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.
Four poisonous plants every Northamptonshire farmer should be able to spot
As a rule, most poisonous plants are unpalatable to livestock, however a lack of available food, dead or dying plants and the vagaries of individual animal behaviour make an awareness of the common plant poisoning cases we see in Northamptonshire a useful thing to have on your back pocket.
Rhododendron, Ragwort, Oak & Yew are four of the more common plants we see causing problems, in autumn and winter, as available pasture diminishes. Whilst our basic advice is to keep an eye on pastures, inspect field boundaries and where possible, move animals from fields where there is a danger … it doesn’t hurt to know what to look out for as farmers in the areas around Weedon, Paulersbury and Stony Stratford continue to have problems.
If you think you have a livestock poisoning issue, then please keep our emergency details handy.
The main problems we get in this area come from the following four species:
Rhododendron
An invasive species that’s now common in gardens across the UK, Rhododendron contains a poison that slows the heart and lowers blood pressure. Stock become weak and are unable to stand, ruminants often bloat up and then vomit. Poisoning is most common when snow cover reduces grazing. If you suspect Rhododendron poisoning call us, as we can treat with anti inflammatory medication and oral re-hydration.
Ragwort
Most common in the autumn and more dangerous to cattle than sheep, the greatest risk to cattle is from Ragwort in preserved forage that can be readily eaten but has lost none of its toxicity. Ragwort ingestion basically damages the liver, but symptoms usually begin to show when it’s eaten over time. This is actually good news (because you have time to spot the plant) as there is no treatment apart from removing the plant from the diet.
Oak
More likely after stormy weather when leaves and acorns fall and are eaten by animals. Leaves and acorns contain tannins that can bypass natural protection offered by rumen microbes and go on to damage kidneys and cells. Hard to spot but abdominal distention and the animal lying down are the main symptoms. There is no treatment, so the only option is to remove animals from the danger.
Yew
Common in gardens and churchyards, ingestion can lead to rapid death. Again, there is no treatment, so prevention is your only option. Inspect field boundaries and if there is un-movable yew, then be especially vigilant in winter, when heavy snow can cause boughs to sag bringing previously un-reachable branches into play.
There are a couple of other culprits you should beware of too; Bracken, Water dropwort & another plant from the Rhododendron family, Pieris. These tend to be more prevalent in spring and summer as young plants bloom & flourish. So, we’ll come back to those in the Spring.
In the meantime, keep an eye on those field boundaries and keep our emergency details handy.
Towcester Veterinary Centre’s top tips for cat toys and Christmas gifts
Christmas for our feline friends should definitely include some cat toys (who doesn’t like a toy for Christmas?!). But for the family moggy there are plenty of other things you might get them too. We have a selection of Christmas gifts for your pets in our reception but, in addition to these, our head nurse Katy called a short but inspirational meeting and here’s a longer list of inspiration that we came up with.
Ask about gifts we have in stock. Contact Us.
Our Cat Toy & Christmas Gifts Ideas
- Cat Toys – Cats love anything with catnip, especially if it’s small and moves. With our long-stay cat patients in Towcester we often entertain them with small squeaky mice stuffed with catnip.
- Food – Whatever you choose as a treat, do buy good quality, and don’t change your cat’s diet too quickly.
- Bedding – There are some great new bedding ideas around, so why not treat your cat to a comfier Christmas?
- Climbing frame – Cats just love to climb, so why not keep the Christmas tree safe and treat yours to its own specially designed climbing frame?
- Water fountain – These are great for encouraging cats to take more water on board, especially if they eat dry food or have bladder or kidney disease.
- Grooming tools – All cats like and need to keep their coat in tip-top condition, so what better gift than a new grooming brush? Katy and the team are the best people to advise you on brushes and combs. Call them for advice.
- Microchip or GPS collar – There are more ways than ever to keep tabs on our pets these days. Just google ‘GPS Cat collars’ and take your pick. Cool gadgetry.
If you need any advice on what’s suitable for your feline friend or if you’d like us to order anything special from our suppliers, please don’t hesitate to drop us a line.
