Everything you need to know about feline pneumonia

Everything you need to know about feline pneumonia | PetAir UK

Pneumonia is something we generally associate with humans; older humans to be more precise, but you may not realise that your cat could be suffering with it too. Adult cats rarely suffer with pneumonia, but kittens and senior cats are at risk due to their weaker immune systems. It’s important to know what to look for because if left untreated, the consequences could be very serious.

Pneumonia can occur when fungal, bacterial or viral organisms get into the windpipe or nostrils of your cat. The organisms cause infection and inflammation that can travel down into the lungs and a build up of pus, fluid or cellular debris eventually leads to pneumonia. It can also happen if your cat accidentally inhales foreign fluids or irritating substances, like a seed or vomit.

Many of the symptoms that are present with pneumonia are similar to that of a human cold; green or yellow discharge from the nostrils, fever, a dry or mucus-y cough, lethargy, loss of appetite and difficulty breathing. If your cat displays any of these symptoms, you should visit your veterinarian immediately. The most common symptom of feline pneumonia is a moist cough and difficulty breathing but it’s worth bearing in mind that not all cats will show respiratory signs.

ginger and white cat laying on red and white sheet

Your veterinarian may have to do several tests in order to establish a full diagnosis. A blood test will give your vet a clear picture of your cats overall health as well as highlighting any underlying conditions. A chest x-ray may also be required to confirm the diagnosis and sometimes further tests will be needed to establish which organisms are responsible and whether it is bacterial, fungal or viral pneumonia.

Feline pneumonia is treatable with antibiotics in most cases but if your cat is having trouble breathing then they may require oxygen therapy as well as fluid therapy if they are showing signs of dehydration. Once at home, try and keep your pet as well rested as possible.

While pneumonia isn’t entirely preventable, there are some steps you can take to lower your cats risk of contracting it. Ensure your cat is fully up to date with its vaccinations and has regular trips to the vet to check its general health. Never force your cat to eat or drink as this could put them at risk of aspiration pneumonia if they were to inhale food or saliva into their lungs. If you are bottle feeding a kitten, don’t hold them on their back like you would with a human baby, make sure their stomach is pointing downwards towards the floor.

With these points in mind, you’ll be able to keep your cat in top health. Feline pneumonia is recoverable if the signs and symptoms are caught on time and correctly assessed and treated by a vet.

How to keep your dog safe near busy roads

How to keep your dog safe near busy roads | PetAir UK

The daily dog walk can become a nerve-wracking experience if it involves taking your dog along a busy road. There are so many noises and distractions happening all at once with cars, bikes and lorries whizzing past that it can be a confusing and stressful time for dogs and owners alike. As a dog owner, any road traffic accident caused by your pet will ultimately be your responsibility and you’ll be liable to pay any associated vet bills as well as any necessary vehicle repairs too. With this in mind, it’s in everyone’s best interests to ensure that your dog is comfortable near busy roads and can act in a safe, calm manner when instructed.

One of the easiest steps you can take to ensure your pets safety near a busy road is to use a lead, and the shorter you can keep it, the closer your dog will have to stay to you. If your dog is prone to pulling when on the lead then it’s worth taking the time to get them out of this habit. The last thing you want is for them to pull you into the path of oncoming traffic when they see something interesting on the other side of the road. Keep the lead short and no matter how well trained your dog is, don’t let them off the leash when you’re in a high-traffic area.

small dog standing on street of houses

You can use specific demands or keywords to help teach your dog to cross the road safely. In the same way that you’d use ‘sit’ or ‘stay’, you can teach your dog commands like ‘cross’ or ‘walk’ to help him understand when it’s best to start moving. Alternatively, teaching them phrases like ‘stop’ or ‘come away’ will also help to keep them under control.

During the winter months, or if visibility is poor, it’s a good idea for you to wear a high-visibility jacket or sash so that drivers can easily spot you and your dog. You could invest in an LED collar, reflective lead or a matching high-vis coat for your dog too to make sure you really stand out in the dark.

And lastly, make sure your dog can be properly identified with a microchip, or clearly labelled collar, and that you have sufficient pet insurance should the worst happen.

Hefty Fine for Driving With an Unsecured Dog

Hefty Fine for Driving With an Unsecured Dog | PetAir UK

Drivers who let their dog go loose in the car, by having them on their lap or in the foot well, are at risk of large fines and invalidated insurance.

