Towcester Vets share dog tick removal guide and advice
Following on from our recent article about common dog parasites, Towcester Vets’ experienced RVNs (Registered Veterinary Nurses) are delving deeper still into troublesome ticks to help you keep your dog healthy. Read their advice on why these parasites are so problematic and download our guide on how to remove them safely.
Why are ticks so dangerous?
Pulling that pesky tick straight out of your dog might seem like the obvious thing to do, especially if your dog is agitated. However, this can cause the head to detach, which can lead to more irritation and an increased risk of disease transmission.
This may sound horrible, but it is a common problem during spring and summer. Our RVNs at Burcote Road explain:
- Ticks mostly live in woodland, long grasses, and fields where livestock graze and wildlife roam. Although most prevalent in spring and summer, they can be problematic throughout the year in some areas.
- Ticks can vary but are typically small, oval, and flat. They are roughly the size of a sesame seed and can swell to coffee bean size after a feast of blood.
- They latch onto pets (and people) by inserting their mouthparts into the skin to suck blood. Many produce a sticky glue-like substance to stay attached.
- A tick bite can cause irritation, as well as anaemia and temporary paralysis in rare cases.
- Ticks can spread Lyme disease, which affects humans too. Left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to a serious, debilitating, chronic illness with complications for life.
How to tell if your dog has a tick bite
After a walk, whether in Towcester or further afield, our Nurses recommend that you check your dog all over for ticks – they will feel like small bumps. You should pay extra attention to your dog’s tummy, armpits, ears, head, neck, groin, and feet. Your dog might:
- be excessively scratching or biting at an area
- be shaking their head
- have an initial ‘bullseye’ rash around the bite site
- have intermittent lameness
- show fever or lethargy
How to remove a tick safely
You will need a tick removal tool that has been specially designed for the job. They typically come in a pack of two sizes and can be purchased from most vet practices, pet stores, and some online retailers. Our Vet Nurses recommend having a set in your pet first aid kit, your handbag, and your car.
The longer the tick is in your pet, the bigger the risk of disease transmission. If you are struggling to remove it yourself, contact our nursing team for advice.
Read our step-by-step guide on how to remove a tick safely
Register with AHDB to help shape the future of beef and lamb
In April this year AHDB levy payers will be able to have their say and influence the work AHDB does across the beef, lamb, dairy, pork and cereals & oilseed sectors. They will also be able to voice what they think are the major challenges across the industry. Towcester Farm Vets are working with AHDB to encourage beef & lamb clients to register in order that your opinions can be sought and heard by AHDB.
AHDB has looked at what they believe is important to levy payers and will be asking questions about whether this is the right focus.
For beef and lamb, this includes the work that goes into protecting the reputation of the industry. Marketing the benefits of beef and lamb to consumers at home and abroad through our We Eat Balanced campaign and exports work. Or the work that helps you build on the already strong environmental credentials of beef and lamb in the UK.
There’s the technical advice and guidance shared through manuals, tools and at events, including the Strategic and Monitor Farms. And the work on disease prevention, including BVDFree, tackling one of the biggest disease issues facing the cattle industry today, costing UK farmers in total between £25–£61m per year.
AHDB’s genetic improvement work provides an important way for producers to lift the productivity and profitability of their livestock enterprises. Genetic gain within the UK is currently worth £10.7m to the sheep industry and £4.9m per annum to the beef industry, with much of this work underpinned by AHDB’s programme of research, delivery and knowledge exchange.
AHDB also provides daily market prices and analysis of what’s on the horizon and what consumers are thinking and spending their money on.
You need to register for your chance to shape the future of AHDB at https://ahdb.org.uk/shape-the-future. Registration should take no more than five minutes and needs to be completed by 31 March. You will then be contacted to have your say from 11 April for four weeks.
Common causes of coughing in the horse
Spring is in sight, and after a damp and dark winter we look forward to the end of our horses’ ‘coughing season’. Horses can however pick up coughs all year round, which are generally caused by either allergies or infectious disease. It is important to understand and be able to determine the cause in order to know how to manage and treat your horse’s cough appropriately.
