Dr. Shané Anders, BVSc With October 31st rolling into our late spring evenings, pet owners across the country are gearing up for neighborhood parties, estate events, and spooky home celebrations. While South Africa doesn't feature traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, our local festivities still bring a distinct set of household hazards. To keep your four-legged family members safe and out of the emergency room, here is a look at what to watch out for when the spooky se

Dr. Nicole Barnard, BVSc As the weather warms up and humidity rises, external parasites like fleas and ticks become far more active. Spring is the prime season for these pests to hitch a ride on our pets, leading to severe skin irritation, discomfort, or infectious disease transmission. Adult fleas live their entire lives on your pet, with females producing up to 50 eggs every single day. These eggs easily fall off your pet's fur onto carpets, furniture, and dog beds. They ha

Dr .Shané Anders, BVSc Keeping our living spaces clean is a top daily priority, but choosing the right cleaning products is vital for pet parents. Because cats and dogs interact with the world through their paws, nose, and mouth, they easily lick up residual chemicals from freshly cleaned floors and surfaces. Exposure to harsh chemicals can occur through touching, inhaling, or accidentally ingesting residues. Common hazardous ingredients found in everyday products include: Bl

Dr. Nina Burger, BVSc Heatstroke is a severe, life-threatening condition that can progress with alarming speed. Because dogs cannot sweat like humans, they rely almost entirely on panting to release excess body heat. When environmental temperatures soar or ventilation is restricted, a dog's natural cooling mechanisms can fail, leading to rapid hyperthermia and multi-organ dysfunction. While any animal can suffer from heatstroke, certain pets face a drastically elevated risk d

Dr. Alex Schliemann, BVSc As the weather warms up and flowers bloom, many pets begin to suffer from seasonal allergies. Just like humans, dogs and cats can react to environmental changes, but while we typically experience hay fever, pets usually show their allergic reactions through their skin, ears, and paws. Seasonal allergies tend to pop up at the exact same time every year. You may notice your pet obsessively licking or chewing at their paws, belly, or groin. Their skin m

Dr. Nicole Barnard, BVSc Understanding Hot Spots: Acute Moist Dermatitis "Hot spots," clinically known as acute moist dermatitis, are rapidly developing, painful skin sores that appear seemingly out of nowhere. They are most common in thick-coated or long-haired dogs, occurring less frequently in cats, and tend to spike during hot, humid weather. A hot spot typically starts with a minor, superficial skin injury or trapped moisture beneath the haircoat. When moisture is locked

Sr. Maya Münster, BVN Paracetamol Toxicity in Cats: While over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen (commonly known as paracetamol) are absolute staples in our own human medicine cabinets, they represent a massive, life-threatening emergency for our feline companions. When it comes to cats and these everyday pain medications, there is simply no safe dose. Human bodies possess highly efficient chemical pathways in the liver that safely break down, neutralize, and elimina

Dr. Chiara Hoskin, BVSc Why pets itch: Skin complaints are among the most frequent reasons pet parents seek veterinary care. Clinically, itchy skin and secondary hair loss can be categorized into three primary differentials: skin parasites, allergies, and secondary infections. Pests (Parasites): Fleas: These are the classic offenders, often causing pets to lose hair specifically on their lower back, right near the tail. In pets that are allergic, even one single bite can set

Dr. Manine Tarr, BVSc Pet obesity has become highly normalized, to the point where an animal in ideal condition can look "skinny" to an untrained eye. However, keeping a pet lean is not about aesthetics. Fat is an active endocrine organ that continuously secretes pro-inflammatory cytokines, triggering a state of chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation and causing the body to over-react to normal inflammatory insults. According to the Purina Life Span Study, overweight dogs l

Dr. Jono Clark, BVSc Scooting (when a dog drags its hindquarters across the floor) is a sign of localised irritation, itching, or discomfort in the perineal area (around the anus). While scooting may be familiar to pet-parents as a sign of intestinal worms, the action can be associated with a wide range of conditions affecting your pet’s rear-end. To help identify the cause, your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical and rectal examination. Other tests such as faecal