A survey carried out by uSwitch found that 69% travelled with their pet in the car and a fifth of these are not securing them properly. A third of drivers had also never heard of Rule 57 of the Highway Code which states: “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly.

“A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”

Breaking the Highway Code doesn’t carry a direct penalty, but drivers could still be pulled over by police for driving without due care and attention. This can result in a maximum fine of £2,500, and up to 9 penalty points. Also, if an unsecured pet has caused an accident with another vehicle, insurers are unlikely to pay out.

Rod Jones, an insurance expert at uSwitch, said: “As a nation of animal lovers, it’s surprising to see so many drivers taking such a relaxed attitude to their pet’s wellbeing, never mind their own safety when behind the wheel.

“As much as we love our pets, remember that securing your furry friend when driving is a requirement in the Highway Code. The last thing you’d want to happen is to suffer an accident and only then find that your insurer may not pay out.”

‘Mog’ author Judith Kerr to publish new book

‘Mog’ author Judith Kerr to publish new book | PetAir UK

There’s no end to the amusement that we get from our pet cats. They are wild, whacky and sometimes just downright weird. Long before the boom in the popularity of cat videos available to watch online, author Judith Kerr decided to capitalise on the quirks and traits that make cats so easy to adore. Inspired by the “bizarre” behaviour of her first cat, Mog, which included licking her daughter’s hair while she was asleep, she penned the heart-warming classic, Mog The Forgetful Cat. There are now an astonishing 17 picture books about Mog and 2015 saw Kerr team up with Sainsbury’s to raise an impressive £1.5 million for Save the Children’s literacy campaign. It’s no surprise that last year she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from reading charity BookTrust.

Nearly 50 years after the release of the original ‘Mog’ book, her newest creation, Katinka’s Tail, is inspired by her latest pet cat and features a bright white cat with a tabby tail. According to the Kerr, Katinka makes her open the back door for her “like a person”, but in the book, Katinka travels far and wide, into a forest and even to the moon.

Executive publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh says, “Judith Kerr is a simply extraordinary picture book creator – the vitality of this new tale with its whimsical wit and beautifully observed illustrations of Katinka and her rather delightful owner sees Judith on absolutely top form.” She added, “I am quite simply over-the-moon with the wonder that she has delivered in Katinka’s Tail!”

Katinka’s Tail will be published by HarperCollins in paperback on October 19th.

5 diseases pets can pick up from humans

5 diseases pets can pick up from humans | PetAir UK

Known as “reverse zoonosis”, occurrences tend to be rare but are a possibility. The most common type of illness being bacterial followed by viral, parasitic and fungal. Read on to discover the diseases we’re most likely to pass on to our pets.

1.     Salmonella

Salmonella is often associated with food poisoning and is a bacterial infection that causes vomiting and diarrhoea that can be passed from humans to pets. To reduce the chances of your pet catching salmonella, take extra care to wash your hands after using the bathroom, stop your dog from drinking from the toilet water and if you know that your salmonella was food-borne then avoid letting your pet get near any leftovers.

2.     Mumps

Thanks to the MMR vaccine, mumps is now rarely seen. However, there were still over 200 hundred cases in the UK during the first quarter of the year. Mumps can cause headaches and fever in dogs and humans, as well as painful swelling of the glands in the neck. It’s important to keep any family members diagnosed with mumps away from pets, as it is highly contagious.

dog lying down on wooden floor

3.     MRSA

MRSA is usually associated with a hospital stay and cases in animals are thought to be extremely rare.  The British Small Animal Veterinary Association has published some guidelines to help avoid the spread of the disease.

4.     Ringworm

Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus and is thought to be the most common disease that pets and their owners pass on to each other.. In cats and dogs it can cause baldness in circular patches. Pets can catch ringworm by coming into direct contact with an infected human or via any contaminated objects like towels or clothes.

5.     Giardia

Giardasis is a waterborne infection that can cause diarrhoea. It spreads through contact with faeces and water such as wells, lakes and streams as well as drinking water.

To keep everyone in your household, human or animal, safe and healthy, always practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently and discourage your pet from licking your face.

How to turn your pet into a social media superstar

How to turn your pet into a social media superstar | PetAir UK

The era of the pet celebrity is upon us. It’s hard to scroll through any social media platform these days without coming across a cute/funny/heart-warming photo, video or article about an animal. And it’s easy to see why. Cute animals make people happy. And in some cases, it’s making their owners very rich!

A recent study found that dog owners post about their pet on social media six times a week. If that’s the case then it makes sense to create their own account for them doesn’t it? It also found that dog owners watched canine videos or looked at doggy photos about three times a week so there is certainly a high demand for cute and fluffy content!

