Pet Prints September/October 2022

SEP | OCT 2022

op Tips Get to Know Dr Daniel Venter from Vet World

BIG SAVINGS INSIDE

Shannon Loving Life in Sunny South Africa

American Sweetheart

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

Welcome

As a person who loves statistics and numbers, I often find myself comparing figures and graphs of general questions when my mind starts wondering. One such statistic that got to me in the past few months, was the lifespan of magazines, more particularly, that of print magazines.

We constantly find ourselves answering the question of whether print media is still relevant and wanted in the world.

So, I decided to dig around a bit and ask anyone who would lend me their ears for their opinion on the subject to help us better understand what our readers want and need from our community. The results, not surprising yet contradictory to what is out there in the media, is that people are still as nostalgic as ever to flip through the pages of a hard copy magazine. It’s still the number one choice for more than 74% of the people asked in a general survey conducted by Harvard in 2021.

Of the survey takers, an astonishing 11% were not magazine readers at all.

How interesting is that! And while many thought that magazines would die along with CD’s and Musica, it seems

ISSUE 5, 2022 that magazine trends have climbed since the beginning of the year.

My view is that people like to educate themselves. While books are brilliant, they are hard work and contain mostly one subject. The internet is great, but with the amount of fake news and opinions being passed off as facts, you really need to be careful when consulting Dr. Google about those questions you have. Magazines provide a vital service to supply readers with worthwhile information, fact-checked by professionals, in digestible doses. So, whether you’re an avid reader or like to look at pictures, we’re happy that you’re here to share the world of print with us.

EDITORIAL Marise Burger Gerhard Maritz Nelda Cilliers Gaironesa Atkins

PHOTOGRAPHY Emma O’Brien Photography

PRINTING Optic Printers

CONTRIBUTORS

Let us know what you think of this issue!

Get-to-Know Dr Daniel Venter from Vet World Top Tips for kennelling your pets this holiday - Bryony van Niekerk Brachycephalic Cats - Dr Kathryn Knipe Periodontal Disease in Dogs & Cats - Dr Kathryn Knipe Adverse Food Reaction in Dogs & Cats - Dr Kathryn Knipe

The Project Earth Mission Each person has the power to make a difference in this world. As a magazine focused on animal welfare, we firmly believe in this statement. Our passion for animals has taken us on a whirlwind adventure and we are proud to say that we have been actively involved in paying vet bills, donating food and shelter and even volunteering our time to help the animal welfare organizations that work tirelessly to fight for animals. You can be part of this project by supporting us. The bigger our network, the more animals we will be able to help.

Over the Rainbow Bridge - Jennifer Davies Dr Travis Gray - Tygerberg Animal Hospital

“The universe does not give you what you ask for with your thoughts; it gives you what you ask for with your actions.” Dr Steve Maraboli

ON THE COVER

CONTACT DETAILS Marise Burger

FEEDBACK AND LETTERS mail@petprints.co.za

071 382 7795 marise@projectearth.org.za

@petprintsmag

COPYRIGHT: All rights reserved. Pet Prints is published by Umsebeni Emhlabeni (Pty) Ltd t/a Project Earth. All profits go towards assisting non-profit animal welfare organisations in need. The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of this magazine.

While every effort is made to ensure editorial and factual accuracy, no responsibility is accepted for any errors.

JULY 2022 | PETPRINTS

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022

CONTENT 04 GET TO KNOW YOUR VET

Get to know Dr Daniel Venter from Vet World

06 FROM OUR READERS

Write to us and stand a chance to win a Red Dingo Leash & Collar Set

08 FEATURE ARTICLE

American sweetheart Shannon Elizabeth Loving Life in Sunny South Africa

14 TOP TIPS

Top Tips for kennelling your pets this holiday

16 BRACHYCEPHALIC CATS

Freedom. It makes dreams come true.

36 GOLF DAY

Golf Day Fundraiser for Dogtown SA

44 OVER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE In Memory of...

46 ASK THE VET

Dr Travis Grey from Tygerberg Animal Hospital answers your questions.

48 ADOPTIONS 50 BREED SPECIFIC ADOPTIONS

Brachycephalic cats are those that are bred to have flat faces with short noses and bulgy eyes.

Adopt a Dachshund

19 PERIODONTAL DISEASE IN DOGS AND CATS

52 WELFARE DIRECTORY

22 ADVERSE FOOD REACTION IN DOGS AND CATS

30 UNTIL EVERY CAGE IS EMPTY HOODIE (CAT)

Periodontal disease is one the most common diseases affecting our pets, with up to 80% of the pet population being affected.

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32 GUIDEDOG

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Adverse food reaction (AFR) refers to an abnormal response to one or more food ingredients.

26 FASCINATING BUSH BABY FACTS 28 B-WELL RECIPE

Crispy Chickpea Chopped Salad

30 FASHION PAGE

Walk out in style

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SEPTEMBER 2022 2022 || PETPRINTS PETPRINTS SEPTEMBER

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

Get to Know Dr Daniel Venter from

W

hat do you want to be when you grow up?

A vet! That has always been my answer for as long as I can remember.

Growing up on a small holding in Joostenbergvlakte, I was continuously exposed to animals. We had dogs and cats as pets, lambs that we raised with bottles, chickens, pigs, and even an ostrich. As children, we were closely involved in caring for these animals, and really got to learn a lot in the process. I cannot think of a time in my life where I wasn’t surrounded by a pet of some sort. Even at varsity I had a fish tank in my room, just to have something!

After finishing high school I actively started my academic journey to become a veterinarian. I went to Stellenbosch for my first year, after which I studied at the University of Pretoria (both the main campus and at Onderstepoort). University was a blast, hard work, extremely interesting, and very much hands on! We visited farms for practicals, worked at welfare clinics, and worked in the academic animal hospital at Onderstepoort. I met my wife here! She was also studying to become a veterinarian and we finished in the same year, 2009.

I started working at a clinic in Table View, and from there I moved to Kuilsrivier for a few years. The locum bug bit us, and we worked as locum vets for 2 years. In 2019 the fun really started. We opened Vetworld Somerset West early in 2019, and I really enjoyed working in a clinic that was ours. The distance driving there and back from Durbanville eventually caught up with

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me, and we opened Vetworld Cape Gate in March 2021. Now I can work as a veterinarian, be close to home, and the clients and their pets here are just as awesome as they were in Somerset West!

A typical day at our clinic involves seeing to all the hospitalised pets, and new pets for operations scheduled for that day. Then we start with morning consultations, during lunch hours we operate, and then another shift of consultations in the afternoon. At Vetworld we work as a team, a great team makes light work of a busy and full day!

Why did I become a veterinarian? I enjoy the diversity in my field of work, every day is a bit different, and every day I learn something new. Seeing a pet struggle with an illness or problem who responds to veterinary treatment, is extremely satisfying and keeps me coming back to the clinic day after day!

SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

ELEVATED

DOG BED

Pet Prints and M-Pets are giving away an Elevated Dog Bed to one lucky winner!

To Enter: Tag @m-pets and @ petprintsmag with a photo of your fur ball Follow both accounts to see updates and find out if you are a winner!

COMPETITION CLOSING DATE: 20 OCTOBER 2022 THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM

FROM OUR READERS Toby Toby is our 7 year-old foster sausage dog/daschund.

He comes from Genadendal, where he stayed with my aunt, and is now with us. My youngest daughter showers him with affection. It’s his favourite thing! He is a bit of jumper when he gets excited, but he is a gentle soul. Like most dogs, he loves going for walks, and his favourite thing to eat with his dog food is to have a touch of some human home-cooked gravy.

- Nadia Bruiners

Zues

Malko

Our big boy Zues. He loves the beach and playing with the kids. He is such an energetic and loving dog. We’ve had him since he was 2 months old, and he has truly become part of the family Saarah Hassiem Ashraff

Tag us on instagram 6

Hey, I’m Malko, also known as Sweetums or Prince boy. As the number one cuddler in the house, I’m known to sleep in my mom’s arms at night, but I also have the sharpest claws and frequently draw blood! Even though I’m blind, I’m very independent, and my best friend and sister, Kali, always guides me when I can’t find my way. - Ruth Frances

@petprintsmag SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

Apollo Apollo is a sweetheart filled with love and kisses. He loves his walks and has an obsession with peanut butter cookies. - Rescue Obsessed

Cooper Hi My name is Cooper Petersen! I am going to be one years old in August 2022. My all-time favorite thing in the entire world is playing ball with my mum. I am very needy and looove attention. Winter nights are so cold I sleep next to my mum under the blankets. Cooper was rescued from a poverty-stricken area at 5 weeks old. - Rochelle Petersen

Hazel, the gentle giant. At the tender age of one years old, she commands attention from every single person she meets. Every morning we are greeted by a “good morning” howl as she struts along the foyer, making sure everyone is awake. Where Queenie once walked along these foyers alone, she is now joined by her younger sister, who adores her and follows along wherever she goes. - Zoe Tobias

Queenie

Hazel Queenie - a small but feisty queen all the way from Saldana. She spends her days lazing around, barking at any and all passerby.

