Message from Dr Craig Mostert
Welcome to our August newsletter. At last we had some
rain so the grass is looking a bit greener and the dusty
air has had a wash.
Those in the midlands got to share lovely photos of the
hills shrouded in white. Isn’t it amazing how photographs
and information can be passed around quickly and
effortlessly these days?
Digital technology has changed our lives. We can share
photos and information at light speed. This has so many
benefits. Now that our X-Ray and Ultrasound are digital
we can email our images to a specialist. In minutes we
can have a discussion on the phone about a plan of
action that before, would have taken days via courier or
post.
For us there other benefits. It enables us to stay in touch
with our clients that so enjoy our behind the scenes
photos and seeing what all of us get up to. We have a
very active and growing Facebook page and we truly
appreciate the positive feedback and recognition our
team gets, from far and wide.
We see many regular faces commenting, some now call
another country home, and we are delighted that they
stay in touch. We had a recent post of our nurses that
was viewed almost 12 000 times, and so many kind
words written. Dr Odendaal and Mr Magoo chatting up a
storm drew an enthusiastic response. We are delighted
that just as friends and family share their pictures and
posts about what they are up to, so can we. We are so
proud of our team and the great work they do, we love
sharing it with all our friends online.
Thank you to all our clients that have so gamely agreed
over the years to have their photos up on our page, and
our wonderful patients who get the chance to be
“Facebook Famous”.
Feel free to join in the
conversation on our page. You will see our familiar
faces, and can keep up with all our news. Thanks to all
of you for your incredible support.
If Facebook is not your thing we are delighted that you
keep up with us with our newsletter via email or by post.
We live in a busy world and for many of us our pets
provide comfort and stress relief, they turn a house into
a home. They are our mutual interest and we love
sharing what we do with our clients, old and new. On
that note whether you are holding this in your hand or
reading it on a screen, we hope you enjoy this edition.
Warm regards
Dr Craig Mostert
Survivor of the month - Gabriel
A huge thank you to Dr Mostert!
I just wanted to share my story of Gabriel’s treatment at
Village Vet and to say I'm eternally grateful to Dr Mostert
and his team for what they did for Gabriel.
On Friday 15th July, I had to take my very sick kitty to
Village Vet. Dr Mostert examined him and did some tests
and the results weren't good. He'd discovered acute kidney
failure. Naturally I was devastated. I went in on Friday
afternoon and Dr Mostert kindly explained my kitty’s
situation. A blood count of 40 when it should have been 10
was the pressing matter. He had Gabriel on a drip to try
and stabilise him but the prognosis was 50/50.
On Saturday my family and I returned to the practice to visit
Gabriel and had to face
more bad news. Gabriel
had had a seizure. Dr
Mostert had treated him
accordingly, but the odds
were now 10/90. Amongst
high distress and emotion
I could only resort to my
spiritual convictions, and
willed Gabriel to somehow
find the strength to
recover.
All throughout Dr Mostert
was very kind and nurturing. We had to return home and
wait until Monday for Gabriel’s prognosis. I knew most vets
would have advised Gabriel be put down, but Dr Mostert
persevered even though Gabriel was at deaths door.
On Sunday I got a message from the clinic that Gabriel was
improving. I could breathe a bit but I treaded carefully - I
had to wait until Monday to know for sure. Sunday was a
long day!
Monday finally came and I got another message saying yet
again Gabriel was improving. Dr Mostert contacted me to
say that miraculously Gabriel’s blood was close to normal
and that I could take him home that afternoon. What joy to
have him home! I never expected that and I am forever
grateful to Dr Mostert for his love and care of Gabriel, and
for keeping me updated about my concerns. Also, thank
you to all the staff at the Village Vet. It is a very comforting
professional environment to be in. If your pets need
veterinary care there is no doubt as to where to take them.
