Cats

Kidney Disease in Cats

Cats 24 - Kidney Disease in Cats
Just like us, cats have two kidneys and their main role is to filter the bloodstream and remove waste products produced by the body’s metabolism. These waste products are eliminated from the body in the urine. The kidneys also help to regulate the volume and composition of the blood.

Kidney disease is one of the most common problems in cats. This condition leads to the accumulation of toxic waste in the bloodstream, making the animal ill and perpetuating the kidney damage. Kidney disease can be acute or chronic. Acute kidney disease is a severe condition with a relatively sudden onset, most often days, in which the kidneys are suddenly unable to function properly, whereas chronic kidney disease is a disease that has been developing over the course of a longer period of time. The most common causes of acute kidney disease are the ingestion of toxic substances, like antifreeze, certain human medications and certain foods.

Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common conditions affecting older cats, from 7 years of age onwards. Two thirds or more of total kidney function must be lost before most cats show signs of disease. It is an ongoing, irreversible process that progresses over time.

Signs of chronic kidney disease include weight loss, poor appetite, lethargy, increased thirst and increased urination. As this disease advances, other signs may appear, such as sores in the mouth and bad breath produced by toxic levels of waste products, as well as vomiting and diarrhoea. If you notice these signs on your cat do not hesitate and take your pet to the vet!

Given prompt treatment acute kidney disease may be reversible. Unfortunately, chronic kidney disease cannot be reversed, but it can be managed, both increasing the quality of life of affected cats and potentially slowing down the progression of the disease.

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Horses

Allergic Skin Disease in Horses

Horse 37 - Allergic Skin Disease in horses
An allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction that occurs when an animal comes in contact with a particular allergen that exists in its environment. The reaction can happen through direct skin contact or breathing in of the allergen. Horses can suffer from different types of allergy and it can occur in any gender or breed.

Common signs of allergy in horses include mild to severe itchiness, reddened painful skin, urticarial, lumps, and a wide variety of skin damage (excoriations, crusts, scales, etc.).

Skin allergies can have many different causes but the most common cause is sweet itch (insect bite hypersensitivity). Sweet itch is usually caused by biting midges but other insects can also cause a reaction. Some types of flies may prefer to bite on the horse’s head, ventral abdomen, legs, chest, and back, but some insects will just bite anywhere on the body.

Atopy is a condition that also involves an inappropriate immune response to offending allergens that leads to dermatologic clinical signs. In many cases atopic horses show respiratory signs as well. Arabian and Thoroughbred horses appear to be predisposed to develop atopy which may suggest that this could be an inherited condition. It can be caused by more than one allergen and pollens, moulds, grasses, trees, fabrics, and dust have been associated with this condition. The clinical signs may be mild initially and progress over time.

Horses can also be affected by food allergies although these are less common. In food allergy the horse suffers an immune mediated adverse reaction to a specific type of food. The foods that are most often associated with these reaction include malt, barley, beet pulp, bran, clover, St. John’s wort, wheat, oats and chicory.

If a horse shows itchiness and skin disease contact your vet. It is very important to find the cause in order to proceed with the appropriate treatment and preventive measures. The treatment for these conditions usually involves managing the symptoms and removing the cause, if possible, or at least reducing allergen exposure.

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Cats

Environmental Enrichment for Indoor Cats

Cats-23---Environmental-Enrichment-for-Indoor-Cats
Cats that live indoors need properly enriched environments to live a happy life. The purpose of environmental enrichment is to offer options so that the cat can express his natural behaviour. If this isn’t provided your cat may feel stressed which can affect both his health and behaviour.

Indoor cats need unrestricted access to resting areas where stress factors, such as loud noises and other animals, can be minimized. In this place the cat should have access to a litter box, food, water, a scratching post, a perch and toys.

Litter boxes should be located in a safe, quieter area, away from food and water bowls. If you have more than one cat a box should be provided for each cat. The litter box should be scooped daily and washed weekly.

Small portions of food and treats should be given at random times throughout the day and in various places around the house. This seems to be fun for most cats, allowing them to display some hunting behaviour. You can also use food dispensing toys. Cat drinking fountains can also provide an interesting addition to the environment for some cats.

