dogs

First dogs in the UK treated with groundbreaking bee and wasp venom immunotherapy

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The University of Glasgow’s Small Animal Hospital is the first in the UK to use a groundbreaking treatment for dogs suffering from serious allergic reactions to bee and wasp stings.

The treatment, Hymenoptera Venom Immunotherapy (VIT), has now been successfully used on a number of patients; and while the approach is still relatively new, clinicians believe it offers a hopeful approach to preventing recurrent anaphylaxis in dogs.

The Small Animal Hospital is one of just a few specialist centres around the world able to deliver this type of disease-modifying treatment.

Insect venom allergy is one of the most serious acute allergic conditions in dogs. Reactions can develop within minutes of a sting and can, in a very small number of cases, progress from hives and vomiting to collapse, respiratory distress, and in severe cases, death.

In addition, almost two-thirds of dogs who experience one severe reaction to a bee or wasp sting go on to experience the same, or worse symptoms after subsequent stings.

Hymenoptera Venom Immunotherapy treatment, which was first developed for use in humans, works by gradually introducing controlled, increasing doses of bee or wasp venom to the affected dog, training the immune system to tolerate future exposure and significantly reducing the likelihood of a recurrent severe allergic reaction.

At the Small Animal Hospital the treatment is led by Professor Ana Rostaher, a world-leading expert in the veterinary field on VIT, who alongside colleagues has contributed to research which shows encouraging clinical outcomes, including high levels of protection from recurrent severe reactions in treated patients.

Clinical experience and research from the University also suggests that many dogs undergoing VIT achieve strong protection against repeat anaphylaxis, with the treatment demonstrating a favourable safety profile when delivered under specialist supervision.

The process for treatment involves an initial diagnostic phase with allergy testing, followed by a closely monitored induction period and long-term maintenance therapy that may continue for several years.

Professor Ana Rostaher said: “Venom immunotherapy represents a major advance in how we can manage severe insect sting allergies in dogs. For affected animals, a single sting can make them very ill and even die. However, this treatment offers a proactive way to change that risk profile and provides owners with an option for further peace of mind for those animals who are severely allergic to insect stings.”

The severity of some cases was seen in the case of Claire and Matthew Preece’s dog Amber, a Vizsla breed dog who became the first patient in the UK to undergo venom immunotherapy at the University of Glasgow Small Animal Hospital after experiencing a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting in July 2021.

Amber’s owners, from Stratford-upon-Avon, experienced Amber becoming suddenly unwell after an unseen bee entered the home through an open window. The dog’s behaviour changed abruptly—she began barking unusually, followed by the rapid development of hives and vomiting, and her condition quickly deteriorated as she was rushed to the vet.

Her owners described the experience as devastating, with Amber treated as an emergency patient. The experience left Claire and Matthew with ongoing anxiety around bee and wasp exposure, particularly during warmer months and outdoor activity. The couple heard about the groundbreaking new therapy and opted to have Amber treated at the Small Animal Hospital in Glasgow.

Claire Preece said: “Amber became unwell very quickly at home—we didn’t even realise at the time that she had been stung by a bee that had flown in through an open window. Her behaviour changed first, then things escalated rapidly. It became clear within minutes that this was extremely serious.

“We chose immunotherapy to reduce the risk of another reaction and to regain a sense of control. The anxiety never fully went away—we simply wanted to do everything possible to protect Amber.”

Prof Rostaher added: “Amber’s story underlines why this treatment matters as, for some dogs, these reactions are sudden, severe, and deeply distressing for families. Venom immunotherapy offers a way not just to treat the condition, but to prevent the next emergency before it happens.”

The University of Glasgow Small Animal Hospital continues to develop its venom immunotherapy programme, aiming to improve outcomes for dogs at risk of anaphylaxis and expand access to this specialist treatment.

More information

Images of Amber the dog alongside caption details can be found here.

ENDS

For more information contact Elizabeth McMeekin or Ali Howard in the University of Glasgow Communications and Public Affairs Office on Elizabeth.mcmeekin@glasgow.ac.uk or ali.howard@glasgow.ac.uk

Breeding Dogs Part 3

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The following is the third part in a series of eight articles about breeding dogs. Although it applies to a dog, it also applies to cats. People do not realize that there are cat mills which are similar to puppy mills. Note that these articles are based on my years of experience, my opinion and that I do not intend to refer to any individual. Please read the entire eight articles to glean a full understanding of breeding.

Part Three

There are six types of breeders.

