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REFER A FRIEND

REFER A FRIEND

Love what we do? Share the love with your friends and earn £20 credit! If you already have a horse registered with us, you can refer as many friends or family members as you like to be rewarded.

REFER A FRIEND AND BE REWARDED

When you refer a new client to Oakhill Equine Vets, you’ll get £20 credit on your account when they’ve had their first visit…and they’ll get £20 off their first bill. It’s our way of saying thanks for spreading the word.

There’s no limit to how many new clients you can refer to us, so the rewards are endless too!

REFERRING IS AS EASY AS 1,2,3! HOW DOES IT WORK?

  1. Download and print the refer a friend voucher, complete your details and pass it to a friend who would like to register with us.
  2. Your friend registers with us (online, in branch or by phone).
  3. At their first visit they present the voucher to the vet, then £20 credit will be added to your account and your friend’s account.

REFER A FRIEND TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • “We” or “Us” means Oakhill Equine Vets. Registered in England and Wales, registered number 08379696. Registered Office: Oakhill Veterinary Centre Limited, Langley Lane, Goosnargh, Preston, PR3 2JQ.
  • “Referrer” means a client who is registered with us, with a horse who we have seen in the last 2 years.
  • “Friend” means the person the Referrer has recommended Oakhill Equine Vets to.
  • The Referrer must pass on to the Friend, their horse’s name, surname and postcode before the Friend registers.
  • The Friend must be a new client to us, not an active account.
  • The registration must be made either in branch, online, or by phone.
  • The Friend must be aged 18 or over to register with us.
  • We will issue a £20 credit to the Referrer and to the Friend, when the Friend has had their first visit with us and presented the voucher.
  • No credit will be issued if a Referrer retrospectively contacts us saying they know someone who has already registered with us, and they only did so because of a recommendation by them.
  • This promotion can be withdrawn by us, at any time.
  • We may cancel the Refer a Friend scheme should we discover, or have a reasonable suspicion to believe, that the terms of the scheme are being abused.
  • The Refer a Friend scheme is not open to employees or contractors of Oakhill Veterinary Centre Limited.
  • Referees will not be rewarded where a Friend resides in the same household as the Referee.

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:

  1. Overwintered larvae may survive on pasture from autumn until late spring in sufficient numbers to initiate infection.
  2. 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

Case Study: Tilly – Patella Luxation

At Oakhill we see many limping dogs, most of which fortunately resolve simply with rest and pain relief medication. Sometimes however, this is not the case, and rest and medication is not enough.

Tilly, a lovely cocker spaniel cross poodle came to see us at our Kirkham branch as she had been suffering from a sore hind leg causing her to limp. This was not good for poor Tilly as she is a very active and bouncy dog!

After a thorough clinical exam Tilly was diagnosed with very movable knee caps (patellae) that dislocate from their normal position in the groove at the bottom of the thigh bone (femur). This is known as patella luxation which, if serious enough and left untreated, can result in arthritis. It is usually a disease that an animal develops when they are young, due to the shape (or conformation) of their legs as they grow and is influenced by genetics – i.e. can be passed from affected parent dogs. This disease can affect many different breeds of dog (and cats for that matter), however breeds such as Poodles, Chihuahuas, many Terriers and French bulldogs tend to be over represented.

Initially Tilly was treated with pain relief medication and rest however her lameness did not improve. Therefore Tilly underwent x-rays to rule out any other diseases and ensure she was a good candidate for surgical treatment, which she was.

Tom, one of our vets, undertook  a surgical technique on Tilly called a tibial tuberosity transposition and wedge sulcoplasty (what a mouthful!) which put simply, deepens the grove the knee cap sits in and realigns part of the shin bone (tibial crest) to pull and keep the knee cap in the correct position. This is done by cutting the shin bone and pinning it in a slightly modified position.

Tilly has had to be kept well rested after the surgery- a hard task indeed! She has done very well and is no longer limping and back to her bouncy happy self.

Reference: O’Neill, D.G., Meeson, R.L., Sheridan, A. et al. The epidemiology of patellar luxation in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. Canine Genet Epidemiol3, 4 (2016)

Equine Mites

Mites typically affect the legs of our feathered breeds. Mites can also affect other breeds and one of the more common areas affected in non-feathered breeds is the facial area.

Mite infections can occur throughout the year but as mite populations are highest in Winter, this is the time of year we see the most clinical cases.