Cats also need perching options throughout the household, as they naturally climb for observation and safety, so provide places to climb and look out of windows.

Scratching is a natural behaviour for cats. Scratching posts should be placed in frequently visited areas of the home and in proximity to preferred resting places. Cats that scratch chair legs may prefer a vertical scratching post, while cats that scratch rugs and carpets may prefer a horizontal scratching post.

Play behaviours in cats are closely related to their natural hunting behaviour. Appropriate toys for cats include wand toys, self-propelling toys that mimic prey, balls inside a box, catnip filled toys and light beam pointer games. Toys should be rotated at least once a week to maintain novelty and interest.

Other enrichments that can be offered include music, catnip or grasses and playtime with other cats. Boxes are another way of keeping cats entertained and comfortable. They use them to keep warm, to escape threats and to scratch and perch on. Your time with your cat is also important, so make sure you have daily time to interact with your pet.

Cats kept solely indoors should be provided with ways to exhibit their natural behaviour to ensure their welfare!

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Cats, Dogs, Horses, The Pet Professionals

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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Insect bite hypersensitivity in horses or ´sweet itch`

Horse 36 - Insect bite hypersensitivity in horses or sweet itch
Spring is finally here and since the temperatures have started to rise we think it is a good idea to go over a few recommendations regarding ´sweet itch`. This disease is caused by an allergy to the bites of flies or midges, most likely by Culicoides species. Approximately 5% of equines in the UK suffer from sweet itch.

Insect bite hypersensitivity can affect any horse, of any age, gender or breed although some horses seem to be more susceptible than others. The condition is usually diagnosed in horses from 4 years onward and often becomes more severe as horses get older. Some horses seem to have a genetic predisposition for this condition.

Affected horses present persistent itching in the areas where they are bitten, usually around their face, ears, neck, belly, shoulders and around the base of the tail. They will rub excessively on objects around them, and kick and bite themselves in an attempt to scratch the affected areas. Over time this leads to hair loss, skin damage, and thickening of the skin which can become infected. These signs are caused by a localised hypersensitivity against the salivary antigens of biting midges (Culicoides) and become worse in hot humid weather. These animals are often restless, irritable and many even lose weight.

If you notice your horse or horses may be suffering with this condition contact your vet. Other allergies can present the same clinical signs and it is necessary to exclude other factors that may also be triggers for this reaction.

The best approach to prevent this disease is a combination of measures that combine reducing exposure to the insects through physical barriers, insect repellents, insecticides and housing horses away from midge habitats. Here are a few tips to prevent your horses from suffering with this condition:

  • Stabling during dawn and dusk since this is when midges are most active.
  • Using a ceiling fan in the stable can be helpful (midges have poor flying skills).
  • Cover windows and stable doors with ultra-fine netting to reduce the number of midges that are able to get in without reducing ventilation and light.
  • Using insect repellents and insecticides. These can be sprayed on the nets and on the environment regularly to reduce the number of insects.
  • Do your best to turn-out your horse away from wooded areas, static water or slow-moving streams where midges are more likely to breed.
  • Fly masks and fly sheets are also very useful to protect your horse against the biting insects.
  • Some products can help relieve itching such as topical oils or oatmeal shampoos applied weekly.

If you have any doubts or questions contact your vet.

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Dogs

Dog Shedding


Dogs-45---Dog-Shedding
The main functions of a dog’s hair coat are to protect the skin and to help regulate temperature. Canine hair grows from hair follicles in the skin and these cycle during the entire lifespan of a dog.

The hair cycle can be divided in three different phases: an active growth phase, termed anagen, in which the hair reaches its genetically determined length; a transitional phase, named catagen, when the hair growth stops and degenerative changes occur in the base of the follicle; and a resting phase, called telogen, when a new anagen hair starts growing and the telogen hair is shed. Hair replacement tends to be mosaic in pattern, which means that over the same area of skin there will be hair follicles at all three stages of the hair cycle at the same time. The duration of each of these phases can vary according to the photoperiod, temperature, stress as well as the dog’s breed and nutritional status.

