Vet Pets Magazine

September, 2015

MICHAELA STRACHAN &

TOTO HER JACK

RUSSELL

VETS on the RAW Diet for

Dogs

Pet Photography

SPECIAL

Vet Pets Magazine

This month, we meet well-known TV presenter MICHAELA STRACHAN.

Michaela has been presenting since 1986 on a variety of programmes from The Wide Awake Club to The Hitman And Her, The Really Wild Show to Michaela’s Wild Challenge, Elephant Diaries to Countryfile to Springwatch and many more.

She started off presenting children’s programmes but these days is known as a wildlife presenter and has travelled all over the world filming animals and conservation projects.

Since 2002, she has lived in Cape Town, South Africa with her partner Nick Chevallier who is a cameraman/producer. She has a son called Ollie born in 2006 andthree step children. The family also has a beloved Jack Russell called Toto.

What breed is Toto and why did you choose him/her?Toto is a Jack Russell Terrier and I inherited him from my partner. Toto’s 15 now and I’ve known him for 13 years.

Does Toto come with you to work?No as most of my work is in the UK and we live in South Africa. My stepdaughter helps to look after Toto.

What difference does Toto make to your life?Toto’s so much part of home and family life. He’s very easygoing and really chilled out. He’s become the lucky mascot of my son’s football club, so kids really love Toto.

My son says that Toto is a ‘brother from another mother.‘ That sums up the kind of unconditional love that is between pets and people.

Toto encourages us to get out every day, which can clear the head and diminish stress.

My PetMichaela with Toto

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Do you take Toto with you to restaurants and pubs?A lot of coffee shops, and other places, are very dog-friendly in Cape Town, so we can take him when we can.

Do you take dog-friendly holidays with Toto?Toto hasn’t been on a plane, but we take him to Plettenberg Bay for around a week.

It’s very dog-friendly and there’s some great walks. Toto’s off the lead a lot, which he loves. I’m fastidious about dog poo so he has a connector with poo bags on his lead. He’s gone a bit deaf and blind so he might start following a stranger when out on a walk, as

he can’t see properly.

He sniffs a lot these days and is slow at walking as he stops so much. He might walk three paces in 20 minutes because of all the

sniffing about.

What are Toto’s favourite things in the world? Toto loves squeaky toys but the squeak will live for about 5 minutes.

He’s a bit like a puppy when he’s playing, he goes so crazy for squeaky toys. But he’s a very polite dog and never snatches food.

Does Toto have any tricks or special character traits?He shakes in his sleep, almost as if Elvis is living again in Toto.

Is there anything you feel strongly about regarding pet welfare?The most important thing is to think everything through before buying a pet. A hamster may

suit your lifestyle better than a dog for instance. Consider what time you have and where you live, a house or a flat. And don’t get exotic pets. Animals like Chinchilla’s don’t really make

good pets, as they’re nocturnal.

Michaela is a judge for Eden (Britain’s leading natural history channel) Shorts. The aim of the competition is to inspire budding filmmakers to produce one-minute films, which capture the natural world in all its beauty and wonder. It is open now and will be closing on 30th September 2015.

Entrants can find information on how to enter at edentv.co.uk/shorts.

Toto with Michaela’s son Ollie

Vet Pets Magazine

Demystifying RAW Food For Dogs...

What is RAW food? Will my dogs like it? Is it safe? These are just a few of the questions people ask before trying their dogs on RAW. Here, two experienced vets, VINCE MACNALLY and MARK HEDBERG give their expert opinions.

Vet Pets Magazine

Over the last 30 years, I’ve seen a RAW, mainly meat and bone diet, transform the health of countless dogs - often within the space of a few weeks. It can do the same for your dog too!

The secret to success, is to follow a few simple steps to ensure that the RAW food diet you feed is the best for your dog, and they receive maximum health benefits.

But before sharing these with you, I would first like to dispel a few RAW food feeding myths you may have heard.

True or False?

‘Feeding dogs RAW meat and bone is dangerous.’

NOT TRUE!

The use of animal by-products in pet foods is highly regulated - expressly to make sure it is safe.

Firstly, only carcasses passed fit for human consumption can be used.

Secondly, Defra approved microbiological testing of raw pet food is enforced, to screen for potentially harmful bacteria.

Thirdly, all meat processing plants producing pet food, have to be registered and inspected to ensure

that all the relevant safety and hygiene

regulations are complied with.

As far as bone is concerned, it only becomes brittle and liable to splinter when cooked, and so as long as it is fed RAW, it is extremely unlikely to cause any problems in the bowels. (I’ve yet to see this happen, in more than 30 years of being a vet.)

‘Dogs need a complete processed food, to make sure they get all the nutrients they need’?

NO THEY DON’T!

Dogs and their ancestors have thrived on a core diet of RAW meat and bone with offal, for millions of years - which is considerably longer than the 150 years dog biscuits have been around. This is the diet they are naturally adapted to eat, and which nourishes most of them best.

