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Oldest working mountain dog honoured with award for her 11 years of brilliant service

Provided by Metro Sweet Skye (Picture: PA)

A dog with a life-saving job has been awarded for her incredible work.

Skye, the border collie, previously worked as a mountain dog – and has carried out 200 searches during her 11-year career in the Lake District.

Now retired at the age of 16, the pooch has been honoured for her dedication and outstanding work.

Skye has recently been awarded a PDSA Order of Merit, which is thought to be the animal equivalent of an OBE.

The canine is the 36th animal to receive the PDSA Order of Merit – which was set up by the charity in 2014 to recognise animals for their exceptional contribution to society.

During her time working, Skye carried out searches for missing people with her handler John Leadbetter.

Provided by Metro With her handler John (Picture: PA)

Speaking about Skye’s award, John said: ‘Skye means everything to me, she’s my best friend on the fells and we’re life-long partners.

‘To see her receive the PDSA Order of Merit is a truly humbling and touching experience, and it’s a wonderful recognition of the time and hard work that search dogs and their teams dedicate to mountain safety.

‘To say we’re chuffed is an understatement.’

Sweet Skye began her training as a puppy with Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team and then went on to qualify with the Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dog Association in 2009.

She carried out searches all over the Lake District, in all weather conditions, and even went further afield to Lancashire, the Pennines and Scotland.

After retiring at the age of 14, she’s now enjoying a ‘slower paced’ life with John and his family.

But her career has certainly made a lasting impression.

PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin said: ‘We’re incredibly proud to be honouring Skye with our PDSA Order of Merit.

‘Her exceptional skills and outstanding devotion above and beyond that of normal companionship make her a very worthy recipient, and we feel this is a fitting tribute to her lifetime of dedication and hard work.

‘Her long and distinguished career has not only seen her protect and help people in danger, her ambassadorial work has helped to raise important funds and increase awareness of the incredible work these Mountain Rescue teams perform.’

Reference: Metro: Lizzie Thomson

Slug pellets are banned, gardeners are advised to use BEER instead

They have been used against the slimy vandals of the vegetable patch since the 1940s.

But from today gardeners are banned from putting out slug pellets to tackle the pests.

Instead, they will have to rely on beer to kill the slugs that are targeting their prized vegetables and flowers.

Slug pellets contain metaldehyde, an organic compound that is toxic for slugs and other gastropods.

But metaldehyde slug pellets can no longer be sold or used in the UK because they can poison animals that eat the slugs, such as hedgehogs, birds and even dogs. 

Slugs aren't poisoned by beer – they're enticed by a brew's yeasty aroma, and die a 'happy death' when they fall in and drown.  

Provided by Daily Mail Slug pellets can no longer be used or sold in the UK, as they can poison other animals like birds and dogs 

Provided by Daily Mail To make a slug beer trap (pictured), dig a hole in the garden, fill it with a container full of beer (preferably lager) and wait for the slugs to slip in. Don't forget to empty the trap regularly 

Experts from horticultural charity Garden Organic say that slugs’ love of lager makes the drink the tastiest way to trap them.

Slugs are 64 times more likely to be caught in a trap containing lager than water, an experiment by the charity found.

Bitter is 53 times more effective than water and the gastropods will go for any beer brand, researchers found. But they will reject other alcohol including red and white wines, Cava and cider.

Garden Organic’s findings came from 166 citizen scientists sinking glasses containing the different drinks below the soil surface for its ‘slug pub’ research project.

‘Slugs love lager,' said Emma O’Neill, the charity’s head gardener. 

'Many gardeners know that slugs are confirmed lager louts and their love of this tipple can certainly distract them from your plants. The smell of lager and bitter really seems to attract them.'

The charity also suggests using copper tape to protect plants from slugs or luring them underneath an old roof tile with a piece of lettuce.

It recommends raised beds and containers to deter slugs, which tend to love munching hostas and delphiniums while leaving foxgloves and geraniums alone.

According to gardeningknowhow.com, an inexpensive beer substitute can be mixed up with common kitchen ingredients, for those who don't want to give their precious beer to slugs.   

 Provided by Daily Mail Recently slugs and snails were no longer classed as pests by the Royal Horticultural Society, as they help to recycle dead leaves and other plant matter

A mixture of yeast, flour, sugar and water will be just as effective as killing slugs with beer, it claims.