And we’re not kidding when we say this is big business, there are even agencies popping up to represent those with the biggest followers.  In New York, The Dog Agency represents accounts like Tuna Melts My Heart and Crusoe the Dachshund as well as managing their own accounts like Cats of Instagram, which has nearly 9 million followers. The pets on their books can earn as much as $15,000 (£11,000) for one post and their clients have partnered with brands like Nikon, Google and Dyson.

And it’s not all about the dogs either, in 2014 it was reported that Grumpy Cat and her owner banked £64 million from movie & sponsorship deals, books and even their own product line in association with Primark and Target.

cat on the dining table

So, where do you start? Here are our top tips for social media stardom!

1.Be social!

It’s not called ‘social’ media for nothing you know! Get involved in the community. Interact with other social media pet owners using popular local hashtags and be generous with your likes and comments. This will encourage others to visit your profile and build your following.

2.Post good content

Nobody wants to see a dark, blurry photo of anything, let alone of your pet. You don’t need to rush out and buy a fancy camera but your images will have to have a certain level of style to them. Tap into your pet’s individual personality to make funny, engaging content that will make your account memorable.

3.Use hashtags

If you’re using Instagram to propel your pet into social media stardom, be sure to use plenty of hashtags to attract new followers and extend your reach. You can look at the hashtags that other similar, popular accounts are using and use these as a starting point. Try to mix it up and not to use the same hashtags all the time though as Instagram sees this as ‘spammy’ and may block your account.

Hopefully with these tips at hand you have everything you need to turn your pet into a super celebrity! We’ll look out for them on the cover of Vogue!

Help your pet adapt to living in a warmer climate

Help your pet adapt to living in a warmer climate | PetAir UK

Whether you’re moving somewhere sunny or just visiting a tropical destination, a dramatic change in climate can have an effect on your pet. When you first arrive, it’s important to keep a close eye on your pet and try and keep them nearby. As they are unable to communicate how they are feeling to you, you will need to be vigilant when looking for signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion.

In many ways, going from cold place to a hot place is much worse than starting off hot and going somewhere cold. If your pet is too cold, it’s relatively easy to warm them up by sticking a jacket on them or getting them extra blankets to cuddle up in. Unfortunately there’s not a lot you can do about humidity other than staying inside in a well air-conditioned building.

But there are ways that you can help your pet acclimatise. If you have a dog, you should take them out for short walks during the day and longer walks in the evening or at nighttime to help them adjust to the difference in temperature. The length of the daytime walks can be increased gradually as they adapt to the warmer weather. If you have a cat, let them out for short periods and try and keep an eye on them so that you can get them back inside if they start to look affected by the heat. It goes without saying that your pet will require constant access to water.

dog climbing out of sea

Try and create a shaded area that your pet can retreat to if the sun becomes too strong for them. Even if you can’t afford, or don’t have space for, a dog house, try tying up some tarpaulin to create a shaded space for your pet. You could add ice cubes to your pets water bowl or freeze some of their food to make them their very own ice lolly!

Another thing you can do to help your pet is brush them regularly. This will help them to shed their thick, heavy winter coats. If your pet is a long-haired breed, consider giving them a trim to help cool them down. It’s also a great opportunity for your dog to have a bit of fun with a sprinkler in the garden! A children’s paddling pool filled with lukewarm water can also be used for a dog, just make sure the base is sturdy enough to cope with claws!

Law says mother must be present for buying puppies

Law says mother must be present for buying puppies | PetAir UK

Theresa May has announced a ban on the sale of puppies without their mother present. She hopes the move will end the “disturbing” multi-million pound illegal trade of puppy farms. Animal charities welcomed the announcement but said that enforcement would need to be tightly monitored.

Marking the biggest change in the way pets are sold in 66 years, the new legislation will mean that all sellers are required to show the puppies alongside their mothers to potential buyers. Theresa May hopes this will ensure that people can welcome a “happy, healthy” puppy into their families.

The internet has been one of the main catalysts for the trade as this allows people to buy puppies without seeing the conditions they are being raised in or where they’ve come from. Many puppies are smuggled into the UK on fake passports having been mass-produced on farms in Central and Eastern Europe.

puppy dog asleep on womans arm

The trade peaks in November and December when the Christmas season begins and The RSPCA says that criminal gangs have been known to make as much as £35,000 a week. Puppies bred on the illegal farms are often separated from their mothers far too early and often die soon after reaching their new home. Many of them suffer from being kept in poor conditions and require expensive treatment to deal with health and behavioural problems.

