With Halloween at the end of this month (and, dare we say it, shops getting ready for Christmas!), chocolates are currently on sale in even more abundance! If you are buying in for trick or treating, please be sure to keep chocolatey treats well away from inquisitive canines. Milk and dark chocolates are made with cocoa solids which contain theobromine, a substance toxic to dogs. And the darker the chocolate, the higher the concentration of theobromine. The severity of chocolate poisoning depends on how much chocolate your dog has eaten, how big your dog is and the concentration of cocoa solids.
We strongly advise contacting your vet for advice if you know your dog has eaten chocolate. It’s really helpful if you have the wrapper with the ingredients list to hand. Here are Rolo and Mars who were in to see us recently for this very reason. We were able to act quickly and make them sick to prevent the toxins from taking effect. Even though they are fabulously named, no chocolate-eating allowed!
Use our poisons checker on our 387 Vets’ Advice 24/7 page for guidance on chocolate poisoning and a whole range of other toxins too.
And don’t forget, registered clients can use our VidiVet service to touch base with a vet for free. Great for concerns out of hours if you are unsure whether your pet needs to be seen as an emergency.
We wish all pets a happy, healthy chocolate-free Halloween!
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
We’re most used to seeing dogs and cats for microchipping, now that all cats in England should be microchipped before 20 weeks old with their owner’s details registered, as well as dogs over 8 weeks of age. So Harri was more of an unusual microchip request for us! The 28 year old tortoise is emigrating abroad with his owners and his two cat pals. We loved seeing you in practice and wish you all the best on your travels Harri. We hope you and your familylove your new home!
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
We are super excited to announce that 387 Veterinary Centre is now an accredited Dog Friendly Clinic! The scheme, run by The Dogs Trust and British Veterinary Behaviour Association, was set up to help vet practices better care for the emotional and behavioural needs of dogs on vet visits. It encourages practices to work on minimising canine stress and maximising canine wellbeing, not just in the waiting room but also in consults rooms and other clinical areas.
Our team have carried out lots of training around recognition and management of canine stress and anxiety. And we’ve introduced lots of new initiatives in practice too. These include mats your canine can rest on in the waiting room; towels you can borrow if your dog has been caught in a downpour on the way in; a canine retail area full of carefully selected toys and accessories for behavioural and emotional enrichment; dog water bowls set at a variety of heights; lots of treats jars; and the use of Lickimats® in consultations to reduce canine anxiety and reinforce positive experience. Check out these gorgeous pups who are loving the Lickimat® experience!
There are lots of things owners can do too to help make vet visits successful, from bringing puppies in to socialisation and habituation appointments, to avoiding your dog having too many sensory experiences on the way to a vet appointment which can make them over-excited or feel overwhelmed. Ask us for a copy of our handout ‘Reducing canine stress on visits to the vets’ when you are next in!
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
Dogs and other pets are known to possess the remarkable ability to detect earthquakes in advance. This extraordinary capability stems from their highly sensitive senses of hearing and smell, allowing them to perceive subtle environmental changes that occur prior to an earthquake.
Understanding the Sensory Abilities of Dogs
Dogs have the capacity to detect changes in air pressure or detect subtle vibrations in the ground, which humans are unable to perceive. For instance, some dogs have been trained to alert their owners when an earthquake is imminent, providing them with valuable time to evacuate and find safety. However, it’s important to note that not all dogs possess this ability.
Scientific Studies on Dogs’ Behavior during Earthquakes
Several scientific studies have been conducted to investigate dogs’ potential to detect earthquakes. Notably, a pioneering study carried out in Greece during the 1990s revealed that dogs seemed capable of sensing the onset of earthquakes several minutes before they occurred. Subsequent studies have aimed to replicate these findings and determine the scientific basis behind this phenomenon. However, conclusive results are still lacking, and further research is needed to establish the extent to which dogs and other animals can reliably detect earthquakes and identify the signals preceding tremors.
