Monthly Archives: November 2016

Cats

Permethrin toxicity in cats

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Permethrin is a molecule that is part of the pyrethroid class of drugs and it’s commonly found on formulations for flea and other external parasite control.

It’s a synthetic molecule derived from natural compounds found in the flowers of the Chrysanthemum genus. These flowers and their parts are used to repel insects but the natural compounds, called pyrethrins, are easily broken down by light, heat and air.

We contact with permethrin when we buy the spot on and pour ons for our dogs and this drug is safe to be applied on them when used in the correct way either by veterinary indication or per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Cats, however, should never be given these sorts of flea treatments! Permethrin and other pyrethroids are highly toxic to cats and even small quantities can induce lethal toxicity.

So why do we put something so toxic to cats on our puppers? Why isn’t it toxic for them too?

It’s easy to think that cats are simply small sized dogs but the truth is they are radically different species with very different physiologies. This means that the enzymes and detoxification pathways that make permethrin safe to be applied on our dogs are not present in our cats.

Permethrin will affect tissues with a lot of lips like nervous system, liver and kidneys. An intoxicated cat will present with signs as soon as half an hour to several hours after contact. If you see tremors, hyperexcitability, seizures, difficulty breathing, hypersensitive skin or hypersalivation bring your cat to the vet immediately!

Putting dog flea treatment on cats can have severe toxic effects and is very likely to be deadly!

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Horses

Winter weather precautions

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Horses are hardy animals that are capable of resisting a good cold weather season but, as with all of our animals, they require special care and attention to make sure they don’t suffer any unnecessary stress.

We love our comfortable loveseats by the fire with a warm blanket and a hot beverage so we tend to look to our horses standing outside in the snow and rain with some pity but experts agree that, when allowed to acclimatize, horses often prefer being outdoors. This, of course, is given sufficient shelter and nutrition provisions.

Important things to consider when preparing your horse for this winter are:

  • Making sure your animals have adequate shelter from extreme conditions like wind, storms or heavy snowfall and give them free choice to be either outside or on the shelters/stable. While they can resist temperatures of around -15ºC in the absence of wind or moisture, heavy snow or rain makes them search for shelter.
  • Colder weather means horses require more energy at rest to keep core body temperature stable. The lower the temperature gets and depending on body conditioning scores/coat type, the more forage will be needed so consult with your vet regarding the quantity your animal should be receiving.
  • Keeping an eye on water conditions and water intake seeing as winter feed usually has less moisture. If dramatically decreased, lower water intake will risk severe gastrointestinal tract problems like colic. Snow and ice are not adequate sources of water for domestic horses, as such, make sure that water is above freezing, ideally between 7 and 18 to maximise consumption.
  • Blanketing is usually needed when there is no shelter available, when the horse has a chance of becoming wet or had its winter coat clipped, when animals are very old, very young or with low body mass. The coat is an amazing insulator but this is only true if it is not wet or muddy, so if you see your horse might suffer from rain or ice get them a nice, well fit blanket.
  • Exercise and hoof care should feature on the calendar of any responsible horse owner. The weather may be bad, but they require regular exercise to avoid problems like lower leg oedemas and further complications when heavier work returns in spring. Hooves in general don’t grow as much during winter but that doesn’t mean they don’t need trims every six to twelve weeks and regular professional attention.

    • Beyond these, interacting and looking over your horse regularly is the best way to not be caught by surprise with a horse too thin, dehydrated or with limb issues! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact your vet and they can help you find the best way to keep your equine companion in tip-top shape this winter.

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    Cats

    Feline Calicivirus Infection

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    This virus causes a common respiratory disease in cats, usually with upper respiratory tract signs. The agent that causes this pathology is a single-strand RNA virus with several serotypes that usually cause similar clinical signs.

    Of the cats that are infected, some will remain persistent carriers and these will go on to infect other cats by shedding the virus in variable quantities. It’s particularly troublesome in multi cat facilities like pounds, catteries, colonies or houses with multiple cats.

    It affects chiefly kittens older than 6 weeks but cats of any age may show signs of illness. It might cause ocular and nasal discharge with little to no sneezing, with characteristic crusts around eyes and nose. Kittens might be reluctant or stop eating altogether due to painful ulcers in the palate, tongue or lips. Generally, patients will be alert and in good body condition.

    Uncomplicated infections are relatively simple to resolve, usually resolving within 3 to 5 days. Complications may arise from opportunistic infections that will use the fact that the virus has damaged the normal integrity of the airways and settle in with much less impediment. Complicated cases might evolve into severe pneumonia that requires a much heavier medical intervention than an uncomplicated infection and they tend to present with fever.

    Vaccination is an important cornerstone in the management of this pathology. The vaccine for the Feline Calicivirus is considered a core vaccine and should be given to all cats, as early as 6 weeks. In colonies with severe issues with this infection, kittens may be vaccinated a little early. If you feel your colony or cattery are at a higher risk, ask your vet about the best protocol for your particular situation.

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    Cats, Dogs

    The dangers of rock salt

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    The de-icing of roads is commonly done with a mixture of gravel and rock salt. It acts by lowering the freezing point of water, meaning that a lower temperature is required for water to freeze on pavements, roads and assorted other pathways.

    Rock salt is common table salt, sodium chloride, in its crystal form.
    When in crystal form, the mineral is called halite and there are several salt mines all over the UK that supply the government with de-icer.

    As such, in normal quantities like the ones you’d find in food, salt has no ill effects for either us or our pets, provided everyone is healthy. However, the accidental ingestion of rock salt used to de-ice roads is in such a high quantity that will be harmful to our pets.

    All fluids, including of course bodily fluids, are bound by osmosis. Osmosis is a property of solutions that says that compounds in two different solutions will always travel in the direction of the solution with the least concentration.

    In a more practical example, when a dog licks salt off their paws after a walk on salted roads, there will be a lot of salt ingested. This sodium will be absorbed into the blood stream and increase dramatically the osmotic power of blood. This will cause cells, who house a lot of water, to try and balance out concentration by losing water into the bloodstream. The cells that suffer the most with osmotic imbalances in the body are nervous system cells.

    The loss of water provoked by ingesting too much salt is what causes the most damages in situations like this, damaging the structural integrity of the cell with a posterior haemorrhage of meningeal vessels.

    What happens then to a dog that has ingested too much rock salt? They might experience vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, depression, difficulty walking, seizures and even coma if the situation is too severe.

    To avoid situations like this, try to avoid the heavily de-iced roads when walking your dog. If you can’t avoid it, wash your furry friend’s paws thoroughly after that invigorating winter walk to avoid any ingestion when they lick at their paws.

    If your dog has been exhibiting these symptoms (lethargy, vomiting, seizures…) and you suspect they might have had contact with rock salt, bring them to your vet immediately!

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