paige_soap, Author at Oakhill Vets

GETTING ACTIVE IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, it is important for us to consider how to keep our pets active and healthy. Read on to find out the best ways to keep your pets active and healthy, prepare for outdoor activities, and feed active animals.

After a long, cold and wet winter, with limited opportunities for outdoor adventures, it is important that you gradually increase your pet’s outdoor activity. This is to avoid injuries and to allow their bodies to adapt. Start off slow and steady. If your pet is not used to being exercised, they will need to start off with short walks and gradually increase the duration and intensity as they become more capable.

WAYS TO GET ACTIVE

Play with your pets – to encourage your pet to be more active outside, you can play games with them. Frisbee and fetch are brilliant games to provide mental stimulation and improve your pet’s fitness by raising their heart rate and getting them moving. It is also a good way to bond with your pet.

Swimming – this is a perfect low- impact activity that can get your pet moving. Dogs especially loves swimming, and it is something that can be enjoyed by all ages and fitness levels. Ensure your pet is up to date with their vaccinations to protect them from diseases such as Leptospira. This is a potentially fatal infection that can be spread by rat urine. It can be found in water such as canals. Ensure your dog is not swimming in areas where there is blue-green algae as this is toxic to dogs.

Agility training – another brilliant way to keep your pet active and mentally stimulate them at the same time is agility training. This is a fun and challenging way to develop your pet’s co-ordination and fitness. If your pet has been well socialised, they may benefit from meeting other pets in the park. Here they can let off some steam and burn calories with another furry friend.

MAKING SURE IT’S ENJOYABLE

Take notice of the weather – as the weather starts getting warmer, it is very important to always have water available and offer it to your pet at regular intervals. Provide shade for your pet and let them rest as much as they need. Always take the necessary precautions in the heat.

Beware of parasites – always check your pet for parasites such as ticks and fleas after they have been exploring outside. We will advise you on suitable preventive parasites medicine for your pet depending on their lifestyle. Ticks can carry Lyme disease, which can affect humans, so it is in our best interest to ensure they are free from parasites.

FEEDING ACTIVE ANIMALS

It is so important to provide your pet with good quality food that contains the correct balance of all the essential nutrients they need to thrive. The food must be appropriate for their age and activity level. You can add supplements to your pet’s diet for optimum performance. For example, joint supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin can aid in keeping joints healthy.

JUMP TO IT – PREVENTING PARASITE PROBLEMS

Parasites can cause serious problems for our pets… and for the humans that interact with them! So, it’s vital to be aware of them and learn how you can keep your pet protected against these pesky parasites.

Individual animals can face varying degrees of risk from different parasites, underscoring the importance of discussing their risk with us. We can provide personalised advice on parasite prevention, tailored to your pet’s specific needs, considering factors such as species, age, lifestyle, and geographical location.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES VERSUS OVER-THE-COUNTER PARASITE PRODUCTS

Numerous options are available for parasite prevention, including spot-on solutions applied to the back of your pet’s neck, tablets which are given orally, and impregnated collars. Opting for veterinary prescription medicines is advisable, rather than over-the-counter products. This is because they have been rigorously tested to ensure that they work effectively and that they are safe for your pet.

Additionally, several preventive measures can be taken to minimise your pet’s risk of parasite infestation, such as:

maintaining good hygiene practices (e.g., washing hands, disinfecting food bowls)
refraining from feeding uncooked meat or offal
consistently cleaning up after your dog.

Preventing parasite issues is far simpler than treating them, and the good news is, our 365 Care Plan has made this super easy!

TACKLING TICKS

Ticks are becoming more common in the UK and can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, which can affect dogs and cats, as well as humans. It is a very serious illness and be fatal in some cases.

You should always remove ticks if they are attached to your pet, but never pull them straight out, as this runs the risk of the head being left behind in your pet’s skin. Instead, you can remove them by gently twisting them until they release. You can buy special tick removers to assist you with this, or one of our vet nurses can safely remove them for you.

If your pet frequently visits areas where they are picking up ticks, then you need to consider preventive treatment for them.

