Scurvy in Guinea Pigs...

Laminitis in horses.

Obesity in dogs...

Cause...

Causes...

Obesity in dogs is caused by excessive fat in the body, the diet it providing more energy that can be used, so the body stores it as fat, this then builds up.

Causes from diet.

* too much food - High Calorie.

* too many treats.

* not enough exercise.

Symptoms...

* Weight increase. * Excess body fat. * Lethargy. * Above the ideal body condition score.

Treatment...

The food/ Calorie intake will have to be reduced, and as we reduce this we need to increase the amount of the exercise. - you should speak to your veterinarian as they will be able to help you plan this with the correct portion sizes.

Treatment...

Prevention...

To help with the prevention obesity you should provide a well balanced and correctly proportioned diet along size regular exercise, this will burn the calories consumed by the dog not allowing any to be stored as excess fat.

A vet should be called immediately, Pain relief is usually administered and a very basic diet will be given so not to starve the horse whilst on box rest.

A fibroud diet with supplement of vitamins and minerals would be given, this would keep the metabolism working but would keep the laminitis under control after the vet has given medication.

Laminitis has a number of causes but the most common cause is the intake of carbohydrates at a high level. Undigested sugars and starches are pushed into the hind gut due to the high excess, and the breakdown of these materials causes great acidity in the hind gut, this then kills the bacteria, who as a result produce toxins.

This toxin triggers a response in the horse which causes a disruption with the blood flow, especially to the feet, which causes a laminate response.

Prevention.

a prevention from laminitis would be to restrict the food intake of the sugars and starch the horse gets from the grass, you can limit this by either muzzling or strip grazing the horse where it would have limited access to the grass and would be under monitoring from the owner.

*along side this for those prone to the disease, a high fibre, low calorie diet should be given.

Symptoms...

Can be;

* Difficulty walking and turning. * Weight shifting, figgiting (unease.) * Hooves are very warm to touch. * Reluctance to move. * A large crest (top line of neck) which is stiff when moved.

...

Scurvy in Guinea Pigs...

What Causes scurvy..?

Scurvy occurs when there is a deficiency, so a lack of, vitamin C in the diet. Vitamin C is an absorbic acid which also promotes the healing of wounds and helps within the immune system.

Scurvy is caused by the lack of Vitamin C in the diet.

What are the symptoms of Scurvy..?

Treatment...

Some of the symptoms include;

* Lethargy *Weakness *Stiff gait due to swollen joints *Subcutaneous bleeding *Wounds not healing, continuing to bleed *Rough hair coat *Diarrhea *Lack of appetite which may lead to weight loss.

Treatment includes giving your guinea pig Vitamin C supplements as prescribed by your vet, these can be given orally, or injected by the vet. The recovery of the guinea pig must be monitored and recorded, and re-consaulted with a vet when instructed to do so.

Prevention...

You should feed your ginuea pig a proper and sufficient diet to prevent the deficiency in the first place, so ensure you are feeding a balanced diet with enough Vitamin C, which is around 10milligrams a day, which can be found in foods such as, tomatoes, orange, dandelion leaves ect... you should fluctuate these foods.