a new study by the University of Sussex.
Researchers found that cats use a ‘soliciting purr’ to overpower their owners
and garner attention and food. Unlike regular purring, this sound incorporates a cry, similar in sound to a human baby’s. The research
team came to their conclusions by asking
volunteers to record their cats’ vocal tactics
and then got people to rate the different
purrs – scoring them on how urgent
and pleasant they were. The key thing
that made some of the purrs more
unpleasant than others was the level
of high-frequency sound embedded in
an otherwise relaxing purring sound,
making it much harder to ignore them
– just like a crying baby.
Prize winners!
Congratulations to Dennis who
recently won ‘Best Rescue Dog’ at
Sheffield Animal Centre. Formerly
a homeless stray, Dennis now lives
happily with owner Helen,
and is pictured here with his
prize! Also congratulations
are due to Belle, who came
third in the ‘Best Condition’
category at a recent RSPCA
show – Belle received a bag
of Wellbeloved goodies as
her prize.
www.wellbeloved.com
Dennis (above) and Belle (left)
Wacky pet names revealed
Crufts back on the box
A new home has been found for the
televised coverage of Crufts, following the
BBC’s decision last year to halt coverage
of the event. More 4 has signed a deal
with the Kennel Club to broadcast the
show from 2010. In a statement released
by the Kennel Club, it said More 4 would
bring a fresh perspective to coverage of
Crufts while retaining the show’s popular
highlights, including the stories of ‘hero
dogs’ in the Friends for Life competition
and the live award of ‘Best in Show’. It also
said the More 4 coverage would tackle the
issues surrounding the health and welfare in
pedigree dog breeding. This is in response
to the controversy last year following the
BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed.
The BBC ceased itscoverage of Crufts
following concerns over the welfare of
pedigree dogs highlighted in
the programme.
Inspector Foo Foo the dog and Polly
Prissypants the cat, are just two of the unusual
pet names identified in a recent survey to
find the country’s wackiest pet names. The
poll, carried out by Veterinary Pet Insurance
(VPI), identified Doogie Schnauzer as the most
bizarre dog name, and Snag L Tooth as the
weirdest cat name. Other names for canines
that made the top 50, included Lunchbox,
Angus Sir Loin, Mouse Meat and Biggie
Baxter Cream. Meanwhile, moggy names that
made the list included Cap N Cosmo, Bucky,
Crookshanks and Platter Puss. So much for
traditional names like Fido and Pickles, eh?
otolib
e: ph
imag
If you’ve ever tried taking to the skies
with your pet, then you’ll know what
an uncomfortable experience it
can be for them. Like baggage,
they’re transported in the cargo
hold and owners are unable to
check on them throughout the flight.
But, in the US, this looks all set to change, with the launch of Pet
Airways. The company provides a dedicated travel service for
cats and dogs, where they can travel in the main plane cabin, enjoying all the
comfort and luxury afforded by first class human passengers – but without
the humans! Company founders Dan Wiesel and Alysa Binder have spent the
past four years designing the fleet of five planes to suit the animal travellers.
The animals, up to 50 a time, are escorted to the plane, taken for pre-flight walks
and checked every 15 minutes while onboard. Pet Airways services Washington,
Chicago, Denver, New York and Los Angeles, and prices start from $149.
rary
Pawsengers take flight
www.wellbeloved.com 05
dog training
play
time
happy
Does vigorous play
encourage bad behaviour,
or can the right sort of
interaction build good habits?
Paddy Driscoll examines the right way to
have fun with your dog
06
www.wellbeloved.com
A
ll too often training and
living with a dog can seem
like hard work. Especially
if you have a difficult dog that has
you worrying about bad behaviour.
But playing with your dog might
not only help fix some of those
problems, it can make life so much
more enjoyable! Although your
dog will get excited when playing,
there is nothing wrong with that, and
indeed one big lesson all dogs need to
learn is to behave, even when you are
very excited. So long as he has plenty of
‘downtime’ to rest in-between play sessions,
you shouldn’t create an adrenalin junkie.
Games will exercise your dog and tire him out,
they are fun, are a valuable reward for crucial
training exercises and will improve the bond
between you and your dog. They can also be
used to teach important lessons about life.
Teaching ‘fetch’
Teaching your dog, whatever the age,
to fetch things for you is the basis of a
lot of games. So even if your dog isn’t
a ‘natural’ retriever it is worthwhile
spending time teaching it. If yours is
a dog that already likes to pick up
articles, encourage him to pick up a
toy he likes, however you can. Don’t
throw it any distance at this stage
though. When he has it in his mouth,
encourage him to put it in your hand (or
take it) and give him a food treat. Do this a
few times, then throw the toy. As soon as he
grabs it, call him enthusiastically, and as soon
as he reaches you, take it and reward him. If he
should drop the toy en route, encourage him
to go back and get it. Once he gets the hang
of it, you can reward him not with food, but by
throwing the toy for him again.
Some dogs show no interest in picking up
anything. Don’t worry, they can be taught. You
will need high value food rewards, eg favourite
treats. First you reward the dog for showing
interest in the article (eg a sniff or a nudge),
then, over a few training sessions you reward
him for grabbing it, or picking it up. Once
he is doing that, you can take it from him,
rewarding him with the treat for releasing it into
your hand. Then you can begin to throw it for
him to bring back.
Teaching ‘find’
Once your dog understands retrieval you can
teach him to find things using his sense of
smell. This is a particularly useful game to tire
a dog out as it requires great concentration.
