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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:

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats

It is very important for cat owners to be aware of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), as this is not an unusual condition and is frequently related to recurrent vomiting in cats.

IBD is a persistent or chronic inflammation of the lining of the stomach, small and large intestine that can be caused by several gastrointestinal diseases. The triggers for this reaction can be parasitic infections, bacterial infections or even food allergies. Over time, inflammatory cells invade the intestinal wall, increasing the wall’s thickness, damaging its structure, and affecting its ability to function properly during the digestive process.

In many cases, the reason why this happens is unknown. Recent studies show several factors such as the animal’s genetics, immune system, dietary antigens and even their intestinal microfora might be involved in this exaggerated inflammatory response.

Although this disease is usually seen in middle-aged and older cats, cats of all ages can have IBD. Affected cats often present with recurrent vomiting and/or diarrhoea, decreased appetite and weight loss. Some cats may present with all of these signs, while others may show only one of them or have no visible clinical signs at all.

Due to the domestic cats’ particular anatomy, it’s not uncommon for cats with IBD to also show signs of inflammation in their pancreas and liver. Diagnosing this condition requires some degree of investigation since the typical clinical signs are very unspecific and can be caused by a wide range of other conditions.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for IBD, but there are several options to manage this disease, minimise the clinical signs and provide a comfortable and healthy life for the affected cats. These options include adjustments in their diet and medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs.

It is really worth taking your cat to the vet if you notice your pet is showing sporadic vomiting or any of the clinical signs mentioned above. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment will greatly improve your cat’s quality of life and bring you much needed peace of mind.

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

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Dogs

Lungworm

What do you know about Lungworm? This parasitic disease can be found throughout the UK and owners should be aware of the signs as leaving it floating about in your dog’s body can have dire consequences.

First off, what causes Lungworm? This disease is caused by a parasite called Angiostrongylus vasorum that is carried by slugs and snails. Dogs come in contact with it by eating these snails and slugs, either by accident when they play around outside or on purpose, we know all too well that some dogs love seeking out exotic snacks!

Because snails and slugs thrive in damp and relatively warm weather, Spring is one of their high seasons and they will be lurking in a lot of places outside so do keep an eye out on what your dog is doing and eating outside.

Signs of a Lungworm infection include:

  • Breathing difficulties;
  • Coughing;
  • Trouble clotting blood;
  • Getting tired easily;
  • Weight loss;
  • Lethargy;

If you see any of these signs, take him or her to the vet for a check-up! If left untreated, these parasites can be fatal but fortunately treatment and prevention is possible and most dogs recover well if treated on time.

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

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Horses

Vaccines in horses

How much do you know about vaccines? They are one of the most important parts of preventive medicine and our horses are no exception.

Vaccinations allow us to avoid very severe diseases with very little risk and eliminate the need for difficult treatments.  Beyond being instrumental in avoiding many infectious diseases, they can also:

  • Lessen how severe a disease will run in animals that are already affected
  • Make it harder for a disease to spread through your herd or the area

The immune system is adaptable – when it contacts an infectious agent for the first time, there is a bit of a lag before enough cells are produced that can create enough antibodies to solve the issue. The second time the same disease happens, those cells already exist and the immune response is much faster.

Vaccines work by pretending to be an infection and this triggers the same production of cells that a harmful infection would. Basically, all the immunity benefits of a disease but mostly none of the danger!

There are several vaccinations for horses and which ones you should consider will depend on your horse’s lifestyle and their chances of contacting some infectious agents (oversea travelling, breeding, certain sporting events). However, it is highly recommended that all horses are vaccinated against tetanus and equine Influenza.

Tetanus is a severe disease caused by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani and if left untreated, it can be fatal. Equine Influenza is a disease of the respiratory tract and it can be quite debilitating, allowing for secondary infections to thrive and it might even damage the lungs permanently.

Talk to your vet about the best course of vaccination for your horse and don’t forget, it’s always better to prevent!

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

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Feline Herpesvirus

Feline herpesvirus is an important viral infection in our cats that affects the respiratory system as well as the eyes and it might even be transmitted to unborn kittens. Alongside other virus, it’s a common cause of ‘Cat Flu’.

It’s an infection that is especially important in households with several cats like in shelters or catteries because of how easily it is transmitted through animals. Kittens are the most susceptible to herpesvirus infections but animals of all ages can be infected.

Signs of this infection include:

  • Sneezing with purulent discharge;
  • Ocular discharge and ulcers in the eye;
  • Dermatitis around the nostrils;
  • Fever;
  • Abortion in pregnant cats;

It’s a common infection and as carriers have the disease latently, they are the ones responsible for perpetuating the virus. This means that infected cats tend to be infected for life, with periodic flare ups of clinical issues due to environmental stress or reduced immunity.

There is no direct therapy against the virus. When your cat is doing poorly because of ‘Cat Flu’, the best thing is to keep them well hydrated and with proper nutritional support, as well as treating any secondary infections that may arise and eye drops in case of conjunctivitis.

Feline Herpesvirus is part of the vaccination schemes for cats so don’t forget to keep your cat’s vaccination up to date!

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

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Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Happy Easter!

We wish all our members and pets a very Happy Easter and we hope it is a very joyful time for you all!

