health and wellness

Q & A: Danger of dehydration

Q: What are the symptoms of dehydration and what can I do about it? A: Dehydration is the imbalance of water and electrolytes in the body and can cause serious complications for pets as well as people. Water is essential for cats and dogs, who depend on proper daily fluid intake to maintain appropriate health […]

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Q & A: Getting fresh air

Q: When is it too hot or cold to put my budgie’s cage outside for some fresh air? A: Don’t leave your budgie in a draft or in direct sunlight. However, do feel comfortable leaving your budgie’s cage outside in a sheltered area during the day. If it’s any colder than 20°C outside, it’s advisable

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Vaccines help protect our pets

As pet owners, we all want our furry friends to be healthy and happy. One of the most important things we can do for our pets is to ensure that they receive the necessary vaccines to keep them at their optimal health. These vaccines not only protect our pets, but they also help maintain herd

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Q & A: Diabetic cat

Q: How do I know if my cat suffers from diabetes? A: It is a complex disorder caused by decreased production of insulin from the pancreas, or the insulin that does get produced is not ‘used’ in the right way. Insulin is the hormone that controls the amount of glucose, commonly referred to as ‘blood

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Q & A: Signs of arthritis

Q: What are the first signs of arthritis in cats and dogs? A: Arthritis can be described as the progressive degeneration of cartilage. Cartilage is a firm but flexible connective tissue that acts as a cushion to allow joints to move smoothly. Arthritis is one of the most common diseases in middle-aged to senior animals.

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Q & A: Is my guinea pig ill?

Q: How do I know my guinea pig is ill and that I should take him to the vet? A: Guinea pigs are generally very hardy animals, but, like all rodents, they are very vulnerable to stress associated with poor care, the wrong diet or even temperatures that are too warm or too cold. Your

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Allergies in colder temperatures

We normally associate allergies with springtime, when there are plenty of pollen and grass seeds in the air and a variety of creepy critters come out of ‘hiding’, causing allergies for some of us. But we often forget how dry the air can be in some parts of South Africa in winter and that our

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