Small animal news

As the winter weather comes this week be aware of anti-freeze poisoning especially seen in cats drinking from spilled anti-freeze. Anti-freeze is sweet and tasty to cats and only a small amount is needed to be ingested to be lethal. Poisoning from ethylene glycol, which is found in anti-freeze, is toxic to kidneys. Cats appear wobbly on their legs, can vomit, fit and quickly progress into kidney failure and death, so cat owners should get their cats to the vets immediately if they suspect poisoning.

Small animal case of the week goes to Lol a 1yr long haired cat. Lol disappeared only to return 2 days later with a broken back leg. Unfortunately the fracture was so severe amputation was the only option to save him. Lol had his leg amputated last week and is doing brilliantly. It took him less than 24hrs to adapt to life on three legs and is back to his bright, happy affectionate self. A truely positive case. We expect Lol to make a full recovery and adapt to life well.

If you would like to register your pet, please contact us at our Market Harborough office.

Posted in Cat new Harborough, Harborough vets, Market Harborough vets, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off

“Hero” Farmer

One of our equine clients, Tilda Farmer spoke to our equine vet Bradley about her pony “Hero”. She was concerned that he was lacking that “X-factor” and she had to “kick him” an awful lot to get him to jump! After a thorough clinical examination, Bradley was unable to find anything wrong with “Hero” but suggested running routine bloods. The results came back as normal. He suggested trying Hero on one of our new equine products, Haemovet. This product is specifically designed for hard-working performance horses and ponies. It contains the active ingredients necessary for the athletic horse to perform to his or hers full potential.

Three weeks after receiving this feed supplement, “Hero” has been jumping better than ever (as you can see ), and Tilda has described him as “a completely different pony”.

If you would any further information about this product or any of our others, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our experienced equine vets.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Is your dog nervous at the Vets?

Make anxious situations more pleasurable with a new veterinary supplement, CALMEX®.

We would recommend CALMEX® in situations such as if your dog is nervous coming to the vets, stressed on car journeys, suffers from separation anxiety or noise phobias, including fireworks. Or to make the potentially stressful experience of going into kennels -a happier, more relaxed one.

CALMEX® is a unique combination of two amino acids, a psychoactive plant extract and B-vitamins. The amino acids, L- Theanine and L-Tryptophan (a serotonin precursor) reduces fearful and anxious behaviour, calms the ‘fight or flight’ response, and decreases the dogs stress response. The plant extract, Piper Methysticum, reduces anxiety, and has sedative and muscle relaxant effects. B Vitamins are essential to maintain function of the nervous system. 

It is recommended to give CALMEX® one hour prior to when the effect is needed, so collect your tablets before your next appointment.

CALMEX® is very reasonably priced at 90p per tablet, so definitely worth a try!

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

SCMALLENBERG VACCINE UPDATE

Candidate vaccine announced for Schmallenberg.A candidate vaccine that could be used to protect livestock against the deadly Schmallenberg virus has been announced. Scientists at MSD Animal Health are confiden…t that the vaccine could be developed for production by the end of the year – 12 months earlier than anticipated. The vaccine is based on a wild-type Schmallenberg strain that has been inactivated and contains an adjuvant that stimulates immunity. The safety and efficacy of the vaccine has been demonstrated in tests in calves, lambs and pregnant ewes.

SCMALLENBERG DISEASE UPDATE

AHVLA laboratories are currently validating a serological ELISA test that has become commercially available in Europe. Defra is considering how serological tests could be used for surveillance and if there is a potential cost benefit of such use.

In the UK, SBV to date has still only been identified in deformed lambs and calves in the South West, South East and East of England. The geographic distribution of the disease is still restricted to the North West of Europe at present, but that may still change as further cattle infected in 2011 continue to give birth, or as serological surveillance gives a better picture of past exposure.

Infected midges (including the species Culicoides dewulfi and C. obsoletus) have been identified in Belgium, Denmark and Italy.
Germany has reported finding SB antibodies in red and roe deer .
The significance of this in terms of a potential wild reservoir host for SBV are not known yet.

Investigations in Germany of people with close contact with infected animals have found no evidence of infection using both an immunofluorescence antibody test and a serum neutralisation test on 60 sheep farmers . Nine of the farmers also reported non-specific clinical symptoms such as fever and cold-like symptoms, but they also tested negative on the serological test as well as by PCR.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Free seminar for local horse owners

Equine event Leicestershire

Horse owners in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire are invited to attend a free seminar on equine health next month (March). The event is hosted by Town and Country Veterinary Centre, the only equine vets based Market Harborough. The seminar will take place at their recently completed equine clinic in Moulton, Northamptonshire.

John Abbott, the head of Town and Country’s equine team, will be discussing the veterinary management of young horses. The seminar will also include a talk about nutritional requirements and owners will have the opportunity to discuss their horse’s particular dietary needs with Lizzie Drury, a senior registered nutritionist from Saracens Horse Feeds.

“The seminar is the ideal opportunity for horse owners to learn more about equine care and view our state of the art facilities,” comments Alex Holman, Practice Manager at Town and Country. “There will be a variety of issues discussed, including skeletal growth, energy requirements and physical and medical conditions. There will also be a question and answer session to answer any particular concerns.”

