We have most likely all ready about this gastric virus that's going through the whole of the uk, but we probably haven't thought much about it that it indeed could effect our dogs.  This is what I know about the virus.
It is the most contagious dog virus that's hit the uk in ages.  Many Silvestre owners all across the uk have contacted me with sick dogs, or hospitalised dogs.  It completely wipes them out.  
There is also an unknown virus which has come from the beaches of Yorkshire, which has spread around the uk also.  They have not said yet they are linked.  Lots of fish dying in the sea and rivers leading to the sea.  

This is how it starts.  Your dog may just vomit its dinner up and you think nothing of it, after all dogs will vomit food, or have bile.  But then your dog will vomit again, and more food comes up, then they keep vomiting approx every 15 mins until it goes from food sick, to slime froth, then it goes orange.  Then it goes poo colour with pieces of poo.  They are retching from as deep in the body as anything.  Now your dog may actually still feel well at this point.  Take your dogs temperature.  Ring your vet and they will get you to come in to surgery.  They will give a cocktail of drugs which helps knock it on its head.  But in the meanwhile some will get profuse diarrhoea.  This can last about 2-4 days.  Many dogs are hospitalised as they need fluids.  Do not feed your dog if its been sick, starve for 24 hours but contact your vet for advice.  If your dogs temperature goes above normal range ring vet ASP!

Do not let your dog go out with other dogs whilst it is ill.

Quarantine them from mixing with dogs, puppies etc.

Knowing how dangerous this bug is, I would go so much as to say if your dog is healthy right now don't walk it in the park, or places you will come across other dogs as its sweeping across the uk.  Some vets are saying they can't cope with the amount of animals to see in the day.  

Let your dog drink only little water.  Remove water bowls.  Dogs with sick tummies and diarrhoea will over drink, and then sick up again.  Just offer little water every now and then.  Bloat can happen if they over drink water, or over eat grasses.  

If your dogs temperature is high, you will need to help the dog.  {Put the dog in a room that's draft free, with even temperature.  Get a cold towel and wrap around the head to cool the dog down.  Keep a close eye on your dog.  If the temperature goes up further ring vets.  Most vets will admit a dog with extreme high temperatures.

We have had this and come out the other side now.  It was a nightmare keeping the puppies away from the sick dogs, but we did,  We realised pretty quickly that we couldn't put sheets of vet bed down as it was soaked again and again and again.  So I put towels down, which I could then wash at a high temperature in the washing machine with antigene cap full in with the laundry detergent.  Thank goodness I buy Proline laundry liquid as it really shifts stubborn stains.

When your dog is feeling better start feeding bland food.  Cook a chicken breast and mince it up so easy to eat. If you can make bone broth that's a good idea as it contains nutrients for dogs. 
If your dogs had antibiotics steroids and anti sickness drugs, then you may want to introduce some Keifer or pro biotics once the tummy settles to help get the gut back to normal flora.  Tree barks powder is also great for upset stomachs.  You can buy tree barks from www.dorwest.com 

I hope this helps but really the most important person is your vet in this virus case.  Good luck and IP hope your dogs don't get it,
​Rachel xx

I understand that a lot of you watch my blog to see what's happening. 

Our Bracco babies are now coming up to the point of leaving and they are pretty full on.  Who would of thought we were going to have such a big litter.  Looking forward to seeing the pups Dads owner Sunday and Yennefer breeder as they are all coming to see them.  

These puppies have been an absolute joy, such friendly characters and their tails never wag. They are content babies.  They have a variety of toys to play with, and now having walks outside so they get to walk on grass.  If puppies are not allowed outside they do not learn to go to the toilet outside, so this week is all about going outside, feeding outside on the patio.  

Our puppies are never left home alone as I always arrange for someone to sit with them.  

Sassy's 3  puppies are doing so well. Slow to wean, and mum is over attentive which is a good thing, but it is also a pain when they will starve themselves to wait for mum.  So looks like cold Turkey weaning is the only way we will get them to learn to eat with out mum.   All puppies are so different to each other and litters are all different. Thats why what one litter does another doesn't.  Sassy is the best of mothers, too good.  Now its time to get these babies eating more.  So come Monday Sassy will be removed until they understand that they need to eat away from mum.  I took a video today and will send the owners.  

Thank you for being patient with me on sending photos and videos etc.  We have had the gastric virus here and its hugely contagious to dogs.  So I've been exhausted cleaning and rushing back and forth to vets with various dogs.  Luckily that's over now.  I will write a blog on the sickness bug that's going around the whole of the uk.  

