Read Towcester Veterinary Centre’s advice on equine flu
Equine flu, or equine influenza, is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease. Symptoms can be severe, so it’s important to know when to contact your vet.
Horses can catch equine flu via direct contact with an infected horse, and via indirect contact with a handler or inanimate objects like feed buckets and equipment. Equine flu can also become airborne when a horse sneezes infected droplets.
The incubation period is 1-5 days so it can spread very quickly through your horses, neighbouring stables, and those further afield. Given the right weather conditions, airborne equine flu can travel several miles, putting all UK horses at risk.
Because equine flu is so contagious, Towcester Veterinary Centre’s expert team recommends contacting your vet as soon as you have any suspicions. You should also isolate your horse and keep their environment as dust-free as possible.
Clinical signs of equine influenza:
- Increased temperature (up to 41°C/106°F) for 1-3 days before visible signs.
- Swollen & sore airway, and a harsh, dry cough that can last up to 6 weeks.
- Nasal discharge that starts clear and can become yellow/green and thick.
- Loss of appetite and lethargy.
- Painful and swollen glands underneath and around your horse’s jaw.
The influenza virus is not to be underestimated. It can weaken a horse and leave it vulnerable to secondary infections like bronchitis, pneumonia, lower limb swelling and muscle soreness. These are very worrying in young foals, elderly horses, and horses with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Death can occur in serious cases.
It can take many weeks for a horse to get back to full health, and they can be susceptible to secondary complications up to 100 days post-infection. You should always consult your vet before returning your horse to regular duties.
How to protect your horse against equine flu
The best way to give your horse protection against equine flu is to stay up to date with annual vaccinations – missing even one day puts your horse at more risk and could mean starting their vaccination course again, which can be costly.
The equine flu virus has a habit of mutating so keeping vaccines up-to-date with the latest strains can be challenging. This does mean that vaccinated horses can become infected, however, the symptoms aren’t as severe and don’t last as long. Vaccinating is still the best way to give yours and other horses the best protection. Maintaining a good level of health & hygiene management can also help to stop the spread.
Call us on 01327 811007 if you suspect equine flu or to book a vaccination.
Clostridial disease advice for Northamptonshire sheep and lambs
Clostridial disease is the most common cause of sudden death in UK sheep and lambs, and a serious threat to farming. Towcester Veterinary Centre’s large animal veterinary team in Northamptonshire has answered your frequently asked questions about it below.
What is clostridial disease?
There are 10 important strains of bacterial clostridial disease including the list below. It’s not the bacteria that causes death, it’s the spores that multiply and produce toxins when ingested. The threat is everywhere as the bacteria is found in soil and in the intestinal tract of animals and humans.
- Lamb Dysentery – Lambs typically die showing no clinical signs.
- Pulpy Kidney – Seen in 4-10 week-old lambs born to unvaccinated dams.
- Braxy – Characteristically occurs in unvaccinated, weaned lambs in winter, after eating frosted root crops.
- Tetanus – Can be more prevalent on farms with horses; hind leg stiffness, difficulty walking, seizures, opisthotonus, death from respiratory failure.
- Blackleg – Caught through skin wounds, dog bites, shearing cuts, untreated umbilicus, trauma to the posterior reproductive tract, and via contaminated needles/injection equipment.
- Black disease – Toxins in the liver cause migrating liver fluke damage/death.
What are the symptoms of clostridial disease?
The first sign of clostridial disease is usually dead sheep or lambs as the onset is so quick – death occurs within hours. Each type of clostridial disease will present differently, however, clinical symptoms include scouring, abdominal pain, collapse, hind limb stiffness, convulsions, and a high temperature.
How do you treat clostridial disease?
Unfortunately, as most infected animals will be found dying or dead, the only antibiotic to kill the bacteria (penicillin) is usually ineffective. Therefore, vaccinations are vital to protect your sheep & lambs from these devastating diseases.
When can you vaccinate sheep & lambs against clostridial disease?
Newborn lambs are given passive immunity via a vaccinated mother in the first milk (colostrum). The mother can be boostered with a 5-in-1 vaccine approx. one month before the due date to increase the offspring’s length of protection. Antibodies can be added to the colostrum until the lamb is old enough to be vaccinated, which is around marking time when the mother’s milk production is dwindling.
