I have spoken before on my all things natural about cancer in dogs. This week I went to see a vet who is a researcher into boas in French bulldogs, Pugs, English bulldogs, and cross breeds. We spoke about Vizsla as she was intrigued I owned Vizsla as well as the smaller breeds. Absolutely lovely lady who has dog breeds health at heart. She said they are seeing a huge increase in Vizsla with sarcoma attached to the spleens. She asked if any research had been done on the breed. I spoke to her and told her the only research that I knew about had been done in USA. Which had concluded that spaying too early the bitches or at all increases risks, and in males castration done too early, or at all increases risks.

We had suspicions when we had Weimaraners that something was triggering cancers, but their had been no research done at that time.
The cancers listed that dogs can have are bone cancer, lymphoma and Mast Cell Tumours. The lists of other health problems associated with spaying and neutering too early is growth problems, from joint disease, hip dysplasia, uneven growth in leg bones, leaving some dogs with a long leg one side to the other. Which then causes a limp, gate. Our normal veterinary surgeons have not read the research, many still will get you to neuter the dog early. Some however are telling owners to wait until the dog is older, but they are still doing it at 10 months which is still far too young.

We have to take note that not everyone wants to have an entire male, or a bitch that has seasons. But waiting for as long as possible before you go ahead to allow the joints to set in the dog. A puppy is classified as a puppy up to 12 months. Then the dog is an adolescence up to 18 months. The Vizsla does not mature until after 2 years of age. This is why breeding females are 2 years before they are mated. Dogs must finish growing, and must mature naturally so that they do not grow unevenly. We can soon spot a male which has been castrated too young by the look of the dog. Just remember you should allow your dog to grow up. Breeders used to say let females have one season, but I’m now thinking thats not enough. A minimum of 2 seasons, unless the bitch has pyometra which is infection in the uterus.

Please also take note I am not just saying all this as pie in the sky with no reason. We want our animals to be as healthy as possible. We are always going to participate in studies on dogs to forward the health of dogs in the future. We understand that their is no such thing as perfection with animals, and their is no such thing as owning an animal for 14 years with out ever visiting a vet. But the more we learn, we can share the information with you, so you can make decisions for your dogs which can increase their lifespan. Or live a life with out pain. This is why I am sharing this information with you all.

Some cancers are caused by farm land chemicals, pollutants from factories, and vehicles. Their is nothing we can do about these.
This is just a gentle reminder that animals are animals, just as we are animals, and we can try and do the best for our animals as possible.
Rachel

As we prepare for Autumn and winter what do we have to do to prepare for dogs over winter. ?

As winter approaches you may notice your dog is hungrier than usual. This is because they use up their fat stores to keep warmer on walks, so if your dog starts to look thin give your dog more food. If your dog is a working gun-dog, you will need to give it 3 meals a day. The Vizsla expels lots of energy keeping warm. If your dog looses weight and you are feeding more food, then give quality fats from beef in the diet and your dog will put weight on, or beef tripe fat.
Coming up to autumn your dog may require a coat to keep warm. We use our selves Hurta, Hotter and Equafleece for our dog coats.

If you are walking your dog in the dark you can buy reflective collars, I now make these which are idea for late evening walks. But also you can purchase lights to go on the dog. You can interchange collars if you wish to have a day time collar and put on the reflective one evening walks.
Please give me notice to make collars as I am busy at the moment. They come in high viz orange, high viz yellow, blue, black, green.

A flash light is valuable to see where the dog has gone to the toilet.

As it gets colder and we can get icy mornings, remember roads get salted and so do pathways. Salt is highly poisoness to dogs, so wash their paws in warm water when you get home so they can not lick the paws. Or use dog boots to stop cracks of pads. Ruff wear sell good boots.
Paw wax is a good idea if your dog is prone to cracked pads. Cracked pads can be caused by salt on pathways or just frozen ground. If it is frozen ground do not throw balls for the dog, as the dog skids it can damage nails, and pads, and it can also cause joint pains.

Water bowls outside freeze, so ideally have a bowl of water in the house. Do not let your dog eat large chunks of ice as it can cause a spasm in the gut. If your dog lives in a kennel you can put a tsp of glucose in the water to stop freezing. But change water frequently.

Do not let your dog run across frozen iced ponds, rivers, lakes. It could give way, and its up to you to stop the dog. Put the dog on the lead if it keeps going on the ice. Many owners have died retrieving dogs from frozen lakes.