Animal Care

FAMILY PLANNING

Mark Newton-Clarke MAVetMB PhD MRCVS, Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons

The past year has been trying for most, tragic for many and profitable for a few. Anyone looking for a puppy has discovered prices have shot up while supply has significantly declined – the two clearly related. Consequently, many owners with younger dogs have been thinking of turning their hands to breeding, with the prospect of making a fast buck just too good to pass up. Or is that deliberately provocative statement unfair? Well, yes, it is! As for the vast majority of people who contemplate breeding with their pets, the motivation is usually to have a younger version of their beloved companion. These casual breeders are more worried about finding good homes for the puppies than counting the bank notes.

In the last year or so, commercial dog breeders have needed a licence from the local authority. This has been a welcome development as inspections of premises are mandatory and minimum health and welfare standards have to be upheld. As a result of this legislation, many sub-standard breeding premises have closed, as they were not prepared to invest in skills and buildings to pass the stringent tests required. Consequently, fewer puppies are out there to be bought.

So, travel restrictions due to the pandemic preventing puppy imports from abroad, enforced licensing of commercial breeders, and all of us spending more time at home has created a huge demand for canine company. Perhaps some of you are thinking of having a litter? If so, there is some planning to do. No matter how wonderful an example of its breed you may think your dog is, some pre-breeding checks really are important. There are Kennel Club schemes to test for hip and elbow dysplasia, heart problems and inherited eye diseases. The KC and breed society websites list the recommended screening tests for each breed, now with genetic tests that are available. All of them have

ch_ch/Shutterstock

their limitations but are the best way to improve each generation and help reduce inherited disorders. I think of these tests as a way of counterbalancing the effect that selective breeding has had on natural selection: the process that confers advantage to the healthier individuals. It’s worth saying that non-KC registered dogs are eligible for the screening tests and in fact, it’s just as important, as the trend for crossing different breeds can result in selection of undesirable genes hidden in the parents. What we want to do is produce ‘hybrid vigour’ not a back-cross to the recessive!

I have mentioned before that x-rays for hips and elbows can be done after 12 months of age; by which time, the bones and joints are fully formed in most breeds. My tip is to get the eye test done first as it is the least expensive and has the longest waiting list, due to the scarcity of examiners. Claudia Hartley at the University of Bristol’s veterinary school is the closest person who can issue the certificate. The small animal hospital’s telephone number for bookings is 01179 394 0513.

Now, let’s imagine your beautiful female puppy has grown into an equally beautiful 2- or 3-year-old and all the health checks are passed; she deserves a mate with an equivalent health status and an experienced breeder if this is going to be the first litter. I really cannot recommend random matings between friends’ dogs, as who knows whether the parents are related? With the tiny gene pools that we have created as a consequence of selective breeding, background checks are important. The next hurdle is timing; modern breeding often means the participants are miles apart with little opportunity for an introduction until mating day. The problem with this arrangement is female dogs are only fertile during a brief window around ovulation and although there are some clues from behaviour, many bitches are undemonstrative in this respect. Luckily, there is a blood test for hormone levels that can help guide us. By repeating this test on successive days, we can make a good guess when ovulation will occur. When the test gives an anxious owner the green light, off to the stud dog they go, understandably a little nervous.

The gestation period in dogs is around 62 days. Amazing to think this is long enough for a single cell to develop into a fully formed puppy. Around halfway through the pregnancy, we can do an ultrasound scan and demonstrate the success of all that hard work and planning (hopefully). If we don’t see anything on the first scan, we always repeat it a week or so later. Occasionally, disappointment turns to joy on the second scan if the first was too early to detect the little foetuses. With a positive scan for a multiple pregnancy, the preparations for the arrival of a new generation can commence. A whelping box is easily made, and the expectant mum should be introduced at an early stage to get used to it, well before her due date. There’s generally no need to feed a different diet or to add supplements before the pups are born and, in fact, it’s important not to give extra calcium until lactation starts. As for the birth, nature usually takes its own course but it’s always worth getting familiar with the process. I have just Googled for advice on whelping and the Kennel Club (amongst others) has a website with relevant information. As always though, if you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact any of us at the surgery.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VET

John Walsh BVSc Cert AVP DBR MRCVS, Friars Moor Vets

As a vet, I have to perform surgical operations on the farm animals we treat. This can be for many reasons and, this month, I thought I would let you know which operations we commonly perform, and how we go about maintaining a clean and sterile environment on a farm, where usually everything is far from clean.

