News

Warning to dog owners over adder bite danger

Agria Pet Insurance and The Kennel Club have joined forces to warn of the dangers to dogs from adder bites this summer. According to claims handled by Agria Pet Insurance, April to September is the most common time for dogs to be bitten by the UK’s only venomous snake.

Bella, a two-year-old Cocker Spaniel from Devon, was recently bitten by an adder while walking on the beach. She had been playing in some long grass, and it was only after her owner brought her home that she started to realise something was wrong.

“Bella became lethargic and wouldn’t eat – which is unlike her – and then I noticed that she had puncture wounds on her face, so I took her straight to the vet,” said Danielle, Bella’s owner.

While the vets monitored her, the swelling continued to increase, so Bella was treated with antivenom. She had to stay in overnight but was allowed home the next day, and fortunately, after 5-6 days, the young Cocker Spaniel had made a full recovery.

Bella’s vet’s bill came to £1,089. Her owner, Danielle, said, “It was awful when we discovered that Bella had been bitten by a snake - we were so worried about her.”

Tom Vaughan, Head of Marketing at Agria Pet Insurance, said, “Dealing with an adder bite can be very traumatic for both dogs and their owners and, if not treated swiftly and appropriately, can prove fatal. We want to draw owners’ attention to this time being right in the middle of the period where we handle most of our claims for adder bites. Understanding the signs to look for and simply having the awareness that adder bites can and do happen could be enough to save a dog’s life.”

Snake bite facts

• 85% of the snake bite claims handled by Agria Pet Insurance occur between

April and September^ • The average cost of a claim for an adder bite is £936.00*

Nick Sutton, Science Communication Advisor at The Kennel Club commented: “Adders are the UK’s only native poisonous snakes and are found in a wide range of habitats, so it’s crucial owners are aware of their surroundings when out and about or even in the garden, and keep an eye on their dog. Adders hibernate over winter and emerge in spring; they can often be found basking in the sun, and inquisitive dogs that stumble upon them are most often bitten around the face, muzzle, and front paws.

“Signs a dog has been bitten by an adder can include a small puncture wound, swelling, bruising, increased temperature, and sickness or lameness. Dogs that are bitten should be taken to a vet as soon as possible, leaving the bite alone in the meantime, as this could cause further complications.

“We hope Bella’s story will help more dogs and owners avoid adders, and stay aware and alert during these warmer months.” If you have any concerns about your dog, always contact your vet for advice.

Be:Loved

Be:Loved is a luxury but affordable British pet care brand that believes the best relationships are based on trust, love and respect. With knowledge of animal care in our DNA, we take our own practical, natural remedies, honed by different generations, and reimagine them for modern life to care for and indulge you and your pet.

Everything is made in the UK. Our quest is for a greener world hence all products are made from sustainable ingredients, and reduced plastics & packaging wherever possible. We test everything on ourselves and all products are made by hand. All products have lovely, natural fragrances and are presented in beautifully designed packaging that fits seamlessly into your home.

Using ingredients handpicked from hedgerows, our stylish range of soaps, sprays and balms are perfect for everyday care and pampering alike, and the luxurious and moisturising ingredients protect and nourish hands while giving your pet the natural boost they deserve, even those with sensitive skin.

Dote on them. They deserve it. Let them Be:Loved

Discover more at www.wearebeloved.co.uk

For all your scissor needs

The Scissor Boutique has the most amazing collection of Scissors; whatever you need to cut they have the Scissor for the job! The team are specialists in Dog Grooming Scissors with a lifetime of experience that their clients find invaluable. Each and every Scissor has important specifications that others often overlook. This is why the Scissor performs in a certain way. It is those precise and small details that can be easily dismissed that give a Scissor the ability to both go through thickness and density and stay sharp for a long time. Or others that are capable of give an amazing finish or a desired effect, for instance velvet finish or a more natural look as if ‘I grew this way’. So choosing the right tool for the job is imperative if you want to be the best groomer you can.

