National Pets Day – 11 April
The history of veterinary medicine in SA
How to become a vet in SA
The University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science is the only institution in South Africa where people can study to become a veterinarian or veterinary nurse.
It offers Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) and Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing (BVetNurs) degrees.
The BVSc programme consists of a combination of lectures, electronic learning opportunities, discussions, demonstrations, seminars, assignments, group work, practicals and clinical work, which are offered mainly in the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital and its satellite community clinics. The practical component includes exposure to private practices, state veterinary services, commercial and small-scale farms, abattoirs and various other related industries.
Because there are no other places of study for future vets in South Africa, the competition to be accepted for the course is fierce, and meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee applicants a spot.
However, the lack of veterinarians in the country makes it a great career choice, because graduates have an excellent chance of finding employment. South Africa has 4 000 registered vets, which, according to the Department of Agriculture, is far below the international benchmark.
The minimum entry requirement is a National Senior Certificate with the following subjects and levels of achievement:
- English home language for first additional language: 60-69% (level 5)
- Mathematics: 60-69% (level 5)
- Physical science: 60-69% (level 5).
For more information on the veterinary science and veterinary nursing degrees, visit www.up.ac.za/faculty-of-veterinary-science
Animal medicine has evolved from its ancient days of medicinal herbs and incantations to today’s 3D printing, MRIs, advancements in prosthetics and laser surgery.
Veterinary medicine has its roots in the domestication of wild animals.
In ancient times, sheep-herders in the Middle East developed ways to doctor the animals in their care. The treatment of animals became more common around 4 000BC.
It is thought that the first surgical interventions took place in the Middle East. The Greeks and Romans further advanced veterinary medicine, but it fell out of favour in the Dark Ages.
In the Age of Enlightenment (1700s), veterinary medicine regained prominence and in 1761, Claude Bourgelat established the first school of veterinary medicine in Europe.
It is thought that domesticated animals first made their appearance in Africa in 3 000BC or earlier. As societies evolved, livestock became increasingly associated with wealth and their well-being became more important.
In 1886, Dr Jotello Festiri Soga became the first South African to qualify as a veterinary surgeon. He completed his qualification at the University of Edinburgh. In 2009, the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria named its library in his honour.
“Dr Soga played an important role in combating rinderpest and lung-sickness in the country as the first qualified South African veterinarian. He also laid a foundation for veterinary education in South Africa. But he is better known in veterinary circles as a pioneer researcher in the study of toxic plants and their effect on animals – both for their poisonous and curative effects,” said the then dean of the faculty, Prof Gerry Swan at the naming ceremony.
In the late 1890s, Swiss veterinarian Arnold Theiler was appointed as the South African state veterinary surgeon.
Called the ARC Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute today, the then-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Laboratory opened in 1908, on the farm De Onderstepoort. Within 20 years, millions of doses of life-saving vaccines had been produced and several diseases had been researched.
In 1935, Jack Boswell was the first South African veterinary graduate to go directly into private practice.
Capturing SA’s veterinary past
In 2019, the Veterinary History Society of South Africa replaced the South African Veterinary Association’s Veterinary History Committee, which was established in 1995.
Sterilisation: Help stop the vicious cycle of abuse
Unsterilised animals can produce a vast number of litters of puppies and kittens over their lifetime.
There are thousands of unwanted dogs and cats in South Africa and many more that live a life of pain, suffering and neglect. Sterilisation is the only sustainable answer to curbing the horrific cases of animal abuse, overfull shelters and strays.
It is for this reason that SPCAs and many other animal shelters do not home unsterilised animals.
Without this restriction, animals might be ‘adopted’ by unscrupulous breeders who subject dogs to a life of misery in cages, pumping out litter after litter in horrible conditions.
Dogs might also be bred to be used in dogfighting.
Sterilisation also has health benefits for animals – for example, preventing pyometra, mammary cancer and testicular cancer.
Many SPCAs, other shelters and even private vets conduct proactive outreach programmes in communities. This often includes sterilisation.
Myths and facts
- Sterilisation does not make animals lazy or less likely to alert the owner to danger.
- Certain breeds, such as Labradors, are prone to putting on weight after sterilisation and owners need to ensure that the dog receives the correct amount of food and exercise to counteract this.
- Sterilisation does not make dogs aggressive.
While animal lovers must know what to do if their pet is bitten or spat at by a snake, it is best to minimise their chances of running into a snake because of the risk that antivenom will not be available.
Dr Paul van der Merwe, a past president of the South African Veterinary Association, says it is important that animal owners have a basic knowledge of the snakes in their area.