To prevent infection, we must be very clean when carrying out operations. Most of the procedures we carry out on cows are performed with the cows fully awake and standing up. With the cow safely restrained, we give local anaesthetic injections to numb the nerves supplying the muscle on the cow’s side. This is like the injections the dentist will give you to numb the pain before removing a tooth or drilling your teeth for a filling. We then must clip and clean the area with a surgical scrub solution to kill and remove any bacteria on the skin. Once the area and our hands and arms are clean, we use our sterile surgical equipment to cut through the cow’s skin and muscles. We then insert our arm into the cow’s abdomen to enable us to feel our way around to find the problem we are dealing with. The cow cannot feel any pain when we do this because there are no pain receptors inside the abdomen.

I still remember my first operation as a student – how amazing it was that the cow was stood there eating away with my arm inside her abdomen as we were performing a caesarean section. Once we have finished, we suture all the muscle layers with an absorbable suture material and the skin is closed using nylon; these

Alice Miller after performing a successful caesarean section

skin stitches need removing once the wound has healed. Cows are amazingly stoic creatures, and often go back to their pens and tuck straight into their feed as if nothing has happened.

One of my first operations I performed, as a newly qualified vet, was to correct a right displaced abomasum. The operation had gone very smoothly, so I was surprised to get a telephone call from the farmer a few hours after returning to the practice. The cow had laid down after the operation and unbeknown to the cow (due to the anaesthetic injections we had given) the farm dog had started licking the wound and managed to chew out some of the stitches. I had to return to the farm and stitch her wound all over again!

The following operations are the ones we carry out the most frequently:

Caesarean section. If the calf or lamb is too big or the mother is too small to have a natural delivery, we have to perform a caesarean section. This means we can deliver the calf or lamb safely and protect both the mother and offspring from damage if we were to continue with a vaginal birth.

Left displaced abomasum. This condition occurs in dairy cows after calving. The cow’s fourth stomach, the abomasum, can fill with gas and twist into an unnatural position on the cow’s left-hand side. This is generally caused if the cow fails to eat enough around calving to maintain its dietary needs.

Right displaced abomasum. This also most commonly occurs in dairy cows after calving. As with the left, the cow’s abomasum can fill with gas and twist into an unnatural position on its right-hand side. This is generally much less common than the left, but is much more serious and life-threatening to the cow. When the stomach displaces on the right-hand side it can also twist on itself affecting the blood supply to the stomach. If we didn’t operate on these in a timely manner then the stomach wall could die, rupture and lead to the cow’s death.

Exploratory laparotomy. Sometimes we are not 100% sure what is going on inside the cow’s abdomen, but the clinical signs all point towards the cow having a twisted piece of intestine or something similar. If this is the case, we perform what is called an ‘exploratory laparotomy’. Because we can’t physically see what is going on in the abdomen, we have to use our knowledge of normal anatomy to feel our way around the abdomen to make a diagnosis and correct any abnormalities.

Umbilical hernias. Calves are sometimes born with a hole in the muscle where the umbilicus attaches. This would normally close over soon after birth but, from time to time, this muscle doesn’t close over, leaving a hole. There is a risk, if left untreated, that a piece of intestine can pass through the hole and become strangulated. Therefore, we usually operate to close these holes and for this procedure we give the calf a general anaesthetic. With the calf laying on its back we can operate to close the hole using several sutures. In fact, the name given to the type of stitch we use is ‘the vest over pants suture’. With the hole closed we have removed the risk of intestinal strangulation and the calf can go on to live a normal life.

THE BENEFITS OF JOURNALLING

Vanessa Lee, Mindfulness Sherborne

During a recent sort out, I came across an old diary documenting the life and trials of my 18-year-old self. I can’t say that it made for particularly joyous reading – it was full of high drama, angst and big emotions, not to mention poetry and gloomy predictions regarding my future!

Reading through it, however, did remind me of the valuable role my diary played at the time. My diary was my confidante, my ‘go to’ when I’d had a tough day. It was the place that I gave vent to my emotions, where I worked out my feelings and parked my worries. It was the place too, that I expressed the fears and thoughts that were uncomfortable to share. Looking back, it reminded me not only of how all-consuming my feelings were, but also how my journalling fostered an emotional literacy. I became adept at exploring how I felt.

