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Keeping dogs happy and entertained
Declining fertility in dogs linked to environmental chemicals
Skin Grafts
Dogslife participant survey, the first results
Keeping dogs happy and entertained
Keeping your dog healthy and happy involves providing them with enough physical exercise and mental stimulation. Dogs that are bored can end up being noisy and/or destructive, so by keeping them entertained with things that they enjoy doing, these behaviours can be avoided.
Most dogs enjoy walks and other dogs to play with, so it’s often a good idea to spend some time at your local park, go on popular dog walks, or organise meeting up with other dog owners. In that way, your dog can spend some time playing with other dogs and meet other people, which is good socialisation for them.
If walks are getting a little monotonous, you can always try adding in a game such as fetch with a tennis ball or Frisbee for example, which gets your dog running around more, so they are getting more exercise. Many dogs (especially Labrador Retrievers) like to swim, which is also good exercise for them. If you are near the sea, or a suitable pond, lake or river (or if not, there may be a canine swimming pool nearby), your dog may appreciate the opportunity to get into the water.
There are also many different dog activities you can try; obedience, flyball, or agility, are just some examples. Not only will your dog make friends, but so will you!
If you have to leave your dog on their own for some time (or activities are limited for example due to health reasons, or extreme weather conditions), you may consider a food toy or chew, or a game of tug to keep them busy. It may also be a good idea to ask a friend or neighbour (and their dog if they have one) to come and spend time with them, or take them out for a while so they are not left for too long without something to do.
Another way to keep your dog mentally stimulated, is trying some reward based training with them. This could include obedience training, learning new tricks, or putting your dog’s nose to use with finding treats that you’ve hidden for them. Both of you will find it enjoyable and rewarding, and it can be something that you just do together, or there may be a class in your local area.
To find out more about keeping your dog happy and entertained, please click here and here.
Declining fertility in dogs linked to environmental chemicals
A recent study has evaluated the fertility of a group of assistance dogs over a 26 year period (from 1988 to 2014) and discovered that there has been a decline in the fertility of male dogs over this time, similar to that reported in humans, which appears to be linked to environmental chemicals. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, found a decline in a variety of semen quality measures which were assessed in groups of breeding male Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Curly Coat Retrievers, Border Collies and German Shepherd dogs over the study period. Over the same period, the rates of cryptorchidism (a condition where one of the testis does not descend fully from the abdomen in the developing male puppy dog) were found to have increased in male dogs.
The researchers also identified that the ratio of male to female dogs changed over the study period, with less male puppies being born compared to the number of female puppies over time. Furthermore, there was a decline in the average mortality (stillbirths and pearly post-natal deaths) of male puppies and an increase in the average mortality of female puppies born in litters, each year, over time. The study could not identify the precise relationships between these effects.
The researchers identified two environmental chemicals which were present in adult dog testis at levels which were found to alter sperm viability, motility and the integrity of sperm DNA. However, the environmental chemicals did not appear to prevent normal testosterone section from male testis. The authors concluded that the ingestion of these chemicals may directly contribute to the decline in semen quality, and that they may be associated with the increased level of cryptorchidism they observed in their study population. Whilst we have received occasional reports of Dogslife puppies being cryptorchid, the condition is relatively rare in the Dogslife study population. If you are interested in the study you can read the full report here: http://www.nature.com/articles/srep31281.
Dogs and cats can occasionally loose large areas of skin, usually as the result of trauma or surgery (for example when removing a skin tumour). If you’ve ever felt your dog’s skin you will realise that it is relatively elastic and extensible in certain areas, such as the flank, and tighter and less mobile in others, such as the limb. When veterinary surgeons treat large wounds they have to make the decision as to whether the surgical wound can be closed directly (which risks breaking down if there is too much tension), whether it can be left open or partially closed and allowed to heal completely by nature (which can take a long time), or whether to perform a skin graft to cover the area. A skin graft involves taking skin from one area of the body where it is not needed and attaching it to another area to cover it.
Because of the limited availability of “free” skin on limbs, and because they are usually undergoing constant movement which inhibits healing, large wounds on legs are the most common reason why skin grafts are performed in dogs and cats. Before the skin graft can be performed, the surgical wound must be healthy. Consequently, grafts are often performed sometime after the skin wound first develops to enable any infection or dead tissue to be removed, and to ensure that the wound surface is covered with healthy tissue for the skin graft to attach to. This often requires days or weeks of dressings applied to the wound and changes at regular intervals before the grafting procedure can take place.
The “donor” skin graft is taken from a site on the animal such as the flank where it can be removed and the resulting surgical wound closed without any problems (essentially it is spare skin). All fat and subcutaneous tissues are removed from the graft so that only the skin is left and its shape is matched to the shape of the surgical wound. Small holes are often made in the graft to allow tissue fluid to escape from between the graft and the wound, and it is then placed on the wound and attached with sutures (stitches) around its periphery. The graft is usually covered with a dressing and the limb bandaged for a period postoperatively whilst it “takes” and develops its adhesions and new blood supply from the wound. It is important that the surgical wound is immobilised over this period of time as movement can result in the graft itself moving and not taking. It is usually apparent if the graft is going to take or not within a few weeks of surgery. Complications, such as the graft dying partially or completely are not uncommon, but where successful, a skin graft can save the affected leg, as the only alternative viable treatment for the wound may be amputation.
Dogslife participant survey, the first results
Thanks to all the Dogslife members who completed the Dogslife participant survey over the last two months. We have had a fantastic response with around 100 participants giving us their views on the study and suggestions for how to improve it. It was re-assuring to hear that 98% of participants felt that the study was a worthwhile use of their time. Most participants indicated that they felt this way because they wanted to help improve the health of Labrador Retrievers, and because they enjoyed or learned useful information from the project and newsletters. Frustrations with the website were the main complaint with the project.
Around 90% of the participants were aware of the successes of the project, knew where to find out about them, and felt that they had contributed to the successes. Those who reported that they did not feel that they had contributed to Dogslife’s discoveries, stated that they wanted more feedback, or that they didn’t always have time to participate fully in the project.
Of the five common illnesses we asked owners about, lameness and eye problems were considered to be the most important common health problems for Labrador Retrievers (as reported by 50% and 34% of owners respectively). This is interesting as it is mirrored by the findings of a recent American Kennel Club health survey where orthopaedic conditions were considered to be one of the greatest concerns to breeders. It also reflects the types of conditions where we have found that owners are more likely to take their pet to the vet when they develop. The other illnesses listed (ear problems, diarrhoea and vomiting) were still considered by most owners to be important or very important.
We had a fantastic list of suggestions specifying ways to change or modify the project, including adding discussion forums, more detailed questioning and greater feedback of results. We are slowly going through the hundreds of comments participants have left us in more detail, and will take everybody’s suggestions on board. Thanks again to all the participants who completed the questionnaire - and to everybody who is taking part in the project - for all you time and effort.
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