Copyright Ian Billinghurst.

Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia and Shoulder Dysplasia; these, and a host of related bone and joint diseases continue to mount their attacks on young dogs, particularly pups of the larger breeds, despite mass radiography and ruthless culling. What are we doing wrong? Why do these problems appear and reappear in supposedly disease-free lines? Our failure to eliminate Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, despite elaborate and costly schemes aimed at their eradication, compels us to ask… “Are our efforts entirely misdirected?” Should we be looking elsewhere for a solution?

Are we barking up the wrong tree?
To find out…Read More…

Copyright © Ian Billinghurst

There are a number of myths concerning the physiology of companion animals, which are being used by pet food companies to sell their products. These myths are being used to persuade the owners of pet animals to feed only modern cooked and otherwise processed (usually grain-based) foods. These myths are being presented as fact and accepted as such, when there is not a single scrap of evidence to verify their truth. This is highly unfortunate for our pets.

These myths or lies have become accepted by most pet owners, dog breeders and indeed vets as being a part of natural indisputable scientific law, when in fact, they have very little or no basis in fact. They are at best, half-truths, blatant errors of fact; at worst, they are downright lies.

A highly nutritious training treat made from human quality ingredients.

1 lb Liver [preferably Lambs]
1 lb Flaked oats
1 Eggs
2 Cloves Garlic/ or 2 tsps garlic puree.

Put all the ingredients into a blender until the mixture is smooth,
Pour into greased 12-inch square baking tin and place in the oven [Gas Mark 4] for around 30-40 minutes.
Leave to cool and cut into bite size pieces. (1/4-inch Square)
It can be frozen into individual bags [enough for a couple of weeks of training]

My dog’s favourite training treat!
Stephen G King

Using all human ingredients..
5oz canned tuna
5oz milled oats (rolled oats? What I would eat for breakfast oats)
2 tablespoons cottage cheese.
Half an apple, grated – any red version, green too sharp, usually
Half a large carrot, grated
Spices from the spice rack – ground ginger, ground garlic, Mediterranean herbs – a good sprinkling of each (teaspoon- ish) half pint of water

Instructions:
put them all in a big bowl and mix thoroughly, for about a minute.
Then tip the mass onto a 12in square baking sheet, lined with kitchen foil (greased) . Use the back of a spoon and spread the mix all over the baking tray. It should cover the whole thing. These will be thin treats, not like big chewy bars! Cook in top of oven for 20 minutes at 392 degrees F. Top should be golden brown.

When cooked leave to cool, then cut into one-quarter inch squares. These treats flex, they are not solid.

I have tried them in the freezer, they do freeze, and once left for a good while to defrost, Missy was just as interested in them!
I have also changed the tuna for minced chicken, and for salmon. The salmon isn’t quite as popular.

Kindly sent in by Pat Elliott who owns missy a Batersea dog. Read about Missy…

Question: Does anyone have any tips for wind in dogs, Mine keeps F**ting, its getting to the stage where I dont want to have guests. It smells so bad! He is on a mix of wet and dry food, My friend advised just dry foos, but I though that was a bit cruel?

Answer: A great question that has been asked for the last 20 odd years. Lets look at the evolution of the species, dogs have been around for thousands of years and believe it or not are carnivores not as some vet would tell you herbivores. Carnivores are meet and bone eating animals, just look at the Wolf, Coyote and even the British fox all eat from the wild. Of course dogs are not any of these species but do have 42 teeth when fully grown and have between 400 to 600 pounds per square inch pressure within the jaw area. Why have these tools for dissecting food if your are not allowed to use them. For me reducing periodontal problems such as foul rotting mouth and WIND high quality proteins are essential, such as chicken, lamb and even some liver. Mixing food is highly advantages and anyone who suggests otherwise is repeating what manufactures and veterinary surgeons are saying to sell THEIR food. One American vet I work with has told me to tell your clients to feed a variety of quality proteins so as to make sure that they get all the necessary ingredients for a long and healthy life. Just imagine if we applied the same information to humans and fed ourselves just one food, how would you feel? Visit rawmeatybones.com for information on natural feeding. Recommended book: Works Wonders, Feed your dog raw meaty bones crosskeysbooks.com

Question: Is once a week too often to bath my Staffy?