The benefits of journalling, whatever your age, are well researched and far reaching. Having to find the words to express ourselves on paper, helps us to unravel the emotional string that, at times, has us in knots! Writing helps us to deal with our feelings in a safe way. It allows us to express ‘taboo emotions’ such as jealousy or anger without censor. It also affords us the opportunity to reflect and to gain insight, with the result that it often shifts our perspective.

A mindfulness practice encourages us to acknowledge our thoughts and feelings: to cultivate an awareness of experience and to develop an openness and curiosity to life. Journalling provides us with the perfect forum within which we can grow that mindful awareness.

“Whether you’re keeping a journal or writing as a meditation, it’s the same thing. What’s important is that you’re having a relationship with your mind.”(Natalie Goldberg)

My 9-year-old daughter and I share ten minutes every evening writing a gratitude journal – another mindful practice. As well as being a special shared time, it teaches her to look for the positive things in life. We are all very adept at stamp-collecting the negative,

GoodStudio/Shutterstock

but it’s amazing how with the right lens, even the hardest days yield things to be grateful for – it can be the simplest of things, like a cup of tea, the birdsong outside the window, a sympathetic hand on your shoulder... Learning to look for the positive is proven to boost wellbeing and helps to increase optimism.

A friend uses the practice of ‘morning pages’, as a form of writing to offload and process thoughts. On waking up, you commit to writing three sides of A4 paper. The key is not to think about what you’re writing, but just to fill the pages without overthinking: a stream of consciousness. Julia Cameron, in her book The Artist’s Way, came up with the method as a way of getting rid of mental debris and finding creativity. The

journalist Oliver Burkeman says of ‘morning pages’:

‘You can write whatever’s on your mind. Petty worries, soaring plans, angry tirades… I wish I’d started long ago.’

With the current worries and restrictions in life, many of us, both young and old, are struggling. Unwanted emotions can feel like bad roommates – constantly around and taking the fun out of everything! Writing helps us to integrate experience and provides an opportunity to recover from daily stressors. There is too the delight in choosing a beautiful book to write in and gifting oneself the time to let loose one’s thoughts.

A great way to get started is to use the acronym ‘WRITE’: What do you want to write about? What’s going on with your thoughts and feelings? Review and reflect what has been happening. Investigate. Explore your thoughts and emotions. Time. Give yourself the time to write. Exit. Finish and re-read. Take a moment to reflect and absorb.

Journalling can help young children to find an emotional vocabulary, older children and young adults a private place to offload, and all of us an arena in which we can explore and record our daily experiences. Journalling can work in so many positive ways; I challenge you to find yours!

MANAGING YOUR STRESS CONTAINER

Lucy Lewis, Dorset Mind Ambassador

April is ‘Stress Awareness Month’. In light of the pandemic, many people have found themselves under increased stress – so this month’s article looks at how it can affect our lives and wellbeing. We’ll also focus on positive ways to manage or reduce stress.

Dorset Mind staff and ambassadors recently engaged in mental health first aid training, delivered by their expert trainers. During this training, we learned about ‘The Stress Container’, and how this can help us to understand and reduce our stress.

Stress is our body’s natural response to threat. In olden days, we would commonly experience the stress response once we detected a threat from predators. Our automatic response would enable us to think quickly and run away fast.

In modern times, we become stressed due to a varied range of pressures. These could be from work, family, friends, online, money issues, or any other pressures we experience because of lockdown, our responsibilities or daily lives.

A little bit of stress can be helpful; it can motivate us, encourage us to pay closer attention, or work faster. However, stress becomes a problem when it interferes with our lives by being too intense or too frequent. Too much stress over a long time can trigger a range of additional mental and physical health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or even heart attacks.

But it is possible to reduce our stress levels and benefit our wellbeing by using a range of different techniques and resources. One great way to visualise stress is by learning about The Stress Container.

Picture a container, such as a sink. As we go about our lives, the sink fills with water from different taps. The sink represents our stress container, and the water is various stresses that can weigh on our minds as we go through the day.

One tap could represent COVID-19 concerns, or the stress of isolation. Another tap may be demands of work, or pressures from home-schooling your children. There are many different potential sources of stress that are unique to us. When the sink is plugged, the water continues filling the sink, until eventually it overflows and this is where problems can develop.