A good RAW meat, bone and offal foundation diet, supplemented

with small amounts of other foods over the course of several weeks, will provide all the nutrients necessary for optimal health to occur.

‘Feeding processed dog food is better than feeding RAW, because it is fortified with extra vitamins, minerals and other nutrients?’

NO, IT ISN’T BETTER!

The vitamins, minerals and other ingredients listed on many processed pet foods under ‘additives’, are not the naturally occurring nutrients found in RAW food. They are synthetic versions, produced in manufacturing plants from chemical raw materials, such

By Vince MacNally BVSc. VetMFHom (1998) MRCVS

Vince with Dougie the dog

Vet Pets Magazine

as petrol or coal tar. As such, they are of questionable nutritional value and safety. They are used because they are cheap alternatives to their natural counterparts.

In addition to these additives, many processed pet foods also contain artificial colours, flavours, preservatives and other potentially harmful chemicals (there are literally thousands of additives approved by the EU for use in pet food).

Feeding a pure, natural, additive-free RAW food diet on the other hand, provides all the nourishment a dog needs – the way Nature intended.

The Recipe For Success

To ensure that the RAW food diet you feed, is the best for YOUR DOG, and provides maximum

health benefits, here’s what you do:

Feed a pure, natural, additive-free, RAW meat, bone and offal food, as the

foundation diet.

This should be composed of minced meat and bone, with a small percentage of heart, liver and kidneys added to mimic the proportions eaten in the wild.

It is best bought in small, frozen packs, which allow only one or two days supply to be defrosted as needed.

Feed 2 to 3 % of your dog’s body weight daily to begin with, and adjust this up or down asnecessary in the weeks that follow, to maintain an ideal weight.

Some dogs can be switched to an entirely RAW food diet straight away, without difficulty.Others do better when it is gradually phased in (see Dougie Dog’s Blog on our website formore ideas).

Adding Dream Digestion to each meal helps the bowels adapt more quickly to the changein diet. Give small amounts of other foods.

After your dog has been settled on the RAW foundation diet for a week or so, you can start to give other foods too,

to make up to 25% of the diet. These foods provide additional nutrients which are important for optimal health.

Introducing one new food at a time, and giving it for several days, enables you see whether it suits your particular dog or not, and is healthy and nutritious for them to have long term.

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Good foods to try are: egg, cottage cheese, yoghurt (made from sheep or goat’s milk if yourdog is lactose intolerant), small quantities of pureed raw or lightly steamed vegetables andsome fruits (NOT raisins or grapes).

Use organic produce if possible.

Add a few natural supplements

Natural supplements are an important part of a RAW food diet. They act as a ‘safety net’ to help prevent nutritional deficiencies occurring.

Some need only be given once or twice weekly (salmon oil and coconut oil - Slick and Sleek, for example).

Others are better given given daily (e.g. Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed and Dream Digestion).

To receive a FREE leaflet on feeding RAW, send an email to

info@vincethevet.co.uk with ‘RAW Leaflet’ as the subject heading.

Vince MacNally BVSc. VetMFHom (1998) MRCVS is an expert holistic vet. Vince has 30 years experience of using a wide

range of natural remedies, therapies and supplements in pets, including acupuncture, homoeopathy, herbs and nutritional supplements. He is currently a Partner in Vince The Vet® https://www.vincethevet.co.uk

Let’s start with the basics!

By Mark Hedberg DVM, MRCVS

RAW food is a raw nerve in the pet world today – to keep your pet from getting a raw deal, read on!

Are you thinking about switching your pet to raw feeding from a commercial diet? There can be many benefits to your dog’s health, but it’s equally important to understand that feeding RAW correctly will involve more work than you expect.

First, let’s start with the basics. Broadly speaking, many pet experts out there proudly claim that RAW food is the answer to all your animal ailments, and that feeding your fluffy favorite commercial food is practically animal abuse. On the other side of the coin, other experts will say that commercial food is the answer to all the sins of the world, and RAW food is unbalanced, dangerous pseudoscience.

In actual fact, neither one of these viewpoints is true. The reason there are so many brands and types of food is that every dog is an individual, so one Labrador might be doing very well on raw food, with another Labrador on RAW food suffering from constant diarrhea or other issues.

Commercial food is the same way – some dogs and cats have severe dietary sensitivities that mean they can’t eat commercial food, and yet there are dogs who won’t look at a piece of raw meat but will scoff a cheap supermarket kibble at the drop of a hat with no problems.

Commercial dog food is the norm for many pet owners

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Whatever your pet is like, it’s important to check with a veterinary surgeon before making major changes to your dog’s lifestyle.

Make sure there are no underlying health reasons why they shouldn’t change to a RAW food diet – your vet can tell you more.

The next important point is to do your research. Not all RAW food is the same and it’s vital to ensure you get your raw food from reputable sources. RAW meaty bones can promote health, but only if they’re sourced from a high quality, clean place. Many companies online

make RAW food diets, but you can also develop a good relationship with your local butcher if you’d like to make your own. Also, feed your pet appropriately – a Chihuahua can’t possibly crunch a turkey drumstick, so ensure you’ve got sensibly sized food for your pet.

