Exciting News! I am very thrilled to announce that Four Paws Dorset is open again and I am very much looking forward to welcoming new dogs to join our walks in beautiful Dorset.
Holly had her puppies and all are growing fast and very happy in their new homes.
Four Paws Dorset dogs doing some doggie socialising in Wimborne!
Its always great to meet up with some of our doggie friends!
Get the dog checked by a Vet if it displays prolonged or repeated vomiting or if the dog is lethargic or in obvious pain.
Do not feed the dog until it has seen a Vet.
In a two-year study spanning from October 2010 through July 2012, the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) screened over 1,000 samples of pet food for bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses. (The illnesses are called “foodborne” because the bacteria are carried, or “borne,” in or on contaminated food.) The study showed that, compared to other types of pet food tested, raw pet food was more likely to be contaminated with disease-causing bacteria.
Raw pet food was not included in the first year of the study. In the second year, CVM expanded the study to include 196 samples of commercially available raw dog and cat food. The center bought a variety of raw pet food online from different manufacturers and had the products shipped directly to six participating laboratories. The raw pet food products were usually frozen in tube-like packages and made from ground meat or sausage.
The participating laboratories analyzed the raw pet food for harmful bacteria, including Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. In past projects, CVM had monitored dog and cat food for the presence of Salmonella. But before this study, the center “had not investigated the occurrence of Listeria in pet food,” said Renate Reimschuessel, a veterinarian at CVM’s Office of Research and one of the study’s principal investigators. Dr. Reimschuessel further noted that “quite a large percentage of the raw foods for pets we tested were positive for the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes.” (Pathogens are disease-causing germs, like some bacteria. Not all bacteria are harmful pathogens, though. Some bacteria are helpful to people and animals, such as those that live in the intestines and contribute to a healthy gut.)
Of the 196 raw pet food samples analyzed, 15 were positive for Salmonella and 32 were positive for L. monocytogenes (see Table 1).
| Type of Pet Food Sample | No. samples tested | No. positive for Salmonella | No. positive for L. monocytogenes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw pet food | 196 | 15 | 32 |
| Dry exotic pet food | 190 | 0 | 0 |
| Jerky-type treats | 190 | 0 | 0 |
| Semi-moist dog food | 120 | 0 | 0 |
| Semi-moist cat food | 120 | 0 | 0 |
| Dry dog food | 120 | 0 | 0 |
| Dry cat food | 120 | 1 | 0 |
| Non cat and non dog food, such as dry pellets for hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, amphibians, and birds. Included chicken jerky product, pig ears, and bully stick-type products. Typically packaged in pouches for retail sale, such as pouched dog and cat food; and food treats shaped like bacon, fish, pork chops, and burgers. Included pellet or kibble type food typically packaged in bags for retail sale.Note: CVM did not collect or test canned and wet pet food samples in this study. |
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Based on the study’s results, CVM is concerned about the public health risk of raw pet food diets. As Dr. Reimschuessel explained, the study “identified a potential health risk for the pets eating the raw food, and for the owners handling the product.” Owners who feed their pet a raw diet may have a higher risk of getting infected with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.
Tips to Prevent Foodborne Illness from Raw Pet Food
Because raw pet food is more likely than other types of pet food to contain Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, the single best thing you can do to prevent infection is to not feed your pet a raw diet. However, the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine is aware that some people prefer to feed their pets this type of diet.
If you choose to feed raw pet food to your pet, be aware that you can infect yourself with Salmonella or L. monocytogenes by spreading the bacteria from the contaminated food to your mouth. For instance, you may accidentally ingest the bacteria if you touch your mouth while preparing the raw food or after handling a contaminated utensil. If you get Salmonella or L. monocytogenes on your hands or clothing, you can also spread the bacteria to other people, objects, and surfaces.
