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Cancer is Common in Pets - Did you know that cancer is becoming very common in dogs and cats?

Studies have shown this to be true. It has been shown that dogs are more likely to get skin cancer than humans. They are also likely to get breast and bone cancer as well as leukemia. Some of the most common conditions that pets can have are lymphosarcoma and skin cancer. Accroding to one of our recently published blogs on the facility for treatment of pets suffering from cancer at The University of Cambridge cancer in pets is the leading cause of pets dying here in Britain. They report statistics of 25% of dogs die due to cancer related illness and 12.5% of cats die from cancer related ilness.

To protect the four-legged members of your family you might want to buy pet insurance for your dog or cat. Not only will this give you peace of mind; it will help you to afford expensive medical costs if your pet becomes ill or in an accident. Dog insurance and cat insurance can help ease the strain on your budget if you were faced with high veterinary bills.

You should be aware of things to look for to tell whether your pet may need medical attention. Some of these signs are:

•                                 Rapid weight loss
•                                 No appetite
•                                 Pain or difficulty chewing or swallowing
•                                 Lumps or soars that do not heal
•                                 No energy-constantly tired
•                                 Bad odor or smell
•                                 Soars or lumps that do not heal

If your dog or cat has any of these symptoms you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian immediately.

There is hope for your pets. With early detection of cancer there are many successful treatments that can be done today. Your dog or cat can undergo treatments much like the ones performed on humans, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Currently PetScreen is able to provide the most advanced screening test for canine lymphoma. The test is a simple blood test according to thier web site. If you are interested in receiving information about these and other new cancer screens as they become available, simply complete thier Pet Owner Registration Form and you should be kept up to date with the latest developments.

Animal Friends Insurance has a variety of pet insurance products to choose from that will suit your needs. They have both cat insurance and dog insurance. Besides getting the right policy for your pet you will also be giving to other animals that are in need of help.

Animal Friends Pet Insurance is a not for profit organisation which gives all of its net profits from Pet Insurance and Life Insurance policies to charities all over the world who help animals in need. By buying pet insurance from them you would not only be providing for your pet, you would also be helping animal charities all over the world.

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Pet control in the uk

Over the years, the UK has seen an increase in the many breeds of dogs within the country. It has also seen a change in some breeds & also a noticeable mix within the breeding circles.

These changes are related to the ever transforming social world in which we live, whether it be influenced by fashion, peerage, or unfortunately in some cases social decline. Whatever the impact these have made, it appears that there is always someone willing to take advantage. For instance, there has become an increasing number of rogue breeders that are exploiting the demand for lapdogs used as fashion accessories.

They are smuggling puppies into the UK from Eastern Europe. Naturally the welfare of these poor creatures are not the breeder’s first concern. The puppies are bred & kept in awful conditions, transported in nothing more than small cages. Most have not received vaccinations and the majority are inbred. Therefore leading to them being mentally, along with the fact that the puppies are taken away from their mothers after five or six weeks which is way too early. This results in major lifelong physical and psychological diseases, or they will simply die when they are just weeks old.

As such a fashion accessory, for many pedigree dogs the demand is high & sellers are now using reputable & professional looking websites, changing company names to stay ahead of animal welfare groups. In some European countries, it is the norm to buy one from a market, which is not only near on obscene, but it just fuels the trade even further. If only buyers realised the puppies’ background, would they care? There are many reputable dog breeders here in the UK too and please understand this is in no way a reflection on those legitimate businesses!

It has also widely been published by the BBC that there are criminal gangs worldwide that breed dangerous dogs, mostly illegal pit bull terriers, for fighting, guarding & for domestic sales. Their investigation showed that these dogs are allowed to enter the UK with false documentation, from Ireland. As we have devastatingly seen, it is these dogs that have been banned in the UK since 1991, & are responsible for tragic deaths across the country to the present day.

They are bred to fight, but are kept in domestic houses, with children. It can only end in misery & it happens in many of our major cities. Very recently the Kennel Club, has revealed a new non-breed specific dog control law, influenced by the Dangerous Dogs Act. It has since been  presented to the Government for possible approval by the Home Secretary and Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

It contains that it should the norm to control the breeding of all dogs, not just specific breeds. It also states that it should now be prohibited to advertise dogs apart from where there is a certain charity , welfare cause or licensed breeder attached. Controls for imports should be tighter, whether they be live or sperm donations. Most importantly from the responsibility of the owner, they should be abiding by the rules of the DDA, that states:“ A potentially dangerous dog, while on the owner’s property, shall at all times be kept indoors, or in a securely fenced yard from which the dog cannot escape, and intowhich children cannot trespass. A potentially dangerous animal may be off the owner’s premises only if it is restrained by a substantial leash of appropriate length, and if it is under the control of a responsible adult.”

