Category Archives: The Pet Professionals

The Pet Professionals

Gasterophilus Infection in Horses

We bring you the curious case of the stomach botfly in horses which is caused by several species of the Gasterophilus genus.

This disease is called a myiasis, which is the medical term for issues caused by the larvae of several species of flies. These flies lay eggs on the horse’s coat and as they hatch into larvae they migrate to several tissues. Fortunately, these eggs can be spotted with the naked eye, especially around the forelimbs and shoulders of the horse so keep an eye out for odd white spots that may be lingering on their fur.

Some of the big spots of infection are mouth, throat and stomach. Different species have different site preferences but they all have larvae which attach to the cardiac or pyloric regions of the stomach. Their development is quite long, of around 8 to 10 months and at the end of all this nasty business, they pass out via faeces and will turn into adults on the soil.

Clinical signs are fairly nonspecific and because these larvae will attach to the lining of the stomach, symptoms might include:

  • Ulcerations
  • Obstructions
  • Anaemia
  • Diarrhoea

However, sometimes a great deal of these larvae might be attached to this organ and not have any significant clinical signs.

There are several things you can do to reduce the prevalence of botfly larvae infection but it will depend a lot on your region, frequency of travel and where your horses are kept. Don’t forget, always keep a good track of deworming treatments and seasons, and ask your vet what you can do to best prevent or treat your fabulous equine friends that might be afflicted with this disease.

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Why Pet Owners Should Ensure Their Pet Care Professionals Have Adequate Insurance Cover

Blog post - The Pet Professionals - Why Pet Owners Should Ensure

An increase in pet ownership combined with longer working hours, means more and more people are relying on pet care professionals to help look after their beloved four legged friends. And when leaving your pet in the care of another you want to be sure they are trustworthy, reliable and ultimately covered should anything go wrong. Therefore, it is important when vetting any potential pet care service professional that you check they have adequate insurance cover in place. You wouldn’t leave a child with someone who wasn’t properly insured to do so and the same can be said for the pet care world.

Whether it be dog walking, pet sitting, pet grooming, dog training or another pet care service, each business should have a pet business insurance policy in place. In short, this will ensure they are covered should injury or damage occur which is deemed to be their fault whilst your pet is in their care. Having this insurance in place gives owners the peace of mind that their pet is going to get the best care whilst with the pet professional. The danger of leaving your pet with someone who does not have adequate pet business insurance is that if something was to go wrong, and your pet was injured or hurt, you may not be able to get the compensation you deserve.

Having specialist pet business insurance cover also shows that the business is professional and values its customers. Most pet businesses will display a badge on their website to show that they are fully covered. Pet business insurance companies including Protectivity Insurance will often include these badges as standard, as part of their pet business insurance policy. This means the pet service professionals customers are able to click on this badge and view the insurance certificate. If you cannot find anything like this on a pet business’s website, then ask! If they are covered they will be more than happy to show you their insurance certificate.

When searching for a pet care professional the more research you do the better prepared you will be to find the right one for you and your pet. There are many other factors to consider including how well they get on with your pet, location, price, recommendations, reviews and although pet business insurance is just one of these elements to tick off the list it is important to check to give you peace of mind when leaving your pet with them.

Author: Protectivity Insurance

http://www.protectivity.com/product/pet-business-insurance/
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Office pets: what you need to know

Office-pets-what-you-need-to-know

Whether it’s working alongside a resident pet or bringing in your own, a furry creature can be a welcome addition to an office. In Britain we love our pets and over half of us have said we’d happily take them into work if we could.

To find out what having an office pet entails, Lilli Hender from OfficeGenie.co.uk provides an insight into the trend and discusses the possible advantages and disadvantages.

Pets glorious pets

For some workplaces having an in-house pet is nothing new, but for the majority of people, sharing their office with an animal companion is yet to happen. The phenomenon has proved popular in the news and it seems more and more companies are wanting a slice of office-pet action.

