Monthly Archives: February 2016

Horses

Why do horses buck?

Horse 34 - Why do horses buck
Although it can be very dangerous for riders, bucking is part of a horse’s natural behaviour and horses can do it for several reasons. Bucking is the word used to describe a horse’s kick with both hind legs at the same time.

The horse’s normal response to a threat is to flee or to fight if they are somehow unable to escape the situation. In the wild the best way to fight a potential predator is to kick it as hard as possible and the same applies when dealing with aggressive horses within their social group. Given the instinctive and defensive nature of this behaviour it is also not uncommon for horses to buck when they get scared, when they feel pain or when they are trying to get rid of an insect that is bothering them. Some horses are more prone to this behaviour that others.

Horses can also display this behaviour as a way to get rid of their excess energy, when they are feeling very excited, happy and playful. It is very likely for a horse to try to run, jump and buck if they have been kept in a stable for a long period of time.

On some occasions bucking can also be an acquired behaviour. Horses who are less motivated to work, who are feeling back pain or any sort of discomfort may buck more often in an attempt to simply remove the rider.

If you are struggling to deal with this behaviour make sure you check your horse’s tack and do not hesitate to seek veterinary advice to ensure that the problem is not just a behavioural issue. It is also worth reassessing your horse’s energy content of the feeding and exercise regime to better manage its energy. Increasing the horse’s amount of exercise or allowing for a horse to release some energy in a safe space before being ridden can help keep this behaviour under control.

Please keep in mind that a horse that started bucking due to pain may continue to buck in anticipation of feeling the same pain again even if the problem has been treated and the pain is gone. These cases require more patience and the horses will need to be encouraged to relax and to return to work gently and gradually.

Would you like to know more about horses? Check our Equine Courses:

Equine courses

Cats

Over-grooming in cats

Cats 17 - Over-grooming in cats
Grooming is part of a cat’s natural behaviour and our feline companions often spend a lot of time doing it. Unfortunately there are circumstances where cats can groom themselves too much and that often indicates that there is an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

When a cat is over-grooming it will frequently and obsessively lick, pluck or chew a given area in its body. Owners will usually notice areas with broken or with significant less hair in their coat or even with no hair at all. The most commonly affected areas are their belly, their legs, and the inside of their thighs or their back. Some cats can lick themselves to the point where they damage their own skin and bleed.

Excessive grooming in cats is usually associated with itching or pain. It’s not uncommon for cats suffering from allergy to flea bites or from lower urinary tract disease to display this behaviour. It can also be related to stress and anxiety, in which case it is called feline psychogenic alopecia.

When cats feel anxious they groom themselves because they find it relaxing and comforting. Usually they will groom more frequently when they are left alone and need more reassurance.

Cats thrive on routine and they can be very sensitive to any change in their environment. Changes in the household, new pets, new family members and even if they don’t get along with other cats that might also live in the same house could be a source of stress.

If you notice your cat is grooming excessively please seek veterinary assistance. Your vet will need to find what is causing the problem so he or she can recommend an adequate and effective treatment.

It is very important for the cause to be investigated in order to achieve a successful treatment so if your cat is over grooming do not hesitate to bring us your feline companion.

Would you like to know more about cats? Check our Feline Courses:

Feline courses

Dogs

Labour Complications in Dogs

Dogs 40 - Labour Complications in Dogs

If your female dog is expecting puppies then this post is for you. It is important for you to be informed on how this process develops so you can intervene and help your pet if necessary.

Dystocia is a medical term referring to difficulty of giving birth and this can occur during any stage of labour. There are three stages of birth that owners should consider. The first stage is when the uterine contractions start and the water breaks. At this stage the female dog may be restless, nervous and occupied with nesting activity. The second one is when the puppies are pushed out by uterine contractions. The third and final one is the delivery of the foetal membranes.

Please pay attention to the following symptoms when taking care of your pregnant female dog:

  • More than 30 minutes of persistent strong abdominal contractions without expulsion of offspring
  • More than 4 hours from the onset of stage 2 to delivery of first offspring
  • More than 2 hours between delivery of offspring
  • Crying female, displaying signs of pain and constantly licking the vulvar area when contracting
  • Prolonged gestation – more than 72 days from the day of first mating; a dog’s gestation period usually lasts around 62 days
  • Presence of greenish black discharge preceding the birth of the first offspring by more than 2 hours
  • Presence of bloody discharge prior to delivery of first pup or between puppies.

There are many reasons why female dogs can have trouble giving birth. They could be related to the mother, related to the puppies or even related to both of them. The mother can have poor uterine contraction, ineffective abdominal pressure, a small pelvis, insufficient cervical dilation and lack of adequate lubrication. The puppies can have an abnormal presentation, position or posture and they can also be too big for the mother’s birth canal.

