Pertemuan para dokter hewan tidak hanya menjadi ajang untuk bertukar pengalaman dan pengetahuan, tetapi juga kesempatan untuk memperkuat kolaborasi dalam industri pakan hewan. Salah satu brand terkemuka, Nature Bridge, telah memfasitilasi sebuah ruang bagi para dokter hewan untuk menggali lebih dalam tentang pentingnya nutrisi yang tepat bagi kesehatan hewan peliharaan dan juga sharing session yang inklusif dalam Vet Gathering bersama NatureBridge. Pada NB Vet Gathering yang diadakan oleh Nature Bridge sepanjang 2023 di berbagai kota-kota besar di Indonesia, para dokter hewan dibekali dengan informasi terbaru mengenai nutrisi hewan. Pengetahuan tentang nutrisi yang tepat merupakan fondasi penting dalam menjaga kesehatan hewan peliharaan, dengan sosialisasi dan juga sharing terkait penyakit hewan peliharaan yang sering terjadi, dokter hewan dapat memberikan saran yang lebih akurat kepada pemilik hewan mengenai pemilihan makanan yang tepat. Adapun kegiatan-kegiatan yang di selenggarakan di Vet Gathering 2023, yakni sharing session yang dilakukan oleh dokter hewan, tanya jawab, dan juga pengenalan produk NatureBridge Veterinary Exclusive oleh Bridge Pet Care Representative. NatureBridge secara aktif peduli dan mendukung kesehatan anabul dengan menyediakan pet food varian veterinary exclusive. Varian khusus untuk membantu mengatasi anabul yang memiliki masalah kesehatan seperti masalah urinary, gastrointestinal, skin, dan juga lain-lain. NatureBridge varian Veterinary Exclusive kini sudah tersedia di klinik hewan yang tersebar di seluruh indonesia. Di harapkan dengan adanya varian Veterinary Exclusive dari NatureBridge yang di padukan dengan konsultasi yang tepat dari dokter hewan, dapat membantu menjaga dan mengatasi permasalahan kesehatan anabul. Dapatkan informasi lebih lanjut tentang NatureBridge Veterinary Exclusive di sosial media @naturebridgeid!

Ringworm is a common skin infection in both dogs and cats. The name is a bit misleading since ringworm is not caused by a worm but by a common fungus found everywhere in the world. And, many times, the infection is not ring-like at all but can take on a variety of appearances. Ringworm infection, or dermatophytosis, can spread from pets to their human companions. The good news is that ringworm rarely causes serious problems in animals or their people, and it is both treatable and preventable. As pet owners, it’s important to know the common signs of ringworm infection as well as understand the facts about this disease. Ringworm Isn’t Just One Fungus Several species of fungi can cause ringworm in pets. In dogs and cats, the majority of cases are caused by Microsporum canis. Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes are responsible for the rest. Infected Pets Are Generous and Like To Share With Others Infected pets can transmit ringworm to people or other pets. There have even been reports of cows, goats, pigs and horses passing ringworm to people! Many studies have shown that children are most likely to get ringworm from a pet, due to a combination of closer contact with their pets and hygiene. Pocket pets also can get ringworm, with Trichophyton mentagrophytes responsible for almost all documented cases. Known species infected include guinea pigs, gerbils and hamsters. The literature is sparse about potential transmission between pocket pets and dogs and cats, but given that the most common organisms responsible differ between species, it’s unlikely transmission occurs. Some Breeds of Cats and Dogs May Be More Susceptible Although there is no sex or age predisposition to infection, Persian, Himalayan and Rex cats, and Yorkshire and Jack Russell terriers, are overrepresented in published studies looking at the dynamics of ringworm infections. Although Ringworm Fungi Are Everywhere, There Are Conditions That Predispose a Pet to Infection These include: Dogs used for hunting and working dogs Stress and concurrent illnesses in adult animals Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in the home Microtrauma to the skin for any reason Group housing situations Interestingly, in cats, many studies have shown that infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia virus (FeLV) alone does not increase risk of disease. Skin Lesions Mimic Other Diseases A good medical history for your pet can help your veterinarian make a diagnosis of ringworm. Skin abnormalities in a newly acquired pet, especially if accompanied by skin lesions on a pet owner or other member of the household, are common historical findings. Common physical examination findings include: Areas of hair loss Areas of scaling and crusts (in cats it can take the appearance of cigarette ash) Broken hairs Itchy skin is not a common feature in cats and dogs but can occur. Some infected cats and dogs have no clinical signs but can spread the disease to other pets. Your veterinarian might advise testing asymptomatic pets sharing an infected pet’s space, particularly if the disease recurs. Unfortunately, similar signs are seen with other common skin diseases of cats and dogs, such as superficial bacterial skin infections, mites and allergies. Additional testing is needed to sort through all these potential diagnoses. Diagnosis Requires Specialized Tests Once a veterinarian suspects a pet might have ringworm based on history and physical examination, a few specialized tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis. One common test is to use a specialized type of UV light called a Wood’s lamp. M. canis glows when exposed to the particular wavelength of UV light produced by a Wood’s lamp. Another test that your veterinarian can do in their clinic is examination of hair and skin under the microscope. Studies suggest that 85% of ringworm infections, regardless of which type of fungus is present, can be confirmed this way. In cases where a diagnosis is not confirmed by either of these tests, a fungal culture is needed to definitively diagnose ringworm. Results can take from a few days up to four weeks. Treatment Includes Both the Pet and the Environment Although the vast majority of ringworm infections resolve on their own, most veterinarians recommend treatment to decrease duration of infection and to reduce the chance of spread to other pets and people. Therapy for pets includes topical therapy and oral medication. There are lots of treatment options and your veterinarian will work with you to decide which medications are best for your pet. Diligent and thorough environmental decontamination is a crucial part of treatment. Without adequate cleaning, reinfection can occur and the disease can spread further. Your veterinarian will work with you on