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Water quality warnings in and around Christchurch

Posted on February 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

The surface water bodies around Christchurch are receiving untreated sewerage because of the many broken sewer pipes around the city. This means you need to keep your family (and dogs) away from water until further notice.

Don’t forget that your dogs require their water to be boiled as well. (Even if you have mains water supply, the Council wants you to boil water until further notice.) It is recommended that you boil water for 3 minutes, allow it to settle and cool, and then re-boil for another 3 minutes.

Take care out there.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in animal welfare, dog care, Dogs

Tagged Christchurch, dogs, earthquake, water quality

The importance of microchipping

Posted on February 24, 2011 | Leave a comment

I’m here in Christchurch, New Zealand after our major earthquake on Tuesday (22nd February 2011). On Tuesday afternoon, a neighbour found a dog in his yard with no collar or tags. We took him in, because our house is secure and our fences are still in place.

He was a lovely boy and because I didn’t know his name, I called him Shake. He slept in our bed on Tuesday evening to ride out the aftershocks and a little Rescue Remedy helped. He was glued to my side all day Wednesday.

On Thursday I was able to get him to a local vet to have his microchip scanned. A few more calls and I made contact with his grateful family who came to pick him up within the hour. As it turns out, his name was Trick and he had a bath on Monday evening. His family didn’t have time to replace his collar. Otherwise, he would have been tagged with clear ID.

Trick relaxing in our lounge

Microchipping is now mandatory in New Zealand but if you are in a place where it is voluntary – please have it done. You never know the circumstances that would see your dog lost and you needing to find one another again.

Best wishes to all and thanks for your kind words. We are without basic services like sewerage but are coping with power and some limited water supply.

Trick temporarily took over Daisy’s bed

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in animal welfare

Tagged Christchurch earthquake, lost dogs, microchipping

Strong dog – wide head?

Posted on February 21, 2011 | Leave a comment

The size of your dog’s head may be an accurate predictor of his/her strength, according to research by Dr William Helton of the University of Canterbury.

Dr Helton studied dogs that competed in events for the International Weight Pull Association and published his results in the journal of Behavioral Processes.

Broad-headed dogs were able to pull much greater weights than those breeds with narrower heads; but dogs with the narrower heads were likely to run faster. This is a classic case of not being able to ‘have it all’ because, as Dr Helton says, “Nature does not allow unlimited budgets and the trade-offs are often physical constraints.”

The size of the head isn’t an absolute indicator, but it is a skeletal trait that is an indicator of other skeletal traits which are linked to endurance, strength, or speed. Dr Helton recognises that other factors such as nutrition, personality aplay a part in a dog’s overall performance.

Read more about Dr Helton’s findings in this Discovery News item.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in research

Tagged head, International Weight Pull Association, research, size, William Helton

Owner pleads not guilty in dog-in-car case

Posted on February 20, 2011 | Leave a comment

Newspapers are reporting that Annabell Quor, the owner of the pomeranian who died in a car parked at The Palms shopping centre in December, has entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of reckless ill-treatment of an animal.

Ms Quor appeared in the Christchurch District Court this week; the charge was brought by SPCA Canterbury inspectors. Ms Quor maintains that the dog’s death was an accident, that she forgot to remove the dog’s muzzle, and that she had left windows open with a bowl of water for the dog to drink.

The case will continue on April 21 in a post committal conference. The charge Ms Quor is facing carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a fine not to exceed $75,000, or both.

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Posted in animal welfare, Dogs, ethics and pet rights

Tagged Annabell Quor, court, SPCA Canterbury

Search dog Stig’s eventful year

Posted on February 12, 2011 | Leave a comment

For those that may have missed it, reporter Giles Brown of The Press wrote an article this week about Stig, the search dog who received a Parliamentary award in April 2010. During the year, Stig qualified as an avalanche search dog and was later diagnosed with cancer (since removed).

Read about Stig here.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in special dogs and awards

Tagged cancer, search dog, Stig

Rio de Janeiro’s dog restaurant

Posted on February 6, 2011 | Leave a comment

Dog owners in Rio de Janeiro are reaping the benefits of the city’s first dog restaurant. Lunch and dinner are served at this restaurant and owners can buy pre-made and frozen dog dinners to take home with them.

