Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Outdoor adventures with your furry friend

Now that the weather is getting warmer, the days longer, and the spring flowers are starting to bloom, we look at our canine friends and can’t help the feeling of wanting to go on an outdoor adventure.
However, if you’re planning to take your 4-legged friend on a hike or a long walk by the beach, there are some things you should keep in mind so that everything goes smoothly.

Preparations…
First things first: make sure your dog’s identification details are up to date. This includes the microchip information but also ensuring that your dog wears a collar/harness with an identification tag. These are legal requirements and will be valuable tools in case your dog decides to go on an unsanctioned adventure of his own!
Also, it is a good idea to check if your dog’s worming, flea and tick treatments are up to date. Warmer weather means the parasites are booming, and they can easily bother your dog if he or she is not properly protected.

Getting there…
For walks that go beyond the neighbourhood park, you and your dog will probably have to go on a road trip to get to the desired location.
Safety first: do not let your pet ride loose in the car. There are plenty of options to keep your dog comfortable and safe, such as pet seat belts, carriers or travel cages, for example. Just make sure it is something appropriate to your dog’s size.
If your dog suffers from motion sickness, gradually getting him or her used to riding in the car by starting with short rides and progressively increasing their duration could be beneficial.
If you’re travelling a long distance, make sure to plan for regular stops so you can both stretch your legs, use the ‘loo’, and keep hydrated.
Never leave your dog unattended in the car! Even if the weather doesn’t seem that warm, the temperature inside a locked vehicle can increase dramatically in a short amount of time causing heatstroke, which can be fatal!

We’ve arrived! Can we have fun now?
Now that you’re in the big outdoors, you should be looking out for some possible dangers. Make sure to have a quick look around to identify anything that could become a problem, such as:

  • Grass seeds and foxtail – these plants can easily get stuck on your dog’s ears, face, pads or fur, and then make their way through the skin, causing irritation, inflammation and localised infections.
  • Sticks, stones, shells, and various other objects – if your dog has a curious nature, make sure there’s nothing dangerous around that he or she could put in his or her mouth and inadvertently swallow. Make sure you bring your own toys to play fetch and do not be tempted to throw sticks.
  • Insects – also, if you see any bees or wasps, it’s better to keep your distance. Do not let your dog chase them around as some dogs, just like people, can have allergic reactions to their stings. These can cause severe breathing difficulties that can be life-threatening.

Whenever possible, walk with your dog in the shade and make sure to bring plenty of fresh water. Do not let your dog drink from other water sources as stagnant water can be contaminated with bacteria and parasites, which can cause serious diseases such as Leptospirosis or lungworm or can cause your dog to be sick.

The more information you have on the place you’re visiting, the better prepared you can be for a safe, fun adventure so make sure to look ahead, plan in advance and enjoy!

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Spring considerations for horses


Now that the weather is starting to get warmer and the days are longer many horse owners will begin taking their horses out for much anticipated extended walks.

However, before you start spending more time in the saddle, and to assure a safe transition for your horses, here are some things you should keep in mind:

Turnout and workout
Horses usually spend most of the winter stabled, so make sure you gradually increase the time they spend outdoors. If you haven’t been able to exercise your horse as much as you’d have liked during the winter months, it’s essential that you start slowly to give your horse a chance to regain its physical condition without compromising health. This can be achieved by progressively increasing the duration and intensity of the workouts.

Nutrition
Again, it is essential to gradually reintroduce your horse to grazing, as early spring pasture has higher levels of most nutrients, including non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). Ingesting large amounts of this fresh, green pasture can cause not only gastrointestinal problems but also metabolic issues such as laminitis and insulin imbalance.
As your horse increases its exercise level, it’s also important to make sure its energy requirements are met. As we’ve just mentioned, horses will start having fresh pasture in their diet, and both these factors need to be taken into consideration while adapting and adjusting your horses’ calorie intake and diet composition.

