Some people claim there are health benefits to ear cropping, but these are simply not true. Many of the breeds that have their ears cropped, such as Dobermans and American bulldogs, are not those we would consider at an increased risk of infection.
In short, there are rarely any medical reasons why a dog would need both its ears cropped. This rise in numbers may be fuelled by the increase in celebrities and social media influencers showcasing their cropped-ear dogs on platforms like Instagram, leading to the glamorisation and normalisation of this barbaric practice.
One explanation is that dogs with cropped ears are being imported from countries outside the UK where the procedure is still legal. Another is that dogs bred in the UK are being deliberately taken overseas for the procedure. We know there will be some cropped rescue dogs being given a new home in the UK, or families who own cropped dogs relocating here. But these are small numbers, and our concern is that these excuses are being used as a veil by unscrupulous sellers.
A lot of the cases we see in practice are very young puppies — so they are either being moved illegally the legal import age is 15 weeks or buyers and vets are being lied to. And for what? A tough looking dog with little regard for the pain and suffering it causes them.
The government needs to work with vets and animal welfare charities to find an effective way to stop this abhorrent practice.
There are calls for a ban on the importation of dogs with cropped ears. This is a clear call to action, but we need to make sure the structures are in place to enforce it and we need to think about the impact on legitimate movements, such as families relocating. Are you planning to travel this year? If so, you may need to bring your canine buddy to a doggy hotel while you are away. Fido would love to go everywhere with you, but that just isn't feasible.
Your pup will be both safe and comfortable in a pet resort. A Washington DC vet offers some seasonal boarding tips in this article. Book Early The holidays are a very busy time for kennels, and spaces often fill up fast. Be Prepared Any decent kennel is going to request copies of your furry pal's vaccination records and registration.
Note: if you board with your vet, they would already have that information. Make sure Fido is current on his parasite control and vaccines, including the Bordetella vaccine. Ask What To Pack Kennels are all a little different on what they do and don't want you to bring. Some want to use their own bedding and toys, while others prefer you bring Fido's things.
If you're not sure, check with the staff. Pack a few days' extra of things like food, treats, and medicine, in case there are delays. Try A Trial Run Before leaving Fido at his hotel for a week or more, bring him in for an overnight stay. This will make it easier on him when you do go for a longer trip, as he'll already be familiar with his home away from home.
Choose A Great Kennel We can't overstate the importance of this one. There are many wonderful kennels out there, but there are also some that aren't that great. Look up reviews, ask for referrals, and just pay attention to how the kennel looks and operates. You don't want to trust just anyone with your furry best friend! Consider Boarding With Your Vet We may be tooting our own horn here, but there are definite advantages to boarding Fido at his doctor's.
The staff will already have his records, and will be familiar with him. You may also be able to bundle in services such as grooming or a checkup. You just can't beat one-stop shopping when it comes to convenience! Do you need to schedule boarding? Contact us, your local Washington DC animal clinic, today! Halloween With Fluffy. Halloween is coming up fast! There are seasonal decorations and motifs everywhere, and the stores are packed with candies, costumes, and trappings. Cats are very good at being unimpressed!
A Washington DC vet offers some advice on that below. That advice goes double at this time of year! The dropping temperatures, shorter days, and increased traffic all form a very hazardous combination. Black cats are especially at risk, due to old and false myths linking them to witchcraft.
Play it safe, and ground the furball. Beauty Session As you may know, fall is one of the peak shedding times. Fluffy will lose some fur as she puts on her winter coat. Brush your fuzzy little diva daily. Removing dead hair and dander from her coat will not only keep her warmer, it will also help stop her fur from getting, well, everywhere.
Offer Quiet Spots Not all of our feline companions are social butterflies. Some are simply scaredy-cats. Decorations Fluffy has a knack for getting into mischief, and she is often instinctively drawn to things that are dangerous for her. Keep anything that could be hazardous out of paws' reach. This includes anything small or sharp; items with ropes and cords; toxic plants; plastic bags and ties; chemicals; medications; and candles.
The candy dish is also unsafe for frisky felines. Chocolate is toxic to Fluffy, as are many other sweets. Plus, hard candies and candy wrappers present choking hazards.
Enjoy Some Snuggles Did you know that cats sleep even more than usual when it's cold or dreary out? Fluffy is a perfect snuggle buddy for chilly autumn nights. As your Washington DC veterinary clinic, we are dedicated to offering great care. Contact us anytime! Helping Your Shelter Dog Adjust. We love seeing pups going to new homes. There are few things more heartwarming than seeing those adorable Gotcha Day posts and videos showing pooches that are just over the moon to get adopted.
Of course, Fido will need some time to get settled. A Washington DC vet offers some advice on that in this article. Walk Before you bring Fido inside his new home for the first time, take him for a walk.
