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Welcome to Petplan’s blog, a space where you can read up on the latest pet-news, find out interesting facts and tips about keeping your pets happy and healthy, and share your views on hot topics.

A long walk back - Toast's 20-day recovery

A long walk back - Toast's 20-day recovery
Posted on by Petplan

When a mystery illness paralysed Clare McClintock's super-fit dog, Toast, it took 20 days in intensive care to get him back on his feet. Luckily, writes Amanda Riley-Jones, Petplan was there to help. From the PetPeople magazine archive

Toast, a New Zealand Huntaway-cross Collie, is 'the most good- natured companion', according to his owner Clare McClintock. 'Last July, we walked from our home in Devon to Land's End!' But one morning in September, Toast collapsed. 'His back legs were paralysed,' she adds.

When Toast was referred to a larger practice, Clare rang Petplan. 'They were very helpful and told us we had '£4,000 of cover,' she says.

However, Toast's breathing became laboured as she took him from one specialist to another. By 6pm, he was taken into intensive care at North Somerset's Langford Small Animal Hospital.

Blood tests revealed that severe toxic shock, perhaps from ingesting pesticide, had damaged his kidneys and liver. Thankfully, Toast's paralysis didn't worsen, but he developed aspiration pneumonia and an eye ulcer.

'After the first week, Toast's bill was already up to '£4,000,' Clare explains. 'The family had to club together to pay for the rest of his treatment.' Toast had an operation to treat the eye ulcer but still needed oxygen and intensive physiotherapy.

Unfortunately, his frail eye ruptured the next week. 'The ophthalmic surgeon was prepared to try a corneal transplant, but we made the hard decision to have Toast's eye removed as it was a simpler operation,' Clare says.

Afterwards, with more massage and physiotherapy, Toast was gradually weaned off oxygen as his lungs cleared and he was able to move his legs again. He went home after 20 long days, thin and hardly able to walk. 'But he was delighted to be back and managed really well with one eye,' says Clare.

Clare massaged his joints, took him for hydrotherapy treatment and increased his walking time by five minutes a day. He's now back to his ideal weight, and loving long walks and swims in the river.

'If I hadn't had insurance, I don't know how I would have managed,' says Clare. 'Thanks to Petplan, Toast had the best possible treatment from more than 20 professionals.'

The claims
Tests and x-rays: £250
Seven days' intensive care treatment, including diagnostic imaging and radiology: £3,750
Total Petplan paid: £4,000
Toast's premium was £21.47 per month.

 

Seven tips for trouble-free walkies

Seven tips for trouble-free walkies
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog handling behaviour walking tips

Whatever the time of year, walking your dog in the park or countryside can be pleasant and relaxing - but not if he runs off or gets into scrapes. Victoria Spicer asks experts for advice on how to make walks safe and fun for both of you. From the PetPeople magazine archive

It sounds idyllic - a long, relaxing walk on open ground, your dog at your heel. But what if the reality is far from this? Getting out into the countryside may seem the perfect time to let your dog off the lead, but if he's going to dash off or chase other animals, it can end up being a stressful experience for everyone. It's better to strike a balance between keeping him on the lead and letting him have some freedom at appropriate times. 'Time off the lead is essential to a dog's health and wellbeing,' says Sean Wensley, PDSA senior veterinary surgeon. 'And effective training and keeping him on a lead near potential hazards will help ensure he exercises safely.'

1. Start early
To avoid problems when he is older, it's important to put in the groundwork when he's a puppy. Make sure you teach your dog how to respond to essential commands, such as 'stay' and 'come', in a safe enclosure to pre-empt issues when out walking in the open. As Janet Ardley, a professional dog trainer and qualified behaviourist, says: 'If you don't have your dog's respect at home, you're not going to have it out on walks. Ideally, you need to start training him from an early age.'

2. Dog meets dog
Dogs can react aggressively when they meet other canines, creating a stressful situation for both dogs and owners. The key, according to dog walker Anne Lamb from Herefordshire, is to keep calm. 'You can usually spot possible conflict a mile away by your dog's body language - tail up, head up, ears pricked up. That is the time to get your dog back. Call him instantly - don't wait to meet trouble halfway,' she says.

3. Thrill of the chase
Many dogs can't resist the urge to chase anything small and furry, and once theyve caught the trail of another animal it can be impossible to regain their attention. If your dog does chase wildlife, it's vital to keep him under control. William Wake from the National Trust says: 'Keep your distance from wild animals and avoid getting between them and their young.' Dog owner Nikki Goldup, from Cambridgeshire, advises taking toys out on walks or distracting your dog with treats. 'Little cheese cubes or chopped sausage work well to keep your dog's attention,' she says.