Health
Proper turnout and nutritional management, and monitoring your horses’ body condition are essential tools to help keep your horses healthy not only in spring but throughout the year. However, spring is known to be the ideal time for parasite proliferation, and horses can easily become infested while grazing, so you should consider consulting with your vet to make sure your horse is thoroughly protected.

These are some general recommendations that all horse owners can implement at home, and the most important message here is to take time and let your horses gradually get used to the spring environment. However, please keep in mind that every horse is unique and that turnout and nutritional management should be personalised to his or her particular needs.

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Cats, The Pet Professionals

Trouble in the litterbox

Many people might not like thinking about what happens in the confines of their cats’ litterbox but knowing what goes on in there (unpleasant as this may be!) is crucial in the early detection of some important health problems.

There is a lot of valuable information that you can gather from just a cursory glance at faeces or by keeping track of how often your cat is peeing. So, what should you be on the lookout for?

The most dangerous situation is when there is an absence of any of these bodily functions, especially when your cat has stopped urinating altogether. There are two major causes for this: the kidneys have stopped working, or there is an obstruction at any point in the urinary system.

Both of these are severe medical issues that can be fatal if left untreated! If you notice that this has happened, take your cat to your vet as soon as possible.

Acute kidney failure can have many causes, for instance, ingestion of toxic substances, or it can arise as a complication of other diseases like chronic kidney disease, heart disease or diabetes. The sooner your vet can investigate the root cause as to why your cat’s kidneys are not working properly, the better his or her chances are of recovering.

Obstruction of the urinary system is perhaps the most frequent cause of complete lack of urine voiding and, like acute kidney failure, many conditions can lead to this situation. Urinary stones and Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease are two of the most common conditions that can lead to severe blockage and they need to be treated immediately to avoid complications like bladder rupture or kidney failure!

It’s also good to pay attention to what your cats do when they are in the litterbox. If they are visibly in pain when they pee, are anxious or in distress and cannot seem to pass urine even though they are trying, these are all signs that something might be wrong.

If you are worried that your cats might be suffering from urinary issues, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian!

 
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Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Intervertebral Disc Disease – A short dog problem?

Intervertebral discs are tiny, cushion-like structures located between the vertebrae that connect the the vertebrae bones to each other to form the vertebral column, also functioning as a shock absorber and allowing movement of the spine.

Sometimes, these discs can suffer alterations and become herniated which means they move from their natural place between the vertebrae into the spinal canal, causing compression on the spinal cord.

The spinal cord is a very important part of the central nervous system that receives sensory information from the limbs and internal organs and takes it to the brain for processing. The brain can then send a response back through the spinal cord as a functioning command, such as moving a leg, for example.

When there is sufficient compression in the spinal cord, this information pathway becomes interrupted, which will result in different clinical signs according to where it happens.

Signs can range from mild pain with your dogs keeping their head low and being reluctant to move or being sensitive when touched; to severe pain, with them displaying an arched back, crying when touched or while moving, trembling, having difficulty walking or even being unable to stand or move (partial or complete paralysis).

This condition can affect all dogs, and it is usually an age-related problem as it is caused by disc degeneration over time. However, chondrodystrophic breeds – short dogs – such as Dachsunds, Shih-Tzus, and Beagles, for example, are more at risk of developing intervertebral disc disease, and can even show signs as young adults. This is because chondrodystrophy, a trait that is characterised by shorter long bone length as a consequence of early changes in the structure of growing bones, is also associated with an abnormal process that causes premature degeneration of the intervertebral discs.

So, if you have a shortie and notice that he or she is having difficulty walking or showing signs of discomfort when moving around, don’t hesitate to contact your regular vet.

