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One of the more frustrating problems faced by anyone caring for dairy cows is the ‘downer cow’. Defined most simply as a cow that remains recumbent for more than 24 hours; often very bright and alert with a good appetite, they seem very content! Often these cows do not walk off the farm, which is a demoralising result and costly too, with the difference between a cull value and fallen stock bill several hundred pounds, and for a very good cull over £1000.
Are we doing enough...
Milly has recently been diagnosed with diabetes. As a diabetic patient she requires continual monitoring as well as daily insulin injections.
As part of her care plan, Milly was required to spend the day with us to carry out a ‘blood glucose curve’. This involved taking a small pin prick sample of blood and testing the level of glucose. Just like human patients - Click the link to watch the video - Milly's Blood Glucose Curve.
The...
Sox is super friendly and likes nothing more than winding up his sister and stealing food from next door! Tilly takes life more seriously and is very much more at home on her owner’s beanbag, venturing outside only to ensure Sox is not up to too much mischief!
They always come yearly for their routine vaccinations and whilst here, as part of their pre-vaccination health check, we noticed changes in Sox and Tilly. They are both beginning to enter senior years, so a few conditions...
Here is an easy to accomplish example of monitoring.
5cm increments are drawn on the race, the heifers are measured against it and their withers height recorded.
These heifers are 12 months old. A Holstein heifer should have a withers height of 124cm by this time.
If heifers are not achieving good enough growth rates, and we discover this early enough, feeding can be altered so that service can still be achieved by 13-15 months of age.
...
Most pet owners now know that chocolate can be toxic to dogs, causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, abnormal heart rhythms and occasionally death but there are many other “hidden threats” lurking at home.
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are both methylxanthines. The amount of methylxanthines present depends on the type of chocolate. The darker the chocolate generally the more toxic it maybe. Chocolate can cause nerve stimulation, rapid heart rate...
Boots was first diagnosed with a heart condition about 8 years ago, he has had several cardiac episodes (or wobbles) along the way, but with his ever attentive owners love and care and a combination of heart medications he has proved to be unstoppable!
In the last few years he has also developed arthritis, which progressed to the point of pain and muscle wastage. Again, his owners have taken it all in their stride, as has Boots, so he is comfortable and enjoying life with further...
The end of the year brings many reasons to celebrate and unfortunately this also brings many reasons for your pet to be nervous. If you have a pet suffering from a noise phobia fireworks on Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve can make the party season stressful. Preparation is the key when trying to address the problem, the sooner you start the better.
What is noise phobia?
It is an over-exaggerated fear of loud sounds. Whilst some form of response is natural, if...
As nights draw in and the weather gets colder, our focus turns towards osteoarthritis (OA). This is common in both man and animals, but our pets tend to suffer more from the degenerative, ‘wear and tear’ type rather than immune mediated forms such as rheumatoid seen in man. As far as our pets are concerned it may occur as a progression from a developmental disorder such as hip or elbow dysplasia, or as a result of repetitive trauma or an injury to a joint.
All breeds, sizes and ages...
Molly is a 4 year old English Springer Spaniel who started on the Specific S.H.A.P.E campaign in February. Molly attended regular weight clinics with one of our nurses, Ali, and Molly has lost an amazing 5kg!
She started the campaign weighing 20.1kg, but with careful food management, using the Specific Weight Reduction Diet, attending regular weight clinics and hard work from her owner, Molly now weighs 15.1kg.
...
LITTLE DOGS are more likely to get disease of the valves of the heart.
LARGE DOGS more commonly suffer from disease of the heart muscle itself.
And not forgetting about our inquisitive CATS. Over 30% of Maine Coons are prone to heart muscle disease, but all breeds are susceptible.
A quick listen with a stethoscope can give us lots of...
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