Allergic Airway Disease
Equine Asthma, previously called Respiratory Airway Obstruction (RAO) or Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD) is a common cause of coughing and breathing difficulties in horses. It is non-infectious, cannot be spread to other horses and can affect individuals seasonally or all year round. Equine Asthma is generally caused by an allergy to environmental factors, such as dust or mould spores and grass or crop pollens during the summer months. Management changes are the best way to reduce exposure to allergens. For example;
- Changing bedding from straw to shavings a low dust alternative
- Changing dry hay to soaked/steamed hay or haylage
- Increase stable ventilation and turnout
- Reduce pollen exposure during the summer months
If management changes alone are not enough or your horse’s symptoms are severe, please contact our equine vets as further diagnostics and treatment may be required.
Infectious Respiratory Disease
Infectious coughs can be caused by viruses including Equine Influenza and Equine Herpes Virus. They can also be caused by bacteria such as Strangles and other secondary bacterial infections. In rare cases they can be caused by parasites such as Lungworm.
With an infectious respiratory disease you may see other clinical signs as well as a cough, such as a high temperature and or nasal discharge. You should also be mindful of in-contact horses which may also show similar signs. In these situations, it is important to speak to your vet and put biosecurity measures in place immediately to stop the disease from spreading to other horses and or yards. Some infectious respiratory diseases are self-limiting with supportive therapy, but some may cause severe illness. Diagnostic tests such as nasal swabs, endoscopy and blood tests are often required to determine the precise cause and to allow our equine vets to make the most appropriate treatment plan for your horse.
Given that the differences between allergic and infectious causes of dry horse coughs can be subtle… The most important thing to understand is that if you are concerned about your horse’s cough, you should contact our equine vets without delay.
Gwen Davies BVMedSci BVM BVS MRCVS
Towcester Equine Veterinary Surgeon
University of Nottingham
Why rabbit vaccinations are so important in Northamptonshire
With spring just around the corner, you will likely be flinging the windows open by your rabbit’s hutch or moving it back outside. You may even treat them to more time in the garden. Before you do, it is wise to make sure your rabbit’s vaccinations are up to date.
At Towcester Vets, we want to be sure rabbit owners are aware of the deadly diseases that can affect their pets and how to protect them.
Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease can strike even if your pets live well away from other rabbits. These diseases sadly have high mortality rates. Fortunately, rabbit vaccinations are available to protect your pets. So why not get in touch with our team to make sure your rabbit is protected?
Why rabbits need vaccinating
Towcester Vets’ team of experienced Vets have pulled together the key facts about these horrible rabbit diseases below.
Myxomatosis
- Domestic rabbits do not need to be in contact with wild rabbits to catch it
- It spreads quickly and is passed through fleas, mosquitos, midges, and mites
- Symptoms include nasal and eye discharge, eye inflammation leading to blindness, swelling, redness/ulcers, problems breathing, appetite loss, and lethargy
- Even with the best possible veterinary treatment, very few pet rabbits survive Myxomatosis so vaccination is essential – book yours now
Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD)
- VHD often occurs in outbreaks, spreading rapidly from rabbit to rabbit
- Your rabbit does not need to be in contact with other rabbits to catch it as the virus can be carried in feed, on bedding, by wild birds and insects, and on the feet of rabbit owners who have been walking in an infected area
- There are two strains – VHD-1 has a higher mortality rate (almost 100%) but VHD-2 can also affect younger rabbits under 6 weeks old that may not succumb to VHD-1
- Symptoms of VHD-1 include respiratory distress, fever, appetite loss, lethargy, convulsions, paralysis, and bleeding from the nose before death. Signs of VHD-2 can be vague.
- VHD is easily preventable with vaccines
What vaccinations do rabbits need & when?
You can protect your pet against Myxomatosis and VHD with annual rabbit vaccinations from just five weeks old. In some circumstances, our veterinary surgeons may advise more frequent vaccinations.
If your rabbit has been vaccinated and you cannot remember when their booster is due, get in touch and we can check.