Throw a favourite toy into some long grass,
or behind some furniture, letting your dog see
where it lands to start with, then encourage
him to go fetch it. Gradually make it a bit more
difficult by throwing it so he can’t easily see
where it landed so he has to use his nose
to find it. Once he begins to understand a
‘find’ command, hide the article when he isn’t
looking, and send him to ‘find’ it. Experiment
with leaving the article lying hidden for longer,
covering it or hiding it in a bigger area. Always
If he bites you by accident stop the
game. He must, and can, learn to
judge how to grab the toy without
biting you
by mistake
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make sure your dog does find something
eventually, even if you have to cheat a bit to
help him, or he will lose interest in the game.
Teaching ‘tuggie’
It is important you teach your dog game rules
if you play tuggie. One – you start the game
by offering your dog the tuggie, clearly and
unambiguously. If your dog grabs the toy
without your explicit permission, stop playing.
Two – if he bites you by accident when he goes
to grab it, again, stop the game. He must, and
can, learn to judge how to grab the toy without
biting you by mistake. Finally – when you ask
him to let go, he must let go of the toy.
To start him off, playfully tweak the tuggie
away from your dog to entice him to chase after
and grab it. Don’t push it in his mouth or his
face. When he grabs it and tugs it, praise him,
and you let go of the tuggie, so that he wins
it. Immediately either get hold of your end of it
again to tug some more, or take it and give him
a food treat.
Your dog must win the tuggie sometimes (or
he will give up playing) but once he understands
that by offering it back to you to tug, you will
play some more, or swap it for food, he won’t
run away with it. So make sure you have a
better toy or food treat ready to trade for it.
You also need to teach him a command for
him to let it go. So say ‘give’, and stop pulling
on the tuggie. Offer the dog a food treat, and
when he releases the tuggie for it, give him
it. Then immediately offer the tuggie back to
your dog to continue playing. If your dog is
determined to not let you have the tuggie, even
with a treat on his nose, then put one hand in
his collar, let go of the tuggie with your other
hand so you are no longer holding it and wait
patiently for him to drop it. The minute he does,
give him the treat, and offer the tuggie back
so you can restart the game. Repeat
this until he realises the only way
to continue the game after you
have said ‘give’ is to let the
tuggie drop.
Whatever the breed
or type of dog you have,
unless they have some kind
of medical condition which
means they can’t run about
too much for instance, they
can all learn these fun games.
Keep the training easy, reward
your dog well and keep it fun. Even
if you don’t end up doing it perfectly
you will both enjoy trying to learn!
07
breed
a close-up look at the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Appearance,
body and coat:
This terrier is a short
dog but has a long body
with strong sturdy legs.
They have a double coat
with a soft linty undercoat
and a harder topcoat – it’s
not wiry but gives a
crisp feel to the hand.
Health:
Dandie
Dinmont Terriers
are generally a
healthy breed and
live long. As they have
long spines they need
careful rearing as
puppies – avoiding
stairs, jumping onto
furniture etc.
Grooming:
The Dandie
Dinmont Terrier’s
coat is silky in some
parts but can become
matted and tangled if
they’re not groomed on
a regular basis. However,
with careful management,
their coat will remain
very warm and water
repellent.
08
www.wellbeloved.com
Personality:
Loving and
affectionate, this little
dog makes a good, loyal
companion. They are a
highly intelligent breed
– somewhat willful at times,
though fun-loving and
playful.
rare breeds
Appearance,
eyes and face:
This small distinctive looking dog
– traditionally used for hunting in the
Scottish Borders, is now among the most
endangered pedigree dogs.
Dandies are easily
recognisable by the distinctive
silky ‘top-knot’ of hair on the top
of their heads. Their dark eyes are
large and round with a soft,
wise expression.
T
he Dandie Dinmont Terrier took its name from a
character in Sir Walter Scott’s novel ‘Guy Mannering’
in 1814, but the dogs were around long before that.
Known as Mustard and Pepper Terriers, describing
their two colour varieties, they were highly prized as working terriers
in the Scottish Borders, where they were sent to hunt rabbits, otters
and badgers.
These days however, the Dandie Dinmont is rarely used as a
working terrier. Often seen in the show ring, the Dandie makes a
good companion and family pet. Dandies are affectionate, intelligent,
friendly, gentle with children and a good watchdog. They are not too
excitable – like some other breeds of terrier – but they certainly have
a mind of their own.
Once a classic working dog, these dogs are among the most
endangered pure breeds. The UK Kennel Club lists the Dandie as one
of the UK’s Vulnerable Native Dog Breeds, and there is a real chance
of the breed becoming extinct.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Paul Keevil has owned Dandies for 22 years
and bred his first litter in 1992. He chose his first
Dandie because he was looking for an unusual
and attractive breed and Dandie Dinmont Terriers
came top of his list. He now has three Dandies
of his own – Jackson, Scarlet and Crosby and is
a constant crusader to get this little breed into
the public eye, so much so he has appeared
on numerous television shows, in newspaper
articles and Jackson is a big hit on YouTube.
Paul explains the allure: “Dandies are the only breed
I know with a sense of humour, they can be stubborn and
won’t always obey – but to me that just emphasises their
intelligence. They are also incredibly affectionate and fantastic
with children, they know they are small and as such are really
gentle with them. They need brushing a few times a week, and
more importantly in order to look their best, require specialist
grooming about three times a year – from someone who knows
the breed. As with all long spined dogs they need to be reared
carefully as puppies, but are generally healthy wonderful little
dogs!” For more information visit: www.dandiedinmontweb.com
ratings
Family friendly
Good with children and
other animals but best
introduced at young age
Grooming
Needs regular brushing,
and specialist grooming
three times a year
Exercise
A short walk every day
is enough to keep them
exercised
Food intake
Not a fussy or
particularly greedy eater
image: animal photography
www.wellbeloved.com
09
feline heart disease
avoiding
heartache
Often it is something that is spotted at a regular veterinary check-up.