FIGHTING FLEAS

Fleas are tiny wingless insects which feed on the bloods of animals, including pets and wildlife. They are one of the most irritating and itchy parasites for your pet and can live on dogs, cats They and even rabbits. While they can’t live on humans, their bites can cause itching and unsightly marks. Flea

As they reproduce very quickly, they can soon have produced hundreds of tiny eggs, which rapidly cause an infestation in the house. Eggs have remarkable resilience, surviving for months in the environment, leading to prolonged infestations that require considerable effort and expense to eradicate. Anyone who has had this problem knows how difficult this can be to clear!

Preventing these unwelcome intruders is significantly simpler than dealing with an established infestation.

MANAGING MITES

Mites can infest the skin and ears of dogs, cats, rabbits, and other rodents, which can be very itchy and uncomfortable. Infestations can cause hair loss, scratching and red or dry and scurfy skin. There are many different types of mites, but they can easily be prevented with treatments from us.

WAR ON WORMS

Roundworms – these parasites are prevalent in both dogs and cats. Pets can contract them by sniffing or licking contaminated faeces from other animals, or by consuming infected carcasses. Roundworms are often transmitted to puppies and kittens from their mother before birth and can also be passed through the mother’s milk. Severe infestations can lead to stunted growth, vomiting, and diarrhoea, making it essential to regularly deworm pregnant females, puppies, and kittens.

Certain types of roundworms such as Toxocara canis can pose a serious risk to humans – it is known to cause symptoms such as blindness and seizures. Children are most at risk because they are more likely to play in areas where dogs have toileted and put their fingers in their mouths. Being a responsible pet owner means that you should regularly worm your dog and always pickup their faeces.

Tapeworm – transmitted when dogs and cats eat unprocessed raw food, offal, or other infected animal carcasses. Tapeworm can also be spread via fleas, with dogs and cats becoming infected when they ingest fleas while grooming or scratching. This is another very good reason to use a flea- prevention treatment!

Lungworm – dogs can contract lungworm by consuming infected slugs or snails, or their slime, which can lead to severe health issues like breathing problems, blood clotting disorders, and potentially fatal outcomes. This condition can be effectively prevented through regular administration of a monthly tablet or spot-on treatment. Additionally, minimizing the risk of exposure to infected creatures can be achieved by avoiding leaving toys or bowls outside overnight, as they may attract slugs or snails.

SPRING DANGERS PET OWNERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF!

Finally, spring is in the air… and there’s no better feeling after a long, cold, dark, and very wet winter. While the warmer weather signals time for fun outdoor activities – alfresco dining, camping and open water swimming to name a few – it can bring with it a new set of hazards for our pets. From blooming flowers to searing heat, and even your favourite treats, read on to learn more about the common spring dangers that can affect our furry (and not so furry!) friends.

TOXIC TREATS

With spring comes Easter, and all the delicious treats we love to devour. Most people are aware that chocolate is harmful to dogs, but did you know that cats, rabbits, rats and guinea pigs are also at risk?

Chocolate contains high levels of caffeine and a compound called theobromine that causes gastrointestinal upset, tremors, and even seizures. Hot cross buns are also a surprising hazard as the raisins and sultanas are highly toxic. Make sure Easter treats are hidden away from curious creatures and call us if you suspect you pet has eaten anything they shouldn’t.

We all love having the opportunity to cook outside during the (few) warmer months, and it is so tempting to throw the dog a sausage while barbequing…but did you know that BBQ scraps are unsafe for your pets? Cooked bones, pork, ham, chicken skin, and meaty skewers are all delicious, but hazardous to our pets. Cooked bones can easily become lodged in the gut, leading to life-threatening obstruction and fatty meats can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, or pancreatitis.

GROWING GARDENS

Spring is the perfect time for getting busy in the garden, but many plants and chemicals can be dangerous for your pet. Toxic flowers include tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses. All parts of the plant are harmful when ingested – and the bulbs contain higher concentrations. Cats are also extremely sensitive to the Lilium family, and any ingestion can cause fatal kidney disease. It is best to leave lily flowers out of our home and garden if you have any feline friends.

Other common garden hazards include fertilisers and weed chemicals. Store these toxins securely, and if used in your garden, make sure they are dug deep into the soil, then block access to your pets, including rabbits and guinea pigs. Snail or slug pallets are also highly dangerous, and poisoning is common, especially in dogs – they can cause tremors and seizures and can be fatal to all species.

