VetmedsPlus-Veterinary & Pet Medicines Supplies

‘Bute’ is the common name for phenylbutazone which belongs to the family of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It’s used for the management of musculoskeletal disorder in horses and ponies where the anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relieving) properties of bute can offer relief. The most common brands containing ‘bute’ are Equipalazone and ProDynam. Danilon Equidos, which contains the active ingredient suxibuzone and has a similar action to ‘bute’ is also widely used.

All products containing bute can be used to treat conditions such as:

• Osteoarthritis
• Laminitis
• Bursitis (inflammation of the bursae (sacs of synovial fluid) where muscles and tendons slide across the bone
• Carpitis – inflammation of the joint capsule of the carpus (knee) in horses
• Soft tissue injury

Equipalazone is an oral medication available either as a powder which can be added to feed, or as a paste which can be syringed directly into the horse’s mouth. The dose will depend in the weight of the horse or pony and on the individual’s response to the medication. It is important to ensure free access to drinking water during treatment.

Danilon Equidos is an oral medication available as odourless granules which can be added to feed. A favourable taste it thought to ensure that most horses will accept the medication. As with Equipalazone, dosage depends on the weight of the animal and free access to drinking water must be available.

Equipalazone, Danilon Equidos and ProDynam are prescription only medicines which should only be used under the supervision of your vet, in order to assess the horse’s clinical response and monitor for side effects. Although all these medicines administered at the correct dose are generally considered to be safe,  they can be associated with problems such as stomach ulcers and liver damage, particularly when used for an extended period of time. Therefore, it’s really important to work with your vet and raise any concerns you may have during the treatment period.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a type of drug used to reduce pain and inflammation in cats and dogs. They are commonly used following traumatic injuries, operations and in painful diseases such as arthritis. NSAIDs you may be familiar with in humans include aspirin and ibuprofen. Human NSAIDs are not safe for use in dogs and cats so it is important to seek the advice of your vet who can recommend the ideal medication for your animal.

NSAIDs work by blocking the production of prostaglandins, the chemical messengers in the body responsible for producing inflammation. The production of prostaglandins requires cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes of various types and it is these enzymes that NSAIDs inhibit to reduce pain and inflammation. COX enzymes have important protective roles in various tissues of the body including the stomach, kidneys and intestines. It is because it can be hard for the drug to target one specific COX enzyme that side effects may be seen with NSAIDs.

 NSAIDs and dogs

In comparison to the cat there are quite a selection of NSAIDs available for the dog. More recently developed NSAIDs such as robenacoxib (Onsior) and firocoxib (Previcox) claim to interfere less with those COX enzymes that have a protective role in the body and therefore should be less likely to cause unwanted side effects. If your dog is sensitive to NSAIDs your vet may suggest trying one of these products. However, many of the more traditional NSAIDs, such as meloxicam (Metacam and Meloxivet) and carprofen (Rimadyl, Carprieve) are tolerated well by many dogs.  Your vet can discuss the medications available and which would be most suitable for your dog – The decision may be influenced by the condition being treated, the cost of the medication (it’s worth remembering that different brands eg, Metacam and Meloxivet can have considerably different prices but have the same active ingredient, so do talk to your vet about prescribing the most cost-effective) , how frequently it needs to be given and what form it is available in (e.g. tablets, liquid).

NSAIDS and cats

 There are currently only a very small number of NSAIDs that are considered safe for long-term use in the cat. Metacam Oral for cats (Meloxicam) is one that is commonly used and is relatively safe when used with care. It is a prescription only medication, which should only be used under veterinary supervision in order to monitor for side effects and assess the cat’s response to the medication. Older cats are at higher risk of suffering from kidney disease. As damage to the kidneys is a potential side effect your vet may suggest a blood or urine sample before starting treatment. Other side effects can include damage to the gut lining and reduced blood clotting.

 NSAIDs are prescription only medications, which should only be used under veterinary supervision in order to monitor for side effects and assess the dog’s response to the medication. Side effects can include vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, blood in the faeces and damage to the kidneys or gut. If you notice that your dog is unwell it is important to stop the medication and seek veterinary attention.

