The Spaniel Diaries: The continuing adventures of Billy

The Spaniel Diaries

Happy New year everyone! Let’s hope it’s better than the last. Mum was talking about the cost of living the other day, she said she’ll probably end up sharing our dog food at this rate, ermmm I hope not as it means less for me and I seem to be on a diet again, of course that smug little upstart gets more than me under the excuse that he’s a growing puppy. Personally I think that’s not true!

When he was a puppy I was hoping that Santa would take him and give him to someone else for Christmas but sadly that didn’t happen, so I will have to resign myself to the fact that he’s here for good. He’s actually a little bit more bearable now his puppy needle teeth have fallen out – at least he won’t be trying to give me ear piercings now! Mum has actually started taking him out training. Good luck with that, he’s an utter monster, but he seems to be coming back tired, so she’s either sedating him or his brain has actually started to work!

Everywhere has been so muddy recently, I am disgusted to be having to wear a ridiculous fleece coat – all because Mum is fed up with us shaking mud everywhere after our walks. What has been enormous fun is we have been spending more time on the beach, it’s damp but mud free and mum says it’s lovely very first thing in the morning when it’s just us with the whole beach to ourselves! Mum has got an amazing head torch and we have flashing lights on our collars which is a hindrance as I can’t sneak off! Mum is careful to keep us away from any debris washed up on the beach though and keeps a special eye out for palm oil, chunks of nasty poisonous stuff. Maverick is at least useful now as he’s happy to entertain the puppy, Lord only knows why but he seems to love running around and tussling with the silly thing. I keep well out of the way, believe me, their shenanigans are hectic! And that puppy has a thing about water, the only puddle in a 50-acre field and guess where he is? Leaping around like a demented sea lion doing a circus routine in the muddy water! I personally thought it was hilarious but mum didn’t! Mum is looking forward to the spring when the nights start to get lighter – I love the long evenings but it does mean extra training for us!

Now January is underway it’s literally just a few weeks away, so hang in there and spring will soon be upon us!

Until next time, stay safe. Jeannette Douglas

Why vaccinate your dog?

A vaccine against a disease is like a wanted poster for a virus or bacteria for the body to recognise and learn how to respond to the disease in the most effective way possible. Vaccines can either be dead or live attenuated (part of the virus or bacteria is altered to make it less effective) and the version of each will depend on how the vaccine itself was stabilized and developed. For the core vaccination of dogs, we would always recommend protecting against: • Distemper – a virus with neurological signs that, due to vaccination, is rarely seen any more. There’s no direct treatment as infected dogs will frequently pass away of the infection. • Adenovirus – A virus that can cause liver failure as well as other organ failure. There’s no treatment for this disease either and while mild cases can be supported through an infection, severe cases will not make it. • Parvovirus – Probably the most well known disease we vaccinate against. Parvo can cause vomiting and diarrhoea even in vaccinated dogs. While many can be intensively nursed through this viral infection, it can still be fatal in unvaccinated and young dogs. • Leptospirosis – A bacteria that is found in dirty water causing liver and kidney disease. This bacteria can also infect people causing the same disease. Vaccination can be against two strains or four strains. To keep your dog fully protected, you should visit your vet once per year for a health check and booster vaccination. Sophie Hall B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.