The restaurant has only been open since December 2010 and word has it that expansion plans for another branch in Sao Paulo are already underway.

The restaurant serves four dishes, each with a different protein source: beef, chicken, fish or lamb. A partial translation of the website says that the meals are 100% natural and preservative-free. “Perfect for dogs with demanding palates” (perfeita para caes com paladar exigente)

Click on the restaurant’s icon below to visit their site (if you speak Spanish).

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in dog-friendly shops

Tagged dog restaurant, Pet Delicia, Rio de Janeiro

Archie returns after almost two years

Posted on February 6, 2011 | Leave a comment

Heartwarming news out of the UK for anyone who has lost a dog.

Archie is a toy poodle who went missing in Essex and turned up 160 km away in Oxford – after 549 days! Dog wardens were able to trace his owner thanks to his microchip. Although scruffy and dirty when found, he was not malnourished and so it is thought that Archie was looked after by someone during the time he was away.

Owner Julia Moran was reunited with Archie on her 47th birthday and said “It is the best birthday present I could ever have.”

Archie with his owner, Julia Moran. (Source: INS)

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in animal welfare, dog ownership, lost dogs

Tagged Essex, Julia Moran, lost dog, Oxford, Scruffy Archie

Sled dogs from Vancouver Olympics murdered

Posted on February 3, 2011 | Leave a comment

The Winter Olympics in Vancouver officially were closed on 28 February 2010. Less than a year later, news has broken that 100 healthy sled dogs were brutally murdered because tourism had dropped off post-Olympics.

More shocking is that the murders have only come to light after the worker who shot and, in some cases slashed the throats of the dogs, filed a worker’s compensation claim for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

Attorney Corey Steinberg told Vancouver radio station CNKW “It wasn’t always a clean, one-shot kill. Inevitably, (the employee) ended up seeing and having to put the end to some horrific scenes.”

The SPCA is investigating.

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Posted in animal welfare, dog care, ethics and pet rights

Tagged sled dogs, Vancouver Olympics

Another Canterbury water warning

Posted on February 3, 2011 | Leave a comment

Today brings another water quality warning to Canterbury dog owners. This time, it is Lake Ellesmere.

MEDIA RELEASE
TO:	News Room
FROM:	Media Liaison
DATE:	February 3, 2011
SUBJECT:	Health Warning – Algal Bloom in Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere

The Community and Public Health division of Canterbury District Health Board has issued a health warning because of increased concentrations of blue-green algae (planktonic cyanobacteria) being found in Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere

People should stay out of the water at this lake until the health warnings have been lifted. Algae are particularly dangerous for dogs, so they should be kept away from the water.

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Alistair Humphrey says although the algal bloom does not contain the acutely toxic species there is still the increased probability of respiratory, irritation and allergy symptoms from exposure to the very high density of the cyanobacterial material present.

“If you experience any of these symptoms visit your doctor immediately and please let your doctor know if you have had contact with the lake water,” Dr Humphrey says

“No one should drink the water from the lake at any time. Boiling the water does not remove the toxin.”

Animals should be taken to a vet immediately if they display any unusual symptoms after coming into contact with the algal bloom.

Eating fish should be avoided because the toxins can concentrate in their bodies. If fish are eaten, remove the gut and liver and wash in clean water.

Environment Canterbury monitors the lake weekly during summer and the public will be advised of any changes in water quality that are of public health significance.

Facts about cyanobacteria:

The algae occur naturally but can increase rapidly during warmer months.
If the water is cloudy, discoloured, or has small globules suspended in it, avoid all contact.
Not all cyanobacterial blooms are visible to the naked eye and toxins can persist after the blooms disappear.
Cyanobacterial concentrations can change quickly with changing environmental conditions (e.g. wind). If a health warning is in place avoid contact with the water.

For further information visit http://ecan.govt.nz/services/online-services/monitoring/swimming-water-quality/Pages/lake-warnings.aspx
Or contact Community and Public Health on (03) 364 1777.

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Posted in animal welfare, dog care

Tagged algal blooms, Canterbury District Health Board, Lake Ellesmere, water quality