In addition, everyone has a different sized sink, which means that some of us can manage lots of water from many taps before their sink overflows. Other people may only have a small sink, meaning that just a little bit of water could send them over the edge. Regardless of your stress threshold or resilience, it is possible to ease the effects of stress and let out some water, before your stress overflows and becomes a problem.

Releasing the pressure The sink fills and overflows with water because the sink is plugged. However, we can unplug the sink and release some stress, so that we are no longer teetering on the edge and have plenty of mental space to face the day.

Sometimes, we can’t stop the taps from pouring stress into our lives, but we can take positive steps to release it. How you do this will be unique to you, but be aware there are also elements and behaviours that may actually block your sink further. These maladaptive techniques include overworking, striving for perfection, drinking alcohol or using drugs, and bottling up your feelings.

Take action to empty your sink by connecting with others, exercising, playing games, being creative, or engaging in self-care. Try different activities and coping strategies, and see how they affect your stress levels.

Remember, you have the power to actively manage and reduce your stress. Organise your life to include enjoyable activities, social support and exercise, then notice your stress levels reduce and become manageable.

If your stress levels become too much, or your mental health starts to affect your daily functioning, the first step is to contact your GP. You can also visit dorsetmind.uk for information and support. If you reach a crisis, or need emotional support, ring the Samaritans FREE, 24 hours a day, on 116 123.

Dorset Mind offer ‘Stress, Anxiety and Burnout’ training and mental health first aid courses to businesses and members of the public. Visit dorsetmind.uk and search for ‘training’, to learn more and find out how to book a course.

OUTDOOR GROUP EXERCISE

Craig Hardaker BSc (Hons), Communifit

Image: Stuart Brill

As I write this on a sunny Sunday, things are finally looking up. The vaccine roll-out in and around Sherborne has been excellent, the weather has definitely improved, and Boris has given us a roadmap to end lockdown. Businesses are planning and looking forward to the future. At Communifit we are looking forward to the return of our popular events programme and, of course, outdoor group exercise. During lockdown, our online training has proved hugely popular. The feedback though is that although our online programme has been both very enjoyable and beneficial, the return of outdoor group exercise is much missed. There are multiple benefits of outdoor training. This month’s article outlines why we believe exercising outside is important and why we all should do it.

Whether it is a gruelling bootcamp class or a stroll around Pageant Gardens, get outside for some fresh air! There is nothing better than moving the body and opening your lungs on a warm summer’s day or even, as last year proved, on those cold and wet days. Getting some fresh air, no matter the weather, is invigorating, energising and totally enjoyable.

Lockdown has been a very lonely experience for many, seeing either a very small group of people or, in some cases, nobody at all. Now is the time to not only gain from fresh air, but also from being around others. This social interaction makes exercise both more enjoyable and achievable. Knowing you are with others similar to you, wanting to improve physical and mental well-being, will help you feel part of a group.

Whilst exercising, we release chemicals that make us feel good; these are called endorphins. Researchers suggest that spending just 5 minutes outside in an open space each day can lift morale significantly. Stressful lives also mean we need the escapism, and there is no better way than training outside. If you have been inside all day it is so important to force yourself outside. If you attend a weekly exercise class, the incentive and purpose is already there. You just need to put your trainers on!

There is no doubt that whilst training with others you will train harder. When on your own or virtually with others, it is all too easy to miss that last repetition, and hide away from the camera with little or no competitive edge. Training with others will mean you exercise harder for longer – there is no hiding place!

So, there we have it! Just some reasons why we should head outside and exercise. We are really excited to welcome you back to classes as soon as we are able. We have missed you and cannot wait to get going again.

RUN FOR THE HILLS

Simon Partridge BSc (Sports Science), Personal Trainer SPFit

My last two articles discussed training to get stronger at home and in gyms, in preparation for the easing of lockdown. Many people have taken up running and many of those already running have run more often and further.

Now the weather is improving, the evenings are getting lighter, and the countryside is drying out, we can all start trail running. Trail running is the reason I run; in essence, I run to be in beautiful countryside and experience all the physical and mental health benefits such amazing environments bring. In Sherborne, we are fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Our running club has always run off-road, as soon as the weather and light allow. Imagine a clock face with its centre as Sherborne; we have run trails in every direction to Milborne Port, through the castle grounds, Longburton, Bradford Abbas, Trent, Sandford Orcas, plus Corton Denham to name but a few.