In listening to your cat’s heart, a murmur or irregularity might be
detected which can mean heart disease in your pet. Bradley Viner
explains what this means and what can be done
C
ats don’t have heart attacks in
the way that humans so often do
– they simply don’t smoke, worry
about paying the bills, or live long
enough to get clogging up of the coronary
arteries with fatty deposits. But they do die of
heart disease, and since the signs are quite
different to those in humans and in dogs, it is
important to be able to recognise the signs
of impending heart failure so that it can be
treated promptly.
of the heart valves – which is much more
common in dogs).
Congenital heart defects are by definition
present from the time of birth, but they are
not necessarily hereditary, and may just
be caused by an error in the manner in
which the heart develops within the foetus.
The commonest is called a ventricular
septal defect, often referred to as a ‘hole
in the heart’, but there are many different
malformations that can occur. If the defect is
severe, the kitten will either die in the womb
or fade away soon after it is born.
Otherwise it may be picked up by a vet at
its first health check, since turbulence in the
normal flow of blood through the heart
results in what is known as a murmur – a
whooshing sound that can be heard with the
aid of a stethoscope.
Fortunately, most kittens with audible heart
murmurs caused by congenital heart defects
have a normal life expectancy and do not
require any treatment. In a few cases medical
treatment may be required once any signs of
heart failure begin to develop, and in a few
very rare instances, heart surgery has been
carried out to correct the problem.
Types of heart disease
The heart is a complex organ that has to
function continuously for life to endure, and
there are many things that can possibly go
wrong with it. This applies to the cat as much
as any other animal, but there are only two
groups of conditions that are common enough
for us to consider here.
Types of heart disease
The first is congenital heart disease, which is
not particularly common in cats but obviously
a cause for concern when it does occur, and
secondly cardiomyopathy, or disease of the
heart muscle itself (as opposed to disease
10
www.wellbeloved.com
Cardiomyopathy
There are three types of heart muscle
disease that can affect the cat, but by far
the most important is called hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy, or HCM, which results in
a gross thickening of the muscles of the left
side of the heart, interfering with its ability to
contract and stretch properly. This most often
occurs secondarily to some underlying disease
that causes hypertension (see below), but it
may also be idiopathic – which means that it
occurs without any obvious cause.
Recently, genetic mutations have been
identified in both the Maine Coon and Ragdoll
breeds of cat, and there is ongoing work
looking for further mutations in the Norwegian
Forest Cat and Sphinx. In future, genetic
testing of affected cats by means of a blood
test might be useful in identifying which cats
carry the disease. Currently the Feline
Advisory Bureau run a scheme where
breeding stock of susceptible breeds can be
screened for the disease by means of a clinical
examination and ultrasound imaging by a
heart specialist.
The signs of HCM can be very subtle in
the early stages but can rapidly progress and
image: photolibrary
become life threatening. Cats may slow down
and exercise less, although in some cats
this can be very hard to detect! Laboured
breathing is always present, but many owners
miss it until the cat is obviously struggling to
breathe. A vet may pick up abnormal heart
sounds on examination, but they are not
always present.
One sign that is quite common and
impossible to miss is known as aortic
thrombosis – a blood clot forms within the
heart itself and small fragments break off
and block the main blood supply to the hind
limbs. An affected cat becomes suddenly
completely unable to move its hind legs,
which become stiff, cold and extremely
painful. It is a very distressing condition, and
although some cats will recover the use of
their legs with time, most owners opt for
euthanasia because it becomes obvious
that the cat is suffering significant pain and
distress in the process.
Hypertension
Elderly cats quite often suffer from high
blood pressure, usually secondarily to other
problems – most particularly an over-activity
Most kittens
with audible
heart murmurs caused
by congenital heart
defects have a normal life
expectancy and do not
require any treatment
of the thyroid glands or kidney disease which
are two of the most common conditions that
affect cats as they age. Measuring blood
pressure used to be technically challenging,
but now relatively cheap and easy-to-use
monitoring equipment is available and it
can simply be measured, providing the cat
is reasonably co-operative (see photo). It is
important to detect hypertension as if left
untreated it can cause severe secondary
problems to develop in addition to heart
disease, such as sudden blindness due to
detachment of the retinas.
Treatment of HCM
A cat that is acutely ill with heart failure will
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need strict cage rest, oxygen therapy, and
drugs to remove the fluid from its lungs. In
some instances, fluid that has accumulated
in the space between the lungs and the
chest wall can be drawn off with a needle.
If there is an underlying cause such as an
overactive thyroid gland, that can be dealt
with specifically, but also drugs to help
the contraction of the heart, prevent fluid
build-up and reduce the chances of blood
clots forming can all help to improve the life
expectancy of affected cats. Some cases
can remain stable on treatment for years,
but others do not respond as well, and
in such instances euthanasia may be the
kindest option.
11
competition
About Ernie: Ernie is a Dogs Trust dog who rarely
sits still – which makes this beautiful picture even
more of an achievement.
About Tarka: Tarka is a sixmonth-old gundog-in-training,
but she loves jumping into
puddles and rivers. After a hard
day’s work, she can be found
snoozing on the sofa.
About Kalanita: Kalanita is a
nine-month-old rescue cat who
loves playing in the garden,
but isn’t yet brave enough to
venture onto the beach at the
end of the garden! Kalanita can
usually be tempted into the
house with a meal of James Wellbeloved.
WINNER
winners
pets in spring
12
www.wellbeloved.com
About Oscar: One-year-old
Hungarian Vizla Oscar recently
climbed Mount Snowdon, and
although he doesn’t like rain he
loves swimming!
WINNER
About Lola: Fourteen-month-old Lola loves the
outdoors and can often be found rolling about in
snow, sand or streams. Lola is a very sociable dog
and she never leaves her owner Michael’s side.
