Bernwatch - Possible current alerts

This page is specifically to update our members with any advice about current events which may be beneficial to their dogs. Obviously sometimes we may have to remove specific identities of persons or manufacturers until the exact situation is clear but the essence of the warning will normally be unaffected by this. All such information is reproduced in good faith. If you feel there is anything we should be including on this page or hear of any situation you think members should know about please let us know.

Puppy Scam

added 3rd Feb 2009

It has come to our attention that a Bernese being advertised on the Freeads web-site is actually the subject of a scam, originating from Cameroon. Our Rescue co-ordinator tried to get information on the Bernese and little was forthcoming. Eventually we were told ,by email, that it was a 14 week old bitch puppy, being rehomed because the owner's daughter had very recently died in a road accident. Suspicion was raised because of the bad English in the replies and the fact that an "agency" could deliver the puppy. One of our committee did some quick detective work and discovered on the "fraudwatchers.org" web-sit that exactly the same tale of woe was being used to "sell" other breeds. BEWARE! There is NO PUPPY and if you part with your money, you will get nothing in return.
For further information, contact our Rescue co-ordinator on 01202 872217 or visit  http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-12705.html for general info bout this scam.
 

Warning about increase in Lungworm.

added 5th April 2008

The club has received the following email from a new member. Whilst it is by no means a reason to panic or worry it can never hurt to be aware of these things.

"I have recently joined the Bernese Mountain Dog Club as I am going to purchase a puppy in the next few months. I thought I should let other members know that Lungworm is on the increase.
I work in a vets and over the past couple of months we have seen lots of dogs with lungworm several of whom have become serious ill and one has actually died.
Due to the mild winter the intermediate host for the lungworm which are snails and slugs, has not decreased as it normally would. Snails and slugs are eaten by the dogs
and the worm larvae ingested, they then migrate to the lungs. The dogs develop a cough, cough up the worms from the lungs and swallow them which are then passed into
the faeces eaten by the slugs and snails and thus it all starts again.

There is also some suggestion in some areas that it can be transmitted by fox feaces.

Some dogs do not present symptoms at all other develop a cough. Often the dogs have become very ill without showing any previous or obvious symptoms. I would suggest
that people contact their vets for advice as it does seem to be more prevalent in some areas. It is also suggested that any outside water bowls are removed or cleaned
and changed very regularly."

Warning about potentially dangerous dog toy bought at Crufts.

added 11th March 2008

The club feels that the following warning being circulated on the internet may be of relevance to our members.

"Can I just alert peoples attention to a dangerous toy on the market bought at Crufts by my friend who has one of my pups. It is a kong type toy, dumb bell in shape of hard rubber with holes in either end of the dumb bell to put treats etc into.

Well my friend gave this toy to her 7 month old pup with treats in, and after five minutes saw him scrabbling around on the floor she went to take it off him and found him to have his tongue trapped in the hole by the vacuum it had caused, his tongue wouldn't come out and was swelling up and causing him to choke , she couldn't cut it off as the rubber was too thick and of course he was panicking ... as she was. she had to rush him to the vet last night last night to have him sedated while the vet cut him free. he is now home safe but a very bruised tongue and also badly bitten where he was chewing his tongue with his teeth trying to free himself. Couldn't imagine what would of happened if she hadn't seen him and not been there, he would certainly have died, she is going to write to the manufacturer to tell them,. The original Kongs are fine as they have a hole in the top so a vacuum cannot be caused inside but because each end of this toy was solid in the middle they aren't, so just a warning to anyone who may have one or anything similar"

We understand this was a Golden Retriever pup and the retailer is contacting the manufacturer and Trading Standards maybe involved but the obvious protection is to make sure if you have any such kind of toy either remove it or make sure it has a hole at both ends to prevent any suction being set up.
 

Warning about ongoing viral complaints

updated 11th March 2008

Following the death last year of the 6 month old puppy and the 4 month old puppy in January reports of such infection seem to have fallen away. However, the club would still urge extreme caution if you have a young puppy which appears to have any similar symptoms. These symptoms were a loss of appetite, increasing lethargy and bloody diarrhoea. Parvovirus was suspected but tests proved negative and haemorrhagic enteritis was diagnosed in one case.

Whilst these type of symptoms could always be due to a variety of causes please be well aware that there appears to be at least one potentially fatal enteritis type infection around recently as well as the normal possibility of Parvovirus, so do not be complacent if your dog becomes ill. If your youngster especially becomes ill veterinary advice is advised at the earliest possible stage rather than waiting a day or two to see if there is any improvement.

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