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Distemper in dogs
In light of the recent canine distemper outbreaks in Gauteng and the Overstrand Municipality (September - October 2025), please read our article on the seriousness of canine distemper and how you can protect your dogs from becoming infected.
"My dog has a runny nose and really bad diarrhoea. They seem feverish, won’t eat and are coughing and wheezing."
When a dog shows signs of eye and nasal discharge, lack of appetite, weight loss, fever, diarrhoea, cough or wheezing/trouble breathing, a...
View Article 5 Rare diseases in cats
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in cats, taurine-deficiency dilated cardiomyopathy and retinopathy, feline papillomatosis
The vet’s role is to ensure the health and wellbeing of their patients; to heal their wounds and treat their illnesses. Therefore, it can be challenging to be confronted by diseases or conditions that are not often seen in cats, requiring differential diagnosis and the solving of complex pu...
View Article 5 Rare diseases in dogs
Ectopic ureters, canine uveodermatologic syndrome, achromatopsia, immunoproliferative systemic intestinal disease and dermoid Sinus
Every day, veterinarians are confronted with diagnostic challenges in the form of dogs with symptoms and no way to tell them where it hurts. There are some diseases and illnesses that vets see often, like ear infections, hip dysplasia, allergic reactions, dental disease and hot spots. But then th...
View Article My dog is shaking her head and pawing at her ears. She flinches when I touch her head.
Ear infections in dogs and cats are one of the most prevalent complaints veterinarians see in their patients, and they are often recurring. Read more about the primary and secondary causes of ear infections, the symptoms, how they are diagnosed and how th
Ear infections in dogs and cats
You may notice a foul odour emanating from your dog or cat’s ears, or maybe the pinnae (ear flaps) are red and warm, or you can see a dark discharge (or pus) or inflamed ear canal. However, it would be your pet’s behaviour that alerted you to ...
View Article My dog's skin is inflamed and itchy, and he won't stop scratching himself
Up to 15% of dogs are affected by atopic dermatitis, in which an environmental allergen/s triggers a persistent itch. Self-mutilation and secondary infection are usually what send pet owners to the vet looking for answers.
Most dogs will sit on their rump and have a scratch behind their ears or relieve an itch on the trunk of their body. They will then stand up, shake off, and continue on with their day. A dog with atopic dermatitis will spend the majority of their waking hours scratching themselve...
View Article How dogs and cats keep warm in winter and cool in summer
We answer your questions about dogs' and cats' ability to thermoregulate - or control their body temperature. This is important information for keeping your pets cool in summer and warm in winter.
South Africa has the perfect temperate climate to keep dogs and cats safely comfortable during all seasons. However, in some parts of the country, it can get very cold in winter and very hot in summer. During weather extremes, we need to be aware of pets’ wellbeing: are they warm enough or ...
View Article A guide to diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats
We answer your questions about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and management of diabetes in dogs and cats.
Dogs’ and cats’ endocrine systems work very similarly to humans’, and they experience similar disorders of the endocrine organs as humans do. This includes diabetes mellitus. Diabetes originates and presents in different ways between dogs and cats, but the mechanism is the same:...
View Article All you wanted to know about senior pet care
We answer your questions about caring for senior pets
Time flies when you’re having fun – especially with a beloved dog or cat. Pets make our long days not only bearable, but worthwhile, and sharing affection with a pet helps us return to the moment when we’re anxious or overwhelmed. The only problem with pets is that they too get ...
View Article Your questions about pet sterilisation answered
Having your pets sterilised is the most responsible thing you can do for them and for the pet population in South Africa as a whole.
Having your pets sterilised is the most responsible thing you can do for them and for the pet population in South Africa as a whole. In this article, we answer your questions about pet sterilisation and aim to put your mind at ease that spaying and neutering your pets is the right thing to do for...
View Article YOU are your pet's best bet for successful treatment
What happens when the vet cannot cure your pet? In this article, we address the responsibility of the vet and the pet owner; what makes diagnosis and treatment possible and what makes it difficult; and what to do when the vet doesn't have all the answer
As a pet owner, the veterinary clinic or animal hospital is your first port of call when your pet is showing concerning symptoms, and you are seeking a diagnosis and an effective treatment plan. The veterinarian’s main objective is to ensure your pet receives quality care that restores and ...
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