Here are some tips to prevent infection with Salmonella and L. monocytogenes:
The Difference between Cleaning and Disinfecting
Cleaning removes germs (like bacteria) and dirt from surfaces and objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs and dirt. This process doesn’t necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, cleaning lowers the number of germs and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces and objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals, such as bleach, to kill germs. This process doesn’t necessarily clean dirty surfaces and objects or remove germs, but by killing germs after cleaning, disinfecting can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
No matter what type of pet food you feed your pet, you should always follow safe food preperation and hygiene procedures.
Four Paws Dorset Dog Peanut leading the way on our Dog Walk near Furzehill, Wimborne.
Peanut just loves exploring and is always happy to lead the way!
Country walks are great, especially this time of year as you can often find a shady track or path!
Way to go Peanut!
PHOTO to follow! Technical hitch!
Meet Morris, 82 years young today! Pictured here on his allotment in Wimborne …
3 years ago Morris had to move from the place he had had his allotment for many, many years next to the Stour accessed via Julians Road.
When Morris and his wife took over their new allotment the only things growing were weeds!
They have both worked tirelessly and the results are incredible! Both being in their 80’s makes it even more amazing! They always have time for a chat and kind word.
Morris has a dear little Border Terrier dog called Joey!
Well done Morris and Happy 82nd Birthday for today.
If a dog has been hit by a vehicle …
If the dog is bleeding apply a pressure bandage whilst keeping the dog quiet and as calm as possible.
Then contact your Vet.
In a dramatic change of course, the infamous annual dog meat festival in Yulin, China, has reportedly been banned from selling dog meat.
Though dogs have been eaten in parts of East Asia for centuries, the ten-day Lychee and Dog Meat Festival in southern China is relatively new. Founded in 2010, the festival has sparked global controversy throughout its short history. Chinese and international animal advocates have condemned the event for slaughtering thousands of dogs each year, many of them stolen pets or strays.
In a May 17 press release, Humane Society International and the advocacy group Duo Duo Animal Welfare Project reported that the city is poised “to prohibit restaurants, street vendors and market traders from selling dog meat at the event.”
The ban, reportedly spearheaded by Mo Gong Ming, Yulin’s newly appointed Party Secretary, will come into force on June 15, one week before the festival’s scheduled June 21 opening. It will be enforced by risk of arrest and fines up to 100,000 yuan ($14,500).
“The Yulin dog meat festival is not over just yet,” said Peter Li, a China policy specialist at Humane Society International, in a statement. “But if this news is true as we hope, it is a really big nail in the coffin for a gruesome event that has come to symbolize China’s crime-fueled dog meat trade.”
Happy Dog picture for the weekend!
How adorable are these puppies!
Suggested Dog Walk for the weekend. Moreton Forest, Moreton, Dorset …
HOPEFULLY OFFERING LOTS OF SHADE FOR BOTH DOGS AND THEIR OWNERS!
Remember to take water for your dog/dogs after their walk!
Moreton is a village and civil parish in Dorset, England, situated on the River Frome about 8 miles east of Dorchester.
* Dog bin at Moreton Village only.
Accessibility: Some paths were relatively flat and even at the time of visit and may be accessible for some pushchair and wheelchair users and those with mobility or other issues; a reccying visit is advised to check out which paths are suitable for particular requirements, if doing this it’s probably worth looking at the route starting from Moreton Village.
Moreton Forest is an attractive, large and varied woodland with options for short and long circular walks along its network of paths. There is also a wide ford and footbridge with walking links through to Moreton village and surrounding countryside.
There are tea rooms at Moreton village, near the ford. Well worth a visit!
The Forest has many different types of trees, heathland areas and a wide, shallow ford (dependent on weather conditions) which is crossed by a footbridge.
Parking areas are available at several laybys bordering the northern edge of the woodland along theTincleton road and some parking is also available at Moreton village. The nearest public transport links are at Bovington, see bus stop map for more information. It is then possible to access Morden Forest from Bovington via a public footpath.
Please be aware there are free range sheep and
hens near the ford!
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Dogs welcome off lead |
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Dogs welcome on lead |
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Sorry – no dogs |