Insights from the US Geological Survey (USGS)
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), abnormal animal behavior observed seconds before an earthquake can be attributed to the disparity between two types of seismic waves: primary (P) waves and secondary (S) waves. P waves are the initial waves emitted by an earthquake, traveling through the Earth’s interior at high speeds. These waves can cause subtle changes in air pressure, temperature, and other physical properties that animals are more attuned to perceive.
Examples of Dogs Detecting Earthquakes
Numerous instances have been documented where dogs have detected earthquakes before they struck and alerted their owners. Notable examples include a dog in Greece during the 1990s that incessantly barked before an earthquake, prompting its owner to evacuate the building. Similarly, a dog in California in 2009 barked and hurried outside just before an earthquake, allowing its owners to safely evacuate their home. In China, a dog refused to enter its kennel prior to a major earthquake in 2010, signaling the need for evacuation. Moreover, in Japan in 2011, a dog’s barking and dash outdoors preceded the devastating earthquake and tsunami, enabling its owners to seek safety. These instances showcase the potential of dogs in providing crucial early warnings.
The Quest for Reliability and Accuracy
While the concept of dogs detecting earthquakes is captivating, it is essential to emphasize the need for further research to ascertain the accuracy and reliability of this phenomenon. Ongoing studies and investigations are necessary to establish a conclusive scientific basis.
USGS Study on Dogs’ Behavior during Earthquakes
The US Geological Survey (USGS) has conducted a study on the behavior of dogs during earthquakes, shedding light on their response to seismic activity.
Dogs’ Remarkable Ability to Detect Earthquakes
Dogs possess an incredible capability to detect earthquakes before they occur and alert their owners. Here are a few compelling examples:
In Greece, a dog repeatedly barked before an earthquake, prompting its owner to evacuate the building.
A California dog barked and ran outside just moments before an earthquake hit, allowing its owners to safely evacuate their home.
In China, a dog refused to enter its kennel before a major earthquake, alerting its owners to evacuate the premises.
In Japan, a dog barked and dashed outside prior to a devastating earthquake and tsunami, enabling its owners to find safety.
While the precise mechanism behind dogs’ earthquake detection remains unclear, their heightened sense of awareness and strong protective instinct are apparent. These qualities make them invaluable companions during emergency situations.
Further research is needed to fully comprehend how dogs perceive earthquakes. Nevertheless, their acute awareness and unwavering dedication to their owners are undeniably remarkable.
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
Do you jog with your dog? New research from the University of Guelph has found that dog guardians whoexercise regularly tend to ensure their canine companions also get exercise. That in turn influences whether or not people believe their dogs are a healthy weight.
New Study Shows Link Between Human-Dog Exercise Habits and Perception of Canine Health
Led by researchers in the university’s Department of Animal Biosciences within the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), the study is believed to be the first large-scale international survey to demonstrate a relationship between the exercise routines of people and their dogs, as well as folks’ perceptions of their dogs’ health.
“Exercise is a powerful bond that connects humans and dogs, creating a partnership of health and happiness.” – Sydney Banton
According to lead author and PhD candidate, Sydney Banton, the study is important, given that 40% of dogs are overweight, and that many dog guardians are unaware of their four-legged friends’ unhealthy weights.
Along with animal biosciences professor and lead author, Dr. Kate Shoveller, as well as colleagues from OAC and the Ontario Veterinary College, Banton analyzed results from a survey of almost 3,300 dog guardians in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. They asked people about their own diets and exercise routines as well as their dogs’, along with their perceptions of their dogs’ weight.
Those who reported spending four or more days per week vigorously exercising were 2.8 to 3.5 times more likely to believe their dogs were at an ideal body weight than those who did not vigorously exercise. Respondents who reported their dogs regularly performed vigorous exercise (playing ball, swimming, agility) were 1.8 times more likely to believe their dogs were at an ideal weight.
Conversely, dogs that received less than 30 minutes of exercise per day had guardians who were much more likely to spend less time moderately exercising themselves.
About 13% of those surveyed thought their dogs’ weight was not ideal or had someone, such as a veterinarian, tell them their dogs were overweight. These people were also more likely to restrict their dogs’ food intake to control weight.
The results of this study, which appears in the journal PLOS ONE, highlight the need for more exercise to avoid weight gain in dogs.
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