Truly our mighty and small protector. At only 3 years-old, after being an only child, she has welcomed her younger sister, Hazel. - Robyn-Lee Tobias

WRITE TO US AND STAND A CHANCE TO WIN A RED DINGO LEASH AND COLLAR SET MAIL@PETPRINTS.CO.ZA

PET PRINTS WILL SELECT ONE ENTRY PER ISSUE TO WIN THE PRIZE Red Dingo, Australia, have been producing the ultimate pet accessories since 2001 and are now available in South Africa.

Their products are tough and built to outlast any pet adventure.

Red Dingo is instantly recognized by its patented buckle-bone for dogs and fish clip for cats.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram #reddingoza #bucklebonemovement Red Dingo Stockists: Planet Woooof, petheaven.co.za, Pet World and Vet World (all outlets), selected Vet Shops, Blue Cross Veterinary hospital, Vet Point, Bergrivier Vet, urbanpaws.co.za, selected About Cats and Dogs, 2022 | PETPRINTS vet-x.co.za, apetslife.co.za, takealot.com and others. Distributed bySEPTEMBER Meelo (Pty) Ltd. 7

Shannon

American Sweetheart

Loving Life in Sunny South Africa

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMMA O’BRIEN WORDS BY MARISE BURGER & SHANNON ELIZABETH MAKE UP BY ZANE BURGER 8

SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

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Generally speaking, widely famous people require briefer introductions. This does not mean that it becomes easier to introduce them though. Honestly, it is just more intimidating. Lucky for me, our cover star, Shannon Elizabeth, who barely needs any introduction, is one of the warmest and most genuinely nice people you’ll ever get to meet!

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e met up with Shannon at her South African residence, where we were welcomed with homemade cappuccinos and warm smiles on a chilly winter morning.

The actress, who is well known for her roles in major box office films like American Pie and Scary Movie, is as down to earth as they come.

Dressed in a casual outfit and chatting away about everyday occurrences, you wouldn’t imagine that she’s not a local. The only thing giving away her heritage is her American accent.

As we popped down to the beach for a few photos, we were able to chat to the vibrant philanthropist about her current projects and some of her experiences, and here is what we learnt about Shannon: Being an activist for animal rights and wildlife conservation, it should come as no surprise that one of her favourite things about South Africa is the amazing

variety of animals. “I love going into the bush, watching the animals, and being at one with nature. There’s nothing like it!”

The other favourite thing is, of course, that she met her husband here. The pair make a powerful couple and even host a podcast together. “The Art of Conservation” can be found on Apple Podcast, and you can follow their page on Instagram to learn a bit more about the program and the great topics they discuss.

This doesn’t mean that Shannon doesn’t miss the States. Being away from your family and friends is never easy.

I love going into the bush, watching the animals, and being at one with nature. There’s nothing like it!

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Other benefits, like the wide variety of vegan products, supplements and being able to get them at a drop of a hat, are surely not to be dismissed. Then there’s also little Peanut. While living in the USA, Shannon and Peanut used to fly together all the time.

The airlines are much better equipped and agreeable to K-9 companions flying in-cabin than they are over here. Although

airlines are shaping up to make these arrangements easier to access, I’m sure it will be quite some time still until we are on the same standard as international airlines.

So, what is the one thing that you wouldn’t expect Shannon to have in her house? The answer is this: “Peptide shots and a closet of every conceivable vitamin and health protocol. I am a complete bio-hacker! I love learning about new technology and natural remedies to improve everything from physical health to brain performance. It also helps me learn about the best ways to keep my dog happy and healthy.” Well, that explains the amazing skin and overall amazing physique, I guess.

A quick scan on the internet revealed that Shannon is indeed a great supporter of natural remedies and loves to meditate for mental health.

With a career spanning more than two decades, I was curious to find out which roles Shannon enjoyed most and why. “I had a lot of fun playing Buffy in Scary Movie.

Working with Keenan, the director, was a

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great experience, and studying a bunch of the movies we were spoofing was an incredible exercise. We just had so much fun filming. I also loved shooting a smaller film called “Catch a Christmas Star”. I got to play a pop star and sing in the movie, which was challenging, and I loved transforming into a musician. I think all actors want to be musicians and all musicians want to act.” As someone who’s watched both movies, I’m telling you, get the popcorn and make a night of it.

It’s worth the watch.

These days Shannon spends a lot of time on the ground, working on her welfare, The Shannon Elizabeth Foundation.

An organisation dedicated to working with a diverse project portfolio, including rhino rehabilitation and rescue, youth mentorship projects, legal legislations and even land conservation.

To learn more about the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation, go to www.shannonelizabeth.org

SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

With so much good that needs to be done in the world, Shannon is still adamant that everyone can make a change and that no attempt in kindness is too small. “I ran my dog rescue in Los Angeles for over ten years, and there are so many amazing dogs that need homes. People sometimes don’t realize that when a dog is sold in a pet store, they come from what we call puppy mills, and you are actually helping to keep these places in business when you buy.

A puppy mill is often a backyard breeder who doesn’t care about anything other than making a profit. The puppies live in filthy conditions, are malnourished, sick, and torn from their mom at a young age. And the dogs having the babies are forced to have litter after litter after litter. It’s a horrible practice and must stop! There are so many amazing dogs that people just toss out for countless horrific reasons. Dogs get euthanized in shelters every day because

they are over capacity. We have no business breeding more dogs to add to that population. Thus, you should always spay and neuter your pets! And finally, if you want to add a four-legged furry friend to your family, understand what different breeds need and ensure that breed is a good fit for your family’s lifestyle. Then go to a shelter or rescue and visit the dogs who need homes.

Be open and armed with all this information, and let the dog pick you. I promise you will know when you’ve found your perfect match.”

And this leads us straight back to little Peanut, who landed his little bum in the hypothetical butter!

The 13-year-old Maltese-mix was adopted from North Hollywood Animal Shelter in Los Angeles, California. At the time, Shannon was running her rescue, Animal Avengers, and had quite a few dogs of her own.

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Most of her dogs were pretty big, but she had one tiny longhaired Chihuahua, Winnie, who was a bit of a loner. She wanted to get her a friend closer to her own size and found Peanut, who would be a great match. “When I found Peanut, his hair was so over-grown and matted that I didn’t even know what he was.

But he was very submissive, so I knew he would fit in nicely with my gang. So, I adopted him, got him healthy (he had kennel cough at the time), and then introduced him to the crew. Ironically, he very quickly decided he wanted to be friends with my big pit bull, Katie. So, he never really bonded with Winnie, sadly, but he is genuinely one of my angels and was always meant to be in my life. We have definitely been together before in past lives too. I had seven dogs at one time, but they have

all passed on over the years, and Peanut and I have been together one-on-one for quite a while now.”

When Shannon and Simon met, there were some concerns about how Peanut would handle the situation, but those concerns where quickly put to rest. “Luckily, when I met Simon, my husband, Peanut always liked him, but Peanut absolutely let him know that I belonged to him first. Even now, that has never changed. Peanut has so much personality and love to give. He’s extremely loyal, very protective of me, and we’re completely bonded.”

Peanut seems to have taken quite well to the rest of Simon’s family, too! While South Africa is not quite as pet friendly as we would like for travelling, little Peanut gets to stay with Simon’s aunt

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when Shannon and Simon are on a mission or travelling abroad. “They absolutely love each other! He gets sad when we leave, which breaks my heart (I get very sad too), but I know he’s great once he settles in with her. They go for long walks, he gets to eat yummy food (his favourite pastime), and he relaxes with her while she knits or watches TV. But she’s also very busy seeing friends, and he loves a good trip. So, we just set up his car seat in her car, and off they go! I hate leaving him home though, and if we could find a way to travel easier with him, we absolutely would.”

That sounds like the royal treatment to me! A very happy, bonded family unit who supports each other and work toward creating a better future and life for all creatures. What more could you ask for.

SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

op Tips for

Kennelling your pets this holiday

BY BRYONY VAN NIEKERK

With December fast approaching, and holiday plans being made, the question most fur parents start to ask is, “What are we going to do with the pets?” The most obvious answer, and the one that people tend to lean towards, is getting a pet-sitter.

A trusted pet-sitter is one of the very first things I organise, and is top of my list. I am incredibly particular with who I bestow the honour of looking after my small, ever-growing zoo (there has recently been another foster fail…don’t ask!). I need daily updates, multiple times a day, pictures of proof-of-life, notifications that everyone has eaten and gotten their medication. The list goes on. In fact, I leave a list pages-long, detailing every little requirement. detailing every little requirement. But what do you do if getting a pet-sitter isn’t an option? Perhaps your go-to person is unavailable, or you are worried your pets might run away. Making use of a boarding kennel or cattery facility may be the solution for you. Sounds easy, but knowing what to look for in a boarding facility can be quite daunting. To make life a little easier, a checklist has been created so you will know exactly what to look for (and what to run away from!).

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Visit the facility

First things first, it is so important to go and visit the boarding facility before checking your pet in. If you don’t, you will not be able to determine if the facility meets all the requirements on the checklist. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, so be sure to have a thorough look at everything, including the back of house, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Licences and certifications

This one is slightly tricky because the pet industry, including grooming, boarding, and training, is largely unregulated in South Africa. However, that being said, all local municipalities have animal by-laws, most of which require a boarding facility to obtain a licence if there are more than two dogs, or four cats, per property. The by-laws also detail requirements that have to be met in terms of run sizes, access to food and water, etc.

