paige_soap, Author at Oakhill Vets

Itchy Skin

As warmer weather approaches, a lot of animals may start becoming itchy. If this itching becomes excessive, skin infections and irritation can make your pet miserable. There are many possible reasons for the itch: parasites, bacterial infections and allergic skin disease are some of the main causes, and in some cases all of these may be seen together.

Dogs and cats with allergic skin disease can be itchy all over, or the irritation can be localised to the feet, face, ears and stomach – or even just one of these areas.

Allergic skin disease (or atopy) is particularly common at this time of year. The three most common types of allergies are:

Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD):

Some pets develop an allergic reaction to the fleas’ saliva. An itchy dog and its environment must be thoroughly treated for fleas before FAD can be ruled out.

Environmental allergens:

This is an allergic reaction to a substance (allergens) in the environment. These allergens can be seasonal (grass and tree pollens) or non-seasonal (house dust mites). The causative agents can be determined by either a blood test or intra dermal skin testing. This condition is more common in dogs compared to cats. It usually affects dogs initially between the ages of 1-3 years and the condition can last a lifetime. There appears to be an inherited predisposition with certain breeds such as Westies, Labradors, Shar Peis and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, although it can be seen in any breed.

Food allergy or intolerance:

This is the least common cause of allergic skin disease. Pets can be allergic to particular components of the food. A strict food trial (please speak to your vet for the appropriate diet recommendation) for a period of 4-6 weeks is needed followed by re-introduction of food components to confirm a diagnosis.

The approach to investigating an itchy dog can be intensive and time consuming, but depending on the cause of your pet’s itchiness we have a wide variety of treatments available to control their symptoms and keep them comfortable and happy. Please ring to book a consultation at the surgery to discuss both investigation and treatment with one of our vets.

Anaesthesia with ‘Womble’

Under a general anaesthetic, concsciousness is lost preventing pain and stress to the horse before, during and after major surgery. Horses that are to undergo surgery under general anaesthesia are admitted to the clinic the day before their procedure. They will be thoroughly assessed to detect any potential risks. This involves examining the heart, lungs and checking for signs of infection. Based on the assessment the anaesthetic plan will be modified to suit the horse. The horse will be weighed to ensure accurate drug dosages are given.

Horses are sedated to reduce stress while its neck is clipped and a catheter placed to allow safe access to the horses vein throughout the operation. If the horse has shoes then these will also be removed to minimise injury to itself, with the feet scrubbed to prevent contamination of the theatre and surgical site.

The horse will then be sedated further and carefully walked into our specially designed induction/ recovery box which has a padded floor and walls to help prevent injury. A padded head collar is applied to prevent injury to the head and face on induction.

Two vets induce anaestheisa via an injection and ensure the horse is guided down as safely as possible. Once anaesthetised (unconscious) a breathing tube is placed via the horses mouth into the airway so that anaesthetic gases and oxygen can be inhaled throughout the surgery to keep the horse anaesthetised and safely immbolised.

The horse is then transported into theatre by a mechanical hoist, where it is placed on a padded mattress to help support the horse’s weight and muscles during the surgery. Monitoring equipment is also applied to the horse to allow the anaesthetist to observe the horse’s depth of anaesthesia and monitor its breathing, eye reflexes, blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm.

Once the surgery is complete, the horse is carefully transported back into the recovery box which is kept warm and quiet to allow for a safe and easy recovery. The horse will usually be on its own in the box at this point as movements can be unpredictable, making it dangerous for people to be in with it. However, the anaesthetist closely monitors the horse during recovery via CCTV allowing them to intervene if required. The surgery is only considered complete when the horse is safely standing up.

Jess Watson BSc BVSc Cert AVP MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon

NEW purpose-built farm building for 2023

We are thrilled to announce that we have plans for a new purpose-built farm building. Our practice has expanded significantly in all sectors since we started off in the original building many, many years ago, and our farm department in particular was in need of more space.

The building will include a surgical suite, laboratory and large meeting room as well as a farm-only reception area and dispensary. We look forward to welcoming you into our new home!

Do you have a lungworm prevention strategy?

To prevent lungworm causing problems in your herd it is vital to plan ahead. Relying on anthelmintics can be risky as it is very difficult to predict exactly when outbreaks will occur as they are dictated by the weather.

The clinical signs of lungworm include:

Coughing
Increased breathing rate
Fever
Milk drop
Death

Lungworm can persist from year to year in two ways:

Overwintered larvae may survive on pasture from autumn until late spring in sufficient numbers to initiate infection.
10-20% of previously grazed animals carry some larvae over winter → these larvae recommence development in spring and contaminate the pasture.

The larvae levels on pasture gradually build up and outbreaks are usually seen from July onwards; often after a period of warm, wet weather.

In comparison to gut worms, lungworms produce many more eggs, which develop into the infective stage within the faecal pat in 1 week, regardless of the weather (gut worm eggs only develop if the weather conditions are favourable → this can take weeks). This allows the number of infective larvae on pasture to build up rapidly.

