Dogs, Horses

The Pet Professionals Online Community

dog and horse

Loving pet owners always want the best for their companions and often search online for tips and advice regarding their animal’s health and wellbeing. It can however be difficult to find accurate, independent and reliable information.

This new and exciting online community is dedicated to providing owners with the latest information on how to care for their animal including access to high quality training courses written and presented by independent subject-matter experts covering topics such as:

  • First aid
  • Behaviour
  • Preventative health-care
  • Senior pet-care

So why join The Pet Professionals?

  • ✓ You will learn lots more about pet first aid, behaviour, preventative health and senior pet care which will help you keep your pet happy and healthy
  • ✓ Social networking with like-minded owners using our exclusive social networking app, MyCompanion
  • ✓ You will have access to a library of “How To” videos, seasonal hints and tips  and fact sheets to help keep your pet in tip top condition
  • ✓ Access to a Blog and newsletters for interesting articles on pet care
  • ✓ You can find a local vet in our Vet Practice Directory
  • ✓ We also donate 10% of all membership fees to the Blue Cross animal charity so you know that you will be helping to support a great cause

And more…

Click here to find out more

For our Gold members we will also send a valuable Welcome Pack as well as saving our members money every month on pet related products and services with discounts and special offers on pet-related products and services from high quality and reputable partners.  These discounts are worth over £150 per year to the average owner.

  • Muddy Paws – an online dog products shop specialising in high quality brands
  • Your Dog – Britain’s best-selling monthly dog magazine
  • Agria Pet Insurance – innovative policies to meet owner expectations
  • KBIS British Equestrian Insurance – UK’s leading independent horse insurance specialists
  • Equine Superstore – a premier mail order equestrian retailer
  • Your Horse magazine – celebrating everything about riding and keeping horses
  • EqWest – a specialist Equine Clinic in the South West

The aim of the Pet Professional is simple; it is to keep pets happy and healthy through informed education of responsible owners. So join a community of like-minded pet owners and professionals who want the best for their companions.

Join TODAY for free or as a Gold Member

Click here to join

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

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Dogs

Summer safety tips for your dog

The Pet Professionals - Summer safety tips for your dog

Summer is finally here and everybody is eager to make the most out of the long, sunny days with fun outdoor activities. To avoid unnecessary accidents, it’s always a good idea to remind dog owners that it’s important to protect their canine companions from the hot weather.

Humans are quite efficient at cooling their bodies because they are capable of sweating. Dogs lose body heat mainly through panting and they only have sweat glands in their foot pads and nose. Unfortunately dogs are less efficient at cooling themselves down and therefore a lot more susceptible to heat stroke.

Please make sure your dog has access to a cool shaded place that allows him or her to get away from the sun and plenty of fresh, clean water to drink at all times. Avoid walking your dog at the hottest time of the day. Not only this will prevent our canine friends from over-heating but it will also protect their paws from burning on hot road surfaces, pavements and sand.

Never leave your pet locked in the car!  A lot of people do not realise that even when it isn’t that hot outside, the temperature inside a car can soar dangerously high in a very short amount of time. A dog can die of heat stroke in just 15 to 20 minutes! Dog owners should never leave their dog alone in the car, even if the windows were left open, even if the vehicle was parked in the shade and even if it’s just for a few minutes. You may be unexpectedly delayed and those preventive measures are just not enough!

It is also important for dog owners to know the signs of heatstroke so they can act quickly: excessive panting or difficulty breathing, drooling, dark red gums, weakness, elevated body temperature, distress and collapse.

If you ever find a dog suffering from heat stroke remove the animal from the sun and try to cool it down. Use cool (but not cold or icy water) or wet cloths, offer small amounts of water at a time and as soon as possible take it to the vet.

Enjoy a wonderful summer with your family, friends and don’t forget your pets!

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

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Horses

Strangles

Strangles
Strangles is a respiratory infection that can affect horses, ponies and donkeys of all ages. This infectious disease is caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus equi and it’s highly contagious. It spreads between horses by direct contact, contaminated humans, food, water, tack and other items normally present in a horse’s environment.

