Monthly Archives: October 2023

Horses, The Pet Professionals

Protect your horse from parasites!

Internal parasites in horses are everywhere, and sooner or later, your animals will find themselves infested with one of the many species of worms that are prevalent in the UK. These can cause a lot of problems such as gastrointestinal discomfort, weight loss and might even migrate to other organs, increasing the risk of fatal complications.

There are several products available to treat these nasty infections, but it’s important that you use them correctly to avoid parasite resistance, making it easier for everyone to protect their yards.

Carry on reading to find out more about parasites and how to minimise the risk in your herd.

Could my horse be infected right now?

As we’ve mentioned, worms exist in the environment and having parasite problems at some point is common for the vast majority of yard owners. These parasites are often present in the pastures, migrating to your animals’ digestive tract or lungs and then being shed back onto the pasture to infect other horses.

To know if your horses are infected, your vet will want to evaluate their risk profile and is likely to recommend the following procedures:

  • Faecal worm egg counts, which are usually done between the spring and autumn;
  • Antibody tests for tapeworms (if needed) or cyathostomins;
  • Testing for pinworm.

By testing regularly, you will be able to know the real parasite burden in your yard and treat it accordingly.

Are dewormers safe and effective?

There are several compounds that are safe and effective to treat the many types of worms your horse might have.

However, you must talk to your vet before deworming your herd and follow their instructions, as improper use of dewormer medication can lead to increased parasite resistance. This means that the same drug stops being as effective over time, leading to issues controlling worms in your yard.

The populations of multi-resistant parasites also migrate to and from your horses, increasing this problem for everyone! Currently, many drugs are no longer able to adequately control worms. To avoid worsening this situation, it is recommended that owners test and only treat if necessary.

How can I help prevent parasite diseases in my yard?

As worms are spread via faeces, you must have the correct pasture and paddock management practices to minimise contact with eggs or infective larvae.

Every yard has its own needs, which will inform what you need to do to reduce the burden on your animals. However, in general, experts recommend that you:

  1. Remove faeces regularly to prevent larvae from developing;
  2. Ensure you rotate pastures, allowing them to be free of horses for several months each year;
  3. Enforce good quarantine and testing protocols when receiving new animals and maintain an acceptable density of horses per paddock;
  4. Speak to your vet about the special needs of gestating mares and foals, as they are at a higher risk for parasite complications.

If you’re struggling with worm control or are concerned with your animals’ health, don’t hesitate to contact your vet!

They can help you determine what might be wrong and find the best way to tackle the problem effectively.

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

Equine courses

 

Cats, The Pet Professionals

Can my cat have breast cancer?

Did you know that feline mammary cancer is one of the most common cancers in cats over the age of 10? Mammary tumours are common in domestic cats, and most of them are malignant, meaning they can grow and spread to other organs like the lungs, liver or kidneys.

Unfortunately, most of these will be fatal without treatment, so keeping a close eye on your cat is essential! The sooner treatment starts, the better the chances of him or her being treated without more significant consequences.

Learn more about this common type of cancer below and help your pets live long happy lives!

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a malignant form of a mammary tumour, and it arises from an out-of-control proliferation of the cells of normal tissues of the mammary gland. As these cells multiply and change, the body cannot stop this process, which means they will invade the space around them and do the same in distant organs like the lymph nodes, lungs, liver or kidneys.

In cats, most of these cancers affect females, and as we mentioned, the vast majority of these tumours are serious problems that can be deadly if not caught in time.

One of the first signs is usually a small, non-painful lump near the mammary glands on the skin of your cat’s abdomen, and it may progress to:

  • Less energy;
  • Less appetite;
  • Losing weight without any other reason;
  • The lump getting bigger and spreading;
  • Other nodes appearing nearby on the mammary glands;
  • Painful skin ulcers if the mass (or masses) is/are big enough.

Male cats can also have breast cancer, so if you spot a lump on your cat (regardless of gender), have a chat with your vet without delay!

Can my cat’s mammary tumour be treated?

When your vet finds something that is concerning, he or she will collect the needed samples and ask for other exams such as blood exams, X-rays, a CT scan or abdominal ultrasound in order to diagnose the type of cancer and its stage of development.

As soon as cancer is confirmed, your vet is likely to suggest surgery to remove the tumour and, depending on the severity of the problem and the likelihood the cancer has spread to other places, chemotherapy.

How this disease will progress depends on how early it is detected and it carries the best prognosis if the lump is less than 2cm and has not invaded any other places like the lymph nodes or blood vessels.

If caught in time, your cat will most likely have a good chance of survival with treatment!

How can I help prevent this disease?

While we still don’t know exactly what causes mammary tumours in cats, we do know that unneutered females are more likely to have these types of cancer due to the hormonal environment in their bodies.

To help reduce the chances of breast cancer, vets recommend that you neuter your cat before her first heat cycle in order to remove the chances of hormones causing the development of tumours.

In addition to this, keep an eye on your cat’s mammary glands and feel the area regularly. If you spot anything that feels unusual, like a lump or a skin ulcer, don’t delay – talk to your vet as soon as possible!

 

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

Feline courses