Health

Q & A: Which external parasites affect our cats the most and how can I make sure my cat stays free of these?

Q. Which external parasites affect our cats the most and how can I make sure my cat stays free of these? A. Unbearable is the word that jumps to mind just thinking of parasite bites? Well, that is what it would feel like when a cat is infested with the two most common external parasites that […]

Q & A: Which external parasites affect our cats the most and how can I make sure my cat stays free of these? Read More »

HIPS 101 – WHAT IS HIP DYSPLASIA

Having a beloved dog diagnosed with a painful joint condition like hip or elbow dysplasia can be devastating for owners, but treatment options are available, either to rectify problems or manage pain and discomfort When Michael Moore realised that his five-month-old Rottweiler puppy was showing signs of stiffness and pain in the morning, he was

HIPS 101 – WHAT IS HIP DYSPLASIA Read More »

Q & A: Do birds require routine veterinary procedures such as vaccinations?

Q. DO BIRDS REQUIRE ROUTINE VETERINARY PROCEDURES SUCH AS VACCINATIONS A. In South Africa, parrots don’t typically require annual vaccinations from disease like dogs, cats and horses do. Most parrots are kept individually or in small collections that are not exposed to other parrots. Wild birds, especially doves and feral pigeons, do pose a disease risk

Q & A: Do birds require routine veterinary procedures such as vaccinations? Read More »

Vet Talk- Your Questions Answered

When food makes Fido sick Q.  Can dogs suffer from food poisoning? A.  Yes, very definitely, although with modern commercially prepared foods this is infrequent. In the case of super-premium diets the food is prepared in conditions which are equivalent to factories producing human food. Two main types of food contamination exist: bacteria (and fungi)

Vet Talk- Your Questions Answered Read More »

Cat won’t use litter tray

My six-year-old cat has recently started to have accidents around the house rather than using her litter tray. What could be the reason?   It’s a good idea to get your cat checked to ensure there is nothing physically wrong. Next, you will need to look at your hygiene routine. Cats are fastidious animals: if

Cat won’t use litter tray Read More »

20 ways to love your cat

Showing you care is more than just providing your pet with fresh water, shelter and food Responsible pet owners make sure their cats are properly cared for. We’ve put together 20 points to consider for quality feline care. 1. Fresh water. Make sure your pet has a bowl of clean water available every day. Rinse

20 ways to love your cat Read More »

The cat’s whiskers

A cat’s whiskers add to her looks, but they also do much more! Read all about it in your August 2016 issue of Animaltalk. Here’s a sneak peek: Do whiskers keep kitty upright? It is actually a myth that whiskers assist the cat with balance. Like all mammals, the inner ear regulates balance and tracks

The cat’s whiskers Read More »

Why do cats sleep so much?

Cats are probably some of the laziest animals around. After all, they sleep all day, and expect their human slaves to bring them food day after day. Right? Wrong. Actually, the cat’s sleeping pattern makes perfect sense.   All in the genes Generally cats are most active at dusk and dawn, and then for up

Why do cats sleep so much? Read More »

Hydrotherapy for dogs

I’ll answer your question by discussing a specific case we recently dealt with. Every once in a while we get a patient referral, and you just know THIS one is going to be special. And when she finally arrives she takes over your life, steals your heart and teaches you lessons in perseverance, determination and strength of

Hydrotherapy for dogs Read More »

How to manage moulting birds

Moulting is a natural process that happens in all birds, as birds are the only living things with feathers. During a moult new feathers replace old, damaged feathers. Some birds moult gradually throughout the year and owners do not even notice any changes. Others have a heavy moult every other year, but most parrots generally

How to manage moulting birds Read More »