The photoperiod (the number of light hours in the day, natural or artificial) has a big influence in the hair cycle. In general, dogs shed at a slow steady rate all year round, with periods of increased shedding in the spring and fall, which can last for about a month. However, if your dog is kept primarily indoors he or she may shed more than usual, due to exposure to artificial light.

This cycle also varies among breeds. Poodles and breeds with similar coat types have an anagen dominated cycle, which means hair follicles are in anagen for long periods of time. Plush coated breeds such as the Chow Chow, Malamute and Pomeranian have telogen dominated hair cycles, which means the hair follicle spends long periods of time in the telogen phase.

Regular brushing is the best thing you can do to keep your home free of hair. Brushing will make your pet’s coat softer and cleaner. An appropriate diet is also really important, since the quality of a dog’s coat often reflects the quality of his food.

There are many diseases that can affect the skin and hair coat of your dog, so if you notice abnormal amounts of shedding or if you see hairless spots on your dog’s body you should take him or her to the vet!

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Cats

Parasites in cats

Cats - Parasites in Cats
Parasites are organisms that feed on other animals (hosts). Besides causing health issues to their hosts some of them can also transmit diseases. It is important to control parasites in your cat not only for his health but also for yours, since many of them can also affect humans. Factors influencing the prevalence of the different parasites on your cat include your cat’s age, having outdoors access, living with other pets, time of the year and where you live. Owners should be aware that even indoor cats need parasite prevention.

External parasites are found in the hair and skin of cats. The most common ones include fleas, mites and ticks.

All cats are at risk of getting fleas. Fleas will not only cause skin irritation but may also transmit diseases. It is important to know that adult fleas live on the pet’s body but all the other life stages of the flea are spent in the environment. For this reason, if your cat is infested it is recommended to treat not only your cat but also to kill the fleas that may have started developing in your house. Despite thriving in warm temperatures and high humidity, these parasites are active all year. The comfort of our modern heating systems will also contribute to their development in our homes during colder months.

Mites cause irritation of the skin, resulting in itching, hair loss, and inflammation. Mites are common parasites of cats, especially ear mites. These parasites cause significant inflammation and pain and can lead to bacterial infections. If your cat is infested you may notice regular shaking of the head, constant itching of the ears and smelly and dirty ears.

Ticks vary in type and distribution depending on where you live. These parasites wait on tall grass for a host to pass nearby, since they can only crawl and cannot fly or jump. Ticks cause skin irritation and can transmit serious diseases, that threaten your cat’s health.

On the other hand, internal parasites live in your cat’s internal organs. There are two major types of internal parasites that can often affect cats: roundworms and tapeworms.

Cats can acquire roundworms via several routes so even indoor cats are at risk. A large number of roundworms infesting a growing kitten can affect the kitten’s growth, cause serious digestive upsets and be life threatening. Heavily infested kittens have a characteristic increased belly.

Several types of tapeworms may infect cats. These can be acquired through fleas or when cats hunt and eat prey. An infestation can cause vomiting or weight loss.

If your cat is infested with worms you may notice: diarrhoea, visible worms in stool, bloody stool, round appearance of the abdomen, weight loss, vomiting, constipation, itchy bottom or even trouble breathing.

Outdoor cats are particularly prone to get infected by parasites (external and internal) but indoor cats can also get them. Cats that do not receive regular preventive health care are most at risk for developing complications associated with parasites.

There are many different treatments that can protect your pet from internal and external parasites and your vet will be able to advise you on the best product for your pet’s specific case and also the treatment schedule that better suits him or her.

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Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

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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Dental disease in pets

Dogs 44 - Dental disease in pets

The importance of our pet’s dental health is often underestimated. Having poor dental health doesn’t affect just a pet’s breath. Pets with poor oral hygiene can suffer from painful oral infections, premature tooth loss and the problem is not restricted to their mouth. The bacteria causing infection in their mouths can also spread and affect other organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver.

Dental disease will develop if the plaque (a soft yellowish film that accumulates on the teeth surface after eating) becomes too thick. The bacterial population becomes more pathogenic causing inflammation of our pet’s gums (gingivitis).