Clinical signs of this disease vary greatly. Some horses are just symptomless carriers, some may only show a few minor signs and others may become very ill. Affected horses will typically present sudden onset of fever (up to 41°C), depression, lack of appetite, difficulties swallowing due to enlarged lymph nodes, cough and there is usually a thin watery nasal discharge, which soon becomes thick and yellow.

The bacteria involved in this condition affects the lymph nodes causing the formation of abscesses. These tend to rupture either to the outside or into the back of the horse’s throat, discharging thick yellow pus. Occasionally the bacteria will spread systemically throughout the horse’ s body and abscesses form in the lymph nodes of the lungs, intestines and even in the brain. The rupture of these abscesses can be fatal.

Some horses are more susceptible to this disease than others. Younger horses (1-5 years old), older or debilitated horses due to poor condition, parasitic infestation or stress are more at risk. If they frequently come in contact with horses from other groups, they are also more likely to contract strangles.

The key to prevent this disease is good management! New horses should be quarantined and monitored for 2 to 3 weeks. Please remember that isolated horses must have their own grooming kit, tack and no equipment used for the affected horse should be allowed near other horses.

If you think your horse has strangles, it should be immediately isolated and you should call your vet. If the disease is detected and treated at an early stage the recovery rate is usually quite good.

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

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Dogs

The changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act affects all owners!

The Pet Professionals - The changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act affects all owners!

Recent amendments to the Dangerous Dogs Act meant to tackle irresponsible dog ownership, came into effect on 13 May 2014. All dog owners in England and Wales need to be fully aware that there were many significant changes in the law that concern them, regardless of their dog’s size, breed or temperament.

The provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act have been extended to apply to private property. This means that dog owners can be prosecuted if their dog attacks a person in their home (which includes your house and both front and back gardens). The purpose of this law is to provide protection to the healthcare, postal and utility professionals who regularly have to visit people’s homes for work.

A question that many dog owners will often ask is: what if my dog attacks someone who breaks into my home? According to the law, your dog attacking a trespasser is an exception. However, this is true only if the attack happens in your house, not covering incidents in your back or front garden. The idea is to try to differentiate between innocently intentioned trespassers, such as a child entering a garden to retrieve a lost ball or a neighbour leaving a parcel for safe keeping, from those with less noble intentions. While the law is yet to be tested, it’s important for dog owners to ensure that unexpected visitors can safely access your front door without encountering your dog.

The maximum sentences for allowing a dog to attack someone have been substantially increased:

  • From two years and up to 14 years, for a fatal dog attack.
  • From two years and up to five years, for injury.
  • Up to three years if an assistance dog is attacked.

The last item is also a new addition. The Dangerous Dogs Act now includes a specific offence to protect assistance dogs (such as guide dogs) from attacks.

Another key aspect of these new amendments is that, from now on, it’s a criminal offence for the person in charge of the dog to allow it to be ‘dangerously out of control’ in a public place. It’s extremely important for dog owners to be aware that they can be prosecuted if their friendly, but overexcited and overenthusiastic dog, knocks someone over and injures that person by accident.

This new legislation also brings new preventative powers for the police and local authorities, including sending owners to dog training classes, repairing fencing to prevent dogs from escaping and requiring dogs to be muzzled in public.

Dog attacks often have devastating consequences for victims and their families. An attack on a guide dog can literally rob someone of their independence and freedom! If you are concerned about your dog’s behaviour, seek advice from an experienced or qualified dog trainer or behaviourist.


https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dangerous-dogs-owners-face-tougher-sentences-for-attacks

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Horses

Sarcoids: the most common equine skin tumour

The Pet Professionals - Sarcoids - the most common equine skin tumour

Sarcoids are the most common skin tumours seen in equid species (horses, ponies, donkeys and zebras). Some breeds seem to be more susceptible to this disease than others.

The term sarcoid is used to describe its ‘tumourous’ (sarcomatous) appearance. Although they’re a type of cancer, sarcoids are non-malignant, which means they do not spread to internal organs. They will however, grow larger and it is quite common for them to spread and multiply locally.