A rabbit vaccination appointment also gives you the perfect opportunity to talk to Towcester Vets experienced team about your rabbit’s health in general.
Daily, regular & annual equine health checks – a quick guide
It is a good idea for horses to have an annual health check in addition to their daily checks and regular management/maintenance regime. Daily and regular checks ensure good basic welfare, whilst an annual check is effectively an MOT to assess all aspects of your horse’s health.
Daily healthcare checks for horses
A daily equine health check should include the following:
- Skin and coat
- Teeth and eating
- Eyes, ears, nose
- Legs
- Urine and faecal output
- Appetite and water intake
- Normal behaviour
For each of these elements you should understand and recognise what is normal for your horse. This means that should you notice anything out of the ordinary, you will be able to recognise this early on and take appropriate preventative measures.
Health indicators for horses that you should check regularly
As with humans it can be useful to understand the basic health indicators for your horse. These include their heart rate, breathing rate and body temperature. Check these regularly or as soon as the daily checks indicate a change.
What is the normal range of a horse’s heart rate?
The normal heart rate range for horses at rest falls between 28-48 beats per minute. At exercise it can be up to 200 beats per minute. Heart rate is measured using a stethoscope or by feeling the pulse under the jaw. An increased heart rate can be indicative of pain or stress. If you suspect your horse has an increased heart rate then veterinary advice should be sought.
What is the normal range of a horse’s breathing (respiratory) rate?
At rest a horse’s normal respiratory rate should be between 8-14 breaths minute. Breathing can be measured with a stethoscope or more usually by watching the sideways expansion of the chest. A sick or stressed horse may show an increased respiratory rate or increased respiratory effort, and veterinary advice should be sought.
What is a horse’s normal body temperature?
A normal temperature for a horse is between 37.5 – 38.5°C. Temperature can be measured by inserting the thermometer into the anus of the horse and holding against the side of the rectal wall. An abnormally increased temperature may be cause for concern and veterinary advice should be sought.
Other regular equine healthcare & maintenance
The teeth of domesticated horses do not wear in the same way they would in the wild, so dental care must not be overlooked. Regular dental check-ups ensure that the teeth do not develop sharp enamel points, which can cause ulceration to the oral mucosa. Dental checks also allow for a thorough evaluation of the dental arcades, ruling out any loose or fractured teeth, diastema or other dental issues.
Last but not least, regular farriery care should be incorporated into the routine management of your horse. This should include regular trimming even if unshod and turned away/not in work.
The annual equine health check
In addition to your daily checks and regular monitoring of the basic health indicators for your horse, an annual health check is a good idea. This can be carried out by your vet at the time of annual flu and tetanus vaccination.
At the annual check your vet will ask you about things you have seen during your daily and regular checks. Your vet will then go on to check the heart rate, gut sounds and lung fields by auscultation with a stethoscope.
The annual check can also be an opportunity to blood sample your horse to check routine bloodwork including haematology and biochemistry. These laboratory tests are useful in providing an overall clinical picture, particularly in geriatric horses or those with any underlying disease processes such as mild liver disease. These tests cannot replace specific tests such as those carried out for monitoring for Cushing’s disease.
Finally, the annual check is the ideal opportunity for your worming protocol to be discussed with your vet.
Get advice and book an annual equine health check
If you would like more details and further advice regarding daily, regular or annual health checks for your horse, then you can discuss these with one of our equine vets when they next visit your horse or yard. Alternatively, please contact our equine vets at the practice.
Mel Lean Dr MedVet BSc Hons MSc MRCVS
2018 Graduate
University of Budapest, Szent Istvan
Towcester Vets shares 14 signs of small furry pet dental problems
What do hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits have in common, besides being cute small furry pets? Well, they all have teeth that grow continuously and need the correct diet to keep them in-check naturally. Well done if you guessed it correctly!
Towcester Vets are hopping onboard with February’s Pet Dental Health Month and sharing advice to help small furry pet owners in Towcester learn about their pets’ dental needs.
