Tag Archives: nutrition

Horses, The Pet Professionals

The Five Freedoms: How can I improve my horse’s life?

As we mentioned in our last Equine blog, horses and donkeys are amazing companions! They support us by giving us unconditional love, helping us with farm and transportation work, and can perform as outstanding athletes in various types of competitions.

As with all other companion species, the Five Freedoms are an essential part of equine welfare and in this blog, we’ll be talking about freedom from hunger and thirst and freedom from pain, injury and disease.

Keep reading to know how you can improve your horse’s life!

Freedom from hunger and thirst

Horses are large ruminants that require the appropriate type and quantity of food for their age, lifestyle, and physical condition (for instance, pregnancy, old age, or chronic illnesses).

Because this can vary so much for each horse and is likely to change during the horse’s life, it’s essential that you keep a close eye on their needs and change how you’re feeding them as needed. This might mean balancing nutrients, introducing supplements or finding better ways to avoid under- or overfeeding.

They also cannot live without water and, in fact, will suffer severe consequences quicker from a lack of water than from bad nutrition. This means that it’s crucial that you provide them with permanent access to fresh water that doesn’t have a bad taste (which might mean your horses drink less than they should) or isn’t accidentally contaminated with chemicals or microorganisms.

If you’re worried about your horse’s nutrition or if he or she has a disease that requires a specific type of food, don’t hesitate to talk to your vet! They can help you ensure your animals are receiving the right type and amount of food to thrive and remain healthy.

Freedom from pain, injury and disease

Discomfort and pain are two major contributors to decreased quality of life and lack of welfare in equines. An essential part of responsible ownership is creating and maintaining the conditions that allow your animals to live their best lives and spend many happy years with you.

  • Here are some of the best ways to ensure that your horses avoid pain, injury and disease:
  • Take a good look at where your horses live, sleep and exercise and make sure that they have a comfortable place to rest, enough space to move around and routines that respect their needs;
  • Schedule preventative veterinary appointments as regularly as needed and consistently be on the lookout for any problems that might come up, like limping, hoof problems or weight variations;
  • If your horse has a chronic health condition, they might require medication and special care from you;
  • Whenever you see an injury or a problem that requires urgent care, contact your vet as soon as you are able!

Join us for our next blog post as we wrap up our series on the 5 Freedoms of Animal Welfare!

In summary:

  • Respecting the five areas of animal welfare is essential for the health, wellbeing and happiness of your horse;
  • Equines require specific nutrition depending on their age, lifestyle and physical condition as well as permanent access to clean, fresh water;
  • A well-maintained stable, preventative veterinary care and support during medical emergencies as well as during chronic health conditions will ensure that your animals live long and happy lives free from suffering.

 

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

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Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Is my dog struggling with osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a common problem for dogs, particularly elderly pets. This disease happens due to progressive inflammatory destruction of the cartilage in the joints, leading to worsening mobility and pain.

Unfortunately, this condition does not have a cure in most cases, but there are many ways to slow down the progression of cartilage destruction and manage pain successfully.

If you’ve noticed that your furry friend has been slowing down on walks and is more reluctant to move around, this blog post is for you! Keep reading to know all about osteoarthritis and how to help your pet enjoy its twilight years without pain.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is also called degenerative joint disease (DJD), and, as we’ve mentioned, it is caused by persistent joint inflammation resulting from damaged cartilage, a protective tissue that is vital for proper joint movement.

As this is progressively destroyed, the bones lose their capacity to move correctly. This situation also causes significant and increasing pain, and you may start to notice your pet being more reluctant to get up from their bed, walk or play. This discomfort can also show up as increased aggressiveness, less patience and house-soiling.

Any dog can suffer from osteoarthritis at any point in his or her life, but some animals are more predisposed to DJD. The most important risk factors include:

  • Age as older dogs are more likely to have cartilage damage;
  • Larger breeds;
  • Injuries or repeated activities (such as sports) as these create a lot of repeated stress on the joints;
  • Overweight;
  • Joints with bad conformation (for instance, hip dysplasia).

While no definitive cure exists for this disease, your furry friend can still enjoy a long time of comfort and activity with the proper treatments. These aim to slow down the progression and manage pain, allowing him or her to have many more great days to share with you.

 

Can I help my dog feel better?

One of the most essential things any owner can do is keep an eye out for progressing signs of osteoarthritis, especially during this time of the year when cold and damp days can worsen joint function.

While every pet is different, medical management is vital in these cases, as pain and mobility loss will continue progressing. Often, these medications will have to be adjusted as time passes and other symptoms appear.