Town and Country Veterinary Centre have a dedicated equine team and are the only practice in Harborough to have on site facilities for horses including stabling, a trot up area and lunging paddock. In addition, the Moulton site offers a diagnostic suite and a fully equipped operating theatre.  The talks will be followed by a tour of the rehabilitation facility and equine spa with a demonstration of the water treadmill.

The free seminar is the first of a series of events planned for 2012 and will take place at 7pm on Thursday 15th March at the Equine Veterinary Clinic and Therapy Centre, Moulton. For more information or to book a place, please visit www.tcvets.co.uk or call 01858 465668.

 

Posted in Equine events Harborough, Equine specialist vets North Northamptsonshire, Equine Specialist vets South Leicestershire, Harborough vets, Market Harborough vets | Tagged , , , | Comments Off

Small Animal News

With spring coming, a reminder to vaccinate your rabbits against Myxomatosis.

Myxomatosis is a viral disease which causes lumps and puffiness around the head and genitals, progressing to conjunctivitis and possibly blindness. Rabbits become listless, lose appetite, and develop a fever. Secondary bacterial infections occur in most cases which cause pneumonia. In typical cases where the rabbit has no resistance, death may take place rapidly, often in as little as 48 hours. Death usually occurs within 14 days.

Myxomatosis is spread by direct contact with an affected animal or by being bitten by fleas/flies/mosquitoes that have fed on an infected rabbit so pet rabbits outside can be infected.

Vaccination is a single injection which can provide immunity within two weeks, and lasts for six months so we recommend vaccination in spring/early summer to cover your rabbit through the summer months!

Emma

Posted in Harborough vets, Market Harborough vets, Rabbit news Harborough, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off

Skating on Thin Ice

The recent cold spell has left many ponds, lakes and waterways frozen. Dogs don’t know to avoid walking across ice, especially if it has a coating of snow and a flock of ducks temptingly close, so they risk falling through. The fire service strongly recommend NOT trying to rescue the dog by crawling onto the ice as each year several lives are lost in this way. Most times the dog is able to scramble out unaided. Call 999 and wait for help.

Until the ice melts be careful to keep your dog under control around water.

For more advice contact Town & Country Vets in Market Harborough – serving South Leicestershire and North Northamptonshire

Posted in Harborough vets, Market Harborough vets, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off

Farm news – virus warning

A warning has been issued about a serious virous. It was initially detected in cattle in Germany and is provisionally named Schmallenberg virus (SBV). It has now been detected in several sheep farms in the UK and in 2 calves in the Netherlands. Midges blown across the Channel from affected areas in Europe are SUSPECTED to be the most likely cause of transmission.

Clinical signs, which seem to affect more than 1 in a herd and include:

• fever
• reduced milk yield (up to 50%)
• inappetence
• loss of condition and, in some cases
• diarrhoea

If you have concerns please call one of our team at our Market Harbourough branch or at our specialist centre for larger animals including farm animals.

Posted in Harborough vets, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off

Tetanus and lockjaw problems in South Leicestershire / North Northamptonshire

Equine problems – tetanus and lock jaw

Even if you do not vaccinate your horse for influenza, due to not competing for example, please do not forget to keep his or her tetanus protection up to date at all times as horses are particularly susceptible to this disease. The bacteria that cause tetanus are present in the soil and in faeces, and therefore contaminate other objects as well, so all horses are at risk. The bacteria enter the body via wounds, but the wound may be so small that it is not noticed. Once the symptoms have developed attempts at treatment are usually unsuccessful, as well as being very expensive, and if the disease has progressed to a certain stage it may be inhumane to do anything other than euthanase the animal.

The starting vaccination course is two injections 4-6 weeks apart. A booster every 2 years is then required to keep the protection up to date.

Mares should receive a booster when pregnant as some protection will then pass to the foal. Foals then need to start their own vaccination course from 5 months of age.

If your horse is out of date and gets a wound ring us without delay so that we can administer tetanus antitoxin to provide protection as this works faster than the vaccination.

If you would like more advice do call us at our Market Harborough (South Leicestershire) branch or at our specialist Equine Centre in North Northamptosnshire.

Posted in Harborough vets, Market Harborough vets, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off

Equine news – Sarah joins our Equine team

Sarah joins Market Harborough vets
Town and Country Vets are delighted to welcome Sarah. She graduated from Cambridge University in 2006 and spent her first three working years in a mixed practice in North Wales. She then moved onto a dedicated equine practice in Yorkshire and is now looking forward to continuing horse work in Market Harborough. Sarah has a keen interest in polo ponies but also enjoys all other aspects of equine practice.

When not working most of Sarah’s waking hours (and some of the ones that should be spent sleeping) are occupied with looking after and playing polo on her Argentinian horses, Mariana and Moro (pictured). She isn’t as good at the game as the horses but enjoys it as much as they do!

Posted in Equine specialist vets North Northamptsonshire, Equine Specialist vets South Leicestershire, Harborough vets, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off