PESKY PESTS

During spring, biting bugs start to breed! Ticks, fleas, and mites all party hard in the springtime and can cause bites and allergic reactions. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs should be treated with parasite prevention. Don’t forget your chickens too, as red mites can be nuisance at this time of year.

Increased fly activity can cause trouble for rabbits and other small furries that live outside. Flies can lay eggs in the warm wet areas around the tail, or open wounds, and maggots will emerge, leading to a nasty condition called flystrike. Keep your pet’s environment clean and dry, regularly remove any droppings and treat all wounds quickly.

As with all parasites, prevention is better than cure – and early measures should be taken to protect your furry friends from biting bugs.

Last, but certainly not least, comes snakes. Springtime signals the end of winter hibernation and as the ground warms up our scaly friends become active.

There are three types of snakes in the UK: grass snakes, smooth snakes, and adders. The adder is the only venomous species: grass snakes and smooth snakes aren’t venomous and don’t tend to bite.

Adders tend to keep themselves to themselves and don’t bite unless they are scared. Unfortunately, dogs tend to approach them without fear, startle them and get bitten! If your dog has bitten by an adder, their symptoms will depend on where the bite is, and where the venom spreads to. If the venom stays in the tissues around the bite, it will cause pain and swelling, but if it spreads further and gets into the bloodstream, it can cause much more serious problems such as damage to the liver, kidneys, heart, and nervous system.

If you suspect your pet has been bitten, seek immediate veterinary help.

PROTECTING YOUR PET THE EASY WAY…

Spring is an exciting time and with some careful planning it can be full of joy and adventure for the whole family. Prevention is always best and protecting your pet is easy with our 365 Care Plan.

Explore 365 Care Plan

FASCINATING FELINES

Domestic cats (Felis catus) are small carnivorous members of the family Felidae — the only member of that family that has deigned to join humans in domesticated bliss!

For millennia, cats have coexisted with humans. They likely began frequenting human grain stores, attracted by mice and other vermin, and eventually spread around the world as sailors brought them aboard ships.

Today, cats still help humans control vermin and provide companionship. Over the past few centuries, humans have selectively bred cats to exhibit specific traits, such as hairlessness, resulting in the creation of stablishing dozens of cat breeds. With their charming mix of aloofness and goofiness, cats amuse and fascinate us in equal measure.

SUPERNATURAL INTELLIGENCE?

Many people dismiss a cat’s uncanny knowing as superstition or myth, but the ancient Egyptians revered cats as sacred animals, believing them to have magical powers. In those times, cats were treated with the utmost care and respect as representatives of the goddess Bastet.

Modern-day moggies seem to channel this god-like quality with ease, along with their reputed sixth sense. Anyone who lives with a cat has a tale to tell of telepathy, clairvoyance, or mystic encounters. There are many reported instances where cats have apparently predicted events before they happened, such as sensing when their owners are about to come home or anticipating a change in their routine.

Cats have been observed to drastically alter their behaviour prior to natural disasters such as lightning, volcanic activity, earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides. Some cats have even alerted their owners to an impending epileptic seizure, hypoglycaemic attack, or pre-cancerous state.

A cat’s extraordinary senses can explain some of these seemingly psychic acts. They can pick up on subtle changes in body language and scent, detect changes in air pressure, see and hear beyond our limited range and react to stimuli we don’t even recognise. Their long, stiff hairs (or vibrissae) – located on either side of the nose, above the eyes, and on the chin -are super- sensitive helping them to navigate their surroundings and detect changes in their environment. But a lot of what they do is still wonderfully inexplicable.

When a cat stares fixedly into space and then suddenly pounces into action, has he seen a ghost or is he just messing with us?

SENSE-ATIONAL SENSES

SIGHT

Cats have eyes that are specifically adapted for hunting in low-light conditions, which is why they are often considered to be crepuscular animals (more active during twilight). Their pupils can dilate much larger than human pupils, allowing more light to enter the eye. They have a reflective layer at the back of their eyes called the tapetum lucidum, which amplifies available light, enhancing their ability to see in the dark.

