Tag Archives: health

Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Improving mealtimes for older pets

As our pets grow older, they go through a significant number of changes. They may not enjoy moving as much, they may lose some sharpness to their senses, and they may suffer from chronic conditions such as kidney disease, osteoarthritis or diabetes.

Keeping an eye out for these changes is very important as our pets can have a dip in their quality of life as time goes on. However, there are some things we can do to enhance their comfort at home, one of which is improving their eating experience.

Eating is one of the most important daily activities, and senior animals often find themselves not enjoying their mealtimes as much. This can lead to a significant decrease in their calorie intake, causing them to lose weight.

Here are some tips on how to ensure your golden oldies have a five-star gourmet experience every day:

Switch to a diet appropriate for their age

Usually, cats are considered seniors at around ten years of age, while dogs vary between seven for larger breeds and nine for smaller breeds. At these ages, consider changing their food to a special senior formulation.

There are plenty of options made specifically for senior pets, and therapeutic diets that help with a number of health problems. These formulations contain all the nutrients that they need to support age-related conditions such as lowered immune systems, achy joints, and kidney disease. They also have the right texture and shape for pets who can no longer smell or chew so well.

Improve palatability

Improving palatability may take a little trial and error, but it can be very rewarding for you and your pets.

Try to offer novel food textures such as soft wet food, which can help if your pet has pain chewing, or change the brand and flavour of their meals.

Offering smaller portions throughout the day and introducing exciting food puzzles are also quick changes you can implement to great effect.

Pouring a little water or salt-free broth on dry kibble and gently heating it in the microwave improves aroma, which can compensate for any loss of smell.

Be mindful of their limitations

Osteoarthritis, muscular weakness or painful chronic conditions all make bending down harder. If you spot your pets struggling to reach their food, place the bowl a little higher so that eating is more comfortable for them.

Golden oldies who no longer hear or see very well may also feel disoriented in busy spaces and may struggle to find their food. Keeping their bowls in an easily accessible, comfortable and quiet room can do wonders for them!

Ask your vet for help

Every pet is different, and sometimes it can be pretty challenging to get an older pet, especially one with concurrent health conditions, to eat what they need to stay healthy.

If you find yourself struggling with this or have any questions on how to improve your furry friend’s quality of life, do not hesitate to contact your vet.

Horses

Check your horse’s hooves regularly

Preventing injuries and illness is always better than treating them! If we had to point out a situation where this is especially true, it would be when it comes to hoof health in horses.

Hooves are fragile yet fundamental structures in equines, and many problems affecting the hooves are liable to evolve into severely painful and debilitating conditions that can often have fatal outcomes.

Laminitis, the inflammation of the soft tissues that hold the hoof in place, is extremely common and recurrent in horses, donkeys and ponies. It can severely impact animal welfare, to the point where owners might have to make the humane decision to euthanize a horse whose laminitis does not respond to treatment.

Experts recommend that you inspect your horse’s hooves regularly, including them in your daily care routine. The extra minutes you spend giving your horse a careful visual inspection can absolutely make a world of difference, as it might mean that you catch subtle lameness or structural changes in the hoof early on.

Because of the poor outcome of hoof diseases, the earlier you spot issues, the better your veterinarian and your farrier can help you solve them.

Read the tips below to help you in your daily inspection;

Symmetry

Take a good, long look away from your horse so that you can inspect all four hooves at once and observe any movements or posture that might be unusual. Take notice of any apparent changes between them, such as differences in size, shape or colour.

After an overall look, compare hooves on the same limbs, so you’re comparing front hooves between themselves and then the back hooves as a pair.

While some minor variations can happen between limbs, any noticeable changes should be noted and reported to your vet as soon as possible.

The overall shape of each hoof

As you start to do a closer inspection, pay attention to the shape of the hoof. Here you must have a solid knowledge of what a normal hoof should look like and how your animal’s feet usually look.

Many changes like uneven or bulging growth rings, contracted heels or warping of any part of the hoof should not go ignored.

