Scientist reveals the stomach-churning reason you should NEVER let your dog drink from a communal water bowl at the pub
But according to a scientist, this seemingly harmless act can do your pooch more harm than good.
Dr Jacqueline Boyd, a senior lecturer in animal science at Nottingham Trent University, says you should never let your dog drink from a communal water bowl.
Commonly found outside the entrances to cafes and pubs, they can be a hotbed of harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses.
'Shared water bowls can be a breeding ground for harmful bugs that could make your dog sick,' said Dr Boyd in a piece for The Conversation.
According to the academic who is also a dog owner, communal dog bowls have been found to contain E. coli, a group of bacteria that can cause infections in the gut.
Most types of E. coli are harmless or lead to a relatively brief spell of diarrhea, but unfortunately some strains of E. coli are potentially fatal.
'E. coli (or at least many strains of it) is a usual and normal commensal bacteria in the digestive tract of many animals including dogs and people,' Dr Boyd told MailOnline.
'Some [E. coli] strains are especially harmful and can cause significant digestive illness and have other consequences including renal issues in affected animals.
'Generally otherwise healthy animals can tolerate such challenges well, but young, old or immunocompromised animals are particularly at risk.'
There's also the risk of water bowls spreading Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
This potentially dangerous bacteria is responsible for skin and soft-tissue infections and can be difficult to control because it has grown resistant to several antibiotics.
Worryingly, MRSA is among the microbes that can spread not just between dogs and other dogs, but between dogs and their human owners.
'There are actually a number of possible microorganisms (potentially harmful ones and more benign ones) that can transfer between dogs and people,' Dr Boyd told MailOnline.
'Salmonella is one example as it can be carried on dog fur and obviously also transmitted via contaminated surfaces such as bowls (especially food bowls).'
The expert also warns that the dreaded kennel cough – characterised by a distressing, dry, hacking cough – spreads quickly when dogs are in close contact.
What is kennel cough?
Kennel cough is a respiratory infection caused by a number of bacteria and viruses.
It is not usually dangerous and normally clears up without treatment within a few weeks.
Apart from your dog coughing, the infection is unlikely to make them feel ill.
But puppies, elderly dogs and those with existing medical conditions can be susceptible to complications from kennel cough, such as pneumonia.
Source/more info: Blue Cross
This respiratory infection is caused by a number of bacteria and viruses, such as Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine influenza virus.
'The range of possible causative agents makes control, diagnosis and treatment of kennel cough tricky,' Dr Boyd adds.
'Respiratory infections with a bacterial or viral origin can easily be shared when water or bowls become contaminated with saliva or nasal secretions.
'Contaminated objects, including toys, bedding and water bowls, are likely to be heavily involved in its transmission.'
So although it might be tempting to let your thirsty dog lap from the public bowl, a safer option is to bring clean water with you on your walk.
Alternatively, seeing as many bowls are stationed outside of a pub or cafe, it might be worth politely asking a staff member for a fresh serve of water for your pet.
'A small effort can make a big difference in your dog's health,' said the academic, but she adds that getting dogs to make healthy choices 'can be a battle'.
'My dogs, despite my best efforts, still indulge in muddy puddles and the occasional snack of less-than-appealing things – all potential infection risks.'
Humans sweat to release body heat, but dogs are limited in their ability to cool down by sweating in the same way as humans can.
They rely on panting to regulate their body temperature, but water is essential to support the hydration process too – especially in hot weather and when there's exercise involved.
Around the home, owners should ensure their dog always has access to clean drinking water.
Also, food and water bowls should be regularly washed (at least daily) using hot water or in a dishwasher, Dr Boyd said.
But it's natural that dogs eating high-moisture food such as raw meat or tinned food will drink less than dogs eating dry dog food.
I'm a vet and here's how to keep your dog safe in warmer weather
As the nation gears up for warmer and sunnier days ahead, dog owners are being cautioned against leaving their furry friends exposed to the sun for too long.
Everypaw Pet Insurance's in-house vet, Dr Anna Foreman, warns that dogs are at risk of sunburn too, which can sometimes lead to skin cancer.
Medium-sized dogs, in particular, face an elevated risk of developing cancer compared to their larger or smaller counterparts.
She said: 'Dogs like to sunbathe for the same reasons we do - enjoying the warmth and bright light!
'However, much like with us, dogs can suffer from sunburn and heatstroke if they are in the sun for an excessive period of time.'
Dr Foreman reveals how to keep your dog safe in warmer weather - and the breeds most at risk of falling ill.