Also, cats have a larger number of rod cells in their retina, which are responsible for detecting light and motion. This gives them incredible visual acuity and allows them to track the movement of prey with outstanding speed and accuracy.

SMELL AND TASTE

A cat’s sense of smell is up to 14 times more powerful than our own, thanks to the presence of a specialised organ called the Jacobson’s organ (or vomeronasal organ). It is in the roof of the mouth and is responsible for detecting pheromones and other chemical signals that can’t be detected by a cat’s regular olfactory system.

When a cat detects these chemical signals, they will often display the Flehmen response – curling back their upper lip to draw the odour directly into the Jacobson’s organ for more detailed analysis. With such a finely- tuned nose, its no wonder cats can detect even the faintest whiff of their favourite food!

HEARING

It’s not just cat’s vision that’s impressive – they also have a phenomenal sense of hearing. Their ears can swivel independently of each other to pinpoint the source of a sound with amazing accuracy. Their ears are so sensitive that they can hear a grasshopper rustling in the leaves from several metres away and can even hear the click of a butterfly’s wings!

TOUCH

Cats use their sense of touch in all sorts of ways, from grooming themselves and each other to communicating with other cats. Their paw pads are covered in tiny receptors called mechanoreceptors that help them feel texture, temperature, and pressure. This is important for gripping surfaces, detecting prey, and communicating with other cats through physical contact.

FLEXIBLE FELINES

Arthritis is the bane of any golden oldie – whether human or animal – and especially for a former ninja. Cats have a flexible spine, allowing them to contort their bodies in ways impossible for other animals. Combined with powerful leg muscles, this makes them exceptionally agile climbers and acrobats with lightning- fast reflexes. They can jump several times their own height, run at speeds up to 48km/hr and change direction quickly and effortlessly.

Most cat lovers freely admit to being willing slaves to their pets, so perhaps their greatest talent is the way cats have managed to domesticate humans with their playful, affectionate, independent, and quirky personalities. Let’s take a moment to appreciate just how extraordinary these animals truly are!

CASE STUDY: EQUINE CORNEAL ULCERATION

We are often asked ‘what is considered a veterinary emergency?’ Most people will automatically think colic, difficulties in breathing, severe lameness, bleeding, a wound located near a joint or in pregnant mares, dystocia (difficulties giving birth).

Problems with a horse’s eye often don’t feature, with a lot of owners opting to try an over-the counter product in the first instance prior to involving their vet. Whilst, for very minor ocular disease cases, this may be sufficient, if your horse has a more serious complaint such as corneal ulceration, incorrect treatment will not only delay healing but in severe cases, may be detrimental and result in the loss of an affected eye. Therefore, we advise that you contact your vet immediately should you notice any ocular abnormalities in your horse.

Meet Emily

Emily, a talented and much-loved showjumping pony, is owned by one of our wonderful receptionists Chloe and her family.

On arrival at the yard one fateful evening in October last year, Emily was noted as having a partially shut and very painful right eye. Chloe immediately called the practice and Leona attended to examine Emily and formulate a treatment plan.

Initial diagnosis

On examination, Emily was found to have a deep ulcer, with the worse affected areas extending to Descemet’s membrane. The meant that in places, only one layer of cornea remained intact, and should this become defective, Emily would have a ruptured eye.

We were incredibly concerned this may happen and therefore formulated an intensive treatment plan…

Treatment plan

This plan consisted of:

Pain relief
A combination of different topical medications (including antibiotics to protect against secondary bacterial infection)
Plasma/EDTA (a product made from Emily’s own blood) to try to prevent the ulcer from progressing to a ‘melting’ ulcer
A corneal repair gel

A month and a half later

Chloe diligently administered these medications every few hours and the ulcer rapidly stabilised, but took a month and a half to fully heal.

Emily has a small residual scar at the site of the previous ulcer but is back out and about with Mia – Chloe and Lee’s youngest daughter – doing what they do best – going very fast around SJ courses!

IMPACTION COLIC

Impaction colic is a relatively common medical colic we diagnose during winter months. However, we can see cases throughout the year. Clinical signs consistent with an impaction include signs of colic, reduced gut sounds and reduced droppings. An impaction is confirmed on rectal examination by your vet.