Common small furry pet dental problems
A common dental problem that rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters face is overgrown teeth. If teeth are not kept at a healthy length by chewing food and gnawing, they can become too long and cause a variety of issues such as:
- Pain and discomfort
- Difficulty eating – after around 6 hours this becomes an emergency situation for rabbits & guinea pigs who should graze almost constantly
- Roots get pushed back into the jaw & skull
- Teeth break off causing discomfort (typically in hamsters)
- Overgrowth digs into the mouth and gums causing cuts and abscesses
- Dental disease
How to spot the signs
Spotting dental health problems in rabbits and other small furry pets can be tricky to the untrained eye. As prey animals, their instinct is to hide pain and avoid showing any sign of weakness.
That is why it is important for you as an owner to keep a lookout for any, or a combination of the symptoms below. Take a note of your pet’s general health, as well as how the inside of their mouth looks.
For rabbits and guinea pigs, if dental issues stop them eating for more than six hours this can become life-threatening very quickly. Therefore, it is important to be vigilant and nip dental issues in the bud quickly.
14 signs of dental problems to look out for:
- Long, deformed, misaligned, or broken teeth
- Redness of the gums
- Drooling
- Grinding teeth
- Bumpy jawline
- Weepy eyes
- Runny nose
- Swollen face
- Mouth sensitivity
- Eating less
- Weight loss
- A dirty bottom (grooming becomes difficult & painful)
- Diarrhoea or unusually soft faeces
- They are less active or quiet
How to avoid hamster, guinea pig & rabbit dental problems
Diet is the key to avoiding these types of issues. Hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits need the right type of fibrous food they can chew on to keep their teeth at a healthy length. Balanced nutrition also helps them develop strong bones and teeth, just as it does in humans.
- Rabbits need lots of fresh timothy hay to chew on as part of their daily diet.
- Guinea pigs need to bite, chew, gnaw, and grind food; hays, grasses, vegetables & herbs.
- Hamsters store food rather than graze all day. They need nutritionally balanced ‘complete’ rodent pellets, small amounts of fresh produce, and the occasional seed treat.
Enrichment is important too. Bored pets tend to gnaw on their cage, which can damage teeth. Try small wooden blocks, paper to shred, and pet-appropriate chew toys and treats.
Regular vet visits are also helpful. Our highly experienced small animal Vets in Towcester can check your pet for signs of dental problems and carry out the necessary procedures – teeth trimming, filing down spurs, treatment for infections, and extractions.
Towcester Vets explains the signs of feline dental disease to look for
Dental disease in cats is more common than you might think, affecting around 85% of cats over the age of three according to International Cat Care. With February being Pet Dental Health Month, Towcester Vets’ experienced team are here to help owners understand the dental problems their cat could be living with.
Plaque & tartar – the common culprits
Our Head Vet explains why so many cats have dental issues. Periodontal disease is typically associated with the build-up of plaque (layer of bacteria) and the formation of tartar deposits (hard yellow/brown substance) on the teeth. Left untreated, periodontal (dental) disease can develop, affecting the teeth as well as the supporting structures i.e., gums, ligaments, and bone.
Types of feline dental disease
– Gingivitis can be very painful and ranges from mild to severe; signs include red and inflamed gums, excessive drooling and bad breath, pawing at the mouth, difficulty eating, and bleeding in some cases.
– Periodontitis is severe gum disease, common in older cats with a lot of tartar deposits. Diseased ligaments begin to break down, exposing the roots and making the teeth unstable. Bacterial infection can be present and extraction is usually needed. Inflamed and receding gums are common signs.
– Stomatitis – Chronic gingivostomatitis is when inflammation spreads from the gingiva (gums) to other areas, often at the back of the mouth. It is extremely painful and cats will find it difficult to eat, probably lose weight, drool excessively, and show signs of pain such as pawing at the mouth. Some cases have been linked with persistent FCV and FIV infection.
– Feline resorptive lesions (FRLs) are erosions in the tooth in or below the gum line, commonly found in cats over five years old. Left untreated, the crown can come off leaving the root exposed.