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Preventing obesity in horses: weight monitoring

People’s lifestyle and eating habits have dramatically changed over the years, and so have their pets’. As a result, excess weight and obesity have become a growing concern in human and veterinary medicine, as these have been proven to be associated with a number of diseases in all species. Overweight horses, in particular, are at higher risk of suffering from:
• Equine Metabolic Syndrome,
• Diabetes,
• Laminitis,
• Arthritis,
• Heart disease,
• Respiratory problems.
All these conditions can have a serious impact on horses’ welfare, health and, consequently, their lifespan, so it’s our job as responsible owners to make sure they do not have to suffer from problems associated with excess weight.
Trying to fight this alarmingly growing trend, and as obesity is a preventable disease, the BEVA is raising awareness of the importance of weight monitoring and of the fact that the perception of a normal horses’ weight has changed, with people not being able to recognise when a horse is overweight anymore.

But how can monitoring your horses’ weight help prevent obesity?
If your horses are at a healthy weight, monitoring will be a valuable tool to detect unwanted variations early on. As a result, you can adapt their management regime, preventing a little weight gain from becoming a bigger problem, which will also be more difficult to correct.
If your horses are already overweight, this is something that you need to address as soon as possible, and monitoring their weight is essential to keep track of their weight loss progress.

So, how can you do this?
When we say to monitor your horses’ weight, we understand that most horse owners will not have access to weighbridges to actually weigh their horses. However, there are simple methods you can use to estimate their weight (such as using a weigh-tape or calculating it through a formula) and, even better, to assess their body condition.
Assessing your horses’ body condition, also known as body scoring, consists of running your hands over your horses’ body, feeling for certain skeletal landmarks, like the ribs or the backbone, and for the fat cover. The body scoring system is divided into five scores, where a score of 3 is ideal, a score of 1 is emaciated and a score of 5 is obese.
Compared to weight measurements (however accurate they may be), by using the body scoring system, you’ll have the additional information of knowing if the weight is right for your horse instead of just having a number.

Here are some tips to help you start:
• Monitor regularly – create the habit of actively monitoring your horses’ weight and body condition at weekly, fortnightly, or monthly intervals;
• Be consistent – always use the same method and tools to avoid errors;
• Keep records – this will be the easiest way to track trends and make changes if needed;
• Take pictures – you won’t be able to notice subtle changes just by looking at your horses. However, comparing new pictures to old ones can be extremely helpful and encouraging if you’re on a weight loss journey;
• Seek professional help – if you are not sure how to start or if you are concerned about your horses’ weight don’t hesitate to talk to your vet.

There is a lot you can do to help fight the growing threat of obesity, and it is very important to acknowledge that this is a preventable disease.
It’s not always easy to find the right balance, but through proper nutrition, regular exercise and weight monitoring, you can help keep your horses fit and healthy.

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Cats, The Pet Professionals

Healthy ageing in cats

The advancements made in veterinary medicine as well as owners being more actively invested in making sure their cats’ needs are met have made it possible for cats to live longer lives. As a result, a growing number of cats are reaching their golden years, and it is up to us to make sure they spend them happy and healthy.

Ageing is associated with changes that lead to decreased vitality and make our cats more vulnerable to illness. Unless they are due to disease and affect our cats’ health and wellbeing, these alterations shouldn’t be seen as negative or positive, they just represent a normal transition to a different life stage that requires some adjustments.

You may notice changes in your cats’ behaviour, such as sleeping for longer periods, changes in their appearance (like finding little ‘freckles’ in the coloured part of their eyes) and changes in the way they move about and react, such as being less mobile and seemingly less aware of their environment.

As you start noticing your cats displaying these changes, there are some things you can do to make their lives a little easier and promote healthy ageing.

 

 

  1. Acknowledge that your senior cats have different needs

Recognising that your cats will have different needs as they age and that these will change over time is the first step towards you helping them. By identifying what and how things are changing, you can provide adjustments in your cats’ daily lives that are suited to their life stage. After 7 years of age, cats are usually considered mature and at 11 years old, senior. However, keep in mind that not all cats age at the same pace, so it is important to keep a close eye on them as they grow older to look for age-related physical changes but also changes in their habits.