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10 hours ago
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My David, 52, died days after A&E sent him home with Gaviscon – he had little-known condition that strikes out the blue
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As his pain and symptoms persisted, he returned to A&E on May 1, where doctors confirmed he had aortic dissection, a life-threatening condition characterised by the tearing of the aortic wall, which can compromise blood flow to vital organs. After he underwent urgent surgeries, doctors told Sandra there was nothing further they could do and it would be 'cruel to keep trying', so the heartbreaking decision was made to 'turn the machines off' on May 10. Read more on heart conditions GUT WRENCHING My child's bloating turned out to be fatal condition - now she's dying at 25 Sandra believes David would have had a significantly better chance of survival, and may even still be alive, if he had been diagnosed correctly on his first visit to A&E, and she is currently exploring legal action against the hospital with the firm Enable Law, although investigations are currently ongoing. Speaking about David's diagnosis, Sandra said: 'I just thought, how can this be happening? He went to A&E nearly a week ago and they sent him home. 'It just didn't seem to make sense. It was so unexpected, it was like a nightmare. 'I hope this raises vital awareness to prevent other families from going through this.' Aortic dissection is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition where a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta, the body's largest artery. Several factors can contribute to the tear, with high blood pressure being a primary and common cause. We took our baby to A&E 10 times but he still died days after his first birthday Sandra said more needs to be done to educate people and medics about aortic dissection, as statistics from the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust show 10 lives could be saved per week with the correct diagnosis. A spokesperson from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said: 'We offer our sincere condolences to Mr Burgess's family and friends for their loss. 'We have discussed his sad death with Ms O'Hagan, and we are undertaking a review of Mr Burgess's care. We will be sharing findings from that review with both Ms O'Hagan and the coroner. 'We will await the conclusion of the inquest before commenting further.' 'It was absolutely horrific, just completely out of nowhere' Sandra and David met in 2012 and she described him as warm, friendly, intelligent and 'very sharp'. Although David struggled with his weight, Sandra said he was otherwise generally healthy and enjoyed cycling to and from work on occasion. Sandra said: 'It was absolutely horrific, just completely out of nowhere.' According to the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust, acute aortic dissection can present with a wide range of symptoms, with the most common being the sudden onset of severe pain, typically felt in the chest, back, neck or abdomen, or in a combination of these areas. 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After undergoing further tests, Sandra said she received a text from David that day, saying he had a torn aorta and he needed to have urgent surgery. The surgeon said he had a torn aorta and half the cases where this happens, the people die straight away Sandra O'Hagan She said: 'I couldn't process it, and I couldn't get through to him, and then I'd had a missed call from Wythenshawe A&E as well, but you ring back and you can't get through to anyone. 'I didn't know what was happening, I couldn't speak to David, I couldn't speak to A&E … so I dashed over to A&E after I'd composed myself.' Upon arrival, Sandra said David was being prepared for surgery and a surgeon confirmed his aortic dissection diagnosis, saying his chances of survival were 30 per cent. The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust says 2,000 people a year lose their lives from aortic dissection in the UK. 'The surgeon said he had a torn aorta and half the cases where this happens, the people die straight away,' Sandra said. 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The Sun
10 hours ago
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My David, 52, died days after A&E sent him home with Gaviscon – he had little-known condition that strikes out the blue
Find out everything you need to know about David's fatal condition below NIGHTMARE LOSS My David, 52, died days after A&E sent him home with Gaviscon – he had little-known condition that strikes out the blue A WOMAN whose partner was misdiagnosed at A&E, sent home to take Gaviscon and died days later has shared how "unexpected" his death was. She's now campaigning for greater awareness of a condition that strikes out the blue and is flying "under the radar". 4 David Burgess began experiencing "horrific" pain in his stomach earlier this year Credit: PA 4 When he first visited A&E he was told he had gastritis and was given Gaviscon Credit: PA David Burgess, 52, a legal recruitment consultant and keen vinyl collector, had never 'taken a day off work' and was generally healthy until he experienced the sudden onset of 'horrific' pain in his stomach and back on April 24 this year. 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Sandra believes David would have had a significantly better chance of survival, and may even still be alive, if he had been diagnosed correctly on his first visit to A&E, and she is currently exploring legal action against the hospital with the firm Enable Law, although investigations are currently ongoing. Speaking about David's diagnosis, Sandra said: 'I just thought, how can this be happening? He went to A&E nearly a week ago and they sent him home. 'It just didn't seem to make sense. It was so unexpected, it was like a nightmare. 