I was quite surprised to hear that the most common overall health problem reported in dogs is ear infection, affecting 20% of the canine population. Cocker spaniel is the breed most prone to infection, although all dogs with flopped ears are more likely to suffer from this complaint than those without. The main symptoms to look out for are:

• Discharge in the ears

 • A distinct, often foul odour

• Excessive scratching or rubbing of the ears

• Shaking or tilting the head to one side

 • Redness or swelling in the inner flap and canal

• Irritable behaviour

Outer ear infections are the most easy to see and diagnose and are typically characterised by inflammation and a foul-smelling wax discharge. Middle ear and inner ear infections are more severe and must always be treated with the help of a vet as the infection can easily worsen.

 Ear infections can be caused by many factors, including bacterial or yeast infections (where the natural yeast and bacteria levels are disturbed), food allergies and improper dog hygiene. Other possible causes of ear problems are:

Fleas – dogs should be treated every 3 months for fleas

Trauma – if your dog has experienced trauma or a blow to the head and appears to be uncomfortable and off balance, see you vet as this may be a case of ruptured eardrum or a developing hematoma.

 Ear Mites – Ear mites are highly contagious from pet to pet and are most regularly the result of contact with an infected animal (often a cat). Ear mites cause the ear canal to bleed and the dried up blood will look like ground up coffee grains.

Foreign body in the ear – see your vet for removal

Ear infections in dogs can be easily treated and cured as long as they’re not left and advice is sought from the vet who will often prescribe antibiotic ear drops. It’s worth noting that some ear infections may be contagious so if you have other dogs, try and make sure that they don’t spend much time with the infected one.

Dogs ears should be cleaned regularly – how often does depend to some extent on the breed of dog and what sort of environment it lives in but as a rule of thumb, probably once a month (in dogs without infection) is adequate. There are a number of ear cleaning products on the market including CleanAural and Epiotic. You should also regularly check the wax in your dogs ears – wax is usually always present in small quantities and normal ear wax should have no smell, if there is an odour the chances are that your dog’s ear is infected and will need a visit to the vet.

95% of heart disease in dogs usually appears after they reach middle age and is usually a result of normal wear and tear, infection or injury. Unfortunately, by the time a dog shows signs of acquired heart disease, it’s likely that irreversible damage has already been done.  In the early stages of heart disease, a dog’s body  can make adjustments to allow him or her to cope with the disease but as time goes on, a dog’s body can’t make the adjustments and it’s at this stage that a deterioration in health may be noticed.  Possible signs of heart failure are:

Coughing

Changes in breathing

Changes in behaviour

Poor appetite

Restlessness (especially at night)

Swollen abdomen

There are a variety drug treatments, diets and exercise regimes that can be used in animals with heart failure. Chief amongst the drug treatments are ACE inhibitors and interestingly, there has been no other drug in the history of veterinary cardiology that has gone under such extensive controlled clinicl trials proving its value. Fortekor is an ACE inhibitor (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) containing the active ingredient benazepril.  When dogs suffer from heart failure, vital organs such as the kidneys begin a cycle called the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone (or RAA) system. This system is designed to act as a vasodilator to the peripheral blood vessels, which in turn increases blood pressure and allows more blood to be focused on these vital organs. In the short term this is a good thing for the kidneys, but in the long term this added pressure increases the workload for the heart. If the heart is failing (which caused the RAA system to be activated in the first place) an added workload will hasten the disease process. Benazepril acts to inhibit the RAA system, reducing blood pressure and reducing the amount of work the failing heart has to do.

 Fortekor helps to reduce blood pressure making it easier for the heart to pump more effectively and stops any further damage occurring in the heart and kidneys. There is a complex system of reactions and responses in the body concerned with blood flow through the kidneys, blood pressure and the total volume of blood in the body. In heart and kidney disease, these systems do not work usefully and Fortekor is able to improve their effects.

 Fortekor can also be used for cats  to treat renal failure and can increase the appetite, quality of life and survival time.

According to a recent survey by a leading insurance company, it was found that a dog owner can expect to pay up to £22,500 during the dog’s lifetime and the RSPCA says about £9000 for a cat. Both the physical and mental benefits of owning a pet are well documented but especially in the current economic climate, how can we save money on pet care? Here are some ideas:

1. Consider adopting rather than buying a new pet. Many shelters only ask for a donation and some will help with the cost of vaccinations and neutering if necessary. The National Pet Register www.nationalpetregister.org.uk  has a list of animal shelters which is a good place to start your search.
2. Prevention is better than a cure. Don’t overfeed your pet and make sure it has enough exercise to keep bones and joints healthy. Obesity in pets can cause many chronic diseases that require lifelong medication so take advice on the correct quantity of food required for your pets breed and age.
3. Shop around for animal medication. You don’t need to buy your prescription medicine from the vet and in most cases, exactly the same product can be found online for a fraction of the price. This also applies for worm and flea treatments  – beware of any sites that don’t ask for a copy of a valid prescription though, UK law states that every online sale of animal medicine must be accompanied with a prescription. www.vetmedsplus.co.uk is an excellent site with competitive prices and good customer service.
4. Get some pet insurance – basic pet insurance policies are quite inexpensive but can provide some financial peace of mind should any unexpected emergencies arise. Premiums depend on the age and breed of your pet and do read the small print, as most policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions.
5. DIY! Basic dog grooming, even nail clipping is quite easy with a bit of practice. And with dog sitters charging upwards of £15 a day, start a dog sitting circle with friends and neighbours.

 Most responsible dog owners know that they should be worming their dog but there are many myths regarding why to worm, how often to worm and what to worm with. Here are the facts:

 Why to worm?

 Worms are masters of multiplication and survival so there are plenty of worms out there waiting to infect your dog. Dogs can acquire worm infections when they come across tiny worm eggs from sources such as:

• Animal faeces
• Contaminated soil
• Fleas
• Scavenging and hunting
• Mother’s milk

 There are many different types of worms in the UK including roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms and others!It can be difficult to know if your dog is infected with one of these common intestinal worms. Your dog can appear totally healthy and may not pass worms in their faeces as is often thought. Symptoms of worm infection can include scooting their bottom on the ground, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss and a distended abdomen. However, it is better to treat your dog for worms before they start to damage their health. In addition to this a dog with worms poses a health risk to other animals and humans.

How often to worm?

 It is recommended that you worm your dog at least every 3 months to kill any worms present and prevent them developing to a stage where they can damage your dog’s health. In certain situations more frequent worming may be needed. An example is in puppies where worming should be carried out every fortnight until the age of 12 weeks. You should consult your vet if you are concerned about the correct worming regime for your dog.

 What to worm with?

It is important to use an effective wormer at the correct dose in order to ensure your dog is not infected with worms. Drontal Plus and Cestem are worming products recommended by vets that are available without a prescription. They both contain the same ingredients (pyrantel, praziquantel and febantel) and are effective against all important roundworm and tapeworm species. They are flavoured making them easier to give.

 It is also important to control fleas on your dog or they will re-infect your dog with worms and you will be fighting a losing battle!

Cartilage is the major component of the joint that allows for normal joint function. Glucosamine is one of its primary building blocks that allows for cartilage to become elastic or sponge-like in its properties as well as the smooth lubricated surfaces that slide together during motion. There are a variety of conditions that can affect the cartilage and thus interfere with normal joint function such as osteoarthritis, synovitis and capsulitis.

Treatment of Equine Joint Disease

There are a variety of treatments for equine joint disease including NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), corticosteroids, sodium hyaluronate, polysulphated glycosaminoglycans and glucosamine hydrochloride

There are two main ways in which Glucosamine can help equine joint disease:

• To minimize the inflammation found within an injured joint.
• To help maintenance of the cartilage and aid in repair and some degree of regeneration.

Glucosamine supplements are of use therefore both in a convalescing horse as well as the performing horse and the aging athlete or retiree. Common injuries or conditions that may be responsive to glucosamine are arthritis or degenerative joint disease, osteochondrosis, and soft tissue injuries such as tendon or ligament strains. Glucosamine is also a relevant therapy in any post-operative therapy after surgeries involving the joint such as arthroscopy for OCD lesions or bone chips.

Glucosamine can come in a variety of ways. The necessary criteria to select the relevant product are to verify the purity of the product, evaluate the amount of glucosamine the horse will be getting on a daily basis and finally to see which form best meets the individual horse’s needs. There is evidence that a minimum of 10g per day is required for the average horse and that the glucosamine hydrochloride is absorbed better than the glucosamine sulphate.. Newmarket Joint Supplement contains 99% pure glucosamine hydrochloride which is highest concentrate available with high bio-availability.
 

Cushing’s syndrome is a chronic illness that is much more common in dogs than in humans. It’s caused by a malfunctioning pituitary gland – this is a gland the governs growth and adrenaline production and produces a hormone called cortisol which stimulates growth and the adrenal glands.

In the normal growth period for a dog, a healthy pituitary gland will create growth hormones and then stop once the dog is fully grown.

