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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 ...
View Article How prepared are you for raising a puppy?
The idea of a new puppy may present itself as comprising idyllic, fun-filled days of playtime and puppy breath, but the reality of raising a puppy is very, very different.
There is something irresistible about a new puppy – from its cute appearance to that unmistakable puppy smell; the way it exudes excitement and is a bundle of wagging, licking joy in your presence. The idea of a new puppy may present itself as comprising idyllic, fun-filled days of...
View Article The canine and feline urinary system
In this article, we list the organs and functions of the canine and feline urinary system, the disorders that can affect the urinary system, and how the vet diagnoses your pet's urinary health.
The primary function of the canine and feline urinary system is to excrete waste products from the body. Therefore, the health of the urinary system is critical for the health of all of the body’s other systems. Under...
View Article The canine and feline endocrine system
In this article, we list the glands of the endocrine system of dogs and cats, as well as their functions, and what happens when pets develop endocrine disorders.
The endocrine system of dogs and cats is almost identical to that of humans, in structure and function. The endocrine system is made up of a number of glands in the body that secrete hormones to control a range of important functions – from growth and metabolism, to reproduction, blood pres...
View Article The canine and feline immune system
The canine and feline immune system affects each and every system and cell in their body. It is a barrier of detection and elimination that stands narrowly between the healthy cells of the body and invading organisms like viruses, bacteria, parasites, can
The immune system of dogs and cats
The canine and feline immune system affects each and every system and cell in their body. It is a barrier of detection and elimination that stands narrowly between the healthy cells of the body and invading organisms like viruses, bacteria, parasites, ...
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