Did you know that arthritis is one of the most common sources of chronic pain in dogs and cats that is treated by veterinarians today? Studies have shown that one in every four adult dogs has arthritis. There has also been an increase in the number of cats who are being treated for arthritis. Having pet insurance on your dog or cat can help take some of the financial burden off of you and make sure that your pets receive the best possible care.

Arthritis is a life-long disease which can be treated. Buying dog insurance and cat insurance are ways to help protect the four-legged members of your family for their lifetime. If you suspect your pet may have arthritis you should make an appointment with your vet immediately.  They can do a physical exam which sometimes includes x-rays. This can be a costly expense and to help ease the strain on your budget a full lifetime pet insurance policy can help.

•                         Difficulty sitting or standing
•                         Seems to have stiff or sore joints
•                         Favoring a limb
•                         Will hesitate when trying to jump, run or climb stairs
•                         Sleeping more
•                         Weight gain
•                         Showing less interest in play or being less alert

If your pet has any of these symptoms for more than two weeks you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. If your dog or cat does have arthritis the best thing you can do for them is to get a treatment plan started as soon as possible.

By getting dog insurance or cat insurance on your pet you will be prepared if your pet should develop arthritis or any other disease. Veterinary bills can run into thousands of pounds. Animal Friends Insurance have dog insurance and cat insurance policies that will suit your needs. At the same time you will also be giving to other animals that are in need of help.

Animal Friends Insurance is a not for profit organisation which donates 100% net profits from Pet Insurance and Life Insurance policies to charities all over the world helping animals in need. So this means if you were to buy pet insurance from us you would not only be providing for your pet, you would also be helping animal charities all over the world.

Mourning the Passing of Thomas the Church Cat.

Cat owners in the village of Anchorsholme near Thorton Cleveleys in Lancashire are warned to be cautious by a worried pet owner after her unique and beloved cat recently passed away. Heather Bethell, 43, believes that her pet Thomas was attacked by two dogs outside All Saints Church on North Drive. The church is about a mile beyond the northern end of the Blackpool Illuminations, and less than a mile south from the centre of Cleveleys. There is a large black anchor weighing two tons and about eight feet high in front of the church, and it is in this church ground that Thomas now rests in peace. As usual, Thomas left his home for his nightly prowl at about midnight. Later Mrs Bethell heard a commotion outside the church and saw a group of youths with two dogs. The dogs were let free to jump into the bushes. She believes that these dogs hurt Thomas.  The matter was reported to the police, who are asking for any witnesses to come forward.  

To find the culprit behind this incident, Mrs Bethell is offering a reward to anyone who can help her to find the dog responsible for her cat’s death. Although nothing can bring back a beloved pet, taking out pet insurance could give you a payout on the death of your pet to help you afford to offer a reward such as this.

 According to Mrs Bethell, her seven year old black and white moggy attended funerals, weddings and sleepovers with Brownie groups in the church hall. Therefore, he was recognised by hundreds of people in the community as the ‘church cat’. Thomas was even offered his own seat at the Weight Watchers meeting!

 Mrs Bethell is obviously very distressed and saddened at the passing of Thomas the ‘Church Cat’.

After three cats were found to have suffered from suspected poisoning, animal owners are being warned by a concerned resident of West Craigs in Hamilton to be on their guard.

Within 24 hours of each other, the 29 year old resident, who did not want to be named, lost two of his pets, both of which were found to have eaten some poisonous substance. On the 29^th September, his five year old black and white cat became unwell. The pet was immediately taken to the vet by him and his wife. The cat was examined and kept in overnight for observation. During the afternoon, on the 30^th September another cat, a four year old Tabby fainted in her home. She too had the same symptoms.

A neighbouring cat also died from suspected poisoning. After this incident the Aberfeldy Avenue resident warned fellow cat owners to keep their pets protected. He just wants to make people aware of these sorts of incidents occurring so other pet owners can be vigilant. If a pet appears to be suffering from symptoms that could be related to poisoning it should be taken to a vets as soon as possible. Vets fees can be expensive, but with good pet insurance, these will be covered.

