Companion Life Winter 2022-23

EDITOR’S COMMENT

I’m delighted to present the Winter 2022/23 edition of Companion Life Magazine.

Companion Life is a FREE magazine, which offers pet owners information, news and advice. In this issue we highlight anal glands in pets and share some tips for caring for horses in winter. As well as the latest news, we also look at guinie pig emergencies and brushing your pet’s teeth. Feel free to get in touch with any features, news, pet products or even pictures of your own pets.

Battersea sees record no. of kittens & puppies born in 2022 due to low neutering rates

born in 2022 at Battersea’s centres than any of the previous 5 years. 29 puppies in total came into the world under the care of the charity’s dedicated staff this year, a figure almost double the previous yearly average of 16.

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Editor: Laura Jackson

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Companion Life is part of ‘WITH Marketing Ltd’, The contents within Companion Life is fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Companion Life. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Companion Life, its distributors and WITH Marketing Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

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In 2022, the leading animal welfare charity saw 133 kittens born across its three centres in London, Old Windsor and Brands Hatch – the highest figure in the past decade. This is compared to an average of just 82 in the 9 years previous.

By August 2022, the number of kittens born at Battersea had already surpassed 100 – more than twice the total amount of kittens born on site in the entirety of the previous year.

Meanwhile, dog births on site also saw a significant increase, with more puppies

These figures come as the charity reports it is seeing a higher proportion of pets admitted into its care due to financial pressures on owners. In November 2022, 15% of dogs and 10% of cats were brought into Battersea by owners who told them they could no longer afford to keep them. For dogs, this is up from 1% the same month the previous year.

Centre Manager Steve Craddock said: “Whilst it’s hard to say for certain, we suspect that in 2022 the social and economic climate has created the perfect storm for unwanted litters of kittens and puppies. First and foremost, with the ever-increasing cost of living, keeping household budgets tight is understandably a priority for pet owners. We suspect fewer people are getting their pets neutered, perceiving this to be a nonessential cost.”

Nutravet launch veterinary strength joint aid exclusively for vet practices

level in joint care to their clients by providing a fast-acting solution for pets with joint stiffness.

It is anticipated that 80% of dogs over 8 years old in the UK suffer with joint stiffness which is why Vets need the best high strength products to help support, soothe and maintain a pet’s mobility so they can enjoy a happy active and healthy life as much as possible.

Nutravet has launched its next generation, fast acting joint supplement for dogs and cats into its VetSelect range which is available exclusively from veterinary practices across the UK and Ireland.

Nutravet has been leading the way in joint care for Veterinary Practices since 2008 when it launched its Nutraquin range which quickly became the number one choice for thousands of vets.

Now Nutraflex offers Veterinary Practices an opportunity to recommend the next

Nutraflex has been scientifically formulated and proven in the market using ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients that aid long-term joint health in dogs and cats.

The unique combination of Turmeric Curcumin Complex and Boswellia Extract within Nutraflex work synergistically to support the natural systems that control inflammation. Whilst the inclusion of high purity Glucosamine provides an important building block for cartilage with Chondroitin Sulphate helping maintain synovial fluid viscosity.

Visit www.nutravet.co.uk

Laura Jackson

Editor

Pet owner’s winter blues affect pets

It turns out that what is driving the observed change in behavior is the pet owners’ own winter blues. According to the study, 65% of British pet owners revealed that they themselves suffer from the winter blues which they feel has an impact on their pet’s wellbeing.

NEWS SNIPPETS

The Vice-Chairman of Dogs Trust, is celebrating after receiving an MBE for services to Animal Welfare in King Charles’ inaugural New Year Honours list.

More than half of British pet owners believe their animals suffer from the January blues, reveals research by Vetster.

Over half of owners reveal they walk their dogs less during winter months and as a result 25% said their pets are sleeping and eating more.

The colder, shorter, and darker days were among the top reasons cited by owners for negatively affecting their own moods which in turn changed daily routines and subsequently their pet’s own behaviour. 45% of those surveyed noted that during the darker winter months, their pets seemed distressed or withdrawn, 22% said pets were reluctant to play games and 15% noted that without outdoor adventures, pets were more likely to become destructive through boredom, chewing household objects like furniture.