Your vet will also likely suggest physical therapy to help reduce discomfort and improve limb strength. This might include hydrotherapy, acupuncture, laser therapy or other complementary treatment modalities that help medication and lifestyle changes be more effective.

Modifying routines, for instance, with shorter walks, and changing how your dog can get around your home, for example, with more comfortable bedding and mobility aids, can also be extremely helpful.

If you spot any concerning changes, don’t hesitate to contact your vet! They will carry out a thorough investigation and suggest the best treatments to address any difficulties your pet is having.

 

Don’t forget:

  • Osteoarthritis most often cannot be cured, but it can usually be successfully managed;
  • If you spot any changes in behaviour such as less patience, reluctance to move or get up, increased vocalisations and house soiling, they might be due to pain or significant discomfort;
  • Medication and treatments like hydrotherapy or laser therapy can help manage symptoms when they come up;
  • In case you see any worrying concerns, speak to your vet, and they will be able to help you decide on the best course of action.

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

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Have you heard of Equine Metabolic Syndrome?

If you have a horse with the tendency to gain weight easily, especially around the neck, then he or she might have Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)!

This syndrome is caused by insulin dysregulation, and it affects your horse’s ability to use blood sugar adequately, especially when he or she has access to feed or pastures that are high in carbohydrates.

Unfortunately, Equine Metabolic Syndrome can put your horse at significant risk of laminitis and it might interfere with fertility if not managed adequately in predisposed animals.

Keep reading to learn more about how to spot this problem in your herd and how to prevent it.

What is Equine Metabolic Syndrome?

While no known cause has been found for Equine Metabolic Syndrome, researchers believe it might have been an adaptation of certain horse populations to scarce food supplies. This genetic disposition is great for times when there isn’t much food, as it allows animals to use calories more efficiently, but it becomes a problem in the modern world of abundant feed and lush pastures.

The main feature of this syndrome is a problem in regulating insulin, a hormone that controls, among other things, the concentration of blood sugar. When these horses ingest feed high in carbohydrates, they produce an excessive amount of insulin, which can cause several problems, such as laminitis, obesity and infertility.

You might spot these signs:

  • Obesity;
  • Episodes of laminitis;
  • Fat deposition in specific places such as the back of the neck or rump;
  • Less appetite, which can lead to liver damage and metabolic issues;
  • Lethargy;
  • Increased thirst and urination;
  • Reproductive difficulties in mares.

Even though excessive weight and ease of weight gain are characteristic of EMS, many thin horses also suffer from this disorder. However, they might still have characteristic fat deposits on the neck and near the tail.

Can this cause severe laminitis?

When you suspect something might be wrong, it’s important to speak to your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Laminitis is one of the most severe consequences of untreated EMS, and it can lead to continuous episodes of worsening hoof health. This, as many owners know, can lead to irreversible loss of mobility and, eventually, untenable quality of life.

Treating and preventing episodes of EMS can be challenging, especially in horses that have had several episodes of acute laminitis and have difficulty exercising, but the sooner you can start this, the better.

How can I prevent Equine Metabolic Syndrome?

Horses that are predisposed to insulin dysregulation need to be carefully managed with the proper diet and exercise regimen. Your vet or nutritionist will help you to analyse your feed and will advise limiting pasture access, especially during spring and summer.

Weight loss is encouraged but speak to your vet in order to figure out the best way to do this, as sudden severe restrictions and significant increases in exercise can cause more problems than they solve.

It’s vital for horses suffering from metabolic issues to have adequate supportive therapy whilst they recover.

Preventing EMS can be challenging, which is why it’s essential to talk to your vet about whatever difficulties you might be experiencing in order to find out the best way to keep your horses healthy.

 

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

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Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Senior Dog Care

Did you know your dog’s healthcare and other needs will change as he or she ages? A senior pet might need some changes around the house, specific food or even more frequent veterinary care.

All of these are part of the natural process of growing old, and meeting these needs is very important for their quality of life.

Make sure you have everything that you need to tackle your dog’s golden years and learn all about this amazing life stage.

Health and veterinary care

When people get older, going to the doctor becomes more frequent because there are a lot of health issues that are more common in older people.

The same is true for our dogs, as issues like osteoarthritis, heart disease or cancer become more of a concern as the years go by. Fortunately, most of these problems can be managed to keep your furry friend comfortable and improve their quality of life.

Early detection is vital, which is why your vet is likely to recommend specific tests during your dog’s senior years or ask you to come in to the practice with your pet twice a year instead of just once.