 

  1. Visit your vet regularly

Regular check-ups will help diagnose any problems at an early stage which will usually make treatment more effective. A number of diseases are frequently diagnosed in older cats, such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and kidney disease, for example. Unfortunately, we all know cats are great at hiding that there’s something wrong with them and these visits will help make sure everything is ok.

 

  1. Provide good nutrition and hydration

Again, a different life stage means different nutritional requirements and proper nutrition is one of the most important factors in keeping your cats healthy. There are diets specifically formulated for senior cats; however, you should consult with your vet to understand the best option for your them. If your cats have a medical condition, they might benefit more from therapeutic prescription diets than from a normal senior diet.

Encouraging drinking behaviour is also essential to keep them hydrated and promote kidney health as cats tend to neglect drinking even more as they age.

 

  1. Monitor your cats’ weight

As cats are great at hiding signs of disease, carefully monitoring their weight becomes vital as sometimes weight variations will be the first (or only) indicator that something might be wrong. Gradual weight changes are not easy to notice from just looking at them, so you should weigh your cats frequently, and a 500g loss might not seem like much but, for a 5kg cat, it represents a significant 10% body weight variation.  Keeping a register of your cats’ weight is the easiest way to keep track of these variations and to see if something is wrong.

 

  1. Provide environmental enrichment

Physical and mental stimulation should always be an integral part of your cats’ lives, just make sure you provide toys and activities appropriate to your older cats’ different abilities.

 

  1. Make adjustments to their home environment

Given enough time, most older cats will develop arthritis which will decrease their mobility. If you have stairs at home, one thing you can do is make sure your cats’ essentials are all on the ground floor – feeding area, sleeping area, resting area and toileting area. You can also use ramps to facilitate access to higher spots and lower the entrance to the litter box for easier access. Grooming might also not be an effortless task for an older cat, so that is something where you can definitely help. Providing warmer, padded beds will also be highly appreciated as senior cats don’t have the same capacity to keep their temperature stable as they did when they were younger.

 

We hope you find our tips helpful and that your cats enjoy their golden years 🙂

 

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Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Prevention is the best medicine!

Being a dog parent is more than a fantastic and rewarding experience, it’s also about embracing the responsibility of caring for another life. Even though some things fall beyond our control, we need to make sure our dogs have the best chance to thrive and have a happy, healthy life.
To make sure your dog is protected, you should work together with your vet as he or she is the most qualified person to help you create a tailored health plan for your dogs that covers their individual, specific needs.

Vaccination
It is recommended that you vaccinate your dogs against parvovirus, distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, and other infectious agents, which can cause severe disease and can have a fatal outcome, especially for puppies and dogs with compromised immunity. Also, if you’re planning on travelling with your dogs, you’ll need to vaccinate them against rabies.

Parasite treatments
There are two types of parasites that can affect our pets: ectoparasites, which are external parasites such as fleas and ticks, and endoparasites, which are internal parasites and are mostly worms.
As the number of products available for parasite treatment keeps growing, and as these have different effects depending on their composition, it is always best to seek veterinary advice before using them on your dogs.

Identification
Having your dogs identified is mandatory by law and a valuable tool in case they ever get lost, as it will make it easier to reunite them with you. This includes getting your dogs microchipped, but also ensuring that they wear a collar/harness with identification tags whenever they go outside. This is something some people might not be aware is a legal requirement.

Nutrition
For dogs and for all species, proper nutrition is one of the most important foundations of health.
Finding a nutritional balance is essential as the lack of certain nutrients can cause severe issues, but being overweight and obesity are also linked to serious diseases that can shorten your dogs’ life span.
At different life stages, dogs have different caloric needs, and these will also vary depending on their size and lifestyle.

Neutering (spaying and castrating)
If you’re not planning on breeding your dogs, you should consider getting them neutered.
Besides preventing unwanted pregnancies, neutering can have a significant impact on your dogs’ health as it will decrease or eliminate the risk of developing certain diseases of the reproductive system.
Neutering male dogs can also help reduce roaming and fighting behaviours, which will reduce the risk of them running off, and getting injured in a car accident or fighting.