– Fractures can be caused if the tooth is weakened and/or through eating extra hard food, engaging in rough play or hunting, or trauma.
Are some cats predisposed to dental disease?
Yes. Cats with misaligned teeth are more likely to develop dental disease; food gets trapped and can’t be cleaned effectively through diet and dental aids. Short-nosed breeds, congenital abnormalities (such as overbite/underbite), trauma, and deciduous tooth retention (when baby teeth don’t fall out and cause adult teeth to grow abnormally) are all causes of tooth misalignment. Other predisposing factors are an unsuitable diet and some infectious, preventable diseases.
How often should cats have a dental check-up?
Prevention and early diagnosis are key to protecting your cat’s oral health. Prevent disease by vaccinating your cat annually, and help to prevent plaque and tartar build-ups through regular home cleaning and a suitable diet. Our team can help you with all of this so do get in touch.
It is wise to book a 6-month check-up in between your cat’s annual vaccination & health check – a lot can change in a year and cats tend to hide pain. Checking regularly at home is a good idea too if your cat will let you. You are looking for red/swollen/bleeding gums, receding gums, excessively bad breath, tartar deposits, and missing/broken teeth.
As with all pet health concerns, we are on hand to help. Our Vets can carry out a thorough check-up of your cat’s teeth and gums, and our Vet Nurses can help you master the art of caring for your cat’s teeth at home, so don’t struggle alone.
TBAS – the TB ADVISORY SERVICE – is back!
We are delighted to confirm that the TB Advisory Service is back in action with a new round of funding for on farm advice visits. Katie G, Nikki, and newly TBAS trained Katie P will be available for FREE visits to help pinpoint the best ways to prevent TB impacting your business.
For the first time TBAS visits will be open to all species affected by TB but will continue to focus on the 5 main control points:
- Restrict contact with badgers
- Manage feed and water to prevent contamination
- Stop infected animals entering the farm
- Reduce the risk from neighbouring stock
- Minimise the risk from slurry
The TBAS ethos, one which we fully support, is that TB is an infectious disease and risk can and should be managed in the same way as with any other disease – every farm is capable of making changes that will improve resilience to TB.
If you are interested in a visit, then please get in touch.
7 signs your dog needs a dental check-up
Many owners simply accept that their dogs have stinky ‘dog breath’, it is just part of owning a dog, right? As February is Pet Dental Health Month, Our Head Vet is here to tell you why bad breath is the most common sign that things are not as they should be inside your dog’s mouth.
Caring for your dog’s teeth
You should ideally care for your dog’s teeth daily, as you would your own, to help maintain healthy teeth and gums. We recommend checking your dog’s teeth regularly for any issues too, as with any health problem it is always better to start treatment early.
Pet Dental Health Month in February shines a spotlight on oral healthcare. At Towcester Vets, we strongly believe that the key to good oral health is owner education, as most of a dog’s dental needs will be taken care of at home. That is why our Vets are sharing the seven signs that your dog needs to see a Vet about dental care, so you know what to look out for:
- Bad smelling dog breath
- Red gums that may be swollen or bleeding
- Build-up of plaque around the gum line (clear/yellow soft substance)
- Tartar deposits (hard yellow/brown coating on teeth)
- Discoloured, misaligned, or broken teeth
- Your dog shows reluctance or aggression when you go near their mouth
- Reduced appetite and possible weight loss – this could be related to many other conditions, so it is always important to get your dog checked by one of our Vets.
Poor dental health can be painful for your dog and can make it difficult for them to eat and drink. It can also affect their general wellbeing, so it is best not to wait if you notice a problem.
Why dogs get dental problems
The most common root cause of many dental issues is a build-up of plaque and tartar deposits. Left untreated, they can lead to painful periodontal disease (the name given to any disease of the teeth and surrounding supports i.e., gums, ligaments, and bone.)
Some dogs are predisposed to dental problems. Tooth misalignment is a major issue, as it causes food, dirt, and bacteria to get trapped, making it hard to remove through natural means and home care. Factors for this include short-nosed dog breeds, congenital abnormalities (such as overbite/underbite), trauma, and adult teeth at odd angles due to baby teeth not falling out.