Adequate enclosures

Ideally, your pet should have access to both indoor and outdoor areas, which should be of a sufficient size that your pet can easily get up, turn around, and be able to move freely. The enclosures should be fully secure and clean with no foul odours.

Additionally, make sure that the enclosures are separated by a solid barrier, such as brick or concrete walls. This will ensure that all animals do not have access to each other, reducing stress levels, aggression, and transmission of diseases.

have transportation at all times and select staff on site should also ideally be certified in pet first aid.

Vaccination policy

Find out what the facility’s vaccination policy is. The facility should require proof that all pets boarding with them have been vaccinated and received boosters for rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and kennel cough.

Exercise and enrichment

Even if the enclosures are well sized, dogs should still be walked at least once a day, and have an area where they can run freely when needed. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise so find out if the facility provides enrichment activities such as snuffle mats and treat puzzles to reduce boredom and stress levels.

Secure facility

How far can your pet get if they manage to slip out of their enclosure? Is there an additional door to the runs? Is the property as a whole securely fenced, thereby preventing your pet from running into the road?

24/7 staff on duty

Not all facilities have staff on site overnight. Someone should be onsite within close proximity to the enclosures in the event of an emergency.

Daily updates

Does the facility provide you with daily updates or reports, pictures, or videos?

Some facilities are quite high-tech and have 24 hour CCTV so you can monitor your pet.

While not a necessity, it is a nice to have.

Being able to log into a system and check up on your fur babies whenever you like sounds like a dream come true!

Reviews and reputation

Channel your inner detective and find out as much as you can about the facility. Read reviews, ask for references, and look at their social media pages.

Pet profiles

During the application process, the facility should ask you to fill in a pet profile, where you detail any medications they are on, likes and dislikes, feeding schedule and type of food, sociability, allergies, etc. The facility cannot adequately look after your pet otherwise. Be sure to go into as much detail as you can. The more information you provide, the better they can care for your pet.

Friendly/qualified staff

Pay close attention to the staff (the receptionist, grounds keeper, kennel hand), and how they interact with you and the pets in their care. Also take note of how the animals react around them and to them. Are the animals excited to see them, are they at ease? Or are they a bit wary and seem fearful? This will give you a good indication of how your own pet will be treated.

Additionally, are the staff knowledgeable about common ailments and behaviours? Will they be able to recognise if your pet is stressed or sick? Do they know how to handle a reactive or growling dog in a calm and force-free manner?

Weather proofing

Are the enclosures weatherproofed for all seasons? Will the enclosures remain dry if it’s raining? Is there enough shade during summer, and a nice sunny spot to lie in during winter? Is the enclosure cosy for cold winter nights, and are heat lamps or hot beanbags offered?

Vet/medical care

The facility should have direct access to a vet on-call 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency. The facility should

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BY: DR KATHRYN KNIPE FROM: BIRNAM VETERINARY CLINIC

Brachycephalic cats

Brachycephalic cats are those that are bred to have flat faces with short noses and bulgy eyes. The most common cats that fall into this category are Persians, Exotic Persians, Himalayan, Burmese, and British Short-Haired cats.

These breeds of cats are popular for their unique facial features and their charming personalities.

However, having a face shape that deviates from the natural shape of a cat’s skull, does predispose them to certain health problems. Being aware of these potential problems will make you as a pet owner, more prepared to ensure that your cat has a longer, healthier life.

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Breathing difficulties

Brachycephalic animals suffer from Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).

There are multiple components to this condition. Abnormalities in the facial structure of flat-faced cats leads to abnormal respiratory passages.

These cats can have small, pinched-off nostrils, referred to as stenotic nares.

Their nasal passages tend to be not only shorter than those of a standard cat, but also narrower. They can also have an elongated soft palate. These abnormalities can result in difficulty breathing.

Symptoms can be as mild as snoring and not being very active, as breathing heavily may be difficult for them. However, the degree of airway obstruction can become life-threatening, with cats gasping for breath, collapsing, and their gums turning blue. These changes also predispose them to heatstroke and respiratory tract infections.

Care should be taken to ensure that your cat has access to cool places to rest when it is warm, and has plenty of cool, fresh water. They should not be encouraged to play and run so much that they struggle to catch

their breath. In severe cases where cats are struggling to eat and drink without coughing or choking, or suffer from episodes of severe respiratory distress, a specialist surgeon should be consulted regarding possible surgery.

The procedures performed will not cure the condition, but may make symptoms milder and your cat more comfortable.

Ocular problems

Due to the shape of the skull, brachycephalic cats have very shallow eye sockets, which is why their eyes bulge. Their eyelids do not close entirely over the eyeball and they tend to have less sensitive corneas (surface of the eye). This then leads to them not blinking enough, and the cornea becoming dried out and painful. This is referred to as exposure keratitis. Additionally there may be deposits of pigments on the surface of the eye which may obscure their vision (pigmentary keratitis). Corneal ulceration may also occur, where a defect in the cornea forms which is very painful. Symptoms to watch for are squinting, being light-sensitive, not wanting to open the eyes fully, redness of the eyes, scratching or rubbing the face, or an ocular discharge.

If their vision becomes obscured by pigmentary keratitis, they may walk into things and struggle to find their way around the home.

The nasolacrimal ducts connect the eyes to the nasal passages, allowing

The “smell” centre of a dog’s brain is 40 times larger than yours

ACT

I never cease to be amazed when my two fur kids suddenly become excited when certain foods are being cooked (especially meat). Dogs can smell thousands of times better than humans because their noses have millions more scent receptors. For example, a human nose averages five million, while a Dachshund’s nose has 125 million, making dogs useful for sniffing out drugs, dead bodies, bed bugs, explosives, and other things dogs can smell that humans can’t.

drainage of tears away from the eyes.

Abnormalities in the jaws lead to pressure being placed on the lacrimal ducts, thereby obstructing adequate drainage. This leads to the tears running out over the eyelids, causing wetting of the skin (which can cause skin infections) and dark stains under the eyes.

Facial Dermatitis

Brachycephalic cats have a skin fold where the skin from the side of the nose is “bunched up” in a ridge.

The skin under this fold becomes moist and often becomes infected, leading to discomfort and a bad smell coming from the area. Cats that have very watery eyes as discussed above, may be more prone to this condition. Daily cleaning of these skin folds which a gentle veterinary skin wipe is essential to prevent infections.

Dental problems

The abnormal shape of the skull leads to improper alignment of teeth as well as poor occlusion (the top and bottom teeth fitting properly over each other). This will lead to more rapid accumulation of plaque and dental scale, which predisposes these cats to periodontal disease.

Their ears are pretty impressive too Everything from the positioning of their ears to the muscles in them help dogs pick up a whole host of sounds that humans can’t hear. In fact, the most popular explanation for why dogs tilt their heads is that they’re trying to locate the source of a sound.

Annual health checks with your veterinarian (as is recommended for all patients) will help to identify and address any dental problems.

These conditions can lead to an array of neurological abnormalities, such as blindness, seizures, poor balance, and abnormal behaviour.

The short length of the skull provides inadequate areas for the muscles used for chewing to attach to, which complicates eating for these cats. They also often have an under bite, and a shallow bite, which exacerbates this problem. They can therefore struggle to pick up their food easily to eat.

When should I see my vet

Providing shallow food and water bowls will make it easier for them to eat. There are also premium pet foods which have been designed with this in mind.

The shape of these kibbles has been designed to facilitate flat-faced cats’ eating.

Neurological problems

A recent study from Germany has shown that Persian cats in particular with extremely brachycephalic features, suffered from a number of neurological abnormalities related to skull deformities. Many of these cats were found to have small defects (holes) in their skulls. The inside of the cranium, where the brain lies, was found to be smaller than in normal cats. This can lead to the brain being squashed through the base of the skull and into the spinal canal.

Hydrocephalus (a fluid accumulation in the brain) has also been found to be more prevalent in extremely flat-faced cats.

Other than annual wellness visits, it is important to see your vet when there are any concerns regarding your cat’s health. Should your cat be experiencing any of the above symptoms, a visit to the vet is warranted. In particular, cats that are in respiratory distress, gasping for breath, have a purple tongue or gums, are collapsing, or are panting heavily, should be taken to a vet for emergency care immediately.

Your veterinarian will guide you in the particular steps that should be taken to ensure the health and well-being of your cat for the long term.

We as veterinarians recommend medical insurance for all of our patients.

This gives us the opportunity to provide the highest levels of care for your pet without needing to cut corners. Do read your policy documents carefully, as some policies will not cover conditions related to hereditary abnormalities.

Be sure to ask your insurer which conditions are excluded from your policy, so that you can make an informed decision for the best cover for your pet.

But their sense of taste is much less developed

ACT

How repulsive it can be to watch your darling canine companion devouring rotting food scraps (or grass) as ravenously as they eat a bowl of their favourite food or a hunk of chicken.