Affected horses display signs of itchiness and those with leg mites frequently and repeatedly stamp their feet, bite/chew at their feathers and scratch on various objects to name but a few. On closer examination, crusts & hair loss, with/without weeping lesions are generally present. Some horses markedly object to examination of the lesions so care should be exercised when attempting to examine.

Diagnosis is confirmed by examining a skin brushing under the microscope but frequently diagnosis is based on a compatible history and physical examination findings.

Treatment should ideally start with clipping; however, most owners do not want to proceed down this route in the first instance but in the case of treatment failure, clipping is highly recommended. The limbs should then be bathed in a solution to try soften/break up scabs/crusts prior to the application of a topical treatment.

There are many topical treatments on the market indicating the lack of a gold standard treatment and the fact that different horses respond differently to different treatments; what may work in one patient may not work in another. An injectable treatment is also available. The is a frequently utilised treatment option but it’s use is off-licence in horses.

Following treatment, your horse’s stable should be thoroughly cleaned out to prevent re-infection.

Asthma/RAO/COPD (and management of):

COPD, also known as RAO and most recently, equine asthma, occurs when inhaled allergens initiate a cycle of bronchospasm (airway constriction) and airway inflammation (increased inflammatory cells and mucous). Two forms commonly occur- Summer asthma secondary to pollen and the more renowned form triggered by dust which can occur throughout the year. It is the latter form which we are beginning to see with increased frequency at this time of year now that our horses are spending more time stabled. 

Affected horses present with clinical sign of varying severity. Some merely have a history of poor performance or a mildly increased respiratory (breathing) rate whereas others are more severely affected and present with respiratory distress. 

Diagnosis is often based on the presence of compatible clinical signs but is confirmed following respiratory tract endoscopy and submission of airway fluid samples for laboratory evaluation. 

With dust-induced asthma, in particular, management changes are of paramount importance. The affected patient should be out, breathing fresh air in so far as possible. Whilst stabled, minimising dust in the patient’s environment is crucial. Utilisation of ‘dust free’ bedding (paper, cardboard, dust extracted shavings) should be considered. Bedding should be laid with the patient outside of the stable with small amounts utilised and changed daily. Cobwebs should be hoovered from the stable environment quarterly. Grooming should also take place outside to minimise stable dust. If feeding hay, investment in a hay steamer should be considered. Otherwise, hay should be thoroughly soaked and fed prior to drying out. Management changes alone in the first instance may not be sufficient and therefore, concurrent drug therapy is frequently indicated.

Drug therapy is based on relieving bronchospasm/airway constriction through the use of bronchodilators and relieving airway inflammation through the use of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Drugs may also be administered to break up airway mucous (mucolytics). Airway inflammation is slow to resolve and treatment may be required for a period of months. In some cases, if ongoing allergen exposure is present, treatment may be required on an ongoing basis or repeatedly when flare-ups occur. Drugs may be administered orally or by the inhalatory/nebulised routes. Your veterinary surgeon will discuss the best method of drug delivery for your horse/pony.

Simba the German Shepherd

Simba is a 5 year old German Shepherd dog who has been visiting Oakhill since he was a puppy. In June 2018, he was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. This is a common condition affecting German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and Border Collies amongst other breeds. 

The hip socket is more shallow than usual, and the top of the femur (thigh bone) becomes abnormally shaped and doesn’t sit well within the socket. The resulting joint instability can eventually lead to painful arthritis. It was recommended that Simba start joint supplements and hydrotherapy to build muscle and maintain mobility and strength in his hind legs to reduce the likelihood of arthritis in the future.

In May 2020, Simba became uncomfortable on his left hindlimb. He was diagnosed with disease of the stifle (knee) joint. As Simba was overweight, the pressure put through his hindlimbs was significant. It was advised that he lose weight to reduce the burden on his joints. 

Simba’s owner kept a food diary for one week, so that the nurse could calculate how many calories he was eating compared to how many his body required. The nurse then advised a low-fat food and exactly what size portions he required to lose weight healthily. Simba’s owner started the new diet, being careful to reduce any further treats given. 

Simba was regularly weighed, and has lost 20% of his bodyweight. As you can see, he looks fantastic! His owner reports that he’s now full of life, dragging her to be taken for walks and is building up muscle really well at his hydrotherapy sessions.

We’re all so proud of Simba’s progress. If your pet is overweight, our nurses would be happy to talk over the phone about what can be done to help.

Losing weight reduces the burden on joints and helps pets to live longer.