According to the Government, alternative methods of pest control also include cultural techniques like planting slug resistant crop varieties, selectively timing irrigation and harvest and sowing seeds more deeply into the soil. 

The ban on slug pellets goes back more than three years – in 2018, the proposed ban was first announced by then Environment Secretary Michael Gove, following advice from the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides and the Health and Safety Executive that they pose an unacceptable risk to birds and mammals.

But the decision was successfully challenged in the High Court by slug pellet manufacturer Chiltern Farm Chemicals after the Government conceded its decision- making process had been flawed.

Announcing a new phased ban in September 2020, Farming Minister Victoria Prentis said: ‘The scientific evidence is clear – the risks metaldehyde poses to the environment and to wildlife are too great.’ 

Eighteen months on, it is finally illegal to sell or use metaldehyde products in the UK.

Garden Organic chief executive Fiona Taylor said that the outright ban has been 'a long time coming'. 

Provided by Daily Mail The smell of lager and bitter attracts slugs and can be used to trap them, as an alternative to slug pellets which have now been banned (stock photo)

'Metaldehyde pellets have long been recognised as posing an unacceptable risk to birds and mammals,' she said.

'There have been cases of dogs ingesting pellets, leading to sickness and even death.

‘Toxins can also find their way into rivers and freshwaters, posing wider harm to the environment and other wildlife.

‘We are pleased that the government has listened to safety and environment experts about the huge risks of this chemical, which far outweigh any benefits.

‘We hope this is the start of a range of measures which sees an end to the use of harmful pesticides.

‘If we care about wildlife and the future of our planet, we must make the positive move to organic, environmentally friendly methods for our gardens, allotments, balconies and pots.’  

Reference: Colin Fernandez For The Daily Mail and Jonathan Chadwick For Mailonline

Cat Sedatives: Dealing with an anxious kitty

Your cat may benefit from receiving cat sedatives if they get frightened at stressful but necessary events like going to the veterinary clinic or travelling. Or perhaps if they become aggressive when you’re trimming their nails or grooming them at home.

Oral sedatives from your veterinarian can help reduce your cat’s fear and anxiety and make the fractious cat easier to handle.  Before your cat needs to be sedated, it’s important to first consult your veterinarian to develop a plan to sedate your cat safely and effectively.  Read on to learn more about using sedatives in cats and how they can help your cat.

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Why would a cat need to be sedated?

Your veterinarian may recommend sedating your cat for veterinary visits if your cat tends to be very fearful, anxious, or aggressive in the veterinary clinic.  This not only helps your cat feel less stressed, but also ensures your safety and that of the veterinary team when handling your cat.  Most importantly, your cat will be less fearful and will have a more positive experience during his or her veterinary visit.

Similarly, sedation may also be used to keep a cat calm during travel, such as long car rides, or in stressful situations such as moving to a new home.  A sedative can make this process go more smoothly for both cat and owner by mitigating the cat’s anxiety and reducing the cat’s fear in this new and potentially scary situation.

Veterinarians also use sedatives to anesthetize your cat for certain procedures or prior to surgery.  This ensures that your cat is safe, comfortable, pain-free, and immobile during the procedure.  These sedatives are administered at the veterinary clinic under the supervision of the veterinary team.

How is a cat sedated?

There are several ways a cat can be sedated.  If your veterinarian has asked you to sedate your cat prior to a veterinary visit, you will be given pills or capsules to be administered to your cat by mouth at home.  These pills may be given the night before the appointment and/or a few hours prior to the appointment.  This ensures that your cat will receive the full sedative effect when it is time for the appointment.  A similar process may be used for other stressful events, such as car rides, moving, thunderstorms, or other scary happenings.  Be sure to follow your veterinarian’s dosing instructions closely so that your cat gets the full effect of the medication but does not receive an overdose.

After receiving oral sedation medications, your cat will be calmer, more relaxed, and maybe a little groggy.  Your cat will not be fully anesthetized or “out of it”.  The sedation medication is just enough to take the edge off of your cat’s anxiety and should not put him or her fully to sleep.

In the veterinary clinic, a cat is often sedated using injectable sedative medications.  These anesthetic medications are used to facilitate certain procedures or to prepare your cat for surgery.  The medication is injected either intramuscularly (IM) or intravenously (IV).  These medications will fully anesthetize your cat or put him or her to sleep so that the procedure can be safely performed.