Dogs have approximately one sixth of the taste buds humans have (1,700 to humans’ approximately 9,000). Their less discriminatory sense of taste can also be credited to their evolutionary instincts, carried over from when they would scavenge in the wild.

Conclusion Brachycephalic cats come in many colours, fur types and with many different charming personalities to cater to every cat-lover’s needs. Although they do suffer from certain health problems, not all brachycephalic cats will suffer from severe disease. By being aware of potential health problems inherent to the structural deviations in their skull shape, you as a pet owner can be prepared to care for their needs.

If you have any concerns, remember, your vet is your friend. We want your pets to enjoy a long and happy life and are ready to assist you with any questions you may have regarding the health and well-being of any of your pets.

Dogs dream like people Sitting watching TV, Carol and I will be amused and amazed when Izzy or Jethro suddenly start to twitch and whimper in their sleep. This probably means they are dreaming. Researchers found that dogs have similar sleep patterns and brain activity as humans, and that small breeds tend to dream more than large ones. Psychology Today suggests they’re probably imagining familiar activities like playing outside or chasing their tail. Learn more dog facts about dog dreams by just observing your pup’s sleeping position.

BY: DR KATHRYN KNIPE FROM: BIRNAM VETERINARY CLINIC

PERIODONTAL DISEASE IN DOGS + CATS Periodontal disease is one the most common diseases affecting our pets, with up to 80% of the pet population being affected. It is a condition whereby the gums and ligaments holding your pet’s teeth in place become infected and can start to break down, leading to tooth loss and potentially systemic illness.

As in humans, if the teeth are not brushed twice daily, plaque (a thin film of bacteria) starts to build up on the teeth. This plaque over time starts to become calcified or hardened. This leads to the layer of thick yellow-brown discolouration on your pet’s teeth, referred to as dental scale or calculus.

The presence of this infected material on the teeth causes the gum to become infected. It is also speculated that this bacteria can penetrate the blood stream and infect organs such as the kidneys and heart.

The first symptom that you are likely to notice if your pet has periodontal disease is foul breath. Your pet may also show symptoms of pain and discomfort in their mouth. This may include difficulty in chewing their food, painful chewing (especially cats may growl while chewing their food or even hiss at their food), and pawing at the mouth with their feet.

The gums may be red, inflamed, and may bleed. Gingival recession, where the gum moves up from the tooth exposing the roots of the tooth, is also commonly seen. You may also find loose, wobbly teeth.

Unfortunately, once the plaque on your pet’s teeth has become calcified and formed dental scale, it cannot be removed by brushing. A general anaesthetic procedure will be required during which your veterinarian will use an ultrasonic probe to remove the 19

calculus from the teeth (referred to as scaling the teeth). The vet will assess the viability of all the teeth and perform extractions as necessary. Unfortunately, very often advanced dental disease is present and will require multiple tooth extractions due to the roots coming loose from the underlying tooth socket. If not removed, this can lead to infection of the underlying bone and the formation of painful tooth abscesses. It is oftentimes impossible to assess fully how many extractions may be necessary until the patient is on the procedure table.

This is due to the dental scale obscuring the tooth roots, not allowing your vet to see the degree of damage to the teeth until it is removed. Following extractions, the teeth are polished to make the surfaces smooth, thus making it more difficult for plaque to build up.

SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

It is important to work with your vet and trust their judgement when the removal of teeth is recommended. Cats and dogs do not need to chew their food in the same way that we do. Most animals will be able to eat perfectly comfortably even following extraction of large numbers of teeth. In fact, sometimes animals need to have all of their teeth extracted! Once your pet has recovered from the initial surgery, you will often find that, not only do they have no problems with eating even pelleted food, they in fact are more comfortable as they don’t have pain in their teeth and gums.

It is also important to realise that a once-off dental procedure is not a cure to your pet’s dental health problems.

Dental plaque starts to accumulate on the teeth within hours after brushing or tooth scaling and polishing. The same is true in humans, which is why we brush our teeth twice daily. It is commonplace for pets to require annual dental scale and polish procedures. This will help to delay the development of periodontal disease which would lead to the need for multiple tooth extractions.

A dental health evaluation forms part of your pet’s annual health check, which is one of the reasons that we advise all pets to receive a general health check once a year. Your veterinarian will make the best recommendations with regard to your pet’s dental health.

THE FIRST SYMPTOM THAT YOU ARE LIKELY TO NOTICE IF YOUR PET HAS PERIODONTAL DISEASE IS FOUL BREATH. There are many over-the-counter treatment options to maintain good dental health between annual dental procedures. The most effective tool for maintaining good dental health is brushing your pet’s teeth daily. Special tooth brushes and tooth pastes are produced for cats and dogs to make the process easier. Training your pet from a young age to accept this procedure is vital, as adult animals will often not allow this unless they’re used to it. Premium dog food brands are also produced with specials fibres or crystals in the pelleted food designed to clean plaque off your pet’s teeth as

Dogs have a “sixth sense”

ACT

Thankfully, living in George means that we do not experience many thunderstorms, but when we do, we are given a couple of hours advanced notice by our Whippet, Jethro. He would suddenly sheepishly creep to a dark spot, such as under my desk or behind the sofa, until the storm is over. In a 2010 poll, 67 percent of pet owners reported their pets acting strangely right before a storm, and 43 percent said their pets behaved oddly right before something bad happened.

The top clues? Whining, erratic behaviour, or trying to hide in a safe place. There are even reports that dogs can sense illnesses like cancer.

they chew through the kibble. If you are unable to brush your pet’s teeth, you may be able to apply oral gels and sprays to the mouth which decrease the amount of bacteria in the mouth and freshen the breath. There are also products available which can be added to the water for this purpose, and even tablets that are designed to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the mouth that delay formation of plaque. The staff at your local veterinary facility will be able to help you find the best solution for maintaining your pet’s dental health.

By applying preventative measures, we can help to delay the effects of periodontal disease on your pets and keep them happier and healthier for longer.

Dogs get jealous Izzy, our Jack Russell X, is a mommy’s girl!

If Carol gives Jethro attention, Izzy furtively approaches and pushes her way between Carol and Jethro. If Carol and I are having a chat (Yes, we still speak to one another after 50 years together!), Izzy will join us and sit waiting for attention. Nikki Naser, Resident Pet Expert at Chewy, says “You’re not imagining it if you think your dog is acting jealously when you give other dogs (and humans) attention.

SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

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Valid until 31 October 2022 ONLY ORIGINAL COUPONS WILL BE ACCEPTED

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BY: DR KATHRYN KNIPE FROM: BIRNAM VETERINARY CLINIC

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Adverse Food Reaction In Dogs and Cats

Adverse food reaction (AFR) refers to an abnormal response to one or more food ingredients. The two common presentations of AFR are dermatological signs and gastrointestinal signs.

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In dogs, common dermatological sings include itchiness, skin rashes, chronic ear infections, skin infections, darkening and thickening of the skin, and alopecia (balding). Less common signs are swelling of the head and neck, hives, and even anaphylaxis.

Gastrointestinal symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and gurgling noises from the tummy (borborygmi).

In cats we most commonly see severe itchiness of particularly the head, ears, and neck. Cats will also pull their hair out due to the itchiness, resulting in bald spots. They may also develop rashes and skin infections. Other less common signs include ear infections, eosinophilic plaques (distinctive raised, ulcerated wounds on the nose and lips or on the skin), wheals, and conjunctivitis. They may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, borborygmic, and abdominal pain.

Adverse food reactions can occur as a result of two different conditions, food intolerance or food allergies. Although both conditions will result in the same symptoms, they develop by two different mechanisms. Food intolerance refers to abnormal reactions to food that are not caused by the body’s immune system. This is different to a food allergy, where the animal’s own immune system is responsible for the symptoms seen in

ACT

response to one or more specific food ingredients.

Food intolerance can occur as a result of many different ingredients or contaminants in food. These can include various proteins, carbohydrates (with lactose from dairy products being a good example), various toxins produced by fungi and bacteria, and food additives such as preservatives, artificial colourants, and flavouring.

Food allergies on the other hand occur when the body’s immune system incorrectly identifies a protein as being unsafe, rather than as a useful nutrient. The immune system then launches an excessive attack on this protein, leading to the various symptoms that are seen. The most common allergens in dogs are beef, gluten, and dairy. In cats the most common are beef, dairy, and fish.

Food allergies can develop at any age, therefore animals that have never had any allergies can develop them later in life. Animals with allergies to a specific food ingredient may also develop an allergy to another long after initial diagnosis.

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The only way to identify an adverse food reaction is by doing a food elimination trial. During such a food trial, a prescription diet is fed which is made with only one protein and one

“Dog years” vary a lot, based on breed Jethro is 11 years old, and Izzy is 10, but they still sprint around the sports field like Usain Bolt on “uppers”. I hit 70 in July, and can I do the same? Nope! Every dog year does not automatically equal seven human years, as one of the most wellknown fun facts about dogs would have you believe. The saying—which does have some factual merit—came from observations that “average,” medium-sized dogs tended to live 24

around one-seventh as long as their owners. The oldest dog lived to be 29. Recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest dog ever was an Australian Cattle Dog named Bluey. He lived to be 29 years and 5 months old, from the years 1910 to 1939. Bluey lived in Victoria, Australia, with his owner Les Hall and worked among Hall’s sheep and cattle. Just think, if the 7-year rule applied, then Bluey would have been over 300 human years old!!!

SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

carbohydrate source. The proteins in these diets may also be hydrolysed, meaning that they have been broken down into particles that are too small to elicit a reaction in the body.

Furthermore, these diets are made with minimal additives which may contribute to an adverse food reaction.

Patients are fed with such a diet for 8 to 12 weeks. It is very important that this diet be fed exclusively, which means no table scraps, biscuits, treats, or even flavoured medications may be given. If the clinical signs have resolved in this time period, the original diet is reintroduced.

If the symptoms start up again, it can be concluded that there is an adverse food reaction. Unfortunately alternative testing methods such as intradermal skin tests, serology, and blood tests are not accurate at detecting a food allergy.

Once a diagnosis of adverse food reaction has been established, avoidance of the offending food is the treatment of choice. There are various commercial diets that have been designed for this purpose. Some are novel protein diets, in which the ingredients chosen are those that do not commonly cause allergic reactions. Alternatively, if a common food allergen is used, the protein is hydrolysed, and should therefore not cause a reaction.

One Beatles song has a frequency only dogs can hear

We all know that The Beatles are probably the most popular music act of the 20th century, but did you know that, according to Paul McCartney, at the end of the Beatles’ song, “A Day in the Life”, a frequency was added that only dogs can hear? Play the song and watch your pup toward the end, then remember that music is just as beneficial to dogs as it is to humans and can even help with a dog’s anxiety. Our little JRX, Izzy, even comes to us wanting to be picked up to dance when lively music is played!

Although there is the option of preparing home-cooked meals with novel proteins, these diets are not nutritionally balanced and complete. They are often deficient in calcium, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. If a homecooked diet is used, it should be done in consultation with a veterinary nutritionist. Commercial diets are far more convenient, and sure to meet all your pet’s nutritional needs.

Scientifically developed diets also have proprietary blends of additional ingredients that have been found to further benefit animals suffering from AFR and other allergic conditions.

Over the counter diets available from pet shops often claim to be hypoallergenic, however many of them have been found to contain traces of other protein and carbohydrate sources. This occurs because these foods are often not produced in facilities designed to prevent contamination with ingredients from regular foods being made in the same factory.

Correctly identifying and treating adverse food reactions can be a very frustrating process. By working closely with your veterinarian, they can guide you through the elimination diet trial and recommend the prescription diet best suited to your pet’s needs.

Obesity is dogs’ number one health problem Just like obesity is a health concern in humans, it’s also a major concern in dogs.

More than half of the dogs in the United States are overweight, a number that has been continually on the rise for years because of too many calories, too little exercise, and consuming the food scraps of humans. In our household the rule is “We don’t eat your food, so you don’t eat ours!”

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Your dog stares for a reason If you’ve ever wondered why your dog stares at you, you’re not alone, but the answer is a wholesome one. No, he’s not being rude (remember Mom and Dad telling you it was rude to stare). Your dog is only trying to figure out exactly what you want from it to make you happy. It’s looking for a connection and a reaction.

It’s also possible that your pup just loves you and wants to look at you.

FASCINATING THE BUSH BABY, (THE FAMILY GALAGIDAE), ALSO GOES BY THE NAME GALAGO. The Africans have named the galagos “nagapies”, meaning ‘night monkeys’.

Bush baby can also be spelled as bushbaby. They are named bushbabies due to the noises they sometimes make that sound like loud, crying, shrieking babies.

There are about 20 species of galagos discovered to date, but scientists think there may be more of these diminutive primates that have not yet been discovered.

They comprise of three greater galagos, which are larger with thicker tails, and 15 squirrel-sized lesser galagos.

Bushbabies belong to the prosimian group of primates, which also includes the lorises of Asia and the lemurs of Madagascar.

It is believed that bushbabies evolved before monkeys and due to their similarity in appearance and nature, they are known as ‘night monkeys’.

Bushbabies are one of the world’s smallest primates.

THE BUSH BABY BELONGS TO THE MAMMAL CLASS. Bushbabies are found throughout many parts of Africa such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.

THEY CAN BE FOUND IN SUBTROPICAL AND TROPICAL FORESTS, RAINFORESTS, WOODLANDS, SAVANNA, AND IN DRY AND THORNY SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HABITATS. Bushbabies are related to monkeys and apes.

They have fingers and toes that can grab things and have flat fingernails like humans.

A bushbaby’s fur colour ranges from light brown, grey, or reddish to yellowish brown.

They have large eyes and ears, long hind legs, soft, woolly fur, and long tails.

They can fold their ears during jumping or leaping from one tree to another, or while climbing, to protect them against sharp objects.

Bush babies are also characterized by the long upper portion of their feet.

They have enormous forward-facing eyes.

So large in relation to their head, that they cannot move them in their sockets.

If they want to shift their gaze, they must turn their whole head.

They can weigh anything from 1.2kg to 1.8kg.

THESE TREE-DWELLING ANIMALS ARE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SQUIRREL. THEY ARE BETWEEN 16 -61 CM LONG AND ABOUT 13 CM TALL. The primates are fast and can run at speeds of up to 30 km/h.

BUSHBABIES ARE NOCTURNAL ANIMALS, WHICH MEANS THEY HUNT FOR FOOD AT NIGHT AND SLEEP DURING THE DAY. Superb hearing and delicate bat-like ears allow bushbabies to track insects in the dark and catch them in flight.

BUSHBABIES ARE EXTREMELY FAST AND AGILE. THEY CAN SIT UPRIGHT AND MOVE AROUND BY JUMPING WITH THEIR HIND LEGS. Bushbabies are frequently seen leaping from tree to tree thanks to strong limbs and a long tail used for balance.

They possess extremely powerful back leg muscles and can clear up to 2.5m in a single jump.

THESE ANIMALS MARK THEIR TERRITORY

BY URINATING ON THEIR HANDS AND THUS SPREADING THEIR SCENT AS THEY LEAP FROM TREE TO TREE.

They have exceptionally good night vision thanks to their large eyes.

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FACTS Bushbabies are very territorial. They use body posture, loud cries, and even special tactics to protect their territory from other bushbabies.

THEY HAVE DIFFERENT FORMS OF COMMUNICATION, SUCH AS BODY POSTURE OR VISUAL COMMUNICATION. VOCAL COMMUNICATION IS MOST COMMON AMONG THEM.

BUSHBABIES ARE NOT AGGRESSIVE

BY NATURE BUT CAN BE WHEN PROTECTING THEIR AREA. Bushbabies can live up to 10 years in their natural habitat. This unfortunately decreases to about 4 years due to wildlife trade which is influenced by people who want to keep them as pets.

BUSH BABIES ARE OMNIVOROUS ANIMALS, WHICH MEANS THEIR DIET CONSISTS OF FOOD BOTH OF ANIMAL AND PLANT ORIGIN. Bushbabies have a diet of fruit, insects, small animals (like birds), eggs, flowers, and leaves, but a major component of the diet of most species is gum (tree exudate).

Tree gum forms an important part of their diet.

They extract tree gum by gouging holes in trees and scraping the bark, using their toothcombs (forward-tilted lower incisor and canine teeth).

They are polygynous, which means the males mate with more than one female. The mating season normally takes place during the months of November and February.

The baby of a bushbaby is known as a galago.

MALE AND FEMALE BUSHBABIES DO NOT HAVE SEPARATE NAMES. BOTH ARE CALLED BUSHBABIES. The female bushbabies raise the galago in nests that they build using leaves.

THE BABY IS BORN WITH POOR EYESIGHT AND THE MOTHER WILL CARRY ITS YOUNG AROUND IN ITS MOUTH, PLACING IT ON A NEARBY BRANCH WHILE FEEDING. Much like other primates, bushbabies have highly social and involved family groups.

PLAY FORMS AN INTEGRAL PART OF SOCIALIZING, AND THEY ‘PLAY FIGHT’ AND ‘FOLLOW PLAY’ BY CHASING EACH OTHER FROM TREE TO TREE. During the day bush babies live in a family of between two and seven individuals. When dusk comes, they split in search of food.

The current main threat to the bushbaby is the loss of habitat.

According to the IUCN Red List, the conservation status of a species like the Senegal bush baby (Galago senegalensis) and lesser bush baby (Galago moholi) are of Least Concern.

However, their numbers are rapidly decreasing.

Gestation is about three to four months, with the female bushbabies giving birth to one or two babies, and rarely three babies in some cases.

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CRISPY CHICKPEA CHOPPED SALAD

The perfect crunchy munchy salad for anytime. High in protein, packed with good fats, and all the canola benefits, this salad is perfect as a main, or for a side spruce-up to your meal! Spices infused in the chickpeas offer the most delectable crunch amidst a flavourful salad.