Frequently asked questions

How frequently should I give flea/ worm products to my cat and dog?
As a general rule, we advise treating kittens and puppies for fleas and worms every month until they are 6 months of age. After this age, most cats and dogs are treated for worms every 3 months. We offer a variety of flea products, some of which are given monthly whilst some last for 3 months. Advice is tailored to the age and lifestyle of each pet, and whether tick prevention is required. Ticks can carry diseases so if an animal spends time in areas where ticks are present it is important that we use a preventative tick treatment. We also need to consider the type of product used, for example some pets are difficult to give tablets to so we may use a spot-on, and some dogs are keen swimmers so we would use a tablet instead. 

I’ve heard the vet mention anal glands- what are they?
The ‘anal glands’, officially called ‘anal sacs’ are rounded structures that sit beneath the skin close to the anus in cats and dogs. They produce a smelly material that empties via narrow openings onto the animal’s stool as it is passed. This allows scent communication to other animals. In some animals, this liquid can build up in the anal sac, which can feel uncomfortable for the pet and can cause them to scoot their bottom or lick this area. Reasons for this build up include passing soft stools that haven’t emptied the anal sacs on their way past, or could be due to their individual anatomy and the position of their anal sacs. If a pet is uncomfortable due to full anal sacs, a vet or veterinary nurse is able to gently empty them. We assess the liquid and the anal sacs for any abnormalities such as infection or inflammation. Some pets are prone to anal sac issues and require regular trips to visit us to empty them, but for most animals the anal sacs are emptied naturally when they go to the toilet.

 I’m thinking of getting a new pet. What do I need to consider?
Getting a new pet is an exciting time, with lots to think about. Your lifestyle, home, future plans, time constraints and financial situation are all important considerations. What kind of pet to choose, and even which breed, is a very individual choice, but we are always available to offer advice on this. Our Registered Veterinary Nurses offer ‘pre-ownership appointments’ to discuss your situation and how appropriate different pets may be. They ask that you initially complete a questionnaire so they can tailor their suggestions to your circumstances. This can then be discussed over the phone, to comply with current COVID advice. 

My dog is scared of fireworks, what can I do? 
It surprises many people that now is a good time of year to think about fear of fireworks in dogs, and reducing what we would call ‘noise phobia’. One way that this can be done at home is by gradually desensitising the dog to certain noises. The Dogs Trust website offers free access to the ‘Sounds Scary’ program (https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/dog-behaviour-health/sound-therapy-for-pets) which is a good place to start. If you would like to talk to one of our nurses about what else you can do to reduce noise phobia in your pet, call your local surgery. 

Preventative healthcare for your pets

Preventative healthcare is something we find very important at Oakhill, as it is often far easier to prevent disease than it is to treat it, and prevention of disease is likely to extend the lifespan of your pet.

Routine preventative healthcare includes:

Vaccination

Puppies and kittens need a vaccine course to protect them against several serious diseases, and then a yearly booster to keep them protected. As they get older, their immune system stops working as well therefore it is just as important to keep their annual vaccinations up to date.

It is also recommended that dogs have kennel cough vaccinations, especially if they mix regularly with groups of dogs, for example, in kennels or shows.

Rabbits also should also have yearly vaccinations to protect them against several fatal diseases.

The clinical examination that the vet performs on your pet at each vaccination will help to pick up things such as cataracts, dental disease, cancerous lumps or heart murmurs, often before they cause any symptoms.

Parasite treatment

Parasites are another common problem better prevented than treated after a problem occurs.

Intestinal worms – roundworms or tapeworms, are picked up in the environment, or can be ingested when hunting. These parasites can cause weight loss and intestinal damage in dogs and cats, but eggs and larvae can also be ingested by children and cause health issues such as blindness, so it is very important that routine preventative treatment is carried out on your pet.

Lungworm is a parasite picked up from licking or eating infected slugs or snails. This migrates to your pets lungs, causing breathing problems, and can be fatal if left untreated.

We recommend worming with an appropriate veterinary product 2 weekly until 12 weeks of age, monthly until 6 months, then every 3 months.

Fleas are found in every environment, and multiply rapidly, especially in our centrally heated homes. They cause skin irritation and disease, and worryingly, by the time you see them on your pet, the population in the environment is likely to be large. Regular flea treatment prevents this from happening.

Ticks can attach to your pet when out on a walk, especially as they run through long grass. They feed on blood, but can also spread diseases by passing them from animal to animal when they bite them. People can also catch some of these diseases, so it is important to check your pet regularly and treat them to avoid ticks being brought into your home.

Mites and lice are another parasite that can cause mild to severe skin disease.

