Latest news with #vets
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Dog owners warned not to let pooches near garden essential this summer – not avoiding it could lead to infection
OUR four-legged friends could be in danger over the summer months. Vets have urged dog owners to beware of a harmful garden enhancer that can cause serious issues for our beloved furry sidekicks. 2 Professionals have warned over the dangers of simple grass seeds causing major health implications for dogs who are at risk of getting the dangerous seeds wedged in their fur. A poorly pooch was rushed into surgery last year in Norwich after inhaling a grass seed which caused a punctured lung. The seeds can get stuck in ears, paws, armpits, chests and even eyes. Symptoms to look out for include excessive head shaking, paw licking, swollen paws, holding its head to one side or lameness. The PDSA has advised: 'If your dog likes to run around in long grass, it's important to always check them for grass seeds afterwards. "You'll need to remove any that you find and if you find one stuck, or a wound/swelling that looks like it could contain one, you'll need to take your pooch to the vet. 'If not removed quickly, grass seeds enter the body and start causing problems such as infections and abscesses.' Look out for painful, weeping eyes or excessively licking or nibbling paws, limping or constant sneezing. Bloody discharge from the nostrils might be the sign of grass seed stuck up its nose. It is likely to cause symptoms such as non-healing wounds, low energy and a constant high temperature. I tried 'magic' Lidl garden hose - you need to get it, it's perfect for summer But it's not just in your own back garden that you need to be cautious. The animal professionals continued: 'Prevention is always better than cure. Always check your dog for grass seeds after walks in long grass. 'And try to prevent your dog from running around in long grass, sticking to paths instead.' It comes as June is a great time to be sowing grass seed. With the weather currently wet and warm, it's optimal conditions for germination. But should the weather get any hotter and drier, you should avoid sowing in the middle of summer. How to sow lawn seed 2 Rake the lawn and soil so it is level and smooth. Sow seeds evenly. Keep lawn moist with occasional watering. Withing 10 days, the grass should have established roots. During this time you can protect the seeds with straw to keep pests and birds at bay.
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
The 'genius' vet-approved item that's solving a serious common problem for dogs: 'These are a game changer'
A convenient product is having a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of pets across Australia, and pet owners are thrilled. Bell & Bone's Dental Toppers is a simple spray applied to your pet's meals as a vet-approved solution to prevent dental disease, by supporting gut health. Approximately 80 per cent of dogs and cats over the age of three exhibit some level of dental disease, according to the Australian Veterinary Association. More than simply unpleasant breath, this can have serious repercussions on the animal's health and even life expectancy. But Australian brand Bell & Bone has dedicated years to researching the cause of this common health concern for pets and working on a solution. Oral health and gut health are closely intertwined, in pets and in people. A well-balanced microbiome is essential to maintaining good digestive and oral health. If this is disrupted, harmful bacteria can thrive in their digestive system and mouth. A healthy gut microbiome helps to keep harmful bacteria in check, preventing plaque and tartar buildup and reducing inflammation at the source. Created in consultation with industry experts and vets, Dental Toppers is a powerhouse formulation of oral actives, pre, pro and post-biotics, and superfoods, delivered in one simple step: just four sprays a day on top of your dog or cat's meal. There are three flavours for dogs: Beef, Lamb and Salmon, and two formulated for cats: Tuna and Chicken. The spray costs $39.95 for a 30-day supply - which works out to just $1.33 per day. The natural ingredients formulation combines Norwegian Kelp to reduce dental issues and support gut health, probiotics to balance gut flora and reduce plaque, and antioxidant-rich plant extracts to combat inflammation. Sodium alginate, derived from seaweed, helps the product stick to teeth and gums while also feeding beneficial gut bacteria. An added win for pet owners? Improved gut health leads to fresher breath, and often an improvement in bowel movement odour too. 'Over the past five years, I've been on a mission to change how we approach pet dental care,' Bell & Bone Founder Arianne Sackville says. 'It all started when I learned that dental disease shortens a pet's life by up to 30 per cent, and that nearly 80 per cent of pets suffer from it by age three. I was shocked… So I developed our best-selling Dog Dental Sticks and Cat Dental Bites. 'However, with 80 per cent of dogs and 70 per cent of cats still facing dental disease, I became obsessed with uncovering WHY. I was determined to change these alarming statistics for good! I knew we needed to go deeper. 'That's when I began working with leading vets and experts to uncover the real cause of dental disease in pets. 'What we found was eye-opening: the gut plays a critical role in oral health. A healthy gut microbiome helps prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, which is the starting point for plaque, tartar, and inflammation. 'So, I dedicated myself to creating a product that not only cleans teeth but prevents disease at the source— the gut. After years of research, testing, and collaboration, the Bell & Bone Dental Topper was born.' The product is impressing pet owners, with rave reviews already posted on the brand's website: 'Started using these and already spotting a difference with my boy's breath - truly a game changing product not having to change from his everyday food,' one customer wrote. Even pet owners with fussy eaters have confirmed the flavours are a hit. 'I was curious to see how he would go since he can be picky with anything new but this topper just went straight on top of his food that he loves with a few sprays and he was straight into it,' one customer said. 'After using it for a month we noticed a big difference in not just his teeth and gums but also his poops didn't smell as bad... and no more stinky breath! 'I dedicated myself to creating a product that not only cleans teeth but prevents disease at the source— the gut,' says Arianne. After years of research, testing, and collaboration, the Bell & Bone Dental Topper was born' 'I am so happy we finally found something that Oscar will eat and that actually works for him thank you so much Bell and Bone.' 'These are a game changer. Started using these and already spotted a difference with my boy's breath - truly a game changing product not having to change from his everyday food,' another shared. When it comes to food toppers, Millie the beagle has a nose that doesn't lie - she's turned her nose up at three different brands so far!' another owner wrote. 'Then we discovered Belle and Bone at the Million Paws Walk in Melbourne. I was a bit hesitant to try them, given Millie's track record, but I'm so glad I did. 'Millie loves it - no hesitation at all! The salmon and beef topper are a big hit. Safe to say we've finally found a winner. Millie gives this a paws up.'
