Category Archives: Cats

Cats, The Pet Professionals

Feline skin and health

What is so great about a cat?

There is no right answer to this question as there are so many facets of this species that fascinate us – their independent nature, yet the strong bond that unites us, their elegant grace, yet their clumsy antics, their ruthlessness as predators, yet their gentle affection towards their favourite companions.

But today, we’re going to focus on one, which is their silky, lustrous coat.

The coat and skin can tell us a lot about a cat’s health, as there is a number of diseases, and skin conditions that can manifest with skin lesions.

Before we get into it, here are three curious facts about the skin:

  • It is one of the body’s biggest organs;
  • It is composed of three different layers, each having a specialised cellular population and function;
  • In conjunction with the coat, it is the first barrier of defence against all kinds of external aggression (sunlight, temperature, bacteria, chemicals, trauma, …).

 

Healthy coat and skin

For your cat to have a healthy coat and skin, there is one essential factor: adequate nutrition. Feeding your cat with a high-quality, nutritionally balanced diet, containing essential fatty acids, zinc and other minerals, will not only promote your pet’s overall health but will result in a beautiful coat and healthy skin as well.

Dermatological problems

However, even with proper nutrition, there are some diseases that can affect your cat’s skin and coat that you should be aware of as a responsible owner.

As we have mentioned before, these can be either directly related to the skin or can be a manifestation of an underlying condition that also create skin changes.

Let’s go over some common examples:

Localised skin conditions

  • External parasite infestations, such as fleas and mites
  • Contact allergies
  • Traumatic injuries, such as cutaneous wounds, and infections
  • Acne

Systemic diseases that manifest with cutaneous lesions

  • Hormonal diseases, such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Food allergies
  • Stress-induced alopecia

As all of these can cause similar skin lesions, the only way to know which is one affecting your cat is with the help of your vet.

 

Common cutaneous signs include:

  • Erythema (redness)
  • Dry skin, scaling and crusts
  • Thick or thin, non-elastic skin
  • Broken skin, inflammation and infection
  • Itchiness
  • Poor coat
  • Alopecia (hair loss)

If you recognise any of these or notice that your cat is excessively grooming, biting or scratching themselves, don’t hesitate to seek veterinary assistance.

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

Feline courses


 

Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Disrupted routines

Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic and associated government restrictions, our routines seem to be constantly changing. If we are finding this difficult to manage, imagine how confused our pets may be feeling! 

Domestic animals rely on stable routines to thrive, which means that disruptions can cause them a lot of stress. Though not all pets will react in the same way, alterations such as staying home from work on different days, having the kids out of school or absent family members due to illness can create a tense atmosphere for some animals. 

 

But are there consequences of disrupted routines on our pets’ health? 

In the same way that stress can cause changes in our physical and mental health, it can cause similar problems in our furry friends. 

Here are some of the ways that stress can manifest: 

  • Changes in sleeping patterns, eating habits or house soiling – These are usually the issues that owners notice more often; however, they can also be easily neglected or mistaken for age-related changes in older pets; 
  • Increased vocalisations or attention-seeking behaviour – Changes in how frequently and insistently your pet tries to call your attention may be an early sign of stress;
  • Unusual aggressiveness – Aggressiveness can be associated with pain from injuries or chronic illness, but bouts of aggressive behaviour towards people or pets might happen due to changes at home that increase your pets’ stress levels.

Knowing that this can happen and keeping a keen eye on your pets’ habits can make recognising these signs much easier. 

Even though it might be difficult, making an effort to be consistent with old routines or taking the time to change them slowly (when possible) can help avoid undue stress! 

Don’t forget, many underlying conditions like kidney disease, diabetes or osteoarthritis, among others, can also cause similar behavioural changes! If you do notice anything unusual, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian. 

Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Making your pets’ health a priority in 2021

We can’t help but have high hopes for 2021, and we wish this new year is kinder to us all than 2020!

Whether you are the type of person that likes to take a moment to reflect on the year that has passed and set resolutions and goals for the new one or not, we have a suggestion for you.

This year, why not make your pets’ health a top priority?

There are some illnesses that we cannot help our pets avoid, but there are many that we can, so preventive medicine should always be on top of your pets’ health checklist.