Answer: Sunflower oil is good for coat condition and in quality pet foods such as Nutro you get that in the ingredients. Checking and brushing your dog each day should keep your dog tidy and clean. Low quality treats/dog food have the tendency to allow the fat cells to fill up with metabolic waste which over time creates that OLD dog smell and other problems such periodontal and muscle spasms, so diet once again is the key. Visit Nutro UK nutro.co.uk

Question: Is it cruel for a dog to live outside? it is walked regularly, has a large enough kennel, fed well and is well loved by all the family. Please let me know what you think…..i dont know what to do????

Answer: Well isn’t it about peoples personal choice? Dogs can be homed INDOORS and have very little stimulation, they look at four walls waiting for that walk, which they get once a day! Dogs that live outside are much healthier than indoor dogs, so given that if you add enrichment programs/training that satisfy the dogs behavioural needs; you’re doing a great job!

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to watch what your puppy or dog is eating when left alone in the garden or around the house. So many things are waiting to make then very ill or kill them.

All evergreen plants in the garden can be toxic to dogs, and usually they will leave them alone, but be careful if you are in the garden cutting back your plants and the dog starts chewing on a recently cut branch.

In the garden

Extremely toxic
Clematis armandii – a single leaf may kill a small dog

Range from mildly toxic to deadly poisonous
African violet (leaves)Amaryllis (bulbs)Angel’s trumpetsDatura or brugmansiaArrow grassesAutumn crocusAzaleas (leaves)Bluebells
Box (leaves)Buttercup (entire plant)Castor bean (leaves and seed)Christmas rose (leaves, root)ChrysanthemumClematis arnamdii (entire plant)Columbine or aquilegiaDaffodil (bulbs)DaphneDumb cane or dieffenbachia (leaves, stems)Elder (leaves, root, bark)FlakFoxgloveFritillaryGlory lily**
Glorisa superbaHemlockHolly (berries)Horse chestnut (nuts, leaves)
Hyacinth (bulbs)Hydrangea macrophyllaIris (roots)Ivy (entire plant)
Laburnum (leaves, seeds)Larkspur (leaves, seeds) Lily of the valleyLobelia
Lupin (leaves, seeds)Mistletoe (berries)MonkshoodMorning glory (seeds, roots)NightshadesOleanderPhilodendron (leaves)Poinsettia (sap)
Poppy (unripe seedpod)Potato (green skin and sprouts)Primrose (leaves, berries)
Privet (leaves)Rhododendron (entire plant)Rhubarb (leaves)Snowdrops
SpurgeEuphorbiaStar of BethlehemOrnithogalumSweet peasWalnut (green hull juice)Wisteria (pod, seeds)Yarrow (achillea)Yew (entire plant)

Around the house

Drugs
Calamine Lotion** Emollient creams e.g. E45, petroleum jellyfolic acid Garlic capsuleshomoeopathic remedieshormone replacement (HRT) preparationsoral contraceptives‘over the counter antacidssteroid preparationszinc oxide creams e.g. sudocrem

Any drug that is taken accidentally can be harmful

Household products
Artifical sweetenersblu-tack and similar adhesivescutflower/houseplantfoodexpanded polystyrene matches** mercury(thermometers)silica gelwax candles/crayons

In the garage
Antifreeze (this has a sweet taste that dogs like so be very careful)**

You are what you eat? Should dogs eat based on the evolution of the species?

There is a greater awareness among pet owners these days. The areas of health and nutrition are of utmost importance in caring for your companion animal. More and more people are taking matters into their own hands.

Through evolution, the bodies of dogs and cats have superbly adapted to maintain health on the foods that were most easily available to them in the wild. These would have been raw foods, also known as a biological diet.

It goes without saying that the foods our pets’ bodies have evolved to thrive on throughout millions of years are not the processed commercial foods of the last fifty years.

Look inside your dog or cat’s mouth. Their teeth are designed for tearing into flesh, not tearing into kibble.

Natural, raw foods set up and maintain healthy, natural biochemical reactions. These biochemical reactions set up a natural line of defense – a healthy immune system – that fights off bacteria, viruses, and parasites many times a day.

So by restoring your pet to his natural, health-giving diet, you can restore the myriad natural biochemical reactions that give strength to his immune system. This is the “magic” that keeps pets who are fed natural diets free of today’s “inevitable” diseases.
For more info….http://www.rawmeatybones.com