Can I sedate my cat at home?

Your veterinarian may prescribe one or two medications for you to give to your cat at home to sedate your cat for an upcoming event such as a veterinary visit or a long car ride.  Be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions closely to get the maximum benefit from the sedation while ensuring your cat is safe.  With your veterinarian’s permission, it’s best to test the sedative at home on a typical day first, so you’ll know exactly how the sedative will affect your cat prior to the big day.

Never try to sedate your cat at home using over the counter treatments or home remedies.  Sedating your cat at home without your veterinarian’s guidance can be very dangerous for your cat.  If you feel your cat needs to be sedated, speak to your veterinarian first.  Your veterinarian will give you a safe and effective plan for sedating your cat.

What happens after my cat is sedated?

After your cat is sedated with oral medications, he/she may be a little groggy, sleepy, or quieter than usual.  Your cat will not be completely asleep or “flat out”, but will still be awake and aware of the world around him or her.  The sedation will simply help take the edge off of his or her fear and anxiety to make stressful events go more smoothly.  After the scary event is over, your cat may sleep more than normal or may want to hide and be alone until the sedation has worn off.  Once the sedation has worn off – usually within a few hours to a day – your cat will be back to his or her normal, happy self.

Sedating cats safely

Veterinary visits, car rides, thunderstorms – whenever you may need to sedate your cat, make sure you’re doing it safely and effectively.  Follow your veterinarian’s instructions to sedate your cat safely, and only use medications or supplements given to you by your veterinarian.  Be sure to follow your vet’s dosing instructions exactly, and never double the dose or re-dose your cat without first consulting your vet for instructions.  Never use over the counter medications or home remedies to sedate a cat, as these may be dangerous for your cat, particularly if dosed incorrectly.  If you have any questions about sedating your cat or helping your cat through stressful experiences, contact your veterinarian for further advice. 

Reference: Pet Radar: Elizabeth Racine, DVM

Upset stomach in dogs: Symptoms, causes, and treatments

One of the most common conditions vets see in practice is an upset stomach in dogs. After all, many things can cause an upset stomach, from a dietary change to a virus, to ill-advised scavenging. 

An upset stomach in dogs can vary in severity – sometimes it’s a mild, 24-hour problem that rights itself, but at other times dogs can become really sick and need hospitalization. We’ll go through some of the common causes of dog upset stomachs and what to do about them.

What are the symptoms of an upset stomach in dogs?

Dogs with an upset stomach are usually vomiting, but they can also have many other symptoms. Diarrhea in dogs is also common and will often go hand-in-hand with an upset stomach. Other signs that suggest your dog has an upset stomach include:

• Borborygmi (gut making gurgling sounds)
• Adopting the ‘prayer position’ with elbows and chest on the floor and bum in the air
• Looking at stomach
• Flatulence
• Unsettled, aloof, or clingy behaviour
• Asking to go out more than usual
• Going off their food or reduced appetite
• Change in thirst

Your dog doesn’t have to have all of these signs of an upset stomach, many dogs will be vomiting but still have a normal appetite, toilet, and behavior.

What causes upset stomach in dogs?

There can be many causes of an upset stomach in dogs. They can broadly be split into dietary causes, diseases, and behavioral causes. The most common causes of an upset stomach in dogs include:

1. Garbage gut

Probably the most common cause of an upset stomach, ‘garbage gut’ (properly known as ‘dietary indiscretion’) is well known to most Labrador owners! 

This vomiting comes after raiding a dustbin, sneaking some rotten sandwich remains on a walk, scarfing some deer poop, or generally eating things that aren’t good for them. Unless they’ve eaten something particularly moldy or toxic, this type of upset stomach usually passes of its own accord after a day or two. 

2. Dietary change or unsuitable diet

A sudden dietary change can cause an upset stomach, especially if a dog is particularly sensitive. This is why vets always recommend changing foods gradually, to give a dog time to adjust. 

Again, this type of vomiting in dogs is generally self-limiting and will resolve on its own after a couple of days. An unsuitable diet can also cause an upset stomach if it’s inappropriate or incomplete. For example, raw food is more likely to be contaminated with food-borne bacteria and this can be a cause of upset stomach in dogs.

