Horses

Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)

Horse 30 - Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)
Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is a contagious disease that affects horses, ponies and donkeys. The clinical signs usually show up 3 to 14 days after the animal is infected and they can be more or less severe. In some cases, clinical signs are so mild that they will not be detected and some animals may not show any signs at all (carriers).

This condition can cause fever, depression, lethargy, nasal discharge, inflammation around the eyes (conjunctivitis), oedema (swelling) of the testicles or udder and around the limbs, which leads to a stiff movement. The virus involved may also cause abortion in pregnant mares and if infected, young foals can suffer from severe respiratory disease.

EVA is transmitted through mating or through artificial insemination, through contact with aborted foetuses or by inhalation of infected respiratory secretions of infected animals.  In many carrier stallions the disease is only detected when mares start showing signs of infection.

Once affected horses recover from this condition, they are immune to the disease for the rest of their life. It is estimated that about a third of infected stallions are likely to become permanent carriers.On the other hand, it has not been confirmed that fully recovered mares, geldings and immature colts are able to transmit the disease.

EVA is not very common in the UK and most outbreaks involved imported horses. However, it is a notifiable disease if you notice the previously mentioned signs in stallions and in maresthat have mated or have been inseminated in the past 14 days. If you suspect EVA is a possible cause you are required by law to report your suspicions to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Make sure you keep the horse isolated from other horses until a vet confirms or dismisses these suspicions.

The best way to avoid disease outbreaks is through prevention. Make sure all new horses remain isolated for 2 or 3 weeks before allowing them to be in contact with the rest of your horses.

Stallions and teasers should be tested for Eva. This is done through a blood test and animals will have a positive test result if they are infected. However, the test will also be positive if the stallion has been vaccinated against the disease or if it had the disease in the past and therefore can still transmit the virus.

In order to clarify if a horse is positive because the virus is active or if it is positive because it was previously vaccinated, a second test taken 10 to 14 days later will detect if the infection is active. If the blood test is positive and there is no proof that the positive result is due to vaccination, then the semen of the stallion in question must be tested to prove that it is not infected with the virus. It is also recommended not to use fresh, chilled or frozen semen for insemination that has not been tested for EVA.

Mares should take the test after January 1st and take it again within 28 days of them entering a stud/AI Centre to prove that they are not currently infected with the disease.

Please remember that infected horses should remain separated from other horses for at least three weeks after recovering from this disease.

All interested horse owners can find more information and recommendations in the Codes of Practice, published by the Horseracing Betting Levy Board each year. To have access to these codes please click on the link below:

http://codes.hblb.org.uk/downloads/eva_2015.pdf

It is very important to raise awareness about this disease since it has an incredibly high potential to be transmitted between horses.

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Dogs

Keep your pets safe from rat poison!

Dogs 35 - Keep your pets safe from rat poison!

Nowadays there are several types of rodenticides available for sale and sadly, our pets are often poisoned by these chemicals. These pellets often have strong blue or green colours. Many rodenticides are made with anticoagulant substances which will affect an animal’s ability to clot its own blood. As a result, poisoned rats die due to internal bleeding.

Although these substances are not meant for our pets, they often end up consuming the poisoned pellets by mistake or when they hunt and consume rats that have already been poisoned.

Affected pets will show many different clinical signs such as weakness, lethargy, blood in their urine, vomit or stool, pale gums, excessive bruising, bleeding from any minor wounds or abrasions, nosebleeds, severe external bleeding and internal bleeding (often not visible to the owner). Clinical signs of this type of poisoning often appear days after the chemicals are ingested.

A cat that may have eaten one poisoned mouse may not show any clinical signs since these circumstances involve a very small amount of poison but the risk of toxicity increases if they eat the poisonous substance more than once.

If you suspect your pet may have ingested rat poison it is very important toseek veterinary assistance as soon as possible! There is an antidote for this type of poisoning but starting your pet’s treatment early is essential for a good outcome.

The prognosis always depends on how severe is the animal’s coagulopathy. It might also be a good idea to bring the package of the chemical involved (if possible) to determine what type of rodenticide was ingested, since not all rodenticides contain anticoagulants.

