Tortoise abuser sentenced

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) investigated a case of deliberate cruelty to a tortoise by Letiya Mercy Lebakeng who was sentenced in the Palm Ridge Magistrate Court on 5 November 2018. Lebakeng was accused of deliberately and forcefully throwing the tortoise against a rock in the road as it had apparently wondered into her

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7 Ways to enrich your dog’s life

Yes, dogs can become bored, and that is usually when behaviour problems can occur. Just like children, dogs need environmental enrichment to stimulate their minds and occupy their time. Although this might sound complicated, it actually just means that you need to spend time with your dog and do activities to stimulate him. The various

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Investigating fat metabolism disorders in South African Mini Schnauzers

by Dr Anthony Zambelli, Sr Jodi Venter, Dr Kenneth Joubert Mini Schnauzers are the seventh most common breed in South Africa according to the Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA) registration for the last few years. This popular, spirited and alert little breed is generally quite robust, but we do know from overseas studies that

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Tracking poachers in the Kruger National Park

Ten kilometres west of the Kruger National Park is the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC), offering conservation education, training and skills development programmes. To help conserve biological diversity and protect threatened species in the greater Kruger National Park, one of their programmes includes training dogs in the battle against wildlife crimes. This is how they

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Safe gardens for pets

In South Africa many of us are fortunate to have large yards, which gives us the freedom to have pets. It also enables us to adapt our yards to the needs and desires of all members of the family, be they furred, feathered, scaled or fleshed. Here are some ideas for your non-feline and non-canine

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Q & A: Doggy dementia

Q: Is there such a thing as doggy dementia, and is there a way that I can prevent it? A: ‘Doggy dementia’ is a recognised disease in dogs. Because it can occur in cats as well, it is referred to as cognitive dysfunction (CD). It is a neurodegenerative condition, similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans,

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Guinea pig dental hygiene

Have you ever wondered whether you should brush your guinea pig’s teeth? The short answer is no. Guinea pigs do not need tooth brushing. Their teeth, unlike ours, grow continuously throughout their lives and are not prone to developing cavities as ours are. Their high fibre diet also helps to keep the teeth clean. It

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Crazy Critters on Black Friday

It’s the last Friday of November and time to have a look at more adorable Crazy Critter pets! Don’t you just love them? Your pet can also appear in Crazy Critters. All you have to do is to email a picture with your pet’s name, your name and surname to animaltalk@panorama.co.za.

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International awareness for SAID

The Society for Animals in Distress (SAID) has received unexpected opportunities and a powerful new partnership that will help it amplify its efforts in South Africa and beyond. It all began when Chery South Africa approached the society for an interview on Women’s Day, celebrating women making a positive impact in South Africa. During the

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Q & A: Signs of pain

Q: How do I know whether my dog is in pain? A: As veterinarians, one of our biggest tasks is knowing when an animal is in pain. Unfortunately, we can’t ask our patients: “Where does it hurt?” or “How bad is your pain?” We rely on subtle clues to ensure that our patients are pain-free.

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