Neutering

Having your dog, cat or rabbit neutered (speyed or castrated) prevents many diseases and problems such reproductive infections, unplanned pregnancy, mammary (breast) and testicular cancer and prostate disease. Book an appointment with one of our team if you would like to discuss neutering further in regards to your pet.

The 365 Care Plan (https://www.oakhill-vets.com/365careplan/)

We are pleased to offer a care plan to make sure your pet gets the preventative care they need. It includes one annual booster vaccination , and regular parasite treatment. It also includes a 6 monthly vet health check, and anal gland expression and nail clips are free (with a nurse). We have designed the plan to make sure it protects your pet, but also saves you money. It gives the option of monthly instalments or annual payment and 10% off all other treatments including neutering.

If you would like to find out more about the 365 plan, or would like to discuss any preventative treatment with our team please ring the practice and we will be happy to help. 

Q&A – Worms

What are ‘worms’?

We use the word ‘worms’ to describe a group of parasites that live inside the body of dogs and cats. These include roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms. 

How does my pet get worms?

Most worms are picked up when a dog or cat swallows an egg or larvae from the ground, e.g. when eating grass/ sniffing. They can also be picked up from hunting rodents or eating slugs and snails, and can even be spread by fleas. 

I can’t see any worms in my pet’s stools- why do I need to treat them? 

Most owners do not realise when their pets have worms. This group of parasites live, breed and feed inside the intestines of the dog or cat they are infecting, so will not be seen in their stools. Some types of worm are so tiny that they can’t be seen without a microscope. Sometimes we see symptoms in pets, for example a bloated tummy, weight loss, diarrhoea or scooting their bottom on the floor, but often we do not. There is a health risk to people exposed to dog poo containing worms, especially to children, so it’s important that all dog owners are responsible in reducing this risk by treating appropriately and picking up after their pet. 

How often do I need to worm my pet? 

This is dependent on their lifestyle and age. Our nurses and vets are happy to advise for each individual, and can offer different types of product such as ‘spot-ons’, tablets or oral liquids. Our team are always happy to help with administering or applying the medication if needed.

Keeping your pets safe this Easter

After a long cold winter this year, spring definitely can’t come soon enough. But as we look forward to the longer days and the warmer months, it’s important to remember that spring can bring some unwanted danger to our pets.

Easter

With bank holidays, chocolates and hopefully warmer weather, Easter is often a good time to relax. For people with dogs, this time of year is also great for long walks, but Easter can be potentially more dangerous to dogs due to the amount of chocolate involved.

Dogs like to get their paws on any food in sight, and unfortunately chocolate is one of these foods. However chocolate is toxic to our dogs. Dogs should never be given chocolate, or have access to any, this includes those hidden gems on a Easter egg hunt.

If you set up an Easter egg hunt for your children in your home or garden, make sure that you know where they’re all hidden. It’s easy to hide lots of eggs and forget about where some of them are hidden, but your dogs nose will find them easy enough. If possible, places all chocolates and eggs on the Easter egg hunt in Tupperware or boxes to prevent your dog finding them before the kids.

It’s not just the chocolate eggs that you should keep an eye on either! Boiled eggs can cause an upset stomach and constipation in your pet, especially if they eat the shells as well. If a dog consumes an egg whole, surgery may be needed to keep it from blocking the intestinal tract.

Plastic eggs pose as serious risk as well, mainly because if consumed they can’t be digested. While it may be possible for it to pass through the digestive system, it can also get stuck and cause damage requiring surgery.

Flowers

Daffodils are usually a great indication that spring has finally arrived as they’re prolific around spring / Easter time.

While dogs don’t usually pay attention to them, the bulbs of the Daffodil can be toxic if ingested. This is important if your dog likes to dig around the garden and uproot your flower garden.

Lilies are very popular around Easter, however every part of the lily is highly toxic to pets especially cats. Easter lilies and other lilies can be toxic to cats, causing kidney failure and death. All parts of the lily can be toxic, and eating just one leaf can result in severe poisoning. If you think your cat has eaten a lily, contact your vet immediately.

Other foods

Chocolate isn’t the only food your dog needs to avoid, other popular Easter food like Simnel cake and other Easter cakes / food like Hot Cross Buns usually contain raisins and sultanas, both of which are toxic to dogs, along with other products of the grape family. Therefore, do not let your dog have a bite of these foods as a treat.

Synthetic grass

Easter grass, like holiday tinsel, can be tempting to pets and dangerous if ingested causing intestinal trouble. The long, thin strings can cause “intussusception”, a bunching-up of the intestines, which requires surgery.