In the meantime why not contact our reception team to find out what cat gifts we have in the practice today.
How to keep an arthritic cat comfortable at home
An arthritic cat is likely to be very uncomfortable and irritable, even more so as their condition progresses over time. Getting them diagnosed by a vet as early as possible will allow treatment to commence, with the aim of reducing pain and improving their symptoms. You can also help them live a more comfortable life by making some changes at home.
Call us on 01327 350239 for advice on arthritis
Feline arthritis (osteoarthritis) isn’t curable, but it is treatable. Causes include:
- Genetics – some breeds are predisposed to inherited cartilage weakness.
- Wear & tear – just a cat living a normal life.
- Injuries – joints damaged through trauma & dislocations can lead to arthritis in later life.
Symptoms to look out for include difficulty jumping or using the stairs, limping, constant or intermittent stiffness, more prominent shoulder blades due to muscle wastage (may look thinner in this area), over-grooming/licking certain areas or joints, swollen or hot joints, unkempt or matted fur along their back/bottom, and being a bit more grumpy than usual especially when touched.
Signs can be tricky to spot, can come on slowly, and be intermittent. If you think your cat could have arthritis, it’s well worth booking a vet health check to discuss treatment options. In the meantime, our head vet Helen has this advice:
7 ways to provide comfortable care at home for arthritic cats
- Comfortable beds – Put a selection of comfy beds around your home at different heights for your cat to choose from, remembering they may struggle when jumping. Orthopaedic memory foam beds and heat pads can be particularly helpful for aching joints.
- Raised food bowls – Reduce the need for your cat to bend down to eat and drink as this can be painful. You can buy raised bowls, or simply place something underneath their current bowls.
- Specialist diet – Specialist joint diets can help cats long term as they contain ingredients to support joint health. Talk to our team about how best to change your cat’s food slowly and safely.
- Weight watch – Being overweight will exacerbate already sore and aching joints. Keeping your cat slim will help to lessen the strain.
- Accessible litter trays – To help with mobility issues, use indoor litter trays with low sides and ensure they’re accessible on every floor of your home.
- Ramps & steps – Give your arthritic cat a little help by placing pet steps or ramps next to settees or beds if that’s where they’re used to hanging out.
- Keep warm – The cold affects arthritis so it’s important to give your cat a warm place to rest indoors as the autumnal weather sets in. Move beds away from draughts and gently dry their fur when they come in from the rain. On particularly cold days, place a heat-pad under your cat’s bed for extra warmth.
If you have any questions about feline arthritis and what can be done to help your arthritic cat, give our team a call. Contact Us.
Is your older dog suffering in silence from arthritis? Spot the signs
Unfortunately, many dogs suffer in silence as they get older. Unlike humans, who can explain when their joints are stiff and painful and that they’re struggling to get around, dogs with arthritis can’t tell us how they feel.
Many owners believe that their dog is slowing down because “they’re just getting older” and that “there’s probably not much that can be done now” to help them. Take our canine health assessment quiz to understand if your dog could have arthritis.
Take our health assessment quiz
Canine osteoarthritis affects 4 out of 5 older dogs and is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in ageing dogs (some young dogs can suffer from it too). It’s a degenerative condition, for which there is no cure. However, thanks to the advancement of veterinary medicines and treatments, dogs with arthritis can enjoy an active, albeit slightly slower, and happy life with a few lifestyle and environmental changes.
Ask Helen or any of our veterinary team for advice on how to help arthritic dogs. Contact us.
Is my dog ‘old’?
Dogs age at different rates, dependent on their breed, size, lifestyle, and general health. Typically, however, most dogs enter their ‘older’ years between the ages of 5 and 9. Helen explains potential changes in ageing dogs:
Six things you should look out for in your older dog:
- Slower on walks – lagging behind, wanting to sniff more, taking more rest breaks, or refusing to walk.
- Stiff when getting up from resting – stairs and getting on/off the settee may be more difficult too.
- Appears lazy – wants to sleep more and do less, not as keen to play or go on walks.
- Withdrawn demeanor – doesn’t interact with you and your family or other pets as much.