Hygiene, grooming and dental care
Hygiene is also one of the cornerstones of health. Good hygiene will involve a lot of touching, holding and standing still so you should try to get your dogs used to being touched and remaining quiet early on to make this process quick, easy and enjoyable for both of you. You can encourage their patience by offering rewards during this process!
Pay particular attention to the face, especially their eyes, ears and mouth, making sure that they are properly clean. Other areas that usually require regular attention are the nails and the anal glands.
Ideally, you should try to brush your dogs’ teeth daily. There are other options that can help keep your dogs’ teeth clean such as dental chews and some prescription diets; however, they’re not as efficient. Dental hygiene will be essential in preventing plaque build-up, tartar development and consequent oral inflammation and disease.
Grooming will help remove clumps of matted and soiled hair, keeping the hair and skin healthy. Long-haired breeds will need to be groomed more often, but all dogs benefit from regular grooming.

Exercise
Exercise is a great source of entertainment for your dogs and can prevent unwanted behaviours, keeping them fit and healthy. You should exercise your dogs daily and adapt their routines to their age and breed.

Keep in mind that your dogs’ needs will change over time and do not hesitate to consult with your veterinary surgeon if you have any questions.

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Time to relax! Equine massage

For many of us, when we think of relaxation, the first thing that comes to mind is a day spent at the spa, enjoying a lovely massage and lots of pampering. But it turns out that were not the only ones who are keen on massages, horses appreciate them too!

Besides the fantastic feeling of comfort and warmness that comes from a massage, there are other benefits associated with massaging your horses, such as:
– Reducing physical, emotional and environment-related stress;
– Preparation for work and warming up;
– Warming down and recovering from exercise;
– Preventing injuries;
– Improving muscle tone and flexibility;
– Increasing circulation and lymphatic activity, consequently removing metabolic waste, draining accumulated fluid and encouraging tissue repair.

Depending on the horses’ particular problem, different techniques can be used and, overall, massages can be categorised into four major groups: relaxation, sports, therapeutic or preventative massages.

Throughout the massage, points of tension can be identified and worked on by manipulating soft tissues, loosening the muscles, joints and tendons, promoting relaxation and improving the horse’s overall well-being and health.

Just like us, there are a number of situations where massages are beneficial, and one of the most common indications to use them in horses is a sore back. This can be caused by improper saddle fit, excess work/exercise, conformation problems, lack of proper turnout, among other reasons. However, and even though all physical problems must be ruled out first, it is important to keep in mind that tension can also be caused by stress.

There is a lot of knowledge and technique behind a proper massage, but this is something all horse owners can learn to do that will have a significant impact on their horses’ well-being.
By learning massage techniques, you’ll be able to know how to analyse and assess your horses’ posture, movement and musculoskeletal function as well as how to recognise and correct some abnormalities. Besides, massaging your horse is a great bonding experience we are sure you and your companion will love.

If you’re interested in learning more about horse massage, we can help you!

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Frostbite

All of the major festivities have passed but as we take down the glittering ornaments and bright lights, Winter has just started. The gloom of the long nights and the freezing cold weather are here to stay for a while, so we feel this is a good time to remind our community that our pets might suffer from important injuries due to the cold.

Cats in particular might wander around and get stuck in cold sheds or get caught outside without shelter, which puts them at a slightly greater risk than other pets of getting frostbite.

Frostbite is caused by exposure to cold temperatures and the colder it is, the less time is needed for damage to happen. The skin reacts to extreme cold by constricting blood vessels as a way to keep core temperature stable, which works very well as a survival method! The problem with reducing blood circulation to limbs and other exposed areas is that these might freeze over.

When this happens, the cells are heavily damaged, causing tissue death and a lot of problems down the line. Limbs, ears and tail are the most common places where cats might suffer from frostbite.