4. Back to heel
If your dog has been enjoying some freedom off the lead, it can be hard to get him back under control. But it's vital you establish a heel routine, in case you have to cross a road, or walk past pedestrians or horse riders. 'Dogs need leadership,' says Anne Lamb. 'When it's time to go back on the lead, they must come back instantly. It takes time to establish this behaviour and get their respect, but start off with a pack-leader mentality and you can't go wrong.'

5. Lead the way
Extending leads can be really useful for dogs that need some freedom but can't be trusted to go off lead, while harnesses are good for dogs that pull. Joanna Way from pet accessories company Dogs & Co also recommends using a police training lead. 'It consists of a long piece of leather with a clip at each end. Along its length is a series of rings that allow you to shorten or lengthen the lead when you need to give your dog the maximum freedom in open country,' she says.

6. Fun on the farm
If your dog chases sheep or cows, it could end in disaster. A dog that worries, attacks or chases livestock could be contravening the Dogs Act of 1953. This is punishable by a hefty fine, compensation and possibly a destruction order - and a farmer can lawfully shoot a dog caught worrying his livestock. Janet Ardley runs courses in Cumbria, training dogs not to chase sheep. 'I have permission from a local farmer to use his flock of sheep. The dogs spend an hour with me walking on a long line among the sheep. I use a firm voice to say 'leave', and if that doesn't work, a sudden noise such as a clicker can be effective,' she explains. Conversely, if a farm animal chases you, it's best to let your dog off the lead so you can both make a safe getaway.

7. Water works
Some dogs absolutely love water and like nothing better than going for a swim. But Mark Bossley, chief vet at the Blue Cross animal charity, advises caution. 'Don't let them near ponds where algae is growing as some types of algae can be toxic to dogs - even deadly. Not all dogs are strong swimmers, so it's safer to only let these dogs near shallow water and keep a close eye on them. Finally, during the winter, never let your dog run onto ponds or expanses of water that have frozen over,' he says.

Safety first

  • Keep an eye on your dog at all times to help avoid him becoming injured or lost.
  • Brush-up on rudimentary canine first aid. You can find useful information at www.petplan.co.uk/firstaid or take an online first-aid course at www.propetfirstaid.co.uk.
  • Make sure your dog always wears a collar tagged with your name, address and mobile phone number, and have your pet microchipped.
  • There is a long list of plants that are poisonous to dogs. If you see your dog chewing a plant you suspect is dangerous, distract him with his favourite toy.
  • Always keep your dog on a lead on coastline walks to avoid him chasing seagulls off a cliff.
  • Make sure your dog has regular access to clean water - especially when you are on the move.

Why goldfish swim upside down | how you can help them

Why goldfish swim upside down | how you can help them
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: goldfish swim bladder disease antibiotics

Q: We have owned our goldfish for nearly 11 years now and he has always been healthy. But he's started swimming upside down. What's wrong with him?

A: Your goldfish may be suffering with swim bladder disease. This is basically where he has too much air in this specialised fish organ, causing him to be more buoyant than he should be and float to the surface. Swim bladder disease is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Some vets may prescribe antibiotics or even try to relieve the swim bladder with a needle, but the stress of such a procedure can have dire consequences, and the problem can reoccur. Others suggest feeding a fish a few frozen peas, which act as a laxative in case of an intestinal blockage or bloat. Sadly, if a fish continues to swim awkwardly for 10 days, even with these simple treatments, he may be on his way to the great goldfish bowl in the sky.

Scott Miller, vet

How to stop your cat spraying

How to stop your cat spraying
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat siamese behaviour spraying Feliway

Q: My 14-year-old Siamese-cross cat Max has started to spray everywhere, especially if he cannot get his own way. What can I do?

A: Spraying is the most common behaviour problem I see in cats. As Max has not sprayed before, I'd get him checked by the vet to ensure there is no underlying medical cause for his sudden change in behaviour. Has anything changed recently in his environment that may have caused him anxiety? It's important to pinpoint the exact cause of the behaviour so it can be dealt with. Don't tell him off because this may escalate the problem. Obtaining a Feliway® spray from your vet may help too.

Inga MacKellar, animal behaviourist

How Pet Blood Bank UK is saving dogs' lives

How Pet Blood Bank UK is saving dogs' lives
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog blood donor donate pet blood bank
Deirdre Vine tells the story of the country's first blood bank for pets - and explains how you and your dog can contribute. From the PetPeople magazine archiveBlood is precious. While scientific advances in developing blood substitutes have been made, real donors are still the only reliable source of blood for ill pets.So when the not-for-profit Pet Blood Bank UK (PBBuk) was launched nearly five years ago it was a huge step forward for UK dog owners: it meant vets had quick access to blood to treat critically ill dogs, rather than having to wait on donations being made, which often led to delays and loss of life.

How you see the world. How your dog sees the world. And the massive difference between the two!

