Upset to your pet’s’s gut bacteria may result in upset to your pet. Here’s how to minimise the risk...
Avoid scavenging
Keep bins closed and out of reach. Keeps dogs on a lead when walking in busy areas where there is food around.
Avoid sudden changes in diet
Make any changes gradually, over a week or so. Try to avoid running too low on food in case you are unable to get your pet’s usual food at short notice.
Avoid stress
Try to minimise the stress your pet is exposed to by introducing them to new situations gently, for example, if you're putting your pet into kennels, do an overnight trial before their full stay.
Digestive disorders can be caused by abnormal food intake, abnormal digestion, a change in the speed at which food material passes through the intestines or irritation within the gut.
Common signs of a digestive disorder to watch out for include:
• Vomiting
• Change in stool frequency or consistency (diarrhoea/ constipation)
• Reduced appetite
• Tiredness/ lethargy
• Drooling
• Abdominal pain
• Gurgly/ bubbling gut noises (known by vets as increased borborgmi)
• Flatulence
If you have any concerns about your pet, speak to your vet.
Keep your rabbit cool this summer...
• Provide plenty of shade
• Offer lots of water
• Wrap a frozen ice pack in a tea towel for your rabbit to lie on
• Hang a damp towel on the rabbit run to provide extra shade
• Dampen your rabbit’s ears
Help keep your rabbit regular with Fibreplex. It's a carrot flavoured, high fibre paste that is quick to work, delivering a concentrated dose of fibre to help return movement to the hindgut.
Rabbits can also benefit from Fibreplex if they have a severely reduced appetite, are on a course of antibiotics or have recently had a trauma (such as an operation or injury).
For more information talk to your vet or visit our website.
https://www.protexinvet.com/fibreplex/p26
Dietary changes and gentle exercise are useful tools if you're planning to help your pet lose some excess pounds this summer.
Be sure to start any exercise regime slowly to avoid exacerbating any joint problems. For dogs increase walks gradually up to a level that you think they can handle (your vet can advise you further on this). For cats, try to play with them more. There are plenty of interactive toys on the market, but never underestimate the power of a simple toy mouse on a string!
Like humans, your pet’s poop can tell you a lot about their overall health. Investigate your dog or cat’s digestive health with our poop points scoring system...
1-2 points: Your pet’s digestive health may not be at its best. They may be constipated or slightly dehydrated, and could be showing signs of difficulty when pooping.
3-4 points: Looking good! Your pet’s digestive health is likely to be pretty normal.
5-7 points: Your pet may have loose stools or diarrhoea, which could be a sign of an underlying health issue.
If you're concerned about your pet’s poop, especially if you can see blood, mucus or parasites, speak to your vet.
Any dog can develop heatstroke regardless of age, breed or physical condition but there are some factors that put certain dogs at higher risk of heatstroke than others including (but not limited to):
• Dogs with thick coats or long fur
• Very young or very old dogs
• Overweight dogs
• Dogs suffering from certain medical conditions (e.g heart conditions or lung/breathing problems)
• Breeds that have short noses and ‘flat’ faces such as: Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, Shih Tzus.
Watch our video for the early signs of heatstroke to be aware of. If you have any concerns, please speak to your vet.
Today is National Pet Fire Safety day so we wanted to highlight some of the things you can do to prepare should the unthinkable happen.
If you’re heading off on holiday with your pet, there are a few things to remember to help you reduce the risk of tummy trouble...
- make sure that you have enough of your pet’s regular food during your trip. A sudden change in diet or feeding your pet unfamiliar foods and treats may result in diarrhoea and sickness.
- keep a close eye on your pet whilst out roaming countryside and beaches - you never know what they will eat!
If your pet is prone to tummy troubles whilst travelling, you can speak to your vet about possible medications and supplements that may help. These can include anti-sickness medications and probiotics/prebiotics to help support your pet’s normal gut function.
The long, balmy summer days we have been waiting for are finally here!
We get to spend more time outdoors with our pets, enjoying walks and relishing some summer sun. When it comes to skin care we may know how to look after our own skin during the hot spells, but sometimes we forget that our pet’s skin needs some care and attention too.
Head to our website for our top tips on how to keep your pet safe and their skin in tip-top condition over the summer months.
https://www.protexinvet.com/summerguides
Treated like Royalty!
Did you know that The King has long been a fan of Jack Russell terriers? King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, are the proud owners of two adorable Jack Russell Terrier rescue dogs, Bluebell and Beth, which were rescued from @Battersea Cats and Dogs Home over a decade ago.
Before being rescued by the charity, Beth was found tied to a post, meanwhile Bluebell was discovered wandering around in the woods with no fur. Now, along with The King and Queen, they’re lucky enough to call Buckingham Palace home.
We would like to send our best wishes to His Majesty King Charles and Queen Camilla on their Coronation day from all of us at Protexin.
Images @clarencehouse
May is a bumper month for bank holidays, with 3 bank holidays to look forward to. It’s a great opportunity to get out and about with your dog, although remember to be mindful of your dog’s individual exercise capabilities.
If you’re looking for some inspiration on some new places to discover, head to @walkiees to find some new walks in your local area.
Skin allergies in dogs and cats can be split into 3 main categories:
1. Fleas - pets can become extremely itchy after just one bite
2. Environmental factors such as pollen, grasses and dust mites
3. Dietary allergies such as meat proteins
If you’re concerned your pet may have an allergy, please speak to your vet.
Today is Earth Day and we’re proud to have joined forces with @ecologihq to plant over 22,600 trees around the world, as part of projects to support areas impacted by deforestation and climate change.
We’ve also helped fund 14 planet-saving projects in the last 14 months. Helping to create a better environment for people and their pets.
Easter treats may look tempting, but they can cause some serious issues for your dog or cat. Please keep Easter eggs and other sweet treats out of your pet’s reach. If you’re concerned your pet may have eaten chocolate, please speak to your vet urgently.
#HappinessIs
Spring has sprung, and so has the start of allergy season! Head to our website for lots of helpful information and advice on how to help keep a spring in their step so they’re not scratching all day long.
#happinessis
https://www.protexinvet.com/allergies
1. Schedule more regular toilet breaks
2. Expect a change in stool consistency
3. Contact your vet to discuss fibre supplementation.
If you notice any unexpected changes, please be sure to check back with your vet for advice.
It’s time to wish a Happy Valentine’s day to the ones we love the most!
Just like humans, various pet health issues can be linked to obesity. Our pet’s lifestyle and diet is completely dependent on us so we owe it to them to make responsible choices and help keep them as healthy and happy as possible.
If your pet is starting to become overweight, it’s never too late to kick start a new routine.
Regular and appropriate exercise, fewer naughty treats and even a fresh look at their diet can make the world of difference to their weight and overall wellbeing.