What You’ll Need:

FOR THE DRESSING

• ⅓ cup B-well Extra Virgin Olive Oil

FOR THE CHICKPEAS • 1½ cups pre-soaked or canned chickpeas (drained)

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard • 2 ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 45 ml B-well Pure Canola Oil

• ¼ cup mint (finely chopped)

• ½ tsp fine cumin powder

• ⅓ cup apple juice • salt and pepper (to taste) 1. Preheat oven to 180ºC.

• ½ tsp fine coriander powder • ½ tsp paprika (half of what?)

2. Drain the chickpeas,

How To Make

• ½ tsp turmeric powder • 1 tbsp soy sauce • 1 pinch fine black pepper • 1 pinch kosher salt •1 handful fresh chopped coriander (for garnish)

FOR THE SALAD • 6 small carrots

• 2 sticks of celery • ½ English cucumber • 1 handful cherry tomatoes

an oven tray with foil or baking paper and spread the coated chickpeas evenly.

7. Pop in to the oven for 30-40 min, or until the chickpeas are golden and crispy.

Check and stir the chickpeas around every 15 min to allow even toasting.

8. In the meantime, make the salad by finely chopping the carrots, cucumber, celery, and tomatoes. Then chop the lettuce.

9. Start mixing up the chopped ingredients, and chop some more. Pieces must be small. Set aside.

10. Check on the chickpeas. Once crispy, take the roasted chickpeas out of the oven, allow them to cool slightly, and sprinkle the chopped fresh coriander.

and allow to sit and dry slightly.

11. In a small bowl or a mason jar, add the dressing ingredients, and mix/shake well to combine.

3. In a sauce pan, combine the B-well Pure Canola Oil, soy sauce, and spices together and mix well.

12. Toss the chickpeas into the salad, crumble the feta cheese on top, as well as optional pomegranate seeds, and serve with a drizzle of the minty dressing or over the whole bowl. Toss, serve and enjoy!

4. Heat up the stove until the marinade becomes hot. Once hot, turn off the heat and add the chickpeas.

5. Mix well enough that each chickpea is covered with flavor. Let sit for 5 min.

• 2 cups mixed herb leafy greens/lettuces • 100g feta cheese • ½ cup pomegranates (optional)

6.

Line

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Let them jump in puddles!

W

e try, and we are sure you try, to keep your dog away from muddy puddles after the rain but we are so often not quick enough, and in a blink of an eye our dog is in the puddle letting off energy for fun.

So how do we manage that? Having a sense of humour is one way. Another way is to have a Scruffs Noddle Drying Towel with you, or always keep one in the car when you take your furkid out on a walks. The Noodle Drying Towel is a quality product made with two hand pockets, one on each end. It is extremely absorbent, and soaks up water like a sponge.

It is made from micro-fibre chenille, which are millions of textured, ultra-fine strands woven together. These “noodles” achieve a surface area that is greater than the actual size of the towel. We love the size, which is a practical 80cm x 30cm. It comes in burgundy or grey. The Noodle Drying Towel is a Bizzibabs Favourite product, and a must-have item for every dog owner with a dog who loves jumping puddles before getting back into the car. Available from our Bizzibabs Online Shop. R300 each.

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

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New Dog Starter Kit Did you say walk? That one phrase that gets any dog crazy excited for life. This kit has everything you’d want to remind your dog you love him, with their very own smart spotted bow tie, rope style lead, tennis ball and collapsible bowl with carabiner (metal loop),

R379.00

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Explorer Doggy Duffel-Ditsy Floral Sand This brand is a proud member of the Better Cotton Initiative. By buying cotton products from this brand you’re supporting more sustainable cotton farming.

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

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Wild & Woofy Cat Starter Kit Eat, Sleep, Purrr, Repeat! Welcome your new feline friend to the family with this New Cat Starter Kit from Wild & Woofy! This kit has everything to make your new kitty feel at home,

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Doog Mrs Twiggy Safer than a real stick and a lot more fun. The Doog Sticks are splinter free, made from recycled rubber, have glow in the dark eyes and Float in water.

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Until Every Cage is Empty Hoodie (Cat) The new TEARS Until Every Cage Is Empty apparel range is all about getting homeless pets out of the shelter and into warm, loving homes.

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From R1120.00

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The 600D Oxford fabric are treated with special PVC coating, which makes the material waterproof and resistant to dirt, mildew, oil, salt, and UV rays and gives the material strength and durability.

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

FREEDOM. IT MAKES DREAMS COME TRUE. The South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind’s vision is to have a country where every person with visual and physical disabilities can experience freedom and independence. Many South Africans know that the Association provides Guide Dogs to people who are visually impaired, but many are still unaware of the other life changing services provided by the Association.

of movement, and the acquisition of the skills required to live a fully participatory life.

South African Guide-Dogs Association was established in 1953 as a Non-profit Organisation. The main campus and training centre situated in Johannesburg is a hive of activity.

This is where the

For the millions of people living with disabilities in South Africa, the freedom of independent living is something that they can’t take for granted. Most of them are unable to live fully independent lives due to their disability. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for each one of them to be given the opportunity of greater independence?

Association breeds and trains international standard Assistance Dogs. The Association also has a training centre in Cape Town, and an office in Durban so that services can be delivered nationally.

The Association aims to enable the visually and physically impaired members of our society, including children with Autism, to live an independent life through freedom

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The Association runs its own breeding program, and puppies are born in the Puppy Block at their Head Office. For the first eight weeks of their lives, they stay in the Puppy Block with their mum, and begin their exposure to multiple stimuli and environments. After eight weeks, they leave their siblings to live with volunteer Puppy Raisers.

The puppies start learning basic obedience from the age of nine-weeks, when they attend their first puppy classes. It is important for all dogs, especially Assistance Dogs, to know how to be well-mannered and behave in public.

The role of volunteer Puppy Raisers is to expose the future Assistance Dogs to as many social situations as possible. The puppies are taken to public places like shops, offices, and restaurants to help them feel comfortable with various social situations that they may need to work in when they are older.

At the age of 16 months, the dogs come back to the training centre where they begin their formal training, learning the skills they will need to qualify as Assistance Dogs. It is at this age that Assistance Dog Mobility Instructors from the Association decide which Assistance Training the dogs will take on.

Deciding whether a dog should be a Guide, Service or Autism, Support Dog depends on their personality. All Assistance Dogs need to be willing to work, keen to please, and patient.

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SA Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind breeds Labradors and Golden Retrievers, as these breeds have the necessary personality and temperament associated with a good Assistance Dog. Guide Dogs need to be calm, adaptable, and friendly, Service Dogs need to have a natural ability and desire to retrieve objects, and Autism Support Dogs need to be gentle and placid with a temperament that isn’t upset by noise or anxiety traits often associated with autism.

Once the dogs have completed their formal training, they are then matched with a new owner from the waiting list. The Mobility Instructors at SA Guide-Dogs have the responsibility of matching clients on the waiting list with the

correct dog. This requires them to carefully consider whether the dog’s temperament, speed, and size will be the right fit for the correct person.

Guide Dogs are an essential companion that safely guide their owners in different environments and situations, including the workplace environment. It is often described that they are the “seeing eyes” of their owners.

Service Dogs assist wheelchairbound, physically impaired individuals, and become an extension of the owner’s physicality.

They are trained to assist their owners with day-to-day activities such as the opening and closing of doors and drawers, retrieving items from difficult to reach places, reaching light switches, and so much more.

Autism Support Dogs assist parents and caregivers of children on the autism spectrum, between the ages of 5 to 10 years. They provide that safety-net for autistic children that have the tendency to run off when distracted, and they provide companionship, comfort, and unconditional love in times of loneliness and feeling misunderstood.

The Association operates entirely on fundraising initiatives, sponsorships, and donations from the public.

It costs in excess of R100,000 to train one Assistance Dog, and it is because of the generosity of the public that the Association has around 80 - 100 dogs in training at any time.

SA Guide-Dogs believes that everybody should be entitled to their services, and therefore (apart from a nominal contractual fee of R5.00) provides their Assistance Dogs and Orientation & Mobility services to their clients free of charge.

To DONATE, or to find out how South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind can help people in your community, visit www.guidedog.org.za or email: jackieq@guidedog.org.za.

Alternatively: SMS “Freedom” to 42130 to donate R30.00.

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Relieving itching, scratching, and paw biting the natural way.

Your pet’ s skin protects them. Keeping their skin healthy and nourished is vital for your pet’ s overall health.

WHAT CAUSES ITCHING AND SCRATCHING?

• • • • • •

Allergies Dry skin Genes (some breeds are prone to scratching) Environmental factors (pollen, grass etc) Harsh chemicals (ex shampoos) Certain dog foods

HOW CAN ECO-VET HELP? We develop several medicines to assist in treating skin, hair, hoof, and nail conditions as well as allergies.

• ECO-SCRATCH is the first choice for the treatment of dry skin, allergies, and other skin conditions.

• It assists in the treatment of skin allergies and irritation, ear discharge, brittle and thin hair and hair loss, mange, poor condition, skin blemishes and blisters.

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

Golf Day Fundraiser for

Dogtown SA

On the 1st of July, Valemount Trading and M-Pets South Africa hosted a golf day fundraiser for Dogtown SA at the Bryanston Country Club.