 

Nutrition

We’ve all heard the expression ‘We are what we eat’, and the same is true for our pets! A balanced diet is one of the most important foundations of health as it provides the nutrients that fuel our pets’ bodies.

When a pet’s diet is unbalanced, two things can occur:

  • Nutritional deficiencies, which can have a range of consequences, from stunted growth, muscle wasting, skin problems and poor coat to more severe issues, such as heart disease, for example, in cats that suffer from taurine deficiency. 
  • Weight gain, which can lead to obesity and associated health problems, such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, and cardiovascular disease, to name but a few.

Different pets have different needs, and the same diet is not likely to be recommended to a nursing bitch and an elderly dog. To make sure your pets’ nutritional needs are met, discuss the options with your vet.

 

Vaccinations

One thing that the Coronavirus pandemic seems to have highlighted is the importance of vaccines. Thankfully, we will soon have the option to immunise ourselves against COVID-19 and, hopefully, life can slowly start getting back to normal.

There are a number of vaccines available to protect our pets against highly contagious and deadly diseases, such as parvovirus infections in both dogs (parvo) and cats (feline enteritis), for example.

Get your pet’s vaccination card. When is their booster due? Make a note in your planner to make sure you don’t forget to schedule their booster appointment and, if their vaccinations are not current, contact your vet today to book a visit.

 

Worming, flea and tick treatments 

Let’s talk about worms for a minute now. We’ve all seen them, our pets had them when they were puppies/kittens, and maybe even as adults. You might have noticed a swollen belly and that they were scooting their bums on the floor. Maybe they had soft stools as well. Then, they took their worming pill, and the problem was solved, so why do we need to worm them so often?

Intestinal parasites are very common in pets. Most times, they cause mild discomfort and clinical signs (as described above), but they can lead to more severe consequences in massive infestations. 

However, there are other internal parasites that can cause life-threatening disease, such as heartworm and lungworm, that we can and should prevent by worming our pets at regular intervals as recommended by the vet.

As for external parasites, such as fleas and ticks, these can cause skin problems and great discomfort, and it only takes a single flea to produce an allergic reaction in susceptible pets or an infestation in any household!

Now that you have your pets’ medical records with you, why not check when their next parasite treatment is due as well? You know what’s next – make a note in your planner.

 

Routine appointments

Last but not least, we’d like to remind you of the importance of routine appointments. We tend to associate these with our pets’ vaccination appointment and refer to them as the ‘annual check’. However, if you have any concerns, you should discuss them with your vet as soon as possible, instead of waiting for the ‘annual visit’ just because it’s more practical and convenient.

If your pets’ nails need clipping and your vaccination appointment is next week, then it is ok to do both at the same visit. However, if you’ve been noticing a bald spot in your pet’s skin that is red and keeps getting bigger, for example, waiting for the ‘annual visit’ is not a good option and will likely result in their vaccination being postponed until the skin issue is resolved.

A thorough veterinary ‘nose to tail’ examination is a great way to detect early problems and start important treatments if required.

We wish you a happy and healthy new year for both your human and pet families!

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

Feline courses

 

 

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

Canine courses

 

Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Christmas safety and pets

Finally, it is the week of Christmas, and we can’t help but feel excited! It is true that this is not going to be the Christmas that we wished for, but we hope you still get to enjoy the holidays as best you can, and the warmth that characterises this season.

There are things that do not change, however, which is why we have dedicated this blog post to raising awareness of some common seasonal hazards for our pets!

Decorations

Sparkling baubles and dangling tinsel – what pet would not be intrigued by all this shine and movement?

Make sure your pets cannot access any kind of Christmas ornaments as these can cause severe gastrointestinal problems if accidentally ingested. The same applies to ribbons and wrapping paper, and make sure that your pets are also not interested in chewing on fairy lights.

Also, be mindful of snow globes as these often contain antifreeze inside, which is highly toxic to our four-legged companions, even if ingested in small amounts.

Ornamental plants such as poinsettia, mistletoe, and holly, for example, are also toxic to pets, so keep these safely out of their reach!

