Whether your pet has had emergency surgery (after a medical emergency, or injury in a fight or accident) or an elective procedure (like a spay or neuter), they will need time to return to relative normal after being under anaesthesia and for their wounds to heal. It’s imperative to support their healing process in an optimal way. The vet will monitor your pet for a short time after the operation, but the post-operative care at home is your responsibility – to manage your pet’s recovery and healing to ensure they are healthy and thriving once again.

I wish I could prevent my pets from getting sick – both for their health and for my budget. Is there a way to prevent pet illnesses?

Many pet owners will only contact the vet when their dog or cat has a health emergency; when their pets get sick enough to warrant treatment from a veterinary professional. Whether these vet visits are for injuries or emergency treatment for an illness, veterinary care is often seen as the very last resort. These emergency visits may also come with a hefty bill because the pet owners are inclined to wait to see if their pet will get better on their own. Unfortunately, the pet’s health deteriorates and the more advanced the illness gets, the more intensive (and expensive) the treatment becomes to cure them. 

South Africa has the perfect temperate climate to keep dogs and cats safely comfortable during all seasons. However, in some parts of the country, it can get very cold in winter and very hot in summer. During weather extremes, we need to be aware of pets’ wellbeing: are they warm enough or cool enough? How do they keep themselves warm or cool themselves down, and what can we do to ensure they are not freezing or overheating?

Time flies when you’re having fun – especially with a beloved dog or cat. Pets make our long days not only bearable, but worthwhile, and sharing affection with a pet helps us return to the moment when we’re anxious or overwhelmed. The only problem with pets is that they too get old, slow down, require additional special care, and a different approach to their health and wellbeing. 

Having your pets sterilised is the most responsible thing you can do for them and for the pet population in South Africa as a whole. In this article, we answer your questions about pet sterilisation and aim to put your mind at ease that spaying and neutering your pets is the right thing to do for their health and for your benefit.

What does pet sterilisation mean?

Sterilisation refers to the surgical removal of your female pet’s ovaries and uterus (spaying) or your male pet’s testicles (neutering). This is done to prevent your female pet from going on heat and to prevent male pets from reacting to females’ heat cycles. 

As a pet owner, the veterinary clinic or animal hospital is your first port of call when your pet is showing concerning symptoms, and you are seeking a diagnosis and an effective treatment plan. The veterinarian’s main objective is to ensure your pet receives quality care that restores and even improves their health and wellbeing. We love animals and we want to see them well again – as much as you do.

There is something irresistible about a new puppy – from its cute appearance to that unmistakable puppy smell; the way it exudes excitement and is a bundle of wagging, licking joy in your presence. The idea of a new puppy may present itself as comprising idyllic, fun-filled days of playtime and puppy breath, but the reality of raising a puppy is very, very different.

The primary function of the canine and feline urinary system is to excrete waste products from the body. Therefore, the health of the urinary system is critical for the health of all of the body’s other systems. Understanding and maintaining your pet’s urinary system is essential to their overall health. In this article, we’ll cover the organs and functions of the urinary system, as well as the common diseases of the urinary system (and their symptoms) and how the vet can diagnose them.

The endocrine system of dogs and cats is almost identical to that of humans, in structure and function. The endocrine system is made up of a number of glands in the body that secrete hormones to control a range of important functions – from growth and metabolism, to reproduction, blood pressure, mineral balance and homeostasis in the body. Its overall purpose is the regulation and control of various functions to keep the body in balance. The canine or feline body is in a constant state of detecting stimuli (threats, thirst, reproductive opportunity, hunger, temperature, etc.). It is the endocrine system that responds to those external stimuli in ways that keep the body in balance. 

The immune system of dogs and cats

The canine and feline immune system affects each and every system and cell in their body. It is a barrier of detection and elimination that stands narrowly between the healthy cells of the body and invading organisms like viruses, bacteria, parasites, cancer cells, pollen or food molecules. The immune system is the body’s defence against illness, disease, infection and allergies, and it has a few mechanisms of protection against pathogens that may attack a healthy animal.