Poorly puppy sold at car boot sale has new life as

A puppy who came into RSPCA care after her owner tried to sell her at a car boot sale is ‘lighting up the lives’ of pupils and care home residents after qualifying as a Pets As Therapy dog.

Shih Tzu Chilli, who was only about six weeks old at the time and too young to be away from her mum, was found tethered to the side of a van along with a crossbreed puppy at a car boot sale in the West Midlands in July 2021.

One of the animal welfare charity’s inspectors attended the location following calls from members of the

Southampton pet superstore wins prestigious award

A leading pet superstore has won the 2022 Business Growth Award at the New Forest Brilliance Awards.

Healthy Pet Store based in Hampshire was awarded the Business Growth accolade for its incredible sales growth since launching in 2014. The pet store was recognised for its expansion, just two years after moving into its current and newly refurbished store in Totton.

During 2021, the growing pet store reached its £1 million revenue target and has become one of the county’s leading independent pet retailers of frozen meals for dogs and cats and unique accessories.

therapy dog

public who were concerned about the dogs’ poor condition, and both animals were subsequently removed.

Chilli was taken to the RSPCA’s Hillfield Animal Home in Staffordshire where she received veterinary treatment for anaemia, fleas, worms and dental disease. She was then joined by her sibling, Bean, who was subsequently found at another address in the county following an investigation by the RSPCA. Local Authority dog wardens in 2021 had a microchip with accurate details.

Philip Daubeny, originally from Kent, is a passionate animal lover who has served Dogs Trust voluntarily for 27 years; 13 of those as Chairman and now Vice Chairman since 2015. He was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List in recognition of the huge amount of time and expertise he has given to improve dog welfare both in the UK and overseas.

He advocated the build of five new Dogs Trust rehoming centres to help provide a roof to even more dogs each year, and has worked on a further six major rebuilds, each with world class facilities, to ensure each dog can be fully assessed and rehabilitated before being made available for rehoming.

A dog owner who left two Labradors in the back of his pick-up truck on the hottest day ever recorded in the UK has been fined following a prosecution by the RSPCA.

Kimba and Kenza were panting heavily and unsteady on their feet after they were rescued from the parked vehicle – which had no air conditioning – in Cromer, Norfolk, on 19 July, a day which saw temperatures hit a record 40.3°C (104.5 degrees Fahrenheit).

Managing Director Deborah Burrows said: “Winning this award is a huge milestone for Healthy Pet Store. Since 2014, our vision has been to be the most approachable and most knowledgeable pet food and accessories retailer. We are very excited to continue building this vision. www.healthypetstore.co.uk

Their owner, Stephen Owen of Blakeney, pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 when he appeared before Norwich Magistrates Court on Wednesday (21 December).

much-loved

A guide to... ANAL GLANDS IN DOGS

Getting a dog can be fun and exciting, but there are some parts of owning a dog which can be unpleasent. This includes unblocking their anal glands if the need arises. But, what are anal glands and why do dogs have them? We look closer at them and why problems in dogs may arise...

What are anal glands?

The anal glands are a pair of small sacs that sit just inside a dog’s bottom. They contain a strong-smelling liquid which is used for marking territory. Dogs usually use their anal glands to identify each other and mark their territory by making a distinctive thick, foul smelling, oily liquid. This is the reason dogs smell other dog’s bottoms when they meet.

Healthy anal glands empty naturally when a dog poos,

but sometimes this does not happen, and they can over fill and block. Blocked anal glands are a relatively common problem but can be irritating and painful for your dog. It is often simple to treat, but if they are left untreated it could lead to more serious problems. It’s important that you always seek advice from your vet if your pet develops problems with their anal glands. It is

never advised to try and treat the anal gland problem yourself, as this could lead to serious damage and pain for your pet.

Symptoms of blocked anal glands include:

• Scooting – rubbing their bottom on the ground

• Foul fishy smell

• Nibling and licking their behind

• Pain when pooing

• Suddenly sitting down in discomfort

• Looking around at their back end

What causes blocked glands?

Any dog can develop blocked anal glands, but it is more common in overweight dogs due to weak muscles around the bottom, dogs born with narrow anal gland openings and dogs that have ongoing diarrhoea/ soft stools.

Problems with anal glands are most common in small dog breeds but can also affect larger breeds. Toy and Miniature Poodles, Chihuahuas, Lhasa Apsos, Cocker Spaniels, Bassett Hounds and Beagles are commonly affected by anal gland problems.