- More irritable than normal – gets grumpier more easily and dislikes being handled, may growl or snap.
- Excessive licking or chewing of sore joints – you may notice saliva stains on their fur.
Health checks for older dogs
Helen recommends regular health checkups for older dogs to ensure they’re getting the healthcare and support they need for their life-stage. Our vets can spot any issues and advise you on how best to treat and manage this life-changing condition through:
- Medication, supplements, and treatments available for arthritis
- Complementary treatments like laser therapy
- Environmental changes you can make in your home and garden
- Lifestyle changes to your dog’s routine and activities
Test yourself on the signs and symptoms of rabbit arthritis
Could my rabbit have arthritis? That’s probably the last question you think about when it comes to rabbits. However, osteoarthritis is actually quite common in older rabbits, and it can affect rabbits as young as two.
How would you know? As rabbits are ‘prey animals’ they hide pain to avoid looking ‘weak’ to potential predators. Towcester Veterinary Centre’s head vet Helen Pope has come up with a fun test to help you learn about the signs & symptoms of arthritis to look out for in your rabbit.
Take our rabbit arthritis test
What is arthritis?
Osteoarthritis, or arthritis for short, is a degenerative condition that causes inflammation of the joints. If your rabbit is over the age of 6 it’s likely they will have arthritis, which can be very painful and will affect their quality of life. Giant breeds tend to become arthritic at a relatively younger age than smaller breeds.
It’s not all bad news though, with the right combination of medication and veterinary care, arthritis in rabbits can be treated and managed to reduce the symptoms. Book a rabbit health check by calling 01327 350239.
What should I look out for?
The key to spotting the signs and symptoms of arthritis is to monitor your rabbit regularly to spot any changes or anything of concern. Keep a ‘rabbit diary’ and log your findings.
- After your rabbit has been laying still for a while, are their first few steps a bit wobbly? Do they appear stiff? Are they limping? These are all symptoms of arthritis, as well as other conditions so it’s important to get your rabbit checked out by a vet.
- Caecotrophs are soft pellets which rabbits excrete and then re-digest to absorb the nutrients they need. Can your rabbit reach to eat these directly from their bottom or are they scooting and then eating them off the floor?
- Is your rabbit’s bottom getting dirty or urine soaked more often? Arthritis affects mobility and rabbits aren’t able to angle their pelvis properly to wee, which can lead to bladder sludge or stones from not emptying their bladder fully. Plus, they may struggle to reach when cleaning and grooming.
- Does the cold or damp weather affect your rabbit’s ability and willingness to move around? Arthritic rabbits generally want to stay warm and do less, and can become withdrawn around you and other people and pets.
- Has your rabbit’s appetite shrunk or have they stopped eating and you can’t figure out why?
If you’re concerned about your rabbit’s health, especially if their appetite has changed (this could be related to other health conditions and should be dealt with quickly), give us a call on 01327 350239 and book your furry pal in for a health check.
Head nurse Katy Kirkham has some dark night poison advice for pet owners
The dark nights are starting earlier, and the temperature is dropping… Winter is coming. As we move through the seasons, head nurse Katy Kirkham, wants owners to be aware of how environmental changes and their own routine can potentially be hazardous to pets.
Note down our Emergency Number just in case: 01327 350239
Pest poisons – If you’re having a pre-winter tidy-up in your garden and shed, make sure rat poisons, slug pellets, and insect/weed killers are out of your pet’s reach.
Antifreeze – With winter on the way, now is when people tend to refill their cars with antifreeze, which is highly toxic, but surprisingly tasty to pets (especially cats). Clean up spillages thoroughly and keep the container in a cupboard or behind closed doors – remember, cats can climb.
Conkers & acorns – These common autumnal seeds of horse chestnut and oak trees are toxic to dogs. Whereas severe poisoning is rare, vomiting and intestinal blockages can happen if eaten.
Blue-green algae – Just because it’s Autumn, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s too cold for blue-green algae to survive. Be careful walking your dog near rivers, streams, and lakes in the dark when you may not be able to see the algae.
