Forth Valley Veterinary Clinic Blog
Our top tips and useful information regarding pet and animal health…
Signs your Dog might be in Pain
How good is it being a dog these past couple of months??! Walk in the morning, another one at lunch, and the hooman is bored again by 3pm and guess what! Yep! Another walk! While life is getting back to sort-of-normal, our canine kids are loving the extra time spent with us. But maybe you’ve noticed pooch is a bit stiff in the mornings or a bit sore after a big walk? It could be Arthritis…
Blackleg
Today we look at the importance of vaccinating our cattle against potentially fatal diseases. Blackleg is an infectious disease most commonly caused by the bacteria Clostridium chauvoei.
These bacteria survive in the environment and pasture as durable spores for many years. The bacteria are ingested by grazing cattle, enter the blood stream and lodge in the muscle. The bacteria cause inflammation of the muscle, the muscle then becomes toxic and usually at this point leads to rapid death.
Drenching
Internal parasites or ‘worms’ impact significantly on the production efficiency of cattle herds, causing disease, reducing growth rates and sometimes causing death. Internal parasites include tapeworms (cestodes), roundworms (nematodes) and flukes (trematodes). Liver fluke and roundworms cause the biggest problems for producers.
Arthritis and Joint Pain
Arthritis is a general term for abnormal changes in a joint. These changes occur when cartilage is worn away faster than it can be replaced. Cartilage acts as a cushion to protect the bones. When it wears away, joints become swollen and painful.
Joint Health
For dogs that have stiff joints, the cartilage (the tissues that “cushions” the joint between the bones) is worn away faster than it is replaced. For example, when the cartilage in a dog’s hip joint wears away, mobility decreases, while pain and disability progressively develop.
Cat Weight Management
Even just a little extra weight can make a major difference in your cat’s health, general wellbeing and overall quality of life. All cats have an ideal weight for their size and breed. We might think a chunky cat is quite cute….. they make look cute but it is detrimental for their health.
Arthritis and Diet
There are several trains of thought within the veterinary profession; use grain-free diets, use homemade diets, or use prescription diets that focus on joint disease (and weight loss) and that may or may not include grain. Some grain-free brands of dry dog food include Meals-for-Mutts (stocked at the clinic), Taste of the Wild or Black Hawk – to name a few. Some Prescription foods for joint disease include Hills J/d, Hills Mobility or Hills Metabolic + Mobility. We stock both Hills and Meals-for-Mutts at the clinic.
Elbow Dysplasia
Canine elbow dysplasia (ED) is a condition involving multiple developmental abnormalities of the elbow joint. The elbow joint is a complex joint made up of 3 bones (radius, ulna, and humerus) (figure 1). If the 3 bones do not fit together perfectly due to growth abnormalities, abnormal weight distribution on areas of the joint occur causing pain, lameness, and the development of arthritis.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a deformity of the hip joint (coxofemoral joint) that occurs during an animal's growth period. Many large breed dog owners have heard of it, but the fact is that anyone owning a dog should become familiar with this condition.
Technyflex
Technyflex is a natural product for dogs that may relieve sore and inflamed joints, arthritic symptoms, and is known for its anti-inflammatory activity. It is a natural alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - Technyflex Canine is quality green-lipped mussel for dogs.
Pentosan
The star product for Arthritis
Pentosan injections are usually the best form of arthritic management, especially in the early stages of joint disease, and are the #1 choice if picking just one option.
Pentosan stimulates healthy cartilage production and has a long-term effect of preventing the amount of arthritis development. It can also improve pain levels and mobility in the short term and essentially improves joint lubrication.
Weight Management
Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in dogs and cats. This condition can seriously affect your pet’s quality of life. Dogs that are athletic in shape tend to live several years longer and develop orthopaedic issues (such as arthritis) several years later.
Arthritis and Our Pets - Management
With so many therapy options available nowadays, it's paramount to match any treatment with their underlying cause and joint(s) involved. Arthritis is commonly worse in overweight and unfit dogs, so the most important therapy is the combination of weight control and exercise management: minimising load on the joints, and maximising the range of movement and fitness of the muscles around those joints.
Arthritis and Our Pets
It can be as uncomfortable for our dogs as it is in humans - but there are ways of managing the disease to ease your pet's pain.
Arthritis simply means 'inflammation of the joints' and is a common problem for many dogs. Most of you will no doubt know of a dog suffering from arthritis that has shown the textbook signs of pain, discomfort and stiffness.
Dosing Compilance
Dosing Compliance? What does this mean for you and your pet? How important is it? What even is dosing compliance?
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and it can be an acute or chronic condition and have a varying range of clinical signs. The cause of pancreatitis in dogs and cats is usually unknown but some risk factors associated with pancreatitis have been identified and will be discussed later.
Kidney Disease
Your cat’s kidneys play a vital role in maintaining her health. They help control her blood pressure, regulate the bloodstream, produce important hormones, enzymes, and red blood cells, as well as remove metabolic waste from the blood. If her kidneys aren’t able to do their job properly, this can lead to significant & life-threatening problems, such as kidney failure in your cat.
Guinea Pig
The guinea pig – Cavia porcellus, commonly referred to, as ‘cavy’ is a member of the rodent family and generally has a life span of four to eight years. They make lovely family pets and children absolutely adore them. Relatively easy to care for, they don’t take up a lot of space, small eaters, friendly and inquisitive little creatures with unique personalities and create strong bonds with their owners.
Skin Allergies
Skin problems in dogs are sometimes the result of environmental allergens. Dog skin allergies tend to show up in very specific areas of your dog including: face, ears, paws, base of the tail, under elbows and in the groin area. Allergies typically appear between ages of 3 months and 6 years. Be sure to ask your veterinarian if an allergy test is right for your dog.
Digestive Disorders
A digestive disorder is any condition that prevents proper digestion or alters the rate at which foods pass through your dog’s digestive tract. Dog digestive issues are one of the most common reasons for consulting a veterinary practice.
Our staff are wildly passionate about animals and making sure your pet is living its healthiest and happiest life
Back that passion with expert qualifications and a love of learning, and it’s safe to say your fur family is in very safe hands.