These tumours can cause irritation, interfere with tack and they can often ulcerate and bleed. Sarcoids can be extremely unpredictable in all aspects of their development, varying greatly in nature, size, appearance, way of spreading and response to treatment. They are also very likely to recur. For all these reasons, this skin tumour is a challenge for both owners and veterinarians.

Sarcoids can occur just about anywhere on the body but they are most commonly found on the skin of the head (especially around the eyes and mouth), neck, chest, between the front legs (in the axilla) and in the groin area. These areas are often pre-disposed to trauma, which is likely to aggravate the problem. If the sarcoids are knocked or rubbed, their surface will bleed and there is a higher risk for a secondary infection.

There are several different types of sarcoid which vary in appearance and growth patterns: they may look like irregular patches of slightly raised, crusty skin, they can be found individually or in groups, they can look like firm, round nodules covered by a layer of normal skin or they can even appear as fleshy masses that grow quickly and bleed easily.

Although there is controversy over the cause of these tumours it’s generally accepted that a cattle wart virus has some part in the development of this condition. The distribution of sarcoid tumours on the horse also suggests that flies are in some way involved in the transmission of this disease.

There are several treatment options available, but unfortunately there isn’t one single method that will be effective in each and every case! Each sarcoid is different and quite unpredictable. If you think your horse may have one or more of these tumours, ask your veterinary surgeon for advice. An early diagnosis and adequate treatment will increase the chances of achieving better results.

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

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Dogs

Pets and obesity

petasandobesity

Recent studies conducted in the UK have found that approximately 40% of our pets are overweight. Although dogs seem to be more affected, cats are right behind them statistically speaking and even small animals such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs are starting to suffer from this condition as well. Obesity has become the most common medical disorder of companion animals and as the number of new cases rises, it’s quickly becoming a major welfare concern.

Obesity is currently considered a chronic disease and for many different reasons, it has a huge impact in a pet’s quality of life!

Overweight pets have decreased stamina due to the strain of carrying around all that extra weight and feel tired very quickly. As a result they will be less active, less playful and quite often less comfortable. They have a higher risk of many other diseases: endocrine and metabolic diseases, diabetes, digestive tract and reproductive disorders, respiratory and heart diseases, joint problems and even cancer. These animals are also more prone to heatstroke and it has been scientifically proven that obesity decreases their lifespan by nearly two years!

The good news is that this is an entirely preventable condition! To keep their pets fit and healthy, owners should feed them a balanced diet, increase their physical activity (walks, runs and play sessions), avoid overfeeding, feed them treats sensibly and avoid the unhealthy ones.

If your furry friend is already looking a little extra chubby, seek veterinary assistance. Your vet will create a healthy weight loss program that is tailored for your pet’s particular case! If your pet is healthier he will be for sure, happier!

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

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Horses

Ringworm in horses

canstockphoto15830494

Ringworm is a highly contagious skin infection that can affect an entire group of horses in case of an outbreak. This condition is caused by fungi of the genus Microsporum and Trichophyton (dermatophytes) that can remain on the horse’s skin for up to three weeks, before any signs of infection become visible. Unfortunately, this means that by the time the infection is detected in one horse, others may already be infected too!

Clinical signs of ringworm are skin lesions commonly seen on the tack areas: small, hairless, raised spots that develop into thick, dry, typical ring-shaped lesions. Grooming can help spread the fungus and there is always the risk of secondary bacterial infections settling in.

These dermatophytes are quite resistant and can remain on objects and structures of the surrounding environment for years. Ringworm can be transmitted by direct contact between horses and indirect contact through contaminated objects. It is very common for the infection to be transmitted by shared tack, grooming equipment, clothing, contaminated bedding, fencing, stables or trailers.

Young animals, as well as very old or debilitated ones are more susceptible to ringworm. Some horses do not show any clinical signs until their immunity becomes compromised as a result of illness, poor nutrition, overcrowding or stress.

Although this infection is a self-limiting disease that produces long lasting immunity, it can take up to three months to disappear on its own. Treatment is always the best course of action since it will relieve the horse’s discomfort, reduce the shedding of spores in the stable environment and reduce the risk of spreading the disease to other horses.

The affected horse should be kept separated from other animals and have its own grooming kit and tack. Stables and equipment should also be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected during and after treatment. Although it is uncommon, ringworm can infect people. For this reason handlers should use gloves when dealing with affected horses.