Keep your pets safe!

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Cats

Vaccination – A simple way to protect your feline companion

Cats 11 - Vaccination - A simple way to protect your feline companion

Unfortunately there are several life-threatening infectious diseases that can affect our pets and this is also true for cats. Vaccination has been the best protection for our feline companions from preventable death and it is still the simplest and most effective way of protecting them against these diseases.

Vaccinations work by stimulating a pet’s immune system to produce antibodies against specific diseases without causing them to get sick. When our pets are vaccinated, they are injected with an attenuated form of those diseases which is unable to cause the disease but will trigger our pet’s immune system to start producing antibodies against it. If the vaccinated pet ever comes across that disease again, its body will recognise it and immediately start producing the antibodies they need to fight it!

Kittens usually start their vaccination protocols when they are 9 weeks old and are routinely vaccinated against “cat flu”, enteritis and feline leukemia. In general, these are given in two vaccines administered two weeks apart, followed by annual boosters.

Cat Flu is very similar to a human cold causing respiratory disease. Affected cats will have a discharge from their nose and eyes, an elevated temperature, depression, cough and sneezes. It is not usually serious in adult cats but it can be dangerous for kittens or for older cats. The main causes for Cat Flu are viruses (the Feline Herpes Virus or the Feline Calicivirus) but other agents (such as the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica) can also contribute this disease. The condition is spread from cat to cat through direct contact, through sneezing, or shared food bowls.

Feline Infectious enteritis (panleucopenia) causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea and it is often fatal for kittens. It is caused by a virus very similar to the one that causes ‘parvo’ infections in dogs and affected cats will pass the virus in their faeces. This virus can survive for a long time in the environment and common disinfectants are not very effective against it.

Feline leukemiais caused by a virus that attacks the immune system and leaves the cat more susceptible to other infections, anaemia and even tumours. This virus is often compared with the human HIV virus, as it affects cats in a similar way. Feline leukemia is transmitted through direct contact, often through mutual grooming, fighting or mating. Kittens can also get it through their mother while they are still in their womb or through their milk. None of these conditions are transmissible to humans.

A pet’s vaccination schedule should be defined according to its particular needs and lifestyle, which means your vet may suggest a different vaccination plan depending on your cats’ individual situation: an indoor cat may have a different vaccination schedule than an outdoor cat for example. It will also vary with the manufacturers’ specifications for the vaccines involved.

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Horses

Nosebleeds in horses

Horse 29 - Nosebleeds in horses

It’s important for horse owners to know more on what could be causing a nosebleed on a horse so they feel more confident to handle this situation, if they ever have to deal with it.

Nosebleeds or epistaxis are relatively common in horses and depending on what is causing them, they will often stop on their own. A horse’s nasal passages have an incredible amount of blood vessels. This means that a simple knock on the head can lead to a nosebleed with a considerable amount of blood, which can scare horse owners. This type of nosebleed is usually not serious and will stop in about 15 minutes.

More serious nosebleeds however will present a larger bloody discharge coming from one or both of the horse’s nostrils. Although trauma is the most common cause of nosebleeds in horses, epistaxis can occur for other reasons:

  • Viral and bacterial infections in a horse’s nasal passages
  • Teeth infections
  • Sinus inflammation and infections
  • Foreign bodies (a twig for example) lodged in the nose or throat
  • Ethmoidal haematomas, masses of blood growing in the nasal passages
  • Masses such as tumours or cysts caused by bacterial or viral infection
  • Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH), when blood comes from the nostrils of a racehorse after a hard race

Gutteral pouch mycosis, which is caused by a fungus growing in the horse’s gutteral pouches.
The guttural pouches are lined with important vessels and the internal carotid artery is one of them. If the fungus grows enough it can damage these vessels and lead to a life-threatening nose bleed.

The guttural pouch mycosis is a rare condition but it is also one of the most serious causes of nosebleeds in horses.

If your horse’s nosebleed involves large amounts of blood, lasts more than 15 minutes, seems to be persistent, or if you are concerned about your horse’s welfare, seek veterinary assistance.

