Pets Magazine October

OCTOBER 2020, FREE

WE MEET: Hollywood Actress VICTORIA SUMMER and her Gorgeous Bentley

PLUS: The miracle pup; how to keep your pet’s tummy healthy; the tragedy of the Vet lockdown pups, and more inside

MY PET: ACTRESS VICTORIA SUMMER & BENTLEY

British Hollywood actress VICTORIA SUMMER, star of ‘Saving Mr Banks’, ‘Transformers' and ‘Game of Aces', has announced her engagement to Michelin star chef Fabrizio Vaccaro. We caught up with the English beauty to discuss the other love in her life, her extremely cute rescue Pomeranian pup Bentley.

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Berkshire-born Victoria Summer is in a

Pictures' Transformers: Age of Extinction (Mark

whirl of excitement after announcing her

Wahlberg/Stanley Tucci/Kelsey Grammer) and

engagement to her Italian born fiancé Fabrizio Vaccaro. She met the Michelin

as the lead role of British nurse Eleanor in Game of Aces (Chris Klein/Werner Daehn).

star chef by chance, in a British coffee

Over the past two months Victoria has created a

shop, when he was on the way back from a

successful new website & TV show, which she is

holiday in Florida after his flight was

really excited about. The show shines the

cancelled. He had been on the way to Italy

spotlight on up-and-coming young talent and is called ‘Next Generation Role Model’ and

to visit his sick 94-year-old grandmother

interviews visionaries and

when he made the unscheduled UK

influencers www.nextgenrolemodel.com. A few

stopover – a trip that changed both their

years ago, she was also asked to be an

lives forever. This led to a magical and unexpected turn, and after a few dates,

ambassador for Teen Cancer America by Roger Daltrey which she continues to strongly support and raise money for. She also created a special

decided to lockdown together in the

afternoon tea event for them called ‘Tea With

English countryside…

Victoria Summer’ that kicked off in Los Angeles at the British Consulate.

Victoria has appeared opposite Tom Hanks as the iconic 'Julie Andrews' in Walt Disney's

Victoria is planning to stay in Europe for the

Saving Mr Banks, in Paramount

time being as she is due to fly to Spain next

month to film a supporting role in period drama Bentley is a pure bred Pomeranian. I chose him ‘Glow & Darkness’, alongside two Bond girls

because I wanted a rescue and I saw his puppy

Denise Richards and Jane Seymour. Outside of

picture on a rescue website and fell in love with

work her passions are hiking and yoga, she

him immediately! He was on ‘hold’ and I sent

enjoys a plant-based diet, and has a huge

several emails before I was able to eventually

passion for rescuing animals. She is also a fan of visit him and I drove an hour outside LA to meet fast cars and enjoys racing as a hobby. Her

him. My persistence paid off! He’s the best dog

favourite sport is basketball; you can often catch ever. her at the Clippers games.

How long have you had Bentley?

We caught up with Victoria to talk about her

I have had Bentley since he was four months

adorable rescue Pomeranian pup Bentley!

and he is seven years old now. He’s a family member and our love and connection continues

So, Victoria, what made you adopt Bentley? He’s very cute!

to strengthen over the years.

Does Bentley come to work with you?

in California, has his very own European Pet

Absolutely! He’s attended many auditions in Los

Passport.

Angeles and London and he loves people and

Do you take Bentley with you to restaurants and

enjoys interacting.

pubs?

Yes. Bentley is very well behaved and I’m glad I

What difference does Bentley make to your life? got him excellent training when is was 6 months Through Bentley I’ve learnt to communicate and old at a place called Zoom Room in Los Angeles.

He’s very smart, a understand all animals so much better. To

Bentley does the moonwalk!

have a deeply connected relationship

I kid you not.

with a dog, as a

great listener, incredibly calm and a joy to take anywhere. We especially love to visit

companion and best friend has brought me so much joy. I’m always so excited to see him. He

English pubs and he particularly loves to say

means the world to me.

hello to other dogs.

Do you take take doggie-friendly holidays with

What are Bentley’s favourite things in the world?

your pup?

Bentley loves cuddles and a good scratch under

Yes! Bentley has been all over California where he was born; Las Vegas, Florida, New York, London and Italy so far... he loves experiencing the smells of new countries and enjoys warm climates.

his front right leg. Generally he loves people and he enjoys bringing happiness to anyone he meets.