Ringworm is one of the reasons why, whenever possible, new arrivals should be isolated and monitored for signs of contagious diseases for 21 days before coming into contact with the other horses.

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

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Dogs

Canine body language

canine_bodylanguage
Dogs communicate with each other and with humans through vocalisation and through body language. It is very important for us to have a basic understanding of canine behaviour and canine body language, in order to avoid any miscommunications that may lead to less positive interactions. Knowing how to “read” our dogs will also allow us to better understand their feelings and predict future behaviours.

The best way to assess how a dog is feeling is to look carefully at his or her ears, eyes, mouth, tail and overall body posture.

Relaxed dogs will usually look around casually, hold their tail loosely in its normal position, hold their ears back a little bit and show a relaxed body, with no tense muscles. Friendly and playful dogs will look at ease, wag their tails and their eyes will be wide open and alert. If they are trying to play with you they will probably bark, run and jump around excitedly, often displaying a play bow.

Fearful dogs usually tuck their tail between their legs, keep their head low and ears flattened, while avoiding eye contact. They may also tremble, shiver, urinate and even show their teeth. Submissive dogs typically place their tail between their legs and roll onto their side or to their back to expose their belly.

Dogs showing aggressive behaviour will challenge each other by staring directly at one another and show their teeth while growling, snarling or barking loudly. Their ears are usually close to their head and their bodies will be tense with hackles raised on their back. These dogs will easily snap and bite.

All dogs have different personalities and they don’t always show how they’re feeling in the same way. When you are trying to understand a dog’s emotional state you should consider the dog’s individual behaviour, body language and the surrounding context.

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Horses

Why do horses grind their teeth?

grindingteeth_horses
Bruxism (also known as teeth grinding) is the medical term used to describe the side to side rhythmic movement of the jaw, while clenching and rubbing the teeth together. This movement results in a grinding, scraping, crunching sound.

Bruxism is a commonly observed problem in horses and it is almost always associated with stress, discomfort or pain.

This behaviour is often an indicator of a painful or stressful condition in both foals and adult horses. In foals bruxism is often seen associated with the occurrence of gastric ulcers. These are usually caused by the stress of early or sudden weaning followed by the introduction of concentrates in their diet.

In adult horses, bruxism has also been associated with gastric ulcers, with gastrointestinal pain (belly ache), dental pain and even neurological issues. Teeth grinding can also be the result of anxiety associated with being ridden. This type of anxiety could be related to the training methods, to the equipment or to the rider’s behaviour.

One of the main problems related to repetitive teeth grinding is that it will result in wearing of the molars and it may cause other oral problems which could lead to discomfort, pain and difficulties eating.

When this behaviour is detected and because it is not a specific sign for a particular problem, it is recommended to consult your vet in order to investigate what is causing it. Usually once the cause of the painful condition is dealt with, the horse will stop grinding his or hers teeth.

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Dogs

Chocolate is poisonous to dogs!

Chocolate is poisonous to dogs
We all know how happy a dog can be when he realises he is getting a treat: the anxious nose licking, the vigorous tail wags and the priceless expressions! To most caring owners seeing their pet so happy makes them happy! That is probably the main reason why we just love to share our food with our dog.

Chocolate is one of our favourite foods and it is particularly popular during festive occasions. We love it and we often feel tempted to share that delicious treat with our dog. Unfortunately many owners are not aware that chocolate can be very toxic for our canine friends.

The problem lies in a stimulant substance called theobromine that is perfectly safe for humans but poisonous to our pets. Different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine and therefore some types of chocolate can be a lot more dangerous than others. Dry cocoa powder and unsweetened (baking) chocolate contain very high amounts of theobromine, unlike white chocolate that has minimal amounts of theobromine.

In general theobromine affects the heart, central nervous system and kidneys. A dog with signs of theobromine poisoning will show vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, incoordination, hyperactivity and seizures.

If you suspect your dog may have eaten chocolate or if you notice your dog is showing any of the previously mentioned clinical signs, contact your vet as soon as possible. There is no antidote to theobromine poisoning and the sooner your pet is treated the better!

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