When it comes to serious canine conditions you should be aware of, bloat and gastric torsion are high on the list. Though the cause of this disease is often a mystery, the signs and symptoms are easy enough to recognise, despite being fairly consistent with other conditions. It is important that you do take the time to familiarise yourse...
Read More
Good digestive health is essential to your horse's overall wellness and performance. The horse's gut is populated by billions of beneficial or "good" bacteria and protozoa - particularly in the colon and caecum of the hindgut. These organisms ferment the fibre (grass, hay etc) that horses eat. A key product of fermentation in the hindgut is volatil...
Read More
As with dogs, mild stomach upsets in cats are not uncommon. Typically a sudden change in diet, over-eating or an intolerance to a food not usually consumed can cause stomach upsets in cats. Starving for a period of time and giving a bland diet for 7 days before transitioning back onto their normal food is recommended. However cats should not be sta...
Read More
Do all dogs need the same amount of exercise? All dogs need exercise, but knowing how much exercise is enough will depend on various factors including your dog’s breed, age and health. Even within breeds and age groups there will be variations as no two dogs are the same. Sporting and herding breeds, for example, will n...
Read More
Kissing Spines is the laymans term for overriding or impinging dorsal spinous processes in the horse. The dorsal spinous processes (DSPs) protrude vertically from the vertebrae and run from the withers to the pelvis. In a normal spine the DPS's are regularly spaced with a sufficient gap in between them. In a horse with kissing spines the gaps are r...
Read More
This guide explores the most common cat skin problems, helping you recognise early signs of irritation, infection, or allergies so you can act quickly. Understanding these issues is key to keeping your cat’s skin and coat healthy and well-protected. Key Takeaways Skin issues in cats are common, and early signs like itching, redness, hair...
Read More
Dog eye complaints are common place in a vets consulting room. This is largely due to the vast array of eye complaints dogs can suffer from. All breeds of dogs, and at any age, can be affected with many types of eye problems, each with differing forms of severity. Although, certain dog breeds are more prone to different eye conditions than others.S...
Read More
The liver makes up around 1% of the horse's total bodyweight and is probably the most important organ in the body since every other organ depends on it. It works closely with the digestive system and has an array of different functions: Blood from the intestinal tract is drained to the liver where nutrients can be stored or metabolised to produce e...
Read More
When it comes to choosing the right bit for your horse, the abundance of choice can make it difficult to decide. With various classes of bit, each with their own subcategories, and then different mouthpieces and cheeks on top of that, it’s easy to lose sight of what you really need. The best thing to do is keep it simple and consi...
Read More
Knowing what should be in a horse first aid kit is essential for every yard. This practical horse first aid kit list covers the key items you need to be prepared for injury or illness. It is useful to put together a first aid kit to keep on the yard. A basic first aid kit should contain the items most likely to be needed to treat an injury or ailme...
Read More