Directions to Office where you get your Dogs Health Certificate Signed Velez Malaga

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries:  Velez Malaga

Directions to Office where you get your Dogs Health Certificate Signed:

Take the exit of the Motorway signed Velez Malaga (1st Right off Roundabout if coming from Nerja)

Turn Right at the next Roundabout

Turn Left (2nd Exit) at the next Roundabout which is the main road into Velez (with Tram Tracks) and Car Dealers on the right and Lidl on the left.

Keep going straight on this road following signs for the 'Centro Cuidad' at the top turn left at mini roundabout continue until you come to a main roundabout with a Water Fountain in the centre of it.

Take the 2nd exit off this roundabout 'Calle Blas Infante' (a row of trees should be on your left)

Take the 1st Right after the Petrol Station

Take 2nd Right and drive about 100 yards up this road - the building is on the corner of next juntion on the Left with large green metal doors with a sign above saying ' Junta de Andalucia - Agricultura y Pesca' - you need to go to 2nd floor.

It sounds complicated but its not - its quite easy to find.

ICE LOLLY TREAT FOR YOUR HOT DOG

Make your dog an ice lolly.   Mush up some green vegetables and a few meaty scraps and a drop of water, put them in a mug and mix together.  Place the mixture in a rawhide chew stick in the centre and freeze until solid - a cool treat for when your Rover is Roasting.

UK Rabies Blood Test Waiting Time Reduced

GREAT NEWS as of the 1st of january 2012 DEFRA have changed their rabies policy. it will now only be 21 days after the blood test not 6 months. now theres absolutely NO excuse NOT to take your pets with you when you return....

ITS TOO HOT FOR YOUR DOG IN THE CAR

 FIVE  reasons why leaving a dog in a hot car can be deadly:

1. Dogs are especially vulnerable to heat-related illness because they can only cool off by panting and through the pads in their feet.

2. Even on seemingly mild days, an enclosed car can be deadly. In a Stanford University study, when it was 72 degrees outside, a car’s internal temperature climbed to 116 degrees within one hour.

3. Enclosed cars heat up quickly. In a study by San Francisco State University, when it was 80 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car rose to 99 degrees in 10 minutes and 109 degrees in 20 minutes.

4. A dog’s normal body temperature is between 101 to 102.5 degrees; a dog can only withstand a high body temperature for a short time before suffering nerve damage, heart problems, liver damage, brain damage or even death.

5. Studies show that cracking the windows has little effect on a car’s internal temperature.

Gastric Torsion/Bloat

If you own a deep chested dog such as a Labrador Retriever, Doberman Pinscher,

Akita or Great Dane you must be made aware of Gastric Torsion or commonly

referred to as Bloat.

Bloat is caused by too much gas or fluid in the stomach. This gas can extend the

stomach causing gastric dilation. If the stomach partially rotates its called gastric

torsion. If it fully rotates its called gastric volvolus. Each can be a life threatening

problem.

BLOAT FACTS:

1. Dogs with bloat nearly always are between four and seven years of age.

Two-thirds are males.

2. It usually affects dogs of the larger, deeper-chested breeds: Great Danes,

German Shepherds, St. Bernards, Labrador Retrievers, Irish Wolfhounds,

Great Pyrenees, Boxers, Weimaraners, Old English Sheepdogs, Irish Setters,

and others of large size (58 pounds was the average size in one study) It

rarely occurs in small breeds.

3. Dogs who bloat tend to eat large quantities of dry kibble.

4. They exercise vigorously after eating and tend to drink water in large

amounts after meals.

5. They may have a history of digestive upsets (gastritis).

6. There may be a familial association with other dogs who have bloated.

SIGNS OF GASTRIC DILATION

The signs are excessive salivation and drooling, extreme restlessness, attempts to

vomit and defecate, evidence of abdominal pain (the dog whines and groans when

you push on the stomach wall) and abdominal distention. Its important to know

the history of the dog. Has it eaten recently? Drunk water? Has it been running or

exercising within 2-3 hours of eating?

If the dog is able to burp or vomit you can usually rest assured that the gut is not

twisted. This can be treated at home. Give Mylanta by mouth. Dosage for a small

dog is 6 ounces; Medium dog is 8 ounces; large dog 12 ounces. Make sure you

walk the dog after giving the Mylanta until the bloat is relieved or until you can

contact a veterinarian. If the bloat is relieved at home, it would still be a good idea

to contact your vet to let them know the dog bloated. IF YOU ARE UNSURE,

RUSH THIS DOG TO THE VET IMMEDIATELY. THIS COULD BE THE

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH FOR YOUR DOG. Once a

dog bloats, it will usually bloat again in the future.

SIGNS OF TORSION OR VOLVULUS

The initial signs are the same for Gastric Dilation except more severe. The

distress is more evident. There could be rapid breathing, pale gums and the

dog may collapse. The shock like symptoms are due to the strangulation of the

blood supply to the stomach and spleen. RUSH THIS DOG TO THE VET

IMMEDIATELY. Surgery is needed to relieve a torsion or volvulus. The chance

of a recurrence is about 15 percent.

PREVENTION

Knowing of this problem is the first part of prevention. Feed several small meals

throughout the day (at LEAST 2) instead of one big meal. Keep the dog quiet

at LEAST one hour before and at LEAST 2 hours after a meal. This means no

roughhousing or playing. If the dog usually gets rambuncious after a meal, crate

this animal. Monitor and restrict the water intake of the dog before and especially

after a meal. The dog should not drink after eating dry kibble. Therefore, it is best

to thoroughly soak the kibble for at least 30 minutes before feeding this to the

dog. Try not to feed a kibble which expands greatly when wet. Do the kibble test

overnight. Put a cup of kibble in a bowl. Add water and let soak over night. What

you see in the morning is the amount of swelling this food will do in your dog's

stomach. If its excessive, change to another kibble which doesn't swell as much.

Always keep Mylanta on hand.

These measures may prevent some cases of bloat but will not prevent all cases.

Being aware might be the difference between life and death for your dog.

Alfie - The Miniature Poodle - LAMB Cut with French Mustache

ALFIE before his cut with face & feet shaved

ALFIE after - the LAMB cut with French Mustache

Isla - The West Highland Terrier

Isla the Westy Before and After her haircut

Breed Information - Lowchen

The Lowchen:  With its long, silky coat trimmed in the traditional 'lion clip', this dog is easily distinguished from other members of the bichon group.  The tail is clipped along part of its length, leaving just a plume of hair, completing this attractive, lively breed's distinctive parody of the 'king of the beasts'.

This breed found favour with the European aristocracy at an early stage in its development.  It featured in a painting by Goya of the Duchess of Alba in the 1700's, however its popularity declined to the extent that by 1960 it was considered to be the World's rarest dog breed.

Lowchen cut in style (left) and below out of style

Max The Springer Spaniel

Meet Max the Springer Spaniel from Sweden who spends his winters here on the Costa Del Sol

 

Max Before and After his clip - Max is so chilled out he lies down and sleeps when I am clipping his feet.

Mi Mi - The Bichon Frise

Meet Mi Mi from Sweden - Before and After her cut. Mi Mi does not have the conventional Bichon cut as she prefers a less round face - her fur is softer so looks more fluffy.