Pet News and Views

By NutreCare

Worms affect all untreated animals and can cause serious health problems; prevention is very important. Even house cats are at risk of contracting worms through other pets and also through people that can bring worms into your home via their shoes and unwashed hands.

The common symptoms of worms include weight loss, diarrhoea, pot belly and lethargy. Worm segments may also be visible in the bottom and a scooting behaviour may be seen, and in severe cases worms can cause anaemia and even death. These symptoms are not limited to worms so if they persist after treatment is given then it is important to seek veterinary help immediately.

Panacur is an effective worming treatment that comes in many different forms for easy administration. Some dogs seem to get on better with dog worming tablets, whereas some cats may prefer the granules, both of which are available and can be easily disguised in food.

Panacur can also be used in pregnant and lactating bitches. However veterinary advice should always be sought before administering any medication to pregnant and lactating animals.

It is important to avoid cheap supermarket brands as these are not as effective but have also been reported to cause adverse reactions, therefore only use a brand that is recommended by your vet.

Ensure you regularly clean faeces from the garden to prevent worms spreading, and make sure that their flea treatment is up to date as fleas can pass on tapeworms.

Horses also contract worms easily as they are in constant contact with them whilst grazing. Worms in horses cause weight loss, colic and have an effect on performance. Therefore it is important that horse wormers are administered and kept up to date and that faeces are regularly removed from the paddock to prevent contamination.

There are many horse wormers available to suit your horse such as pastes and granules. But it is also important to occasionally vary the wormer used, to prevent resistance to the chemicals present in the wormer, which is becoming more and more common.

Editor’s Note: This is a sponsored post from NutreCare, an online supplier of pet products.

From Viovet

Sadly in old age, animals, just like people become far more prone to illnesses and various other conditions that can hinder their everyday lives. Old age in our pets can bring about a number of health problems.

A common condition seen in middle-aged to older dogs is hypothyroidism, which is caused by an under-active thyroid gland. There are a number of symptoms you can look out for such as a poor coat or skin problems, extreme tiredness and weight gain. A safe and effective medication used to combat this issue is forthyron, which comes in tablet form, and supplements deficient hormone levels.

A similar medication available for cats as well is known as felimazole, which treats the over-activity of the thyroid gland. It does this by controlling the amount of hormones released by the thyroid gland. It is incredibly important to treat this type of hyperthyroidism once its symptoms occur, such as high blood pressure, a fast heart rate, extreme weight loss and eye problems. If left for too long problems can arise concerning your cat’s heart and other organs; whilst blindness and a reduced life expectancy become a serious risk.

Many cats and dogs suffer from itchy skin from time to time, mostly caused by dust mites and pollen in the air. Although it often comes through in a passing phase, at times it can get quite severe and this could mean that your pet is suffering from a condition known as atopic dermatitis. In order to treat this it is best to use a medication called atopica which comes in capsule form and can be used to treat both cats and dogs. Atopica relieves the itchiness by supporting the animal’s immune system so it does not react to the allergens in the air.

It is important to keep an eye on your pets health, and be prepared if a problem does arise. There are a huge range of medications available out there, so you can be rest assured that appropriate treatments for nearly all illnesses are easily accessible.

Editor’s Note: This is a sponsored post from VioVet, an internet retail site set up in conjunction with a veterinary practice in Hertfordshire. Viovet supplies members of the public with veterinary medicines and other related products.