Delicious, festive food

We’re the first to admit that it is hard to resist the puppy eyes, especially during this time of the year. We’ve all heard the expression ‘Sharing is caring’, right? On this particular matter, wrong!

The rich food we usually enjoy during the holidays is too fatty for our pets and can lead to gastrointestinal problems and even life-threatening pancreatitis.

A number of festive foods that we also enjoy have toxic ingredients in them as well, including chocolate, xylitol, raisins and sultanas.

What about just a piece of meat with the bone? The answer is still no as bones represent a significant choking hazard and, if ingested, can perforate the digestive tract.

 

Even if you’re careful, accidents can happen. Make sure you familiarise yourself with your vet’s opening times and phone numbers during the holidays in case you need to make an emergency visit, and, if you have any concerns, the best thing to do is seek veterinary advice.

 

Happy Christmas from the team at The Pet Professionals!

Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Before buying… Research!

Recent surveys indicate that the demand for pets during the current Coronavirus pandemic has increased significantly.

Pets are, indeed, a great source of company and comfort during these unprecedented times, and pet ownership is one of the most wonderful experiences life has to offer us!

But as good as it is to know that many pets will find a loving home, if you are considering buying a puppy or a kitten, we would advise you to do thorough research and make sure you’re not buying from an untrustworthy seller.

When a puppy or kitten is reared in poor conditions, the outcome can be devastating. Animals can become ill with severe diseases such as canine parvovirus, for example, which is, to many puppies, fatal. There can be long-term consequences as well, especially when it comes to your pet’s behaviour, as many unscrupulous breeders will not bother to socialise puppies and kittens with people and other animals.

Defra has recently launched a ‘Petfished’ campaign to encourage owners to buy healthy and happy animals from a good breeder, that have been given the best start in life.

Visit the dedicated website, read the step-by-step guide they have put together, and go through all the information to consider when buying or adopting a new pet.

We’ll leave you with some immediate red flags that should alert you that something is not right.

  • The animal is advertised as ready to rehome under eight weeks of age or that will come with a ‘passport’;
  • The seller refuses a virtual tour, not allowing you to see the puppy interacting with its littermates and mum;
  • The seller pressures you to buy on the first contact;
  • The seller refuses to let you see the medical records of the animal before selling.

With Christmas fast approaching, if you think this is a good opportunity to add a furry member to your family, make sure you do your research first, and keep in mind that it is better to wait than to buy and support a bad breeder.

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

Feline courses


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

Canine courses

 

Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Raising awareness of diabetes in pets

November is Pet Diabetes Month!

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that can affect both ourselves and our pets.

The disease is caused by insufficient production of insulin, the hormone responsible for keeping blood sugar (glucose) levels under control, or due to cells becoming resistant to its action.

According to the World Health Organisation, the number of cases of diabetes in people has steadily increased over the past decades. Interestingly, vets also report a rise in the number of diabetic pets that they are seeing in practice.

In both, a number of risk factors have been identified that may be contributing to this rise, such as unhealthy lifestyles with poor eating habits and a lack of physical activity that lead to excessive weight gain and obesity.

However, you are likely to know people that suffer from diabetes who also live fulfilling normal lives, so why do we need to have a whole month dedicated to raising awareness of this disease in pets?

It’s simple – diabetes is an impactful chronic disease that can lead to significant health problems and will culminate in the death of your pets if left untreated.

Glucose is the main substance that fuels the cells and, consequently, all our pets’ bodily functions. With insulin not doing its job, glucose cannot enter the cells, and the blood sugar levels will be persistently high, which has dangerous effects throughout the body. Commonly affected organs include the kidneys, eyes, and central nervous system.

As diabetes is a progressive disease, it may not be easy to spot the signs at an early stage, which can be very subtle. These include:

  • Lethargy
  • Excessive thirst
  • Increased urination
  • Increased appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Poor coat and skin problems

For most pets, treatment is based on daily insulin administration. At first, it will involve a lot of vet visits and monitoring to make sure that the insulin dose is adjusted to your pet and is effective in keeping the disease controlled. However, once that balance is reached, your pets can live long, happy lives.

Providing your pets with a healthy diet as well as regular exercise, and keeping them at a healthy weight are very important to prevent diabetes, and also in managing diabetic pets.