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Cells from dead rhino could bring new life, says Shropshire charity
A skin sample from a rhino could bring the promise of new life thanks to the work of a wildlife charity, four years after the rhino's 40-year-old southern white rhino from Whipsnade Zoo died in October 2021, with vets teaming up with three specialist groups to collect tissue samples from the dead Shropshire-based charity Nature's SAFE has created "millions" of new living cells from the sample. It believes this is the first time this has happened in the charity, based in Whitchurch, said it was the first stage in an innovative process that could allow scientists to develop new egg or sperm cells from this rhino. It would enable the rhino to contribute to the breeding population of southern white rhino for years into the future, despite her having died in SAFE preserved a skin sample from the rhino's ear while it was still in a living state, with the charity banking its hope upon the cells remaining alive while preserved at -196C, so that when thawed out in the future, they could be revived and cultured to create fresh cell lines.A spokesperson for the charity said: "Although it may sound like science fiction, this technology is already developed in mice, demonstrating its potential to assist reproduction in other animal species too." In April, the cells were carefully removed from the liquid nitrogen storage tanks and four years after the rhino's death, the team have successfully cultured these and have grown new cell Morgan, the lab technician behind this success, said: "These cells represent living DNA from this rhino that is readily available for conservation use even though the rhino itself is deceased." Nature's SAFE, described as a "bio bank", has now stored biological samples from 300 species, including 37 which are critically endangered and four which are extinct in the ambition is to save animals from extinction by protecting the genetic diversity of wild animal species and supporting technologies, like artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilisation, to maintain and restore healthy animal populations. Debbie Rolmanis, chief operations officer, said: "By preserving and cultivating skin cells from threatened species, we are building a living library of genetic material that can be used to help restore genetic diversity to declining animal populations and prevent extinction. "The key benefit of utilising skin cells is that we can obtain them easily and continue to regenerate them indefinitely; they are not a finite resource. This provides a powerful, proven way to protect DNA within a functional cell." Commenting on the reanimation of the rhino's cells, Tullis Matson, founder and chair of the charity, said: "This could be an absolute game-changer moving forward. Now we've proven that this rhino's cells are truly in a living state even though she passed away almost four years ago. "This is a powerful tool for protecting many more of our critically endangered species; animals like the mountain chicken frog or Lake Patzcuaro salamander, which otherwise might have fallen into extinction, could be saved using these new bio-banking technologies. "We are over the moon - this brings hope not just to the southern white rhino, but to any species on the brink!" Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Emergency dash to Aberdeenshire vets saves dog who swallowed his ball
A dog who was close to death after accidentally swallowing a ball has been saved after an emergency dash to vets in a three-year-old Doberman, was struggling to breathe and slipping into unconsciousness after his favourite toy became lodged in his throat. Owner Ray Howell rushed him to Mintlaw Vets in Peterhead and staff were able to push the ball and the ball were once inseparable but he is now only allowed much larger toys to avoid any repeat of the mishap. Rocco was taken in by the family after being rehomed from his previous owners in Orkney."When we met him off the ferry, this purple ball was his only possession," Ray explained."It was his favourite toy, and he carried it everywhere, so we've always made sure he had it."While playing in the garden with the Peterhead family's other Doberman, Stella, they both ran into each other, forcing the ball down his throat."He was standing still, really oddly, and when I put my hand on his neck, I could feel the swelling of the bulge of the ball," Ray said."I knew I needed help fast and got him in the car without wasting any time trying to get it out. The vets are only a few miles away, but by the time we got there, he was only semi-conscious." The vets sedated Rocco and by applying upward pressure were able to manipulate the ball back up his throat and remove it. He was given oxygen to help assist in his recovery and was able to go home the same day."It was all over so quickly," Ray said. "We've always supervised the dogs playing, which is why I saw what happened. But he's now got balls three times the size, so there's no danger of him swallowing one again."Holly McKinley, deputy regional veterinary director at Pet Health Club, urged owners to take extra care with balls or other toys small enough to be swallowed and cause choking."It's important to choose balls and toys that are a suitable size for your breed," she said.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- BBC News
Isle of Man pet owners urged to be aware of travel checks
People planning to take their pets to Northern Ireland are being urged to be aware of new rules set to come into 4 June, routine checks on animal health certificates (AHC), which are issued by vets for each journey, will be carried out at ports in Belfast and Isle of Man government said the changes were part of the implementation of the Brexit deal, which sets trading rules between the UK and the for Environment, Food and Agriculture Clare Barber urged pet owners to "plan ahead to avoid disruption or distress" as the shift represented a "significant change for pet owners" . "Please speak to your vet in good time, and check official guidance before you travel," she requirement for the certificate remains unchanged, but the inspections are set to be introduced to align the island with other Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, which operates ferry services to Belfast, is working with the Manx government to make people aware of the owners travelling by ferry must report for the checks at a facility in Belfast upon travel from the Isle of Man to Northern Ireland pets must be microchipped and be vaccinated against are required to enter via a recognised point of entry, and dogs must be treated for pet owners must also be able to provide a valid AHC or EU Pet commercial flights from the Isle of Man do not currently allow pets, but those travelling by private aircraft must follow the same rules. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