Lungworm larvae are expelled in the faeces. The larvae leave the faecal pat to the surrounding grass. The larvae can move further afield using the Pilobolus fungus, which “explodes” making the larvae airborne. Watch the fungus explosion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrKJAojmB1Y

Dry, hot summers reduce lungworm contamination on pasture but this creates a future risk as repeated exposure to the parasite is needed to maintain immunity.

Affected dairy herds can lose on average 4kg milk/cow/day (estimated £140 per cow), with an average increase in calving interval of 30 days. Body condition loss is seen and heavy infections may result in death. Suckler herds will see a drop in conception rates, an increased barren rate and a loss of body condition. Reduced milk yields will have a knock-on effect on daily liveweight gain in the calves.

We are increasingly seeing lungworm outbreaks in older cows. Possible reasons for this include:

Reliance on long-acting wormers in calves.
Wet and warm summer weather.
Early turn outs (previously grazed stock contaminate pastures with larvae that have overwintered in their lungs)
High stocking density (more cows = more shedding of lungworm → numbers build up on pasture quickly).

Vaccination provides the best form of protection which will last for the duration of the grazing season. Alternatively, targeted treatment of calves with anthelmintics at times of peak risk can work, but it can be difficult to accurately predict the perfect window for treatment. The use of long-acting worming products is not advised as this does not allow calves to develop their own immunity, is detrimental to dung beetle populations, and increases the risk of anthelmintic resistance.

Cattle need to encounter lungworm at every grazing season to boost their immunity. To ensure immunity without the detrimental effects of this disease, cattle should either receive a booster of lungworm vaccine or be treated with an appropriate anthelmintic at times of peak risk. Purchased heifers and adult cows may succumb to disease if they have not encountered lungworm or been vaccinated previously. If grazed these should be given a complete course of vaccination prior to turn out.

Lungworm outbreaks are detrimental for welfare and costly:

Parasitic pneumonia can result in severe lung damage
Reduced growth rates
Prolonged disease
Death
Reduced milk yield in adult cows

Salmonella case report

We recently diagnosed Salmonella Dublin on a farm which was experiencing an increase in the number of sick cows, abortions, calf scour and pneumonia and calf mortality. We had been suspicious of Salmonella for some time. A bulk tank test showed moderate levels of exposure, but we had not been able to isolate the bacteria on farm to confirm it was active and determine which Salmonella species was involved.

A sick cow presented with severe diarrhoea and dehydration which despite aggressive treatment died. A faecal sample was taken from which Salmonella Dublin was isolated.

Salmonella Dublin is one of the most common cow-adapted strains of Salmonella. Several other strains may also be isolated in cattle and it is important to determine which strain is present. Cattle can become carriers of Salmonella Dublin and shed the bacteria intermittently, particularly during periods of stress such as calving. This often leads to disease being seen primarily in the calves.

Many of the control measures implemented around calving to control Johne’s disease are effective in reducing the transmission of Salmonella. Maintaining a clean hygienic calving environment is particularly important. The frequency of cleaning out and disinfecting the calving pens was increased and a new policy of removing calves from their dams as soon as possible was adopted.

The herd was vaccinated including the in-calf heifers. The primary course consists of two-doses given at a three-week interval followed by an annual booster. In addition to the improvements to calving management, vaccination greatly reduced the incidence of disease, which was quickly noticeable in the calves.

Pet Dental Health Month

As February was Pet Dental Health Month, we thought we would share some top tips for maintaining your pet’s healthy mouth

Although small, your pet’s teeth are a very important part of your pet’s overall health, and just like us, they can benefit from having good oral hygiene. It can be easy to forget about your pets’ pearly whites, but since February is Pet Dental Health Month, it’s the perfect time to look at the benefits of keeping on top of your pet’s dental care.

Why is it Important for My Pet to Have Healthy Teeth?

Good oral hygiene can help improve your pet’s overall well-being. Plaque can start to form on your pet’s teeth a couple of hours after eating. Over time, plaque can harden and turn to tartar, providing the perfect environment for bacterial growth which can lead to a variety of problems, including tooth decay. Once plaque hardens to tartar, it can only be removed via a dental procedure requiring a general anaesthetic.

Excess plaque and tartar can cause gum inflammation. Gum disease can affect the deep supportive structures of your pet’s teeth and is one of the most common disease pets suffer from today. Inflammation of the gums can also lead to infections within the mouth, these can be extremely painful for your dog often causing excessive drooling, pain when eating or playing with toys, and bad breath.

Checking your pet’s teeth daily can reduce the severity of these conditions and help bring any concerns to your vet’s attention quickly before they cause too many problems.

How Often Should I Brush My Pet’s Teeth?

We recommend that you brush your pet’s teeth 2-4 times a week, but brushing their teeth every day gives the best results. However, it is important to use the right equipment; a soft bristled brush is best, and ensure you use a special pet toothpaste (as the fluoride in human toothpaste can be toxic to pets).