  1. There is the ethical breeder who studies lines and has a goal that they hope to accomplish with a breeding. This goal can be for a litter who has a solid temperament, true working ability or just to meet show standards. It is important to understand that temperament and intelligence are the two qualities that make a dog a good pet or working dog. A dog who meets the conformation standard without a good temperament or intelligence is not a desirable pet or working dog.  

Ethical breeders are typically involved with a breed club or organization that monitors the ethics of the breeder. The ethical breeder does not produce multiple litters at one time and often only has one or two litters a year. They do not breed their dogs before they are tested for inherited issues or are under two years old. The ethical breeder will only breed those dogs who are worthy of breeding having been cleared of inherited issues and has been proven as the best quality for the breed. Only exceptional dogs are bred.

Ethical breeders often have waiting lists for puppies because their lines have been proven. They also only line breed or outcross. They rarely if ever inbreed.

The ethical breeder rarely makes a profit from their dogs due to the expenses of raising, testing and proving their dogs. Their litters are consistent in temperament, health and conformation. The ethical breeder will often guarantee the quality of their puppies and puppies from an ethical breeder are registered with a recognized registry.

  • The new breeder. Everyone must start sometime. A small in-home breeder who is being mentored by an experienced breeder can be a quality, ethical breeder. Not every breeder has a large kennel. Most ethical breeders have several dogs that live in their house with them as pets. A home-raised puppy from an ethical breeder is an ideal situation to get your new puppy from. The quality of the breeding is not measured by the number of dogs a breeder has, but by the care, planning and goals of the breeder.
  • The commercial breeder mass produces puppies from a limited number of dogs. Their puppies are often registered with a national registry, but the care and planning of the lines do not exist. Their goal is to make money so they often shortcut the testing and care of their dogs including the puppies. Their puppies are not from proven stock, are not consistent in temperament, health and conformation. These breeders will produce the breeds that are popular and likely to sell.  
  • The puppy mill breeder. These people breed solely for profit. The dogs are often kept in cages and rarely given attention. They are not part of the family but viewed as livestock. They do no testing or planning and have no goals except to produce puppies and make money. Often these puppies are not pure and are not registered or if they are, they are registered with a non-recognized organization that supports puppy mills.

These puppies are often not consistent in temperament, conformation and are more prone to health issues.

  • The backyard breeder. This is the person who thinks they can make money from their pet. Due to a lack of understanding about breeding these puppies are one step away from the puppy mill breeder. The parents have no health testing; there is no consistency in the litter since they are randomly bred with no understanding of genetics. There is also no guarantee with the puppy.
  • The last type of breeder is a rather recent phenomenon. This is the designer dog breeder. These people take two different breeds and try to create a dog of their own design. There is no consistency in the puppies that result because they do not have a solid goal. One of the excuses these people use is to create an allergy free dog. Because allergies are not a result of dog hair but of dander, this is not possible. All dogs have dander. Unfortunately, since there is no consistent conformation with designer dogs, there is no way other than a DNA test, to prove that the dogs are the mix that the breeder claims. I have had clients come to me with a dog that was supposed to be a Labradoodle, and the dog grew up to be a terrier. Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee the puppies, and the buyer cannot know for certain that they are getting what they paid for. Also, it is unfortunate that these breeders charge as much or more for the mixed breed puppies as a buyer would pay for a well-bred puppy from an ethical breeder. These puppies are not registered or if they are, they are not registered with a recognized organization.

What is also important to consider is that a person who has a well-bred dog from an ethical breeder is not likely to cross this quality dog with another breed. Therefore, by default, many designer dogs are created from less desirable stock.

Breeding dogs, an eight part series

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The following is the first part in a series of eight articles about breeding dogs. Although it applies to a dog, it also applies to cats. People do not realize that there are cat mills which are like puppy mills. Note that these articles are based on my years of experience, my opinion and that I do not intend to refer to any individual. Please read the entire eight articles to glean a full understanding of breeding.

Part One: The Bitch

First, it must be said that only the best bitches and males should be bred. The only reason to breed is to better the breed.

Often in my career I have had clients tell me that they wanted to breed their pet dog. In most cases, they have no idea what is involved. It is much more than simply introducing a male and female.

Here are some of the reasons why they feel they want to breed their dog.

  1. To make a lot of money. Often people will pay a substantial amount of money for a puppy. They feel that if they breed their bitch, they will earn eight to ten times that money.
  • It will be good for the children to watch. Whelping puppies is pretty gory, and most children cannot handle what is involved. In some cases, it can traumatize a child and if the child is a girl, make her afraid to have children of her own.

