Halloween- Treats no Tricks Please?!?

In my native Scotland, we go "guising" at Halloween- children dress-up in fancy dress costumes, visit their neighbours and do a "party piece," sing a song, tell a joke, do a wee dance or magic trick, in return for sweeties, tangerines/apples and on occasion a small amount of pocket- money. There is no trick as an alternative to giving treats- it's a positive experience for the children and the households they visit!

Please do give a thought to the animals living both inside and outside of people's homes this Halloween!

Scary People

Cats, dogs, rabbits, horses and other companion animals, who are normally really well socialised with children, may be apprehensive and then anxious meeting "sugar rush" children, full of squealing excitement and with painted faces and weird and wonderful costumes on. When the only options are to freeze, run away and hide or "ask/ bark/ hiss" to get the children to back off and give them space- many pets might be misunderstood and potentially admonished for reacting negatively. You and I know that the children mean no harm- but if your pet doesn't know that, they are going to want to scarper or vocalise to create a safe distance between themselves and the "scary person or people."

Safe & Happy Place

Make sure you think about where your pets are going to be safe, quiet and comfortable, if you are expecting brightly coloured and noisy visitors to your home. Make sure they have some interesting toys, chews or food dispensing games to keep them entertained. If you have access to lovely appeasing pheromones (Adaptil/ Feliway/ Rabbit Appeasing Pheromone) please do plug them in or spray them on bedding or bandanas.

Pet Costumes

I am personally not a great fan of dressing pets up- I would be much happier dressing up myself and allowing my pets to be "au naturale" but still participating in the fun and treats. If your pet particularly enjoys dressing up- please make sure the clothing is not heavy, tight or restrictive in any way. If they struggle when you put it on, and have their heads and tails down, or spend their time trying to get it off, please remove, accepting it's just not for them. If they appear to enjoy it, not minding it being put on and possibly enjoying the additional attention they get- then fair enough.

Chocolate & Sweeties

Please remember that dogs and cats should never be fed "normal or non- pet friendly" chocolate or sweets. The chemicals in both (Theobromine/ Xylitol) are toxic for animals. Instead- treat them with their favourite biscuits or pet friendly treats instead.

Fireworks

Animals both indoors and outside (remember the livestock in the fields and wild birds/ foxes/ rabbits) exposed to the noise from fireworks, without any understanding that we humans consider them "entertaining!" Never let off fireworks anywhere near animals, of any kind. If your pets are indoors, put them in a room away from direct exposure to fireworks, away from conservatories or patio doors; play a loud movie or music to distract them, treat them to nice things to eat or their favourite games instead, to try and turn the whole thing into a positive rather than negative experience. Plan your dog walks for earlier in the day, before dark, so they only need out for a quick loo break when it's dark. Select routes away from planned public firework displays. Please keep dogs on lead- as if they are off lead and startled, they could run off or get into bother (risk of getting hit by a car in panic).

Medications and Anti- Anxiety supplements

There are some things you can buy, over- the counter- or online which might help? I mentioned pheromones, which are great, and completely safe. There are some others you can look up including Zylkene (milk protein casein) and products containing L- Tryptophan. There are also licensed "panicolytic" medications your vet can advise you on, including Sileo, Xanax, Pexion and longer- term anti- anxiety medications such as Reconcile, Clomicalm and Selgian. Don't leave it until the last minute- book in to see your vet asap if you think your pet needs help coping during the firework season.

Have fun & make sure your pets stay safe and happy too!

New IVBA makes first impressions in Belfast

The IVBA’s inaugural event, held in Belfast on September 16th, 2022, was arranged in honour of Mr Des Thompson OBE, BA, MVB, MSc (VetGP) Hon. FRCVS. Des was the Chairman of the British Veterinary Behaviour Association for decades and campaigned to promote both the veterinary profession and the discipline of veterinary behaviour in Ireland throughout his career. Anyone who has met Des and enjoyed his company for any amount of time, can tell you how proud he is of both Ireland and the veterinary profession. Des’s input, energy and connections were instrumental in establishing the Young Vet Network and Vetlife/IVBF.