'I hope this raises vital awareness to prevent other families from going through this.' Aortic dissection is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition where a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta, the body's largest artery. Several factors can contribute to the tear, with high blood pressure being a primary and common cause. We took our baby to A&E 10 times but he still died days after his first birthday Sandra said more needs to be done to educate people and medics about aortic dissection, as statistics from the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust show 10 lives could be saved per week with the correct diagnosis. A spokesperson from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said: 'We offer our sincere condolences to Mr Burgess's family and friends for their loss. 'We have discussed his sad death with Ms O'Hagan, and we are undertaking a review of Mr Burgess's care. We will be sharing findings from that review with both Ms O'Hagan and the coroner. 'We will await the conclusion of the inquest before commenting further.' 'It was absolutely horrific, just completely out of nowhere' Sandra and David met in 2012 and she described him as warm, friendly, intelligent and 'very sharp'. Although David struggled with his weight, Sandra said he was otherwise generally healthy and enjoyed cycling to and from work on occasion. Sandra said: 'It was absolutely horrific, just completely out of nowhere.' According to the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust, acute aortic dissection can present with a wide range of symptoms, with the most common being the sudden onset of severe pain, typically felt in the chest, back, neck or abdomen, or in a combination of these areas. Sandra said the couple 'had no idea what the pain related to', but since it was not in his chest, they didn't think it was heart related. 'Why did we trust the doctors?' The following morning on April 25, Sandra drove David to Wythenshawe Hospital's A&E department for testing, before going to work. 'They told him to go home, take Gaviscon, and don't take any painkillers because that would interfere with it and make it worse,' Sandra said. 'Because it's a doctor, you think, 'well, that must be right. It can't be that serious, otherwise they'd have picked it up and not sent him home'. 'Looking back, you think, 'why did we trust them (the doctors)?' But you just do.' Over the following days, Sandra said David was struggling to eat properly and he felt 'drained and had no energy'. His breathing progressively worsened and David returned to Wythenshawe Hospital six days later on May 1. After undergoing further tests, Sandra said she received a text from David that day, saying he had a torn aorta and he needed to have urgent surgery. The surgeon said he had a torn aorta and half the cases where this happens, the people die straight away Sandra O'Hagan She said: 'I couldn't process it, and I couldn't get through to him, and then I'd had a missed call from Wythenshawe A&E as well, but you ring back and you can't get through to anyone. 'I didn't know what was happening, I couldn't speak to David, I couldn't speak to A&E … so I dashed over to A&E after I'd composed myself.' Upon arrival, Sandra said David was being prepared for surgery and a surgeon confirmed his aortic dissection diagnosis, saying his chances of survival were 30 per cent. The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust says 2,000 people a year lose their lives from aortic dissection in the UK. 'The surgeon said he had a torn aorta and half the cases where this happens, the people die straight away,' Sandra said. 'So for him to still be alive after six days, it was a miracle.' After saying goodbye to David, Sandra said she waited for further updates from the surgery and was later informed that 'the left side of his heart was barely working and the right side wasn't working'. She said he came out of theatre in an induced coma having lost significant amounts of blood and experienced organ failure, and a brain scan later revealed he had suffered several mini strokes. David required a second surgery to change his heart machine, which was successful, but as he continued to deteriorate, difficult conversations took place. 'On David's final day, his parents, brother, sister-in-law and two nephews were at the hospital visiting,' Sandra said. 'We were all taken aside and they said, 'He's on maximum medication, he's not getting any better, there's nothing further we can do. It would be cruel to keep trying, really, because we have done everything'. 'So we agreed to turn the machines off after his daughter came up to see him.' 4 As his pain and symptoms persisted, he returned to A&E and it was confirmed he had aortic dissection Credit: PA 4 Sandra is now campaigning for greater awareness of the condition Credit: PA David died on May 10 in Wythenshawe Hospital, with Sandra and David's parents, daughter, brother, sister-in-law and two nephews by his side. Sandra said it was only afterwards that she realised the significance of the initial misdiagnosis, and she has submitted a formal complaint to the hospital. After being put in touch with a bereavement helpline, she was given contact information for medical negligence solicitors, leading her to Enable Law. While legal investigations are ongoing, Sandra is determined to raise as much awareness as possible to help prevent others from losing their lives to aortic dissection. 'Aortic dissection seems to be flying under the radar … but this awareness is so important and something's got to be done," said Sandra. Jackie Linehan, Enable Law legal director and Sandra's solicitor, who is working with aortic dissection charities, said: 'I am seeing an increasing number of claims where there have been catastrophic consequences from a failure to diagnose and treat aortic dissection in a timely manner. 'This is likely to be, in part, down to greater pressure on the NHS but also, increasingly, as a result of patients and their loved ones having a greater understanding of the condition and that, in a significant percentage of patients, it can be treated successfully if diagnosed in time. 'I hope to help Sandra get some answers about David's care prior to his diagnosis and to support her in her goal to raise awareness of aortic dissection so that others do not need to suffer as she and David have.'
