Dog Magazine

Tips For Pet Owners For Living in an Allergy Free Environment

Ryan O'Meara — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:57:26 +0000

One in three Britons are affected by allergies and ironically it’s the place we view as a safe haven that can be our worst enemy – our homes.

Triggers for a number of common allergies including various respiratory and skin complaints have become more apparent, with the house dust mite, mould and bacteria being prime culprits.

As hosts to these offenders, what steps we can take to make our surroundings as trigger free as possible?

In Victorian homes allergy levels were lower – fewer soft furnishings and cold draughty stone-floored homes discouraged dust mite populations.

Today, we provide the perfect surroundings for these offenders; warmth because we turn up the heating as opposed to putting on an extra jumper and humidity when we insist on drying our washing inside and refuse to open the windows.

Thick piled carpets, sumptuous bedding, decorative cushions and fabrics provide the perfect habitat and multiply the causes and triggers of common allergies.

A massive sevenfold increase reported in some types of allergy is forcing the population to find solutions.

Even architects and developers are experimenting with house designs that minimise exposure to allergens. ‘Sick office syndrome’ has long been recognised, but ‘sick house syndrome’ could also become widespread unless necessary changes are made to our environment.

These new house designs offer anti-allergy heating systems that minimise humidity, carpets are banned, with laminated flooring allowing easy cleaning, air circulation systems clean the air and vacuum sockets prevent the need for a standard cleaner, which redistribute mites rather than sucking them up!

It goes without saying that this all comes at a price and for most of us buying an anti-allergen house is not realistic. However, there are still a number of steps we can implement to make our home healthier.

Total Hygiene DM1 works by eliminating dust mites, mould, bacteria and fungi already present as well as killing the food source, which prevents re-infestation for up to 6 months. Its benefit is threefold – allergy sufferers often witness a reduction in symptoms, fabric feels better and is kept newer for longer.

As a complement to this a range of anti-allergen bedding has just been launched, which helps reduce the 2 million dust mites you share a bed with every night.

Tips for a ‘Home Sweet Home’:

1. Choose laminate, wooden or vinyl flooring

2. Replace heavy fabric curtains with blinds that can be wiped clean

3. Spray your mattress, soft furnishings, carpets and curtains with Total Hygiene DM1 every 6 months

4. Ventilate your home regularly by opening windows and doors

5. Invest in some pre-treated anti allergen bed protection

6. Keep humidity levels as low as possible – don’t dry clothes indoors

7. Turn your central heating down by just 1oC to reduce humidity

8. Reduce the number of cushions, soft toys, fake flowers and other fabric accessories from the home

9. Invest in a high filtration vacuum cleaner

10. Wipe surfaces with a clean, damp cloth rather than a duster
Although some scientists are unsure why allergies are increasing, it’s comforting to know that there are simple ways we can ensure our homes are healthy homes.

First Puppy Farming Conference Announced

K9 Magazine Web Editor — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:27:52 +0000

On Saturday 31st March 2012, some the UK dog world’s most respected names are gathering in Gregynog Hall in Powys, to speak at the first Conference on Puppy Farming in Wales, hosted by C.A.R.I.A.D. (Care And Respect Includes All Dogs).

The keynote speaker is Professor Sheila Crispin who will discuss why puppies cannot be farmed. Professor Crispin Chairs the Advisory Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding.

Other veterinary professionals speaking on the day include noted veterinary surgeon and animal behaviourist Kendal Shepherd, animal welfare scientist Rowena Packer, and Dr Muriel Brasseur who is animal behaviourist and zoologist at Oxfordshire Animal Behaviour Centre. Representing the welfare issues associated with uncovering what really goes on in puppy farms is the founder of Puppy Love Campaigns Veronica Lambert, and discussing the rescue and rehabilitation challenges of ex puppy farm dogs will be Eileen Jones who is the founder of Friends of the Animals RCT.

Founder of C.A.R.I.A.D. Linda Goodman is covering the topic of mixed media messages and the public confusion that results. The conference is not an awareness exercise in what puppy farming is all about.

Those attending are all too aware of what it entails. But each speaker is coming at the subject from a different perspective and has years of experience to share with their audience. The objective being that a stronger and more united strategy will come from the one-day event and that this message will be more easily assimilated into the public arena across all areas of animal welfare.

Tickets for the one-day conference, sponsored by ecotricity, are a very reasonable £45 which includes morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea in the beautiful surroundings of Gregynog Hall.

Tickets are available by emailing cariadevents2011-campaign@yahoo.co.uk before 15th March 2012.

For more information on the conference agenda visit: http://cariadcampaign.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/the-first-wales-puppy-farming-conference-31-march-2011-book-now/ For more information about the work of C.A.R.I.A.D. visit: www.cariadcampaign.wordpress.com

Fund Raising For Dogs For The Disabled

Ryan O'Meara — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:02:08 +0000

Raise the most with coffee and toast at a Big Dogs Breakfast

The most important meal of the day is getting even tastier! Get together with friends, family or colleagues and raise the most with coffee and toast at a Big Dogs Breakfast for Dogs for the Disabled.