Toxic fumes & smoke – When it’s darker and colder outside, we tend to keep pets indoors for warmth and safety. However, standalone electric/gas heaters, open fires, and candles can be harmful to pets due to toxic fumes and/or smoke.
Bonfires – These won’t poison pets (unless you’re accidentally burning toxic materials on them), but they won’t do them any good if they inhale the smoke or have been napping underneath – always check before striking the match.
Flea treatments – Post-summer, pre-Christmas, can be a very busy time. If you own different types of pets, make sure you give them the correct flea treatments as they’re not ‘one size fits all’ and toxic poisoning can happen.
Share our dark night advice with your pet-loving friends and help to reduce the number of poorly pets this season.
If you do have a pet health emergency, call 01327 350239 straight away.
Autumn safety advice for Northamptonshire cat owners
The nights are getting shorter and the leaves are turning yellow, are you ready for the joys of Autumn in Northamptonshire? Now is the perfect time to prepare your cat for some seasonal changes.
From microchipping to changing mealtimes, our head vet Helen, has some Autumn advice for optimal cat safety:
Stay Visible – Pre-7pm sunsets kick in around the third week of September and that’s when vets typically see an increase in the number of cats brought in following road accidents. Invest in a reflective collar, and if you’re driving, take extra care to spot cats crossing the road in the dark.
Stay Connected – Microchipping your cat is probably the most important thing you could ever do for them. This quick & harmless procedure could help reunite you if they go missing, or are involved in an accident. All too often, vets have no way of tracing owners of cats brought in. It’s just as important to keep your cat’s microchip contact details up to date.
Stay Indoors – Move your cat’s mealtimes earlier in the evening to encourage them indoors when it starts to get dark. Also, hiding some of your cat’s toys and only bringing them out at night will make staying in seem like more fun than a night on the tiles.
Stay Alert – Some cats like to harness the autumnal warmth by sleeping underneath cars, on tyres, and under the bonnet. Give your vehicle a quick check-over before heading out and send sleeping cats on their way.
Stay Safe – As the shorter days return, so do the back-garden bonfires. Check for cats and wildlife before lighting your bonfire, and keep cats indoors more during firework season.
The takeaway messages in this article are to ‘THINK CAT SAFETY’ and to stay connected to your cat, this Autumn.
Our tips for choosing a cat sitter
There are some excellent catteries in Northamptonshire, but not all cats do well away from home and their normal routine. Stay-at-home care is an increasingly popular option but it’s important to get the details right for your cat. So, Katy Kirkham our head nurse, has put together a few handy tips and a handy checklist that you may find useful.
Download our cat holiday checklist
Types of holiday care for cats
Daily visits can be carried out by a friend, neighbour or professional cat sitter. They will need to ensure your cat/s has enough food / water and take care of their basic needs.
Live-in care is a more focussed version of daily visits, ideal if you have a few pets. Your furry friends will have constant company and their routine will be maintained.
In both cases, it can also be reassuring to know that someone you trust is visiting your home each day, checking everything is secure and everyone is healthy.
Whatever option you choose, you need to check with your selected cat sitter to make sure they’ll provide the following:
- Regular visits – Your cat should be visited at least twice daily.
- Meals – The food & routine should be the same as if you were at home.
- Water – An abundant supply of fresh water must always be available.
- Litter – Trays should be cleaned twice daily, especially during warm weather.
Choosing the right cat sitter
As your pet is one of the most important parts of your life, you’ll feel better while you’re away if you know that someone trustworthy and knowledgeable is looking after your cat.
Katy Kirkham recommends checking:
- References – If it isn’t someone you know personally, are they able to provide details of a few other people they have sat for?
- Knowledge – They should be able to spot signs of ill health and be aware of any specific issues that your cat may have. Plus, if your cat needs regular medication, they should be capable of administering it.
- Quality time – The person should be willing to play with your cat or simply spend time sitting with them, for company.
- Insurance – If your cat sitter is a professional, they should be insured – so check their documents.
No matter which option you choose for your pet, be sure to download our cat holiday checklist . If you have any questions you can always drop us a line on 01327 350239 or ask us on our Facebook page if you think they may be useful to other owners.