Other factors that might increase the chances of anal gland issues include:

• Chronic skin conditions, such as itchy skin

• Obestity

• Inadequate dietary fibre

• Change in stool consistency – soft stool, diarrhoea, or constipation

• Parasites

• Food/environmental allergies

• Genetics (common breeds).

Types of anal gland problems

Anal gland impaction

Impacted anal glands can cause moderate pain. When the anal gland fluid thickens, this pasty brown material clogs the glands and creates hard masses. In average cases of impaction, the anal glands can be expressed with significant pressure.

Anal gland infection or abscess

A dog suffering from an anal gland infection or abscess will be in moderate to severe pain. If the gland is infected, the bacteria from the

infection causes pus to build up inside the gland. An infection can lead to an abscess, when the pus-filled sac and swollen tissue caused the gland to be obstructed.

Prevention

There are a few positive things you can do to manage your dog’s anal glands and help to reduce the chances of any blockages or problems, which include:

Weight Management

Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Overweight dogs have weaker muscles which makes it more difficult to empty their glands. Feeding your dog a good quality diet and keeping up with their exercise routine will help to keep them at a healthy weight.

Regular checks

If your dog frequently suffers

with blocked anal glands, they may require regular vet visits to have them checked. If this happens on a regular basis, you should quickly become an expert in spotting the signs of an anal gland problem developing.

Fibre

Adding extra fibre to your dog’s diet can help firm up and bulk out their poo. As a result, when your dog goes to the toilet, their stool will press on the anal glands and help them to empty. A fibre-based supplement, such as Nutrafibre from Nutravet could help aid normal anal gland function.

How to empty your dog’s anal glands

Basic anal gland expression is something you can do at home, if you feel confident. However always seek advice from your vet beforehand and do not attempt it if your pet is not used to being held or handled at home in that position.

If you want to attempt to empty the glands yourself here are some tips:

• Wear gloves and either apply lubricant or wet your finger slightly with water.

• The anal glands are located around 4’o clock on your dog’s bottom.

• Use cotton wool or tissue to catch any discharge.

• With your thumb and index finger apply some pressure and push upwards towards the bottom and you should start to see some discharge.

If your dog has healthy anal glands, there is no reason why they would need to be emptied regularly. They would only need examined or emptying if they are causing discomfort.

If you spot any signs of blocked anal glands you should speak to your vet.

TOP TIPS to maintain healthy teeth & gums in pets

Just like us it’s important for our four-legged friends to follow a daily dental routine. Pet’s teeth have a lot of work to do, if they aren’t properly cared for, it can cause problems.

Poor dental care doesn’t just affect your pet’s mouth, the bacteria generated by gum disease could eventually enter their bloodstream and potentially damage their heart, liver or kidneys.

tops tips:

Signs of poor dental health in pets can include, bad breath, yellow and brown tartar, bleeding gums, a sore mouth, drooling, loose teeth, pawing at the mouth or difficulty eating.

Brush daily

Brushing your pet’s teeth regularly is the best way to keep their teeth clean and healthy. Be patients and take things slowly and get them used to having their teeth cleaned over a few weeks. Let them taste their new pet safe toothpaste so they think of brushing their teeth as a treat not a chore.

Cleaning your pet’s teeth is an important part of their dental routine and one that needs to be done daily.

Get them used to a routine early Starting your pet’s dental routine from an early age will get them used to having their teeth brushed without any fuss. However,

it’s never too late to start a dental routine, older dogs or cats can also be trained to have their teeth brushed.

Pet-friendly toothpaste

When brushing your dog’s teeth make sure you use a pet-friendly toothpaste and toothbrush. Most human toothpaste contains fluoride, which is poisonous for pets. Many human toothpastes also contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs. Xylitol can cause blood sugar drops in dogs, as well as potential liver damage. If you’re unsure, your vet will be able to advise which toothpaste is best for your pet.

Toys

Some dog toys are designed to clean teeth as they are chewed. Be careful not to get toys that are too small and can be swallowed or get caught in your dog’s throat.

Dental chews

Dental chews or treats and specialist foods can also help to keep your pet’s mouth healthy. Be careful not to feed them too many of these, include them in their daily calorie intake to prevent any unwanted weight gain.