If you pet is averse to you brushing their teeth, try letting them lick the toothpaste off your finger initially, then work up to running your finger over their teeth, before eventually swapping to a toothbrush.

Other ways to Maintain Healthy Teeth

It can be useful to train your pet to have their teeth brushed at a young age, as some older pets don’t like people going near their mouths. However, there are lots of other ways to maintain healthy teeth and gums:

Dental chews: Some chews can work by reducing plaque accumulation on your pets’ teeth. However, these treats can be high in calories, so it’s important to reduce your dog’s food intake accordingly and use them sparingly.
Toys: Pet-safe toys can make cleaning pets teeth enjoyable. Toys carrying the VOHC seal of approval will help to maintain a healthy mouth.
Dental diets: Some pet foods are specially designed to keep your pet’s teeth clean by scraping away plaque as they eat. The vets at Oakhill are always happy to discuss the most reliable dental diets for your pet.

Dental Needs for Different Types of Animals

This blog focuses mainly on dental care for domestic cats and dogs. If you would like to find out more about how to look after the teeth of your rabbits, guinea pigs, horses or any other furry friends, please feel free to speak with a vet at your pets next visit.

When to keep dogs on leads

Should dogs be kept on leads all the time?

Whilst it is not necessary to always keep your dogs (or other pets) on leads when out and about, it is wise to be aware of designated areas and pedestrian zones where leads may be required.

Another instance requiring lead control, especially important to Oakhill as we have a farm vet team, are areas where livestock are present – on farms, in the countryside or on a local ramble through the fields. An NSA (National Sheep Association) survey showed that there was a 67% increase of people witnessing an dog attack on sheep during COVID. (https://www.nationalsheep.org.uk/for-the-public/culture/sheep-worrying/survey-results/)

As stated in the survey, ‘more than half of all respondents had experienced abuse or intimidation when personally asking dog owners to put their pet on a lead.’

Land managed or owned by farmers will have footpaths clearly signposted and most will also have signs showing where livestock may be free roaming. Being aware of these signs means we can both allow our pets to enjoy their walks and protect other animals.

Your Cat’s Dental Health

The ideal way to care for cat’s teeth is to brush them, this needs to be done with pet toothpaste as cats cannot have fluoride which is in human toothpaste. Cat toothpaste is normally meat or fish flavoured so is generally well tolerated, to brush cats’ teeth you can either use a small headed toothbrush or a finger toothbrush. Here is a quick step by step guide on how to do it:

Put a small amount of toothpaste on your finger and let your cat lick it to get used to the taste. If you cat doesn’t want to lick it off your finger, put a small amount on their nose and let them lick it off.
Before brushing your cats teeth get your cat used to being held and you opening their mouth, this can either be done on your own or with a little help.
Once your cat is used to you handling them around their head/mouth slowly and gently open you cats mouth, you can then slowy start to use the toothbrush, this should be done in small circular motions starting at the back of the mouth. This should be done for around 30-40 seconds.
Remember to praise your cat as you are doing this to help keep them relaxed.

If tooth brushing isn’t an option for your cat, there are other products that can help with dental care:

Food- you can buy specially designed to help reduce Tatar build up, these are dry food.
Chlorhexidine washes- these are mouth washes that can be put along the gum line, this helps with bacteria build which contributes to plaque.
Food supplements- these can be added to food/water which again helps with the reduction of Tatar build up.
Gels- These are again put along the gumline.

Understanding how your pet’s shape could indicate weight problems

The shape of your pet can indicate whether your pet is overweight, underweight or of an ideal weight. Many people will look at their cat and dog and think they’re healthy, but don’t realise that their weight or shape isn’t correct.

Understanding your pet’s shape and monitoring it over time will help you keep your pet’s weight in check. Sudden weight gain and weight loss can also indicate health problems, therefore if they’re not overeating and have no cause for the changes in weight, you’ll be able to pick up on this quickly and discuss it with your vet.

Checking your dog’s shape

The shape of your dog will indicate if they are over weight, the steps below can help you determine this.

You should be able to see and feel the outline of your dog’s ribs without excess fat covering.
You should be able to see and feel your dog’s waist and it should be clearly visible when viewed from above.
Your dog’s belly should be tucked up when viewed from the side.

If your dog does not pass these checks, or if you’re in any doubt please contact your practice. We will be able to provide a health check, advice and nutritional guidance to help your dog shift any extra weight.

oakhill weight

Checking your cat’s shape

The shape of your cat will indicate if they are over weight, the steps below can help you determine this.

You should be able to see and feel your cat’s ribs, spine and hipbones.
Your cat’s waist should be clearly visible when viewed from above.
Your cats belly shouldn’t be sagging underneath, there should only be a small amount of belly fat.

If your cat doesn’t pass these checks speak to your practice. We will be able to provide a health check, advice and nutritional guidance to help your cat shift any extra weight.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

Author: paige_soap