Receiving a diagnosis that something is wrong is understandably distressing, especially for severe diseases like kidney and heart disease, diabetes or even cancer. At first, trying to figure out how you’ll manage this can be overwhelming, but your vet can help you find the best treatment options and support you during this trying time.

Changes in their lifestyle

Even perfectly healthy senior dogs have different needs than younger dogs. In particular, regarding their meals, exercise needs or socialisation.

We consider dogs to be seniors at around age 7, a little earlier for large or giant breeds and a little later for smaller breeds. When your dogs hit this stage of their lives, some changes inevitably happen, such as potentially losing some of their capacity to see, hear or smell, and their joints might be suffering from wear and tear.

With these things in mind, you should keep an eye out for problems like eating less or struggling to move. Behavioural changes are also a concern now, as you might find your dog is more easily startled, anxious or even more aggressive.

Loss of senses like eyesight, hearing or even cognitive abilities is very distressing and might make him or her change their behaviour. Pain and discomfort can also play a huge part in this, as these pets often don’t wish to be touched or bothered as often due to these factors.

Some things you can try include:

  • Changing to food that’s specifically made for seniors and finding the things your pet loves the most for them to eat, as loss of smell can make ingesting enough calories and nutrients difficult;
  • Modifying their exercise routines, for instance, with shorter walks or with more time to rest and consider introducing more lower-impact play with toys to keep them moving but not in a way that causes discomfort;
  • If you notice that they can’t see or hear you very well, approach them gently and give them plenty of time to realise that you are there so you won’t startle them;
  • Talking to your vet about your concerns to determine if a disease might be causing these signs and to help you manage your dog’s pain.

As your dog’s needs evolve, it’s best to keep a keen eye on how things are going and adjust your home and routines to meet these new needs.

 

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

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Sycamore toxicity in horses

Sycamore toxicity happens when horses ingest the leaves and seeds of sycamore trees, which causes a potentially lethal problem called atypical myopathy.

Due to the unusual weather over the summer that has caused a boom of sycamore seeds, the British Equine Veterinary Association has sent out a warning for owners to be careful when letting their horses graze around sycamores.

Keep reading to know more about atypical myopathy and how to help avoid this problem.

What is atypical myopathy?

When horses ingest sycamore seeds, leaves or seedlings, these contain a toxin called hypoglycin A, which targets and destroys muscle cells. As it causes severe muscular damage, including to the muscles in the heart, atypical myopathy is often fatal!

With only a 30% to 40% chance of survival, prompt medical care is essential to give your horses the best chance to make it through sycamore poisoning.

Clinical signs usually show up as:

  • Depression and struggling to walk or even stand;
  • Breathing and heart problems;
  • Colic like signs but animals are still eating;
  • Urine with a brown or dark red colour.

These signs might be seen in several animals at the same time. However, not all horses are affected in the same way despite potentially ingesting the same amount of toxins, and the reason why some horses are more resistant than others is still under investigation.

Detecting these signs and calling your vet as soon as possible is vital to ensure your horses survive. There is no specific treatment, but animals that improve after the initial event are likely to recover without complications.

How can I help my horses avoid sycamore poisoning?

Autumn and winter are the times of the year when leaves and seeds fall onto the pastures, creating many chances for horses to ingest these dangerous materials.

This is why pasture management is fundamental to reducing the chances of your horses contacting toxins while grazing.

The best way to do this is to avoid letting your herd graze on pastures with sycamores nearby during their season or fence off the areas where these trees are present. If this is not possible, clearing fallen leaves and seeds, as well as providing adequate supplementary forage during the autumn, will help them not ingest toxic substances.

If you’d like to test your pasture for the presence of hypoglycin A, you can ask your vet on how to collect a sample to submit to the RVC Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory.

Key takeaways

Sycamore poisoning is often seen during the autumn and winter months due to the falling of sycamore leaves, seeds and seedlings onto pastures. Due to the unusual weather this summer, sycamores may have produced an abundance of seeds and caused a spike in atypical myopathy cases. Keep an eye out for your horses and if you have any concerns, call your vet to help minimise the risk of intoxication.

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:

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Dogs, The Pet Professionals

Canine nutrition Q&A – Part I

We are what we eat, and the same is true for our four-legged friends.

We can’t stress enough how much a balanced diet is important for your pet’s health, so we’ve prepared a Q&A for you with common questions dog owners have regarding their pet’s nutritional needs!

 

#1: What should I feed my dog?

With the growing number of commercial diets available, choosing the best one to feed your dog can be challenging! On top of that, there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration, such as life stage, lifestyle and breed/size, for example.