Treats

Don’t feed them too many treats, as this can cause more bacteria to build up on your pet’s teeth. Remember to include these in their daily calorie intake so not to cause weight gain.

Diet

Dry food could be a better option than wet food for your pet’s teeth as soft food can get stuck to the teeth and cause decay.

Bones

Don’t feed your dog bones as these can damage their teeth. Bones can also break into splinters which can damage their gums and throat.

Visit the vet

Regular vet visits can allow them to keep an eye on your pet’s oral health, as well as other health issues that may arise. If you don’t feel confident brushing your pet’s teeth, your vet will be able to offer advice on how to do this to best suit your pet’s needs and reduce any stress.

Natural plaque remover

Consider giving your pet a natural plaque remover to support your pet’s teeth and gums. These should be used in conjunction with daily brushing rather than instead of to help minimise plaque build-up. There are many natural plaque remover supplements for dogs and cats on the market, which can help support your pet’s oral health.

If you are worried about your pet’s dental health be sure to speak to your vet, who is best placed to offer advice.

To help pet owners maintain their pet’s dental health, we share some

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Cat grass gives your cat the nutrition it doesn’t get elsewhere, which is why they nibble on wild grasses. It is low calorie and is shown to lower oxidative stress in human studies. It is antiinflammatory, soothing, and packed full of vitamins. Cat grass contains iron, calcium, vitamin K, fibre, protein, and numerous B vitamins.

Cat grass contains only great things that your cat will love. There’s no reason not to give it a try –especially if you are dealing with a house plant killer.

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Nutraflex – veterinary strength support for joints and mobility

RRP £37.99 for 60 capsules. Nutraflex has been scientifically formulated to provide a veterinary strength natural aid for joints & mobility.

The benefits of Nutraflex are noticeable, on average within ONE week due to its high strength formula and the inclusion of Boswellia Extract which supports the natural systems that control inflammation and has over 400 independent trials supporting its use.

Nutraflex is exclusive to veterinary practices and can be purchased over the counter at any stockist. www.nutravet.co.uk

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ProDen PlaqueOff® helps cats & dogs oral hygiene problems such as bad breath, plaque & tartar –naturally. ProDen PlaqueOff® Powder is a seaweed supplement that is sprinkled onto food daily. By working systemically, it helps prevent oral hygiene problems, as well as softening existing build up. The #1 Best-Selling product in its category carries the Veterinary Oral Health Council Seal of Acceptance, and in 2021 over 73 million doses were sold in the UK. Products are available in vet practices, pet shops and online.

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Winter care for horses

Some horses can manage in cold weather and are happy to be outside, but it’s important to monitor them whatever the season.

Winter can be especially hard, with cold, wet and windy weather that can prove challenging for some horses. Ensuring you provide correct winter care for your horse is crucial. We share some tips here...

Provide a shelter

If you decide to turn out your horse all year round it’s important to ensure they have suitable shelter from the elements.

Outdoor shelters don’t have to be man-made structures, they can be a group of trees or even hedges. If you stable your horse, provide low dust bedding that is deep enough for your horse to comfortably lie down on. Don’t forget to muck out and air the stable daily. Stabled horses should be turned out daily to exercise and exert their natural behaviours. Horses who are confined to a stable without regular turning out, can suffer physical and mental stress.

Rug weight

A winter coat provides natural warmth and protection. A horse’s weight should fluctuate during the year; winter is the normal way for them to use the calories that were stored during the summer. Despite some breeds being good at managing cold weather, they can often get chilly during winter months and some horses may need a heavier weight of rug. It’s also important to check that your horse is warm and dry inside their rug, waterproofing is important. Don’t over rug your horse, check that they are not sweating on milder days.

Exercise

Exercise is an important part of winter care for horses. Despite the cold weather, it’s still important to turn out your horse if they are stabbed and ensure they get some daily exercise to help keep their joints mobile. Daily exercise will also help to keep your horse warm and prevent boredom if they are stabled through the winter months.

Ice and frost can be a challenge so be sure to get a good supply of grit and salt to sprinkle on yards and walkways to prevent injury and make it easier for both you and your horse to walk without slipping. It is important that your horse can get out daily.

Movement and grass help to increase gut mobility and reduces the risk of colic.

