LA LUCIA VETERINARY CLINIC
23 OAKLEIGH AVENUE
LA LUCIA
031 5628435
www.laluciavet.co.za
Have you got your Loyalty Card yet?
November – December 2014
Newsletter
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Loyalty Cards
Microchip your pet
Hill’s Christmas Raffle
Heat Stroke
Don’t forget about your pets
Puppy School
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This card may be used at any of our 3 outlets, La Lucia Vet,
Riverside Vet and Pets Cafe, La Lucia Mall.
Veterinary Fees and medication are excluded.
For every R150 spent, one block will be stamped. Once your card
is full it may be redeemed by getting R75 off your next purchase.
Microchip your pets!
We cannot stipulate enough how important it is to have your pet
microchipped.
One minute they're there, the next they're gone. It’s impossible to
keep track of your pets every minute of the day and night. As a
pet owner, you know what a worry the prospect of them
disappearing can be. No matter how careful you are, there is
always the chance that your pet will go astray. In particular, if
you are with your pet in unfamiliar surroundings, it’s all too easy
to become separated.
ONE SIMPLE PROCEDURE, A LIFETIME OF PROTECTION
Each pet requires a single BackHome microchip. The process is
simple and causes no more discomfort than other injections. Pets
of all sizes can be chipped.
The microchip carries a unique code which identifies your pet.
By entering the code into a computer database, your pet can be
traced back to you. The microchip does not transmit until a
special scanner is passed over your pet. Most veterinary practices
and welfare organisations have these scanners readily available
to allow quick access to your contact details so you can be
reunited with your pet.
Make an appointment today should your pet not already have a
microchip.
Hill’s Science Plan Christmas Raffle
Stand a chance to win a Hill’s Science Plan Hamper for your pet.
Your name will be entered into a lucky draw when you buy a bag of Hill’s Science Plan Canine
or Feline.
Lucky draw will take place on Monday 22 December 2014.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is an emergency and requires immediate treatment. As dogs do not sweat (except to a minor degree through their
foot pads), they do not tolerate high environmental temperatures as well as humans do. Dogs depend upon panting to exchange
warm air for cool air.
When air temperature is close to body temperature, cooling by panting is not an efficient process.
Common situations that can set the stage for heat stroke in dogs include:
*Being left in a car in hot weather
*Exercising strenuously in hot, humid weather
*Being a brachycephalic breed, especially a Bulldog, Pug, or Pekingese
*Suffering from a heart or lung disease that interferes with efficient breathing
*Being muzzled while put under a hair dryer
*Suffering from a high fever or seizures
*Being confined on concrete or asphalt surfaces
*Being confined without shade and fresh water in hot weather
*Having a history of heat stroke
Signs of Heat Stroke
The following signs may indicate heat stroke in a dog:
*Vigorous panting
*Dark red gums
*Tacky or dry mucous membranes (specifically the gums)
*Lying down and unwilling or unable to get up
*Collapse and/or loss of consciousness
*Thick saliva
*Dizziness or disorientation
What to do if You Suspect Heat Stroke
If you have even the slightest suspicion that your dog is suffering from heat stroke you must take immediate action.
First, move your dog out of the heat and away from the sun right away.
Begin cooling your dog with cool water. You may place wet rags or washcloths on the foot pads and around the head, but
replace them frequently as they warm up. Avoid covering the body with wet towels, as it may trap in heat.
DO NOT use ice or very cold water! Extreme cold can cause the blood vessels to constrict, preventing the body's core from
cooling and actually causing the internal temperature to further rise. In addition, over-cooling can cause hypothermia,
introducing a host of new problems.
Offer your dog cool water, but do not force water into your dog's mouth. Try not to let your dog drink large amounts.
Call or visit your vet right away - even if your dog seems better. Internal damage might not be obvious to the naked eye, so an
examination is necessary (and further testing may be recommended).
Tips for Summer
With the summer, heat is upon us! Here are a few tips that you can consider to help your pooch in the Durban heat.