If you still want a child to see this, it is better to find a breeder who will let your child get up in the middle of the night to watch the birthing of a litter.

  • We love our dog so much we want another like him/her.  The chances of reproducing your dog are slim to nothing. Genetics is not an exact science and if breeders could control how a dog turns out there would be many more champions and exceptional dogs.
  • Everyone who meets my dog wants a puppy like him/her.  As soon as the litter is born most people find that all those friends and acquaintances who said they wanted a puppy have excuses as to why they cannot get one now. Breeders who have dogs that are breeding quality have waiting lists for a reason. A home bred or backyard bred dog has no special qualities to warrant the cost.
  • We really love puppies. Many people do not realize that raising a litter of puppies is a lot of work and if done right, is very costly.

Dogs of Devotion

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One of my latest books, Dogs of Devotion is a collection of true short stories. Recently I entered one of the short stories, Lost, in the National League of American Pen Women’s contest. This is a very prestigious organization and the oldest writers, art and music group for women in the country. My story won first place in its category. If you would like an autographed copy of the book please go to my website where you can order a copy. http://www.sbulanda.com

Most of the accounts in this book are little known stories about dogs. Did you know that a Newfoundland saved one of the lifeboats when the Titanic sank? During the gold rush in Alaska, there was a dog who was the only official mail delivery dog in the history of the post office. A famous French woman who was arrested during the Holocaust convinced a German soldier to take care of her dog and he did. You will have to read the story to see if they were reunited.

Version 1.0.0

Animals are developing the same chronic diseases as humans

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The health problem does not just affect pets, but all animals worldwide including marine animals. These diseases are noncommunicable and include such problems as cancer, obesity, diabetes, and degenerative joint disease.

Animal scientist Antonia Mataragka of the Agricultural University of Athens conducted the study. While the causes are inconclusive, Mataragka did find that genetics play a part in selectively bred animals such as dogs, cats and livestock which show higher rates of conditions such as diabetes and mitral valve disease.

Environmental influences, including poor diet, limited physical activity, and long-term stress, also shape how and when these diseases appear across species. Other examples are pigs who develop osteoarthritis, beluga whales have documented gastrointestinal cancers and farmed Atlantic salmon experience cardiomyopathy syndrome. Wildlife living in polluted estuaries contaminated with industrial chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) show liver tumor rates as high as 15-25%. More research needs to be conducted to fully understand what is happening.

Cite This Page:

Society for Risk Analysis. “Animals are developing the same chronic diseases as humans.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 November 2025. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251116105735.htm>.

Journal Reference: Antonia Mataragka. Beyond Infections: The Growing Crisis of Chronic Disease in Animals. Risk Analysis, 2025; DOI: 10.1111/risa.70130

Dog Behavior on CBD

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Dr. Maxwell Leung, an assistant professor and the director of Cannabis Analytics, Safety and Health Initiative at Arizona State University and his team studied 47,000 dogs to determine the behavior changes CBD caused.

They found that dogs on CBD for years initially became more aggressive, but the aggression became less intense over time. Several health issues were linked to higher CBD use. The strongest association was seen in dogs with dementia (18.2%), followed by those with osteoarthritis joint problems (12.5%) and those diagnosed with cancer (10%).

What is interesting is that dogs that had agitation or anxiety did not show improvement in their behavior. The team stressed that dog owners must only use quality products and be aware that CBC can cause side effects such as gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea.

Journal Reference:

Kendra D. Conrow, Richard S. Haney, Michael H. Malek-Ahmadi, Julia D. Albright, Barbara L. F. Kaplan, Noah Snyder-Mackler, Kathleen F. Kerr, Yi Su, Daniel E. L. Promislow, Emily E. Bray, Maxwell C. K. Leung. Demographic features, health status, and behavioral changes associated with cannabidiol use in the Dog Aging Project. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2025; 12 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1666663

Cite This Page:

Frontiers. “Scientists studied 47,000 dogs on CBD and found a surprising behavior shift.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 28 November 2025. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050506.htm>.

Why I wrote my books

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Many people ask what inspired me to write the books that I did, therefore I am going to post a series of blogs explaining why I wrote each book. Also, if you, my loyal readers have a suggestion for a book or an article, please feel free to let me know. I cannot promise that I will write it, but you never know.

