Animal Talk – July 2019

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here are several possible reasons why your dog would suddenly start to eat soil. One is that it is due to a

deficiency of a mineral substance in his diet. Any diet that is labelled as a complete dog food should contain all

the nutrients required by a dog.

Another possibility is that although his diet is not lacking any nutrients, your dog has a problem with his

metabolism that is preventing absorption, preventing the use or increasing the loss of these minerals. Although not

an emergency I would suggest that he is taken to your veterinarian. Some useful parameters to find out before you

go are the amount that he drinks – has it changed at all (increased or decreased)? Is his appetite normal? And also

any other changes in behaviour. Note these and take the info along to your vet.

Small animal veterinarian

Eating soil

Is there a reason why my dog suddenly eats soil?

If you have a large or giant breed puppy,
schedule a hip joint laxity screening when
you see the vet for your puppy’s 12-week
vaccination. If hip laxity is detected,
preventative juvenile pubic symphysiodesis
surgery (a simple procedure to help prevent
issues related to hip dysplasia) can be
considered and scheduled well before the cut-off period at 16 weeks.

good to!

Stay with me

What is separation anxiety?

S

eparation anxiety is a condition in which a dog

exhibits excessive anxiety when left on his

own. Possible signs include your dog digging holes

in the garden, chewing objects that are not his toys,

continuous barking and other destructive

behaviour. If you find your dog is being

destructive and you don’t know how to deal

with the situation, then it is best to call in a

qualified canine behaviourist, who should be

able to teach you how to teach your dog to cope

when left on his own in a safe manner. If you

work all day and don’t have someone at home

to help you with your dog, you might like to look

at putting your dog into a daycare facility while

you are in the teaching phase.

Gillian Pirow, behaviourist

SIGNS YOUR DOG MAY HAVE WORMS

• Scooting


• Biting or licking around the anal area


• Diarrhoea with/without blood


• Faeces covered in mucus


• Weight loss


• Dull coat


• Unthrifty pups who don’t put on weight


• Inappetence/extreme hunger


• Weakness and lethargy


• Vomiting (sometimes worms can be seen)


• Coughing


• Pneumonia


• Itchy skin rashes
  If you suspect that your dog has worms, speak to
  your vet for the best possible treatment.

FA S T FAC T S