1. Dogs can easily suffer from heat exhaustion, so be sure to walk them either early in the morning or later in the evening to
avoid the midday heat. Dogs' bodies are closer to the ground than ours, so they heat up more quickly.
2. Ensure that your dog’s feet don’t get too hot by walking him on grass and avoiding hot asphalt. Walking on hot roads or
sidewalks can cause your dog’s paw pads to get burned.
3. A really great way to cool your dog during the summer is to provide a kid’s paddling pool. As dogs sweat through their paw
pads it will help them to cool down quickly by getting their feet wet.
4. Swimming is a great way to quickly cool off your hot dog, but be sure not to let your dog become overtired in the water.
5. Some light-coloured dogs need to wear sunscreen on their most vulnerable areas, such as tummies and ears. Pet sunscreen
can be purchased from your vet.
6. Make sure you have plenty of shade and shelter at home to protect your pet when you are not home.
7. Make sure there is always fresh water available at home. When you go out with your dog, take plenty of water with you, but
don’t allow your dog to drink it all at once. Smaller, more regularly spaced doses help prevent bloat and other dangerous or
uncomfortable conditions.
8. Hopefully it goes without saying that you shouldn’t leave your dog in an unattended car for even a couple of minutes. This is
well-known, but somehow we continue to hear horrific stories of pets that died from being locked up in a hot car. Don't do it!
A Christmas poem from the cat
Having fun with yarn and string, leaving fur on everything...
Posing on a window sill, staring like I want to kill...
Leaping with both skill and grace, acting like I own the place...
Expecting you to worship me, hiding underneath the tree...
Grooming with my feline tongue, breaking ornaments you have hung...
Taking naps on top of you, these are things...
I love to do!
Don’t forget about your pets over the silly season
Christmas and the New Year are times of joy and cheer for us and our families, but can also be highly stressful if you are
not prepared ahead of time.
Here are some handy tips to help you and your pet this holiday season:
Once a year we fill our rooms up with trees, dangling objects, lights and even hang food around in odd places. We know the
significance of these decorations, but our pets probably just think they look like great fun!
1.
Top of the list, make sure you have Sherwood After Hours Emergency number (031 2071300) available to you and your pet
sitter in case of an emergency afterhours.
2.
Going away on holiday and not taking your pets with you? Please ensure your animals have a reputable pet sitter staying with
them or that you have booked them into a well established boarding kennel/cattery.
3.
Ensure that you have stocked up with all necessary items ahead of time if you are going away:
a) medication
b) pet food
c) tick and flea treatments
d) calming agents such as Anxitane or CalmEze to help your pets cope with the noise of fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
It is best to start the tablets a few days before the evening to allow the medication to reach ideal levels in your pet’s
system.
4.
Watch those Christmas decorations with inquisitive pets!
a) Make sure you keep your tree lights and any other electrical decorations safely out of your animal’s reach to avoid
electrocution, especially if your pet is inclined to investigate or chew.
b) Secure your Christmas tree properly so that it doesn’t fall over if bumped by your dog or climbed on by your cat.
c) Place decorations like tinsel or long strings at a level where your pets can’t reach them so that they don’t get caught
up or tangled in them.
d) Keep edible decorations far out of your animal’s reach. Chocolate is poisonous to your dog’s system and tinsel,
tinfoil, plastic bags, balloons etc can also be dangerous if swallowed and cause serious internal problems.
e) Keep items such as wrappings, trimmings, plastic bags, tin foil and tinsel out of your animal’s reach. These can be
very dangerous if swallowed and can cause serious internal problems.
5.
Make sure your dogs’ own Christmas presents are ‘dog proof’. They should be suitable for the size of your animal and safe
for use. If you have more than one dog and you are giving out a present to each dog, bear in mind how each dog is going to
react with their new possession around the other dogs.
6.