If left untreated the problem will become more serious and our pets will develop periodontal disease, which means the inflammation involves not only the gums but also the tissues that surround and support the teeth (gums, ligaments and bone). The damage to our pet’s teeth is caused by the inflammatory mediators produced to fight the infection, by the bacteria themselves and by their metabolic products.

This condition is a very common problem and it is estimated that more than 80% of pets in the UK suffer from some form of periodontal disease. Although this disease can cause a lot of discomfort and even pain, many pets adapt, learn how to live with it and may show few signs of disease.

Common signs of periodontal disease in our pets include bad breath, appearance of a yellowish-brown crust near the gum line, red looking gums that may bleed easily, reluctance to eat, decreased appetite, difficulties eating, loose or missing teeth, depression and weight loss. Some pets can drop the food from their mouths when they try to eat and dribble.

The treatment for pets suffering from this condition is the removal of the bacterial plaque off the surface of their teeth through professional dental cleaning under general anaesthesia and can include teeth extraction if severely damaged teeth are found during the procedure.

It is really worth taking the time and the necessary measures to prevent this disease and the best way to do it is to regularly remove the plaque from our pet’s teeth. This can be achieved through daily brushing using an appropriate pet safe toothbrush and toothpaste. It is not recommended to use toothpaste designed for humans since pets can’t spit the paste out like we do. They will swallow the product and it can upset their stomach.

For pets that do not allow regular tooth brushing other options such as giving your pet chew toys or feeding them hard or course textured food can also help. Ideally pet owners should start brushing their pet’s teeth from a young age, so they can gradually get used to the procedure and feel comfortable with it.
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Cats

Cats: Indoors or Outdoors?

Cats 21 - Cats indoors or outdoors

Statistics show that indoor cats have longer, healthier lives than outdoor cats and in fact keeping your cat indoors may reduce some risks. However, these cats are also more likely to develop behavioural problems than those allowed outside if their environment isn’t properly enriched. The decision to keep your cat inside or allow him or her to go outside is a personal one and much will depend on your circumstances and on the personality of the individual cat.

Knowing the benefits and disadvantages of keeping your cat indoors or outdoors will help you decide what is best for your cat. Here are some factors you should keep in mind when making this important decision:

  • Accidents and injuries. Cats that live outdoors can be hit by vehicles, become injured from other cats, or attacked by dogs and other predators.
  • Infectious diseases and parasites. Cats with access to the exterior can contract infectious diseases from other cats and from the environment. They can also get more parasites, such as fleas, ticks and internal parasites.
  • Poisoning and getting lost. Cats that live outdoors are more likely to get poisoned and lost, since cats tend to wander. They can have access to different kinds of poisons such as slug pellets, anti-freeze and rodent control poisons, including eating poisoned prey.
  • Cats with outdoor access can exercise more. Not only because they have extra space, but also because they can hunt and climb trees among other activities. Indoor cats may not get the exercise they need, which can lead to a weight problem as well as stress. In order to help your indoor cat do more exercise you can enrich your household and provide him or her with places to climb such as cat towers and a supply of toys.
  • Scratching behaviour. Cats have a natural instinct to keep their claws sharp, and they do this by scratching. If cats are not allowed outside they are more likely to scratch your furniture. If you have an indoor cat, you can get a scratching post that will allow your cat to display this normal behaviour.
  • The outdoor environment is particularly stimulating and interesting for cats. If you have an indoor cat, there are ways to give him or her outdoors time while minimizing the associated risks. You can use a screened in porch or an outdoor cat enclosure to allow your cat to feel like he or she is outside, without exposing him or her to the outdoors dangers. You can also train your cat to walk with a harness. Either way it is recommended to provide adequate environmental enrichment if you want to keep your cat indoors. Keep in mind some timid and older cats may also prefer to stay indoors, where they are warm and protected.

Cats kept solely indoors should be provided with ways to exhibit their natural behaviour to ensure their welfare and avoid undesirable behavioural issues. Your cat needs to have enough space to exercise, climb and play indoors. He or she should also have a variety of resting places.

Some cats love going outside and others don’t want to go out at all, so wherever your cats spend their time, make sure they’re safe and happy!

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