The horses intestinal system, although very large, is not capable of coping with sudden changes to the diet. Alterations in feed type, quantity and hydration can all lead to signs of colic.

Poor weather conditions necessitating stabling are a common reason for impaction development, as horses are fed an increased amount of dry forage compared to the usual grass-based diet. In addition reduced movement will slow gut transit times. Freezing conditions also contribute to impaction development due to reduced water intake as a result of the water source being frozen or the water being cold and unappealing to drink. This leads to the ingesta within the gastrointestinal tract becoming dehydrated with resulting signs of colic and impaction development.

Prevention

Add warm water to your horse’s water buckets when temperatures drop. This will encourage water intake and keep your horse’s colonic contents hydrated.
Add warm water to bucket feeds.
Supplement a second bucket of water with electrolytes or add salt to your horse’s feed – this will stimulate thirst and water intake. Ensure your horse is also offered plain water.
Manage forage intake. Sudden changes in management are sometimes unavoidable. Feeding forage little and often is helpful in preventing impactions. Soaking forage can also be beneficial but remember not to do this if temperatures are below freezing!
Maintain a level of exercise if possible and safe to do so. This can be difficult during freezing temperatures but movement, even turnout, will help to keep your horse’s guts moving and therefore reduce the risk of impaction colic.
Regular dentistry is crucial year-round, but especially during winter months as an inability to properly chew hay could result in impaction colic due to an increased quantity of long fibre reaching the colon. All horses should receive at least one dental check per annum. It is often worth an additional pre-winter check in older horses and ponies.

IMPORTANCE OF DENTISTRY

At least once a year (as part of your horse’s annual health check), a thorough dental examination should be performed. This is particularly important for the winter months and for our older equine patients.

Dental disease can be very painful. Early detection and treatment of dental problems is vitally important in maintaining good oral health- we all know that prevention is better than cure! This will also enable is to advise with regards to feed types that will best suit your horse.

Common dental problems that we encounter when horses are struggling include:

Diastemata: these are gaps between the teeth where food can get trapped resulting in painful gum disease. This is the most common cause of quidding during the winter months.
Loose teeth: longer forage like hay requires more chewing therefore teeth which are slightly mobile can become problematic with these changes in feedstuffs.
Sharp points: these sharp points can cause ulceration of the gums and mucosa resulting in pain when eating or when ridden.
EOTRH (Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis): this is a disease of the incisors resulting in severe pain. Horses can use their lips to graze during the summer months however struggle to pull hay out of haynets with these painful teeth.

If you have any concerns regarding your horse’s dental health or would like to arrange an examination with one of our vets, please give the practice a ring to book an appointment.

CASE STUDY: KISSING SPINES

This 6-year-old WB mare first presented to vet Nikki in May, with a short history of bucking, napping and increasing resistance to going forward.

On examination, severe pain and spasm was noted over the back. No lameness was observed, but there was no transfer of energy from the hind limbs through the back, which was lacking in flexion. The horse tended to strike off incorrectly into canter or become disunited in this gait.

Gastroscopy revealed mild ulceration. Radiography revealed the presence of significant impingement of the dorsal spinous processes (colloquially known as ‘kissing spines’) of the vertebrae in the region under the seat of the saddle.

Given the potential for both gastric ulcers and kissing spines to cause the symptoms exhibited, the gastric ulcers were initially treated with Omeprazole and confirmed to be resolved one month later. This meant that treatment of the kissing spines could commence.

The X-ray findings in this horse can be present in clinically normal horses and in horses where kissing spines have been found to be the cause of pain, treatment can unfortunately fail to resolve an established pattern of evasive behaviour. Therefore, to be certain that this was the cause of the performance issues in this particular horse and that resolving the pain did indeed result in the horse performing normally, medical management was initially opted for.

This involved injecting the affected region of the back with steroid followed by a rehabilitative exercise programme and physiotherapy. Sometimes, medical management alone is enough to return horse to – and maintain them in comfort for their intended use.