Does Bentley have any tricks or special character traits?

What are the best holidays you’ve taken with

Bentley does the moonwalk. I kid you not... he

him?

plops himself down, splays he legs and pushes

New York with Bentley was really special. We stayed in a super sweet boutique hotel in Midtown Manhatten and I remember walking in

himself backwards.

How is pet welfare important to you?

Central Park with him and taking pictures

Adopt don’t shop! There are so many amazing

thinking it was a dream come true. He’s the

animals that need rescuing and providing a

perfect dog to travel with and despite being born loving home to a pet in need is very rewarding indeed.

Cancerstricken Honey’s Remarkable Recovery

Brave Cavachon Honey was given just 18 months to live after being diagnosed with a brain tumour but more than two years later she is now living a life of sun, sea and sand on the idyllic holiday island of Bermuda thanks to innovative cancer treatment by leading Surrey vets.

Honey, a 10-year old Cavalier King first shrinking dramatically before

She was referred to the renowned

Charles Spaniel Poodle Cross has

disappearing completely.

Linnaeus animal hospital North

astonished her owner and

It’s an amazing story of survival

Downs Specialist Referrals

specialist vets with a dramatic and which began in May 2018, when

(NDSR), near Bletchingley, in

remarkable recovery from cancer,

Honey first displayed worrying

Surrey, after her condition

with the life-threatening tumour

signs something serious could be

worsened, including suffering a

wrong.

spate of epileptic seizures in quick

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succession.

NDSR’s neurology specialist Francesca de Strobel, who led the initial investigations, explained: “Honey’s owners were extremely worried

Grave situation: Honey’s large

due to the

tumour was clearly

sudden

visible on her first

and

MRI scan

alarming

development of these epileptic

“We were told the tumour could

Honey was immediately

seizures.

only be treated as palliative and

transferred to the specialist

that Honey’s life expectancy would oncology service at NDSR, which “I was immediately concerned

not be any more than a year to 18

is part of UK-wide

about the possible

Linnaeus, where she

presence of a brain

began oral

lesion, so we performed an MRI scan and took some cells from the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord for further

We were told Honey’s life expectancy would not be any more than a year to 18 months…

analysis.

treatment, which she received once a month to begin with.

NDSR clinical director and oncology specialist

months. We were not expecting that news. After all, she was only

chemotherapy

Gerry Polton said: “Honey

“The tests revealed Honey actually seven-and-a-half. had a tumour and the cells from

tolerated the medicine very well.

the fluid indicated it was a cancer

“Honey is the first dog I have ever

we couldn’t be certain whether

called lymphoma.”

had and she is such a kind and

this was due to the chemotherapy

gentle little thing, we wanted to

working or due to the anti-seizure

The news was a huge blow to

give her the best opportunity to

medication she had also started.

Honey’s owner Julie Tomkins,

survive - and thank goodness we

who admitted: “To say we were

did!”

“The only way we could tell the

devastated is an understatement.

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She didn’t have any more fits but

treatment was working was to repeat the MRI scan. This was

“None of us could believe the news that the tumour had gone…”

done in December 2018 and,

somewhat speechless when we last he should be proud to be

incredibly, the tumour had shrunk had her scanned.

associated with, just as we are.”

by around 80 per cent.

“None of us could believe the news

“Honey continued her treatment

that the tumour had gone. Honey

with a gradually increasing

is now 10 years old and loving her

interval between doses and was

new life

scanned again in December 2019.

here in Bermuda,

“Again, the results were

walking on

remarkable. The tumour had

the pink

resolved – all that remained was a

beaches and

thin crescent of scar tissue.

sometimes dipping her

“Honey will finally finish receiving paws in the chemotherapy at the end of this

warm sea.

year and it is amazing to see her looking so well more than two

“We are so

years after her initial

grateful to

presentation.”