About Buffy: Buffy was found as a stray
before Judith adopted her. She suffered
with tummy troubles until she started
James Wellbeloved, and now she’s a fit
and healthy ten-year-old.
WINNER
About Akira: Akira is an extremely
popular ferret – causing a stir in the
park whenever his owners take him out
for a walk, and even plays catch! He’s
happiest when being brushed.
Thank you for all your entries to the James Wellbeloved ‘Pets in Spring’ competition on
our Flickr group, we really enjoyed looking through them. There were over 500 entrants
and we’re delighted to announce Lola, Kalanita and Akira as the winners.
There were so many lovely entries that we also chose four runners-up! The winners won
a deluxe goody bag and the four runners-up won a goody bag. All entries are still on our
Flickr group if you’d like to see them, simply visit www.flickr.com/groups/petsinspring
www.wellbeloved.com 13
winter care
seasonal
health tips
preparing for the winter
Holly Mash outlines how complementary treatments and a holistic
approach to the change of seasons could ensure your companion
stays fighting-fit throughout the colder months of the year
W
inter is the season for
blustery walks followed
by crumpets in front of
a log fire, isn’t it? Well, it’s also the
time of year when our aging pets
may start to suffer with their aching
arthritic joints and the snuffling and
sneezing of a seasonal cold. And
don’t forget that smaller pets, such
as hamsters and rabbits will need
special care over the chilly months
too. Here we explore the ways
in which you could help your pet
to avoid, or at least minimise, the
effects of such seasonal ills.
Ancient wisdom for
arthritic joints
According to traditional Chinese
medicine principles, physical ailments
are seen as a reflection of what
is happening in the environment
around us. Therefore the stiff and
aching joints of arthritis mirror the
cold, damp weather outside. This is
believed to cause the energy flow in
the channels, or meridians, to slow
and then block. Pain is viewed as a
blocking of this energy (or ‘qi’) flow.
Acupuncture, which is treatment
by the insertion of hair-thin needles
You can combine a
towelling down with
some gentle physiotherapy
and massage to help
boost the circulation
14
into specific points on the body,
is claimed to be an effective way
of treating arthritis and providing a
natural form of pain relief.
Home and dry
Fun though a muddy walk through
the woods undoubtedly is, it’s also
crucial to make sure that your canine
companion is dried off thoroughly
afterwards, as by sitting around with
wet paws and soggy ears there is
a potential for the aches and pains
of older joints to flare-up. You can
combine a towelling down with some
gentle physiotherapy and massage
to help both boost the circulation and
relieve muscle tension.
Flower power for the
immune system
Many say that the Echinacea herb,
(commonly called Coneflower, a
native of North America) is believed to
enhance the function of the immune
system by facilitating the immune
response. This means that by using
this herbal supplement during the
winter months, when coughs and
colds tend to be most prevalent, our
pets could be better able to fight off
infections, because their virus and
bacteria killing cells may be working
more effectively. Other herbs with
similar functions include Goldenseal
and Oregon Grape. These herbs
should only be used under the
guidance of a qualified medicinal
herbalist, because they are
potent medicines.
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Tips for the ‘small furries’
Rabbits gear up for winter by
growing a lovely soft, extra thick coat
to guard against the chilly weather.
But we can help them out too, by
making sure that their hutch is in a
sheltered position, well away from
prevailing winds and battering rain.
Adding some insulation, such as
newspaper, to the hutch roof to keep
out the worst of the frost is another
useful, and cheap option. A daily
check to keep the drinking water
clear of ice is, of course, another
of the winter jobs for the rabbit and
guinea pig owner.
Hamsters feel the cold very
easily too – they are desert animals
after all! But equally, central heating
can make their homes too stuffy,
so ventilation, but not drafts, is
another consideration.
A final word
The holistic nature of some of the
complementary treatments outlined
mean that they will have over-lapping
benefits for your pet. For example
acupuncture, which could help the
stiff joints, is believed to have the
added benefit of stimulating the
body’s immune function (shown in
studies to increase the white blood
cell count). Preparation is the key,
and taking away any little nugget of
information from these seasonal tips
will hopefully make this winter a snug,
cosy time to be cuddled up with
your four-legged friend rather than a
season of shivering and sniffling!
image: superstock
www.wellbeloved.com
15
golden oldie
a heartwarming
tinker’s tale
Gill Crawford, co-founder of
canine day centre K9 Pursuits,
was delighted when her terrier
cross Tinker recently won the
Golden Oldie Dogs Trust award. Here she
tells us about what makes Tinker so special.
W
hen my mum died, my dad lost all interest in life. But then
I got Tinker – who is a little scruffy Yorkie cross from the
Dogs Trust – and things changed. Tinker went everywhere
with my dad helping him to make new friends and get out and
about more.
Sadly my dad died of cancer and my world fell apart, but I took over
the ownership of Tinker and he picked up the pieces – and I have never
looked back.
After going through a painful divorce I ended up on antidepressants
and was very low. Tinker was there when I needed him making me laugh
when I didn’t think I could, and bit by bit I helped me to recover.
Tinker comes to work with me every day. He introduces himself to the
puppies, and encourages them to be confident but respectful around
other dogs. Tinker also helps to rehabilitate dogs that are nervous
or aggressive when around other dogs by teaching them how to
16
communicate better. When nurseries and schools visit us, Tinker helps
to teach the children how to behave around dogs and they love it when
he performs his tricks.
When Tinker was 10 I watched a heelwork to music competition.
Inspired, after some practice we entered our first competition. We were
awarded fifth place and received a lovely rosette – I was so happy I
cried! Since then we have won a fourth place and a special trophy. My
dad would have been so proud of him.
This little dog has done so much for me and for others, I love him
more than anyone could ever imagine!