I will not comment on my books in the order that they were written but I will cover them all.

The first book that I get the most inquiries about is Faithful Friends: Holocaust Survivors’ Stories of the Pets Who Gave Them Comfort, Suffered Alongside Them, and Waited for Their Return.

This book has won several national awards. They are:

2012: First Place, Dog Writers Association of America.

2012: Second Place Winner, National League of American Pen

                   Women

2012: Finalist, Alliance of Purebred Dog Writers Arthur Award

2012: Certificate of Excellence, Cat Writers Association of America.

The inspiration for this book came from the Diary of Anne Frank. That may be a surprise, but in that account the family risked their lives to hide their cat with them. Had the cat made noise, they could have been discovered. Keep in mind that there was only a wooden floor separating them in the upper room from the people who worked downstairs. There was no insulation to deaden sound.

This made me wonder if there were other stories about pets. I had hoped to get stories about all kinds of animals but only those people who owned dogs and cats responded to my request.

What was amazing to me is that when I interviewed survivors, all of them thanked me for asking and giving them closure. Closure? Then I realized that all the people who responded where children in WWII. They loved their pets just as much as people today, but with all the fear and trauma that they were in the middle of, no one wanted to hear about the fate of pets when so many people were being taken and killed.

The book is broken down by country and in the beginning of each chapter I give a brief outline of what was happening at that time. When younger people read this book, they may not fully understand that there was no television, no computers, and in many cases, no telephone. The only news was through newspapers which were controlled by the Nazi’s and full of propaganda. Many people did not get the newspaper. In many cases the only way people learned about what was happening was by the most unreliable means, word of mouth.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy you can get an autographed copy from my website, www.sbulanda.com  It is also available (not autographed) on Amazon or from the publisher. Please go to my publisher’s website, www.cladach.com to see all their wonderful books.

Genetic and Environmental Drivers of Disease

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Lead animal scientist Antonia Mataragka of the Agricultural University of Athens has conducted a study that explores the increase in chronic diseases in the animal kingdom. These same diseases are found in both animals and humans.

For example, obesity is widespread in dogs and cats. Being overweight leads to a greater number of cats who develop diabetes. About 20% of pigs develop osteoarthritis, beluga whales have an increase of gastrointestinal cancers and farmed Atlantic salmon suffer from cardiomyopathy. It doesn’t end there, up to 25% of wildlife living in polluted estuaries are developing liver tumors. Even

Marine turtles and fish are developing more tumors.

Mataragka hopes that her research will encourage more coordinated monitoring of both animals, people and ecosystems to identify early warning signs by recognizing shared causes of chronic illnesses and reduce disease risks for both animals and people.

Antonia Mataragka. Beyond Infections: The Growing Crisis of Chronic Disease in Animals. Risk Analysis, 2025; DOI: 10.1111/risa.70130

Society for Risk Analysis. “Animals are developing the same chronic diseases as humans.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 November 2025. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251116105735.htm>.

Dogs can tell how toys work without training

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What this means is that dogs can group objects by how they are used, not by how they look. The importance of this discovery shows that dogs understand words and in a more flexible manner than previously thought.

A team of animal behavior researchers worked with dog owners and had them play with their dogs with objects in two categories, pull and fetch. The owners used these words with specific toys that did not look similar.

“Next, the dogs were tested to see if they had learned to connect the functional labels to the correct group of toys before playing with more novel toys in the two distinct categories. However, this time, their owners didn’t use the “pull” and “fetch” labels for the dogs.

The team found that the dogs were able to extend the functional labels they’d learned previously to the new toys based on their experience playing with them. In the final test, the dogs showed that they could successfully apply the verbal labels to the toys by either pulling or fetching accordingly, even when their owners hadn’t named them.”

This impacts the way we train our dogs and the importance of the words that we use, especially associating the words with actions. If dogs are capable of understanding words to this level, it is reasonable to assume that other animals and birds can do the same thing.

Journal Reference:

  1. Claudia Fugazza, Andrea Sommese, Ádám Miklósi. Dogs extend verbal labels for functional classification of objects. Current Biology, 2025; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.08.013

Cite This Page:

Cell Press. “Dogs can tell how toys work without any training.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 September 2025. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250923021212.htm>.

Susan Bulanda’s two new books

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Please take a minute to check out my two new books. I think you will like them. Autographed copies will be available by January from my website. If you can’t wait, they are on Amazon.

Sue

Where Are You Nicholas?

