Ticks

Rhipicephalus sanguineus is primarily found in southern Europe but has been identified on  pets in the UK after import from mainland Europe and elsewhere.  They can infest and spread to animals that have not travelled abroad.  At the moment our current climate does not support the long-term survival of this tick outside so they are found in domestic environments.

Be aware if you are travelling abroad and be vigilant about removing any ticks found quickly (within 24 h) witha  suitable tick removal device.

(Laura Stokes, The Veterinary Nurse, May 2015)

Spaying: Pros and cons

Summary of 'To spay or not to spay: the nurse's role in owner education.  Smith, N. J. (2015) The Veterinary Nurse V6.

Potential advantages of ovariohysterectomy in bitches:

• Possibly lower incidence of mammary tumours
• Lower risk of developing cancers of the mammary tissue (if spay is carried out early, preventative effects decline the later the bitch is spayed)
• Prevents pseudopregnancy
• Prevents pyometra
• Reduces the already low risk of cancers of the reproductive organs
• Promoted for population control - although owner education, strict legislation and breeding control are used successfully in many Northern European countries to reduce the stray dog population despite neutering being uncommon.  So there is an argument that neutering 'should not be viewed as the main method of population control; education and owner responsibility is the key'. 

Disadvantages of spaying - the evidence suggests (though care with interpretation as it is often not conclusive):

• Increases incidence of urinary incontinence from 1% in entire bitches to between 5-20% in spayed bitches.  Timing of spaying might be important.
• Cruciate ligament disease is more common in spayed that intact bitches. Time of spaying, breed and obesity are also risk factors.  Dogs that participate in agility commonly suffer from ligament injuries; it is possible that dogs that do these sorts of activities are also more likely to be neutered as they are around other dogs.
• Increased risk of hip dysplasia, especially when spaying is carried out young. Obesity is a factor that covaries.  High impact exercise has been identified as a risk factor for hip dysplasia as well.
• Increased risk of osteosarcoma (possibly)
• Increased risk of obesity.  Age and weight of owner and age of the dog are also contributory factors.  Recent studies suggest this is due to behaviorual changes - a decrease in activity and increase in food intake, rather than a decrease in metabolic rate. 
• Some studies show that spayed bitches are more likely to show aggressive behaviour and be reactive (but there are many factors that can influence behaviour so interpretation must be cautious). 

Joshua Duffy

http://www.joshandjenny.org/joshs-blog/category/cambridge

So many interesting points raised in this review of the CAWSEL course at Cambridge.

Of farm animals:

" in light of the fact that a diet including pig flesh is not necessary for the survival of the human species, and that the industrialized rearing of these animals is responsible for a vast amount of animal suffering, are we justified in eating these animals at all?"


Of fishing:

What is ""the worst thing humans do to fish. Can you guess what it is?"

"It is taking them out of water. Studies show that this is the worst thing you can do to them. You see, part of the reason why this is so, is that a fish gets no oxygen from the air; it absolutely cannot breathe out of the water. Any method of fishing wherein fish are left out of the water to die is among the most cruel and inhumane things we humans do to animals. This also means that catch-and-release fishing is ethically indefensible. "

"At some point in their lives, most pets display behaviours that would result in their death or relinquishment, were they in some other household"

Karen Overall, pp vii, Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine 2013

"At the core of all anxiety conditions is the arousal level of the patient.  Heightened arousal beyond a certain adaptive level prohibits accurate observation and assimilation of the information presented, interferes with the processing of information, and can adversely affect actions taken based on these earlier steps. "

We need to take steps to teach dogs from the very beginning to be calm and that they can ask questions of people and get guidance from them on what to expect.

This will help dogs:

• learn better
• feel safer and more in control of what happens to them
• learn that they can create favorable interactions with people if they are calm

They simply need to learn to sit calmly and look at the human whenever something is wanted or needed.  A calm, quiet and relaxed dog can listen to us, just as we should be listening to them.

Dog bites, dog types, dog stereotypes

http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/publications/ncrc-publications/

Some useful links here.

The Psychiatrist's View

From "The Neuroscience of  Human Relationships: Attachment and the Developing Social Brain" by Louis Cozolino:

"I have watched as my focused attention, consistency, and caring have been taken in like water at a desert oasis. I have experienced the gradual building of confidence and strength as my presence has been integrated and used as a source of security, guidance, and emotional safety. I have also experienced how working with my clients has changed me, inspired me, and helped me to grow. "

As the psychiatrist acts as a safe haven and secure base for his patients, so we can provide this focused attention, consistency and caring for our dogs to give them security and safety while we guide them, and in doing so, learn much ourselves.