Water

A fresh supply of clean water is just as important in winter months as it is in summer, horses can often drink more water in cold weather when fed dried forages such as hay. Remember to check troughs each day to ensure they are clean and not frozen and break and remove any ice. A tennis ball or small football left to float in the water can help to stop water freezing when it’s cold. If your horse is stabled, you could add some warm water into their buckets to prevent the

water from freezing overnight and may encourage them to drink, if they don’t like the cold water.

Feed

During colder months, it’s important to ensure you are feeding your horse the correct amount needed for their bodyweight. If you are unsure, speak to your vet before altering their diet. You may need to feed additional forage for horses living outside, depending on how much grass is available. If you put extra forage in the field, remember to make sure there are more piles of hay than there are horses to help avoid conflict.

Prepare for bad weather

As part of your winter care for horses you should plan for extreme weather. This allows you to arrange care for your horse should you not be able to check on them. Would you be able to get to your horse in heavy snow and if you are unable to, who could help you out? Do they have all the information they need to look after your horse?

Planning for extreme weather allows you to arrange care for your horse should you not be able to check on them.

Winter ailments

Cold weather can increase the risk of your horse developing certain

conditions, especially due to wet and muddy conditions. The most common winter issues include, mud fever and rain scald, as well as joint stiffness. If your horse has stiff joints, it’s important to keep them moving in winter months. Exercise will not only keep the tendons, ligaments, and muscles in good condition, but will encourage movement of the synovial fluid within joints.

Natural supplements

Natural supplements are a great way to support your horse not only through winter months, but throughout the year. A joint supplement, such as Nutraquin+ equine contains key ingredients to support their joint health, whilst supporting the natural systems that control inflammation.

Consult your vet

If you are worried about your horse and their health during the winter months, be sure to contact your vet right away. They are best placed to offer the right advice based on your horse’s breed and age.

Q&A With

Dog

Carolyn Menteith

trainer

and behaviourist for tails.com with PPL PRS

With the rise in first time dog ownership from the pandemic, new insights show that 34% of UK households currently own a dog. So, making sure our pets are properly trained is a top priority –with PetKeen.com finding that 94% of pet owners have put their dog through some training at home.

Dog trainer and behaviourist Carolyn Mentieth for Tails.com, working with music licensing company PPL PRS, explains the one thing you need to successfully train your dog.

When you start out training, it can feel daunting, especially if you’ve never owned a dog before. But creating a calm atmosphere using music is the one thing you can do to really improve the experience for you and your dog, in the moment and in the long run.

How do I pick the right music to train my dog to?

The right music (such as light classical, soft rock, easy listening) played at a low level has been seen to have a calming effect on the dogs. It can also help dogs who have low level anxiety or stress when in the home as it takes the focus away from unexpected noises coming from outside and replaces it with something calm and predictable.

Also, when running training classes, playing music relaxes the owner too and helps them transform a boring obedience-type exercise into a fun, dance exercise where the dog and owner are working together!

When the owner is relaxed and having fun, so is the dog. Training and working

with our dogs should be fun and not a chore - and music helps to achieve that.

What positive tips can pet owners use with music?

Small sessions

Try small sessions of training to build better habits. So, rather than one long session trying to drill in a new habit, taking a few minutes over the course of days, playing quiet music, and doing the same session of training will allow your dog to process the new habit and get used to it naturally by doing it over the course of days.

Hand signals

Make use of hand signals as well as vocal commands. This is because dogs don’t understand human words so giving them a visual signal to see as well as hear the vocal command may help them recognise a command better in the long run. This also works nicely if you’re using music to aid training, as the sound from the music won’t affect your dog learning a visual hand command.

Use rewards

Always celebrate the small accomplishments. Like us, our pets will respond well to positive reinforcements when they do well. So, as you train, if they complete a task first time, give them a cuddle or a treat or even have a little dance with your dog to show them they’ve done well. This way they associate that task with your hugs or fun.

Be consistent

Be consistent in your training. Like anything, practice makes perfect. Lots of consistent training will help your dog learn new habits better than unexpected and random training pattern. You can make training consistent by working it into your daily life, so maybe when you crank up the tunes to clean, turn the volume down for 10 minutes to practice something with your dog before continuing your task. That way your dog knows when you start cleaning, they need to get ready to learn something new or practice something old.

How can I tell if my dog is enjoying training to music?