3. Foreign body

A foreign object in the intestines is a common cause of vomiting. This can be extremely serious and even fatal if left untreated, so if you suspect your dog has eaten something indigestible, you should call your vet for advice immediately. Common foreign bodies include parts of toys, string, bones, corn-on-the-cob, and stones.

4. Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a painful inflammation of the pancreas that is relatively common in dogs. It may be set off by a fatty diet, but some dogs also have chronic pancreas problems. It causes vomiting and abdominal pain and often requires hospitalization for pain relief and fluid support whilst an animal regains their appetite.

5. Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)

Whilst the most common symptom of IBD in dogs is diarrhea, some dogs will also have an upset stomach. These dogs will be sensitive to dietary change but will often have waxing-waning symptoms with no identifiable cause. IBD can be difficult to diagnose but your vet will be able to help.

6. Hormonal diseases

Many of the hormonal diseases, such as diabetes or Addison’s, can cause an upset stomach in dogs. These generally affect dogs reaching middle age but shouldn’t be ruled out in a dog with ongoing waxing-waning symptoms of an upset stomach.

7. Parvovirus

Although relatively uncommon thanks to the number of vaccinated dogs, we still see parvovirus regularly enough for it to feature on this list. Generally, it affects unvaccinated dogs, especially puppies. There is no cure and many dogs will be too severely affected to survive.

8. Seasonal Canine Illness

This rare illness appears to be on the increase, so it’s worth mentioning here. Seasonal Canine Illness (SCI) causes an upset stomach and lethargy within 72 hours of being in a woodland area. Although there is currently no cure, dogs that receive prompt treatment, often including hospitalization, will usually recover.

9. Kidney or liver disease

Kidney disease and liver disease often cause vomiting and many of the symptoms of an upset stomach. Most dogs with these conditions will be older, but kidney and liver disease can affect dogs of any age. Unvaccinated dogs may also catch leptospirosis, which causes these organs to fail.

How to care for a dog with an upset stomach

If your dog develops an upset stomach, the first thing to do is to make sure they have plenty of water available. You should monitor them for other symptoms, especially lethargy, and call your vet if you spot anything that seems concerning. If your dog seems bright and alert, is under six years old, and their vomiting has been going on for 24 hours or less, you can usually continue to monitor them at home. 

When it comes to feeding a dog with an upset stomach, there are two schools of thought. Some vets advise to withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed them a bland diet, usually chicken and rice. However, chicken and rice is not a complete diet – it is missing vital nutrients and might slow your dog’s recovery.

And a further dietary change on top of a stomach upset might not be a good idea. Even whether to withhold food is a hot topic of debate amongst vets but science is starting to suggest that feeding helps to heal the gut and stomach. My advice is generally to feed them either their usual food or prescription food for upset stomachs, little and often until they recover.

What to give a dog for upset stomach

It’s generally best not to give your dog anything for their upset stomach. Most mild causes will pass of their own accord within a day or two. However, if your dog is prone to an upset stomach, perhaps due to a condition (or an over-appreciation for the contents of the dustbin!) you may want to keep some probiotics on hand to help their gut recover. 

Dogs with an upset stomach caused by IBD or other similar conditions may benefit from a special diet designed to be gentle on the stomach.

Can you give a dog Pepto Bismol?

It’s not a good idea to give your dog human medication unless specifically advised by a vet. Whilst it might seem like a cheap and easy option to give your dog Pepto Bismol, it might make things a lot worse if your dog has certain medical conditions or is on other medicines. In addition, an overdose of Pepto Bismol can be life-threatening. 

Lastly, although Pepto Bismol might help some causes of vomiting, it won’t help others – and delaying a veterinary opinion whilst you wait to see whether it works can cause serious problems.

When should I worry about my dog’s upset stomach?

Some causes of an upset stomach in dogs are mild and self-limiting – in other words, they will go away on their own and not cause any lasting damage. On the other hand, some causes are serious, and can even be fatal. 

Signs that an upset stomach is more serious include lethargy, being unable to keep water down, or if it continues for more than 24 hours. However, I always tell people to trust their gut instinct when it comes to your dog – if you’re worried, it’s always better to get them checked out.

Reference: Pets: Radar: Dr Joanna Woodnutt MRCVS