Perhaps most notably the transport service Uber has provided deliveries of kittens and puppies to workplaces across America. HR firms have begun to introduce ‘peternity leave’: time to settle new pets; comfort sick pets; and bereave lost pets. In addition to this, another business recently made headlines for allowing every day to be a ‘bring your pet to work’ day.

Is it good news for employees and employers?

The answer, unsurprisingly, is yes. Pets have been shown to lower workplace stress and boost employee morale and productivity. They also improve bonding between staff members and clients by giving the place a family feel.

It’s worth noting that not everyone responds well to animals, some people have allergies and some people have phobias. Business owners should check all staff members would be on board before interviewing a prospective pup. It’s important to take into consideration the additional finances, such as food and veterinary bills, and what happens with the pet after office hours.

Is it good news for pets?

Almost all of the data and commentary on the phenomenon is from the perspective of the employees rather than the animals. However, there are more than a few factors that will affect how the pet takes to their new life in the office: including (but not limited to) their personality, their size, and their age.

Measures should be taken to ensure the move is as stress and danger free as possible. Uber, for example, had representatives from the cat shelters visit the offices before hand to check they were suitable for the kittens. Support is out there: Cesar’s Way has a guide to introducing a dog into the workplace and in the UK The Health Insurance Group have teamed up with clinical pet behaviourists to create a wellbeing programme for office pets.

Deciding upon your furry companion

When it comes to the best office pet, most business owners opt for a dog. Caring for a canine is usually familiar territory which makes for an easier adjustment period. Many breeds will be more than suitable but here are five of the best:

  • Poodles: intelligent, obedient, and kind to allergy sufferers because they don’t shed.
  • Bulldog: even-tempered, affectionate, lively but not loud.
  • Pug: playful, charismatic, friendly, and fun.
  • Beagle: social, happy, curious, and good around new people.
  • Bichon Frise: affectionate, easy to train, and fluffy.

It might be a while before pets in the workplace are the norm but it’s something to look forward to in the meantime. As long as both parties are happy, having an office pet can be a brilliant decision for all involved.

 

AUTHOR BIO

Lilli Hender works for Office Genie: a desk and office space marketplace. She writes about office life and the latest workplace trends.

References for dog breed characteristics:

http://www.pet360.com/slideshow/dog/lifestyle/8-best-dog-breeds-to-take-to-the-office/1/VLma3CdZOEmX1PpFXr-ipg?intcid=LINKART#/slideshow

http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/10-best-small-dog-breeds-for-therapy-work/
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Do you want to know more about your pet?

The Pet Professionals - Pete the Vet Endorsement

“Do you want to know more about your pet?

A new website, thepetprofessionals.co.uk, has been launched for owners who want to learn more about pet health care.” – An advice by Pete the Vet!

Pete is an experienced veterinary surgeon with an incredible passion for communication, who also has had pets for most of his life. From writing books, newspaper columns and working in radio, Pete uses the media to act as an advocate on behalf of animals.

In his most recent article in The Telegraph, Pete mentions The Pet Professional’s website as a go-to source for pet owners who are looking for the latest advice on pet health care and training on topics such as first aid, nutrition, behaviour, preventive care and looking after older pets.

We deeply appreciate Peter’s endorsement and we highly recommend his articles. Please have a look at his feature in The Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/petshealth/10974036/Pet-subjects-do-I-have-the-worlds-oldest-rabbit.html

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Join our club and help support Blue Cross

Basic RGBThe Pet Professionals are proud to support the Blue Cross. 10% of your club membership fee will be donated to the Blue Cross an animal charity with animal hospitals and animal adoption services to find homes for unwanted dogs, horses, cats and small animals across the UK.

Join the Club and be part of the UK’s fastest-growing pet community with access to a wealth of professionally-produced online courses aimed at educating responsible pet owners who demand the best for their companions.

Click here to join The Pet Professionals Club >