If you recognise any of the signs mentioned, or if you’re struggling to keep your pet at a healthy weight, don’t hesitate to contact your vet.

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

Feline courses


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

Canine courses

 

Cats, The Pet Professionals

Cats and the cold

As winter is fast approaching, we would like to take some time to talk about our cats’ relationship with the cold and the different ways that it can affect their comfort.
If we had to point out some of the most common features of our beloved domestic felines, we’d probably have “love warm spots to sleep on!” quite high on our list. This would be right next to purring and also their capacity to effortlessly charm us into forgiving them for tossing random things onto the floor.
Despite their luxurious coats, cats generally are not adapted as well to the cold climates as dogs. Most breeds lack the thick, insulating fur that makes freezing temperatures bearable for dogs like Huskies or Samoyeds, with the added issue that they are incapable of retaining body heat when their non-insulating coat is wet.

As temperatures continue to drop, how can we make sure we are well prepared to help our furry friends?

  • Make sure you don’t shut your cat out during the night or for long periods, especially when the weather is wet and cold;
  • Drafts make up for an awful sleeping experience, so position their beds in places that are far away from cold air currents;
  • Your pets will thank you if you add warmer bedding to the areas they usually sleep on;
  • If your cats seem to be restless or if they are starting to sleep in odd places like the inside of closets or on top of laptop vents, it might be a sign they are having difficulty keeping warm;
  • When fostering feral or semi-feral cats that live permanently outside, it’s very important to ensure there is an accessible, warm, dry shelter that is away from freezing wind so that they can protect themselves from the cold.

Not all pets experience the cold in the same way! Depending on their age and some health issues, some cats can be more sensitive to extremes of temperature than others.
Elderly and sick pets tend to be much more vulnerable to lower temperatures because they cannot adapt to them or retain enough heat in their bodies. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and hyperthyroidism will also require that you pay special attention to your pets’ needs during this winter time.

If your cats run away during bad weather and get stuck outside for several hours, time is of the essence! Bring them in as soon as possible, make sure that they are dry and keep them warm. Call your vet and tell them what has happened and ask for further advice, as your pets might need medical assistance due to issues like hypothermia and even frostbite.

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

Feline courses


 

Cats, Dogs, Horses, The Pet Professionals

Autumn celebrations and pet safety

Every season has its grace, and autumn has arrived bringing us shorter days, beautiful colours and a longing for cosiness and evenings by the fire.

Bringing some joy to this unprecedented year, autumn celebrations are fast approaching, so this is the perfect opportunity to go over some important pet safety precautions.

Halloween

If your Halloween costume is always on point and you want to make sure your pet is included, please keep in mind:

  • Pet costumes shouldn’t restrict in any way your pets’ movement, breathing, vision or hearing;
  • If your pet is not comfortable clothed, there are alternatives you can use, such as festive collars, bandanas or harnesses.

Also, be selfish and don’t share! As counter-intuitive as this may seem, our treats are not safe for pets as chocolate and some sweets contain substances that are toxic to them and which may well cause sickness.

Fireworks

Make sure your pet or horse is microchipped, and that your contact details are up to date to facilitate a reunion if they run should away.

At home, start preparing a safe place for your pets where they can escape to if they feel scared. It should include familiar items that will make them feel calm and comfortable, and some coverage to muffle the sounds.

On the day of the displays, make sure that you walk your dogs and exercise your horses before they start. Also, if possible, bring your pets inside and consider not letting your cats out to guarantee that they are safe at home.

Regarding horses, having them stabled during fireworks displays may cause additional stress. Consider turning them out if you believe there’s a possibility of self-injury due to trying to escape from an enclosed environment.

As many official displays have been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, the British Veterinary Association has issued a warning regarding the likelihood of increased unregulated backyard fireworks.

If you know your pet struggles when the fireworks start popping, consider staying at home with them to provide some reassurance.
Also, talk to your vet – from desensitisation therapy to pheromones and various medications, there are a number of options available to help your pets cope with the stress.