specific measures but keeping areas hair-free, washing areas frequently, deep cleaning carpets and washing a pet’s bedding daily are essential. Many owners find it easier to keep an infected pet in an area that is easy to clean. However, simply keeping a pet in a kennel is not recommended. Many pets respond to treatment quickly, sometimes within a week or two. Your veterinarian can monitor therapy using a Wood’s lamp or fungal culture. Most pets are completely cured in four to eight weeks. The good news is that almost all pets and people recover completely with no long-term effects. People who have any skin lesions they think could be ringworm should seek advice from their doctor about treatment. Recurrent or lingering infections are usually due to treatment failure, either through inadequate duration of therapy or failure to properly decontaminate the environment. Is Prevention Possible? Although it can be difficult, there are steps pet owners can take to prevent an infection from getting a foothold in their house. Having a thorough physical examination, including a Wood’s lamp evaluation, on all new pets can help. Isolating new pets added to a home (but again, not kenneling them) can help not only prevent ringworm from spreading but also allow time to detect other diseases. As always, practicing good hygiene when interacting with a new pet is essential. Morris Animal Foundation is dedicated to improving animal health through science and also by providing resources for pet owners to learn more about important diseases that can impact health and well-being. Browse our website to learn more about what the Foundation is doing to improve the health of animals around the world. Source: https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/

Stress and anxiety are easy to spot in dogs. They become afflicted with tummy troubles and the insatiable urge to chew up the entire house. Despite these warning signs, pet parents commonly misbelieve that stress doesn’t affect their dog’s physical health. But diarrhea isn’t the only problem—anxious pups are more likely to contract diseases and suffer from malnutrition. Your fur baby doesn’t have to go through life in a constant state of stress. It’s never too late to reverse chronic stress and anxiety and their damaging effects. Take a moment to learn the health consequences associated with canine stress and what you can do to prevent them. Health problems in stressed pups The impact of stress goes far beyond panting, pacing and barking. Over time, chronic stress can lead to negative effects on your dog’s body. Here are the most common health problems seen in stressed and anxious dogs. Upset stomach: Stress and anxiety often cause recurring diarrhea, vomiting and constipation in dogs. Elevated stress hormone levels stimulate the nervous system, especially along the gastrointestinal tract. These overly stimulated nerves trigger intestinal spasms, which leads to stomach pain and runny stool. Stressed dogs frequently vomit because adrenaline slows digestion and forces food to sit in the stomach for too long. Chronic vomiting and diarrhea may lead to dehydration, a serious condition that requires immediate medical help. Weakened immunity: Much like in humans, stress weakens your pup’s immune system. Cortisol, a type of stress hormone, reduces the number of antibodies circulating in the bloodstream. Antibodies are crucial for fighting off bacterial and viral infections. With fewer antibodies in their system, your pup may get sick more often. Stress can also drain your dog’s energy, which makes cells more vulnerable to parasites and toxins. Loss of appetite: When a dog becomes stressed, their body funnels nutrients to systems that will help the dog survive a dangerous event. This is why anxiety is often associated with high blood pressure, panting and a rapid heartbeat. As your pup enters this fight-or-flight response, the body pulls blood away from systems that aren’t necessary during a stressful situation. Digestion will slow down and make your pup lose their appetite. Loss of appetite can lead to nutritional deficiencies and extreme weight loss over time. Health emergencies: Stressed and anxious dogs often develop bad behaviors like chewing on furniture and hazardous objects. They need an outlet for all that nervous energy, and the TV remote just so happens to be within reach. This destructive chewing habit may cause dogs to swallow string, buttons, rocks and other inedible items that can block the wind pipe or digestive tract. These blockages require an emergency trip to the vet for proper removal. Proven ways to reduce stress in dogs Pet parents have the power to prevent stress and the resulting health consequences. A few small changes to your dog’s routine can make huge strides toward a relatively stress-free life. Here are some healthy habits to try with your anxious pup. Create a stress-relief tool kit: Many stressful situations are unavoidable. You can’t always predict when strangers, fireworks or construction will appear right outside your window. In these scenarios, the best thing you can do is provide temporary stress relief. Pheromone plug-ins and collars emit synthetic chemicals designed to comfort anxious pups. You can mask stressful sounds with a white noise machine or calming instrumental music. Some dogs have a favorite toy they like to carry around that helps them feel safe. Stick to a consistent routine: Change is very stressful for dogs, whether you have a new family member or simply bought a different fabric softener. Help your dog cope with the change by keeping their routine as consistent as possible. Pet parents should walk, feed and play with their pups at the same times each day. A consistent routine gives anxious dogs something to latch onto during times of uncertainty. Provide physical and mental stimulation: Exercise is a very effective stress reliever for dogs. Moving their bodies releases feel-good endorphins that alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety. Play time burns off excessive energy and helps restore a calm state of mind. Mental exercise is equally important because it distracts anxious pups from the stressful event. Puzzle toys and training sessions can also stave off boredom, which is often a precursor to stress. Every dog will experience stress at some point in their life. Pet parents must be able to recognize when the occasional stressor turns into a recurring problem. If your dog has chronic stress or anxiety, look for ways to bring happiness back into their daily routine. Reducing stress positively affects the mind and body for overall wellness. Source: https://petwellbeing.com/