Deafness is perhaps not something one associates all that often with pets. However, there are more than 30 breeds of dogs that have a known susceptibility for deafness and it affects cats too. Dog breeds most often affected include: the Boston Terrier, Australian...
Antibiotic resistance has become a major threat to human and animal health. World health authorities agree that unless drastic action is taken, mankind will increasingly lose the war against disease. What causes antibiotic resistance? The overuse and inappropriate use...
Imagine what your mouth would look like if you hadn’t brushed your teeth for years. Not a pretty sight. So what about your pet? When last did you think about his or her dental health? Chances are if you haven’t been vigilant about your pet’s dental health you’ll find...
No pet owner likes to think of their dog or cat having worms but the reality is that no matter how much you pamper your pet their chances of harbouring worms are highly likely. Unfortunately only two are commonly seen with the unaided eye. Some infestations cause few...
Sterilising a pet before she's had her first litter may seem to some pet owners to be cruel but in fact, it's quite the opposite. Spaying your pet not only stops her having babies, it also protects her against deadly diseases like cancer, feline HIV and leukaemia....
Emigrating is a stressful decision for any family but even more so if you have pets. Most of us would love to take our pets along but there is a lot to think about. Firstly, it can be a costly business. Secondly, it takes a lot of planning. "I can't stress the...
Heart disease is one of the most common illnesses we see in companion animals. All breeds can be affected and the incidence increases dramatically with age. It's heart month. Now is the perfect time to have your pet checked by your vet. Here’s what you need to know:...
Pain is something none of us want our pets to suffer but knowing when they're feeling it can be difficult because they don't respond the same way as humans. Our pets can't tell us when they're hurting but rehabilitation and pain management specialist Dr Janice...
Cat fact: breeding is easy; re-homing is extremely difficult. There are always more kittens than homes for them. Welfare organisations and veterinarians will tell you that thousands of cats and kittens have to be euthanased every year because there is no-one to give...
Xylitol, the sweetener commonly used in tea and coffee as a sugar substitute, and to flavour human foods, is potentially fatal for dogs. The South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) warns that any dog swallowing xylitol should be taken to a vet immediately. The...
Obesity is the biggest health problem facing South Africa's pets. Yip, we're overfeeding our pets and exercising them too little and the consequences are frightening: overweight pets have shorter lives and are at higher risk of diseases like arthritis, diabetes,...
Imagine what your mouth would look like if you hadn’t brushed your teeth for years. Not a pretty sight. So what about your pet? When last did you take a really close look at his or her teeth and gums? Chances are if you haven’t been vigilant about your pet’s dental...