Cracks, bruises or foul smells

While it may seem time-consuming, getting close and taking a long look at your horse’s feet allows you to spot issues that could need immediate attention.

Cracks and bruises might have developed or become apparent overnight, so a close, daily inspection is paramount. If you know or suspect that your horse might have stepped on something hard or had a traumatic incident recently, pay extra attention.

Foul smells usually indicate an infection and may be accompanied by local discharge of pus or other fluids. Thrush, in particular, has a very recognizable odour.

As owners, we are our horses’ greatest advocates as we know them the best and interact with them daily. If you notice any changes or have any concerns, do not hesitate to call your vet!

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

Equine courses

 

Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Summer safety

Summer’s here! For most of us, this means that it’s time for a break and we can enjoy a few days of relaxing with the family.

If you’re planning to stay local this year, this is the perfect opportunity to organise activities that include your four-legged friends.

With this in mind, keep reading our advice to keep your dog safe this summer!

Dog theft

Many of us have decided to adopt or buy a pet during the pandemic. Unfortunately, there are people who are keen to take advantage of the current high demand for pets to make a profit, and these criminals are looking to steal dogs and sell them at inflated prices. 

If you have a dog, before leaving the house, make sure that:

  • Their microchip details are up to date, 
  • They are wearing a collar or harness with an id tag, 
  • You never leave them unattended outside of a shop, in a garden, etc.

If you are looking to buy a dog, please thoroughly research the seller before making any decision. So take up references and make sure that everything checks out.

Preventive care

If you are planning to take your dog to a pet-friendly park or outdoor space where they will be in contact with other dogs or animals, make sure that their parasite treatments and vaccinations are up to date.

Kennel cough is a highly contagious disease that can easily be caught if your dog spends time with an infected animal. Also, there have been recent reports of parvovirus outbreaks in some areas in the UK. Vaccinations are available for both of these diseases.

If your pet enjoys lying in the sun for a nap, don’t forget to apply pet-safe sunscreen to sensitive areas (such as the tip of the nose and ears) to avoid sunburn.

Heatstroke

Our pets do not have the same ability to cool down as we do, making it harder for them to cope with high temperatures.

If you are planning to include your dog on a hike or a trip to the beach, make sure to avoid the hottest hours of the day, take plenty of water (for both of you) and ensure that you can provide them with a shaded area to rest.

If you notice any breathing difficulties, excessive panting, agitation, or lethargy, and if your dog seems wobbly or collapses, they are likely to be suffering from heatstroke and will need to be seen by a vet immediately. Before you head out, make sure that you have the contact information of a nearby vet in case this or any other emergency happens.

Accidents and potential problems

Accidents can happen, so if possible, take a first aid kit with you when you’re out and about and, again, keep the contact details of a nearby vet at hand.

If your dog gets stung by a bee, they may develop an allergic reaction that can compromise their breathing. If this happens, they need to be seen without delay.

Also common during summer are grass seed-related incidents. Due to their arrow-like shape, grass seeds can get stuck on your pet’s hair and penetrate their skin, leading to nasty infections. They can also get into their eyes, nose and mouth, with a similar outcome.

After walks, make sure that you always check your dog’s hair for grass seeds and, while you’re at it, ticks as well.

Near water

If you find a stream or a pond and your dog is keen to go in for a swim, have a look around for any warning signs of blue-green algae. These are collections of bacteria that produce toxins that are very harmful to your pets, so do not let them in if you suspect the water may be contaminated.

Keep in mind that your dog may not know how to swim, so consider getting them a floating harness, and make sure that they are always within your reach and that you can safely get to them if you find them in distress.

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

Canine courses

 

Horses, The Pet Professionals

Wounds in horses

Like any other animal, including ourselves, horses can suffer from a multitude of injuries that may result in open wounds.

Today, we’re covering three important aspects to consider when facing wounds in horses that can help you be prepared for an unexpected situation.

