A little something to consider...

So at this time of year hurtling towards new year, I thought i would post a special something that is aimed at all those who have lost a pet.Please encourage adoption- far too many individuals are surrendering animals and no one is picking up the slack!

Help Woodrock help them

Sms "dog" to 38954.

The horrors of Rescue. Woodrock acts! *Not advised for sensitive readers.*

The wonderful, fulfilling world of animal rescue is often tainted by some soul destroying events. On Sunday, whilst I manned Woodrock head office, Stella, Nicholas, Fiona as well as numerous Woodrock staff members and volunteers joined forces with SARAC to attend an outreach. 15 hours later, I was met with two pale faced parents who were in a deeply sad state. I have asked Stella to recount her experience on the day and this is what she had to say. 

"Stepping out our comfort zone and reaching out to those less fortunate is our NPO's mission. 

On Sunday the 17 th Nov,we left home at 6am all kitted out with dip vacs deflee deworming and a team of 15 dedicated woodrockers. 

We drove for 2 hours through detours as the 94.7 cycle challenge race had blocked high ways and straight routes.

SARAc and Woodrock immediately attended to the task on hand. For the most part in retrospect we achieved our goals.

We were faced with challenges and our instincts kicked in. We were faced numerous awful events. A dog tied up with thin wire so tight that the poor animal's oesophagus has been severed and her collar bones broken.We immediately took her in and now Libby has been receiving medical care.

The puppies were brought out in drones for treatment. Jerry from SARAC felt it nessary to find the family with all these puppies and enquire as to why they had so many puppies and what they planned to do with them. He arrived and our team was instructed us to remove all females. We left the township feeling like we had played devils advocate as to who gets a life of possibilities and who will be left in the informal, impoverished settlements to survive. 

Some residents volunteered to surrender dogs. Suddenly realising the burden of caring for animals was harder than they thought. Especially under the conditions they live in facing the challenges of real living. 

Ali the dog that just stares into space is the child that haunts me most. She has been sexually abused and has no expectations of the human. When I approach her she simply looks ahead. This darling has 2 puppies. There was no hesitation as to us removing her. We made no excuses or apologies we were taking her and that was that..

On approaching the last settlement a lady walked straight up to us and handed us 3 starving babies. Their mom had been killed on the road the day before and they were so dehydrated. Ali took them in and her mother instincts kicked in. She is a testament to the animal world. Inspire of the horrors of her life she was able to save these starving screaming puppies. 

We saw dogs with broken bones ,kittens with sniffles and animals confined to dark locked up shacks with no water or food temping around in muck. 

This experience makes you cry it makes you lose all regard for man. Lack of education lack of money lack of facilities has created horrors unimaginable. 

Will I return to continue our plight. Hell yes... We simply have to try. To bury our heads and think rescue is limited to rehoming the damaged neglected dog and pretty puppies...There is a lot more out there including neglect and abuse on other domestic animals like chickens, goats and pigs."

Thanks Stella,

I will leave you with this final thought. People are inherently good and will do better when they know better thus Woodrock are set on educating the masses and fixing the problem early on. 

Don't hate- EdUCaTe!

To help us help them SMS " dog" to 38954

Banking details

Woodrock Dog Rescue

Standard Bank Rivonia

Account number: 425 369 161

Business Checque Account

Branch code: 001255

Swift code:SBZAZAJJ

Pigs 'n' Paws- lets get them some bacon!

As many of you know Animal Rescue is an industry that only works through the strength and support of a system. Each individual can make a far greater impact through unity. For a while now, through Stella and Nicholas I have been hearing about about a fellow charity does wonderful work called Pigs n Paws.

I am known at Woodrock Animals as the one who makes things pretty. I don't have the disposition or patience for the hands on work involved in rescue and rehabilitation ( nor the people- antisocial yes I am) so I help where I can ie this blog, Facebook, website etc.

I find my work incredibly rewarding and I think it is a huge aspect of everyone's moral fibre to do what they can with what they have! So I rolled on over to Pigs n Paws and well I was pleasantly surprised that there are such loving, caring people out there who essentially LovE "food".