All in all, the day raised R58 369 for the care of Dogtown residents, which will have a significant impact on the rescue centre.

“We are so proud to have been a part of the golf day and appreciate the help to raise much-needed funds. Each dog is unique and needs care tailored to them; the funds raised will support our daily mission. On the day, we met so many welcoming sponsors and golfers. We are thankful for the connections. I don’t feel there are words to express how grateful we all are for the day created by Valemount Trading and M-pets, and the funds raised for us. Thank you to Bryanston Country Club for being incredible hosts.

The day was a massive success, with a total of 84 golfers that participated in the event and 6-hole sponsors. After the players had completed the course, we moved on to dinner and prize giving.

Dogtown shared its mission and how they work daily to save more lives. Then the top golfing teams got special prizes, all sponsored for the day, plus an auction of limitededition sports memorabilia.

Thank you to each individual, team, sponsor, and golfer who helped plan, execute and fund this truly fantastic day.” -said Tammy Roberts. my Roberts.

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

OPENS A UNIQUE PET VACCINATION WALK THROUGH CLINIC Following sporadic outbreaks of preventable communicable diseases such as Parvo Virus, Canine Distemper and Feline Infectious Peritonitis, which tragically cost many pets their lives annually and are extremely expensive to treat (with a guarded to hopeless prognosis), we decided to invest in a one-of-a-kind pet vaccination walk-through clinic that offered a multitude of value-added benefits for pets as well as their owners.

Our blue-print plan called for a dedicated standalone facility that offered enhanced biosecurity and greater efficiency.

To reduce the risk of exposure to unvaccinated puppies and kittens and otherwise healthy pets, it was important that the design eliminated the need for such pets to share the same space with sick animals. We wanted an offering with a hugely reduced turnaround time that precluded the need for appointments and long waiting periods.

We identified an existing structure that ticked most of the boxes and lent itself to conversion.

Then we set about repurposing it with a very generous grant from our patron, Pamela Isdell, who upon hearing that we planned to officially open the clinic on Mandela Day (July 18th, 2022), unhesitatingly also offered to sponsor the first 67 vaccinations.

The opening was a huge success, and the turnout exceeded our expectations. It was unanimously agreed that we could not have chosen a more befitting occasion than Mandela Day to welcome the clinic’s first beneficiaries.

Our initial plan was to open the doors around 2pm, but by 9am there was already a queue of eager pet owners waiting to have their pets vaccinated.

The fact that we succeeded in emulating the values and legacy of Madiba is a tribute to everyone involved with this life-saving legacy.

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

Roo,

the 2x2 rover spinning work dog

I knew Roo’s family before he became famous. He has a wonderful story of how he was rescued. Nobody gave him a second look. He was born with a deformity and only had his two hind legs to lift him up. The Kotze family saw Roo as a lost boy with a heart that pumped more love than his tiny body could contain. The ‘boytjie’ now earns his keep with work that nobody ever expected he could do and he has an outfit to match.

Roo’s fans are posting him bowties from all over South Africa. It became part of his personality, which he only leaves in the drawer on his days off. Those are getting fewer these days, but experts say that you never perform a day’s work when you do what you love. New Beginnings shelter gave him a new life, and his purpose is to extend that lifeline to other rescue animals as well as humans. Where people see a broken dog; one with a disability, Roo proves that what seems like a weakness, is actually his superpower.

This is also exactly what Nataly Kotze teaches children with their school visits. While children are educated about animal welfare and basic pet care, children also learn that everyone is unique. After collecting and handing donations over to New Beginnings, Roo leaves behind children that embrace their differences instead of bullying. Roo’s attitude is a product of New Beginnings and

stands upright with pride as their mascot.

When you walk into the shelter you realise that it is not a place that harbour sadness. This place saved many animals as well as human lives.

As a sports journalist, I came upon a fundraising event that friends of mine organised in a sports setting, but I was taken on a journey into a hidden world that nobody wants to mention.

It is a world of poverty and where hunger is a daily struggle. Ultimately, the struggle tends to overpower most humans mentally and this results in them discarding their most valuable psychological medicine, their pets.

hold a grudge. Yes, some need a little more therapy, but now they are one of the most effective medicines for inmates, victims of rape and people suffering with depression. Roo is the spark for a whole lot of hope, and we’re excited to tell you more.

Read next month’s article about how Roo’s work brings hope to children.

Also, how New Beginnings became a pillar in the community by not only caring for abandoned pets but also turning the tables on a bad situation.

Every one of us can learn so much from our furry friends because it was people who abandoned and neglected them once but they don’t

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

OVER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

In memory of…

Our animal family members bring boundless joy and unconditional love, and are an integral part of our lives. Sadly, it’s an inescapable reality that, one day, we will have to bid them farewell. This is an incredibly hard process, made worse by not knowing what to expect. This regular column aims to demystify it in order to help you when the time comes for them to cross the Rainbow Bridge.

In the previous columns, we looked at dealing with the emotional situation of your beloved animal family member crossing the Rainbow Bridge. It makes sense that we need to do something to mark their passing and honour their memory, just as we would for human loved ones. In fact, psychology researchers say that memorialising any loved one is a crucial part of overcoming grief, particularly for children. Without such rituals, it becomes harder to heal, and may even lead to complex grief or depression. Unfortunately, there aren’t really any “socially accepted” mourning practises for pets, so it’s up to us to find our own memorial and remembrance rituals.

The great thing about that is that we can tailor it to exactly what we want and need to do to remember them.

Of ritual and memorial It turns out that mourning rituals are important. They help to mitigate grief, because they help us regain a feeling of control and attain a sense of closure, allow for us to express our feelings, and even maintain a link of sorts with our late loved one. A funeral is usually the standard mourning ritual but, with that not generally being an option for pets, we have to make our own. Memorialisation (be it a ceremony or something else) is the ideal way to reflect on good memories of those who have passed and start to find peace.

whenever, and wherever you want it to be. It doesn’t have to be a standard funeral at a cemetery; it could be held under the spreading branches of a tree, beside a peaceful river, out on a rocking boat, or in your cosy living room. If you have your pet’s ashes, you could bury them, similar to a funeral, or scatter them somewhere meaningful as part of the ceremony. You could create invitations for the ‘ceremony’ (even if it’s just going to be you and the kids), seek out some meaningful words (or write your own), have some drinks and snacks, light a candle, play special music, and sit together sharing happy memories. Or take a meditative stroll, perhaps somewhere your pet was happy, while reminiscing about them. Involve all family members, particularly children, in the planning and the ceremony; not only can it help them heal, but it will be a special bonding experience at a time when you need each other most. You could even make it annual event as an ongoing celebration of the lives of all the past animal family members you’ve been blessed to have in your life.

The wonderful thing about a memorial ritual that you invent is that it can be however,

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A word about children You may feel that it’s not a big deal and you’d rather just move on but, experts say children actually benefit greatly from having some form of ritual around a death, no matter how big or small the loss may seem to you. In one study of almost 400 children, researchers found that bereaved children from families which have funeral-related rituals, particularly those associated with “visitation attendance” (i.e. being able to physically be at a memorial or funeral service), do significantly better than children from families without such rituals. The symbolism of rituals brings comfort to children for any form of bereavement. So, if your child wants to hold a “funeral” for their late hamster, let them.Or, better yet, help them and show that you’re taking it seriously.

To honour them If memorial services aren’t for you, or you’re just looking for another way to honour your pet and start to heal, helping others is the ideal solution. Not only will it beappreciated, but multiple studies confirm that helping others boosts happiness and self-esteem.

Some people donate money, food, necessities, or their pet’s nolonger-needed accessories to an animal shelter, while others opt to do volunteer work, such as kennel building or shelter dog walking, each year on their pet’s anniversary, or sponsor a shelter animal in need.

Or what about an environmental act, like planting trees or doing a beach clean-up? Perhaps you’d like to tackle a big walk or hike in their honour, or even skydive or go paragliding? Maybe all you want to do is sit quietly and watch the sunset while thinking of them?

The bottom line is this: whatever feels right for you and your family is the right thing to do, especially if you always remember that, as author Helen Keller said, “What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

8ideas

Honouring their Faithfulness...

1. Help others. Honour your pet with a donation or volunteer work to help those in need.

2. Plant a tree. Trees grow and provide shade, oxygen, and shelter making them a fitting tribute to a loved one. If you have space, plant one in your garden or find out if a park near you allows the sponsorship of trees

3. Put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Write your pet a letter, in which you tell them about how they came into your life, how much you love them, and everything that made them special.

4. Put up a picture. Place a picture of them in a special frame (kids could get involved by helping to decorate it) somewhere prominent. If they had a collar, you can add this to the frame too.

5. Share the love. Get people together, light a

candle, and share happy stories about your pet.

You may find other late pets also become part of the conversation, which is a good thing because there’s always place for more love.

6. Plant a ‘memorial garden’. This can be as simple as some succulents on your windowsill and pebble with their name on it, or as elaborate as a flower bed with engraved memorial stones.

7. Get creative. Paint a picture, compile a photo

album, make a memory box, sew a blanket, or edit video clips of your pet into a short film with music.