The Golden Oldie Dogs Trust awards ceremony itself was wonderful,
we had a three-course dinner and Tinker had his own cushion – he was
treated like royalty was presented with his award by Ben Fogle (pictured
above). I am so proud of my little dog. He is fed on James Wellbeloved
Senior, is 12 years old and is really fit and healthy. He also gets James
Wellbeloved treats and is never fussy about his food. Is it any wonder
we only ever recommend James Wellbeloved to our customers – let’s
just say, “the proof is in the pudding”.
This little dog has done so much
for me and others, I love him more
than anyone could ever imagine!
www.wellbeloved.com
celebrity interview
me and my...
Roy Barraclough talks pets
National treasure Roy Barraclough is familiar to most of us as Coronation Street’s
Alec Gilroy, but behind the scenes he’s a keen supporter of Pets As Therapy and tells
us all about it…
did you get involved
Do you have any pets
QHow
with Pets As Therapy?
Qyourself?
A
I was doing an appearance at Crufts,
signing autographs and such, and
Maureen Hennessey, the CEO of Pets As
Therapy (PAT) approached me and asked if I’d
like to become involved. I’m already patron of a
local hospice and so had experienced first hand
the amazing work that PAT does there. They
have about four dogs that visit regularly and it’s
fantastic to see them in action. It was an easy
decision for me, so I’m a patron of PAT now, too.
Q
Why do you think animals
have such a therapeutic
affect on people?
A
I think animals, but dogs in particular
have such a lot of unconditional love to
give, and patients identify with that. People are
essentially lonely and having that sort of affection
and contact is lovely to see.
A
Not anymore. I had a dog for 14 years and
it was such a tremendous loss when she
died that I couldn’t replace her. That’s another
reason why I enjoy being a part of PAT. She was
a West Highland Terrier called Whisky and was
such a character!
Are you looking forward
Q
to your next role – playing
Santa Claus?
A
Oh, very much so. I did the original Santa
Claus, and Robin Cousins is the villainous
Jack Frost in this one, so there’s ice skating – and
no – I don’t have to get on the ice myself! I told
them they’d have to graft the skates onto my feet
if they wanted that!
animals a part of your
QWere
childhood?
Is it nice to play such a
Q
well-liked character?
A
No they weren’t, funnily enough. However,
I always wanted a dog so as soon as I
was older I got Whisky. It was a choice between
a Westie and a Schnauzer, because they have
such comical faces!
It was when I was playing Alec Gilroy on
Coronation Street, when I was a bit more settled.
There were two lovely ladies who used to dog
sit for me and take her for walks – she was
thoroughly spoiled!
A
It’s lovely, there’s such an immediate
warmth from the children when I appear
on stage, and the costumes are so beautiful. I’ve
wound down a bit these days at my age and
tend to do things I really like or are close to home,
and I’m really looking forward to this one.
To find out more about Pets As Therapy
(PAT) visit www.petsastherapy.org
or call 01844 345 445
Roy will be
appearing in ‘Santa
Claus and the Return
of Jack Frost’ at
The Mayflower in
Southampton from
11 Dec – 16 Jan.
I had a dog for
14 years, and it
was such a tremendous
loss when she died that I
couldn’t replace her. That’s
one of the reasons why I
enjoy being involved
with PAT
www.wellbeloved.com
17
mealtimes
Choosing the
right food for
your pet is
an important
decision. Certain
ingredients can affect their
skin, coat and general
health. John Bonner looks
into why this is...
I
image: photolibrary
f your dog is scratching himself, you don’t
necessarily have to go looking for the flea
spray, it may just be something he ate.
An itchy skin is often an indication that a dog
or cat is having an allergic reaction to some
ingredient in its food. This is commonly some
form of protein – beef, dairy products, chicken,
lamb, fish, chicken eggs, maize, wheat and soy
are the most frequent causes of problems in
dogs, while beef and dairy products are the most
likely culprits in cats.
The clinical symptoms of food allergy are very
similar to those of other common causes of
skin problems in pets, such as atopy (a reaction
to inhaled allergen such as dust mites) or flea
bites. Indeed it can be difficult to tell them apart,
particularly as multiple allergies may occur
together, just as in humans.
food thought
for
Allergies and intolerances
These symptoms will vary in intensity between
different animals but may include skin and
ear infections, poor coat condition, bald
patches and weight loss. Affected animals
are also likely to have to more frequent bowel
movements. Sometimes an animal will have a
bad reaction to a particular food but without
any effects on the skin. In this case, the
condition is probably food intolerance and is
not a true allergy. An allergy results from an
excessive response by the immune system to
a particular protein and will cause symptoms
throughout the body. Intolerance just causes
local effects in the gastrointestinal system
(diarrhoea and vomiting) and is much more
like the reaction that some people will have to
spicy food. But although food allergy and
food intolerance are very different conditions,
they are diagnosed and treated in much the
same way.
Diagnosing the problem
A food allergy or intolerance can happen to
any pet; unlike atopy there is no evidence that
particular breeds are more susceptible than
others. Both conditions are equally common
in males as in females and in both neutered
and entire animals. Similarly, these conditions
can appear for the first time at any stage of
the animal’s life, although they are most likely
to appear in those aged two to six years old.
There is the possibility that puppies and kittens
may eventually ‘grow out’ of the condition.
There is no explanation for why some pets
develop allergies while their littermates don’t,
although there is some evidence that intestinal
infections may be the factor which first triggers
a response.
Before making a diagnosis of food allergy/
intolerance, your vet will want to rule out the
possibility that there may be other reasons for
the clinical symptoms – such as other forms
of allergy, parasites and yeast or bacterial
infections. Once it has been confirmed as a
food problem then the next step is to find out
which particular protein is involved. This can be
a laborious and time-consuming process as
there are no reliable tests that can immediately
identify the culprit.