The new legislation also affects licensed dog breeders who will now only be able to sell puppies that they have bred themselves and any online advertisements will be required to include the seller’s license number, as well as the country of origin and residence of the dog. The government has also pledged to tackle the increase of careless overbreeding of popular dog breeds that are known to suffer lifelong health issues, like many flat-faced breeds including pugs and French bulldogs.

Do Pets Go Into Quarantine When Leaving the UK?

Do pugs go into quarantine when leaving the UK? | PetAir UK

There’s no quarantine on landing for most of the places we fly dogs and cats to; the only places that impose quarantine restrictions out of the common destinations are Australia and New Zealand. Otherwise, dogs and cats land at the destination airport and can be collected and brought home that same day.

For pet travel to Australia and New Zealand, all cats and dogs must complete a minimum of 10 days in an Australian or New Zealand quarantine facility. Any issues that occur which increase the biosecurity risk posed by an animal may result in a longer stay in quarantine. Your pet would need to stay in quarantine longer, for example, if a tick is found on them. It would be required to stay for 21-30+ days until blood testing is completed at your cost. Or, if your pet arrives without correct paperwork, they would have to stay in quarantine until the paperwork is sorted which can be expensive and very stressful for the owner.

If you are travelling to Australia or New Zealand, it is advisable to start preparing your pet early to avoid an extended quarantine visit or delay in the UK. If you are going abroad in the next 7-18 months and you plan on taking your pet with you, start the rabies work. If it’s less than 7 months, start the rabies work very urgently. This is because your pet needs to have a rabies vaccination at least 7 months before they travel to Australia/New Zealand. About 3-4 weeks after this vaccination, they will need a rabies blood sample or Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titer Test (RNATT), which will determine whether your dog/cat has made enough antibodies to keep them safe from contracting rabies. Your pet would not be allowed to enter Australia until at least 180 days after the rabies blood sample. The reason behind this is if your pet actually has rabies and produced antibodies because of this, then it would’ve shown itself by this time. You will also need to get an import permit after the Titer test, but no sooner than 42 days of import.

After your pet flies and lands in quarantine, the quarantine team will collect them from the airport and settle them in. You will be emailed to say they are safe and well. In Australia, there is no visiting, but in New Zealand, quarantine is slightly more relaxed. For other destinations such as Singapore or Japan, your pet will land and go to the airport based quarantine area. Their paperwork will be checked there, and if all is satisfactory then they will get released. For most other destinations, the landing procedure is slightly less complicated and they are just collected at the cargo area of the airport.

There is a lot to know and plan when flying your pets abroad, and lot to potentially get wrong or misinterpret. So, if you still have some unanswered questions or would like anything explained further, you can either look at the FAQ’s on our website and the pages for the specific locations we fly pets to, or feel free to give us a call on 01725 551124. We’re happy to help with anything you need.

1 in 3 people prefer their pets to their partners

1 in 3 people prefer their pets to their partners | PetAir UK

According to new research carried out by pet food maker, Fresh Pet, us Brits REALLY love our four-legged friends. The survey, carried out via OnePoll, revealed that more than a third of owners favour their pets over their partners.

The survey questioned 2,000 cat and dog owners and some may find the results quite shocking. More than half the people surveyed said that they prefer spending time with their fur babies with reasons cited including that they are always in a good mood, don’t nag and that they never talk back. In fact, three in 10 adults said their pet was a better listener than their other half and 45% said that they liked the fact that their pets don’t judge or question them.

And even when it comes to giving affection, our pets still win with 29% of those surveyed saying their pets are better at snuggling than their partners and 44% would rather cuddle up to their furry friend. Nearly half of the pet owners questioned admitted giving their pets more attention every day than they gave their partners. A third have also been known to post more pictures of themselves with their cats and dogs on social media than with their human significant other.

dog snugged asleep on human arm wearing jumper

Most surprising may be the finding that 14% of the people surveyed said that they would rather spend the rest of their life with their pet rather than their partner.

Senior Marketing Manager for Fresh Pet, Hannah Edwards, told The Independent:

“Whilst some of the findings of this research are on the surface rather surprising, what they actually demonstrate is just how much us Brits love our pets and why they’re such an important part of our families”.

She went on to add:

“It’s clear our beloved pets mean the world to us…it seems even more than our other half at times!”