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Dates & News:

ZimDog News, can be accessed from: www.vanerp.net.

GSD Club of Harare is holding an Working Trials and Obedience show last weekend in July.

GSD Club of Bulawayo Have postponed their show end May to end of August.

Working Trials are holding a double working trials weekend, first weekend of August.

ZKC & KCH are having their breed shows with Gundog club, second weekend in August

The Combined clubs over the weekend of 25 to 28 June 2004

  

The Combined clubs of Harare and Midlands have had their shows. It was extremely well run and all shows started on time. Results of the German Shepherds are given in the show section of the website, with various pictures for you to see. Many Pedigree prizes were handed out and the weather was kind too. Next is a picture of the Midlands All Breed Show Gundog group winners, held on 25 June 2004 at the well-kept grounds of the Kennel Club of Harare. The catering was run by the K C Harare on all days and was a great effort on many kitchen helpers.

Stud dogs in Zimbabwe.

  

1 Cazan of Kinneret ZKC 12640, HD A+, Born 24-10-1993, Kkl 1 for life V AD IPO 3 [Sire Agilo aus dem schwarzen ZwingerKkl 1 L, V, SchH 1 / Dam Zelka vom Murrtal V] Was used 6 times on 6 different bitches and produced 20 male pups & 25 bitch pups Only two stud dogs in Zimbabwe have working qualifications and this certifies that they are of fantastic character, are under control and will pass this onto their progeny. Cazan is the only one who has the Breed survey for LIFE, and has passed the Endurance test.

 

2 Zilletal Conyak, ZKC 15666, Born 14-8-1997, AD [Ch Ober von Noricum ‘VA’ (SA), SchH 3 / Ch Rosina di Lascala ‘V’] Was used two times on two different bitches and produced 7 dog pups & 4 bitch pups Next issue will have another two Stud Dog write up, for you to see. I have chosen them according to their age, to their looks or working ability.

Exotic Dog Causes Confusion?

  

One particular dog was prone to quite a lot of comments during the 4 days of shows in Harare at the end of June, ranging from: The dog or the colouring was ‘Foreign” What a foreign looking dog I do not like the black spots One was very scared, as this surely was a “Wolf”. Your own comments and explanations on this strange phenomenon are invited. Enlightment in next issue.

I would like to believe that this condition in puppies is heredity and if and when a bitch has produced a puppy with this condition in her litter, it would be imperative to check on her next litter and if this condition again is noted in one or more puppies, this bitch should not be “used again”. If it is heredity, surely all other, apparently good puppies carry this ‘recessive gene’, future mating with a dog that also carries this recessive gene, will again produce even more?

Dilatation of the Oesophagus

Oesophageal dilatation, a generalized or regional increase in the calibre of the oesophagus, may follow food retention from: 1] constrictive tissue bands originating from persistent right aortic arch or from the ligamentum arteriosum associated with the aorta, pulmonary artery, and base of the heart; 2] congenital paralysis of peristalsis in the thoracic oesophagus, or similar paralysis in older dogs, considered to be a neuromuscular dysfunction from exogenous or metabolic toxins; 3] achalasia, where the terminal oesophagus fails to dilate as food approaches the cardia, resulting from degeneration in the neural plexus or from cardio spasm. Secondary dilatation of the cervical oesophagus usually follows thoracic oesophageal dilatation unless its cause is removed.

Causes of Oesophageal Blockage. There are several causes of blockage or stricture of the oesophagus. They all can make swallowing food and/or fluids difficult. The physician's first job is to find the reason for the stricture or narrowing. The answer can usually be provided by the medical history, physical exam, x-rays, and endoscopy which is a visual exam of the oesophagus using a flexible fiberoptic tube.

Clinical Findings: The cardinal signs are dysphagia, regurgitation, and progressive loss of condition. Initially, regurgitation occurs immediately after swallowing: as the condition progresses and the oesophagus becomes enlarged, regurgitation is delayed. The puppy with congenital dilatation characteristically suckles normally but regurgitates solid food. In advanced cases, pulmonary disease may follow aspiration of fluid from the oesophagus, particularly if the animal is confined and often recumbent. Pressure applied to the abdomen may cause ballooning at the thoracic inlet. Radiography may reveal extreme dilatation and elongation of the entire oesophagus, dilatation of that portion anterior to the base of the heart, or dilatation of the thoracic oesophagus with a cone shaped obstruction at the cardia.

Acid Peptic Stricture - This condition is very common. The stomach produces acid, which, in turn, can reflux into the oesophagus. This event is usually made worse by the presence of a hiatus hernia. Over time, the acid and peptic stomach juices injure the oesophagus, causing inflammation and then scarring. The fibrous scar then contracts and narrows the oesophageal opening. Schatzki's Ring - This condition is really exactly that, a narrow ring of benign fibrous tissue constricting the lower oesophagus. Physicians still do not know how it develops.

Achalasia - This condition is uncommon and quite fascinating to physicians. The problem is a persistent and marked spasm of the lower oesophageal muscle. This spasm just does not open up to allow food and fluid through. The result is a persistent blockage with subsequent slow trickling of the oesophageal contents into the stomach.

Ingestion of Caustic Agents - Children are particularly prone to swallowing liquid lye and other agents which can severely burn the oesophagus, leaving it narrowed.

Tumors - Various forms of tumors, benign and malignant, can block the oesophagus. This condition is obviously very important to diagnose and treat promptly.