Always and eternally grateful. Sarah Louise Joubert and
Gabriel xx
Keep your microchip details updated
Breed Specific - Papillon
Dog and cat microchipping is a simple procedure. A veterinarian
simply injects a microchip for pets, about the size of a grain of
rice (12mm), beneath the surface of your pet's skin between the
shoulder blades. The process is similar
to a routine vaccine, takes only a few
seconds, and your pet will not react
any more than he would to an injection.
No anaesthetic is required.
The Papillon ("butterfly-eared"), also called the
Continental Toy Spaniel, is one of the oldest of the
toy spaniels, it derives its name from its
characteristic butterfly-like
look of the long and fringed
hair on the ears. A Papillon
with dropped ears is called
a Phalène (French for
moth).
The microchip itself has no internal
energy source, so it will last the life of
your pet. However, there have been
cases of faulty microchips, so we do
advise that you have the chip scanned
on a regular basis to ensure it is still
active. The microchip is read by passing a scanner over the
pet's shoulder blades. The scanner emits a low radio frequency
that provides the power necessary to transmit the microchips’
unique cat or dog ID code and positively identify the pet.
If your pet gets lost and is taken to the SPCA or veterinarian,
they will scan the microchip to
read the code. This is the number
registered on the database linked
to your contact information, which
is used to contact you and reunite
you with your pet.
In order for you to be reunited with
your beloved pet, it is vital that you
ensure all your contact details are
recorded
correctly
on
the
registration form, as well as updating any details that change.
You should also contact the appropriate microchip company
immediately after implantation to guarantee that the initial
registration has been completed.
It is pointless having a microchip implanted if your contact
details are not available, so please check they have been
recorded on the relevant website.
Wing clipping
Trimming bird’s wings will always
remain a very controversial subject.
It would obviously be ideal not to
have to clip their wings and allow
them to enjoy the freedom of flight.
The problem is that there are so
many dangers surrounding our pet
birds today that clipping the wings becomes essential for their
safety.
Unclipped birds can easily panic and fly into windows, glass
doors, or mirrors, injuring themselves. They can fly into kitchens
and land on hot stoves and in frying pans. They can fly into
overhead ceiling fans or dangerous electrical appliances.
Others have drowned in open toilet bowls. An open door or
window is an invitation to an unclipped bird. No matter how
tame, birds will fly out and may be lost forever.
For most of us, losing our bird would be a very painful thing. It
would be even worse if the loss could have been prevented.
AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY:
Highway After hours 084 520 1417
Sherwood Emergency 031 207 1300
The Papillon is a very
intelligent and self-assured
dog that has a very easy
time learning new tricks.
This dog can be sociable
with children and strangers, but is generally
reserved around new people. If not properly
socialized, Papillons can be distrustful and exhibit
aggressive tendencies toward other dogs and
people. Papillons may also be very playful and
affectionate. Widely known as great companion
dogs, they have the spirit and energy to keep up
with active families, but can also be calm enough
to be happy with sleeping in the arms of an
equally affectionate owner.
Papillons are known
as
excellent
watchdogs as they
will alert their owner
to changes in their
environment.
They
may be considered
garrulous like many
other toy dogs. The
Papillon
can
withstand heat but is
more sensitive to cold temperatures because of
their single-coated fur, and should not be left
outside unattended in cold weather.
Papillons like most toy breeds they can be
predisposed to patellar luxation, seizures, and
dental problems. In addition to this they can also
be at risk of Progressive Retinal Atrophy,
intervertebral disk disease, and allergies.
Their average life span is 17 years and their
weight can range between 1.8kg and 4.5kg.
Vaccinations protect your pets
One of the saddest things is witnessing the joy and delight of a
new puppy or kitten turn to sorrow when, a few days after it
arrives in its new home, it succumbs to a horrible disease like
parvovirus, distemper or snuffles. What makes
it especially sad is that these diseases are
preventable with correct vaccination.
Puppies should be vaccinated from 6 weeks of
age against Distemper virus, Parvovirus,
Hepatitis virus, Adenovirus and Parainfluenza
virus (5 in 1 vaccine). After this they will need
a booster vaccination in 3-4 weeks, with
another booster 3-4 weeks later.
