As spring arrives, leaves and buds start to bloom, and the warm sun invites our furry friends on long walks through forests and meadows. With the blooming vegetation and milder temperatures, pesky parasites also awaken from their winter slumber, hungry and eager for new hosts. Fleas, ticks, mites, and worms can seriously affect dogs, feeding at the expense of our four-legged friends' health.
Ticks thrive in mild, spring-like temperatures. That's why they are active from spring through fall, posing a constant threat to dogs and their owners. Once a tick latches onto a dog, it stays attached for several days before dropping off. Dogs' skin can react with itching and swelling. This can even lead to scarring or hair loss.
Parasites can significantly weaken a dog's immune system, making it easier for viruses and bacteria to take hold. Severe itching, widespread hair loss, digestive problems, and coat issues are common symptoms of parasitic infestation and a weakened immune system. Additionally, our furry friends often suffer from deficiencies due to the nutrient loss caused by these parasites. Fleas and ticks can also target humans, transferring from pets to people and causing us discomfort as well. Fleas, for example, are not picky about where they sleep and are just as comfortable on dog beds as they are on our couches.
Worms, ticks, ectoparasites: potential impacts on dogs
A dog's health can be severely impacted by worms or tick infestations. Preventive measures are crucial.
Itching
Constipation
Vomiting and diarrhea
Deficiencies and nutrient loss
Bloated abdomen
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Diseases such as anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis are infections with potentially chronic courses that can seriously affect a dog's life.
Proper tick removal
Grasp the tick as close to the dog's skin as possible using a tick hook or tweezers.
Slowly twist and pull.
Avoid crushing the tick.
Disinfect the bite area.
After successful removal, the tick can be neutralized in alcohol.
How to remove a tick from a dog
To avoid such issues in the first place, it’s important to take preventive measures against parasites and unpleasant health problems.
IMUN Dog® Para by Nikolaus Nature offers long-lasting, preventive protection for dogs. It works comprehensively and effectively against fleas, ticks, worms, etc. and is a natural and highly effective weapon in the fight against parasites. This dietary supplement for dogs, made from purely natural ingredients, helps our four-legged friends successfully fend off parasites, viruses and bacteria. High bioavailability and absorption characterize this flavorful specialty, made in Austria, making it an unbeatable alternative to conventional treatments. Adding IMUN Dog® Para to your dog's daily food as a natural preventative is much simpler than treating complex infections later on.
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A mild winter – sounds nice, right?
Less snow shoveling, more sunshine, and unusually warm spring temperatures – all pretty great, right? But for our pets, a mild winter mainly means one thing: tick season starts earlier and lasts longer.
If you're a responsible pet owner, now’s the perfect time to take action – so your dog can enjoy a healthy, active spring.
Skin health and coat shedding in horses – How to best support your horse
A shiny, healthy coat and resilient skin are not just visually appealing but also essential for your horse’s well-being. Especially during coat shedding, your horse requires optimal nutrition to maintain healthy skin and fur. In this article, you’ll learn about the factors influencing skin health, the coat-shedding process, and the key nutrients that can support your horse.
Skin and coat – More than just appearance
The skin is the horse’s largest organ and plays a crucial role in protecting against environmental factors, regulating body temperature, and defending against pathogens. At the same time, the coat is an essential part of the horse’s metabolism and serves as insulation. Skin issues can manifest as itching, dandruff, bald spots, or eczema and are often signs of nutrient deficiencies or digestive imbalances. A dull or brittle coat can also indicate nutrient shortages or health problems. Parasites or metabolic disorders can further impact coat quality. That’s why a balanced diet and targeted care are essential for healthy skin and a shiny coat.
If the coat appears dull, develops dandruff, or brittle hooves emerge, these are often signs of a nutrient deficiency that should not be ignored. A lack of key nutrients doesn’t just affect appearance – it can also impact your horse’s overall health. Therefore, a poor coat condition should never be dismissed as merely a cosmetic issue.
The coat-shedding process – A challenge for the body
Twice a year, in spring and autumn, horses undergo the natural process of coat shedding. During this time, the old coat is shed and replaced by a new one adapted to the season. This process demands significant resources from your horse’s body, making it a physically challenging phase. Older or weakened horses may experience energy loss, itching, or delayed hair renewal.
Coat shedding is regulated by daylight length, which triggers hormonal processes that control hair change. During this period, the horse’s metabolism increases significantly, leading to a greater need for nutrients. Providing essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins can help ease this transition. Trace elements are particularly important during shedding, as they are essential for hair regeneration.
The challenge of coat shedding affects not only external appearance but also overall health. Ensuring a smooth shedding process through proper nutrition and supplementation can help your horse transition more comfortably.
Key nutrients for skin and coat
Vitamin A
Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and supports the normal function of mucous membranes, which are essential for protection against external factors. A deficiency may lead to dry skin, dandruff, or delayed coat growth.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E helps protect cells from oxidative stress. It supports skin elasticity and natural regeneration while helping to reduce skin irritations and strengthen skin structure.
Biotin
Biotin contributes to maintaining normal skin and a healthy coat. It also plays a key role in metabolic processes necessary for healthy skin and a shiny coat. A sufficient supply of biotin can help prevent brittle fur and optimize coat growth.
Zinc
Zinc contributes to maintaining normal skin and hair and supports the normal function of the immune system. It also regulates sebum production, positively affecting coat health. A deficiency may lead to skin inflammation or delayed hair regeneration.