A food allergy
or intolerance
can happen to any pet
www.wellbeloved.com
Choosing a diet
Firstly, the owner has to introduce a simple trial
diet made up of ingredients that the pet has not
eaten before and is therefore unlikely to provoke
an allergic reaction. James Wellbeloved produces
hypoallergenic food for dogs and cats that do not
contain many of the more common causes of food
allergies or intolerance. Once the pet’s condition
has stabilised then you can introduce new foods
one at a time and see if the problem flares up
again. When the probable cause(s) of the problem
have been identified, that particular food should be
given one last time, just to make sure.
The pet needs to be kept on the new lowallergen diet for at least 12 weeks. During that
time, the whole family has to be very careful that
the pet is not able to scavenge food from anyone
else. Until the exact cause of the reaction is
known, dog chews and other treats are also off
the menu.
If beef, say, is the cause of the problem the pet
will be fine as long as the owners check that it is
absent from the ingredients list of any new product
that they try. A full list of ingredients such as those
found on James Wellbeloved will help here. But it
is possible that the pet may develop new allergies
and so it is important to keep an eye on an animal
known to be susceptible to this condition.
19
pet problems
experts
ask the
Thank you for sending in all your letters about pet behavioural problems and
health issues. Our experts are always happy to offer their advice and try to help
the panel
Cats’ eyes
Q
I have recently taken on a cat from a shelter. He has had some health problems, I'm
not sure if he was abused or run over by a car but he had had some head injuries. The
problem is that a lot of the time and particularly when he yawns, his inner eyelid on
his left eye opens and closes independently to the rest of the eyelid. Is this an
problem and should I tell the vet?
If you have your Please note: Our experts cannot enter into one-to-one correspondence with readers.
DR Bradley
Viner
Bradley is an
experienced
veterinarian who
regularly offers
advice on TV.
own questions for our
experts, please post
them to: Wellbeloved
Magazine, Specialist,
Clifton Heights,
Triangle West, Clifton,
Bristol BS8 1EJ.
paddy
Driscoll
Paddy has years
of experience
in handling and
training dogs,
and is a canine
behaviour teacher.
JOHN
BONNER
John specialises in
animal behaviour,
genetics and
physiology.
A
As you obviously realise, in addition to an upper
and lower eyelid, cats have a third eyelid that can
be pulled across the eye from the nasal side of the eye
opening outwards. This is under separate nervous control
to the other eyelids, and operates reflexly to rapidly protect
the eye from injury in case of danger. It is quite possible
that some previous injury has damaged the nerve supply to
this third eyelid so that it does not retract normally.
CLAIRE
BESSANT
Claire is a leading
cat expert and is
Chief Executive
of the Feline
Advisory Bureau.
20
If this is not troubling your cat, there is no abnormal
discharge, and the eye itself does not seem inflamed or
sore, then it is very unlikely that anything needs to be
done about the problem. However, it would not be a bad
idea anyway to take your new addition along to your vet
for a general health check, where you could mention the
problem and confirm that it isn’t a worry.
Bradley
www.wellbeloved.com
pet problems
Agressive behaviour
I have a two-year-old Jack Russell dog. I live on my own and
Q
he is my best friend and goes everywhere with me. I admit I
let him get away with everything and he has slowly become more
and more dominant and difficult to manage. He will growl when
other people get too near me, even my friends, and they have
become a bit scared of him. When we were playing the other
day in bed he bit my chin and I needed a stitch. I don’t want it
to get worse until I'm frightened of him, too. What should I do?
A
First get a vet to eliminate
possible health causes.
Assuming all is well, I would want
to recommend that a behaviourist
observes you both together to see
how you handle him. For instance, if
you have been telling him off too
harshly when he has growled or
snapped that could be making his
behaviour worse. The fact you think
you are letting him “get away with everything” suggests you have too
many rules in place and are probably inconsistent in their enforcement.
Since that can cause stress, and stress contributes to aggression,
sometimes just reducing the house rules, and hassling the dog less
can make a huge difference. He can be allowed on your bed, but he
does need to learn how to behave if he is.
A home visit by an expert is essential. A behaviourist will examine
his diet, stress levels and general reactivity. Training will help him learn
that aggression is neither necessary nor appropriate. It will focus on
building a better relationship between the two of you, and creating
a positive association between him and people approaching you.
Giving him food treats as they walk up to you, for example. He would
also need to understand, by the way you handle him, growling or
snapping no longer works to achieve whatever it was he thought it
was accomplishing.
An in-depth consultation is needed, so do seek help:
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (www.apdt.co.uk)
The UK Registry of Canine Behavourists (www.ukrcb.org)
The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (www.apbc.org.uk)
Paddy
image: plain picture
Doing battle...
Q
We’ve just been given a new
puppy by a friend whose dog
had recently had a litter, her name
is Mildred. The problem is I already
have a cat, Bertie and he is quite
brutal with Mildred. Last night he swiped at the puppy's face and
drew blood on her nose. I'm worried
he may get her eye next time. How can I help them settle in
together a bit?
A
Introducing new pets can be tricky,
and it needs to be done with care. You
are right to be concerned as vets often see
injured pets whose owners have decided
it’s OK to just leave them to it to sort out.
Sometimes it works, but all too often it
doesn’t, resulting in nasty injuries. If you are
lucky, Mildred might have learned to respect
Bertie more from the painful experience of
Bertie swiping her nose. However, she might
not have so you need to teach her to not
chase or pester Bertie.