Between a rock and a hard place
Its an awful place to be and we never choose to
be there, it just happens. What are we talking
about?
Animal medical emergencies. You can’t schedule
them, you can’t predict them and every time a
coconut, they happen just when you’ve had to fix
the burst geyser, bought new tyres, or bought that
expensive birthday gift. Your cash reserves are
low, or gone altogether and now you’re dog or cat
is severely ill, has been hit by a car, attacked by
another dog or something else has happened.
Now they need veterinary help — its major, its
unplanned and its expensive. What to do?
We see this as often as four times a month, its
heart-breaking for all concerned, for the owners
and for us. When faced with expenses that are
just too big for a family to cope with, they
sometimes have to opt for “euthanasia”. That
means an animal that could very possibly have
pulled through, doesn't get that chance because a
financial decision had to be made about a highly
emotive issue. You don’t want to be in that
situation — and neither do we.
For this reason we are asking that you seriously
consider medical aid, most of them cost around
R200 a month depending on the policy and they
might just save you thousands, not to mention
your pets life.
Have a look at the following websites:
Medipet - 021 701 2023 www.medipetsa.co.za
Of these viruses, Parvovirus and Distemper
are the two more common viruses causing severe disease in
young puppies.
Parvovirus (or cat flu) can affects dogs in two ways: heart failure
(normally in young pups) and severe gastro-enteritis. Without
treatment this disease kills puppies quickly. The virus also stays
alive in the environment for months.
Distemper is a deadly contagious virus, which attacks the
nervous system. Symptoms include fever, cough, enteritis,
(inflammation of the intestine), discharge from the eyes and nose,
and lethargy. Distemper is usually fatal, especially in puppies.
In kittens, the basic 3-in-1 vaccine includes Panleukopaenia,
Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus. They should be vaccinated at 8
weeks, with a booster vaccination in 4 weeks and another
booster 4 weeks later.
Rabies vaccinations are only given with the booster vaccinations
after 12 weeks of age, and followed by a booster vaccination.
Rabies is an extremely dangerous and fatal disease which can
affect all mammals, including man. It is carried via the bite of an
infected animal or contact with the saliva. Symptoms include
excessive salivation, violent behaviour, viciousness and often,
fear of water. In KZN all pet owners, by law, are obliged to have
their pets vaccinated against this dreaded disease every year. It
is one of the few viral diseases that can be spread to humans
from animals and continues to claim the lives of people every
year. There is no cure for rabies.
Your pet can come into contact with a rabid dog without leaving
your premises just by fighting or sniffing at a dog on the other
side of the gate.
THIS MONTH’S PROMO
Small dogs, big dreams - make them come true
with a FREE mini bed
Petsure - 0860 738 787 www.petsure.co.za
Onepet - 0100 010 141 www.onepet.co.za
Practice tongue in cheek humour:
Do not put your dog on a leash or
your cat in a carrier. Just let them
loose as soon as you walk in.
The staff enjoys a little
pandemonium!!
From 1 August, make your little dog’s big dreams come true
with a cosy Hills Mini Dream Maker bed. The trendy, mini bed
(valued at R400), is available from our shop at the clinic. You
need to purchases any two small bags (1.5kg – 4kg) of Hill’s
Science Plan, Ideal Balance or Prescription Diet dog good.
Available while stocks last.
KIDDIES CORNER
EASY SUDOKU
MEDIUM SUDOKU
Village Veterinary Clinic’s Healthy Pet Club
Join our in-house Healthy Pet Club scheme that allows you
to pay monthly for annual vaccination and health check, flea
and tick control, plus deworming.
In addition you qualify for 10% discount on all professional
fees and if your pets are a member of a pet medical aid, you
qualify for 20% discount.
Our Healthy Pet Club is proving to be very popular and we
would like to encourage our clients to join up —there are no
strings attached!!
HARD SUDOKU