Mel and Les are true examples of those who are in rescue for the right reasons. Not profit, reputation or applause but for the genuine love of an animal that is so brutally looked over! 

So it gives me great pleasure in show casing some of their beautiful pigs that I took pics of last week! I hope it assists you guys in spreading the good that your cause does and it is a pleasure and a privilege for Woodrock to be affiliated with your cause.

To help pigs n paws 

Pigs ‘n’ Paws is a registered NPC– we take in un-wanted, abused and abandoned pet pigs and give them sanctuary, allowing them to live as natural lives as possible. All our pigs are free roaming, constantly inter-acting with us and each other – though we do separate the Senior pigs from the younger stronger ones especially around meal times. We realised when we got our first pig as a pet in 2004 that there would be a need for a pig Sanctuary in SA – too many people were buying piglets from pet shops and breeders without realising all the consequences of owning a pig. Although they make wonderful pets, they are not easily manageable, are highly intelligent, manipulative and destructive if lonely or bored. And of course, people did not realise that ‘farm’ animals are not allowed within certain areas which gave their neighbours plenty to complain about. We have taken in Pot Bellies from Sandton, had a pig flown to us from George, taken in pigs from pet shops when they could not be sold, rescued pigs abandoned on properties when people moved and taken in 5 pigs from a lady whose husband threatened to send to the abattoir. We have also gone into Squatter Camps and educated people on how to keep their pigs and what to feed them – the conditions were horrendous – and needless to say, rescued a few dying piglets that we managed to breath life back into.

As for the Paws part on the NPC– we also foster rescue dogs, rehabilitate and re-home them using proper adoption procedures, applications, home checks etc. We use the ‘Pack’ method of rehabilitation allowing the dogs the freedom to live around us and in our home. This gives the lost and the traumatised the warmth of being in a home and the stability and companionship of being in a pack. All our dogs are sterilised, vaccinations are up to date and are de wormed regularly.

Any and all donations welcome.

Account details: Pigs ‘n’ Paws, Standard Bank South Africa, Northgate Branch code 001106, Current account no. 301 134 537.

Just take it all in...

Hello Woodrockers! It's now full swing into November and the impending Silly Season is almost upon us! I hope you learnt a few new interesting bits about canine healthcare over the past month!

Anyway, I thought it was time to lighten the mood and I recently came across this video that I think completely described the depth of spirit in each and every animal. 

I hope it re inspires those who need a push and to see that there is always a silver lining! 

Have a beautiful week

Just copy past the full address into your browser to view!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/chelseamarshall/video-of-chimps-breathing-fresh-air-for-the-first-time-will

October- ears, teeth,nails, skin and gland health series! Part 4!

Hello beautiful Woodrockers!

Well our 4 part healthcare series concludes this week. We delve into the sharp and blunt end of things this week with nail and anal healthcare being discussed!

Please note that we do not condone any medical procedures without professional assistance and opinion.

All content this week is courtesy of the following:

http://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/evr_dg_anal_sac_problems?page=show#.UnVZPbIayK0

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_multi_nail_nailbed_disorder?page=show#.UnVa7LIayK0

Few topics raise dog owners’ eyebrows (and lower dogs’ tails) faster than the subject of anal sacs! Even though anal sacs are often also called anal glands, they technically are not truly glandular in structure. These two small repositories of foul smelling material technically are small pouches lined with cells whose job it is to continually produce an oily semi-liquid substance that is stored within the sac. But why?

 

For a credible response I draw on my extensive knowledge of comparative anatomy, pathology, microbiology and biochemistry and respond, "I have no idea."

 

A typical examination of a patient with anal sac disease (usually an impaction or infection) goes like this:

 

"You think it’s his what?" asked the incredulous owner of the uncomfortable Basset Hound on the exam table. I restated my diagnosis, knowing the owner probably never heard the term anal sacs before.

 

"Barkley has an anal sac infection. See how swollen and inflamed it is next to his anus. In fact the abscess is nearly ready to break through to the surface of the skin. We’ll need to open this abscess and allow the infection to drain, and then we’ll flush it, check the other anal sac, and send him home on antibiotics. Warm compresses for a few days will speed up the healing, too."