 

#1 – Vet contact information

This had to be top on our list! Always have your vet’s contact information near you in case of an emergency so that you can seek professional advice quickly.

Wounds in horses can look very dramatic with torn, dangling skin, showing muscles and tissues underneath, but often wounds that are small in size and not as gory in appearance may be the ones that will need attention and treatment more promptly.

 

#2 – Blood everywhere

If your horse is wounded, it probably means that there’s blood, and sometimes even a lot of blood! Don’t panic – horses are large animals, which means they also have a large volume of circulating blood. Putting it in perspective, a haemorrhage that would be fatal for a person is not likely to cause noticeable problems for a horse!

That said, instead of focussing on the amount of blood you are seeing, focus on locating the source of the bleeding and how the bleeding looks. If you see blood dripping, it is likely to be coming from a vein, which is easier to manage. However, if the blood is shooting, it’s probably coming from an artery, which comes straight from the heart with high pressure, and this situation needs immediate attention.

In either case, grab something you have at hand (if you have a first aid kit, grab a sterile dressing, if you’re out hacking in the woods, a piece of clean clothing will do) and apply firm pressure to the wound for a while to stop the bleeding.

 

#3 – Wound location and type

Wounds affecting the lower limbs should always be assessed by a vet. As the limbs consist mostly of bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels, there is not much support from muscles or other tissues in case of trauma.

This also means that a wound on a limb is more likely to affect a joint or tendon sheath, which can quickly compromise the horse’s overall health.

Head wounds and wounds affecting the eyes should also receive prompt veterinary attention, as there are many superficial and delicate vessels and nerves on the face.

As for the type of wound, appearance can be deceiving, and the smallest wounds can actually be the worst.

Puncture wounds are extremely dangerous as it’s not possible to assess their depth just by observing them. Puncture wounds on the limbs can easily affect joint structures, and when located on the body, they can cause internal organ damage and infections.

 

Remember, the way a wound heals is often influenced by the initial first aid applied, so don’t hesitate to contact your vet to help you! Also, always approach your horse with caution and be attentive to subtle signs, as pain can lead to aggression.

And if you’re interested in knowing what you can do in an emergency situation before professional advice and treatment can be obtained, have a look at our equine first aid course on The Pet Professionals’ site.

 

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

Equine courses

 

 

Horses, The Pet Professionals

Equine respiratory disease

Fun fact about horses’ anatomy and respiratory system:

Did you know that whilst most other mammals, such as cats and dogs, have 13 pairs of ribs, horses usually have 18?

This means that their chest is longer, allowing it to accommodate a large set of lungs that have a capacity of around 55 litres, which is nine times superior to ours. This is one of the reasons why horses are capable of such strenuous exercise and work.

Lungs are an important part of horses’ respiratory system. It’s in the lungs’ alveoli that gaseous exchange occurs, allowing oxygen to enter the horse’s bloodstream and carbon dioxide to be eliminated from the body.

 

That said, today, we’re raising awareness of important conditions that can affect a horse’s respiratory tract, what you can do to keep your horse healthy and how you can spot respiratory issues at an early stage.

 

Common horse respiratory diseases

There are many diseases that can affect a horse’s respiratory system, which we can divide into two large groups:

Infectious diseases:

  • Viral infections, such as equine influenza and equine viral arteritis
  • Bacterial infections, such as strangles, and secondary infections

Non-infectious diseases:

  • Inflammatory airway disease
  • Recurrent airway obstruction

 

What can you do to promote your horse’s respiratory health?

Staying informed is key, so don’t hesitate to seek professional advice when needed and discuss any concerns that you may have with your vet.

Knowing how to spot indicators of respiratory issues is very important as well so that you can tackle these at an early stage.

Regarding infectious diseases, some can be prevented through vaccination. Vaccination protocols are recommended based on a number of factors, including age, lifestyle and environment, so you should discuss this with your vet to find out what would be best for your horse.

As for non-infectious diseases, the ones that we mention above have an allergic nature, which means that part of their management involves environmental changes to remove or minimise potential allergens in the air.

 

Spotting respiratory signs

There are obvious signs of respiratory disease that everyone can easily identify, such as nasal discharge, coughing, and reluctance to exercise (although this last sign can be caused by many non-respiratory problems as well).

But it’s also important to be aware of more subtle signs, such as an increased respiratory rate and other non-specific signs like altered behaviour, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.

If you recognise any of these, contact your vet so that they can examine your horse as soon as possible and if necessary, start treatment straight away!

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

Equine courses


 

 

Horses, The Pet Professionals

Staying fit in 2021

January 2021, it’s the beginning of a New Year, and if you’re like most people who set New Year’s resolutions, you’re likely to have written down ‘eat better’, ‘start exercising’ or ‘lose 2 kgs’ on your list.

If you find these goals relatable, so do we, as it is well known that proper nutrition, an active lifestyle and maintaining a healthy weight are all very important in leading a healthy life.

This is as true for horses as it is for people and, with obesity on the rise within the equine population, we’ve decided to go over some tools that you can use to make sure your horse stays fit and healthy.

 

#1: Recognising the problem

It can be hard for horse owners to recognise that their horse is overweight so, how do you do it?

Finding out if your horse is at an ideal weight requires a thorough visual and tactile assessment, also known as fat (or body) scoring.

Look at your horse. If you can see the ribs individually, your horse is likely to be underweight.

Now run your hand over your horse’s back – can you feel the ribs and pelvis? If not, your horse is likely to be very overweight.

There are a number of other visual and tactile landmarks, such as the neck and shoulder blades, that can help you evaluate your horse’s fat score. Talk to your vet so they can teach you how to fat score your horse properly and create a record to help you keep track.

 

#2: Providing adequate nutrition

Ensure your horse is getting all the nutrients they need by offering them a balanced feed, and don’t forget to factor in the calories provided by hay, fresh grass, and treats to avoid over-feeding.

Maintaining weight and weight variations are dependent on the number of calories ingested versus the amount spent, so make sure you are feeding your horse with the right amount to maintain, lose or gain weight, according to your horse’s needs.

 

#3: Implementing an exercise routine

There are different types of activities you can do with your horses with some being more indicated for weight loss than others.

If your horse is overweight, keep in mind that the excess kgs can have a significant impact or their physical ability, so you should always adjust the intensity, frequency and type of exercise to something that your horse can tolerate safely.

 

As with everything else, keep in mind that this is a dynamic balance, so what works today might not work tomorrow and always take into account your horse’s individual characteristics when planning an exercise or feeding routine.

 

Remember, obesity can lead to unwanted and even life-threatening consequences such as cardiorespiratory disease, hormone imbalance, arthritis and laminitis so, if your horse is overweight, don’t hesitate to seek veterinary assistance.

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

Equine courses

 

Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Making your pets’ health a priority in 2021

We can’t help but have high hopes for 2021, and we wish this new year is kinder to us all than 2020!

Whether you are the type of person that likes to take a moment to reflect on the year that has passed and set resolutions and goals for the new one or not, we have a suggestion for you.

This year, why not make your pets’ health a top priority?

There are some illnesses that we cannot help our pets avoid, but there are many that we can, so preventive medicine should always be on top of your pets’ health checklist.

 

Nutrition

We’ve all heard the expression ‘We are what we eat’, and the same is true for our pets! A balanced diet is one of the most important foundations of health as it provides the nutrients that fuel our pets’ bodies.

When a pet’s diet is unbalanced, two things can occur:

  • Nutritional deficiencies, which can have a range of consequences, from stunted growth, muscle wasting, skin problems and poor coat to more severe issues, such as heart disease, for example, in cats that suffer from taurine deficiency. 
  • Weight gain, which can lead to obesity and associated health problems, such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, and cardiovascular disease, to name but a few.

Different pets have different needs, and the same diet is not likely to be recommended to a nursing bitch and an elderly dog. To make sure your pets’ nutritional needs are met, discuss the options with your vet.

 

Vaccinations

One thing that the Coronavirus pandemic seems to have highlighted is the importance of vaccines. Thankfully, we will soon have the option to immunise ourselves against COVID-19 and, hopefully, life can slowly start getting back to normal.

There are a number of vaccines available to protect our pets against highly contagious and deadly diseases, such as parvovirus infections in both dogs (parvo) and cats (feline enteritis), for example.

Get your pet’s vaccination card. When is their booster due? Make a note in your planner to make sure you don’t forget to schedule their booster appointment and, if their vaccinations are not current, contact your vet today to book a visit.

 

Worming, flea and tick treatments 

Let’s talk about worms for a minute now. We’ve all seen them, our pets had them when they were puppies/kittens, and maybe even as adults. You might have noticed a swollen belly and that they were scooting their bums on the floor. Maybe they had soft stools as well. Then, they took their worming pill, and the problem was solved, so why do we need to worm them so often?

Intestinal parasites are very common in pets. Most times, they cause mild discomfort and clinical signs (as described above), but they can lead to more severe consequences in massive infestations. 

However, there are other internal parasites that can cause life-threatening disease, such as heartworm and lungworm, that we can and should prevent by worming our pets at regular intervals as recommended by the vet.

As for external parasites, such as fleas and ticks, these can cause skin problems and great discomfort, and it only takes a single flea to produce an allergic reaction in susceptible pets or an infestation in any household!

Now that you have your pets’ medical records with you, why not check when their next parasite treatment is due as well? You know what’s next – make a note in your planner.

 

Routine appointments

Last but not least, we’d like to remind you of the importance of routine appointments. We tend to associate these with our pets’ vaccination appointment and refer to them as the ‘annual check’. However, if you have any concerns, you should discuss them with your vet as soon as possible, instead of waiting for the ‘annual visit’ just because it’s more practical and convenient.

If your pets’ nails need clipping and your vaccination appointment is next week, then it is ok to do both at the same visit. However, if you’ve been noticing a bald spot in your pet’s skin that is red and keeps getting bigger, for example, waiting for the ‘annual visit’ is not a good option and will likely result in their vaccination being postponed until the skin issue is resolved.

A thorough veterinary ‘nose to tail’ examination is a great way to detect early problems and start important treatments if required.

We wish you a happy and healthy new year for both your human and pet families!

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

Feline courses

 

 

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

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Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Before buying… Research!

Recent surveys indicate that the demand for pets during the current Coronavirus pandemic has increased significantly.

Pets are, indeed, a great source of company and comfort during these unprecedented times, and pet ownership is one of the most wonderful experiences life has to offer us!

But as good as it is to know that many pets will find a loving home, if you are considering buying a puppy or a kitten, we would advise you to do thorough research and make sure you’re not buying from an untrustworthy seller.

When a puppy or kitten is reared in poor conditions, the outcome can be devastating. Animals can become ill with severe diseases such as canine parvovirus, for example, which is, to many puppies, fatal. There can be long-term consequences as well, especially when it comes to your pet’s behaviour, as many unscrupulous breeders will not bother to socialise puppies and kittens with people and other animals.

Defra has recently launched a ‘Petfished’ campaign to encourage owners to buy healthy and happy animals from a good breeder, that have been given the best start in life.

Visit the dedicated website, read the step-by-step guide they have put together, and go through all the information to consider when buying or adopting a new pet.

We’ll leave you with some immediate red flags that should alert you that something is not right.

  • The animal is advertised as ready to rehome under eight weeks of age or that will come with a ‘passport’;
  • The seller refuses a virtual tour, not allowing you to see the puppy interacting with its littermates and mum;
  • The seller pressures you to buy on the first contact;
  • The seller refuses to let you see the medical records of the animal before selling.

With Christmas fast approaching, if you think this is a good opportunity to add a furry member to your family, make sure you do your research first, and keep in mind that it is better to wait than to buy and support a bad breeder.