“This will determine your reaction,” he says. “The most important aspect of snake bites is that the snake must be identified so that the correct treatment can be given. Knowledge is power!”
If a snake bites your dog, you must rush it to the nearest vet to start treatment as soon as possible. If a snake spits in a dog’s eye, first thoroughly rinse the eye with tap water.
Not all snake bites require antivenom, but in serious cases, your dog may not survive without it. Unfortunately, stocks of antivenom in South Africa often run low. In December, the South African Vaccine Producers, a part of the National Health Laboratory Service, said it faced delays in producing snakebite antivenom due to facility upgrades, which have led to the depletion of reserves.
Symptoms
There may be excessive swelling, pain, and blistering in cytotoxic bites (puff adder, Mozambique spitting cobra, rinkhals, stiletto and night adder). The sooner the antivenom is administered, the more minor the tissue damage.
Where the bite is in the face and throat area, the swelling may also hamper breathing, which is particularly problematic in small dogs. Severely envenomated animals die due to hypovolemic shock, tissue necrosis, and cell death.
Dogs often get spat in the eyes by spitting snakes, resulting in the eyes very quickly swelling closed. Immediately wash your dog’s eyes with water under a tap or with a hose pipe. Gently rinse the eyes for about 15–20 minutes, and then take your dog to a vet. In minor cases, a bit of local anaesthetic and antibiotic cream usually help, and your dog should be fine within a few days.
The African Snakebite Institute recently warned that there is a shortage of polyvalent antivenom, which is used against cobra, mamba, puff adder, Gaboon adder and rinkhals bites.
Minimise snake encounters
The best way to minimise snakes in your area is to ensure you do not invite the snake in by having overgrown areas or clutter. Snakes are attracted to rodents, so be sure not to leave birdseed, fruit or other food outside that will attract rodents.
Poisoning in dogs can be serious and potentially life-threatening. Common signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive drooling, difficulty breathing, lethargy or seizures. If you suspect your dog has ingested something toxic, quick action is crucial.
What to do
Stay calm: Keeping calm will help you manage the situation more effectively. Remember, poisoning is not necessarily fatal if handled promptly and correctly.
Identify the substance: Look for packaging, wrappers or any unusual items around your home. Identifying the poison will help the vet provide the best treatment.
Remove the substance: Ensure the toxic substance is out of your dog’s reach to prevent further ingestion. Contact your vet immediately for advice.
Take your dog to the vet: Time is critical. Handle your pet with care, as they may react aggressively due to pain. Approach them from the side and avoid their mouth. Transport them safely: Use a well-fitted lead for dogs that can walk, or place smaller dogs in a secure, ventilated carrier. If possible, secure the carrier with a seatbelt and bring a familiar blanket or toy for comfort. Drive safely and know the route to the clinic. Bringing someone along for support can be helpful.
Provide information to the vet: Share details about the poison, including the trade name, the active ingredient, the amount ingested and the time of ingestion. Bringing a sample or packaging of the toxic substance will assist the vet in diagnosing and treating your dog effectively.
Prompt and informed action is essential in managing poisoning cases and ensuring the best possible outcome for your pet.
Can owners treat their dogs themselves?
It is usually not recommended to treat dogs yourself, even in the initial stage. Unfortunately, when animals ingest poison, time is often of the essence to prevent organ damage and possibly death. Delaying the treatment in an attempt to treat the dogs yourself may be the difference between the vet successfully treating the dog, or the animal dying.
What are some of the signs of poisoning?
The signs of poisoning depend entirely on the type of poison ingested. For example, ingesting rodenticide (rat poison) may only result in clinical signs three to five days after the ingestion of the poison, and would result in bleeding tendencies, respiratory difficulties and a bloated abdomen, at which point it may be too late to treat the animal. Malicious or accidental poisoning with organophosphates (two-step) or snail bait may either result in acute death if a large amount of the poison is ingested or if a lesser amount is eaten by the animal, may cause dilated pupils, foaming at the mouth, muscle twitching, which then progresses to seizures, respiratory failure and death.
What type of poison is usually used on dogs?
The most common malicious poisonings are caused by organophosphates (two-step), rat poison or snail bait. Inadvertent poisoning of pets may occur if a dog product is used on a cat (various flea and tick treatments), or if an animal ingests human medication such as antidepressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or recreational drugs. Various plants and foods may also be toxic and result in organ failure, such as ingestion of any part of the cycad plant or feeding raisins or grapes to domestic animals.
Source: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