Combining 2 of Des’s passions: veterinary orthopaedics and veterinary behavioural medicine, the IVBA Belfast conference promised to “explore how a veterinary behavioural approach can enhance the management of companion animal orthopaedic cases.” Guest speakers included Professor Stuart Carmichael (Joint Adventures Ltd) who explained the importance of treating the animal and not the x-ray! Anne Rogers (VN & Director at AniEd) covered the preparation of patients for elective orthopaedic surgeries. The double act of Dr James Hunt (Pet Pain Relief, UK) and Dr Claire Corridan (Great Expectations & UCD) talked about both the pharmacological and behavioural strategies we can use to handle painful and frightened cases attending for orthopaedic procedures in practice. Dr Siobhan Menzies (Holistic Pet NI) explored post operative management to include analgesic and rehabilitation protocols, to improve compliance and surgical success rates.

For more photos and feedback from the event, visit www.ivba.ie

Pets "Enjoying Covid 19?"

#pets "enjoying" Covid 19?

Our return to “Normality” after Covid 19 Restrictions

- how to minimise the negative impact on our pets.

The gradual lifting of the Covid 19 Restrictions will help us to slowly acclimatise our dogs & cats to the changes in their own daily routines.

Dogs acquired during the restrictions (either new puppies or newly adopted dogs) will require additional understanding from their owners, as they do not have the experience or memories of being home alone for extended periods from before Covid 19 to help them re-adjust more easily.

Our cats will have been impacted more by the change in our routines, as opposed to restriction of their own. It is important to consider that you have been around to play. Feed or open doors for your cat, on demand, whilst you have been at home. Sudden removal of these “benefits” may unsettle your cat, so gradual readjustments of normal “service” will help reduce the resultant stress for them.

It is also worth being mindful of the effect of people wearing masks over their faces, which has and will become more of the norm. Face masks reduce our pets’ ability to read our faces and expressions, and as a result, may induce a fearful or wary response. If members of your household wear face masks at home periodically and ideally reinforced with provision of positive experiences (play, food rewards or praise) it will help to familiarise this as the new norm and nothing to be fearful of.

Every dog or cat is an individual and so, they will vary in how they cope with the adjustments but there are 3 main areas for you to consider in helping them adjust with minimal stress or disruption detailed below:

Dogs:

Individual Preferences

Think about what makes your dog happy? Is it a comfy bed beside the window, a food dispensing puzzle toy, listening to classical music or the radio? Dogs who bark or are destructive in our absence tend to demand attention (good & bad) and are perhaps more likely to receive help. A quiet dog, who chooses to stay beside the door, ignoring food or treats until you return, may be just as upset, if not more so. If in doubt, video them home alone so you know how they are coping without you.

Encourage Independence

Independence is an important life skill for every puppy or dog to learn. Help them to practice while you are still at home by separating yourself from them for short periods, in a different area of the house or garden and use doors, baby gates or distance to remove your attention. Remember to reward calm behaviours or when they are happily entertaining themselves so that they know this activity makes you happy too!

Mental & Physical Exercise

Remember dogs think day to day not week to week. Dogs have individual physical, social and mental needs (dependent on age, breed & health) which, as their owner, you need to provide every day. Regular walks they enjoy; meeting doggy friends in the park, with a dog walker or at daycare; and using their noses and brain power to find food treats on a treasure hunt or from a puzzle toy will help them to relax when they are home alone.

Cats:

Individual Preferences

Think about what makes your cat happy? Is it lying on a window sill or cat tree with a nice view of the garden or street outside; playing with a food dispensing puzzle toy, or scratching their favourite cat post or scratching mat? Cats who raid the kitchen or are destructive in our absence tend to demand attention (good & bad). A quiet cat, who chooses to hide or lie around all day doing nothing may be just as upset, if not more so. If in doubt, video them home alone so you know how they are coping without you.

Encourage Independence

Independence is an important life skill for every kitten or cat to learn. Help them to practice while you are still at home by separating yourself from them for short periods, in a different area of the house or garden and use doors or physical distance to remove your attention. If they vocalise for food or attention you must ensure you do not reward this. Instead you reward calm behaviours when they are relaxed or happily entertaining themselves so that they know this activity makes you happy too!

Mental & Physical Exercise

Cats have individual physical, social and mental needs (dependant on age, breed & health) which, as their owner, you need to provide every day. Exercise, in or outdoors, regular play and/or training sessions, food treats from a treasure hunt or puzzle toy, will help them to relax when they are home alone. Cats who spend time indoors enjoy climbing onto shelves, cat trees or furniture and finding cosy places to hide or have a nap. Use your imagination and “think cat”- your feline friend will thank you for it!

Important Note: if you have any concerns about how your pet is adapting then please contact your vet and they will help you get the appropriate advice, training or behavioural support that you need.

Copyright: Dr CL Corridan BVMS PhD MRCVS May 29th 2020