But please don’t forget:

  • Chocolate is best out of reach of any pets as it contains theobromine which is toxic, particularly to dogs;

 

  • Sweets and cakes with raisins, sultanas, currants like hot cross buns or grapes can cause severe kidney damage in dogs if they are ingested;

 

  • Some beverages, sweets and even some brands of peanut butter have xylitol, a common sweetener that can be deadly to dogs;

 

With everyone having fun it is very easy to lose track of things that might be accidentally left at pet level. If you suspect your pet has eaten something that he or she shouldn’t have, or you realize something might be wrong, please don’t hesitate to take them to the vet!

Have a safe Easter!

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

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Cats

Keep those lilies away from me!

Many of us love lilies, they are beautiful flowers that spruce up any bouquet, especially during Spring and Easter. However, lilies are highly toxic to cats, so much so that we consider every part of the plant to be potentially deadly.

There are many species in the Lilium and Hemerocallis genus that are very dangerous to have around cats but some of the most common are: Easter Lily, Japanese Show Lily, Tiger Lily and Rubrum Lily, but there are many others.

Even the ingestion of small bits of the plant can cause severe damage to the kidneys. This can include just nibbling on some leaves or petals or even the cat grooming pollen off his or her fur.

Lilies are not only gorgeous basket and bouquet flowers, but are also a mainstay in our gardens, which means your cat, if they have outdoor access, may run into them well away from your home.

Toxins produced by these plants harms kidneys and, if left untreated, in most cases it will end in renal failure. Animals show signs around 6 to 12 hours after exposure. You may see vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, difficulty walking and/or seizures.

If you suspect your cat may have come into contact with lilies you must take him or her to the vet immediately; receiving treatment as soon as possible is fundamental to a full recovery.

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

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Horses

Obesity in the Pregnant Mare

Did you know that body condition scores in mares are quite important during pregnancy? This is especially true for mares that have body condition scores that are too high.

If you think having an obese mare won’t influence your foals, think again. A new study has revealed that it may influence a lot more future factors than we previously thought.

The study focused on mares that had high body condition scores before getting pregnant while previous studies had focused on mares that had a normal body score but were overfed during pregnancy and presented as obese at foaling.

Obesity has been linked to several disorders such as equine metabolic syndrome, laminitis and even inflammation. Proper nutrition and maintaining a healthy body score throughout the year in your mares is paramount to help avoid future problems.

The study observed that while foal birthweight and growth were the same in obese mares and in normal mares, foals from obese mares had an increased risk of low-grade inflammation, higher insulin resistance and also transient osteochondrosis until 12 months of age.

This means that the body condition of mares at insemination and onwards might have concerning future effects on foals as well as influencing health in the adult horse.

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

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Cats

How much do you know about kittens?

If like us, you can’t help but liking cats, you’ll surely agree that it is very hard not to be affected by kittens. Their playful personalities and never-ending cuteness are not easily ignored. This is why we would like to share with all the feline lovers out there some interesting facts about kittens!

When these adorable fur balls are born they cannot see, or hear, or walk. They can weigh from 90 to 110 g, gaining 10 to 15g a day. Kittens will only start seeing the world around them and responding to sounds at about three to four weeks after they are born. It is also around this time that they start passing urine and faeces without any help from their mother. Until they are capable of doing this by themselves, their mother has to lick their genital area in order to stimulate elimination.

Kittens are born without any teeth and these only start to break through when they are about two weeks old. Cats have two sets of teeth, and their first set is made of 26 baby teeth. These will gradually be replaced by their deciduous (permanent) teeth. All 30 adult teeth should have erupted by the time a kitten is six to seven months old. They start nibbling on solid food at around three to four weeks, and by the time they are eight weeks old, the transition between their mother’s milk and solid food will be completed.

One of the most important stages of a cat’s life takes place between three to nine weeks of age, and what happens during this time will influence how they will deal with their surrounding environment throughout the rest of their lives. We’re talking about their socialisation period. It is very important for kittens to enjoy lots of positive interactions and experiences during this sensitive time. Kittens should be gently handled by different people, and exposed to a wide variety of objects, animals, places, and situations. This is the best time to get them used to children, to the sound of the vacuum cleaner, to cat carriers, and car rides.

It is recommended for kittens to be rehomed at around 8 weeks of age so they have had time to build up their socialisation skills with their mother and siblings. If you are getting a kitten from a breeder, it is important to make sure your breeder will keep this critical period in mind and will provide the kittens with many positive and varied interactions.

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

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Ringworm

Despite the name, Ringworm is not a worm at all! Ringworm, also called dermatophytosis, is actually caused by a fungus called Microsporum canis and this fungus can be found pretty much everywhere, with a somewhat higher incidence in warm and humid weather.

Clinical signs are very variable: some cats can have severe hair loss, skin lesions and very bothersome itchiness while others seem to only have minor hair loss or may even be infected but show no signs at all. Younger cats and long-haired animals are more prone to this disease.

When confronted with the possibility of a cat infected with M.Canis, do not delay seeking treatment as this disease can affect people and other animals like dogs!

As it is a fungus that resides on skin and hair, it’s particularly important in multicat households because it’s easily transmitted between cats as well as living in bedding and floor surfaces for a long time.

Successful treatment includes not just treating the cat or cats that might be infected but also thoroughly disinfecting the areas the cats had access to in the house.

If you suspect your household might be having a ringworm issue, contact your vet and they will be more than glad to go over treatment options and ways to prevent it in the future.

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

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