But what is trail running? Trail running is simply defined as going for a run at the heart of nature. You don’t need to be high in the mountains to go trail running. You simply need to be in nature.

Trail running includes ascents and descents Trail running involves hills, which we have to go up and come down: During the ascents, you alternate walking and running. You sometimes use poles or push on your legs with your arms in the steeper sections. During descents, you have to watch your footholds and use your arms for balance. I adore hills; the secret is to run easy and have fun with the terrain!

Why is trail running different to road running? Unlike road running, the terrain varies constantly when trail running. You run on trails, over rocks, mud and grass.

Image: No Limits Photography

Trail running beyond physical exertion Over and above running in nature, there is also a trail running state of mind. Opening your senses, listening to your body and its sensations, feeling good and appreciating the place where you are running. Concentrating on each step encourages a state of mindfulness, allowing you to take pleasure in exercising outdoors.

Is trail running for you? Trail running is also about signing up for a race and preparing for it. Setting off in a local race in Dorset, or going to the Lake District for example, is a real thrill whatever the distance covered.

But what I really love about trail races is that it doesn’t matter if you’re first or last. The distance chosen, race time or ranking are not important. In this running style, you run at your own pace and listen to your senses

Simon running the Climb South West 55k Ultra Marathon, Exmoor, 2019

to feel good before looking at your GPS watch.

The trail running community is incredibly friendly with no egos – everyone is welcome. It would be amazing to see more people exploring new places to run locally and I hope I cross paths with many of you on the trail soon.

Good luck everyone – enjoy running safely in our beautiful countryside.

spfit-sherborne.co.uk

An independent trekking and outdoors shop offering clothing and equipment from major suppliers. 7 Cheap St, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PT • 01935 389484 • 07875 465218 • david@muntanya.co.uk • www.muntanya.co.uk

ECZEMA

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS?

Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom GP & Complementary Practitioner

Eczema is a common skin condition characterised by a red or pink itchy rash, which can be dry or moist, with painful cracks and fissures. It can appear anywhere on the body, particularly on the hands, inside the elbows and behind the knees. Eczema can occur due to internal or external factors; it frequently runs in the family. It can arise as a result of direct external contact by chemical and plant irritants, and it can also be due to allergies to food or airborne particles such as house dust mites, mould spores, dog hair and cat fur.

Self-help for eczema includes avoidance of skin irritants and chemicals that trigger the flare-ups – soaps, detergents, antiseptics, perfumes, hair products and bubble bath are all common causes of eczema.

Conventional treatment for dry eczema is with application of moisturising creams and lotions which will rehydrate the skin. Use soap substitutes and emollient in the bath – don’t soak for too long and the water should be body temperature – not too hot. Upon getting out, pat yourself dry: don’t rub. Moderate and severe eczema usually needs steroid cream to dampen down the inflammation. However, prolonged use should be avoided as this can lead to skin thinning and pigmentation. There is another cream called Protopic that is an alternative to steroid; this can be prescribed by your GP. Antihistamine cream or tablets can be helpful, especially if the eczema rash is itchy.

The complementary treatment of eczema could include nutritional, homeopathic and herbal approaches. Studies have shown omega 3 fatty acids and fish oils reduce the severity and itchiness of childhood eczema. Probiotics containing healthy gut bacteria may help to heal eczema. The importance of gut health and the immune system is being increasingly recognised. Nourishing your intestinal microbiota, the ‘friendly bacteria’, is so important – a mixed balanced diet high in fruit and vegetables, a so-called prebiotic diet, will achieve this.

Increasingly, people are looking for alternative and complementary treatments. Homeopathic medicines can be very effective in the management of eczema. Application of calendula cream soothes, as well as encourages healing, of raw areas. Seek advice from a homeopath who can match the type of eczema with a specific remedy or, better still, the ‘constitutional’ type of the patient.

Likewise, herbal treatments can control the symptoms of eczema; treatment usually requires the advice and guidance from a herbal practitioner. The same applies to herbs given on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine and Indian ayurvedic medicine.

Tension and anxiety can exacerbate eczema; so often flare-ups can be linked to some stressful life event or situation. Dealing with this is important and mind-body therapy with mindfulness meditation, yoga, hypnotherapy and counselling, particularly CBT, will help.

Hopefully a combination of these strategies, treatments and lifestyle changes will help control your eczema.

doctorTWRobinson.com glencairnHouse.co.uk