Puppies, pregnant or lactating bitches, and golden oldies all have different energy requirements. Take puppies, for example. As growing animals, puppies tend to have bigger nutritional needs than adult dogs, but keep in mind that this does not translate to a greater quantity of food on their plate! The daily amount of food needs to be calculated based on the puppies’ size and age, and puppy diets are already formulated to be higher in calories.

As for his lifestyle, is your dog sedentary, or does he regularly accompany you on your outdoor adventures? What’s his overall activity level? The number of calories your pet burns during the day is also a factor to take into account, and there are diets specifically formulated for active dogs, which are higher in calories.

Regarding breed, small breed dogs can have difficulties eating and even choke on regular-sized kibble. Puppy kibble is smaller in size but, as we have discussed, higher in calories, so it will not be appropriate for an adult dog! There are diets specially formulated for small breed dogs, which have smaller kibble and balanced nutritional value. As for large breed dogs, they may benefit from a diet that includes some kind of joint support supplement.

If you’re not sure what’s the best option for your pet, don’t hesitate to ask your vet for advice.

 

#2: How much should I give my dog to eat?

The factors we’ve just covered above will influence the amount of food your dog needs to eat every day as well.

After calculating his daily nutritional requirements, you’ll probably want to have part of those calories allocated as a treat allowance, which can be up to 10% of your dog’s total energy needs. This way, you can give your pet treats without exceeding the daily requirements and make sure your dog stays at a healthy weight!

For instance, if your pet needs 1000 kcal per day, up to 100 kcal can be treats. The remaining 900 kcal should consist of your dog’s regular food and should be divided into the number of meals you intend to give your dog during the day. If you’re planning on giving him food twice a day, each meal would consist of 450 kcal. If you’d like to feed him more often, three meals of 300 kcal each would be an option.

Your vet can help you make these calculations and find the equivalent weight or volume of food, so you won’t have to worry about counting calories every time you feed your dog!

 

#3: Should I opt for a homecooked diet instead?

Homecooked diets can be valuable in a number of situations, especially if your pet is sick. However, as a long-term option, it is not easy to create a balanced diet from everyday food, and you’ll probably need  to include mineral and vitamin supplements. Make sure to always check with your vet first as an unbalanced diet will harm your dog’s health.

 

By now, you’ve probably realised that nutrition is not a black and white subject, so stay tuned for part II and, if you have any questions, make sure you discuss them with your vet!

You can find the 2nd part of this article on this link

Horses, The Pet Professionals

Horses’ Digestive Process


Horses are herbivorous animals that have a very complex and sensitive digestive system. As with all animals, proper nutrition is vital for their wellness and health.

Let’s do a simple overview of the horses’ digestive process!

There are some things in common between horses’ and our digestion: it will start in the mouth, where food is grabbed, chewed and then off it goes into the stomach lubricated with salivary digestive enzymes to help the digestive process. In the stomach, the process continues with other enzymes, acid and lots of mixing so food can now reach the small intestine in bits tiny enough to be broken down into usable nutrients like fats, glucose and amino acids.

So far, so good! This process is familiar to all of us.

But it’s when the food particles reach the large intestine that things get a lot different. Horses, unlike us, have the ability to digest cellulose from plants. But actually, even though they get all the credit for it, they are not the ones doing it! Cellulose (fibre) is digested by microorganisms, bacteria and protozoa, present in the caecum, a 30 litre intestinal fermentation chamber, where all the magic happens. The fibre is then transformed into volatile fatty acids which are absorbed and provide an important source of energy for horses.

What this means is, when we’re feeding our horses we have to make the horses happy and the fermenting microorganisms happy as well! Otherwise, we will start seeing problems like poor performance and even severe health issues, such as weight loss or obesity, colic, founder, osteoarticular issues, gastrointestinal ulcers, among others.

Here is an example: before domestication, horses pretty much spent their whole day eating the same thing. It would be either that or roaming to find a new place to eat! So over time, their digestive systems evolved to perfectly deal with the naturally available food. With domestication, horses are usually enclosed in pastures, paddocks and barns which keeps them from roaming and grazing. Also, their caloric needs are different. Some days horses will need more calories as they spend more because they are working or performing; other days they’ll need less as they’re stabled and won’t burn as many. As a result, concentrate feed has been introduced in horses’ diets to meet their daily caloric intake requirements. However, as concentrate is not a natural food for horses, sometimes gastrointestinal problems may occur.

As you’ve figured out by now, the number of things that influence the horses’ digestive process is pretty big and finding the correct nutritional balance to keep your horses happy and healthy is not easy.

If you need help or if you’d like to know more about equine nutrition, please talk to us!

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