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
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The four items in your home that are dirtier than the toilet as households warned to clean them
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IF you think your home is as clean and spotless as it can be, then you might want to think again. There is a very surprising list of everyday things that are actually dirtier than your toilet seat. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Experts have revealed the four unexpected items that are dirtier than a toilet seat Credit: Getty - Contributor 4 And it's bad news if you don't wipe down your TV remote regularly Credit: Getty And they will have you reaching for the sprays and wipes to get rid of all that bacteria. Your toilet seat can have as many as 50 bacteria per square inch, according to experts. But other items have even more - with some harbouring as many as 200,000 times more bacteria on them. Markus Lindblad, an expert from Northerner, revealed the four things that can carry thousands of germs that people are unaware of. And he also told homeowners exactly how often they should actually be cleaning them. Here are the surprising places you'll find more bacteria than you thought. Kitchen sponge/cloth The sponge or cloth you use in the kitchen is often used for cleaning surfaces with an anti-bacterial spray, so surely it can't be full of bacteria? Well, it turns out that not only is a kitchen cloth crawling with germs, but it is also the perfect place for bacteria to breed. Markus says: "Whilst they might be designed for cleaning, kitchen sponges are actually one of the dirtiest items you'll find in a kitchen. "Due to being damp and in constant contact with food particles, the sponges are a prime breeding ground for bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella. I tried Zoflora's new carpet cleaner - it works in just 30 seconds and leaves your home smelling super fresh (1) "Some past studies have suggested that your kitchen sponge could have 200,000 times more bacteria on it than a toilet seat!" To help keep these clean, the expert suggests: "Avoid this dirty disaster by washing your sponges in hot water or replacing them more frequently." 4 Your kitchen sponge could have 200,000 times more bacteria on it than a toilet seat Credit: Getty TV remotes One smaller item that you might not think harbours a lot of germs is the TV remote. But it is constantly being used by all members of the house, so it can easily pick up germs. The experts explain: "A TV remote is a major germ magnet, which surprisingly hosts up to 15 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. "Its constant handling by multiple, often unwashed, hands makes it a collection point for various germs. "From coughs, sneezes, crumbs, and even pets." To help, Markus advises: "Next time you're cleaning, disinfect the TV remote to help stop the spread of germs and reduce bacterial growth." Mobile Phones Most of us have our phones with us at all times, and while some of us may believe this keeps them away from germs, the opposite is actually true. Markus says: "Phones are taken everywhere, from bathrooms to bedrooms, from workplaces to gyms. "And the need to constantly have your phone in your hand makes them a breeding ground for bacteria. "Every time you're using your phone, you're transferring oil, sweat, food particles and bacteria from your hands. "So it's no surprise your phone could have ten times more bacteria on it than a toilet seat." He warns: "Don't get complacent, give your phone a disinfectant wipe down at least once a week, especially on the screen." TEDDY TROUBLES ANOTHER item that you might not realise harbourd hundreds of bacteria is your child's teddy bear. They could even be twice as dirty as a toilet seat and 6.5 times dirtier than your bin. Luckily, cleaning experts have shared their top tips on how parents can keep their child's teddies clean and free of harmful bacteria. Katy Roberts, washing machine expert at revealed how to properly clean teddies to prevent germ spreading. She explained: 'If your furry companion is looking a bit worse for wear, there's nothing finer for it than popping your teddy bear into your washing machine. "To clean them properly, check your care label and if this has worn away over the years, then put on a gentle, cold wash with a mild detergent to be on the safe side. "If your teddy has seen better days and is more on the delicate side, then use a soft cloth or sponge with shampoo and dab away at any dirty areas. "Leave this to air dry naturally, and you can even give this a quick fluff with a soft brush for a magic touch to finish." The experts also revealed how often parents should be washing their kids' teddies and blankets. Katy explained: 'As a rule of thumb, try to wash your teddy bear every month – particularly if they're regularly handled. "Your teddies and blankets can easily harbour dust mites and allergens so err on the side of caution and stick them in your washing machine when they're dirty!" Computer Keyboards Whether it is at home or at work, your keyboard harbours germs. The only thing that ever really touches your keyboard is your hands, so any germs your hands have picked up during the day are transferred onto the keys. And if other people are also using it, then you could be picking up other people's at the same time. Markus explains: "Everyone's guilty of eating their lunch at their desk; however, you might be put off once you find out how dirty your keyboard can be. "Whether it's lunch time crumbs, dust, or bacteria from hands, PC or laptop keyboards can have five times more germs than a toilet seat. "This could be even worse for those who share computers!" To help keep them as clean as possible, Markus says: "Personal laptops or computer keyboards should be wiped down at least once a month. "However, shared computers should be wiped down once a person has used them to avoid any buildup of bacteria."
