Monthly Archives: May 2018

Cats

Cats and allergies

Cats can have allergies just like we do.

There are three large groups of allergic reactions that can affect cats: flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), atopy and food allergy. If a cat has one type of allergy, he or she is more prone to have the others as well.

Allergies are caused by an inappropriate inflammatory reaction to allergens that are naturally present in the environment. Cases of FAD and atopy appear when the allergen comes in contact with a susceptible pet’s skin or inner lining of the mouth/nose. In food allergy cases the allergen is ingested.

Allergies are all typically associated with moderate to severe itching and excessive grooming, which often results in skin lesions.

Flea allergy dermatitis is caused by the allergens present in the flea’s saliva and in such cases the skin lesions are more frequently distributed along the cat’s back and base of the tail. Sensitive cats require very little exposure to show clinical signs. It can occur in cats of any age, sex, or breed.

Atopy can be caused by a number of different allergens found in the environment, like in grass, dust mites or pollens. Sometimes, it has a seasonal occurrence. You will generally find skin lesions on the face, abdomen, hands and feet. The disease usually occurs in cats aged between six months and five years, and purebred cats seem to have a higher risk of suffering from this condition than domestic shorthaired cats.

Food allergy can be caused by different ingredients in your pet’s diet such as chicken, rice, lamb, amongst others. You may notice an increase in the number of times your cat uses the litter box or that he or she doesn’t produce nicely formed stools. Food allergy can affect cats of any age or sex, although Siamese and Burmese cats seem to be more predisposed to suffer from this condition.

Allergies are not very easy to diagnose because they cause clinical signs that are commonly seen in other skin conditions. Allergen testing and elimination diets can help reach a diagnosis.

Managing these allergic conditions depend on each particular case. For some pets it can be as simple as keeping your cat’s flea treatment up-to-date, while others may require lifelong therapy.

If you notice your cat is itching more than usual or showing any other signs that something is not as it should be, take your pet to the vet.

Cats, Dogs

Taking your pet on holidays

Summer vacations are always fun but can be even better with the company of your furry friend! If you are planning to take your pet with you on holidays check out this list to help you prepare for the upcoming adventure.

1: Plan ahead.

If you want to have a stress-free holiday with your pet then this is the way to start.

2: Make sure your dog responds to basic commands.

It is important for dogs to be familiar with and respond to simple commands such as sit, stay, come and settle down. Dogs are friendly social animals by nature, but not all people love dogs like we do. It is important to respect other people’s personal space so that everyone can enjoy their relaxing time.

3: Schedule a check-up appointment with your vet.

If you want everything to go smoothly on your holiday, you should take your pet to the vet to ensure that he or she is healthy and able to go on this journey with you. This appointment will be important to check:

  • Your pet’s health status;
  • Electronic identification (microchip);
  • Passport and other documentation (if needed);
  • Vaccination status;
  • Worming treatments status;
  • Flea/tick treatments status;
  • Other treatments or tests that may be needed (this is especially important if you are travelling to a foreign country).

If your pet has motion sickness, your vet can prescribe some medication to make your pet more comfortable during your journey.

4: Booking.

When booking a place to stay you should always check if pets are allowed. If the answer is yes, there are still other things to verify:

  • How many pets are you allowed to take? This is important if you have more than one pet.
  • Is the pet allowed to stay in the room/bungalow/cottage by himself? If not, do they provide a pet sitter?
  • Is there enough space for your pet to run and exercise?
  • Are there any restricted areas where your pet is not allowed?

5: Itinerary planning.

If you want your furry companion to be part of your adventure, make sure you visit places that are pet-friendly. It is also recommended to get the contact information of a local vet just in case something happens (e.g. bee sting allergic reaction).

6: Packing!

Make a list of all the items you have to take with you so that nothing is left behind. The list should include: food and water bowls, your pet’s bed, your pet’s toys, poo-bags (or litter tray), your pet’s lead and collar with identification tags, your pet’s food and treats, medication and documentation. Many of these things can be bought later on but pay special attention to your pet’s food. Keep in mind that sudden changes in your pet’s diet can cause digestive upset.

7: Plan the journey

If your pets are not used to car rides, it’s a good idea to take them on short trips before the big one so they can get accustomed with the experience. It is also very important to keep your pet in a crate or secured with a dog harness for safety reasons. Make sure you make frequent stops along the way for bathroom breaks, for you and your pet to stretch your legs and to get some fresh air. Don’t forget to keep a bowl with you so you can offer your pet some water. Remember to never leave your pet locked inside your car alone, even if it is in a shaded area and with the windows open.

If you and your pet are flying, make sure to check all the airline’s recommendations.  For more information, you should also check https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad.

8: Get settled.

Try to make your room/cottage/bungalow feel like home. Find a place to put your pet’s bed, bowls and toys. A walk is the best way to explore the new environment and get acquainted with the new space. Dogs are creatures of habit so, if possible, stick to their feeding and walking routines.

9: Keep your pet safe.

Although you might love the idea of allowing your pet to explore freely and have some fun, you should always keep an eye out to see that he or she doesn’t get into trouble. Be especially careful with cliff edges, streams, wild animals, poisonous plants and other potentially dangerous things that your dog might chew and swallow.

Enjoy your holidays!

Uncategorized

Can Cats Get Sunburns?

Can cats get sunburns?

When it comes to our feline friends it is very easy to either not consider or dismiss the possible harmful effects of the sun on their skin.

The truth is, their skin is very similar to ours, (give or take some fur!), and, as such, is just as prone to sunburns as ours. Of course, not all cats have the same risks of getting sunburned and we need to be a little more careful with some that are more at risk.

Cats who have light, short hair are at most risk but even cats with abundant dark fur can still get burned in places with less hair density such as ears and around the nose. Why is this important? It means their skin can be damaged by solar radiation, which can be both immediately painful if it gets burnt and also have long-term consequences due to increasing the chances of certain types of cancers developing.

Sunburns are a big risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma, a skin cancer that can be quite hard to manage as it invades surrounding tissues very easily. So, please keep an eye out for injuries or burn on your cat’s ears and face, if you see red and tender skin that’s a good indication that something might be wrong. You can help prevent this by applying pet-safe sunscreen, keeping your cats away from the sun during the noon hours and providing them with a lot of shady places they can hide in.

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

Feline courses

Uncategorized

Insect Hypersensitivity

Insect Hypersensitivity

With summer just around the corner it is a good time to remember some of the seasonal issues that affect horses.

Some horses may suffer from insect hypersensitivity which is caused by the bite of several insects such as flies and mosquitos. Insect hypersensitivity is an allergic reaction caused by insect bites, the severity of which can depend on the sort of environment that your horse is in.

The good news is that in the UK, there is a low incidence of insect hypersensitivity and it is mostly an issue during Spring and Summer due to the rise of the number of insects. If animals travel to places where flies and mosquitos are more abundant, such as countries where the temperature and humidity are higher, they might encounter these issues more frequently.

Horses present with an intense itch and skin papules with the possibility of self-inflicted trauma due to scratching. This situation can progress to severe erosions, skin crusts, hair loss and even bacterial infections.

Some breeds such as German Shire horses, Icelandic horses imported from Iceland, Arabians and Quarter horses seem to have a genetic predisposition insect hypersensitivity but if you think your horse might be suffering from this condition, please speak to your vet and they will do the necessary tests and assessments to manage it.

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

Equine courses