Another predisposing factor to dental issues in dogs is an unsuitable diet. Good quality dry food will help to remove plaque. You can also buy specific dental-care dog foods.
Can you improve dog breath smells at home?
Cleaning your dog’s teeth daily is the best action you can take towards achieving good oral health. Combine this with regular dental check-ups, the right food, and dental aids for even better care. However, when there is an underlying problem causing your dog’s bad breath, veterinary intervention is important to help your dog feel and smell better.
Our Vets suggest these 5 dental aids:
So, now you have read our advice, it is time to get up close and personal with your dog and their smelly breath to see if you can spot any of the signs above.
Limited supplies of Spectam this year
As many of you will be aware from the farming press, there is a limited supply of Spectam available this year. This is the only licensed product available for the prevention of watery mouth in lambs. Firstly, DON’T PANIC. We do have some stocks of Spectam available and we are able to use other products licensed in farm animals if these stocks run out. Spectam will be being allocated proportionally based on your use in previous years, with any requirements above this being met by other products.
This will not, however, include the antibiotic tablets licensed in small animals which were historically used. These do not have food residue data for all the ingredients contained within them and therefore cannot be used safely in farm animals. But don’t fear, there are other oral solutions available which can be!
Whatever the product, it is important to be aware that we should only be using these products in a targeted manner and treating every single lamb at birth is not acceptable. It is therefore really important to address the following points on farm to reduce the need for antibiotics in lambs.
Colostrum
Lambs are born with no antibodies and the only way to gain protection from infections is by absorbing these antibodies from good quality colostrum as soon as possible after birth.
Lambs should receive colostrum within 4-6 hours of birth and should receive 50ml/kg per feed and 200ml/kg within the first 24hrs of life. Be aware that lambs that have assisted births or are of low body weight are more likely to struggle and should be more carefully monitored. These lambs might be targeted for antibiotic treatment as they are more at risk.
The antibodies that colostrum contains can only be absorbed from the gut in newborn lambs so it is essential that they receive enough during this period. This ability starts to reduce from 6 hours after birth and is gone by 24 hours. The colostrum from the ewe will always contain a lot more antibodies than any powdered colostrum supplement so always try to milk out the ewe first. If this isn’t possible, try other freshly lambed ewes (by 24 hours after lambing, there are very few of the important antibodies left in the colostrum) or use any reserves of frozen colostrum you have available. Always remember to carefully defrost frozen stores, never use a microwave as you’ll destroy the antibodies we’re working hard to provide!
Colostrum can be kept in the fridge for up to 7 days and frozen for up to 6 months. Always remember to milk out ewes with clean hands or wearing gloves and into clean containers.
Hygiene
Ensuring lambs are born into a clean environment and aren’t challenged by lots of bugs soon after birth makes bacterial infections such as watery mouth much less likely.
As well as mucking out and disinfecting lambing pens between ewes, also consider the cleanliness of bottle feeding/tubing equipment and ensure they are cleaned and sterilised between lambs. Ensure ewes have clean fleeces and udders by providing plenty of bedding to ensure lambs don’t ingest bacteria when suckling. Often cases of watery mouth don’t appear till later on in the lambing period when the disease challenge is higher and it is likely that most farms won’t need to use antibiotics for the first lot of lambs born.
Ewe nutrition
For ewes to produce good quality colostrum, they need to be in a good body condition score and be receiving good nutrition. Body condition scoring during pregnancy is therefore vitally important. Separating ewes according to scanning results will help manage condition and you should aim for ewes to maintain body condition score 3-3.5 from around 6 weeks before lambing. Blood sampling for nutritional profiles in the 2-3 weeks before lambing starts can be a very useful way of ‘asking the ewes’ what they think of the diet and how well it is preparing them for lambing and colostrum production.
Please do get in touch if you’d like to discuss any of these points further. We are always happy to discuss individual circumstances and advise on the best way to target antibiotic use on your farm.
