Tag Archives: cold

Horses, The Pet Professionals

Is Equine Flu a problem?

Have you heard of Equine influenza? Also called Equine flu, this highly infectious disease affects the respiratory system of horses and donkeys, and it can quickly make itself at home in your yard!

These strains of viruses exist all over the UK, sometimes causing outbreaks that have forced many equestrian events to be delayed or cancelled and the halting of any movements of animals in the affected areas. As unvaccinated or otherwise vulnerable horses can suffer from a severe form of this disease, biosecurity and vaccinations are vital to ensure that your horses won’t be severely ill or prevented from entering competitions.

Learn everything about Equine influenza and how to stop it from entering your yard in our blog post.

What is equine influenza?

In the UK, this disease is commonly caused by two Equine influenza virus strains, the H7N7 and the H3N8. As with other viruses, these tend to continuously mutate and become more adept at causing larger-scale infections or outbreaks.

If your horse gets infected, you can spot:

  • Fever;
  • Depression and decreased appetite;
  • Persistent dry cough;
  • Clear nasal discharge that might evolve into a thick mucus discharge.

Animals that are young, unvaccinated or that have compromised immunity are more likely to suffer from a severe or even debilitating form of Equine influenza, possibly requiring veterinary intervention to avoid breathing issues or more severe respiratory infections.

Should I be worried that my horses might catch it?

Equine flu is a concern for all horse owners!

Equine influenza is endemic to the UK and extremely contagious, being able to spread from infected horses to your whole herd in no time. This is particularly important for owners who often travel to shows or events where many horses are gathering.

However, even if your horse never leaves his or her enclosure and you bring no other animals in, they are still at risk of getting or spreading this virus as it’s also very easy to catch it from droplets in the environment. Shared equipment, clothes, tack or bedding can all be important sources of infection, which means that any visitors to your yard might bring this disease with them.

Is there anything I can do to prevent equine influenza?

Vaccination is the best way to help prevent any issues with equine flu, and it is recommended that all horse owners vaccinate against it regularly. Not only will it help significantly to reduce the risk of serious illness but it will also increase herd immunity, helping prevent future outbreaks across the country.

In addition to a good vaccination programme, it’s recommended that you have effective cleaning, monitoring and quarantine protocols in place to limit viral spread.

If you’re concerned with the biosecurity in your yard, your vet can help you identify any points that could be improved and put better measures in place, so you can avoid not only Equine influenza but many other infectious diseases!

In summary:

  • Equine influenza is a common viral infection that can cause severe problems in yards;
  • We recommend you keep all of your horses vaccinated against Equine Influenza, even if they do not contact any other horses;
  • If your horse travels frequently or you often bring in new animals to your property, don’t forget to vaccinate, quarantine and watch them as needed;
  • In the case that one of your animals is struggling with breathing, fever or lethargy, don’t forget to talk to your vet as soon as you are able!

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

Equine courses

 

Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Cold weather and pets – Keeping your furry friends comfortable

With the weather getting colder, snuggling comfortably with our pets at home feels like the perfect weekend plan.

But even pets equipped with the best fur coat can feel the cold, so we should ensure that they remain comfortable as winter approaches.

That said, we’ve put together three tips to help your pets during the cold weather.

 

Winter clothes

The pet fashion industry has grown considerably in the past years, and we can find anything from collar accessories to the most elaborate Halloween costumes in pet’s clothing shops.

The truth is, when winter comes, some pets will significantly benefit from the added protection that clothing can offer.

Impermeable, fleece-lined coats with reflective materials on the outside are great for this season as they’ll keep your pet warm, dry and visible.

Our top advice regarding clothing is to make sure that your pet is comfortable wearing it. Check if it fits properly and if your dog has never worn clothes before, gradually increase the periods in which they are dressed until they are used to the feeling.

Boots can also be highly appreciated, especially when it’s snowing or if your pet needs some extra grip in slippery conditions.

 

Preventing boredom

Even if your cat enjoys being out on the prowl, it won’t come as a surprise if they prefer to spend more time indoors during the colder season. As for dogs, depending on the weather conditions, their walks are also likely to be shorter.

When returning home, make sure that your pets’ fur is dry to prevent skin problems and other health issues. Having a warm, comfortable space where they can snuggle, ideally near a window so that they can see what’s going on outside, is likely to be one of their favourite spots.

