Four legged friends!

According to Dr Doret du Plessis from Culemborg Vet Clinic, they have recently seen an increase in the number of cases of Parvovirus Infection and Biliary (or tick bite fever). “Parvovirus causes a highly contagious disease that affects mainly dogs less than one year old. The virus attacks rapidly dividing cells such as those in the immune system and gut. The virus persists in the environment for years. “The disease is life-threatening. If you see any of the following clinical signs, take your puppy to the vet immediately.”
• Vomiting and bloody diarrhoea
• Dehydration
• Lethargy
• Refusal to eat
Puppies should be vaccinated at six, nine and 12 weeks of age to prevent the disease. “Babesia is a parasite transmitted to your dog when a tick attaches and feeds on the dog’s blood. It causes Biliary, with clinical signs of a high fever, anaemia and the dog usually stops eating. Sometimes you may even see red urine, yellow mucous membranes and nervous signs. If you see any of these clinical signs, take your pet to the vet! “Prevention is mainly done by tick control. There are different products available, including tablets, dips and Spot-on treatments. No product is 100 per cent effective and in high-risk areas, for example on farms or plots, animals may need to be treated with more than one product.” Details: Contact them on 011 412 2313.

What is a microchip? A microchip is a tiny electronic chip that is the size of a grain of rice. This is implanted just below the pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. The microchip is read by a scanner which will display an identification number. What information is on the microchip? Microchips store your pet’s identification number, your name, contact number and address. They do not contain a GPS tracker to help find your pet. They have to be scanned at a vet or animal shelter to find out who the owner is and how to get hold of them.
How do I change my details on the microchip? If your address, email or phone number have changed, you must update this information at the company holding your cat/ dog’s microchip details. Firstly, check Identipet, Five Star and BackHome to find out which company has your cat/ dog’s microchip records. Then contact them and fill in the online form to update your pet’s details.

They’re really smart – Calling someone a “bird brain” might be meant as an insult, but birds are actually some of the most intelligent creatures in the animal kingdom. Think about it: What other animal learns to mimic human actions and speak actual words?
They’re more social than you think – With the right level of training and time spent around people, birds can be as social, affectionate and loving as even the cutest cat or dog.
They’re low-maintenance – Compared to cats and dogs, pet birds are easy to care for. That doesn’t mean you should leave them alone too often or skimp on cleaning their cage – any good pet owner is an attentive pet owner.
Birds do not require a lot of space – Some smaller bird species, like finches, budgies and canaries, can live happily in living situations with limited space.
Birds are long-lived companions – Many bird species live extraordinarily long lives, some living more than 100 years!

Sniffling. Sneezing. Coughing. It’s a tricky time of year with spring and warmer weather around the corner, pollen in the air and allergies in full force. However, what most of us don’t realise is that we’re not the only ones who struggle with allergies – your pet is at risk too.

Some of the most common symptoms of skin problems – not necessarily always allergy-specific – in both dogs and cats (you’ll need to separate your cat’s well-groomed fur to find these) include:
• Itching, scratching, licking or rubbing (this is the first sign, that sometimes goes unnoticed)
• Paw licking
• Flaky or scaly patches
• Red patches, spots or pimples
• Scabs, crusts or thickened skin
• Hair loss
• Bad skin odour

Consult your vet – The first thing you should consider if you suspect a skin problem in your pet is to visit your vet. They can help determine the cause of the skin irritation and assist you in choosing the best remedy. If required, your vet may recommend further tests to identify the exact reason for your pet’s skin condition.
Wash your pets’ beds and blankets – Wash their beds and blankets every second week in a washing machine on the hottest programme, just be sure that it won’t damage them. If they don’t fit into your washing machine, a thorough hand-wash will work just as well. Make sure the beds are properly dry before your pet uses them. If you live in a drought-affected area, rather vacuum your pets’ beds twice a week. Ensure their sleeping area is as dust-free as possible
Bath your dog in cold water – For acute cases, this is recommended three times a week. It will help to calm itchy irritated skin and can reduce allergens (pollen etc) in the coat. While plain water is often just fine if you are washing your dog, make sure you are using the right products. There are a few pet-friendly hypoallergenic and gentle medicated shampoos available from your vet. Make use of these or if you use a parlour, make sure they are using the right soaps for your dog. You can also purchase dog grooming wipes to remove loose hair, dirt and odour-causing bacteria from your dog’s fur.
Consider keeping your pets inside on windy days – Wind increases the pollen count, so keeping your affected pets sheltered will help reduce the pollen load on their skin.
Nutrition – Even if the cause of your pet’s skin condition is not related to nutrition, they will benefit greatly from high-quality food specially formulated for any skin sensitivity. Look for one containing high skin-specific protein, essential fatty acids and antioxidants.

Rescue centres are bursting at the seams and the number of unwanted pets grows daily. So, responsible pet owners know that the ethical and correct thing to do is to spay and neuter their pets. And no, spaying or neutering your pet will not change their personality. You will, however, see less dominant or less roaming behaviour after they have been neutered/ spayed, but in general, their happy, playful personalities remain the same.

Puppy Training
This app rounds up some helpful tips for looking after your puppy, including training tips, finding an amazing vet and ideas about keeping your puppy safe at home.
Get it here: Puppy Training
Dog Walk – Track your dogs!
Record the route, distance and the duration of your daily walks to monitor the exercise your puppy gets each day. Take photos of your walks and share your great experiences with friends and family.
Get it here: Dog Walk – Track your dogs!

Many exotic animals come from parts of the world where their natural environment is very different from that of South Africa. Housing for exotic animals should simulate the natural environment as much as possible. Housing requirements include the following – size, substrate, temperature, humidity, ventilation, light and water quality.
• Ensure the species is legal. • Take into account the activity level of the animal. • Consider the lifespan of the animal.

Most common exotic pets in SA
• Scorpion • Bearded Dragon • Tarantula • Hedgehog • Burmese Python • Monkey