Gerry for his expertise

Delighted owner Julie Tomkins,

and

originally from Surrey but who has kindness now emigrated, along with Honey, and believe to Bermuda, added: “We all think

Honey is a

Honey’s response has been

true success

incredible and even Gerry was

story which

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Remember the Rescues Lockdown Sees Surge in Unwanted Pets…

The RSPCA is urging anyone

650% and imports of dogs

in January 2020*. The figure

thinking of taking on a dog to doubled.

was also five times higher than

‘Adopt Don’t Shop’ this

During lockdown, Google

the same month last year (July

Adoptober as new figures

searches for ‘Puppies near me’

2019). And Government

reveal the number of people

increased more than six times

figures** show the numbers of

looking for puppies online

(650%) with 15,000 searches in licences issued for the

during lockdown soared by

July 2020 compared to 2,000

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commercial import of dogs

more than doubled from 5,964

responded to 94,277 incidents

“We know that there are not

(June - August 2019) to 12,733

across England and Wales -

enough puppies bred in the UK

for the same three-month

almost half of all incidents

to meet the demands of those

period this year. The figures

reported related to dogs,

who want to buy them and,

suggest that this rise in demand 45,181.

worryingly, there appears to be

is fuelling a worrying trend in

a surge in puppies coming in

breeding and importing of

RSPCA chief executive Chris

puppies, which, if not bought

Sherwood said: “We have seen

from a responsible breeder, is a a rise in people searching for

from outside the UK. “The problem with this is that,

potentially exploitative and

dogs to adopt during lockdown, although breeders from

damaging trade which can

which is fantastic, but at the

countries like Romania are

cause life-long suffering to

same time, there appears to be

licensed, we have no way of

dogs.

a rise in people looking to buy

checking the conditions those

puppies.

animals are being kept in and

During 2020 (up to 29

we fear that sales like these

September), the RSPCA

could be fuelling cruel puppy

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farms as well as exposing puppies to long and

“If families would still prefer to buy a dog, we’re

stressful journeys..

encouraging them to use The Puppy Contract.

This is a free online tool that will help find

“We are all used to being able to buy whatever

responsible breeders and a happy, healthy dog.”

we want when we want it but we’re urging people to thoroughly do their research before

The RSPCA’s online Find A Pet saw a surge in

committing to getting any dog and to make sure

visits during lockdown, increasing 129% to more

they don’t get caught out by people acting

than 3,700,000 searches compared to

illegally or irresponsibly.

1,600,000 last year. Despite having to pause rehoming for at least a month during lockdown

“We have lots of dogs waiting for their forever

and major changes to rehoming protocols in

homes so please do consider getting a rescue

light of the pandemic, the charity has also been

dog. Although it is really tempting to buy a

rehoming dogs quicker than ever before. In

puppy, those from abroad may have been bred

2019, the RSPCA rehomed a total of 7,480 dogs

in poor conditions, leaving them with

across England and Wales - one every 90

potentially serious medical and behavioural

minutes.

problems whereas adopting from somewhere like the RSPCA where staff have really got to

But there are many more dogs still waiting to

know the dog, means you get the advice and

find their perfect homes. Dogs like Bandit

support you need.

(pictured next page), who has been patiently waiting for 18 months for his new family…

Youngster Bandit is a two-year- dogs last year; that’s 623 a

more dogs coming into our care

old lurcher (pictured) with bags month, 144 a week, 20 every

or being abandoned. The

day or one

message here is simple: do lots

every hour

of research to help find the

and a half!

right pet for your family and don’t impulse buy.

RSPCA dog welfare

“We’re also worried that more

expert Dr

families will hand their dogs

Samantha

into rescue due to behaviour

Gaines said:

problems that have emerged

“It’s

due to changes in routines and

wonderful to

set-ups caused by lockdown.

see that so many people

“During the past few months

want to

we’ve seen more visits to our

welcome

website from people seeking

dogs into

advice on their dog’s behaviour

their families with a 105% increase in visits to and we’ve

our ‘Understanding dogs’

loved waving behaviour’ pages, compared to so many of

last year, and a 27% increase in

of energy who came into the

our own dogs off into their

visits to our ‘Find a

care of RSPCA York Animal

forever homes. However, we

behaviourist’ pages.

Home when his previous

are concerned that some

owners realised they couldn’t

families may not be considering “Dogs can be sensitive to

keep up with him. He’s looking

the long-term commitment of

changes to their routine and

for an active home with owners

taking on a dog and how they’ll

we’d urge anyone who is

who are experienced caring for

care for their new pet post-

concerned about their pets’

big, boisterous and strong dogs. lockdown.

behaviour to speak to their vet

Could you offer him a fun-

or to a clinical animal

loving home this Adoptober?

