The recording is now available from Webinar Vet’s Webinar on “Equine gastric ulcers and new research on the effects of a polysaccharides supplement on stomach health,” sponsored and hosted by MerlinVet and Hagyard Pharmacy.

Presented by Nathan Slovis & Frank M. Andrews, the webinar took place on Wednesday 28th February and you can watch the recording now here.

Description

It is common for horses in various disciplines to suffer from gastric ulcers, with a prevalence rate of up to ninety percent. These ulcers can negatively impact a horse’s athletic performance. To identify the cause of the poor performance, a thorough examination is required, including endoscopic examination of the stomach. Poor performance may be attributed to the presence of equine squamous gastric disease or equine glandular gastric disease. If ulcers are present, appropriate treatment can improve the horse’s stomach health and athletic performance. Studies have shown that an oral polysaccharide blend of Schizophyllan beta-glucan with hyaluronic acid is both safe and effective in treating gastric ulcers without altering the stomach’s PH levels.

Recording

Watch here

About MerlinVet

At MerlinVet, we comprise a bespoke wholesaler, import/export business, buying group, health plan provider, and anaesthetic gas exposure monitoring service. By listening to the needs of vets, we provide products, services, business solutions and, above all else, the support needed to add a touch of animal magic to practices. MerlinVet UK stocks an extensive range of Special Import Products that other wholesalers are unable to source, providing solutions to vets in times of stock shortages. We offer a customised pharmaceutical service, importing pharmaceuticals and farm fertility equipment to UK vets.

We are the UK distributor of RelyneGI, providing natural gastric support for horses. Recommended by vets and professional riders, RelyneGI is a unique formula of hyaluronic acid and beta glucan that supports healthy digestion in horses. RelyneGI is an advanced liquid supplement containing a natural formula of a patented hyaluronan (MHB3) and beta glucan that delivers effective support for the equine digestive system. It’s odourless and tasteless for adding to feed and offers long-term support for all horses in maintaining normal gastric function and promoting well-being in equine athletes. RelyneGI, developed by the world’s leading veterinary scientists at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in the USA, has been thoroughly tested and is Clean Sport certified.

About Hagyard Pharmacy

Hagyard Pharmacy is a full-service, PCAB accredited pharmacy located in the heart of horse country – Lexington, KY. Licensed in over 35 US states, Hagyard Pharmacy dispenses prescription pharmaceuticals, offers a veterinary specialty compounding service as well as over the counter products. Hagyard Pharmacy is affiliated with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, a trusted resource for people who demand only the highest quality care for their horses since 1876.

MerlinVet and Hagyard Pharmacy will be sponsoring the upcoming equine webinar from Webinar Vet, titled “Equine gastric ulcers and new research on the effects of a polysaccharides supplement on stomach health.”

Presented by Nathan Slovis & Frank M. Andrews, the webinar will be taking place on Wednesday 28th February at 20.00 (GMT) – it is free to attend and you can register for it here.

Description

It is common for horses in various disciplines to suffer from gastric ulcers, with a prevalence rate of up to ninety percent. These ulcers can negatively impact a horse’s athletic performance. To identify the cause of the poor performance, a thorough examination is required, including endoscopic examination of the stomach. Poor performance may be attributed to the presence of equine squamous gastric disease or equine glandular gastric disease. If ulcers are present, appropriate treatment can improve the horse’s stomach health and athletic performance. Studies have shown that an oral polysaccharide blend of Schizophyllan beta-glucan with hyaluronic acid is both safe and effective in treating gastric ulcers without altering the stomach’s PH levels.

Learning Objectives

• Diagnosis of Equine gastric ulcers
• Causes and types of equine gastric ulcers
• Antiulcer treatment options and limitations
• Study results of polysaccharide blend on ulcers that were non-responsive to traditional therapies.
• New Research, double-masked study results of gastric ulcer response to polysaccharide blend.

Register here

About MerlinVet

At MerlinVet, we comprise a bespoke wholesaler, import/export business, buying group, health plan provider, and anaesthetic gas exposure monitoring service. By listening to the needs of vets, we provide products, services, business solutions and, above all else, the support needed to add a touch of animal magic to practices. MerlinVet UK stocks an extensive range of Special Import Products that other wholesalers are unable to source, providing solutions to vets in times of stock shortages. We offer a customised pharmaceutical service, importing pharmaceuticals and farm fertility equipment to UK vets.