This will allow him to reset and absorb the fact that he has left the shelter or foster home. It will also help him burn off any zoomies, so he'll be calmer after. Plus, your canine pal will appreciate being able to get a feel for his new surroundings. Offer Doggy Luxuries You'll need to pick up some things for your furry friend, such as bedding, food, toys, treats, and a leash or collar.
Have your pet's things set out and waiting for him. If you have other pets, you may want to put Fido in his own room at first. It's important for your new pooch to feel safe and loved. Just stick with things you know are safe. Get Fido started on his new agenda right away.
It's also important to be consistent with your house rules. Don't let your canine companion onto the couch the first night if you don't want him up there all the time. Also, avoid punishing your furry friend for mishaps. Focus on rewarding good behavior. Love Fido may need some time to adjust, especially if he was at the shelter for a while. He may sleep a lot at first, as he recuperates from the stress and trauma of being in a shelter.
That's fine! Treats, toys, playtime, and love will all help get that tail going. Don't try to force attention on your new canine buddy. Offer great care, and give him the time he needs to relax. This varies somewhat from dog to dog, but could take several months. Please contact us, your local Washington DC pet hospital, for all your new pet's veterinary care needs! Autumn is just about here! As the stores fill with pumpkin-flavored everything, many people are pulling out scarves and hoodies, and planning some seasonal activities.
Don't forget about your furry friend! A local Washington DC vet lists some things for pet owners to put on their agendas for the next few months. Bedding Once it starts getting cold and dark, your canine buddy will probably spend quite a good amount of time snoozing. Make sure he has a clean, comfy bed to snuggle up in!
Veterinary Care You might think that fleas and ticks become less of an issue in fall, but that actually isn't the case. Keep up with your pup's parasite control!
Vaccinations are also important, as your furry companion could have a run-in with a wild animal that's looking for a spot to hibernate. Clothing Does your canine companion need to wear a jacket when it's cold out? Make sure that Fido's winter wardrobe is clean and in good condition, and still fits him well. Shedding Autumn tends to be one of the peak shedding times. If your pooch is a heavy shedder, it's probably a good idea to brush him daily.
Nail trims and dental care are also important. You may want to start using paw wax on Fido, in preparation of all the snow, ice, and chemical de-icers he'll soon be walking on. Walks Those crisp autumn days are perfect dog-walking weather. Carve out some time for taking your canine companion on long, relaxing strolls. Bring along a mug of coffee and perhaps a good friend, and enjoy the beautiful foliage! Treats Who says Fido can't get in on some of those delicious seasonal treats?
You definitely don't want to share any Halloween candy with your furry best friend: chocolates, raisins, xylitol, and many other things found in those sweet treats are toxic to dogs. However, you can make him something special. Combine pureed pumpkin with natural peanut butter, an egg, some whole-wheat flour, and a bit of olive oil.
Mix to a batter-like consistency, then form balls or squares. About 30 minutes at should do it, though you may need to adjust a bit. Yet we may walk past a dog like this every day, follow them on social media or even own one. We are talking, of course, about cropped ears.
What is ear cropping? Why is it such an issue? And how, despite being illegal, is this still an issue you should be concerned about? Breeds where cropping is prevalent are Dobermanns, American bullies, pitbulls, Staffordshire bull terriers and other similar breeds. Do note that some breeds have naturally upright ears like huskies, German shepherds, westies and corgis.
The practice has been performed since ancient times for a number of reasons — there was a belief which is not unfounded that long hanging ears are more likely to get ear infections, become damaged or swell with blood. As many dogs back then were hunting dogs or sheepherders, there was some evidence this was correct. There was also a belief that dogs with cropped ears could hear better, as they could more easily swivel their ears in the direction of sound, versus uncropped normal ears.
Cropping was normally carried out on very young puppies by their owner with shears, using no pain relief. In modern times, cropping is mainly performed for purely cosmetic reasons. Many people like the look, believing it makes the dog look fierce, or more natural like wolves that have upright ears.
Dobermanns do not often have erect ears without being cropped, so this statement could be interpreted as saying that cropped ears are acceptable.
The KC have banned competing dogs with cropped ears — but you have to dig into the small print to find this! Social media, as it often does, worsens this trend further. The high prevalence of dogs with cropped ears can make the look seem normal. All these factors contribute to the reason why many people do not know that ear mutilation is still taking place around the world and is not normal.
The biggest issue with ear cropping is that it is unnecessary mutilation and a non-essential procedure. Traditional cropping performed by owners is painful, stressful, potentially dangerous for both the dog and owner, and could lead to hearing loss or infection. However, even if cropped surgically by a vet, the practice carries risks.
All surgeries are dangerous to some degree and we try to put animals under general anaesthesia only when necessary. An elective cosmetic procedure is not a necessary surgery. This is a flawed argument.
Spaying or castrating a dog carries a number of benefits, including reducing unwanted pregnancies and thus unwanted puppies, reducing the incidence of some kinds of cancer, and increasing longevity.
0コメント