About Newf Friends

Newf Friends Newfoundland Dog Rescue is a volunteer run, foster home based rescue group for Newfoundland Dogs in need in Ontario, Canada.
We place Newfs into carefully screened homes in Ontario and surrounding provinces and states.
Established in 2008.

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Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for general information about our program and our adoption policies and procedures.



Saturday, June 14, 2014

Prevent Fly Strike!

Dr. Janice reminds us that fleas and ticks aren't the only insects we need to worry about. To protect your dogs from fly strike you must keep your pets clean and properly groomed, and pets who have sores on them must be kept away from flies! Here's what Dr. Janice had to say:

Saw my first case of fly strike this year. This happens when thick fur, soiled with diarrhea, blood, or other bodily fluids attracts flies which lay their eggs there. Maggots hatch out within 1-2 days. The maggots produce an enzyme which actually digests the skin and creates open wounds. They will feed on both live and dead tissue. They produce toxins and enzymes that can make the affected animal very ill or even kill it,. The wounds are always worse than they look at first!
Keep your pets CLEAN. If they are ill or have open wounds, keep them indoors, away from flies. Cleaning maggots out of wounds and trimming away dead tissue is not my favourite task.


.......Most often I see it in heavily coated dogs, like Newfies (and sheep, when I used to do large animal work) but this was actually a guinea pig which lived in an outdoor pen.


.........It can happen fairly quickly, in only a few days and since it is usually covered by soiled matted hair (at least at first) it can be easy to miss at the start. i probably see a half a dozen or so cases every summer. I used to see more when I worked in rural practice where animals were left outside more.