Don’t change the food suddenly – this applies to any new food, not just RAW food.

Gradually mix in the new food and cut down on the old food over a period of 2 weeks or so; this reduces the likelihood of stomach upsets from

the sudden change.

Food hygiene is critical – scrub your pet bowls in hot soapy water, as this will help prevent your dog from getting salmonella, campylobacter, and other bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal disease. Remember, even if the bowl doesn’t smell bad, there can still be bacteria there waiting to get to your pet.

Still interested in RAW feeding? It can be worth a try; but don’t panic or be disappointed if your dog doesn’t mind either way or prefers the kibble.

After all, your pet’s health is the most important goal, and as long your dog is happy and healthy, you’re being your dog’s best friend!

Mark Hedberg. DVM, MRCVS is a veterinary surgeon from the USA, with clinical experience in the Middle East and the UK. His website is: www.expatvet.com.

There is still confusion about the RAW diet...

In reality, it looks more like this

Vet Pets Magazine

PawSquad Brings Vet Consults Home

The busy lives of pet owners will become less stressful with the launch of the UK’s first national veterinary on demand video consulting service – with animal lovers able to receive expert advice in the comfort of their home at a time convenient to them.

The arrival of PawSquad marks a significant change for the owners of the UK’s 65m pets. For the first time they’ll be able to benefit from the guidance and experience from a qualified veterinary surgeon – at anytime, anywhere.

“Up until now, the digital revolution that’s shaken up so many aspects of our lives has by-passed the veterinary sector,” said PawSquad founder Francesco Cardoletti. “What we’ve done is build a new, on

demand digital service that supplements bricks and mortar vet services.”

“We’re not removing the need for veterinary practices. Instead, PawSquad is an adjunct service that offers pet owners peace of mind by allowing them instant access to affordable professional advice and guidance during times of anxiety and uncertainty.”

PawSquad vets won’t diagnose illnesses – instead they will focus on a range of non-critical areas such as general health, behaviour, nutrition and management of long-term, non-emergency conditions.

Vet Pets Magazine

This month, we’re showcasing the work of photographer Zuzana Hudakova, who specialises in pets and children. We love her work because she seems to capture the very essence of her subjects. Zuzana dispels the old adage that you should

never work with pets and children, as she makes it all seem so effortless.

Capturing the essence of the pet

Photo 7; © Zuzana Hudakova

Vet Pets Magazine

This month, we’re showcasing the wonderful work of the photographer Zuzana Hudakova, a Stoke-on-Trent based photographer who specialises in pets and children. Here, in her own words, she shares the inspiration behind each photo.

Zuzana explains: “Apart from a huge passion for photography and dogs, I love to travel. We laugh with my husband that I have itchy feet, always wanting to go somewhere to see something new.

“I am a very curious person and as long as I learn

something new every day I am happy.

“Photography is not my job nor my hobby, it is passion I live and breathe. I spend quite a lot of time outdoors with our labrador Lola.

“I love dogs, photographing them is great fun, it gives me freedom to be myself and I want them to be themselves, then we work together as a team.”

Photo 1: Minnie came to her 'mum' for comfort. The protective hand of her owner and Minnie’s head resting

down shows how close they are to each other.

Photo 2: Whenever I meet Max, he is always happy. By laying down on the ground I could show how small he is but he jumped through the grass so easily, barely touching ground.

Photo 1

Photo 2

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Zuzana continues: “I love to capture the real nature of the pet, as all pet lovers know they have their own personality, there is no doubt about it.

“Before each session I always ask a lot of questions upfront so when I come to meet them it is as if we are old friends and I know what they like or dislike.

“It is important to predict their behaviour and basically be one step ahead and I love that.”

Photo 3: Kittens are so inquisitive and playful, I knew she would love the wool ball I brought her to play with.

Photo 4: We took Max for a walk to the town. I saw the red gate and Max knowing the reward he gets after laying down for me and waiting will be something worthwhile.

Photo 5: This photo shows exactly what I mean by being one step ahead. Hector and Gimli know each other well so I positioned myself waiting for the outcome and I must say so far this is my favourite non-dog photo.

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 5

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“Sometimes I just observe and photograph them doing their own things.

“At other times, I ask them to perform the tricks they know making them and their owner to feel as superstars, because they are!

“It is fantastic to be able to capture their agility, their happy faces, curious eyes, waging tails, the weirdest sleeping positions and relationships between each other or their owners…”

Photo 5: Little boy throwing a ball for his best friend. I love the moment and the relationship it shows.

Photo 6: Frank the Tank, the very cute Bulldog puppy fetching the toy for me.

Photo 7 (Feature image): I admire dogs’ shaking technique.

To read more about Zuzana and

see more of her work please visit: www.zuhada.com.

And for more of Zuzana’s pet photography: https://500px.com/zuza-photo

Photo 6

Personalised pet sculptures

www.artylobster.com

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Photo 5

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