How you see the world. How your dog sees the world. And the massive difference between the two!
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: dog smell senses sight hearing

You may have heard that dogs see the world differently. We had too. But when author Jennifer Arnold called and gave us her insights into just how differently dogs see the world, we were blown away. So we've asked Jennifer to give us her 'top five' dog-sense facts. Prepare to be amazed!

1. Dogs actually understand very few words. Instead they rely on our tone and body language to glean the meaning in our voices. They can detect less then a tenth of a millimetre of movement, allowing them to pick up the smallest change in our posture and demeanour.

2. Since dogs don't have language, they remember things by taking 'snapshots' or small clips of smells, sounds and sights. They can recall those clips when placing their current circumstances in context.

3. Your dog would fail his drivers' examination without glasses. Dogs are quite near-sighted. What humans can see from 80 feet away, a dog cannot make out until he is 20 feet away. They do, however, have better vision in low light for motion than do people.

4. Your dog sees detail poorly, much as you would if you looked through a lens smeared with cooking oil.

5. Dogs do see colours but not the wide and vivid spectrum that most people see. Dogs can see blues, yellows and many shades of grey, but not green or red.

Finally, while our dogs may not always see well, their sense of smell boggles the mind! Dogs can smell parts per trillion compared to our ability to smell only parts per hundred. This means that a dog could detect a single drop of vanilla in an Olympic-size, chlorinated swimming pool.

For more insights on a dog's-eye view of the world, see Through a dog's eyes: understanding our dogs by understanding how they see the world by Jennifer Arnold (published by Souvenir Press, £18.99).

For a £3 discount off the RRP, with free P&P, call 01235 827702.

 

Finally, if you have any stories about YOUR dog's amazing senses, just get in touch by commenting below.

Bumbles is back in good health

Bumbles is back in good health
Posted on by Petplan

When Stephanie Carrington's rescue cat Bumbles was diagnosed with asthma, Petplan ensured that her vet bills were covered...

My cat Bumbles has been diagnosed with feline asthma, and I'm so glad I went with Petplan for insurance.

I adopted Bumbles about nine months ago from Cats Protection - she had unfortunately been abandoned. She needed lots of love and attention to build her confidence back up, but she soon settled in and became part of the family. Bumbles was very happy but, as an indoor cat, she started to put on weight and was coughing. The vet confirmed that she had asthma.

Petplan were brilliant and helpful all the way, explaining everything to me and paying the vet directly, saving me £500 - and that was before Bumbles has even begun any treatment. She's now gradually losing weight and is a lot happier and more active. It's great to know that Petplan is covering her and will be there for any eventuality.

I wouldn't have been able to get Bumbles through the tests without Petplan. You've given me reassurance during a sad time that otherwise could have been an absolute nightmare.

Stephanie Carrington, via email

If you'd like to tell us your Petplan Customer Story, just email us at [email protected]

 

Debate: are boy and girl pets really that different?

Debate: are boy and girl pets really that different?
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat dog pet gender stereotypes debate

Here's what Amanda Riley-Jones found in her recent report on gender stereotypes for PetPeople magazine. Let us know what you think by commenting below!

Q: Are boys really that boisterous? And are girls more affectionate?Many parents argue that boys are more energetic than their female peers. But what about animals?Dog trainer and psychologist June McNicholas says that the dogs and bitches she trains have the same energy levels, but cat behaviourist Celia Haddon says: 'I don't know of any scientific research to back this up, but I have a gut feeling that neutered males are more playful than neutered females. But maybe that is some sort of feline sexism in me! Perhaps I treat male cats differently, and that makes them more playful?'

Petplan prize draw: Best in Show card game

Petplan prize draw: Best in Show card game
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: petplan prize draw gift Christmas customer offer

Here's an original Christmas gift - the Best in Show card game, featuring beautiful illustrations of pedigree dog breeds by author and illustrator Polly Horner. Written and researched by canine expert Emma Aguado, they're informative, too. Each breed is scored for things such as top speed, grooming requirements and how easy they are to train.

And if you're a Petplan customer, you could win one of 10 sets. Just click here and enter your policy number. What's more, if you really can't wait, there's a 35% discount.

Entries close 31 January 2012.

Real-life story: one cat's amazing sense of smell

Real-life story: one cat's amazing sense of smell
Posted on by Petplan
This article contains: cat behaviour smell customer story
We've received this extraordinary account of a cat's sense of smell from Petplan customer Margaret Wendy Harris of Northwich, Cheshire, and we just had to share it with you. Hope you like it!Dear Petplan,I have just discovered that a cat's incredible sense of smell could play an important role in helping people to identify their kith and kin. Many years after being adopted as a baby, I made contact with my natural brother for the first time. Incredibly, my six-year-old shorthaired cat, Megan, has confirmed that we are from the same flesh and blood. Normally, she runs upstairs when strangers - particularly men - call to our home.
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