Conversely, as was the case with this mare, the improvement is only short lived, and the performance issues return as the effects of the steroid start to wear off. ECVS surgeon Rosie therefore proceeded to surgically reduce the dorsal spinous processes, so they were no longer in contact. This procedure is known as a dorsal wedge ostectomy – amazingly, it can be carried out under standing sedation!

Once surgery was completed, the mare returned home to allow time for the surgical site to heal before an intensive non-ridden rehabilitative exercise programme was instigated (promoting correct muscling over the back).

Pre and post surgery

Ridden exercise was then carefully reintroduced (allowing the horse time to understand that ridden activity was no longer painful), and as you can see from the short video clips, the transformation from unhappy an unhappy, tense horse to a settled horse with powerful movement is remarkable.

OAKHILL VETS CELEBRATES FIFTY YEARS

This year marks Oakhill Vets 50th anniversary, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this momentous milestone!

It’s been quite a journey since 1974 – what began as a one-vet practice founded by Barry Johnson, now employs 130+ people over three divisions and three sites. We are proud to have achieved this remarkable development and growth, all whilst remaining fiercely independent.

On this special occasion, we take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and most importantly the positive impact we have made to our patients and clients’ lives. We have consistently pushed boundaries and delivered exceptional care, while upholding our core values.

“Oakhill Vets remains dedicated to delivering the very best veterinary care to the local community,” said Tony Barry, CEO. “As we move forward into the future, we are excited for the next phase of developments which will enable us to continue to be at the forefront of animal care. We will continue to invest in the future, both in terms of technology and people.

“Our success is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and talent exhibited by our incredible team. It is due to their commitment and passion that we have reached this significant milestone. We recognise the positive impact we can make to the profession through supporting ongoing professional development and working with local universities and colleges, offering work experience to the next generation of vets.”

We have chosen StreetVet as our charity of the year and money raised from events throughout the year will go towards helping them to deliver free, essential veterinary care and service to people experiencing homelessness in the UK.

CHRISTMAS FOOD WHICH IS DANGEROUS FOR YOUR PET

Christmas is a time of overindulgence for us humans, but some of our favourite festive foods can be dangerous to our pets. It’s easy to get swept up in all the festive excitement and treat your pets to a bite of stuffing or a nibble of your mince pie – but resist those big puppy eyes at all costs!

Avoid an expensive emergency trip to the vet this Christmas by keeping your cats and dogs away from these dangerous foods.

Chocolate – it’s one of the most well-known no-no food for dogs, but did you know chocolate is just as dangerous for cats too?
Christmas pudding and mince pies – anything containing dried vine fruits including currants, sultanas and raisins needs to be avoided.
Leeks, onions, shallots and chives – most food belonging to the allium plant family is poisonous to cats and dogs.
Artificial sweeteners – xylitol is found in lots of things, including sweets, baked goods and peanut butter.
Bones – cooked bones are likely to splinter off and can lodge themselves in the oesophagus or cause tissue damage inside the mouth or throat. Cooked or raw bones can cause a blockage in the intestines, which can be fatal without surgery to remove.
Alcohol – all alcohol can be harmful to pets, so please keep out of reach.
Nuts – peanuts have been reported to have adverse effects in some pets and macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs.

If you think your pet has ingested any of the above, please contact us immediately.

SIGNS OF POISONING

The symptoms that your pet will display depends on what they have ingested, but common symptoms to watch out for include:

vomiting
diarrhoea
dehydration
hyperactivity
convulsions
high temperature and blood pressure
abnormal heart rhythm and tremors

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CAT OR DOG BECOMES ILL

The key to keeping pets safe over Christmas is prevention. But even after all precautions are put in place, Christmas can be a busy and chaotic time, with large quantities of food and presents left unattended.

Curious pets, particularly dogs, may investigate and eat gifts (including edible or inedible ones) left under the tree, food in the kitchen or chew on plants decorating the house.

It’s essential to know what to do if you suspect that your pet has been poisoned, or if generally unwell.

If your pet is showing any signs of poisoning, bring them to see us (or Vets Now Preston out of hours) immediately.
Do not try to make your pet vomit and never give them salt water (it can be lethal).
If you are unsure if a visit to your vet is necessary, call us or the Animal PoisonLine (01202 509 000, charges apply) for advice.