Dogs show how they are feeling through body language - whether excited, fearful, stressed, or happy. A calm dog is relaxed and happy to chill out - just like us when we find music calming. Any tail wags are gentle and swaying, ears are relaxed, any wrinkling above their eyes or at the corners of the mouth smooth away, and breathing is steady and gentle.

Their enjoyment is probably more to do with sharing their owner’s enjoyment and pleasure - and that their human is far more relaxed and happier when listening to their choice of music. As music is a social experience - and it certainly seems our dogs share that.

Use the power of music as you train your beloved pup, whether at home or with a local trainer at their training facility. Relaxed dogs and owners create a better training experience for all involved.

Guinea Pig Emergencies

By Emma Purnell, RVN Cert.Nut.

Guinea pigs can make wonderful pets, but they tend to hide any illness or injury until it is severe. If you see any of these signs in your guinea pig it is an emergency and you need to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

Anorexia

Guinea pigs need to be constantly eating in order to keep their digestive tract moving - if they stop eating (become anorexic) this is an emergency. There can be several causes for guinea pigs to become anorexic and it is not possible to tell which of these is occurring without veterinary care. Dental disease is common in guinea pigs. Usually the back teeth (the ones you cannot see) overgrow and form a bridge, blocking the tongue and making it so they cannot pick up and chew their food properly. Dental treatment is needed urgently to free their tongue and allow them to eat. Gut stasis is when their guts slow and stop moving food through their system. This is difficult to correct and can have many causes, although many are linked to pain in some form. Finding any potential cause of pain, treating this pain and providing medications to help stimulate the gut are needed urgently otherwise this can be fatal. Any sign of guinea pigs slowing down eating or being picky over their food should also lead to a veterinary check as soon as possible.

Not passing faeces

This often occurs alongside anorexia and can be seen for the same reasons. If their gut motility has

slowed then they will stop producing faeces. The sooner treatment can be started the better the chances of survival.

Bloating

Bloating can potentially be a sign of gastric dilationvolvulus – the stomach filling with gas and twisting to trap the gas within the stomach, this is extremely painful and rapidly fatal. This is often secondary to other gastrointestinal issues but needs urgent treatment if the guinea pig is to survive.

Lameness

Significant lameness, especially after a fall or trauma, can indicate a potential fracture. The key thing to remember is that if they are limping or holding a leg up, that leg is causing them pain. The sooner a vet can find the cause of the problem and prescribe pain medication the better.

Eye Problems

Eye issues can very rapidly and go from minor problems to issues significant enough to cause the loss of an eye. ‘Hay poke’ is a fairly common condition where a piece of hay causes a scratch to the eye surface, however it is important to realise that any eye trauma is seriously painful and can rapidly move to becoming an ulcer. Ulcers are very difficult to treat and manage, as well as being very painful, and can lead to the loss of an eye. It is also possible that the piece of hay causing the initial trauma can be trapped under an eyelid so a vet check to help ensure this is not the case is vital.

Struggling to urinate

Guinea pigs can be prone to calcium stone formation within their bladder, often dietary related, which can cause repeated urinary infections and, in worst case scenarios, blocking of the urinary tract. In mild cases this can be managed however if the guinea pig is seen to be visibly straining then it could be that they are blocked. Blocking the urinary tract will cause pain, the bladder will continue to fill and could rupture or lead to kidney damage.

Lethargy

If a guinea pig becomes lethargic, quiet and floppy then they are usually seriously ill. They must be seen by a vet immediately as without diagnosis of the cause of the lethargy it cannot be treated and it is likely they will die.

Flystrike

Flystrike is a true emergency when seen in any species. Flystrike is when a fly lays its eggs on a pet, these eggs hatch to maggots and they begin to feed upon the pet. Most common causes of flystrike include reduced mobility, soiled areas within the

habitat attracting flies and open wounds. Fly eggs are seen as tiny white ovals within the fur or on the skin and must be removed immediately using a flea comb or with bathing of the affected area. If the eggs have hatched already then the visible and easy to remove maggots should be removed where possible and urgent veterinary care sought.

Hopefully these pointers will help you spot urgent signs in your own pet and they can be treated and begin to recover as soon as possible.

Emma qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2008 and works for Nutravet (UK) Ltd. She has a BSc in Zoology with Animal Ecology and an MSc in Ecology, helping to fuel her interest in more exotic species. She has a particular love of small furries and has a grade A distinction in Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition (CertNut).

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