In the last 30 years or so, Scissor manufacturing has changed so much and it is still developing. Some says its progress others will disagree, as we see a decline in the numbers of skilled traditional craftsman and Scissor makers with generations of knowledge. Machines take over and so many of these Scissors will not live up to expectations of old. Specific details that technology has made possible have changed the way Scissors perform; some of these details allow us to achieve things we never could dream of years ago. However these Scissors are more about special effects than everyday hard work in the salon. It is now even more important than ever that you understand the Scissors you buy and how to care for it. What you can expect from the Scissor, the way they work for you and the skills required using them. Purchasing with these things in mind the Scissors will last you longer, require less servicing & sharpening and give you more satisfaction.

Mandy works with her clients to ensure they have the right Scissors to help them achieve their goals. A consultation with Mandy can be a game changer as she explains the relationship between the Scissors and the operator. As far as we understand this is a very unique way of selling Scissors and not a service you find at other outlets. Most of her clients say it improves the confidence to use the Scissors and the enjoyment of Scissoring. Most get a better finish in less time and real job satisfaction. This has to be a win, win situation. At The Scissor Boutique it is important that each and every Scissor is a valuable part of a groomer’s kit and not something found in a draw with no purpose.

At events The Scissor Boutique always had a queue of clients eager for advice. Since the pandemic Mandy has honed a skill of working online with clients. A video consultation to find the right Scissors for you, at whatever stage you are in your career can be nearly as good as a visit to the workshop in Kings Lynn. The team at The Scissor Boutique are still working from base doing appointments in the Scissor Garden. This is a relaxing covered area just outside the door of the tiny workshop were consultations take place and time is spent with clients to ensure they go home with the right Scissors for them to take them forward. To book a visit that inspires the love of Scissoring for appointment Tel; 01553 611380 or send Mandy Carr a message at The Scissor Boutique on Messenger.

Everything on the website www. thescissorboutique.co.uk is in stock; they never advertise anything that is not available to you. All Scissors are checked in the workshop by experienced Scissor technicians and the tension will be checked and adjusted for each Scissor however much it costs (Scissors from £1.99 to £800). Each Scissor is oiled and tested before it is packed with care instructions and comes to you at speed. Clients have access to a telephone helpline (01553 611380) or can arrange a video call when the order is delivered to they can go through everything again to ensure complete satisfaction. The Scissor Boutique experience is a must for any discerning professional.

Lorraine - Hair of the dog

1. We have been using the Aqeuos product for a few years now, after seeing it at a pet product exhibition.

Our main consideration when choosing which shampoo we use is dependent upon the skin type and coat condition. If the dog has a particularly dry or sensitive skin, then we would opt for a gentle, mild, or medicated shampoo. If the dog has a greasy coat or requires a very deep cleanse then we would use a certain shampoo to strip the coat from a build up of grease and dirt. 2. We have used this shampoo on many breeds and coat types as it kills bacteria and combats itchiness which we are experiencing more frequently.

It is also a very good deodorising shampoo which eliminates fox and badger smells too. 3. We have also found that this antibacterial and anti-fungal shampoo is as effective as vetinary prescription shampoos such as Malaseb, which is prescribed for the same skin conditions. It provides instant relief from minor skin irritations from the first application and we have found that continued use has completely alleviated a dogs irritation completely.

It is also very effective in helping heal minor skin wounds and preventing possible infections. After bathing and drying, the coat is extremely clean and soft and we actually bathe the majority of our dogs in this shampoo as it is suitable for all skin and coat types, even if there is no evidence of a particular skin problem. 4. As a very busy groomers, I would 100% recommend this product to other groomers, who undoubtedly have fury clients similar to ours who would benefit from being bathed in this particular shampoo. Coupled with this product being very cost effective and great value for money (compared to other medicated or prescription products), the shampoo can be diluted but at our salon we choose not to as it still highly profitable. Finally, Tracy (the founder of this company), runs a very professional organisation and their customer service is first class! The team are always very helpful and nothing is too much trouble.