Holding a Big Dogs Breakfast is a simple and fun way to get people together, have breakfast and ask for a donation to help Dogs for the Disabled train more assistance dogs for people with disabilities.

With or without dogs, it’s incredibly simple. Big or small, at home or at work, at the crack of dawn or mid morning, invite your friends, family or colleagues and tell them it’s for a great cause. Despite the name, dogs are optional!

It’s your breakfast your way! Once you’ve decided on the date and venue visit the Big Dogs Breakfast website where you’ll find a toolkit packed full of fun ideas and downloadable materials to help promote your event and entertain your guests no matter their age.

There’s something for everyone, including your canine pals! Materials include posters and invites, table mats, quizzes, face painting guides, dog recipes and much more.

Big Dogs Breakfast week – 21 – 27 May

A Big Dogs Breakfast can be held at any time of the year but you may want to join in Big Dogs Breakfast week which will take place from 21-27 May 2012. Find out more at www.dogsforthedisabled.org/bigdogsbreakfast

Dogs for the Disabled creates life-changing partnerships between specially trained assistance dogs and people with physical disabilities and families with a child with autism. These amazing dogs offer freedom and independence to those facing a lifetime of challenges.

People like eighteen year old Emily Mair. Emily’s needs are complex, requiring both physical and emotional support for a rare condition which leaves her in constant pain and with limited mobility. Emily has been paired with Simpson, a black Labrador, since 2009.

Emily and Simpson.jpgSarah, Emily’s mother says: “Laughter can now be heard from Emily’s room as Simpson helps her get ready in the morning. He helps by picking up things she needs, and sometimes a few other items she doesn’t like her slippers or the TV remote! Simpson has greatly enhanced life for Emily as she is now able to do the things she wants independently without the need to rely on my help all the time.”

Dogs for the Disabled currently supports over 260 partnerships across the UK, each one costing £18,000 throughout its lifetime. The charity relies entirely on voluntary donations to carry out its work and there are hundreds more lives the charity could transform with your help.

To organise your own Big Dogs Breakfast visit: www.dogsforthedisabled.org/bigdogsbreakfast

Moving Abroad With Your Dog

K9 Magazine Web Editor — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:02:17 +0000

K9 Magazine, a digital lifestyle magazine for modern dog lovers, has stepped up to help meet the increasing demand from its readers who are interested in moving abroad with dogs.

Editor and publisher Ryan O'Meara explains:

"Over the past 5 years we have seen a real rise in the number of readers who have asked us for information on what to do when moving overseas with their dogs. This trend reflects global movement as more and more people seek to experience alternative lifestyles in foreign lands. The big difference now though is, particularly for British dog owners, it is more accessible than ever for dog owners to travel abroad with their pets in tow thanks to the relaxation of regulations under the Pet Travel Scheme."

The Pet Travel Scheme is the system that allows pet dogs, cats and ferrets to enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet the rules and people in the UK to take their dogs, cats and ferrets to other countries and territories, and return with them to the UK without the need for quarantine.

For dog owners thinking of moving overseas with their pets, K9 Magazine advises to focus on four main areas of research:

- Climate

- Culture

- Convenience

- Location

Further, the guide explains:

"It is imperative to bear in mind that other countries, even those in the EU have very different laws regarding property and acquisition. It's also important to become familiar with local laws and by-laws as they relate to dogs and people. Some countries have different laws on certain types of dogs and pet ownership regulations change from country to country."

The guide: How To Move Abroad With Your Dog, is available to access via K9 Magazine's website.

Canine Osteoarthritis A Growing Dog Owner Problem

K9 Magazine Web Editor — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:38:43 +0000

Canine osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that reduces a dog's mobility. A new report has suggested the problem is a growing concern for dog owners.

Arthritis in dogs is on the rise according to a study published by K9 Magazine.

The condition, which affects the mobility and joints of dogs of any age, is said to be increasing inline with the growing pet obesity problem which has seen more dogs than ever gaining weight and being above the normal healthy BMI for their age and breed.

Experts have suggested that canine osteoarthritis will continue to rise unless pet owners can gain control of their dog’s weight.

One of the key causes of arthritis in dogs is breed type and weight. It’s been claimed that as many as 1 in 4 dogs are above their natural weight.

Canine osteoarthritis is a chronic condition, meaning there is no cure. However treatment and management of arthritis in dogs is readily available, meaning a diagnosis doesn’t have to mean the end of a dog’s ability to enjoy life, go for walks and suffer in pain.

Learn more: https://www.prbuzz.com/home-a-garden/55209-arthritis-in-dogs-concerns-owners.html

Notice: We’re Moving!

K9 Magazine Web Editor — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:20:13 +0000

After some 5 years, DogMagazine.net is on the move.