Firstly make sure Bertie has safe places
high up out of Mildred’s reach to retreat to if
Mildred gets too much for him. Whenever they
are in the same room together have Mildred
on a long loose lead or houseline so you are
always able to stop her chasing him. Give
Mildred something to keep her occupied – a
chew for example. Over a period of time just
let her get used to being around Bernie. If
Mildred goes to chase Bertie, calmly tell her
‘no’ and keep hold of the lead or line so she
simply can’t do it. Gradually allow her to be
as close to Bertie as he is willing to tolerate,
and be ready to bring Mildred away should he
make it clear he has had enough. If you aren’t
already, make sure you play a lot with Mildred
to channel her energies into chasing toys, not
Bertie. In time she should learn, but it could
take some months so be patient!
Paddy
www.wellbeloved.com 21
what's on
7
of the best
days out
Exciting events for the whole family this autumn
SCAMPS
TOP END FARM
CARAVAN
SITE, LITTLE
STAUGHTON,
BEDFORDSHIRE
MK44 2BY
Suffolk Robin Hood
Game and Country
Show
20
Sept
Oct
SUFFOLK COUNTRY SHOWGROUND,
IPSWICH IP3 8UH
Newark and
Nottingham Robin
Hood Game and
Country Show
Organised by the
Crossbreed and Mongrel
Club, this show is
dedicated to dogs of
mixed breeds. The search
is on to find Britain’s
Finest Crossbreed or
Mongrel Dog, as winners
of previous SCAMPS
heats go head to head.
There is also another
SCAMPS heat on the day,
and you will find a variety
of classes for your dogs
to enter and enjoy a fun
day out.
NEWARK COUNTRY SHOWGROUND,
NOTTINGHAM NG24 2NY
This fantastic event embraces all aspects
of country living. With fun for all the family,
the show features an array of top-class
attractions and entertainment, with everything
from Robin Hood re-enactments and jousting,
to sheep racing and dog agility challenges. In
addition, there will be over 200 trade stands
and a whole host of things to try your hand at,
including professional fishing!
Adults: £10. Children: £3. Under 5s:
Free. Senior citizens and students:
£7.50. Family tickets: £23. Advance
prices available. Call: 01702 549622
For more information
visit: www.scamps2009.
org.uk or call 01733
752 252
22
10-11
www.wellbeloved.com
17-18
Oct
7-11 Horse of the
Oct Year Show
BIRMINGHAM, NEC ARENA
Marking the end of the equestrian
season, visitors to the world’s most
famous horse show will this year
be treated to the return of the Shire
Horse of the Year Championship
class – celebrating one of Britain’s
most popular and historic breeds.
Alongside finals of the most highlyregarded showing and show jumping
championships, there will be an
impressive line-up of equestrian
entertainment, and the team from
James Wellbeloved will be there too.
Discover Dogs
14-15
Nov
EARLS COURT 1, LONDON SW5 9TA
The team at James Wellbeloved is excited to be
attending London’s biggest event on four legs – Discover
Dogs. Now in its 14th year, the event is moving to its new
home in Earls Court 1 this year, and continues to educate dog
lovers about more than 190 breeds of pedigree dog, which
will be at the event for visitors to meet and greet.
Adults: £13. Children 13-15 years, senior citizens
and students: £10. Under-12s: Free. Advance prices
available. Call: 0844 581 1381 www.discoverdogs.org.uk
WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN!
We've got five pairs of tickets to Discover Dogs
available. To win, simply email your contact
details, including telephone number, to: emily.
[email protected] or pop them on
a postcard and send to: Discover Dogs Prize
Draw, Wellbeloved, Specialist, Clifton Heights,
Triangle West, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1EJ. Closing
date 9 October 2009.
For more information and ticket
prices visit: www.hoys.co.uk or
call 01582 711 411
Terms and conditions: The prize draw is open to all readers of Wellbeloved
magazine unless specified otherwise. It is not open to employees or agents
of James Wellbeloved or their families. No purchase necessary to enter.
Entry permitted by post or email as directed in the copy. Closing date
9 October 2009. The promoter is James Wellbeloved. Only one entry per
person. No cash alternatives offered. The winners will be the first 5 entries
drawn from random and will be notified within 28 days of the closing date.
The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Acceptance of these rules is a condition of entry. In the event of the prize
offered not being available, a prize of similar value will be substituted at the
discretion of James Wellbeloved.
images courtesy of real time imaging
Supreme Cat Show
BIRMINGHAM, NEC ARENA
21
Nov
Hundreds of beautiful and beloved felines will be descending
on the NEC for the most prestigious event of the feline calendar
– the 33rd Supreme Cat Show. Many informative clubs, breeders and
exhibitors will be on hand to answer your questions while you watch the
prize-winning pets as they are judged or relax in the splendour of their
decorated pens.
Adults: £10. Senior citizens and under-16s: £7. Under-5s: Free.
Family tickets: £25. Advance prices available, call: 0871 945 6000
www.supremecatshow.org
National
Cat Club
Show
BRACKNELL
SPORTS AND
LEISURE CENTRE,
BERKSHIRE
RG12 9SE
A major part of the
excitement of the
National Cat Club
Show is created by the
many and colourfully
varied Trade, Charity
and Breed Club
Stands who attend
year after year. As
well as competitions
for Non Pedigree
Best in Show and
the Pedigree Best
in Show, there are
special rosettes for
Open Class winners,
Champion, Grand and
Imperial Class winners,
as well as Best of
Breed winners.
For more
information
visit: www.
nationalcat
club.co.uk
www.wellbeloved.com
28
Nov
15
mailbox
yourletters
Thanks as ever for all your fabulous letters and photos. We love to
hear all about your pets and what they get up to!
star
letter
Lady Amber
This is Amber (Ventess Bacopa Snowflake
Yoi). She will be 12 years old in November.