Frozen tissues can be pale, grey or bluish in colour and brittle. As they thaw, redness, swelling and pain will set in. With time, dead tissues change to a black colour and they might become infected and fall off. Depending on the severity of the frostbite, your cat might require extensive treatment and even amputation of the affected area!

Cats with diseases like diabetes mellitus and heart disease, among other issues, will have reduced circulation and will be more at risk, so pay extra attention to the time they spend outside.

If you suspect your friendly feline might have frostbite, call your vet immediately but DO NOT rub or massage the affected area or try to warm it up with direct dry heat or hot water.

 
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Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Are you planning for a puppy under the Christmas tree?

If you have children, we are sure Santa’s letter has been written, posted and already at the North Pole ready for the elves to process, and many of those letters will have the wish for a puppy this Christmas.

You may also be planning to gift a puppy to a friend, as pet ownership is such an amazing and rewarding experience.

Despite your best intentions, getting a puppy for Christmas, or giving a puppy as a gift is a decision that can go wrong if the recipient is not ready to take on the responsibility.

We’ve written down some things for you to ponder before giving a puppy this Christmas.

 

#1: Does the gift receiver want a puppy?

Do you know for a fact that the person you’re planning to give a puppy to wants a puppy? Or is a puppy something you think that person might enjoy? Even if a person does share the wish to have a puppy, he or she might have no knowledge of what it takes to take care of one, so it might not be a good idea to give one as a Christmas gift.

 

#2: Commitment: time and money

Let’s take a moment to name just some basic puppy needs: space (including a sleeping area, feeding area, and puppy-proofing the house), toys and walking items (collar, harness, leash, poo bags), health care (including regular worming, flea and tick treatments, microchipping, vaccination, neutering and health insurance), nutrition and training.

Can the recipient provide for all these needs? Does he or she have the time to toilet train the puppy, walk it multiple times a day or afford veterinary care?

And if you’re getting a puppy for your child, keep in mind that children lose interest! When that happens, you’re going to be the one responsible for caring for that puppy. Also, even though children should be encouraged to participate in taking care of their puppy, there are particular needs that they will not be able to meet, such as training for example, as they are not mature enough to take on certain responsibilities.

 

#3: Puppies grow!

They may all start out as 100 g of adorableness but, depending on the breed, puppies can grow up to 70 kg adult dogs!

If you’re set on getting a puppy this Christmas, make sure you get a suit breed to the receiver’s lifestyle. Do not give a Bernese Mountain dog to your friend that lives in a one bedroom flat!

 

#4: Preparation comes first

Even though you may want to plan the puppy’s arrival for the morning of the 25th to make it a magical surprise at Christmas, please make sure you have prepared everything that the puppy might need in advance (its space, items, food, etc.).

It might be wiser to offer a hint instead, such as a food bowl, a dog toy or dog treats, and pick up the puppy later if he or she is willing (and able) to take the responsibility.

 

#5: Where are the puppies coming from?

You basically have two options: you either adopt/rehome a puppy or buy one from a breeder.

If you are considering buying a puppy, please do thorough research and only buy from responsible breeders as puppy smuggling and illegal puppy trade tend to increase during this time of the year.

 

#6: Alarming numbers

Keep in mind that a boom of unwanted animals being carted off to pounds and sanctuaries always happens shortly after the holiday season. More than 600 pets were abandoned around the festivities in 2015. In 2016, it was reported that the Dogs Trust saw a 54% increase in the number of dogs abandoned at their shelters around Christmas.

If you are considering offering a puppy this Christmas, make sure you won’t be contributing to the rise of these numbers.

 

#7: Timing

Are you expecting to have a lot of fuss this Christmas? With children running around in excitement, playing and singing, wishing for Santa to arrive?

If you are, this might not be the best time to introduce a puppy to his or her new home. Depending on previous socialisation experiences, he or she might not feel comfortable suddenly being around such festive chaos.

 

For puppies and for every other pet, please make sure they will be wanted, and they will have a home not only for Christmas but for the rest of their life.

The Pet Professionals team wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy new year!

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