Factsheets -
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Please note: some of these factsheets are several pages long and are large files, so please be patient when downloading!
Examination of the breeding ram
Your ram is half the solution to getting a high percentage of ewes in lamb quickly to give a tight lambing period and help get lambs away early. He may also have cost a lot of money in the hope of
either improving the genetics of the flock or producing better lambs for sale. However, too often his ability to mate ewes and get them in lamb is taken for granted, often until it is too late and ewes are returning. A pre-breeding exam can rule out common problems and may indicate the need for collecting and testing a sample of semen to confirm fertility.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
FLUTD is a term used to describe a collection of
conditions relating to the bladder and urethra in cats.
There can be many contributing factors including
bladder stones, anatomical defects, bacterial
infections and behavioural problems. In most cases
however it is not possible to identify an underlying
cause so the problem is referred to as being idiopathic.
First Aid for Cats and Dogs
First aid as the name suggests is the first treatment
you would give when presented with an injury or
traumatic episode. We all hope that our pets will
never be in the situation where it is needed however
the preparation of a basic first aid kit and some tips
on how to handle situations may make dealing with
an emergency much easier.
First Aid Management of Wounds
Wounds are very common injuries in equines and it is vital for the horse owner to be able to evaluate the severity of a cut. Some wounds can be managed without veterinary assistance but many will require professional attention. It may be possible to provide important first aid before the vet arrives.
Innocuous-looking wounds can be the most dangerous, so if you are in any doubt as to the significance of a wound it is best to contact your vet for advice.
Fleas
Fleas are a very common problem for many pet owners that can exist all year round and in some animals can be the cause of unpleasant skin conditions. This leaflet will help you understand how to identify fleas, how to treat them and how to prevent them becoming a problem in your home.
Foot Abscess
Also known as pus in the foot, this condition is very commonly seen in horses, ponies and donkeys. Foot abscesses are generally very painful with a sudden onset. They result from a localised bacterial infection developing inside the hoof wall or under the sole, which typically develops after a penetrating injury through the sole, or by tracking up the white line (the seam between the sole and the hoof wall). Recurrent abscesses at the same location can reflect either the presence of a deep seated unresolved infection, a foot tumour called a keratoma, infection of the pedal bone within the foot or chronic laminitis.
Fostering a Foal
With many new born animals, for example dairy calves, it would be common for them to be bucket reared on artificial milk powder. Orphan foals however benefit hugely from being reared by a foster mare, both in terms of behaviour and social development, as well as meeting their nutritional needs.
In the early weeks of life foals feed very frequently and bucket, or bottle rearing a foal is very time consuming. In contrast, fostered foals can live a more normal life with their new mother; they benefit from feeding when they need to and being able to be turned out as part of a herd.
Fractures
Fractures can occur as a result of stress due to repeated forces exerted over time, or from an immediate impact which can occur with a kick or a fall.
Gastric Ulcers
Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) describes the erosion of the horse’s stomach lining due to prolonged or excessive exposure to acid produced by the stomach. Any horse can suffer from gastric ulceration, from elite performance horses to pleasure horses and ponies.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis, or sickness and diarrhoea, is a
very common problem in cats and dogs.
It is usually mild but in severe cases can become
life threatening. This leaflet will help you understand
how to manage the problem and when to contact
the vet for help.