Monthly Archives: May 2020

Horses, The Pet Professionals

Spring and lameness – Laminitis and beyond

 

One of the most beautiful landscapes that spring has to offer us is a vast, luscious green pasture, with the sun shining up in the blue sky and the opportunity for our horses to graze freely and enjoy nature.

However, as horse owners are well aware, fresh spring grass is very sugary and, if you have roughed off your horse and then suddenly notice that they are limping, the first thing that would cross your mind would probably be laminitis.

There are factors other than diet that can predispose your horse to develop this condition, including excess weight and obesity, hormonal and metabolic disorders, bacterial infections, excessive concussion, and even stress. Also, if your horse has had laminitis before, it is more likely for this problem to recur.

Unfortunately, laminitis is a serious condition that can easily become chronic, with the hoof structures suffering permanent damage, which is why it’s so important to seek veterinary assistance as soon as you notice something unusual about your horse’s walk.

Acute episodes of laminitis tend to be extremely painful, and clinical signs will not go unnoticed, including:

  • Reluctance or inability to walk or even stand,
  • Altered stance, usually favouring weight support on the hind feet,
  • Lameness,
  • Signs of pain which may resemble an episode of colic.

However, there’s more to lameness in the horse than laminitis. So, if your horse is lame, what else could be causing it?

There are other chronic conditions that can cause pain in your horse’s feet and, consequently, an altered gait, such as osteoarthritis and navicular syndrome, for example.

With chronic conditions, clinical signs tend to be more subtle, given that the horse has had time to adapt. In such cases, you may not be able to perceive an evident limp, but you may notice a slight head bob as your horse is walking, or an abnormal stance, for example.

As for acute conditions, these can include injuries, sprains, fractures, infections and even lesions that are higher up in the musculoskeletal system, such as the back and the neck.

If you notice something is different about your horse’s walk, you can check their feet and lower legs to try to identify if there’s a visible or palpable injury, such as hoof rings, cracks or dark spots, something caught in the gaps of their hooves, cuts, swelling and if the legs feel warm or painful.

Independently of the cause, all kinds of hoof and lameness problems should be addressed as soon as possible. Lameness-associated conditions are usually very painful and can even be life-threatening. If you have any concerns regarding your horse’s health, don’t hesitate to contact your vet for advice.

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

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Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Spring routine care

April showers bring not only May flowers, but they also bring a lot of parasite concerns. Warmer weather invites all sorts of creepy crawlies into your garden and straight onto your pets (and family!).

Keeping your dog’s flea and worm treatment up to date is essential all year-round, but during Spring, there is a significant increase in the activity and number of parasites.

Fleas are the most common household parasites and are usually the first concern of any pet owner. They catch rides on your furry friends and then lay eggs in your home, which makes getting rid of an infestation something of a chore!

Unfortunately, they are not alone, and other unwanted guests can include:

  • Ticks – They latch onto your pets and are the vectors of several diseases, such as Lyme disease, babesiosis or ehrlichiosis. All of these are severe diseases that can affect both animals and humans;
  • Mites – These microscopic parasites can cause scabies and ear infections in dogs and some are highly contagious to humans as well. They cause mainly hair loss and skin irritation;
  • Intestinal parasites – Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms are some of the most common types of intestinal parasites in dogs which can be visible in their faeces. Despite causing diarrhoea, weight loss and abdominal pain, severe disease is not common.

External parasites like ticks and fleas can usually be spotted directly on your pets’ skin whereas mites are microscopic. But even if you can’t see them, constant scratching and biting or red and damaged skin, and hair loss are pretty reliable indicators that something may be wrong.

Intestinal parasites are more likely to cause diarrhoea and discomfort at first, but, in case of a large infestation, there is a chance of intestinal blockage. Puppies are more at risk of suffering from these parasites, showing diminished growth or even weight loss, so it’s always best to start them on a worming plan as soon as possible.

Despite restrictions, keeping your pets’ parasite treatments updated should not be neglected, so make sure you talk to your vet if you have any questions or concerns and to order your next treatments.

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

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