Sr. Jenna Wright, BVN Many everyday items that are perfectly safe for humans can pose a serious, sometimes fatal, threat to our pets. Because animals explore the world with their mouths, securing the home environment is a vital part of preventative care. 1. In the Kitchen: Dangerous Foods & Cleaners Items like chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, garlic, and alcohol should never be given to pets. Xylitol artificial sweetener is highly toxic and can be found in

Dr. Christy Rootman, BVSc One of the most frustrating experiences for a pet parent is applying a high-quality flea treatment, only to spot live fleas crawling on their pet a week later. It is incredibly common to assume the product isn't working, but understanding the lifecycle of a flea infestation reveals a completely different story. When you begin treating your pet, you are starting a multi-month process to clear out an entire hidden population living right inside your ho

Dr. Shané Anders, BVSc Many dogs find paw handling uncomfortable, but maintaining short nails is a vital part of their physical health. Long nails can become a problem as they curl and grow back toward the skin, and they are much more likely to snag or tear during exercise. The key to a successful trim is moving slowly and making the experience as positive as possible. Steps for Success: Handle your dog's paws daily for just a few seconds at a time, followed by a treat, to ge

Sr. Danica Oosthuizen, BVN Vaccines are one of the most effective tools in modern veterinary medicine, acting as a "training manual" for your pet's immune system. By introducing harmless versions of disease-causing organisms (antigens), vaccines prepare the body to recognize and fight off dangerous infections before they can cause serious harm. This proactive approach is far more effective, and significantly less costly, than treating a full-blown illness later in life. Beyon

Dr. Nicole Barnard, BVSc Pet obesity has skyrocketed recently, with a >150% increase in both overweight cats and overweight dogs over the last decade. While those begging eyes make it hard to resist sharing a treat, the reality is that carrying extra weight can reduce a pet's lifespan by an average of 2.5 years and lead to several health conditions, many of which manifest as physical pain. Weight alone isn’t the only indicator of health due to different breed shapes and sizes

Dr. Nicholas Lonsdale, BVSc Puppies are naturally inquisitive and explore their environments by leading with their mouths and noses. Because of this bee stings are a very common occurrence in young dogs. While most stings result in only mild, temporary discomfort that improves within a day, being able to recognize the difference between a normal reaction and a medical emergency is vital for any pet parent. Stings most frequently occur on the face, lips, or paws. When a puppy

Dr. Mieke Botes, BVSc Intestinal worms are a common but often overlooked health risk for our pets. Because dogs and cats explore the world using their noses and mouths, they are naturally susceptible to picking up internal parasites. Deworming is a critical component of preventative healthcare, as regular treatments kill existing worms to prevent serious complications like internal blockages, weakness from blood loss (anemia), or severe gut irritation (vomiting and diarrhoea)

Dr. Manine Tarr, BVSc Vomiting can be brought about by a series of causes, including "garbage disease" (dietary indiscretion), parasites, viruses, bacteria, constipation, or organ disease and inflammation. In some cases, it may even be a symptom of foreign bodies or underlying conditions such as cancer. While it is rarely necessary to panic, it is essential to act quickly when you identify specific warning signs. If your pet exhibits any of the following signs, it is essentia

Sr. Maya Munster, BVN Regular body checks are essential for your dog’s health, as certain tick species can transmit serious diseases. After any outdoor activity, perform a thorough inspection by running your hands over your dog's body, feeling for small bumps ranging from the size of a sesame seed to a pea. Use your fingers like a comb to check deep within the fur. Pay special attention to dark, hidden areas where ticks often hide. These areas include under the collar, betwee

Dr. Nina Burger, BVSc Strict rest is essential after surgery; limit running, jumping, and rough activity to prevent strain on the incision and allow proper healing. Keep the surgical site clean and dry. Do not bathe your pet or allow the wound to get wet until advised. Prevent all licking or chewing of the stitches by using a cone (Elizabethan collar) or recovery suit at all times. Monitor the incision daily. Mild redness and swelling can be normal initially, but increasing r