Keep in mind that fearful pets may show signs of anxiety, which can be something as simple as pacing or panting, but also more undesirable behaviours, such as excessive vocalisation and toileting inside. If this happens, do not try to comfort your pets by petting them as this may be interpreted as positive reinforcement of an unwanted behaviour. However, it’s as important not to reprimand or punish them as this can worsen their fear.

The day after the displays, remove debris if you find them to avoid accidents.

If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice. We wish you a happy and safe Halloween and Bonfire night!

Cats, Dogs, Horses, The Pet Professionals

Expecting the unexpected

Preventive medicine is the best way for us to keep our pets healthy, but, unfortunately, health is not something that we can always predict and control. Accidents can happen, and there are a number of illnesses that cannot be easily avoided, such as cancer and heart disease, for example.

But there’s something we can do to deal with unexpected situations, which is always being prepared! To help you, we’ve created this list of three fundamental topics;

#1: Contact information

Have your vet’s contact information in an easily accessible place in case of an emergency. Your phone is likely to be the first thing that comes to mind, but it is worth keeping these details in more than one place in case you run out of battery, for example.

Keep in mind that with the COVID-19 pandemic, practices have had to change the way they operate, so make sure to keep updated with their current ways of functioning and safety measures in case you need to take your pet for a consultation.

#2: Observations, details and relevant information

This is something that we keep insisting on, but only because it is so important! An attentive owner is vital for the early diagnosis of several diseases, and having relevant information ready and organised to present to your vet is invaluable.

We suggest keeping a journal where you register meaningful observations, and when these have happened. This way, it will be easier and quicker to answer all the vets’ questions as well as provide them with details you might have forgotten otherwise.

Records of feeding, drinking and exercise are a great start!

#3: Pet insurance

Vet bills can be expensive, and, if your pet is diagnosed with a chronic illness, such as diabetes, for example, he is going to need lifelong treatment. Pet insurance will allow you to make decisions based on what is best for your pet instead of your current financial situation.

While choosing pet insurance, keep in mind that not all policies provide the same coverage. Make sure you are aware of what is included and if there are any restrictions.

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

Feline courses


 

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

Canine courses

 

 

Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Your pet and the vet

For most people, when they bring a new pet home, one of the first thoughts that cross their mind is to take him or her to the vet to make sure that they are healthy.

If this is the first time you have owned a pet, even after you’ve done lots of preparation and research, that first appointment can be overwhelming! There are a lot of things that need to be discussed, including worming and flea treatments, vaccinations, microchipping, nutrition, neutering, socialisation and training, some of which need to take place at very specific times, meaning there’s a lot to take in!

But don’t worry; it’s perfectly natural to feel confused! Your vet will lay out a detailed plan for the upcoming weeks, where all of these basic needs will be addressed one by one, and where you’ll be able to discuss any concerns that you may have.

Throughout your pets’ life, there are two main reasons to take them to the vet. Firstly, there are the routine preventative visits, and secondly those visits when your pet is unwell.

Preventative medicine includes all the basics mentioned above, which are extremely important to protect your pet from preventable issues, such as life-threatening contagious diseases, internal and external parasites, obesity and associated conditions, and even reproductive cancer.

As for when your pet becomes ill, as you’re aware, there are a number of conditions that can affect our pets, which can be as simple as gastroenteritis from eating a fatty piece of bacon, for example, to something more serious that requires life-long management, such as heart disease.

As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to speak for your pet, and an attentive owner is a valuable diagnostic tool! You’re the one that knows your pet the best, and you’ll be able to notice when something is wrong, even if your pet seems normal to other people. Make it a routine to give your pet a check over once a week and get to know what is normal.  That way you will be able to recognise the abnormal.

This is particularly important when it comes to chronic diseases, such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease, for example. Early signs can be as subtle as drinking or urinating more than usual, which can be easily overlooked if you don’t know what usual is for your pet.

But paying attention is also vital in acute diseases, such as intoxications, for example, in which the sooner treatment is started, the better the chances of recovery and even survival.

If you have any questions relating to the health of your pet, don’t hesitate to contact your vet. They’ll be happy to give advice, help, assist, see and treat your pet as needed, and you will also gain peace of mind in knowing that you’re providing the care that your pet deserves.