Active immunity requires a primary vaccination course consisting of two doses 4-6 weeks apart. A booster vaccine for clostridial disease should then be given no later than 12 months after the primary course, and repeated annually.
Clostridial Vaccinations – are you covered? Contact us to book your next round of vaccinations.
Get ready for spring with canine vaccinations
As temperatures tiptoe towards double figures again, we’re all feeling a little ‘spring in our step’, including our pets. Now that your dog will undoubtedly be spending more time outdoors, our head nurse Katy Kirkham has come up with a handy spring checklist:
5 things you can do to get your dog ready for spring:
1. Check your dog’s vaccinations are up to date – Being outdoors more and mixing with other dogs at the park increases your dog’s chances of contracting kennel cough and other contagious diseases if their vaccinations aren’t up to date. Check when they last had their jabs and book an appointment if their 12 months are up. Adult dog vaccines typically give a tapered 3-month immunity, but waiting longer can sometimes mean starting their vaccination course again from the beginning.
Contact us to check your dog’s vaccinations are up to date.
2. Apply monthly flea & worm treatments – Fleas and worms can be problematic all year round but tend to be more prevalent during spring and summer. Fleas spread quickly and can carry diseases, and worms can harm your pet inside and out. Contracting lungworm can actually be fatal. Protect your dog against these springtime hazards by keeping up to date with monthly flea & worm treatments.
3. Think ticks – Ticks are found mostly in long grass and where deer or sheep roam, and are most active in the spring and summer. Some flea products protect against ticks as well, or you can buy tick-specific products. You can always talk to Katy about whether your dog would benefit from tick protection and how to remove a tick safely (never pull a tick straight out). Ticks can spread Lyme disease and Babesiosis so it’s important to know if the area you’re walking in is high-risk – you can check this online here.
4. Be allergy aware – Seasonal allergies such as hay fever can make some dogs very unwell. If you spot the tell-tale signs it would be worth bringing your dog in to get checked. Canine hay fever symptoms include frequent, repeated sneezing; irritated & itchy eyes (could also be red or runny); a runny nose; increase in itching or biting at the skin (showing skin irritation); scratching excessively resulting in bald or sore patches of skin; rashes on the paws or face.
5. Take note of toxic plants – Finally, you can complete your spring checklist by making sure you’re aware of which plants are toxic to dogs now that they’ll be out and about more. These include Azalea, Bittersweet, Crocus, Day Lily, Ferns, Lily of the Valley, Morning Glory, Tiger Lily, and Tulip.
If you need to check your dog’s vaccinations or want any advice on spring health concerns, get in touch with our team.
Advice on Leptospirosis protection in dairy herds from Towcester Veterinary Centre
Dairy herds are particularly at risk from Leptospirosis due to management factors that increase the risk of exposure, including close contact within the herd and with dairy workers, confinement during milking and in the yard, and moist conditions.
Leptospirosis is a serious infectious disease that can have detrimental effects on a dairy herd’s health and production. It can also cause serious and sometimes long-term illness in humans. Are your dairy herd and workers protected?
Towcester Veterinary Centre’s large animal vets recommend a robust vaccination programme to give your dairy herd long-term immunity from Leptospirosis, protecting both cattle and humans.
How Leptospirosis is spread:
- Infected cattle can shed the bacteria in their urine for months and sometimes years, which causes new infections in susceptible animals.
- The bacteria can survive for weeks in water, mud, and damp soil.
- Infection can occur through fine urine droplets being inhaled by cattle and humans during milking.
- The mouth, nose, eyes, and damaged skin can be penetrated by the bacteria.
- Humans, cattle, sheep, pigs, rodents and most other mammals are at risk.
How dairy herds can be affected:
L. pomona infection:
- Can affect most cattle within a herd, with fatalities of up to 100%.
- Can cause dramatic milk reduction in older herds.
- Can sometimes cause abortion.
- Less common disease in calves that are fed colostrum from vaccinated cows giving them temporary immunity.
L. hardjo infection:
- Can affect many cows in the herd.
- Sudden drop in milk yields (up to 2 weeks), increased white blood cell count.
- Can cause 5-10% abortion rate between 6-12 days after transmission.
When it comes to humans, the infection typically causes a severe flu-like illness for about a week, or can cause a recurring chronic disease or severe nervous symptoms in some people. Dairy herd farmers have a duty to protect workers and their families from Leptospirosis as a failure to do so can result in potential liability, as well as a reduction in their workforce while they recover.
