As far as viruses go, Feline Herpes Virus (FHV-1) is one you really don’t want your cat to catch. A leading cause of feline morbidity and incurable to those that do survive, it is thought that as much as 95% of the global cat population has been exposed to FHV-1. Of this number, it is estimated that 80% remain latent carriers of this highly c...
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It is likely that at some point in your dog’s life, crate-training is going to be necessary. While not everyone agrees with crating a dog, when used properly, a crate is an effective tool for training and managing your dog's behaviour, if only for a limited time. Not only are crates helpful from a short-term training and management perspectiv...
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Mounting blocks became popular in the late 18th century when women needed a dignified means to mount the side-saddle. These days, unless your horse is particularly tall, you are particularly short, or there is something hindering your mobility, many riders will mount from the ground. That said, the value of mounting blocks is often talked about in...
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During the winter months and often over firework season, many of us are forced to stable our horses for long periods of time. Unfortunately, behavioural problems come with the territory of increased stable time, along with physical stresses that need careful management. In this week’s blog we are looking at ways of managing the most common pr...
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What are hoof abscesses? Many horses are affected by hoof abscesses but what exactly are they? Put simply, a hoof abscess is a localised bacterial infection confined to the delicate structures of the hoof. Facing infection, the body produces purulent fluid (pus) to try to isolate and control the infection. Pus consists of dead white blood cells tha...
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You might not know it but optical complaints in cats are relatively common. However, because they are naturally independent creatures that tend to hide their afflictions well, it is not always obvious when a cat is suffering. Also, because eye problems aren’t as pronounced in cats as they are in dogs and horses, they often go unnoticed for so...
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When it comes to choosing the right bed, albeit for ourselves or our dogs, quality is key. After all, beds are big purchases that we hope will last us many years. This means providing year-round comfort and support, without wearing, losing shape or becoming any less inviting. If the bed we sleep on is made of quality materials, this is likely to tr...
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Finding out your pet has diabetes is distressing and quite often comes as a surprise. Nothing can prepare you for the lifestyle changes that inevitably follow a diagnosis of diabetes, and it can usually take a while adjusting to a new routine, especially in a household with more than one animal. While this is a challenging time for you, it is also...
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I’m sure it hasn’t slipped your notice that the nights are drawing in faster now and the weather is on the turn – sure fire signs that winter is here. For many people this means putting on the heating and wrapping up warm, but should the same provisions be made for our horses? Here we discuss the benefits of turning out a horse fo...
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Cat scratching is a bothersome habit that can have us clawing at the walls trying to stop! Of course we know it’s a natural behaviour but that doesn’t stop us wanting to discourage it, or at least, contain where it happens in the home. Favourite pieces of furniture are a cat’s best friend along with carpets, stair banisters and a...
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