Monthly Archives: January 2018

Cats

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is one of the most frequent hormonal disorders in cats, especially of older cats. The thyroid is a gland that sits in front of the throat and controls an immense number of metabolic processes.

Cats, much more so than dogs, can have nodules in the thyroid that produce an excess of thyroid hormones, but these nodules are usually not malignant. The mechanism behind the enlargement of these structures is largely unknown, but since the large majority of these nodules are not cancerous, it’s much easier to manage! In fact, only about 2% of all hyperthyroidism cases in cats are due to a thyroid carcinoma.

It’s no surprise then that the signs of hyperthyroidism are multisystemic. This disease can cause:

  • Vomiting;
  • A big appetite but not weight gain;
  • Weight loss;
  • High heart and breathing rates;
  • Aggression and/or hyperactivity;

Pay close attention to these changes in older cats! The average age of hyperthyroidism is around 13 years and is uncommon in cats younger than 6 years old.

If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can cause severe heart and kidney damage and even death so if you think your cat might be suffering from this condition, contact your vet!

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Horses

Larval Cyathostominosis

Late Winter and Spring are seasons when this parasitic disease does the most damage. While not very common, ponies and horses that are under 5 years old can suffer from these insidious worms.

So, why are these parasites an issue? Adult cyathostomins are easily removed with many deworming compounds but larvae are the bigger issue. They are quite resistant to dewormers and they burrow into the intestinal wall, staying dormant for long periods of time until they emerge.

The sudden emergence of a large number of larvae at the same time causes massive damage to the intestinal wall which leads to severe, acute weight loss and diarrhoea, often accompanied by recurrent colic and fever. This is compounded by a guarded prognosis as only about 40% of horses suffering from acute diarrhoea will survive, even with proper treatment.

What can you do? Prevention is the best course of action. Speak with your vet and they can identify potential issues with husbandry and/or with pasture management that might be causing high numbers of parasites.

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

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Cats

The Science Behind Colourpoint Coats


Some of our most recognisable and charismatic cats are colourpoint cats!

The cream coloured body with the darker extremities shows up on breeds like the Siamese, Tonkinese, Birman, Himalayan and many others. This type of coat can have many different types of colours, anywhere from a cream body paired with a strong contrasting black to a smooth white and soft brown ‘lilac’ point.

This type of fur colour is quite special in cats as it is the result of a mutation of one of the enzymes that is responsible for producing melanin, a dark pigment responsible for coat colour. Technically, these cats have a very particular form of temperature sensitive albinism.

The enzyme, called tyrosinase, is mutated and will only work at temperatures cooler than the core body temperature. This is why the places that have a darker colour are extremities, face, ears and scrotum in male colourpoint cats as they are the only regions where tyrosinase will be active to produce melanin.

Amazing how a little genetic mishap gave some of our most popular kitties their unforgettable colour!

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

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Dogs

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Some of us might be familiar with temporomandibular joint issues in humans, especially because they are particularly annoying and might even hinder our capacity to eat properly but did you know our dogs can also suffer from this problem?
Pretty much in the same way we can have pain, difficulty biting and closing or opening our mouth, our dogs can also have these same signs.

Depending on the cause, it can present in many different ways:
• Pain when eating;
• Difficulty opening or closing mouth;
• Excessive movement of the jaw, especially laterally;
• Crackling noises when yawning, eating or vocalizing.

Any dog regardless of age, sex or breed can have temporomandibular joint disorders, however specific causes of joint disorder are more frequent in certain groups of animals. One such form is called open-mouth mandibular locking, where a bone protrusion in the jaw locks in with the zygomatic arch, and we know this happens in more in Basset Hounds and Irish Setters.
Other risk factors that make animals more likely to suffer from this sort of joint disorders are young and free roaming animals because of injuries, animals that carry heavy objects in their mouth and animals that are at risk of an auto immune disease of the muscles responsible for chewing.
Think your pet might be suffering from issues in their Temporomandibular joint? Give your vet a call and they will be able to discuss your dog’s case as well as advise on the best treatment!

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

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