If the pituitary gland malfunctions, it can cause excessive growth and send the wrong messages to the adrenal glands causing excessive production of adrenaline. The over production of adrenaline is what causes Cushing’s syndrome.  Although not curable, Cushing’s syndrome is a condition that’s entirely treatable and if suspected, must be investigated immediately as a delay in treatment can severely affect quality of life for you dog and lead to a range of more severe health problems.

The most common symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome are:

• Increased thirst and actual water intake
• Increased urination, both in frequency and quantity
• Increased appetite
• A bloated abdomen
• Excessive panting
• Weight gain
• Calcified lumps on the skin

There are certain breeds of dogs as well that are more susceptible to Cushing’s syndrome

• · Poodle
• · Yorkshire Terrier
• · Boxer
• · Dachshund
• · German Shepherd
• · Labrador
• · Boston Terrier
• · Golden Retriever
• · Beagle

If your vet suspects Cushing’s, he/she will need to perform a set of blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. Because the concentration of Cortisol fluctuates throughout the day (in both healthy dogs and those with Cushing’s) a diagnosis can’t be confirmed through one test alone so you may need to leave your dog with the vet for a few hours. The two tests that are used to confirm a diagnosis of Cushing’s are called the ACTH stimulation test and the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test and sometimes both tests will need to be performed.

Although Cushing’s syndrome can’t be cured but it can be successfully managed and controlled through medication. In the UK Vetoryl is the only licensed treatment for Cushing’s. Vetoryl contains trilostane, a substance that blocks the production of cortisol.

Only a couple of days to go  – the tree’s up, the cake’s baked and the mince pies are coming out at every opportunity. Without wanting to sound like the voice of doom, us pet owners need to be extra vigilant as lots things that we bring into the house over the festive season can be extremely poisonous for dogs and cats, resulting in a range of symptoms ranging from upset tummies to renal failure.

Here are a few of the most common offenders:

Christmas cake, Stollen and Mince Pies

Grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas can all be toxic for dogs – some exhibit no symptoms at all but others can develop kidney failure after just a few items.

Chocolate

Chocolate is poisonous in relations to the amount of theobromine (this is the toxic element of chocolate that can increase blood pressure and cause nausea and vomiting). There is much more in dark chocolate compared with milk or white and 20mgs or more of dark chocolate can be toxic for a dog of 20Kgs or less. Signs to look for include vomiting, diarrhoea and hyperactivity.

Plants

As with humans, ingestion of holly and ivy can cause retching and vomiting –  poinsettias are very toxic for cats, as are the pollen, plants and leaves of lilies and may result in kidney failure a few days after eating.

If your pet does suffer from an upset tummy Protexin-Prokolin is an excellent product  – its key benefits are:
Soothes the gut lining during gastric sensitivity
Contains kaolin – a natural binding agent
Includes beneficial micro-organisms to rapidly populate the gastrointestinal tract
Prebiotics to enhance the growth of beneficial micro-organisms
Improves consistency of stools

Happy Christmas to you all!

 We’ve had lots of people searching for and buying Eqipalazone recently – it’s the time of year with the colder weather that makes arthritis more debilitating and hard ground can cause more soft tissue injuries.

 Equipalazone contains the active ingredient phenylbutazone and is commonly referred to as ‘bute’.  It belongs to the family of drugs known as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is used for the management of musculoskeletal disorders in horses and ponies where the anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relieving) properties of phenylbutazone can offer relief.

 Equipalazone may be used to treat conditions such as:

• Osteoarthritis
• Laminitis
• Bursitis – inflammation of the bursae (sacs of synovial fluid) where muscles and tendons slide across bone
• Carpitis – inflammation of the joint capsule of the carpus (knee) in horses
• Soft tissue injury

 Equipalazone is on oral medication available either as a powder, which can be added to feed, or as a paste, which can be syringed directly into the horse’s mouth. The dose will depend on the weight of the horse or pony and on the individual’s response to the medication. It is important to ensure free access to drinking water during treatment.

 There’s also a similar drug called Danilon which is also a NSAID and has very similar results as equipalazone – some people feel it’s more palatable than Equipalazone being sugar coated granules rather than a paste and the manufacturers claim that Danilon is less likely to cause gastric ulcers due to different metabolisation. However both preparations have their diehard fans and it usually comes down to the initial preference of the vet and the cost of the respective drugs.