“We’re worried that as people return to their normal lives

The RSPCA’s national centres

post-lockdown and people are

and branches rehomed 7,480

hit by recession we could see

behaviourist for help.”

Gut Reaction: How we can make our pets’ healthier & happier We meet Dr Rosemary Waring, an expert with Tharos, a science-led health company focused on animal digestive health, malfermentation, and the gut microbiome. Dr Waring discusses how we can improve our pets’ gut health, leading to better general health.

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Like us, our pets are what they eat

enzymes and bacteria which are great at breaking down It might come as a surprise, but proteins, but struggle to break dogs and cats share remarkably down things like carbohydrates. similar gut microbiomes to Many mammals, such as cats, humans. and dogs, lack large quantities of amylase, an enzyme that This sounds a bit technical so let me explain. A microbiome is breaks down carbohydrates into energy. It’s not something a multitude of bacteria and fungal microorganisms that live they’ve developed in a particular environment, in evolutionarily. As a result, if this case, your pet’s gut. Crucial they eat too much carbohydrate, the carbohydrate to animal health, the microbiome assists with energy load may begin to ferment in generation and battling disease. the intestine, causing diarrhoea and other health issues.

Domestic cats and dogs have This is a particular problem for evolved from their wild big dogs which are genetically ancestors, which were carnivorous. As such, their gut closer to their wild ancestors wolves. They are much more microbiome is populated with

BY DR ROSEMARY WARING

likely to suffer from conditions like IBS, which can be painful and upsetting for the animal.

Vets are now citing high carb diets as one of the biggest causes of IBS in dogs - a problem, they say, is getting much more widespread.

Smaller dogs have been selectively bred as companion animals; their smaller size meaning they have relatively more amylase and suffer less from problems with carbs.

Even if your pet is able to break down the carbs, however, the extra sugar this produces can contribute to obesity, which sadly can lead to a shorter life expectancy. So, if you want

expectancy. So, if you want your furry friends around as long as possible, it’s a good idea to pay attention to how much carbohydrate they are eating and keep it to a minimum.

In nature, cats get about 98% of their energy from proteins and only about 1-2% from carbohydrate sources. Dogs are much better at breaking down carbohydrates, but still get the majority of their energy from protein sources in the wild.

like IBS, diabetes, and diarrhoea.

Fortunately, there is a lot of research currently being conducted into the field of gut microbiomes in mammals.

One such study, carried out by Tharos, found that an energyrich malt extract containing amylase helped horses digest carbohydrates better, leading to

“The amount of carbs

we’re feeding our pets

Yet, modern commercial pet food often contains much higher amounts of carbohydrates than our pets are used to - as much as 70% of commercial dog food is made up of carbohydrates.

is much higher than in

The reason is simple: carbohydrate is much cheaper to produce than protein.

Properly processed, these carbs shouldn’t do too much damage to dogs, but will cause problems for cats. And in both cases, the amount of carbs we’re feeding our pets is much higher than in the wild.

developed for cats and dogs to increase the levels of amylase and help them better digest carbohydrates. This should result in less malfermentation in the gut, leading to fewer cases of IBS and diarrhea, and to happier, healthier pets.

The fact that cats have been licking spoons clean in early tests shows that animals love the taste of the malty flavour. It may also turn out that the malt extract can be used to encourage pets to ingest medications such as worming tablets as well, something which will delight cat owners when it arrives!

the wild...” more energy and fewer gastrointestinal issues.

It’s actually very unusual to find measurable evidence of a product positively altering the gut microbiome. Often socalled probiotics make little measurable difference to the enzyme makeup of the gut microbiome. So, to find a measurable change is incredibly significant and shows that the extract is reaching the intestine without being denatured by stomach acid along the way.

Owners also often don’t realise the amount of carbohydrate their pets are getting; those bits of toast and pizza crust can end Given these incredibly positive up causing digestive problems results, we expect that a version of the malt extract could be

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr Rosemary Waring is an expert with Tharos, a scienceled health company focused on animal digestive health, malfermentation, and the gut microbiome. Dr Waring qualified in Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge and completed a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Birmingham.

Web: http://tharos.co.uk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ TharosEquine LinkedIn: https:// www.linkedin.com/company/ 17945663/

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