National Vaccination Month – What’s your pet passing on?

Last year, the Government’s former senior veterinary officer Dr Fred Landeg warned that new and emerging diseases were just as likely to affect household pets as farm animals. And now, research as part of National Vaccination Month 2009 (1–30 June), a campaign to encourage more people to safeguard their pets’ health with vital vaccination, suggests that vets in practices across the country are worried that owners do not fully understand the health risks associated with diseases that their pets may be carrying.

Whilst animal infectious diseases are most commonly a risk to our pets’ health, in some cases our own health can be at risk too. According to the survey of 100 veterinary practices*, the majority of vets are seeing as much, if not more serious infectious disease this year. Some of the key diseases which were felt to be increasing included Campylobacter and Leptospirosis (both of which may be transmitted to humans) as well as canine parvovirus and kennel cough.

Despite these worrying findings, it is reassuring to know that the majority of these risks can be prevented by good hygiene, regular flea and worm control and keeping your pet’s vaccinations up–to–date.

The warnings about vaccination are being spelled out as part of the second National Vaccination Month Campaign which aims to highlight the fact that more than half of all cats and dogs and 90% of rabbits are not currently vaccinated against a range of serious diseases, some of which are fatal, widespread and on the increase. What’s more, over a quarter of vets surveyed were concerned that vaccination levels across all species were falling as a result of the credit crunch. To increase the numbers of animals vaccinated and help pet owners feeling the pinch, during June, participating vets will be offering unvaccinated cats and dogs or those whose immunity has lapsed, a full course of vaccination for the price of a booster giving a saving of up to £30.

Owners of unvaccinated rabbits will be offered vaccination against the killer disease myxomatosis for their pet with the second inoculation due in December, provided free of charge. Horse owners are also being given the chance to vaccinate their animals against tetanus, a disease that can strike at any time often with tragic consequences. TV personality, Kate Humble, who has recently adopted a dog from the RSPCA, is supporting the campaign.

Kate said: "I am pleased to be supporting National Vaccination Month 2009. The campaign highlights just how important it is for pet owners to take on board the need for good preventative health care for their animals throughout their whole lives. This includes good basic hygiene in the home as well as regular health checks, worming and control of unwanted nasties such as fleas. Taking your pet to the vet to be vaccinated is also a great way of giving your animal a regular health MOT.

"It is worrying that all too many owners start off with good intentions by getting puppies and kittens inoculated but fail to keep vaccinations up to date needlessly exposing much loved family pets to potentially life–threatening illnesses. The National Vaccination Month campaign is not only offering a welcome bonus to these owners with its offer of reduced cost vaccination throughout June, but through its website www.vaccinationmonth.co.uk, it is providing a great source of help and advice. "

Another positive benefit of National Vaccination Month is the way in which the campaign has been able to extend our knowledge of disease hotspots across the country using data compiled by vets. This will help give all pet owners and their vets the first real indication of where animals are most at risk of some of the most prevalent illnesses such as parvovirus and kennel cough.

"This issue is particularly dear to my heart as my own dog, Badger, a bubbly black and white mongrel is today a bundle of energy and thankfully bursting with good health. However, before my husband Ludo and I found him at our local RSPCA centre, he had been neglected and starved and would certainly be dead if he hadn’t been rescued. Badger was at the more extreme end of the scale in terms of neglect but by taking part in National Vaccination Month and helping increase the number of vaccinated pets, we will all be contributing to the wider welfare of pets in Britain and the real success of the campaign will be in reducing the incidence of some horrific diseases."

Veterinary practices nationwide will be taking part in the vaccination campaign for pet owners as part of National Vaccination Month. Just log onto www.vaccinationmonth.co.uk to print your voucher and find your nearest participating vet.

Intelligent Dog Training – Dog Training for all Breeds

The Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour & Training (CIDBT) announces the release of Dog Training "Dog Training for all Breeds" as part of their Intelligent Dog Training series. This 3–part DVD is intended for all pet dog owners wishing to learn basic dog obedience and canine manners in a simple to follow format. What is unique about the production is its public park setting representing realistic distractions in the behaviour transformation of rescue Labrador "Smudge". Smudge is the featured trainee taken through the step by step process so clearly, even dogs overhearing the DVD have been reported to respond to the commands by way of the television set. The film is written and presented by Ross McCarthy, MCFBA, MBIPDT, MgoDT (MT), whose long list of accreditations include Canine Behaviour Practitioner, obedience trainer, tutor and lecturer.

Ross is also a member of the Kennel Club Accredited Instructor Scheme and a contributor to a number of nationwide pet publications. As importantly, Ross has a calm, straight forward onscreen manner that gently builds the complexity of the training, leaving the viewer confident that what has been seen can be easily emulated.

Dog Training "Dog Training for all Breeds" is a Pets on Film production, directed and produced by CIDBT Principal, Colin Tennant.

Pounds for Hounds and Money for Moggies

Pet owners have helped to donate more than £30,000 to The Blue Cross pet charity by activating their £2 donation found on specially stickered packs of Hill’s Science Plan dog and cat food.

This donation will make a real difference to The Blue Cross; it is enough to provide either 4,338 life saving drips for sick pets, 2,169 vaccinations to help prevent life–threatening diseases, or even fund a community vet nurse for a whole year!

Vanessa Rossiter, Corporate Development Manager at The Blue Cross said: "A huge thank you from all of us at The Blue Cross to Hill's Pet Nutrition and to everyone who activated the on–pack codes – what a fantastic result! The money raised will help us care for the hundreds of pets in our adoption centres awaiting loving new homes, as well as the thousands of poorly pets who use our veterinary services every year."

The Blue Cross rehomes over 6,000 pets each year and since 2005 Hill’s has lent invaluable support by donating enough food to feed all the cats and dogs in their adoption centres. Marketing Manager, Robert Gundry said: "Hill’s would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who kindly activated the on–pack donation and for being part of this great campaign." YOU

Old Dogs New Tricks

Pet behaviour specialist gives Obama paws for thought.

Just like Barack Obama, the majority of people choose young, cute puppies when taking on a pet and ignore the older dogs. However, this has serious repercussions for elderly dogs in rescue homes who are being left on the shelf.

That’s according to Debbie Connolly, pet behaviour specialist and star of BBC’s TV series Dog Borstal.

"Whenever somebody in the public eye gets a cute new puppy rescue homes are flooded with requests for that exact breed," says Connolly. "The older dogs never get a look in."

Connolly is launching a campaign ‘Old Dog New Tricks’ to try and promote taking on older rescue dogs and giving them a much–needed home.

"The public seem to think any dog over the age of seven is past it," says Connolly, "which can leave thousands of dogs living in rescue homes for years."

"A common myth is that you can’t teach old dogs new tricks," says Connolly. "But I’ve trained many dogs at age 11 or 12 who are perfectly capable of picking up new behaviour techniques."

Connolly has launched www.olddognewtricks.org.uk, a website for rescue homes to advertise the older dogs for adoption.

She aims to dispel other common misconceptions such as the idea that pet insurance companies will not insure older pets or that rescue dogs are more difficult.

"Older dogs are much more suited to first–time dog owners or people who work all day, like Obama," says Connolly.

"I have a feeling the Whitehouse furniture is in for a bashing."

Old Dog New Tricks will encourage people to take on an older dog by offering free behaviour training, goody bags and other incentives.