The ideal aim of a vaccination programme is to immunise all cattle before infection occurs. If Leptospirosis is already present in the herd, vaccinating young uninfected cattle is where you would start.
Book a visit from Towcester Veterinary Centre’s large animal vets to assess your herd.
Helen Pope has this advice on how to feed your dog
It might sound like an odd question, but how do you feed a dog? Don’t you just throw some dog food in a bowl and put it in front of them? According to our head vet Helen Pope, there’s a little more to it than that…
- The right type of food – Opt for a high-quality, commercial complete food, as they’re designed to give your dog all the nutrients they need. DIY, plant-based, and raw diets can all lack the vital nutrients your dog needs to live a healthy and happy life, as can some poor-quality commercial brands. Raw foods are especially concerning as they can contain harmful bacteria and parasites.
- Match food to your dog’s needs – Many commercial complete dog foods are designed to support life stages (puppy, adult, senior), breed size, health conditions, and dietary requirements. If your dog has a health condition, such as kidney disease, talk to your vet about the right type of food for their needs.
- Dry, wet, or both? – Dry kibble will give your dog’s teeth a workout, whereas wet food will add moisture to their diet. You may want to try a combination.
- How much – Canine obesity is common and can reduce quality & length of life. Avoid this and other health issues by consistently giving your dog the right amount of food for their needs. Follow the packet guidelines and weigh your dog’s daily meals. How much they need also depends on activity levels i.e. a working sheepdog will require a lot more food than a less active dog.
- How often – Twice a day is good for small/very active dogs to regulate glucose levels and keep energy up. Three or more smaller meals can benefit dogs who have trouble absorbing nutrients or maintaining weight. ‘Free feeding’ i.e. leaving a day’s worth of food out for grazing, can work for some dogs, however, most (especially puppies) will eat way more than they need.
- Choose good snacks – Give your dog healthy snacks in moderation like carrot, cucumber and apple (not the seeds) and avoid scraps of human foods that will add extra calories and potentially harm them. Fatty and sugary foods can cause serious health issues and some foods are toxic to dogs, such as chocolate.
- Make changes slowly – Avoid health problems and picky eating by changing your dog’s food slowly. Swap a bit of their normal food for the new food, and gradually increase the ratio over 1-2 weeks. Introducing new foods in small amounts should avoid tummy upsets, or at least let you know quickly what to avoid. This includes a complete flavour change if you’ve always stuck to one.
If you’re unsure about what, when, and how much to feed your dog, why not pop onto our Facebook page and ask us any diet related questions?
Coat care for cats in Northamptonshire this winter
Winter in Northamptonshire is in full swing, and that can be problematic for your feline friend’s fur if you don’t help them take care of it.
A cat’s coat contains millions of soft, silky hairs designed to regulate heat and protect them from the elements, as well as provide vital sensory aids. Our head nurse Katy Kirkham has this advice on how to provide optimum winter coat care for your cat.
Ask us about cat coat care products. Contact Us.
1. Help with grooming
Cats sometimes need help grooming their thicker winter coat to remove dirt and debris from the outdoors. Brush your cat more regularly this season to help prevent their thicker coat from becoming matted and tangled.
2. Be careful with tangles
If your cat’s fur has become matted, be extra careful when trying to remove tangles as they can be painful and cats can be sensitive. Use clippers designed for sensitive areas and never use scissors as you risk cutting their thin skin.
3. A winter coat of fur not fat
A cat’s winter coat should be lined with fur, not fat. If your cat is less active during winter, keep an eye on their weight. An overweight cat is at risk of health problems and won’t be able to reach everywhere to groom.
4. Omega 3 is key
A healthy, balanced diet containing Omega 3 can help your cat grow a thicker, shinier, and healthier coat. Opt for a cat food that’s been specially formulated for healthier coats. Before changing your cat’s diet, speak to your vet for advice.
5. Keep parasites away
Fleas, worms, and mites can cause havoc inside and on your cat. Make sure to keep up to date with parasite treatments to avoid any extra problems for your cat’s coat.
6. Too much heat can cause problems
Turning up the heating too much and drying out the air indoors can lead to skin and coat problems, like dandruff and itchiness. It can also create static electricity. Avoid giving your cat an electric shock by using a dehumidifier, wiping your cat with a pet-friendly wipe before grooming them, and not using fabric softener on your cat’s bedding (some contain chemicals that are toxic to cats).