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Cats

Catnip and cats

Cats 10 - Catnip and cats width=If you are a cat owner or a cat lover you have probably heard of catnip, an herb that causes behaviour changes in cats. Have you ever tried offering a catnip toy to your cat? How did he or she reacted? We would love to know!

Most cats will show some reaction to catnip. Cats can become very relaxed, roll and rub their face in the catnip toy, or simply stare into something we don’t really know what it is. They can also become extremely friendly, vocalise more, start purring or start running around the house, sometimes appearing to pursue an invisible prey. Some cats can also become aggressive. Each cat will react in its own way, but it is generally thought that male cats will get more excited than females.

Catnip is an herb called nepeta cataria that belongs to the peppermint family and although scientists and researchers know that the active substance in it is nepetalactone, they don’t really know what is it about nepetalactone that causes cats to react differently. The general theory is that nepetalactone mimics the effects of a cat pheromone, most likely associated with mating. When cats smell it, it triggers a neurological response, similar to how cats react to sexual pheromones.

Not all cats show reactions to catnip. Being sensible to the effects of catnip appears to be an inherited trait and about 70% of felines will display some sort of odd behaviour when they smell catnip. Similar responses have been observed in lions, tigers, pumas and leopards.

The behaviour changes caused by catnip can last between five minutes to an hour and once a cat has smelled catnip it will take a few hours until the cat is susceptible to the effects of catnip again. It has been found that kittens usually do not respond to this herb until they are about six months old. It has also been observed that cats will stop showing reactions to it as they get older.

Most cats love catnip and this herb can be very helpful! It can help anxious cats feel more relaxed and it can also be used as a way to encourage your cat to use a scratching post for example. Nowadays, catnip can be found in toys, in oil spray and you can even buy powdered catnip.

Owners can rest assured that the herb is safe for cats as its effects are short-lived and non-addictive.

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Cats

Cats and boxes

Cats 9 - Cats and boxes

Anyone that may have spent some time around cats or enough time on the Internet is probably aware that cats love boxes. Cats love all boxes in general, but they really enjoy cardboard boxes. Our feline companions are known for often showing far more enthusiasm for the box in which the brand new cat bed came in then for the cat bed itself!

This topic has even been researched by science! A recent study investigated if providing hiding boxes for cats arriving at a shelter would contribute to reduce their levels of stress. Scientists concluded that yes, it does! Cats who had recently arrived at the shelter and were provided with hiding boxes not only showed less signs of stress than the cats who did not have a box, but they also took less time to adjust to their new surroundings and new fellow cats. This is very important for cats in shelters because stress will not only affect how they feel but will also have a great impact on their health. Stress can affect their immune system and make them more susceptible to outbreaks of infectious diseases.

There are many reasons why cats love boxes, particularly cardboard boxes. A box provides cats with a warm, comfortable enclosed space, which makes them feel safe. Cats are predators and boxes are also perfect to observe from afar and ambush their prey.
Cats tend to avoid confrontation by nature and their usual strategy is to retreat to a safe area whenever they have to deal with a stressful situation. Boxes are great hiding spots for a cat to take refuge if there is any source of stress, anxiety, hostility or even unwanted attention in its surrounding environment.

This information can be very useful for cat owners! Cardboard boxes are a great tool to welcome a new cat into your home as it will provide him or her with a safe space to retreat if he or she ever feels overwhelmed. It is also a great way to enrich your cat’s environment, especially if you have more than one cat.

You can try spreading a few cardboard boxes around your home, placing them in different locations and at different heights, and see which ones your cat prefers!

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Dogs

Lungworm in dogs – How much do you know about it?

Dogs 34 - Lungworm disease in dogs

The number of reported cases of lungworm disease are rising in the UK and it is very important for owners to know more about the illness, in order to protect their dog from it.

Lungworm disease is caused by small roundworms, parasites called Angiostrongylus Vasorum and young dogs are more commonly affected. The adult parasites can measure up to 2.5 cm (1 inch) and they live in the dog’s pulmonary blood vessels and sometimes in its heart.

