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!

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Uncategorized

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!

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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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Uncategorized

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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Dogs

Keep your dog’s flea and tick treatment up to date!

We know it’s still quite chilly out there at the moment, but that unfortunately does not stop all manner of bugs from gleefully jumping onto your dog!

It’s tempting to pay less attention to your pet’s external parasite treatment during the Winter months but they are still there, just waiting for a tasty host (and your pet or you might be on the list!)

Fleas and ticks are not only bothersome for dogs, causing itching and skin problems, but they also carry all manner of diseases that can sometimes pass onto other members of the household.

Fleas can be a big issue in sensitive dogs but they also carry a tapeworm called Dipylidium caninum which might even cause anaemia due to blood loss in large enough infestations, especially in young animals. This tapeworm causes anal discomfort and it can be infectious to children.

Ticks also carry the risk of causing anaemia if in large enough numbers but are host to bloodborne pathogens and cause Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis among others. While very different diseases, they mostly cause recurrent fever, weight loss, weakness, rashes and might even keep on causing problemns even after successful treatment. Take it from us, all of the above diseases are not something you or your dog want to contend with!

Fortunately, there are many easy ways to control external parasites in your dog and in your house. You can collect very effective treatments from your veterinary surgeon and if you have any questions or a particularly complicated case give your veterinarian a call or schedule an appointment.

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

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Cats

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is one of the most frequent hormonal disorders in cats, especially of older cats. The thyroid is a gland that sits in front of the throat and controls an immense number of metabolic processes.

Cats, much more so than dogs, can have nodules in the thyroid that produce an excess of thyroid hormones, but these nodules are usually not malignant. The mechanism behind the enlargement of these structures is largely unknown, but since the large majority of these nodules are not cancerous, it’s much easier to manage! In fact, only about 2% of all hyperthyroidism cases in cats are due to a thyroid carcinoma.

It’s no surprise then that the signs of hyperthyroidism are multisystemic. This disease can cause:

  • Vomiting;
  • A big appetite but not weight gain;
  • Weight loss;
  • High heart and breathing rates;
  • Aggression and/or hyperactivity;

Pay close attention to these changes in older cats! The average age of hyperthyroidism is around 13 years and is uncommon in cats younger than 6 years old.

If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can cause severe heart and kidney damage and even death so if you think your cat might be suffering from this condition, contact your vet!

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

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Horses

Larval Cyathostominosis

Late Winter and Spring are seasons when this parasitic disease does the most damage. While not very common, ponies and horses that are under 5 years old can suffer from these insidious worms.

So, why are these parasites an issue? Adult cyathostomins are easily removed with many deworming compounds but larvae are the bigger issue. They are quite resistant to dewormers and they burrow into the intestinal wall, staying dormant for long periods of time until they emerge.

The sudden emergence of a large number of larvae at the same time causes massive damage to the intestinal wall which leads to severe, acute weight loss and diarrhoea, often accompanied by recurrent colic and fever. This is compounded by a guarded prognosis as only about 40% of horses suffering from acute diarrhoea will survive, even with proper treatment.

What can you do? Prevention is the best course of action. Speak with your vet and they can identify potential issues with husbandry and/or with pasture management that might be causing high numbers of parasites.

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

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