7. Only bathe if absolutely necessary
Most cats dislike water, that’s a given. If your cat is muddy, try waiting for it to dry before brushing it off. Sometimes though, a cat bath might be your only option.
Be careful as some pet shampoos can exacerbate existing dryness by stripping the skin and fur of its natural oils.
Talk to our team about the best cat coat care products.
20 most popular dogs breeds of 2020
Whether you love a bouncy labrador, a feisty yorkie, or a cheeky dachshund, everyone seems to have their favourite dog breed. But which breeds topped the list of the UK’s favourites in 2020?
According to Rover.com, the world’s largest network of 5‑star pet sitters and dog walkers, their database shows exactly which breeds the nation favoured last year.
Published in June last year, Rover.com reports the top 20 dog breeds as:
- Mixed breed
- Labrador retriever
- Cocker spaniel
- Jack russell terrier
- Staffordshire bull terrier
- Cockapoo
- French bulldog
- Border collie
- Shih tzu
- Chihuahua
- Dachshund
- German shepherd
- Golden retriever
- Yorkshire terrier
- English springer spaniel
- Pug
- Cavalier king charles spaniel
- Beagle
- West highland white terrier
- Bichon frise
With adoption figures at an all-time high last year due to people spending more time at home during the pandemic, mixed breeds are standing proud at the top of the list. With many more people continuing to work from home in 2021, it’s likely the adoption trend will continue.
Katy and our nursing team are delighted to see mixed breeds as the number one choice. In general, mixed breeds are less likely to suffer from breed-specific health issues than purebreds. Plus, with many dogs in rescue centres being mixed breeds, a surge in numbers hopefully means more unwanted dogs have found their ‘furever’ homes.
Did your dog make the list? Share a photo of your dog and tell us their breed on our social pages and let’s celebrate the many different breeds together!
Making new year’s resolutions for dogs in Northamptonshire
If your dog could make new year’s resolutions, what would they be? More snacks… more slippers to chew… more squirrels to chase… more fox poop to roll in… As dogs rely on their owners to make decisions on their behalf, we wanted to help you to make some new year’s resolutions for your dog with their best interests at heart.
5 top new year’s resolutions for your dog:
1. Get into an exercise routine whatever the weather – Exercise is essential for your dog’s health & happiness, and that doesn’t stop because it’s cold and wet outside. Weight gain and boredom are two common outcomes from a lack of exercise, and can lead to further problems. Find out how much exercise your breed of dog needs each day here and try to stick to it: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-…
2. Spend more quality time together – Whether you choose to play with your dog, groom them, watch the squirrels together from the window, take them with you on errands, or sit and stroke them while you read a book or watch TV, your dog will truly benefit from spending more time by your side – even better if you’re doing something they enjoy. Commit to 20-30 minutes each day to be with your dog.
3. Break up the boredom – Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. You can break up your dog’s day with a variety of activities such as:
- Make meal times more interesting with activity feeders or hiding food.
- Make an indoor agility course with cardboard boxes and toys.
- Introduce mind challenging toys to your dog’s routine.
- Teach them some commands for rewards.
Check out these boredom busting ideas on www.amazon.co.uk
4. Swap snacks to healthier ones – Your dog will still love you if you swap the calorific dog treat you give them every day for a carrot to chew on. Swapping your dog’s snacks to healthier options like carrots, apples (excluding the core & pips), green beans, and cucumber, will improve their health and help with weight loss.
Here’s some more fresh healthy snacks your dog might enjoy: https://www.thefarmersdog.com/digest/top-14-dog-friendly-snacks/
5. Enrol them in a pet health plan – Most people these days have busy lives, and sometimes it can be hard to remember things like locking the back door, buying toilet roll, and applying the dog’s monthly flea treatment. A pet health plan is designed to send you regular reminders about your dog’s health needs, and provide the home and veterinary treatments to fulfil these needs.
Talk to our head nurse Katy about how a pet health plan can benefit you & your dog this new year – get in touch.