It is not known exactly what these cats had ingested, but there are a number of seemingly innocent foods which can be poisonous to cats – including tomatoes and potatoes!  These foods are members of the Solanaceae family of plants, which includes the Deadly Nightshade, and contain a bitter, poisonous alkaloid called Glycoalkaloid Solanine, which can cause violent lower gastrointestinal symptoms. Onions are also a problem as they contain a substance called  N-propyl disulphide which destroys red blood cells in cats, causing a form of anemia called Heinz body anemia. There are also many types of seeds and berries which in extreme cases could also be fatal, as well as more common household and gardening substances such as insecticides.

The incidents were reported to the RSPCA by the South Lanarkshire resident. They are investigating and warning people to keep an eye on their pets. If you are in any doubt about the health of your pet you should consult your vet without delay.

Protecting the four-legged members of your household

All pet lovers know the joy and comfort of having cats and dogs as part of their family. Just like any other member of your family you should invest in dog insurance or cat insurance for your four- legged loved ones. Pet insurance will give you the peace of mind that if anything should happen to your pet and they need immediate short or long-term health care you will be covered. Animal friends Insurance offers a range of affordable pet insurance policies designed to suit your needs.

The averages say that one in three pets will need veterinary treatment each year, which can add up to quite a large sum of money that you may need to pay out. However, this is not the only thing that can be covered with cat insurance or dog insurance. There are a variety of options available when you buy pet insurance from Animal Friends such as coverage of advertising costs or reward if your pet goes missing, or cover which can provide liability protection.

Pet insurance is like having a health insurance plan yourself- it is there when you need it for those unexpected large health-related bills. By insuring your pets you can ensure they will get the very best treatment at the vet of your choice. Most pet insurance policies will also cover ongoing illnesses such as arthritis, respiratory problems and many heart conditions too. You can also get dog or cat insurance on older pets from Animal Friends Insurance. They don’t have to be puppies or kittens to be eligible; as long as you keep the premiums up they will be covered. Not only that, but it is worth noting that Animal Friends also provide full life time cover, something you will not easily find available from the insurers who advertise only the cheapest insurance plans.

Cat insurance is also a good value for your money. While we all know that cats have nine lives even their levels of agility and grace can sometimes not be enough to protect them from injury. With an Animal Friends cat insurance policy you would be able to provide the best medical attention for your feline family member should they have a fall or be struck by a car. Pet insurance for your cat may also cover some of the expenses if your cat is lost or stolen.

Today with things such as the cost of veterinary treatment at its highest and still increasing your smart move is to buy pet insurance. This will give you peace of mind and the ability to take care of your four legged family members in case of a medical emergency or injury. For just a few pounds a month you will be able to provide the best medical treatment for your pets to ensure a long and happy life.

How to Protect Your Pet and Give to Charity in One Easy Step

Protecting your pet with dog insurance or cat insurance is a way to give you peace of mind by knowing that you will be able to cover unforeseen medical expenses. In these times of economical turmoil and with the cost of veterinary expenses rising faster than inflation; buying pet insurance is the only sensible choice.

There are many charities which we at Animal Friends Insurance support, including: Gloucestershire Wildlife Rescue, Born Free, JBF Animal Foundation, and Brighton Animal Action, just to name a few. Our mission: to make a difference in the lives of animals all over the world. One of our aims is to help combat animal abuse and assist in the protection of rare and endangered species. We hope to  lead the way  with our business ethic in the hope that  other businesses will be persuaded to do more to help their own communities.

Pet dog injured by smashed bottle in river

When Kate Goode took her dogs out for a walk at Cullompton Park in Devon earlier this month, she thought it would be like any other day. However, she was wrong. Kate of Willand was out enjoying a usual walk with her dogs Sox and Tink when the tragedy happened. Both dogs went into the river like they normally do and were playing and having fun until Tink stopped and stared at her owner.

That was when Kate realised something was wrong. She looked carefully at Tink hobbling out of the water and realised she was badly injured. Tink’s foot was cut open by a smashed bottle in the river and was dripping with blood. Kate immediately took Tink to the vet to get the wound attended. Unfortunately for Kate, she did not have any dog insurance.

Tink was placed under full anaesthetic while getting stitches to close the wound in her paw. The dog is now on antibiotics and painkillers. The entire operation and treatment has amounted to hundreds of pounds. This expense could have been reduced had the owner insured her pet. Pet insurance can lessen the burden at difficult times such as these. It is hard enough to watch your beloved pet go through pain without having to worry about the cost of treatment.  At AFI we offer a range of dog insurance policies to give you peace of mind should an accident happen.