These parasites have a complex life cycle. The adults will lay eggs and larvae will hatch from them. These immature worms will then enter the dog’s lungs eventually being coughed up and swallowed. They will follow the dog’s digestive tract and be passed out in their faeces. Once outside the dog’s body they will enter a suitable slug or snail and will only develop into adult worms if the slug or snail is ingested by a dog.

Dogs that become infected with lungworm spread the parasite into the environment through their faeces, which increases the chances of other dogs becoming infected.

Although curious dogs might eat slugs and snails on purpose, dogs usually swallow them by accident when they play with toys that have been left outside, when they drink from puddles or outdoor water bowls or even when they eat grass. If your dog eats these molluscs then your pet is at a higher risk of suffering from this disease.

You can reduce the risk of your pet getting infected by being extra careful and regularly cleaning its water bowls, keeping your garden free of dog poo and by making sure your pet’s toys are not left around in the garden overnight.

Lungworm infections can result in several nonspecific and sometimes intermittent clinical signs, which can be easily confused with other illnesses. Affected dogs may present signs such as reduced tolerance to exercise, depression, coughing, weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, bleeding excessively from minor wounds, present breathing difficulties and fits. If left untreated it can be fatal.

Once diagnosed and treated, dogs will usually make a full recovery but it is very important to start treatment early.
If you dog is showing any of the previously mentioned signs or if he or she is at a higher risks of becoming infected, talk to your vet!

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Cats

Introducing your new cat to your resident cat or cats

Cats 8 - Introducing your new cat to your resident cat or cats width=

If you have a cat and if you are considering getting a new cat, it is very important to plan things ahead and to take some time to make all the necessary introductions. This approach will greatly contribute to reduce any tension that may arise between the two cats, avoid possible conflicts and to turn the process into a smooth and pleasant experience for both of them.

Initially the new cat should be confined to an area or a room with everything he or she needs: food, water, a litter box and a few spots where the cat can rest and hide. During this time it is important for the new cat to spend time with all the family members. This will help the cat to gradually adapt to its new home and become comfortable with its new family.

Once your new cat has adjusted and feels confident in its new environment you can start with scent introduction. Use a cloth (or several cloths) to collect the scent of your resident cat by gently rubbing it on its face and body. Then present it to your new cat, allowing him or her to smell it. The same should be done for all resident cats and the scent of the new cat should also be collected and presented to your resident cats. You can also rub these cloths on objects that your cats usually rubs against and switch their bedding to keep this process going.

When they are first presented with the other cat’s scent, your cat may freeze, back away from the cloth or even hiss. It is important to give your cat time to get used to the new smells and when your cats display positive reactions to each other’s scent you move to the next stage.

Allow your new cat to explore the rest of house without the others cats being present. Your new cat will then be able to get to know where to go if he or she feels insecure and needs to get away or hide. Once your new cat feels confident in that new space as well, you can introduce your cats.

At first, allow them to interact in a controlled environment where they can only see and smell each other (without any direct contact). A good idea is to use a mesh panel or to jam a door leaving it just slightly open so they can get to know each other, one on each side of the door. If there are any signs of aggression none of the cats will be able to harm the other. You can also offer both cats some food at this time so they associate this meeting to a positive experience.

When both cats are not showing any fearful or aggressive behaviour they can then be allowed to meet and get to know each other without any barriers between them. Always make sure you have enough important resources available for each individual cat such as litter boxes, feeding and drinking areas, resting and hiding spots.

This can take from just a couple of weeks to a couple of months as some cats will move through this process quicker than others. It is very important not to rush these introductions and you can also use commercially available pheromone diffusers for cats to help them feel more relaxed! Lack of social harmony among cats can lead to chronic stress, unwanted behaviours and health problems.

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Horses

Why do horses bolt?

Horse 28 - Why do horses bolt

Bolting is the word used to define a fear-based reaction of horses, where they run off, out of control, and their rider is unable to stop it.

The root of this behaviour is in the fact that horses are prey animals. In general, animals can be categorised as fight or flight animals, depending on how they respond to a threatening situation, such as dealing with predators for example. While some animals resort to fighting by biting, kicking or attacking using their natural weapons such as horns or antlers, others will flight and run from the situation.