The MerlinVet family includes:

• MerlinVet UK: offering a customised pharmaceutical service, importing pharmaceuticals and farm fertility equipment to UK vets.
• MerlinVet Export: supplying veterinary medicines, equipment, and accessories globally, providing vets around the world with quality products of great value.
• MerlinVet-cel: the country’s oldest veterinary buying group providing support for independent veterinary practices of all sizes across the UK and improving businesses’ profitability through competitive rebates and reduced administration costs.
• MerlinSPS: providing simple subscription & health plan solutions.
• MerlinSalusPAM: monitoring anaesthetic exposure in your workplace.

We are the UK distributor of RelyneGI, providing natural gastric support for horses. Recommended by vets and professional riders, RelyneGI is a unique formula of hyaluronic acid and beta glucan that supports healthy digestion in horses. RelyneGI is an advanced liquid supplement containing a natural formula of a patented hyaluronan (MHB3) and beta glucan that delivers effective support for the equine digestive system. It’s odourless and tasteless for adding to feed and offers long-term support for all horses in maintaining normal gastric function and promoting well-being in equine athletes. RelyneGI, developed by the world’s leading veterinary scientists at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in the USA, has been thoroughly tested and is Clean Sport certified.

With over 100 years of industry experience between us, get in touch to find out how we can transform your practice’s journey today.

About Hagyard Pharmacy

Hagyard Pharmacy is a full-service, PCAB accredited pharmacy located in the heart of horse country – Lexington, KY. Conceived and designed by veterinarians, Hagyard Pharmacy is staffed by licensed pharmacists, certified technicians, and associates with the shared goal of being the centre of excellence for pharmacies in animal health. Licensed in over 35 US states, Hagyard Pharmacy dispenses prescription pharmaceuticals, offers a veterinary specialty compounding service as well as over the counter products.

Hagyard Pharmacy is affiliated with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, a trusted resource for people who demand only the highest quality care for their horses since 1876. Hagyard is also one of an elite group of veterinary pharmacies to have earned the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board’s Seal of Accreditation. While all pharmacies in the US must follow requirements set forth by the state Board of Pharmacy, our PCAB seal assures our clients that our pharmacy meets a more stringent and comprehensive standard of excellence.

Resolvet by Hagyard is a line of products designed to help horses feel and look their best. Created by vets at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Resolvet by Hagyard addresses concerns that owners, trainers, and riders alike have about traditional horse care products.. Resolvet by Hagyard horse care products feature natural ingredients, proper PH balance, and reduced negative side effects. Each product is specially formulated for specific needs: joint health, gastrointestinal health, hoof health, and more. One of these products is RelyneGI, distributed in the UK by MerlinVet.

Here at Merlin, we know how fundamental the early stages are in dictating a dog’s development, socialisation and future behaviour. If you, or someone you know, is either going through this or is thinking of getting a dog soon, please take a minute to familiarise yourself with the below information.

We’ve put together this graphic to show how puppies develop over the first weeks and months of their lives. From teething and vaccinations, to bladder control and training, here’s everything you can expect to see as they grow.

We’re well and truly into the winter season, and with that we’ve already experienced some pretty chilly temperatures, with more forecast to come as we get towards Christmas and beyond. But what is the advice for pet owners when temperatures drop? We’ve outlined some important information below to help you and your furry friends in the colder months.

General Pet Advice

• Keep pets away from antifreeze and de-icer, which can be fatal if ingested.
• Keep pets away from poisonous plants such as holly, ivy, and poinsettia.
• Provide extra comfy spaces and blankets around the house for your dogs and cats.

Dogs

• Some dogs might need to wear a coat or jumper during the winter, particularly short-coated breeds
• Light-up collars and hi-vis leads could be particularly beneficial with the shorter days, meaning more walks in the dark.
• Salt and grit can irritate your dog’s paws – wash their paws once back from your walk. Wipe their legs, feet and stomach after walks as good practice in winter.
• Snowy paws are an additional issue – snow can build up and cause them discomfort; keep paw hair trimmed and soak off snow in warm water once back from your walk.
• Keep dogs warm – perhaps move their bed to a warmer part of the house and provide thick blankets.
• Keep your dog active with walks in winter, but if the weather is preventing activity then drop how much food you’re giving. An alternative to walks when the weather is bad is to engage in enrichment activities, such as a hunt for treats, as well as learning new tricks.
• Keep your dogs away from frozen ponds by making sure they’re on a lead. Similarly, when it’s snowing there may be hidden dangers beneath the snow, so keep them on the lead to prevent any injuries.
• Just as it’s dangerous to leave a dog in a hot car, never leave your dog in the car when temperatures are low either.
• If your dog is lifting their feet, whining, or stopping walking as their paws are too cold, it could be a good idea to get them some booties – these will protect their paws, but can be hard to get used to so it’s best to introduce dogs to them gradually.
• It’s always important to ensure your dog is wearing a collar with an ID tag and is microchipped.

