Monday, 24 October 2022

Health Topic - Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs

CHOCOLATE TOXICITY IN DOGS

We may want to share our favourite treat with an eager pet but it is best to think twice and reach for the dog biscuits instead.




WHY IS CHOCOLATE BAD?

Sometimes we eat chocolate plain. Sometimes we eat it baked into cakes or mixed into ice cream etc. The first problem with these sweets is the fat.  A sudden high fat meal (such as demolishing a bag of chocolate bars left accessible at Halloween time) can create a lethal metabolic disease called “Pancreatitis.”  Vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain are just the beginning of this disaster. Remember, in the case of Pancreatitis, it is the fat that causes the problem more than the chocolate itself.

The fat and sugar in the chocolate can create an unpleasant but temporary upset stomach. This is what happens in most chocolate ingestion cases.

Chocolate is, however, directly toxic because of the Theobromine. The more chocolate liquor the more Theobromine is present. This makes baking chocolate the worst, followed by semi-sweet and dark chocolate, followed by milk chocolate, followed by chocolate flavoured cakes or cookies.

Theobromine causes:

  • Vomiting & Diarrhoea
  • Hyperactivity
  • Tremors
  • Seizures
  • Racing heart rhythm progressing to abnormal rhythms
  • Death in severe cases 

Toxic doses of Theobromine are 9mg per pound of dog for mild signs up to 18 mg per pound of dog for severe signs. Milk chocolate contains 44mg/ounce of Theobromine while semi-sweet chocolate contains 150mg/ounce and baking chocolate contains 390 mg/ounce.

It takes nearly 4 days for the effects of chocolate to work its way out of a dog’s system. If the chocolate was only just eaten it may be possible to induce vomiting; otherwise, hospitalisation and support are needed until the chocolate has worked its way out of the system.

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Saturday, 22 October 2022

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 62 - Meet Dexter

The 62nd day in our ongoing 100 Days with 100 Dogs series coincides with Make a Dog's Day. It's apparently a US holiday, but Wellington has indicated that he's fine with me celebrating it :-) Finding the right homes for the dogs in our would also be an amazing way to make a dog's day!

Meet Dexter

Dexter is an 18 month old male German Shepherd. microchip and vaccinated. He came to us as he can be very reactive and the household contained children so it was decided to err on the side of caution.

He's a very nervous dog and we believe this is the root of any aggression, although it should be noted that he hasn't shown any aggression to the kennel staff. Even so, we have to be cautious and Dexter needs a child and pet-free home.

With his anxiety, anyone wanting to adopt him will likely need to make several visits for him to become familiar with them. He is currently situated in Mildenhall, Suffolk.

If you can offer Storm the home he needs then please contact us via the form here:

http://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/adopting-a-german-shepherd/

If Dexter isn't a match for you then you can see other dogs looking for homes here:

http://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/dogslist/

And please continue to Follow, Like and Share these posts and let's see if we can reach the right person for Storm.




Friday, 21 October 2022

New Halloween Auction Item - Signed Copy Of Little Bones by N V Peacock


Signed Copy Of Little Bones by N V Peacock (Paperback, 2020).

N V Peacock has generously donated a signed copy of her chilling thriller 'Little Bones' to raise money supporting the German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund.

I have three names: I was born Leigh-Ann. I became Cherrie. When I was a child, they called me Little Bones…

My father was Mr Bones – the notorious serial killer of 25 years ago.

As a child I witnessed his crimes.

Everything is different now. I have a new identity. I’m a mother. I am finally free.

Until that podcast. I should never have listened.

They’re linking a recent disappearance to the crimes of the past.

They know who I am. They’re calling me Little Bones again.

They say I’m a villain but I’m not. I’m a victim.

You believe me, don’t you?

Bid now on eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364023245318

Thursday, 20 October 2022

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 61 - Meet Hector

We're fortunate that for the 61st day in our 100 Days with 100 Dogs we can continue with yesterday's good news and meet the last of Bella's pups so now all five have either found their new home or are now ready to do so.

Meet Hector

Hector is a 10 month old male German Shepherd. Along with his mum and four siblings, we rescued them from terrible conditions. They were caked in filth and weren't cared for in any meaningful sense. So much so that all of the pups are underdeveloped for their age.

Thankfully they all responded well once in our care. He's a lovely lad to spend time with, but we need to be mindful that the conditions of his formative months are such that issues could arise in the future.

With this consideration and like his siblings, Hector should be the only dog in the household. He has lived with children but has not been tested with cats.

Hector is currently located in Mildenhall, Suffolk.

If you are able to provide Hector with his new home, then please get in touch via the adoption query form here:

https://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/adopting-a-german-shepherd/

If Hector isn't the dog for you then take a look at other dogs in our care looking for their new homes:

https://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/dogslist/



Added to Halloween Auction - Jack – Deconstructed. Mixed Media Abstract Art by Eilidh Griffiths

The talented Eilidh Griffiths has generously donated this excellent abstract piece titled 'Jack - Deconstructed' to the Halloween Horror Auction supporting the GSD Welfare Fund.

‘Jack Deconstructed #1 ‘ is a mixed media, an abstract art piece which shows the shapes and colours of the traditional Halloween “Jack o’ Lantern” along with invoking the feeling of chilly, misty mornings where you can smell the frost in the air, which then clear into crisp days with aqua skies.

This will make a very nice addition to any Halloween / Autumn or Pumpkin lover’s home as an abstract art piece.

It is approximately 20 cm x 15cm or 8 x 6 inches in size and is worked upon a canvas board with several different media including collaged paper and acrylic paint. Signed and dated on the rear, by the artist and initialled on the front. It is sealed with matt acrylic varnish and is supplied without a frame.

You can discover more of her art on Instagram: @alesgriff.art

Bid now to own this eye-catching and thoughtful work of art in time for Halloween:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364022276494

 



Halloween Horror Auction Update


We only have 11 days left of the Halloween Horror Auction raising money urgently needed to support the GSD Welfare Fund. Firstly a thank you to everyone who's participated we've raised just over £200, but we still have many cool items coming every day until Halloween.

We also still have some open auctions - take a look and see if anything catches your eye!


 


Wednesday, 19 October 2022

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 60 - Meet Mouse

Day 60 of our 100 Days with 100 Dogs series brings with it some happy news! A few weeks ago we launched an urgent appeal after rescuing Bella and her five pups from a dire situation. Since coming into our care they've made excellent progress and already three of the pups have found their new homes. Another is now ready to find her new home...

Meet Mouse

Mouse is a delightful 10 month old female German Shepherd. She is an absolute delight to be around. She was rescued along with her mum and 4 siblings from terrible conditions. They were living in their own filth and their coats were so matted that we had to clip them off. 

She is about the size of a 5 month old puppy. probably by lack of nutrition, reinforced by the fact that we found only a slight scattering of cheap kibble on the floor for them to eat. 

Because of her terrible start in life Mouse has missed the important socialising aspect of growing up. She actually appears to cope with this amazingly well but we have to keep in mind that this may affect her behaviour in future. Because of the fight for survival with her siblings and lack of socialising we feel Mouse would benefit from being an only dog. 

Mouse has lived with children but is untested with cats. She's currently located in Mildenhall, Suffolk.

If you can offer Mouse, or any of our dogs the life they deserve and not the one they've suffered then please contact us via the form on this page:

https://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/adopting-a-german-shepherd/

We'd also like to thank everyone who's donated to the appeal - it's helping to make this happen for these dogs. We're currently over half-way to our target. If you can contribute even a small amount that would still be a big help!

https://www.gofundme.com/manage/urgent-appeal-for-bella-and-her-five-pups