Bugs, bunnies and quacking good cakes

Columnist and Deputy Group Production Editor

Sunday 10 March 2013

It's been a good week for - ailing rabbits

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Roxanne Sorooshian

The benefits of hydrotherapy are well established and the treatment has been around since ancient Roman times. But Heidi, the four-year-old Continental giant rabbit, is making modern history. On her vet's recommendation, she has been undertaking regular hydrotherapy sessions to ease arthritis in her hips.

The buoyant bunny dons a lifejacket and pins her lugs back with a bobble when she takes the plunge in a heated pool in Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire. The centre's owner, Linda Prove, who worked exclusively with dogs before meeting Heidi, says the therapy has worked really well. "It's a beneficial form of exercise for everyone," Prove said. "The water supports you and gives your joints a chance to move without stress. She's moving much better." Heidi's owner, Amanda Williams of Christchurch, Dorset, said her rabbit had taken to the treatment "like a duck to water". This is possibly a transformation too far, but at least Heidi's on the mend. It would be sad if she had to have a hoperation.It's been a bad week for - IkeaTrust our favourite Swedish retailer to go one better. Horsemeat is so old hat. Who cares if the odd meatball contains a bit of Dobbin? The latest dish of the day for consumers wondering where to graze safely is cake with a secret ingredient – faecal bacteria.Ikea has withdrawn almond cakes from its restaurants in 23 countries after bacteria normally found in faecal matter was discovered. The group confirmed it was investigating claims that Chinese authorities had found "an excessive level" of coliform bacteria in two batches of the cake, which is made by a Swedish supplier. The product is still on sale in its 19 branches in the UK and Ireland, which are not supplied by the company under investigation.Ikea said 1800 Tarta Chokladkrokant cakes – described as an almond cake layered with chocolate, butter cream and butterscotch – were destroyed after being intercepted by Chinese customs officials.Coliform bacteria, found in the environment and in the faeces of humans and warm-blooded animals, are not normally the cause of serious illness.Still, it's all a bit yůk.

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