Horses are flight animals and when they feel scared their natural response is to flee from the perceived threat. Domestic horses are usually trained to handle and to cope with less comfortable situations without resorting to this behaviour. However, sometimes their natural instincts will take over.

Some horses are more likely to bolt than others, as this also depends on their personality. Horses can be in such a state of panic that they will bolt and completely disregard the rider and all attempts to stop. Others might just take off and eventually the rider is able to calm them down.
In some cases, horses can take off not so much out of fear but due to lack of schooling, because their rider allows them to race with other horses, because they are not doing enough exercise and sometimes because they are high spirited and energetic. This tends to happen more often in open spaces where the horse can canter or gallop.

Bolting is a very dangerous behaviour as it can be extremely unpredictable. Horses have been known to run onto roads, straight into vehicles and fences, putting not only themselves but also the rider and everyone around them in danger. This can be very scary and have a huge impact on the riders’ confidence as their safety is compromised and they experience a frightening lack of control over the situation.

If your horse is showing this behaviour and if you are struggling to handle with it please take the time to approach all possible causes. Search for veterinary assistance and make sure your horse is physically well, as pain is often a strong motive for sudden changes in character.

Ensure the bit has the right size and that the tack fits. Please take the time to work on building your horse’s trust and to really get to know him or her. Some horses may need to be carefully schooled in order to better understand the rider’s commands, others may need to get rid of their excess energy before being ridden and many give off signs that they are feeling insecure and becoming stressed, which allows the rider to manage the situation before it turns into something more serious. It is very important for your horse to feel relaxed, secure and it is also very important for your horse to trust you.

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Cats

Tips for owners that have more than one cat

Cats 7 - Tips for owners that have more than one catCats are extremely popular pets and many owners will often have more than one feline companion in their household. However, not all cat owners are aware that their cats’ social behaviour is very different from a dog’s social behaviour and the impact these differences can have in their health and well-being.

Cat societies, weather we are talking about two cats or ten of them, are mainly composed of social groups. In the wild these groups are usually formed by females who are related to one another and that live together cooperating in protecting, feeding and caring for their kittens. Males will often be on the periphery of the group, breeding most of the females in their territory and rejecting other males in general. They keep their distance from other social groups and they do their best to avoid direct physical aggression.

This means that they don’t have a hierarchical structure since they don’t necessarily need to cooperate in order to survive. As a result, when owners try to keep more than one cat in the same home, social compatibility becomes an important issue.

Cats that belong to the same social group will gladly spend time together, sharing the same rooms, enjoying the same resting spots, and grooming each other. Cats that do not get along will do their best do avoid each other. An owner with two cats can have two separate social groups in its home.

While this avoidance behaviour often prevents more serious conflict it will lead to chronic stress and it can condition a cat’s access to important household resources such as food, water or the litter box. A cat will actually drink less water if going to the water bowl means having to deal with a cat he or she would much rather avoid. Many house soiling issues can also be due to the lack of social compatibility among the cats in that area.

A common misconception among cat owners is that their cats get along because they will get together when you are feeding them. However, many cats simply tolerate other cats during that time because food is too important to dismiss.

Keeping all of this in mind, here are a few tips for homes with more than one cat:

  • Provide your cats with multiple resources in different locations – provide different areas where your cats can eat, drink, rest and hide so that all cats are able to have individual access to these resources while trying to avoid another cat.
  • Keep several litter boxes available, ideally one for each cat and one more on top of the total number of cats. Cats that belong to the same social group will often share litter boxes, which means that in some cases, less litter boxes will be needed.
  • Please consider social compatibility when adopting more than one cat or bringing a new cat home. In general, young kittens, an adult cat and a kitten or two adult cats of opposite sexes are more likely to get along. Don’t rush introducing your new cat to the one/s you already have and if you need advice talk to your veterinary surgeon or to a qualified cat behaviourist.

Social harmony among all the cats in a household is key to prevent unwanted behaviours, chronic stress and future health problems.

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