Brachycephalic and toy breeds, obesity, age and previous history of this condition are predisposing factors for dystocia.

Prompt identification and intervention when a dog is having trouble giving birth is key for the survival of the mother and her litter. It is very important to do a good follow-up of your dog’s pregnancy. In case of any doubt or if you notice any of the above mentioned symptoms please contact your vet.

Don’t forget to spoil and enjoy your furry new bundles of joy!

Would you like to know more about dogs? Check our Canine Courses:

Canine courses

Horses

Strangles in horses – Recent outbreaks in the Lamerton area!

Horse 33 - Strangles in horses

We would like to share with you some information about Strangles since there have been outbreaks of this disease in the Lamerton area recently. Strangles is a highly contagious, infectious disease of horses caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus equi.

This is a debilitating disease that causes depression, fever, loss of appetite, cough, thick creamy nasal discharge, and swelling of the lymph nodes in their jaw or throat areas. As time goes by abscesses can develop on their lymph nodes and these abscesses often burst discharging a thick creamy-yellow pus. The pus is extremely infectious. The disease is called Strangles because the glands can increase in size and can restrict the horse’s airways.

Strangles can be life-threatening although it is a rare occurrence. In these cases, the bacteria spreads through the bloodstream and abscesses can develop in other organs. It can also lead to small areas of bleeding and swelling in the limbs, eyes and gums due to fluid accumulation.

Strangles can affect horses of any age, sex or breed. However, young, older and debilitated horses are often most susceptible to an outbreak. The disease is spread by direct or indirect contact, usually by direct nose to nose contact of horses with nasal discharges or with material from burst abscesses. It can also be indirectly transmitted through handlers or objects such as feed buckets or grooming equipment.

Clinical signs can appear 2-21 days after the horse has been infected. A small number of infected horses (about 10%) can become carriers, which means they can spread this disease while appearing healthy. If left untreated, carriers can cause new outbreaks. This is likely to happen when their immune system becomes debilitated for some reason, if they become stressed about moving to a new yard for example.

If you suspect your horse may be suffering from this disease do not hesitate to contact your vet. If you strongly suspect there is an outbreak or if this is confirmed please make sure you keep your horses isolated as well as any horse that may have been in contact with them. Talk to your vet to help institute an isolation protocol for your horses. Inform everyone who comes in contact with them to insure none of the isolation measures are neglected. Most horses recover from this disease in a few weeks with adequate treatment and strict biosecurity measures.

In order to protect your horses against this and other diseases it is recommended to quarantine new horses for three weeks before allowing them to come into contact with your other resident horses. You can also talk to your vet about what routine tests should be performed before bringing in a new horse into your yard.

It is really worth having a look at the ´HBLB Strangles guidelines in the Codes of Practice` and the ´Strategy To Eradicate and Prevent Strangles` documents available at the HBLB website so you can be informed and have a biosecurity management plan ready, if you ever have to deal with an outbreak.

Would you like to know more about horses? Check our Equine Courses:

Equine courses

Dogs

Alabama Rot Disease

Dogs 41 - Alabama Rot Disease

Alabama Rot Disease, scientifically known as cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy, was first identified in the USA in the 1980s, affecting almost exclusively greyhounds. In the UK, the first reported cases were from the New Forest Area but more recently new cases of this disease have been described throughout the UK. The cause of Alabama Rot Disease is still unknown and it’s currently under investigation.

Affected dogs start by showing skin lesions, sores, wounds, and blisters, especially on their face or limbs. Over the next 2 to 7 days, they can develop acute kidney failure which can lead to death. At this stage the dog may be vomiting and lethargic.

Considering the cases that have been reported so far, it doesn’t seem to exist any breed, body weight, sex or age predisposition for this disease.

Through clinical signs, history and blood test results, vets can suspect a dog is suffering from Alabama Rot Disease, but unfortunately a definitive diagnosis can only be made through pathology results obtained from an animal that has passed.

Although scary and serious, this disease is not common and chances of a full recovery increase if a dog is treated early. The number of dogs affected with skin lesions and kidney failure remains low (56 confirmed cases across the UK between November 2012 and May 2015). Most of the times a skin problem will not be caused by Alabama Rot Disease and even if the skin changes are caused by it, many dogs will not develop kidney problems and will have a full recovery.

Since the cause is still unknown there aren’t any preventive measures we can recommend. If your dog has blisters or ulcers anywhere in his or her body bring him or her to the vet. Please remember that dogs treated in the early stages of this disease are more likely to have a better prognosis!

Would you like to know more about dogs? Check our Canine Courses:

Canine courses