 

What are Anal Sacs

 

Anal sacs are small paired pockets located between the internal and external anal sphincter muscles, one on each side of the anus at the 4 and 8 o’clock position. The sac empties through a short and narrow duct to the surface near the inside edge of the anus. Each sac is lined with abundant sebaceous (oil) glands and numerous apocrine (sweat) glands. The secreted substance is a semi-oily, brownish fluid that packs an odor strong enough to gag a maggot! 

 

For unknown reasons some dogs' anal sacs produce a rather thick, semi-solid material which is much more prone to impacting the sac due to the sacs' inability to pass this semi-solid material through the narrow duct to the outside. In many of these cases the sac will become infected, cause pain and inflammation and even break through to the skin surface. 

 

The abscessed anal sac may need surgery to provide drainage and curettage of the damaged and infected sac and surrounding tissue. Antibiotics are indicated in abscessed anal sac disease.

 

What Do Anal Sacs Do

 

One study indicated that anal sac disorders affects about 12 percent of dogs. There are a number of theories why dogs, cats, skunks, and other mammals have anal sacs and what possible use they may have. One theory states that anal sac contents, when excreted with the passing stool or by anal sphincter muscle contraction, act as a powerful territorial scent marker somewhat akin to humans posting a No Trespassing sign. Another theory states that the anal sac material lubricates hard stool, which makes passage easier. Humans do not have anal sacs. It’s bad enough that some humans get hemorrhoids, which are dilated, irritated blood vessels at the anus; luckily, dogs do not get hemorrhoids.

 

Causes of Anal Sac Problems

 

There are no predictable antecedents to painful anal sac disorders. Infections, obstruction and subsequent overfilling (called impaction), and rupture with drainage through the perianal skin are the most common clinical presentations. Anal sphincter muscle dysfunction, enlarged anal sacs that are not compressed properly by the anal sphincter muscle, hypersecretion from the anal sac lining, obstructed or constricted anal sac ducts all may be predisposing circumstances for anal sac problems.

 

 

Impacted Anal Sacs

 

Some dogs may be born with very narrow channels that lead from the sacs to the edge of the anus, thereby obstruction the flow of anal sac material. Acquired damage to the duct can occur when perianal infections, trauma, allergies and inflammation compress or obstruct the narrow channel leading from the sac to the surface. For unknown reasons some dogs produce a thick or dry material from the sac lining which makes passage of the material through the narrow ducts impossible.

 

Age/Breed Considerations

 

There is no age or sex predisposition to anal sac pathology. Uncommon in large breeds, infections and impactions are often experienced by small breeds such as Toy and Miniature Poodles, Chihuahuas, and Lhasa Apsos. Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, and Beagles rank high on the list of breeds affected by anal sac difficulties.

 

Diet

 

Some groomers and animal health care workers believe feeding a diet rich in fiber aids in emptying the sacs. The pressure of the firm stool against the colon wall near the anus may help to express the anal sac contents. Dogs that have an existing problem such as infection or obstructed ducts, though, probably won’t respond to dietary changes; modifying the diet with more or less fiber yields inconsistent benefits. As a practitioner for over 35 years I have seldom seen a change of diet have any beneficial impact on the frequency of anal sac problems.

 

Groomers

 

There is a difference of opinion regarding routine expressing of the anal sacs. For example, veterinarian Mark Thompson in his presentation about anal sacs in Current Veterinary Therapy XIII, suggests routine manual expressing of the anal sacs should not be done in a normal dog with no anal sac issues. Many groomers make it a matter of routine, though, to express the anal sacs of their dogs. 

 

Certified Master Groomer Sherri Glass, for example, has been grooming dogs for 14 years and has taught grooming for 5 years at Cornerstone Dog Grooming Academy in Clyde, OH. She relates, "teach students to empty anal glands on all small dogs, about 20 pounds or less in size.  We also do any size dog at owners request. If dog owners would meet their dogs nutritional needs with high quality food, keep them at proper weight, and provide plenty of good exercise, most dogs would not have to have the anal sacs expressed."