My father has had a few dogs over the years
but Amber, a Golden Retriever, has become
more than just a dog – she is a companion to
him. My father is in his eighties now and he
still takes her for walks, or ‘Tats’, as he calls
them. He is also helped by the volunteer dog
walkers sent by the Cinnamon Trust – so
here is a big thank you to the Cinnamon
Trust and their wonderful walkers. Amber
was started on the Wellbeloved food when
she was a year old and is still fed it to this
day. We think she looks wonderful on it!
Yours, Martin and Laura Searle,
by email
The star letter winner will receive a 15kg bag of Wellbeloved dog food or a 10kg bag of
Wellbeloved cat food. Don’t forget, you can find out about stockists online at
www.wellbeloved.co.uk
All cuddles!
Here are my two
Whippets, Abbi and Sue,
making my sister-in-law
feel more than welcome!
My grandchildren would
love to see them in your
magazine.
J Hast, Coventry
Nipper
napping
Well-travelled cat
This is my son’s cat Bobby. He is a
Dutch cat as my son got him as a
kitten when living in Holland. My son
then moved to China taking Bobby
with him – first to Hong Kong then
Nanjing. Two years later they moved
to Santa Rosa in the Philippines and
they are still there. Bobby is well and
very content – but probably wondering
where he’s off to next!
This is Nipper, my late
Hob Ferret who lived to
over 10 years old. He
liked nothing better than
to curl up and have a kip
in the honeysuckle on a
warm summer evening
as I have a high walled
garden.
Mac Jones, Cardiff
J Guntrip, Rhondda
24
www.wellbeloved.com
mailbox
pet
pin-ups
our favourite readers’ pics this issue
Lip-smacking good!
Angel just loves his turkey & rice Wellbeloved
– it’s his favourite. Bob sticks out his tongue
and says “I think its CrackerJack time”!
Hope you enjoy my photos – just a thank you
for keeping my pets healthy and happy on
their favourite food... James Wellbeloved.
Kipper and
Shadow
Sandy Brown, by email
Furry friends
Thank you for my magazine. After looking at all
the lovely photos I thought I’d send you two of
ours. The first is Teddy in amongst the pots, and
the second is our two Jack Russells, appearing
very innocent, but looking for mischief!
Mrs A Stone, Holt
Cutie Cleo
Gorgeous Branston
:
anks to
With th
ms
h
a
Abr a
e
ll
e
h
c
uton
Ro
ristine L
h
C
,
)
o
(Cle
),
nd Jess
m (Lucy a
ittingha
h
W
e
t
t
elen Anne
, and H
)
n
o
t
s
n
(Bra
r and (Kippe
Turner
).
Shadow
Lucy and Jess in
their Wellbeloved bed
www.wellbeloved.com
25
mailbox
A helping hand...
Booted off the roof!
My poor ginger tom Chester used
to love sitting on his
roof terrace. Now
he has to go inside
his ‘pad’ to get away
from Victor Sylvester,
a stray who
re-homed himself
with us this year!
Antonia Chrystal,
Fleet
Kacy and Rosa
Hi. Here are our beloved
dogs, Rosa and Kacy. They
are both rescue dogs, when
we got each of them they
were in a poor state, Kacy
especially, being so thin you
could see each individual
bone. Rosa developed a
problem with her pancreas
and was very unwell for a
while. Both are now fed on
JWB and are very healthy
and happy dogs and certainly
keep us entertained!
About 22 years ago I spotted a tiny
ginger kitten freezing in the middle of
the night, I couldn't find anyone to
help and as a result ended up setting
up the local Cats Protection League
branch. Over the years we have been
home to hundreds of needy cats
and kittens, all very special. My feline
family is now down to seven, plus one
visiting cat. Five years ago I heard
about an animal rescue centre in Kent
called The Retreat, and I now spend
every Sunday there as a volunteer.
My wish is that I could have a small
retreat of my own where I could home
some of the problem dogs from the
Retreat, but until then I enjoy the love
the animals give.
Linda Curry, Essex
Samantha Farr,
West Sussex
My girls
My vet advised me to change my
old girl Macey onto your food, and
within three weeks her coat went
from dusty grey to gleaming black.
She had developed very bad collitis,
which also vanished. Within a week
of her passing away I found Ava, and
started her on JWB puppy food. I
was confident that she would be fine
on it and she was. I wouldn't have
my dogs on anything else.
G O'Donnell by email
news&views
Please write to us at:
James Wellbeloved, Specialist, Clifton Heights,
Triangle West, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1EJ
or email: [email protected]
We may have to edit your letters for reasons of space.
26
www.wellbeloved.com
prize draw!
slug
We never really know
if summer will be rainy or
sunny, but it's safe to say that
autumn is usually muddy!
We've got 250 James Wellbeloved welly bags to
giveaway – these practical bags will save your
car boots and hallways from getting filthy! To
win, simply email your contact details, including
telephone number, to: emily.wellbeloved
@specialistuk.com or pop them
on a postcard and send to:
Welly Bag Prize Draw,
Wellbeloved, Specialist,
Clifton Heights, Triangle
West, Clifton, Bristol
BS8 1EJ. Closing
date 9 October
2009.
image: photolibrary
Terms and conditions: The prize draw is open to all readers of Wellbeloved magazine unless specified otherwise. It is not open to employees or agents of James Wellbeloved or their
families. No purchase necessary to enter. Entry permitted by post or email as directed in the copy. Closing date 9 October 2009. The promoter is James Wellbeloved. Only one entry per
person. No cash alternatives offered. The winners will be the first 250 entries drawn at random and will be notified within 28 days of the closing date. The editor’s decision is final and no
correspondence will be entered into. Acceptance of these rules is a condition of entry. In the event of the prize offered not being available, a prize of similar value will be substituted at
the discretion of James Wellbeloved.
www.wellbeloved.com
27