When the Nazis Took Everything, One Memory Kept Her Alive.

Yvonne Redgis lived a life shaped by grace, discipline, and quiet strength. A gifted dancer in Paris, she built her world through movement and devotion. When war overtook France, she entered the Resistance with conviction and purpose. The cost was immense. Captured, tattooed, and sent to Auschwitz, she endured what no human should endure. However, she was able to convince a German soldier to take care of Nicholas. Would she survive? Would she be reunited with Nicholas?

Through it all, one name anchored her: Nicholas, the small French Bulldog she’d left behind. His memory became her lifeline through the darkest hours—proof that somewhere beyond the wire, love still existed and a future waited worth fighting for.

Where Are You, Nicholas? is the true story of a woman’s wartime ordeal, her hard-won freedom, and the unbreakable bond between a dancer and her dog. Built from Yvonne’s own journals, personal accounts, and historical records, this is a story of resistance, survival, and the devotion that makes us human even when the world has lost its humanity.

For readers who believe some bonds can never be broken—no matter the distance, no matter the darkness.

Ideal for readers of Holocaust biography, women’s history, and accounts of perseverance, this work honors the memory of Yvonne Redgis and the resilience that defined her journey.

https://amzn.to/3Mowq88

Dogs of Devotion

True Stories of Loyalty, Courage, and the Unbreakable Bond Between Humans and Their Dogs

Dogs lift spirits, comfort hearts, guide the lost, and step forward in moments when courage is demanded. In Dogs of Devotion, renowned canine expert Susan Bulanda gathers a remarkable collection of real stories that celebrate the deep connection people share with their dogs. These tales illuminate the intelligence, intuition, humor, and steadfast companionship that define the human–dog relationship.

Written with clarity, insight, and heartfelt warmth, this book embraces the joy of companionship and the life-changing power of animals who walk beside us. Each story offers its own triumph, surprise, or emotional resonance. Readers feel the snow under their feet, the forest winds shifting, the quiet padding of paws at night, and the pure devotion of dogs who give everything without hesitation.

Families, trainers, young readers, seasoned dog handlers, and anyone who has ever loved a dog will find inspiration in these true accounts. The stories highlight working dogs, heroic dogs, mischievous dogs, and faithful companions whose presence shaped lives for the better.

Here are the stories included in Dogs of Devotion:

  • Life and Death — A devoted dog brings quiet courage and unwavering presence to the edge of tragedy.
  • Nicholas — A spirited dog transforms a child’s world with loyalty, spark, and unexpected wisdom.
  • Nine Inches — A tiny dog proves that heart, grit, and spirit create immense impact.
  • Petey — A clever dog turns an ordinary day into an unforgettable act of devotion.
  • Stubby — A brave working dog rises to every challenge with fearless enthusiasm.
  • The Boy — A dog’s steady companionship shapes a boy’s strength and confidence.
  • The Dog Was a Hero — A loyal dog steps forward with bold determination at the moment he is needed most.
  • The First Christmas — A dog senses the season’s wonder and brings warmth and joy to a family’s holiday.
  • The Mystery of Winter — A dog uncovers the quiet secrets of a winter landscape with instinct and intelligence.
  • The River — A dog’s alert senses and quick action protect a life at the river’s edge.
  • The Search — A trained dog tracks through rugged terrain with purpose and heart.
  • Tippy — A small dog with sharp instincts brings light, comfort, and keen awareness to every moment.
  • Queenie — A noble dog meets danger with remarkable poise and steadfast loyalty.
  • The Sled Dogs — A determined team of dogs pushes through cold, distance, and difficulty with powerful unity.
  • Old Drum — A faithful dog inspires a historic courtroom tribute that honors the bond between humans and dogs.
  • U.S. Mail Dog — A dependable dog delivers through storms, distance, and duty with unwavering commitment.
  • My Pal — A gifted trick dog helps a young girl discover confidence, resilience, and joy.
  • Lost — A heroic dog guides a ranger to two stranded hikers and leads everyone toward safety.

These stories honor every wagging tail, every warm muzzle, every joyful greeting at the door. They remind us that dogs contribute courage in difficult hours, comfort in seasons of uncertainty, and companionship in every moment that matters.

Dogs of Devotion offers readers a rewarding experience filled with emotion, admiration, and gratitude for the remarkable animals who open their hearts to us so freely. This collection is a testament to the beautiful connection between people and their dogs, written by one of the world’s most respected canine behavior experts.

https://amzn.to/483sL8l