305 FEBRUARY 20 - Gryffe Advertizer

PET NEws
e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340 February 2020
Could You Be A Puppy Parent Trainer?
Newly recruited Puppy Trainer,
Jill Stewart, is looking for puppy
parents in Scotland to provide the
charity Canine Partners puppies
with the love, care and skills they
need to get ready for the next
stage of their training.
“Puppy parents play such a
highly important and vital role
in the journey of our amazing
dogs becoming Canine Partners
assistance dogs,” says Jill, Scotland
Satellite Coordinator for Canine
Partners.
“It is an extremely rewarding
opportunity as you know you are
doing something to help change
someone’s life and that you have
played an important part in that journey.”
Canine Partners trains amazing assistance dogs to transform the
lives of people with disabilities, boosting their confidence and
independence.
The dogs are taught a range of everyday tasks including picking
up and fetching items, opening doors and dressing a person. They
can even help to load and unload a washing machine and they can
fetch help in an emergency.
Puppies-in-training live in the volunteer’s home from around eightweeks-old
until they are ready to start advanced training when they
are between 12 and 14 months, at the Southern Training Centre near
Midhurst or the Midlands Training Centre in Leicestershire.
To become a puppy parent in one of Canine Partners’ 13 puppy
satellites across the UK including Scotland, you need to be aged 18
or over, work less than full-time and be willing to make a long term
commitment of at least 14 months.
To find out more about becoming a puppy parent for Canine
Partners, please visit caninepartners.org.uk/puppy-parents/, call
08456 580 480 or email puppyoffice@caninepartners.org.uk
Trouble in the Litter Tray (Part 2)
Last month we looked at predisposing factors and causes of
feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), a condition causing
inflammation of the bladder and lower urinary tract in cats.
In cases of FLUTD it is important to investigate the underlying cause
of the condition so that appropriate treatment can be instituted.
Possible diagnostic tests include:
• Urine sample to check for blood, inflammatory cells, protein
levels, pH (acidity) and concentration. Urine sediment can also be
checked under the microscope for the presence of urinary crystals.
• Urine culture to check for the presence of bacteria.
• X-rays to check for bladder stones.
• Ultrasound to check for bladder stones and to examine the lining
of the bladder for masses.
• Blood sample to check for underlying diseases.
In up to 60% of cases no underlying cause is found and these cases
are referred to as feline idiopathic cystitis.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. In cases of idiopathic
cystitis where no cause is found treatment is aimed at reducing the
risk factors discussed previously.
Possible treatments include:
Surgery
• To relieve obstruction of the
urethra when present
• To remove bladder stones
Drugs
• Antibiotics to control
infections
• Pain relief/anti-inflammatories
• Medications to reduce stress
• Anti-spasmodic drugs
Diet change
• To dissolve crystals/stones and
prevent more from forming
• To produce more dilute urine
• To reduce obesity
Environmental changes
• Increasing the number of litter
trays
• Offering more options in litter
tray location, type of tray and
type of litter
• Increasing exercise
• Modifying environment to
reduce stress e.g. Hiding holes,
access to heights, provision of
escape/“bolt holes”
Increasing water intake
• Add water to food
• Place water in several
locations
• Change water regularly
• Experiment with different
types of container and
fullness
• Offering filtered or bottled
spring water
• Water fountain for running
water
Many cats with FLUTD have recurrent problems but diagnosing
the cause correctly and instituting appropriate treatment and
management can greatly reduce the frequency and severity of
episodes, leading to a much happier cat.
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