Anal Glands....yep, who remembers to check their dogs regularly and more to the point, who physically empties them?

This is something I tend to do when I groom my dogs as I'll do it when they are in the bath/shower (due to the smell obviously it can be washed away), but during the recent time I have been unavailable, I have forgotten to check my dogs  :(

Last night I had to make a trip to the vets with my smallest baby, one of her anal glands had become engorged and absessed - painful!!!!!  The poor thing had to endure the absessed gland being lanced so that the yukky fluid could be drained and flushed. She is now on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. A check up at the vets on Sunday to see how she is getting on and pay the bill.

On this occasion I have not been worried about the cost side of it as much as I feel so guilty that I have forgotten to check anal glands and my poor baby had ended up this way - GUTTED!

Please could I urge you all to check and empty your dogs glands, if you can't do this yourself then please ask a qualified groomer or your vet.
If you feel confident enough to try, check out this website for full instructions and info:   http://www.dfordog.co.uk/didyouknow_anal_glands.htm

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Donations of any of the above type items are gratefully appreciated, even dog kennels if you are looking to rehome an old one that is not in use.

As the rescue has expanded, requests for rehoming are coming in. All of the above items really do help when donated, it doesn't need to be a monetary donation. If you have old leads that are still useable and too good to throw away, please send them this way.

If you have any items you would like to donate, then please contact us and we will let you know if we are in the area to collect or if there is a 'drop off' point near you. Many thanks.

Winter is here now and I like to spare a thought for the feral and other outdoor cats and wild animals. If you have any shelter in your gardens, please consider placing old blankets down so animals can shelter and keep warm.

Just a quick reminder about the animals during this time both indoor and outdoor and a few handy tips:

• Animals have sensitive hearing, the loud bangs can actually be painful not to mention scary.
• Flashing lights can cause distress
• Walk dogs earlier in the day before firework events start and ait until they have finished before taking them for last walks of the day.
• Make sure your pets are in the house before the fireworks start and that cat/dog flaps are closed so they cannot escape if distressed.
• Make sure your dog has a tag on it's collar incase it does escape, ideally get your pet microchipped too so they are easily identified and ccan be returned.
• Close windows, doors, draw curtains, put on TV or radio to disguise as much noise as possible.
• Stay with your pet if possible but try not to react to the fireworks or their behaviour incase you upset them further.
• Pheromone sprays and diffusers can be purchased from your vet, this releases calming chemicals which are safe to pets.
• Bring hutches or cages indoors or into a garage/shed for extra protection.
• If you cannot move hutches/cages, partly cover with thick blakets/duvets. Leave some ventilation and try turning to face walls or fence.
• Give extra bedding for your pet to burrow in.
• Indoor pets such as hamsters may also benefit from closed windows, doors, drawn curtains and TV/radios being switched on.