However, even if they’re spending more time indoors, it’s important to make sure that their exercise needs are being met. Keep them physically and mentally stimulated with fun home activities to prevent them from becoming bored and developing associated behaviour problems, such as chewing or scratching furniture, excessive vocalisation, and house-soiling, for example.

 

Health checks

Very young, senior or debilitated pets are usually not as able to deal with the cold as healthy animals. If you notice some discomfort, don’t hesitate to discuss this with your vet and book a check-up appointment as there could be an underlying disease that is making your pet more vulnerable.

Also, it’s important to keep in mind that arthritic pets usually have a more challenging time during winter, with the cold weather making their joints stiff. Talk to your vet to make sure that they are pain-free and discuss what you can do at home to make their lives more comfortable. Something as simple as raising their food bowls off the floor can have a tremendous impact on their wellbeing.

 

We hope you get to enjoy the beauty of the colder season with your pets!

Cats, The Pet Professionals

Cats and the cold

As winter is fast approaching, we would like to take some time to talk about our cats’ relationship with the cold and the different ways that it can affect their comfort.
If we had to point out some of the most common features of our beloved domestic felines, we’d probably have “love warm spots to sleep on!” quite high on our list. This would be right next to purring and also their capacity to effortlessly charm us into forgiving them for tossing random things onto the floor.
Despite their luxurious coats, cats generally are not adapted as well to the cold climates as dogs. Most breeds lack the thick, insulating fur that makes freezing temperatures bearable for dogs like Huskies or Samoyeds, with the added issue that they are incapable of retaining body heat when their non-insulating coat is wet.

As temperatures continue to drop, how can we make sure we are well prepared to help our furry friends?

  • Make sure you don’t shut your cat out during the night or for long periods, especially when the weather is wet and cold;
  • Drafts make up for an awful sleeping experience, so position their beds in places that are far away from cold air currents;
  • Your pets will thank you if you add warmer bedding to the areas they usually sleep on;
  • If your cats seem to be restless or if they are starting to sleep in odd places like the inside of closets or on top of laptop vents, it might be a sign they are having difficulty keeping warm;
  • When fostering feral or semi-feral cats that live permanently outside, it’s very important to ensure there is an accessible, warm, dry shelter that is away from freezing wind so that they can protect themselves from the cold.

Not all pets experience the cold in the same way! Depending on their age and some health issues, some cats can be more sensitive to extremes of temperature than others.
Elderly and sick pets tend to be much more vulnerable to lower temperatures because they cannot adapt to them or retain enough heat in their bodies. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and hyperthyroidism will also require that you pay special attention to your pets’ needs during this winter time.

If your cats run away during bad weather and get stuck outside for several hours, time is of the essence! Bring them in as soon as possible, make sure that they are dry and keep them warm. Call your vet and tell them what has happened and ask for further advice, as your pets might need medical assistance due to issues like hypothermia and even frostbite.

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

Feline courses


 

Horses, The Pet Professionals

Keeping your horse entertained during the colder months

Bad weather can be a real nuisance for horses as it usually means less time spent grazing, galloping and just simply enjoying being out in the field with their friends.
As a result, they can become bored and stressed, which can lead to negative repercussions in their behaviour and health.
The good news is there are some things you can do to make your horses’ days more fun!

#1 Novelty
Horses are very intelligent animals and always love to engage in a new challenge. Introducing your horses to new experiences, such as trying out a new discipline, can be a great way to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.

#2 Environmental enrichment
You wouldn’t enjoy being confined to a room with nothing to do all day, and neither do your horses.
Food-related entertainment, such as hanging treats and fine-mesh hay nets that increase the time spent foraging and nibbling, will probably be the most appealing. However, providing stable toys and scratching mats are also great to spark your horses’ inquisitive nature and keep them occupied. To keep things interesting, don’t forget to rotate toys and alternate treats every once in a while.
Some horses might also enjoy having music playing, and if your horse is stabled alone, consider having a mirror installed to mimic some company.

#3 Spending quality time together
Take advantage of the poor weather conditions and work on your bond with your horses. There are plenty of activities you can engage in confined spaces that you can enjoy together, such as:
• Grooming
• Massages
• Carrot stretches
• Clicker training
• Lunging
• Walking in hand

 

Try to take your horses out if you have the opportunity but keep in mind that if it’s miserable for you, it’s likely that they won’t be able to enjoy it very much as well.

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

Equine courses