Food related hazards:
Some of the foods we enjoy over Christmas are actually toxic for our dogs.
a. Don’t forget that a sudden intake of unusual foods, or too much of anything is likely to cause diarrhoea and/or
vomiting, so watch out for how much and what exactly your dog is being offered. Keep an eye on any guests
sneaking in the treats too, or Fluffy will end up with an upset tummy and it could be a messy and uncomfortable
Christmas!
b. Chocolate is a definite NO for any pet! It contains a chemical called Theobromine which is actually poisonous to
animals and even just a small amount can be lethal for some. Chocolate poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhoea,
seizures and even death. If you suspect chocolate poisoning contact a vet immediately.
c. Sweet corn isn’t digested and corn on the cob is very dangerous to animals. Cobs can easily cause an obstruction
which may require surgery to remove. If you have corn on the cob, dispose of the cobs where your dog can’t reach
them and never ever feed to your dog.
d. Never give bones to your dogs! The risks range in severity from constipation, fractured teeth leading to
tooth root abscesses, to obstructions in the gut which require surgical intervention.
e. Coffee, alcohol and sweets are all a big NO for our animal friends.
f. Grapes, raisins and sultanas should not be fed to your animals as these are toxic and can cause poisoning. Other foods
such as liquorice, avocados, onions and some nuts can also cause problems. Rather buy appropriate treats that are
designed for animals!
Dogs are social creatures. Your puppy needs interaction with you, other people and other animals, beginning very early in life.
Companionship is necessary for your puppy’s emotional well-being. Involve your puppy with your family, as well as friends
and new faces, right from the start.
A properly socialized puppy is:
Handled from birth and learns to accept touching of all body parts.
Exposed to as many people, other animals, places and situations as possible.
Encouraged to explore and investigate his environment.
Allowed to experience a variety of toys and games, surfaces and other stimuli.
Brought along often on car rides to new environments with his owner.
Proper socialization will engage all of your puppy’s senses through exposure to the sights, sounds and smells of day-to-day life.
This exposure will desensitize and condition your pup so that he develops a comfort level with different and new situations.
Socialization also helps you train your young dog to handle new experiences and challenges with acceptable, appropriate
behaviour.
An unsocialized dog is unlikely to cope well with changes in his environment or situation, making him difficult to handle for
his owner, veterinarian, groomer, pet sitter and any visitors to the dog’s home.
If your puppy isn’t properly socialized, he can develop permanently ingrained fear responses and generalized anxiety.
Almost half of all dogs turned in to shelters have at least one behaviour problem -- aggression and destructiveness are among
the most common. Both of these behaviours can be caused by the fear and anxiety that develops from improper or incomplete
socialization.
Make socializing your puppy a positive experience.
Start socializing your pup from his first day home with you, but take it slow. Set the stage for him and then let him move at his
own pace. Take care that your puppy doesn’t become overwhelmed, frightened or harmed in any way.
Don’t hurry or force his progress and don’t try to do too much at once. Puppies tire quickly, so keep his socialization sessions
frequent but relatively brief and always positive.
When your puppy shows hesitance or fear -- and most puppies will as they attempt to adjust to a big, noisy world -- do not
reward his fearful behaviour with a lot of attention and affection. Stay close by to reassure him he’s safe, but remember that
your puppy views your attention and affection as a reward for a particular behaviour. Rewarding his fearful behaviour can
encourage his fearfulness.
Socializing your puppy should be an enjoyable, satisfying experience for both of you -- one that will pay dividends for the rest
of your life together as pet and owner. There is no greater joy than a well-adjusted, well-behaved four-legged member of the
family.
Puppy School will resume again from the 10 January 2014.
To book your little furry member into our school please contact Nikki,
[email protected] or 0837022887.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The La Lucia Veterinary Clinic Team would like to wish you,
your loved ones and furry, scaly and feathery family members
a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
May you stay safe over the festive season and rejoice in the
real meaning of Christmas.
The true meaning of Christmas is about learning to have
compassion. It is about serving those who have less, at a time
of “peace on earth and goodwill to all men.” Everyone, of any
faith and none, can play a part in this.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Should you suspect your pet ate something
dangerous please contact us on 031
5628435 or our afterhours clinic on 031
2071300.
“I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow