Tag Archives: prevention

Horses, The Pet Professionals

Keep Equine Herpes Virus away from your herd!

Equine Herpes Virus is a concern for horse owners everywhere, especially for working animals who travel and have a greater chance of contacting other infected horses or for yards which often bring in new horses.

This viral disease can cause debilitating respiratory or neurological problems and is highly contagious, which is why every owner needs to know what Equine Herpes Virus is and how to keep it away from their herd!

Keep reading to learn about this problem and how to protect your horses from being infected.

What is EHV?

The Equine Herpes Virus is highly contagious and has nine different strains, with EHV-1 and EHV-4 being the most commonly seen variants.

This virus spreads through contaminated droplets in the air and can affect the respiratory, nervous, and reproductive systems.

Depending on the strain that your horse has been infected with, you might see the following:

  • High fevers of over 38.5 ºC;
  • Nasal discharge and cough;
  • Difficulty walking;
  • Being unable to get up or stand;
  • Abortions, often suddenly and without any previous signs;

EHV has no specific treatment, and your vet will provide supportive therapy to help your horse make the best recovery possible.

Horses with milder respiratory issues are more likely to recover from EHV, but it might take a few weeks to fully get better. However, when animals are experiencing severe neurological impairment, such as limb paralysis or inability to stand, they might never improve, and euthanasia is likely to be the only outcome.

What to do if you suspect your horse has EHV?

It’s vital that owners call their vets as soon as they suspect one of their horses might be infected with EHV.

Vets will be able to confirm this disease by collecting nasal and blood samples and will suggest the next steps, such as isolating all horses that have been in contact with the infected horse, either directly or indirectly and keeping a close eye on their temperatures.

Because EHV can spread quickly and provoke outbreaks, inform any yards or owners who might have come in contact with your infected horse.

How to prevent EHV in your herd

As we’ve mentioned, EHV can severely impact the health of your horses and might even easily spread to neighbouring yards. Plus, it can cause significant disruption to your routine, as you will need to isolate and quarantine horses until they are disease-free, which can take several weeks.

Vaccinating your animals can protect against EHV-1 and EHV-4, preventing abortion caused by EHV and respiratory disease in younger horses.

This virus can be transmitted by direct contact between horses, but it can also be spread through their environment. Due to this fact, proper biosecurity is vital to prevent the spread of EHV, and this might include disinfecting shared equipment or ensuring visitors wear clean clothes and shoes.

If you’re concerned about Equine Herpes Virus, don’t hesitate to speak to your vet. They can help you establish the best biosecurity measures and advise you on how and when to vaccinate your horses.

Key points to prevent and treat Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1 and EHV-4):

  • Maintain good biosecurity at all times in your yard to minimise the chances of this disease;

  • The most common signs are high temperature, lethargy and coughing but they may also include nervous system problems, which can be debilitating;

  • If you suspect one of your animals has EHV, isolate him or her, contact your vet as soon as possible and let people know you have an outbreak so they can monitor their herd;

  • Vaccinate your horses appropriately and ensure they have good medical care and clean living conditions.
Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Can dogs have allergies?

Have you ever considered that your dog might be suffering from allergies? If you’ve ever noticed he or she starts scratching and itching more at certain times of the year, it could be due to a sensitivity to certain things such as pollens or flea bites. In this case, it’s essential to seek medical help as this can be a very distressing situation.

Read our blog post to better understand allergies and how you can help your furry friend feel better.

What are allergies?

An allergic reaction is an exaggerated immune response to something that is harmless, such as pollens, certain foods, medications or insect saliva.

Dogs have many types of allergies, but the most common ones are food allergies, flea allergy dermatitis and atopic dermatitis, which is caused by airborne allergens.

These often show up as skin problems. For instance, red, itchy skin that doesn’t seem to go away and is causing a lot of distress to your furry friend might be due to an allergic problem.

As many owners know, diagnosing and treating these issues can be complicated. Vets might not be able to pinpoint precisely what your pet is allergic to, but there are many tests they can do to narrow it down and then formulate the proper treatment to manage the signs successfully.

Is it possible for my dog to have allergies in the spring?

Many people suffer from the dreaded hay fever, a sensitivity to the many pollens that are floating around during spring, and it can make this season quite tricky. Our dogs can also suffer from this, but, as we have mentioned, it will most likely show itself as an itchy skin rather than sneezing or runny eyes.

Another common allergy that might flare up during the warmer weather is flea allergy dermatitis, as fleas are much more abundant in the spring and summer. For susceptible animals, even just one bite is enough to trigger intense itching and discomfort.

To help make sure that your dog is not exposed to potential allergens, it’s vital that you keep his or her flea treatment up to date, especially as the weather improves!

Can allergies be dangerous?

Unfortunately, some allergic reactions can be severe and even lethal if not treated promptly.

Dogs can have what is called an anaphylactic reaction, which is a very severe, acute response to an allergen. Although it is rare, it most often occurs following a bee or wasp sting, or when your pet is given a new vaccine or medication.

It generally happens minutes after exposure, and you may spot:

  • Sudden vomiting and diarrhoea;
  • Excessive drooling;
  • Hives and swelling of the face;
  • Difficulty breathing due to swelling of the throat or mouth.

This is an emergency situation! If you notice these signs, do not delay and call your vet immediately so they can assess your pet and ensure that he or she is properly treated.

In summary:

  • Dogs can have spring allergies, and they will most likely reveal themselves as an itchy skin;
  • Diagnosing and treating allergies can be challenging, but your vet can help you find the best solutions;
  • Whilst rare, anaphylactic reactions are generally life-threatening, and you need to call your vet if you think that your dog may be having one!

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Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Protect your dog from the sun

As the sunny days of high summer are getting closer, we would like to take some time to talk about the damage the sun can do to our dogs.

Sunburn and skin cancer are just as significant in our pets as in people! Even if you and your dogs aren’t often out on lengthy outdoors adventures, it’s vital to protect them during sunny days, even if just from the light coming in through the windows.

Keep reading to find out more about avoiding sun-related skin problems this summer.

Can dogs get sunburnt?

The answer is absolutely yes! The sun affects our pets’ skin and can cause burns of varying severity. These are quite bothersome and, in some cases, can be extensive enough to need a trip to the vet.

Dogs love to be outside for long periods or nap in sunny places, putting them at risk of getting burnt. It’s important to remember that they won’t necessarily move away from the sun before they are burnt, so you need to make sure that they do.

Red, tender and flaky skin are sure signs that your pet has a burn! Smaller burns can usually be treated at home with the proper ointments, but more extensive or severe burns require appropriate veterinary treatment.

What are the risks of skin cancer in pets?

Not only is the sun responsible for burns and other skin problems, it can also put your pet at risk of developing severe diseases like skin cancer (malignant melanomas, squamous cell carcinomas or mast cell tumours).

While there are many factors involved in the development of skin cancer, we know that UV damage from the sun plays a part, and too much exposure to this harmful radiation will definitely increase the risk of your dog developing cancer.

These types of cancer can be highly damaging and difficult to treat! The sooner they are spotted, the better the chances of treating them successfully, so always keep a keen eye on your dog’s skin.

If you spot areas with colours that weren’t there before (darker, lighter or red coloured skin), or you see bumps and/or ulcers developing for no reason, do not hesitate to contact your vet.

How can I prevent harm from UV rays?

The best way to reduce the risk of sunburns and skin cancers induced by harmful rays is to limit sun exposure and take the proper measures to avoid putting your dogs in a situation where they can’t escape being out in direct sunlight.

Here are some of the main ways to avoid sun damage:

  • Choose the best sunscreen for your dog – There are plenty of sunscreens out there but it’s important to choose one without zinc oxide or aminobenzoic acid as they are toxic if ingested. Consider one that is also waterproof and unscented if your pooch loves a good swim.
  • Protect your dogs while out on walks or hikes – If you’re fond of outdoor adventures, you might also want to consider protective clothing that’s made to be cool enough for a hot day but also protecting from the hot sun. This way you only need to apply sunscreen to the exposed areas.
  • Keep their home safe from overexposure to the sun – Make sure that your dog has the chance to be out of the sun in case he or she wants to, for instance, with shaded spots out in the garden or with permanent access indoors. If you notice that they have been out for too long, call them in before they suffer a burn.

Even with all of these precautions, it’s important that you avoid the hottest hours of the day to be outside. Not only are the UV rays at their most dangerous, but excessive heat can harm their sensitive paws and might cause heatstroke!

 

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Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Winter hazards

Halloween and Bonfire night are behind us, and we are all looking forward to the jolliest season of the year. As November settles in, we’d like to take a little time to remind you of the most common winter hazards that you may face with your dog! 

Dogs are especially vulnerable to toxic substances like antifreeze or chocolate, as their curiosity knows no bounds, and they have a tendency to get into trouble the second we turn our backs. 

Check our list below for some of the most important things to keep in mind. 

 

Dangerous foods 

The time between Halloween and Christmas is filled with treats of all sorts, like chocolates, baked goods, sweets and fatty foods. 

With family gatherings and preparations underway, it’s easy to get distracted and leave delicious within reach of paws and mouths, so it’s no surprise that a lot of accidental poisonings happen during this time of the year!  

  • Chocolate is highly poisonous, and even a relatively small amount can be harmful to your pet; 
  • Xylitol can be found in low-calorie foods or sweets like chewing gum, and it causes severe issues with blood sugar balance in dogs; 
  • Fatty foods like roast dinners might cause gastrointestinal problems if ingested in high enough quantities (for instance, if your dog steals the leftovers, which can be twice as dangerous if they have any bones!). 

Keep a close eye on food sources and on your dogs to avoid a bothersome trip to the vet during dinner with your family and friends. 

 

Antifreeze 

Antifreeze (or de-icer) is a dangerous substance that is pretty much everywhere during the colder months. It contains ethylene glycol, a sweet compound that forms large crystals in the kidneys when ingested. This causes extensive kidney damage, which may be irreversible or even fatal if not treated in time. 

As it’s extensively used to prevent car fluids from freezing, many people will keep containers at home. We urge owners to keep de-icer containers safely away from pets as ethylene glycol is sweet-tasting, and dogs might seek it out. 

If you spot any leaks in your vehicles, take care to clean any spills or remove access to the garage altogether until it can be fixed. 

 

Frostbite 

With the possibility of cold weather and snow, frostbite starts being a potential concern, especially for dogs that go outside a lot. Extremities like toes, ears and tail are the most sensitive body parts to freezing temperatures. 

Making sure your pets have access to warm shelter at all times is vital to prevent injuries from frostbite. If you’re planning on going on long walks in the snow or places with cold water, don’t forget to put proper winter boots on your dog and to check regularly if he or she is doing okay. 

 

If you think that your dog has ingested something they shouldn’t or might have stayed out for too long in the cold, don’t hesitate to contact your vets for advice.

Cats, Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Preventing pet theft

If there’s one good thing that came out of this pandemic, it would have to be a strengthened relationship between ourselves and our pets.

Pets have provided us with an unparalleled source of company and support in these challenging times, which we believe to be related to the increased demand for pets that we’ve seen in the past year.

However, as with any other situation in life, there are positives and negatives, which leads us to today’s blog post about pet theft.

According to the charity DogLost, reports of pet theft have increased by 170% in the last year.

As pet owners, we can only imagine how horrifying it must be to have your pet stolen, so we’d like to share our top four tips to help you keep your pets safe.

# 1: Safety while out and about

Before taking your dog for a walk, make sure that they are wearing their ID tags.

There are a number of precautions that you can take while out on a walk with your dogs to maximise your safety, including:

• Walking your dogs on a lead in public places
• Walking your dogs around other people, in well-lit places
• While playing fetch, not throwing their toys too far away
• Avoiding having a fixed walking routine
• Avoiding posting your location on Social Media
• Not leaving your dogs tied up outside when you go into a shop

#2: Pet training

There is one command that can be invaluable in these situations, which is a good recall. If you’re out playing with your dog off lead and you notice a stranger approaching, call your dog and keep them near you and out of other people’s reach.

#3: Home safety

Unfortunately, we can’t help but mention that not all cases of pet theft occur on the streets or in public gardens and that there are individuals who will break into your home to steal your dog if they find the opportunity to do so. If your pet is home alone, make sure to leave the doors locked and your windows secured. If you have an alarm, remember to turn it on.

#4: Identification

This will not prevent your pet from being stolen, but having your pet microchipped will be instrumental in reuniting you after they are hopefully found. Make sure that your contact information is updated with the microchip company as well as your vet.

One last thing worth mentioning is that dogs of popular breeds such as French bulldogs and Pugs, for example, as well as unneutered dogs, may be at increased risk of theft.

However, pet theft is something that can happen to anyone, so we hope that you follow our tips and never have any problems with this type of crime.

Horses, The Pet Professionals

Preventing obesity in horses: weight monitoring

People’s lifestyle and eating habits have dramatically changed over the years, and so have their pets’. As a result, excess weight and obesity have become a growing concern in human and veterinary medicine, as these have been proven to be associated with a number of diseases in all species. Overweight horses, in particular, are at higher risk of suffering from:
• Equine Metabolic Syndrome,
• Diabetes,
• Laminitis,
• Arthritis,
• Heart disease,
• Respiratory problems.
All these conditions can have a serious impact on horses’ welfare, health and, consequently, their lifespan, so it’s our job as responsible owners to make sure they do not have to suffer from problems associated with excess weight.
Trying to fight this alarmingly growing trend, and as obesity is a preventable disease, the BEVA is raising awareness of the importance of weight monitoring and of the fact that the perception of a normal horses’ weight has changed, with people not being able to recognise when a horse is overweight anymore.

But how can monitoring your horses’ weight help prevent obesity?
If your horses are at a healthy weight, monitoring will be a valuable tool to detect unwanted variations early on. As a result, you can adapt their management regime, preventing a little weight gain from becoming a bigger problem, which will also be more difficult to correct.
If your horses are already overweight, this is something that you need to address as soon as possible, and monitoring their weight is essential to keep track of their weight loss progress.

So, how can you do this?
When we say to monitor your horses’ weight, we understand that most horse owners will not have access to weighbridges to actually weigh their horses. However, there are simple methods you can use to estimate their weight (such as using a weigh-tape or calculating it through a formula) and, even better, to assess their body condition.
Assessing your horses’ body condition, also known as body scoring, consists of running your hands over your horses’ body, feeling for certain skeletal landmarks, like the ribs or the backbone, and for the fat cover. The body scoring system is divided into five scores, where a score of 3 is ideal, a score of 1 is emaciated and a score of 5 is obese.
Compared to weight measurements (however accurate they may be), by using the body scoring system, you’ll have the additional information of knowing if the weight is right for your horse instead of just having a number.

Here are some tips to help you start:
• Monitor regularly – create the habit of actively monitoring your horses’ weight and body condition at weekly, fortnightly, or monthly intervals;
• Be consistent – always use the same method and tools to avoid errors;
• Keep records – this will be the easiest way to track trends and make changes if needed;
• Take pictures – you won’t be able to notice subtle changes just by looking at your horses. However, comparing new pictures to old ones can be extremely helpful and encouraging if you’re on a weight loss journey;
• Seek professional help – if you are not sure how to start or if you are concerned about your horses’ weight don’t hesitate to talk to your vet.

There is a lot you can do to help fight the growing threat of obesity, and it is very important to acknowledge that this is a preventable disease.
It’s not always easy to find the right balance, but through proper nutrition, regular exercise and weight monitoring, you can help keep your horses fit and healthy.

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Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Prevention is the best medicine!

Being a dog parent is more than a fantastic and rewarding experience, it’s also about embracing the responsibility of caring for another life. Even though some things fall beyond our control, we need to make sure our dogs have the best chance to thrive and have a happy, healthy life.
To make sure your dog is protected, you should work together with your vet as he or she is the most qualified person to help you create a tailored health plan for your dogs that covers their individual, specific needs.

Vaccination
It is recommended that you vaccinate your dogs against parvovirus, distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, and other infectious agents, which can cause severe disease and can have a fatal outcome, especially for puppies and dogs with compromised immunity. Also, if you’re planning on travelling with your dogs, you’ll need to vaccinate them against rabies.

Parasite treatments
There are two types of parasites that can affect our pets: ectoparasites, which are external parasites such as fleas and ticks, and endoparasites, which are internal parasites and are mostly worms.
As the number of products available for parasite treatment keeps growing, and as these have different effects depending on their composition, it is always best to seek veterinary advice before using them on your dogs.

Identification
Having your dogs identified is mandatory by law and a valuable tool in case they ever get lost, as it will make it easier to reunite them with you. This includes getting your dogs microchipped, but also ensuring that they wear a collar/harness with identification tags whenever they go outside. This is something some people might not be aware is a legal requirement.

Nutrition
For dogs and for all species, proper nutrition is one of the most important foundations of health.
Finding a nutritional balance is essential as the lack of certain nutrients can cause severe issues, but being overweight and obesity are also linked to serious diseases that can shorten your dogs’ life span.
At different life stages, dogs have different caloric needs, and these will also vary depending on their size and lifestyle.

Neutering (spaying and castrating)
If you’re not planning on breeding your dogs, you should consider getting them neutered.
Besides preventing unwanted pregnancies, neutering can have a significant impact on your dogs’ health as it will decrease or eliminate the risk of developing certain diseases of the reproductive system.
Neutering male dogs can also help reduce roaming and fighting behaviours, which will reduce the risk of them running off, and getting injured in a car accident or fighting.

Hygiene, grooming and dental care
Hygiene is also one of the cornerstones of health. Good hygiene will involve a lot of touching, holding and standing still so you should try to get your dogs used to being touched and remaining quiet early on to make this process quick, easy and enjoyable for both of you. You can encourage their patience by offering rewards during this process!
Pay particular attention to the face, especially their eyes, ears and mouth, making sure that they are properly clean. Other areas that usually require regular attention are the nails and the anal glands.
Ideally, you should try to brush your dogs’ teeth daily. There are other options that can help keep your dogs’ teeth clean such as dental chews and some prescription diets; however, they’re not as efficient. Dental hygiene will be essential in preventing plaque build-up, tartar development and consequent oral inflammation and disease.
Grooming will help remove clumps of matted and soiled hair, keeping the hair and skin healthy. Long-haired breeds will need to be groomed more often, but all dogs benefit from regular grooming.

Exercise
Exercise is a great source of entertainment for your dogs and can prevent unwanted behaviours, keeping them fit and healthy. You should exercise your dogs daily and adapt their routines to their age and breed.

Keep in mind that your dogs’ needs will change over time and do not hesitate to consult with your veterinary surgeon if you have any questions.

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