Our whole family have Covid. I did write its in our house the other day on the puppy page.
 But we are all in isolation now and feeling rough.  There fore any new Vizsla enquiries can you please wait a week before contacting me for a chat.  We had done so well as this is the first time we have had it. 

I am still accepting Bracco enquiries and I will chat back to you if you text me, and when I feel little better after pain killers I can talk to you on the phone. 

Please don't think I'm ignoring anyone as Im not but I feel really ill.  Hopefully after isolation time we will start to feel better again.

I had a dog show this week which Ive had to say No too.   I will not go out and spread this. I am following Gov guidelines. 


Even with Covid the dogs need care, and we have between us walked them in our own paddocks, fed them, cared for them. We are so lucky that we do not have to come into contact with anyone.   
The dogs are wondering why mum is laying on the sofa with a heap of blankets shivering, they don't want to go out for a wee as they know I'm not well. Dogs always know don't they.   They all had extra treats so that it gives them something to do, puzzle toys have been out, and Kongs, plus my snuffle mats have been a lifesaver.  

Our Bracco puppies are not at the stage of running about yet, so for that Im grateful I've got it now not when they are six weeks.  Yennefer looks at me like she knows somethings not right but she is such a good mum that I don't have to worry about her puppies.  They have been moved today onto tissue bedding so that any fluids gets absorbed rather than on their skin. Its brilliant stuff, as theirs 13 wee's going on several times a day now.  They are eating raw meat and already thriving.  They have had their first set of 3 day wormer. I use Panacur as I know this kills the biggest spectrum of worms that any wormer can give.  Yennefer is now loosing body condition so we have again upped her food.  She is eating a huge amount of food. 

Wishing all our followers a Happy New Year.

Our latest news!

Yennefer's puppies are growing very well, and now eating weaning meat.  This always makes a big difference as they suddenly get stronger.  Of course they will have mum up to 6 weeks but the more we can feed them the more they will grow.  They are now having their first worming with Panacur. Puppies go through stages and they do not do an awful lot until they get to 6 weeks of age.  They do not change until they get to 5 weeks when suddenly they turn into adorable puppies.   But its a full time job looking after puppies with out the adult dogs also.  My day starts around 6am every day and  I am on the go until late into the night.  Its quite exhausting.  This is why I ask anyone who wishes to contact me do not text me until 10.30 am when Im literally in the house again, as I have to exercise all our dogs.  To have top quality dogs is not just good diet, its exercise and also keeping their mental health in tip top condition too.  This is done by exercise and playing with the dogs.   I also groom our dogs weekly and many have a bath.  Yesterday it took one hour just to do nails.  I need a session cleaning teeth this week also.  When you own dogs like we do, their is never ever a day off, it is 24/7 for 365 days a year.  To sit down on the sofa is a luxury. 

We have several puppies reserved now but we still have pups available. In my head I had 1 orange left, but I realised today I have 2.  The Bracco is a wonderful breed of dog to own, or shall I say have a partnership with. The Bracco is a real gent and a friend.

Please note that although I take photos and videos of the puppies I can not keep taking photos as looking after dogs means constantly cleaning up, feeding, exercise, training, and now days paper work.   I try to send photos once a week and videos. Anyone that has a litter of puppies knows how exhausting it is. Let alone to have a large litter. With large litters the cleaning is never ending.  Yes I even have to wash puppies.  That in itself can take an hour to clean their skin.  If we don't keep puppies clean then they could get bacterial infections.  

Pepper is in season, this is Joshua's girl.  He is mating her to Indie, we now have people moving from Sassy's list to Peppers.  I will be in contact with the people on Sassy's list Monday.  I have text three people and Ive not heard back from one. So waiting until tomorrow.  

Our next litter will be a Pug hopefully as Sabrina is due in season soon.  As I don't count Peppers litter as it is not our bitch. 

I have the Kennel club coming to see me in a few weeks time which is standard procedure when your an assured breeder.  I had to send spread sheets and all sorts for them to check through.  I shall look forward to that.   

Also got visits at 5 weeks for Bracco owners, plus 6 weeks some show folk are coming over to see the puppies.  

We now have health tests booked for some of our younger generation to get the hips and elbows done, so we can make plans then in 2023. 

We hope to do a few UK shows in 2022 and the odd one in Europe.   We have to try and get Indies 4th CACIB which would make him an international champion.  Geralt will be back at the shows for 2022, as well as Ripley, Roux, and Indie.  

I have a show Friday at Boston champ show. I may not get to this, but time will tell.  I have arranged already for people to be here for the pups. I have to be so organised lol. 

Anyway happy new year and I hope you all have good health and to my show friends lots of show wins for you.  See you all soon
Rachel