 

Mr. Jeffrey Reynolds, Director of the National Dog Groomers Association of America says "In states were it is legal for groomers to express anal sacs, many groomers express them externally only either as a part of the grooming procedure or at the owners request. When there is evidence that the sacs are impacted, then they are not expressed and the owner is advised to bring the dog to the vet."

 

How to Recognize a Problem

 

There is an 88 percent chance the thought of anal sacs will never even occur to you. However, if your dog is one of the 12 percent that scoots his rear bumper along the carpet, frequently turns to lick or bite at the base of his tail or anal region, or displays discomfort when passing stool, it would be advisable to make an appointment with the veterinarian.

 

If left untreated, anal sac impactions, infections and abscesses can be a reoccurring nuisance for your dog so be proactive about an evaluation if your dog displays any discomfort in the tail or anal region.

 

The Ultimate Solution

 

"Do-it-yourself-anal-sac-expressing" can be done at home once your veterinarian has instructed you. (Yuck … be careful about contact with anal sac secretions or you’ll be very unpopular with yourself and others!) Some cases respond to infusion of the sacs with antibiotics in addition to oral medication. In chronic cases, careful surgical removal of the anal sacs can be curative; the dog never has another annoying bout of anal sac disease. Be sure to discuss the pros and cons of surgery if chronic problems lead you in that direction. 

Nailcare:

 

Nail and nail bed disorders refer to any abnormality or disease that affects the claw or surrounding area, generally known as dystrophy. One type of nail disorders, paronychia, is an infection that causes inflammation around the nail or claw. Fungal infections, such as onychomycosis, can also occur in or around the nail bed.

 

Dogs may suffer from extremely brittle nails (onychorrhexis), or have nails that slough, peel, or chip away excessively (oychomadesis). Most nail or nail bed disorders have an excellent treatment prognosis and can usually be treated and remedied in a relatively short amount of time.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

Common signs of nail or nail bed disorders can include:

 

Licking at the paws

Lameness, difficulty walking

Pain in the feet

Swelling or redness of the tissues surrounding the nails

Nail plate deformity (the part of the nail that overlays the nail bed)

Abnormal nail color

 

Causes

 

Common causes for nail or nail bed disorders can include:

 

Infection

Bacteria or fungus

Tumor or cancer

Trauma

Immune system (immune-mediated) diseases

Excessive levels of growth hormone

Disorders present at birth (congenital)

Cutting the nails too close to the nail bed

Neoplasia

 

Diagnosis

 

In the event that there is a trauma to your dog's nail bed, check to see if only a single nail is being affected. If multiple nails are affected, a serious underlying medical condition is the more likely cause for the disorder. A skin scraping may also be taken to determine what type of a skin condition your dog has, as well as a bacterial or fungal culture for further analysis.

 

 

Treatment

 

Treatment will be dependent upon the particular underlying medical condition that is causing the nail or nail bed condition. If the nail area is inflamed, surgical removal of the nail plate (the hard part of the nail) may be necessary to encourage drainage of the underlying tissue. Antibiotic and antimicrobial soaks are also effective for preventing or reducing inflammation, and for encouraging the healing process. If the condition is related to a bacterial or a fungal infection, topical treatments and/or ointments are often administered to the affected area.

 

Living and Management

 

In most cases, application of the topical treatment or ointment will clear up any nail issue. While there are typically not many complications that can arise from these disorders, it is important to observe your dog's progress as it recovers, referring to your veterinarian if the healing does not appear to be progressing as it should.

 

Prevention

 

When clipping your dog's toenails it is important to avoid cutting too close to the nail bed (also called the quick). The vein in the nail bed may inadvertently be cut, which can cause excessive bleeding and lead to an infection, and nicks to the skin can open your dog to infection as it goes about its normal routine of going outside for walks. It is essential that you look closely at your dog's nails before cutting so that you know exactly where the free edge of the nail ends and the nail plate begins. Only the free edge of the nail should be cut.

 

The best way to protect your dog from a painful nail disorder is to research the proper methods for cutting the nails, pay close attention while cutting, and promptly cleanse and protect the area when an inadvertent injury does occur.