Cats

• Double check under your cars, as cats often shelter here in cold and wet weather. They could also climb into the bonnet so give this a knock before driving off.
• Keep a couple of litter trays inside so cats can stay in if the weather is particularly bad.
• When it’s very cold, it is best to try to keep your cats inside – it’s not always possible to do this so ensure that there is shelter outside the house in case the cat flap is blocked by snow or frozen over.
• It’s a good idea to move your cat to a warmer room in the house when there’s low temperatures outside – also keep their bedding warm, dry, and away from draughts.
• When your cat returns from being out in the rain or snow, dry them off well.
• Wash their paws when they come back inside in case they walked through any salt grit, which is toxic when eaten.

Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Ferrets, and Hamsters

• A drop in temperature can be a real shock to these pets, so it’s important to keep them warm – all small pets require extra bedding in the colder months (soft straw is recommended as it’s more insulating than hay – make sure it’s kept dry and replaced regularly). If you’re able to, bring your pets from outside into a sheltered areas away from rain or snow (sheds/garages rather than a heated house as this could be too much of a contrast) – they will still require access to natural light and fresh air.
• If keeping the hutch/run outside is the only option, drape material over the mesh to keep out rain, snow and wind. Microwavable heat pads can also be useful! Rabbits/guinea pigs will still need access to their run so they can exercise.
• Regularly check water bottles so that they’re not frozen – a water bowl could be provided as well.
• Keeping rabbits/guinea pigs in pairs can be a good idea in winter so they can help each other keep warm.
• Ensure your hutch/run is strong enough to keep out foxes and badgers.

Horses

• Horses don’t feel the cold as much as we do, but it’s worth knowing the signs that your horse could be cold: lethargy; tucked stance; cold to touch; smaller appetite; behaviour changes; colic; and extreme shivering. Check up on your horse regularly.
• Make sure your horses water supply is not frozen – remove ice rather than simply breaking it up. Provide water in buckets instead of using the automatic drinkers as these can freeze quite easily.
• Some horses may benefit from a rug during the winter months (in particular thoroughbreds, Arab horses, fully clipped horses, old/ill/arthritic/underweight horses). Ensure the rug is of a suitable weight for your horse – for some horses a rain sheet in wet weather is enough. Rugs should be removed every day to be readjusted – always have a spare rug to swap out in case one is drenched. Over-rugging can make your horse sweaty and damp, which can lead to rug rub or infections, so make sure you regularly check if they’re getting too warm.
• When riding, if your horse is sweated up they could easily catch a chill in winter.
• Wear reflective clothing when riding.
• Make sure your horse has access to shelter – check field shelters and consider additional windbreaks, such as hedgerows and trees. Ensure there is a dry resting area away from mud.
• Provide additional feed as grass can often be sparse.
• In wet, muddy weather, check hooves regularly for abscesses and loose shoes.
• Mud fever is a particular concern in winter, a non-contagious skin condition that affects horses’ lower legs, causing scabs that can get infected. To prevent it, regularly check for scabs and swelling around lower legs, heels, and hooves. Wait for muddy legs to dry and brush away the mud rather than washing it off. You could add woodchip or mats to muddy areas as well.

Sheep

• Sheep are pretty well-accustomed to dealing with cold weather, but nevertheless it is important to provide access to good shelter and sufficient feed and forage. This is particularly important for ewes with young lambs.
• Additional forage can boost energy reserves, while bales can be used for shelter.
• Check troughs aren’t frozen and ensure regular access to water.
• Check medicines and vaccines are stored at the correct temperature and don’t freeze.
• Trim hooves every two months – this helps prevent against damage caused by ice fragments.
• Ensure your barn is well-ventilated.
• Know the signs of hypothermia: a lamb will look weak, gaunt, hunched up, have a cold mouth and ears. Warm lambs up with heated colostrum/milk replacement.
• Use heat lamps or place lambs in a warming box.

Cattle

• Make sure cattle are well fed to provide them with energy to generate body heat.
• Ensure there is water available – check troughs so they’re not frozen over.
• Shelter is crucial in cold weather: three-sided sheds in fields allow respite from bad weather, while trees can work as windbreaks.
• Mud can pose issues – it can lead to foot rot and thrush, while it prevents cattle from staying warm when covered in mud. Add gravel or woodchips to muddy patches.
• Pregnant cattle will require special attention in winter, such as deworming and nutritional supplements.