What is equine grass sickness? Otherwise known as ‘equine dysautonomia,’ equine grass sickness (EGS) is a rare but predominantly fatal condition in horses, with a mortality rate of roughly 95%. The illness was first seen in Angus, Scotland in 1907 and remains much of a mystery to horse owners, despite a wealth of research being undertak...
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Many dog owners have decided to opt for the BARF diet, feeding their dogs bones and raw food in an attempt to mimic the food they would eat if they were wild animals. This is often one of the most nutritious options available when it comes to feeding your dog, but where do you start? One of the first things you will need to find is an appropriate m...
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These days, going into someone’s home and finding a rabbit is as commonplace as finding a regular cat or dog. I’m tempted to say that house rabbits are a new craze but I would be wrong. For as long as people have kept and cared for rabbits, there has been an interest in having them indoors. Here they are better protected from the danger...
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Coughing is not something we tend to associate with horses and ponies, but, actually, they are highly susceptible to respiratory problems. The causes of these can be allergic, infectious or anatomical, with some problems being easier to treat than others. Generally speaking, the causes of respiratory problems can be separated into four categories:...
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The last week of every September is Deaf Dog Awareness Week, a time for celebrating the aurally challenged pooch and highlighting its condition. Tens of thousands of dogs are born or become deaf every year in the UK, with a high percentage of these ending up in shelters because of their "disability." Many people often write deaf dogs off as too dif...
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Whether we consider ourselves ‘horsey’ or not, most of us will have heard of conditions such as laminitis and colic. We might not know the ins and outs of the problems, but we sure as anything know they are serious. How many of us then, will have heard of corneal ulcers and recurrent uveitis? They might not be so talked about, but as fa...
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Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice. Or, as they are collectively known, small animals. You'd be forgiven for thinking this category also extends to fish, insects and other tiny creatures, but when we talk about 'small animals,' we tend to be referring to the four-legged, furry variety. Even the more exotic ferrets, chinchillas and degus come unde...
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One of the big crazes sweeping the world of dog ownership is the BARF diet. The acronym stands for 'Biologically Appropriate Raw Food' or 'Bones And Raw Food', depending on who you ask, which should give you some idea of what it entails: plenty of uncooked, unprocessed food for your dog to enjoy. The idea appeals to many dog owners because of all o...
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Cystitis is a common complaint affecting cats. The term cystitis roughly translates to “inflammation of the bladder” and is sometimes referred to as Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS) or Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). While most cases of human cystitis are a result of infection, cats are more prone to stress-induced cystitis. C...
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From the makers of frontline comes NexGard, an innovative new flea and tick treatment that was launched last September. Still in its infancy, NexGard requires a prescription from your vet, while Frontline and other commercial flea preparations can be purchased over the counter. NexGard is different from these alternatives being an oral, rather than...
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