Towcester Veterinary Centre’s top tips for housed cattle health
Having the cows in for winter is the perfect opportunity to give your cattle a once over, and we recommend doing this before the winter season kicks in properly. Towcester Veterinary Centre’s farm team offers five tips to ensure your heard remains healthy while housed
1. Check vaccinations
The housed environment is pretty much a perfect one for viruses to multiply and affect your stock. So, we strongly advise checking that your vaccination protocol is up to date. Prevention will save Cow weight time and money on treatments when the real cold weather of January & February arrives.
2. Check parasite control
This is also a good time to check your parasite control regimes, so if you haven’t already then please do talk to us as the requirement varies farm by farm.
- Wormers – We’ll always suggest running a faecal egg count before spending money on wormers if they are not necessary.
- Lungworm and Fluke require further testing so we can diagnose an issue before treating. This will also reduce the risk of resistance.
- Should animals need treating, it’s important to get them the right product, at the right time in order to leave the herd clean for the housed period. For example, if a shed or group of animals has mites/lice, they should be treated immediately to avoid spread. However, if fluke is an issue, it is best to treat animals 6–8 weeks after housing so that you can hit all stages of the fluke lifecycle.
3. Check your sheds
Most of the problems that we see with housed cattle in the Northamptonshire
area arise due to issues with sheds. Back in September we mentioned that fresh air flow is essential to avoid pneumonia, yet it’s also important to avoid draughts at low level to protect younger stock from draughts. So, have another look at the airflow in your housing as we know that cattle in optimally ventilated sheds perform better.
4. Adequate feed and water space
Speaking of space, having the correct feed to face space is essential for getting housed cattle fed properly. Bullying at feed times is common, and this can be hugely reduced by having the correct feed space for your cows. This varies, depending on the size of the animals and whether you have a dairy or a beef heard. Contact our farm vets us for advice if you’d like to check the requirements for your herd.
Other feed tips to bear in mind
- Cows should be able to feed head down to encourage saliva production and you will get more out of your feed.
- Troughs should be clean and smooth to avoid damage to cow’s mouth/tongue.
- Ensure that barriers don’t inhibit your cows’ reach or cause pressure sores that will affect feed intakes.
- Slurry management
Slurry needs to be kept to be kept under control. If you use them, cubicle beds should be cleaned daily with the bedding replaced as required to keep it clear of muck. Feet that stand in moisture of any kind will become soft, which increases the chance of lameness, Digital Dermatitis and claw horn diseases.
We hope that’s useful. If you need any further advice please don’t hesitate to call us or for specific help just book a visit.
Diet friendly treats for dogs at Christmas
The Christmas holidays are a time when our pets tend to get a few more treats than normal. Nothing too wrong with that, assuming you stick to the 90/10 rule and treats end up comprising no more than 10% of a complete and balanced diet.
The good news is that, if you want to give them treats, there’s no need to spend a fortune on specially formulated food, when your fridge and your fruit bowl could be hiding a bunch of tasty titbits that your pooch will pounce on at the first opportunity.
Before you start on the treats though, why not take this opportunity to pop in for a free nurse led weight check at our Curcote Road surgery. A quick hop on the scales is never a bad thing and it may give you some good insight into how your dog’s diet should shape up over Christmas.
Book a Free Nurse Led Weight Check
Assuming all is well then you may like to know that many fruits and vegetables make wonderful treats for dogs. They are nutrient-rich, convenient and generally low in calories. Which will help you meet the challenge that many of us face in striking a balance between treating our furry friends and managing a healthy weight.
So, here are four of our kitchen essential favourites;
- Apples. Good for dogs and people! Packed with nutrients and fibre, a few pieces of apple are great snack, but don’t feed them the seeds or core.
- Green Peas. Defrosted green peas (or fresh) are great treats, and most dogs love them. Use as training treats or just put some in their bowl.
- Carrots. Loaded with vitamins, carrots are a kitchen staple you can cut into bite-sized pieces (depending on your dog’s size) and use as a healthy reward.
- Green Beans. Plain and simple when cut into manageable lengths, beans are a great source of fun & fibre.
Take it easy … peasy
There’s lots more, including bananas, broccoli and even cooked (and cooled) squash like pumpkin & sweet potato. Top tip… if you’re introducing new treats, then it’s generally best to start with one or two pieces to see how they get on.
Finally, it may seem obvious, but actually, dogs don’t really care what they are getting. Often, they crave the attention as much as the treat. So why not keep a fraction of their daily rations to hand out slowly as treats. Fun for you, rewarding for them, easy on their weight and kind to your pocket too.