We're delighted to announce we've decided that we're heading off this .net domain name and on to a brand spanking, shiny .com.

We're re-naming the site MyDogMagazine.com with a greater emphasis on user comment, opinion and more articles from dog owners.

We'll be using the site to gather opinions on the type of content we should be covering in K9 Magazine as well as offering more functionality and a cleaner, faster layout.

You can update your bookmarks already to www.mydogmagazine.com and if you're subscribing to our DogMagazine.net RSS feeds, don't worry – we'll make the change automatically so you won't have to do anything.

Over the coming months we're moving over our most popular articles to MyDogMagazine.com with the aim to completely merge the sites within 2 months.

So, remember, if you want to be the first to get our news, articles and updates – the address you need is www.MyDogMagazine.com

Dog Chews Off Diabetic Woman’s Toe

K9 Magazine Web Editor — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:40:48 +0000

In a case study that illustrates the need for people with diabetes to be cautious of foot injuries and to protect themselves from pets, a woman with numbness in her feet caused by diabetic neuropathy slept through a traumatic episode in which her Jack Russell terrier chewed off part of her slightly infected big toe, according to an article published in this month's issue of the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

The patient's wound required surgery, and it ultimately led the amputation of her leg, leaving her a double amputee.

The case study, co-authored by Valley Presbyterian Hospital specialist Lee C. Rogers, D.P.M., is only the second of its kind to be published in the medical literature, although more cases like it have been reported in the media. This case highlights the need for diabetic patients with neuropathy to avoid having their feet or wounds exposed when sleeping with their pets.

"Pets have a tendency to lick wounds, and that simple lick can turn into a bite, if there is no response from the owner. There have also been reports of dogs' saliva infecting diabetic patients with the antibiotic-resistant Superbug, MRSA, which can be deadly," Dr. Rogers said. "This case illustrates the perils of pet ownership in diabetic patients who have numbness in their hands or feet caused by neuropathy."

The Centers for Disease Control estimate diabetes affects 25.8 million Americans –or 8.3 percent of the population–and report that it is the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations. In this case, the 48-year-old woman didn't feel any pain and only realized part of her toe was missing when she awakened in the morning and found blood in her bed and on the floor.

She was sleeping with her 2-year-old Jack Russell terrier and realized it must have chewed off part of the toe during the night because the dog had blood in its facial fur. Doctors amputated part of her toe and, later, the lower portion of her leg because she developed other infections and neuropathic ulcerations, skin lesions that are common in diabetics who suffer from numbness.

"People with diabetes and neuropathy must take special precautions to protect their feet from infections to avoid amputations and other complications," said Dr. Rogers.

Dr. Rogers is the associate director of Valley Presbyterian Hospital's Amputation Prevention Center, an integrated limb-preservation center that is one of the nation's only facilities of its kind. Since its January 2010 opening, the Amputation Prevention Center's specialized multidisciplinary team of highly skilled professionals has treated more than 350 patients with leading-edge technology and achieved a limb salvage rate of 96 percent.

"With its exemplary record of success, the Amputation Prevention Center is truly a community asset and an extraordinary benefit to patients in danger of losing a limb," said Gustavo Valdespino, President and CEO of Valley Presbyterian Hospital. "The Center is leading the way in patient care and treatment with its cutting-edge technology and innovative team approach pairing podiatrists with vascular surgeons."

George Andros, M.D., the Center's Medical Director, notes the center recorded an average wound-healing rate of 52 days – less than half the national average of 120 days, in its first year.

"At Valley Presbyterian Hospital, we are proud to be part of this pioneering effort to employ new technology to bring expertise to patients wherever they may be," he said. "The Amputation Prevention Center is on the leading edge of advancing the pace of medicine and improving the care of patients."

Our Dog’s Body’s Are in Our Hands

K9 Magazine Web Editor — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 09:52:50 +0000

Today I'm reminded of this famous quote by billionaire investor Warren Buffet on looking after one's physical and mental health…

"If you were given a car and told it's the only car you'll ever be allowed to own, you'd be sure to read the manual really carefully and service it all the time."

Our dog's bodies are the only ones they'll ever be allowed to own, but they don't have their own manual and they can only do so much in terms of looking after themselves. The rest is down to us.

So I thought it'd be useful to list some resources that we can use as our working dog manual….

1. Dog teeth
2. Dog joints
3. Older dogs
4. Dog worms
5. Dog fleas
6. Dog weight

If we can keep on top of our dog's oral health, their joints, look out for them as they get older, make sure they steer clear of fleas and worms, keep their weight under control and make sure their minds are kept active – we'll be doing our bit to ensure they are well serviced and their body's are in the best hands.

Is This The Happiest Dog in the World?

K9 Magazine Web Editor — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 21:33:57 +0000

Can a dog truly smile with pure, unadulterated joy?

We think yes. Yes they can!

Mental stimulation and fully engaged body language – a perfect advert for the pleasure of bringing out a dog's full potential.