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

Feline courses


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

Canine courses

 

Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Raising awareness of diabetes in pets

November is Pet Diabetes Month!

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that can affect both ourselves and our pets.

The disease is caused by insufficient production of insulin, the hormone responsible for keeping blood sugar (glucose) levels under control, or due to cells becoming resistant to its action.

According to the World Health Organisation, the number of cases of diabetes in people has steadily increased over the past decades. Interestingly, vets also report a rise in the number of diabetic pets that they are seeing in practice.

In both, a number of risk factors have been identified that may be contributing to this rise, such as unhealthy lifestyles with poor eating habits and a lack of physical activity that lead to excessive weight gain and obesity.

However, you are likely to know people that suffer from diabetes who also live fulfilling normal lives, so why do we need to have a whole month dedicated to raising awareness of this disease in pets?

It’s simple – diabetes is an impactful chronic disease that can lead to significant health problems and will culminate in the death of your pets if left untreated.

Glucose is the main substance that fuels the cells and, consequently, all our pets’ bodily functions. With insulin not doing its job, glucose cannot enter the cells, and the blood sugar levels will be persistently high, which has dangerous effects throughout the body. Commonly affected organs include the kidneys, eyes, and central nervous system.

As diabetes is a progressive disease, it may not be easy to spot the signs at an early stage, which can be very subtle. These include:

  • Lethargy
  • Excessive thirst
  • Increased urination
  • Increased appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Poor coat and skin problems

For most pets, treatment is based on daily insulin administration. At first, it will involve a lot of vet visits and monitoring to make sure that the insulin dose is adjusted to your pet and is effective in keeping the disease controlled. However, once that balance is reached, your pets can live long, happy lives.

Providing your pets with a healthy diet as well as regular exercise, and keeping them at a healthy weight are very important to prevent diabetes, and also in managing diabetic pets.

If you recognise any of the signs mentioned, or if you’re struggling to keep your pet at a healthy weight, don’t hesitate to contact your vet.

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

Feline courses


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

Canine courses

 

Horses, The Pet Professionals

Oral problems in horses

When we think of digestion, the first organ that usually comes to mind tends to be the stomach. However, all of the digestive organs are equally important to guarantee your horse’s nutrition, and the digestive process starts in the mouth.

So, what should we keep in mind regarding our horses’ oral health care?

#1: Regular oral checks

Horses’ teeth are very different from our own. As herbivorous animals, their teeth are adapted so that they can get the most out of their diet, breaking fibrous food and preparing it for the next digestive processes further down the gastrointestinal tract.

Horses’ teeth keep erupting throughout their lives, and this means that they can ‘grow’ approximately 2-3 mm per year. Because of this, grazing is essential to wear them down, so keeping their size fairly constant. However, when grazing is insufficient, and as the different tooth components wear at different rates, dental issues can develop, such as malocclusions, for example.

When this happens, some teeth can acquire sharp edges that cut into the surrounding tissues (cheek and tongue), which can be very painful.

Also, as horses get older, they become more prone to periodontal disease and oral infections due to alterations of the shape of the teeth. 

Dental care will help prevent oral pathology, so having a look at your horses’ mouth regularly and booking routine dental appointments are essential.

However, when horses have oral problems, sometimes behavioural changes are spotted before the oral lesions, which brings us to topic number two.

#2: Attention to changes in behaviour and appearance 

As oral disease can be very painful, keep an eye out for general signs of pain or discomfort, but to the more specific, look out for the following:

  • A reluctance to eat or eating slowly
  • Alterations while chewing – using only one side of the mouth, dropping feed, …
  • Head shaking
  • Bit and bridle aversion 

Physical signs can also be apparent such as facial swelling, nasal discharge, bad breath and weight loss. 

If you recognise any of the signs mentioned above or if you’ve been postponing your horse’s dental appointment, don’t hesitate to contact your vet!

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

Equine courses