Monthly Archives: November 2015

Cats

Cough in cats

Cats 14 - Cough in cats
Many cat owners have probably seen their cat cough and wondered if that was just an occasional cough or if there was something else to it. It is normal for cats to cough every now and then, as there is always something in their environment that can irritate their airways and cause them to cough. It is also not uncommon for cat owners to mistake retching, a sound that cats often produce when they regurgitate hairballs with cough.

If a cat’s cough seems to persist, if it becomes severe, productive or if you notice your cat starts showing other clinical signs such as being depressed or lack of appetite, then it is time to take your cat to the vet.

There are several different causes of cough in our feline companions: a foreign body lodged in their air passages, pulmonary parasites, bacterial or viral infections (cat flu for example), heart disease and the most common cause, feline asthma.

Feline asthma, chronic bronchitis, or allergic airway disease is usually triggered when cats inhales any substance that causes irritation in their airways. This means that feline asthma can be caused by common household cleaning sprays, dust, mould, pollens, cat litter dust, cigarette smoke and even perfume.

When these substance are inhaled they will travel through the cat’s bronchial tree and not only there is contraction of the muscle that lines the bronchial tree but also mucous starts being produced to trap these agents and prevent them from advancing further into the cat’s lungs. All these reactions will trigger cough which basically tries to get rid of the mucous containing the irritating substances.

The continuous irritation of the cat’s airways will result in the narrowing of those airways. This is why if your cat seems unwell and shows persistent cough it is very important to seek veterinary assistance. Some cats are just mildly affected, but others can develop more serious clinical signs. If left untreated the problem then becomes chronic and the narrowing of the cat’s airways is irreversible. The cat can have breathing difficulties and that the disease can be fatal.

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Horses

Head shaking in horses

Horse 31 - Head shaking in horses
Head shaking in horses is a condition that can simply be described as the shaking or nodding of the head in frequent, repetitive and involuntary movements as a response to pain or irritation of the head. These movements are often accompanied by snorting or sneezing.

This condition varies a lot between horses, from horses that present mild signs while others can present more severe degrees of head shaking. Some horses might stumble during exercise or try to rub their nose even with one of their front legs, in an attempt to get rid of the unpleasant feeling.

Head shaking is very distressing for the horse and it will affect their training as there is only so much horses can learn and evolve when they are struggling with such discomfort. Sadly, many horses suffering from head shaking are euthanized.

There is an incredibly wide range of causes for headshaking in horses: allergies to pollen, dust or other aerosolised agents, parasites such as ear mites or ticks, neurological problems, dental issues, respiratory disorders, sensitivity to UV light, poorly fitting tack and stress.

A successful treatment for this condition depends entirely on what is causing it. Owners should check their horse’s tack, especially the bridle and bit, and ensure they fit correctly. The treatment can involve new approaches in management, riding or changing the horse’s environment. Other solutions include the use of nose nets,UV masks, the use of contact lenses and medical therapy.

This condition is being researched and new options of treatment are being suggested and tested. A recent study has verified that percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation under the effect of a local anaesthetic can reduce the signs of headshaking syndrome in horses suffering from trigeminal-mediated headshaking. The study reported that the treatment was well-tolerated and that most horses were able to return to their normal work routine.

If you realise your horse is affected do not hesitate to seek veterinary assistance as it is very important to find the origin the problem in order for the treatment to be effective. Each case tends to be somewhat unique and the diagnosis is only achieved by testing different options and ruling out possible causes until the right one is found.

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Dogs

Canine ear infections

Dogs 36 - Canine ear infections
Unfortunately ear infections are common in dogs and although dogs with long or hairy ears such as Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Poodles or Old English Sheepdogs seem to be more susceptible, ear infections can affect any breed. Other predisposing factors include anatomical issues such as stenotic ear canals and increased moisture inside the ears of dogs that spend a lot of time in the water.

This condition is easy to spot since dogs suffering from this type of infection will look very uncomfortable, and will frequently scratch their ears and shake their heads. As time goes by the dog’s ear becomes inflamed and painful. It is also common to observe an occasional black or yellowish discharge and an unpleasant smell coming from their ears. Many dogs will try to avoid having anyone touching their ears and they can even become aggressive.

Ear infections can be caused by several different causes such as parasites (e.g. ear mites), foreign bodies (e.g. grass seeds), polyps, bacterial infections, yeast infections, allergies, food hypersensitivity and even tumours.

It is recommended to keep an eye on your pet’s ears to detect any abnormalities early and if you realise your dog is showing any of these signs take him or her to the vet as soon as possible. Your vet will need to check your dog’s ears and the treatment will depend on what is causing the infection.

Quite often the treatment will include ear drops and tablets that owners must administrate to their pets at home. The ear drops must be carefully administered or else your dog will easily get rid of it just by shaking its head.

The dog’s external ear canal is “L” shaped and ends in the dog’s eardrum. To successfully apply the medication pull your dog’s ear flap straight up and hold it with one hand. Apply the drops into the vertical part of the ear canal and hold it up until the medication runs down the dog’s ear canal.

Place one finger and you thumb at the base of the ear flap and gently massage the ear canal until you hear a squishing sound, which will indicate that the medication has gone further into the ear canal. After this stage you can let your dog shake its head.

Keep an eye on your pet’s ears. Early detection and adequate treatment will save your beloved pet from a lot of discomfort and pain.

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Cats

Cat Flu

Cats 13 - Cat flu
If you are a cat lover or a cat owner then this post is for you. Cat flu is a common disease caused by viruses or bacteria that affects the upper respiratory tract of cats. Cats suffering from cat flu will show clinical signs similar to the ones caused by a common cold in humans.

The viruses involved are usually the feline herpes virus (FHV), also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis virus, and the feline calicivirus (FCV). The disease can be caused by one or by both of these viruses and it may be further complicated by bacterial infections. Chlamydophila felis and Bordetella bronchiseptica are also commonly involved in this disease.

Although the clinical signs observed in cats are very close to the ones humans show when they have a flu, the disease in humans is not caused by the same agents. You can rest assured that cat flu is not transmissible to humans.

Cats suffering with the condition will often present an elevated temperature, cough, a running nose and eyes, sneezing, ulcers in their mouth, loss of appetite, and dribbling. Clinical signs can take up to three weeks to appear after the cat is infected.

The disease can be transmitted through an infected cat’s nasal discharge, saliva and even through its tears. The viruses that cause cat flu can survive in the environment for about a week and they can be carried on objects such as food bowls, clothing, cat carriers and even in human hands.

There is a lot you can do to help your feline companion if you notice he or she is showing signs of cat flu: make sure your cat gets plenty of water, try to stimulate its appetite with tasty and smelly food and keep your cat warm and comfortable, preferably in a quiet environment. You can gently clean the discharge from your cat’s eyes and nose using a damp piece of cotton wool, you can take it into the bathroom when you’re about to have a bath (inhaling steam can help improve their breathing) and you should always have your cat checked by your vet.

The best way to reduce the risk of your cat getting cat flu is to make sure his or her vaccination plan is up to date, since the flu vaccine is part of cat’s regular vaccination plan. Vaccinated cats can still get infected but the clinical signs will be much less severe.

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