Copper
Copper supports normal pigmentation of skin and coat. It also contributes to collagen formation, which is crucial for skin resilience. A balanced copper intake can help prevent color changes in the coat.
How to support your horse during coat shedding
Regular coat care
Daily grooming removes loose hair and stimulates blood circulation, which helps boost metabolism and makes coat shedding easier. Special grooming tools can be particularly effective in removing dead hair.
Optimal nutrition
A well-balanced diet rich in essential nutrients supports stable skin and coat health. Trace elements and vitamins play a crucial role. Flaxseeds and high-quality minerals can help meet increased nutrient demands.
Exercise and fresh air
Regular movement supports circulation and promotes even blood flow to the skin. A good oxygen exchange optimizes metabolic processes. Horses with plenty of turnout often experience a smoother coat transition.
Adequate hydration
Proper water intake is essential for cell metabolism and helps remove metabolic waste. Well-hydrated horses often have shinier coats and more elastic skin. During coat shedding, maintaining sufficient water supply is especially important.
New: IMUN Horse® Skin with improved formula – Natural support for skin and coat
IMUN Horse® Skin
IMUN Horse® Skin has been specifically developed to naturally support your horse’s skin and coat health. This carefully formulated blend of high-quality ingredients provides essential nutrients that promote overall well-being and help maintain a healthy coat.
The new formula of IMUN Horse® Skin includes grass meal, which can support digestion due to its fiber content. Flaxseeds provide valuable omega-3 fatty acids, which can contribute to skin care. Seaweed meal is rich in minerals and amino acids that help promote overall well-being. MSM is a natural sulfur source. Sulfur is an essential component of keratin and collagen – two key structural proteins found in skin and coat.
IMUN Horse® Skin has been designed especially for coat-shedding seasons, when your horse’s body has an increased nutrient demand. It helps support your horse’s well-being by supplying vital nutrients that play an important role during this demanding phase. Additionally, the product contains schizochytrium algae, a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids, and brewer’s yeast, which naturally provides B vitamins and biotin.
This carefully selected combination of high-quality ingredients makes IMUN Horse® Skin a valuable addition to daily feeding – especially during coat shedding, when nutrient demands for skin and coat are at their highest.
Your life is different from most people’s.
You know how it is: no pizza is safe from those puppy-dog eyes, and before you put on your favorite sweater, you make sure it’s truly dog-hair-free. Your home is a collection of toys, chew bones, and the ever-present tufts of hair that seem to settle in every corner. You have a dog. And while it can be chaotic at times, it means one thing: unconditional love, loyal gazes, and boundless joy.
Coughing and other respiratory issues in horses: how to naturally support your horse’s airways
The fear of receiving a diagnosis of "heaves" is a major concern for many horse owners. This chronic respiratory disease, often accompanied by symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath, can significantly reduce a horse’s quality of life. But it’s not just heaves — other respiratory issues, such as bronchitis or recurring coughs, are also common in horses, particularly during the colder months or when there is poor air circulation in the stable. So, what can you do to keep your horse’s airways healthy and well-supported? And which natural remedies are particularly effective? In this post, you’ll learn how respiratory diseases develop in horses and how you can effectively support your horse’s airways.
Why your dog's dental care is so important: methods and tools for healthy teeth
Dogs have a heartwarming way of showing us their love. They nudge us with their wet noses, wag their tails joyfully — and sometimes... they gift us a broad, toothy grin that melts everyone’s heart. But when this cheerful expression is accompanied by an unpleasant whiff of bad breath, it can indicate a potentially painful problem. Dental issues are common in dogs but are often underestimated by their owners. In this blog we will show why your dog’s dental care is more than just a cosmetic concern — it’s an essential part of their overall health.
Digestive issues in dogs and cats: advice and solutions for pet owners
As responsible pet owners, we care deeply about the well-being of our four-legged friends. Good digestion is a key factor in the overall health of dogs and cats. When our pets suddenly have diarrhea or are constipated, we worry and often feel helpless. In this article, we aim to help you understand the causes and symptoms of digestive problems in dogs and cats, and provide practical tips on how to support your pet.
Parasites in pets, especially dogs, are not just annoying but also pose various dangers to both the dog and humans. They can act as carriers of dangerous diseases or trigger infections within the organism. Infestation often occurs quickly and unnoticed by the dog owner. In this blog post, we explain how to effectively keep these pests away without relying on chemical products and what other measures can be taken in the fight against parasites of all kinds.
I want to share some stories from the practice – from the veterinary practice. For 23 years now, I have been working as an animal health practitioner in a mobile practice for horses and dogs.
For us, World Animal Protection Day isn't just October 4th; it's every day of the year. Along with care, cuddles, high-quality food, and ample exercise, there's the option to protect and support pets' bodies from the inside with supplements. But how useful are nutrient supplements for pets? Which ones are suitable for dogs, cats, rabbits, or hamsters, and are they really worth it? This blog provides answers to these questions.
A healthy musculoskeletal system is essential for a dog’s quality of life and for enjoying movement. This complex system, composed of bones, joints, muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, ideally works seamlessly together. Unfortunately, musculoskeletal disorders are common in veterinary practices. In this blog post, you’ll learn about the different causes of joint diseases, how to prevent them, and which nutrients specifically support your dog’s musculoskeletal system.