Monthly Archives: October 2021

Horses, The Pet Professionals

Mud fever – an autumn worry

Mud fever can be a challenging problem for horse owners during the wetter months of autumn and winter, requiring careful management of both the horses affected as well as their paddocks and fields.

This illness is caused by a bacterial infection affecting the lower portion of the leg due to muddy and wet conditions. During the relentlessly rainy days of the season, horses might find themselves spending a lot of time in waterlogged, muddy fields. The moisture, combined with the abrasive properties of the mud, can create a pathway for bacteria to invade the tissues in the pastern or fetlock.

 

How do I know if my horse has mud fever?

If you spot any of these, it’s a sure sign something is wrong:

  • Red and hot skin;
  • Itching and discomfort affecting the horse’s legs;
  • Scabs in the skin of the pastern or fetlock;
  • Yellow or white discharge around the scabs;
  • If severe enough, swelling and limping;

Give your vet a call without delay! The sooner your horse has a proper diagnosis, the easier it will be to resolve this issue and avoid harsher problems.

 

What do I have to keep an eye out for?

Inspecting your animal’s hooves frequently is the best way to detect problems early, and prevention is much easier than treatment. If the weather is rainy and there have been long periods of muddy paddocks, it is vital to check on them daily.

Some horses, such as animals with chronic diseases, wounds in the legs, or thinner skin, are more susceptible to developing mud fever, so they require an extra careful inspection to avoid complications.

 

Is it possible to treat it?

Treatment is possible, and your vet will work with you to ensure you have a tailored plan for your animals and your premises.

The goal is not just to clear the infection and get your horses back to form but also to prevent mud fever from happening again. This is why your vet is likely to suggest changes in how your fields are organised and where your horses spend their time, as this will play a large part in helping to prevent this disease.

 

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

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The Pet Professionals

Food toys for dogs

Food toys are some of the best toys for dogs, and it’s easy to understand why! They combine all the advantages of treat-motivated training sessions with stimulating physical and mental exercises that will keep your pet thoroughly entertained.

Puzzle feeders can be given to any dog, but they are also excellent aids in the management of various health problems such as behaviour issues, digestive problems or obesity.

But there’s such a vast selection of treat toys that you might be asking yourself: What is the best one for my dog?

If you’re not sure where to start, here are our top tips on how to choose one that your dog will enjoy.

#1 Start simple and then increase the difficulty

The pet market is full of all manner of puzzle toys with varying complexity. They range from simple spiral bowls that increase eating time to hard challenges where your dog needs to move, touch or interact with things in the correct order to be given their treat.

For animals that are not used to this kind of challenge, it’s best to start with more straightforward puzzles and then gradually progress to the more complicated ones.

#2 Choose the right toy for your dog’s needs

There are puzzles to meet a variety of needs such as staving off boredom, increasing activity level, helping slow down voracious eaters, and even delaying ‘doggy dementia’ in old age.

Do some research and see which type of toys are best suited for your furry friend’s issues, as they are not all the same!

#3 Consider having more than one toy so you can swap them around

Dogs are curious and intelligent animals that love a good challenge, especially if there are some tasty treats at the end. However, they might grow a bit bored of doing the same thing over and over again.

To help avoid this, consider having multiple puzzler feeders so that you can rotate these and keep mealtimes fresh and interesting for your pet.

While it might take a couple of tries until you find a toy that really gets your pet’s attention, once you do, it can bring a whole new dimension to your dog’s mealtimes!

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

Canine courses