The simple act of creating is cathartic and healing in itself, and you’ll have something beautiful to remember your pet by. Children in particular will benefit from such an exercise.

8. Commission artwork. There are many talented

people who can make digital or physical artworks with your pet’s likeness, create cushions, plush toys, comics, statues, jewellery, or even tattoo your pet’s name or picture onto your skin.

At Legacy we have the opportunity to bring comfort and solace to grieving pet owners. Our Return of Ashes cremation service helps families grieve well and remember the faithful life of a departed companion. Honouring the legacy of a pet and memorialising them is an intuitive and important part of the grieving process.

Legacy Pet offer a range of memorabilia from affordable garden stones to more valuable ashes infused into glass keepsakes and jewlery, which help owners celebrate their pet’s life and process their death, in a healthy way.

Please talk to your local vet for more information. www.legacypet.co.za

SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

Ask the Vet

Q

&A

Q: Hi Doctor Travis. My new kitten that I adopted 3 months ago went for his vet visit this week. I asked the doctor why his coat had started to change colour, and she explained that it was something to do with fever. I wasn’t aware that my kitten was sick at any stage, as we were in touch with the adoption agency since the kitten was about 2 weeks old. Could you please help to clarify some of this for us?

A: While it is normal for the coat colour of a kitten to change slightly as they grow, I think your vet may have been referring to a phenomenon known as a “fever coat.” This is an observation that has been noted in some kittens whose fur colour gradually changes from the colour it was when they were born. The colour change is usually complete when the kitten reaches four or five months old.

The reason it is called a “fever coat” is because the change is thought to be as a result of a fever in the queen while she was pregnant with the kittens. The theory is that the fever caused abnormalities in the pigment of the kitten’s coat. Then, as the kitten grows, the abnormal fur is replaced with normal fur, hence the colour change. It’s a phenomenon that hasn’t been thoroughly studied, and all we know about it is what has been observed by breeders and veterinarians who have seen these kittens. What we do know, is that the condition doesn’t cause any long term health effects in affected kittens.

A: The sterilization of male (and female) dogs will always be a hot topic of discussion. One of the reasons is because some owners are hesitant to make permanent surgical changes to their pet’s body unless there is concrete evidence that it is in the pet’s best interest. Unfortunately, that concrete evidence doesn’t exist when it comes to sterilization, and the data seems to vary from breed to breed. That said, spaying and neutering your pets is still believed by most vets to benefit the patient.

In males, neutering removes the testicles, which are the organs that produce testosterone. This eliminates the chances of testicular cancer and does seem to reduce the incidence of sexually-linked behaviours such as mounting, urine marking, and inter-male dog aggression. However, the actual statistics of the difference vary from study to study, so there isn’t an actual value that I’m able to quote you. The drop in testosterone also reduces the chances of prostate diseases such as enlargement and infection, but doesn’t prevent prostatic cancer.

Also remember that overpopulation is a big problem in dogs and cats in South Africa. Thousands of unwanted animals are put to sleep every year at animal welfare societies, and a major cause of this is uncontrolled breeding. Sterilizing our animals is the best thing we can do to help solve this problem.

Q: Dear Doctor, my dogs have never been for a teeth cleaning.

It’s very expensive and they don’t like going to the vet. I’ve been giving them dental sticks but is there something more I can do to make sure they don’t get bad teeth?

This shouldn’t be confused with temperature-sensitive mutations (or “point mutations”). This is a studied, genetic mutation is most famously seen in Siamese cats, and is responsible for them having darker colours at the cooler tips of their bodies, like the ears, nose, or paws.

A: When it comes to dental health, unfortunately nothing beats proper brushing with a toothbrush. Just like us, this should ideally be done twice daily, but your dog might not like it at first. In dogs that may be a bit uncomfortable with brushing, it’s best to first get them used to you just rubbing a finger over their teeth. Once they are used to that, then you can start using a brush. Be sure to use a brush with soft bristles, and brush in an up-to-down direction (rather than a front to back direction) to prevent injury to the gums. You can also start using a pet toothpaste when they are comfortable enough. Never use human toothpastes as these are not formulated to be swallowed and can cause upset stomachs.

Q: Hi doctor, there is a hot debate taking place in our house about sterilization. I know that it has become compulsory to sterilize your dog in the Western Cape, but we live on the East Coast and my father just doesn’t want to listen when I tell him it’s necessary to sterilize our dog. Are there any statistics or reasons you can help me with to get through to him? I know they don’t live as long if they are fixed, but for me it’s more because of the fact that the dog is always trying to fight with other dogs when we walk.

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

If, for whatever reason, brushing isn’t working out for you, then there are other options to consider. There are several dental diets on the market that are clinically shown to promote healthy gums, and reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar. This is because the kibble of these diets has been formulated to brush the teeth as it crumbles.

Dental chews and gels can also help to reduce plaque build-up and bad breath, but aren’t as effective as brushing or specialized diets.

Q: Hi Doctor, my dog is about 10 years old now, she’s a Labrador-mix. She is in good health, but she’s started doing this teeth chattering thing when she’s in her bed. I’ve Googled it and it is said to be anything from normal, to a tooth ache, to a brain tumour. Our annual vet visit is only due in December. It doesn’t happen too often, and sometimes it’s more frequent.

It seems to be in waves. Is it something we should worry about and rather take her to the vet, or is it perhaps just old age?

A: This question was a difficult one to answer because, as you have already seen on your Google search, there are many different causes for teeth chattering in dogs. Dental disease, while not immediately life threatening, is uncomfortable for the patient, and should be treated to avoid any further suffering. Additionally, dental disease does predispose to kidney and heart disease in the long term if left untreated, due to the effects of bacteria accumulating on the teeth. Neurological disease can also cause teeth chattering, with these chattering episodes sometimes being referred to as “bubble-gum seizures” as this is what they tend to look like. Patients with diseases that affect the brain and nerves may also be showing other issues, such as abnormal behaviour, abnormal head positions, or pupils of differing sizes. These types of diseases are often progressive, and may get to the point where medication is needed to help maintain quality of life, especially if the teeth chattering does progress to a total seizure.

Your peace of mind in Veterinary Practice Management

FEATURES

For this reason, I would recommend taking your dog to the vet sooner, rather than waiting for the annual health check at the end of the year. If anything, it would help put your mind at ease that your dog isn’t in discomfort, and that you are doing everything to keep them happy and healthy in the senior years of their life.

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If you would like to ask Dr Travis a question, please send an email to mail@petprints.co.za Please include as much information in the email as possible.

Address Unit12, The Siding, 22 Plantation Road, Ottery General Email info@bm.co.za

Dr Travis Gray Tygerberg Animal Hospital

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Office Number 021 704 2720

SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

Kisa

Griffin

Kisa is a 4-year-old Labrador Blend.

She is a friendly and affectionate girl who loves to please her humans.

Kisa loves other dogs and spends a big part of her day playing with her fur friends at Dogtown. She especially loves playing with a ball

Juliette

Griffin is a 6-year-old Terrier Blend.

Griffin is a very social dog who loves being around people and dogs. He enjoys going on walks and adventures. Followed by his all-time favourite chilling & cuddling

Saint

Juliette is a 4-year-old Terrier Blend.

Juliette loves attention and she is very attached to her brother, Nino.

She is gentle and very affectionate

Nino

Saint is a 5-year-old Labrador Blend.

Saint is a calm and easy-going boy who loves attention. He likes toys and is still just a puppy at heart.

Duffy

Nino is a 4-year-old Terrier Blend.

Nino is a very unique looking doggo, almost certainly a Bassett blend. He is very entertaining and always up for some cuddles.

Duffy is an 8-year-old Africanis Blend. Duffy is a social girl who gets along well with other dogs.

She loves humans (even the tiny ones) and her favourite thing to do is to be around her humans and getting some cuddles in every chance she gets.

Adoption fee covers sterilization, micro-chip, at least 2 vaccinations, deworming, tick and flea treatment and an adoption pack.

Rex Rex is a 5-year-old Shepherd Blend.

Since being rescued, Rex has opened up to be a soft and gentle natured boy. We would love for Rex to be adopted and part of a kind and loving family, something he has never known.

Adoption fee: R1000 Contact us: Adopt@dogtownsa.org | 076 044 1979

For Business Network and IT Solutions Contact us info@bm.co.za | Tel: 021 704 2720 | www.bm.co.za

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

Sponsored By

Moose

Duke

Moose is 10 month old cross breed.

He is friendly with other dogs and children, but unsure with cats.

Moose is a very loving and sweet boy who likes to go for walks, be spoiled and loves to cuddle.

Leia

Duke is a 1-year-old cross breed. He is friendly with other dogs and with children but unsure with cats. They say ‘happiness is a warm puppy’ and Duke does not fall short in that department. He adores fun and games but would never say no to a warm snuggle. He loves spending his days hyping his doggy friends and human companion too.

Reeco

Leia is a 4-year-old Staffie cross with Pitbull. She is friendly with children and other dogs but unsure with cats. She is a very calm lady and her personality speaks for itself.

Regardless of her bitter background she is a total sweetheart who has since blossomed with forgiveness, love and compassion.

Benji

Reeco is a 3-year-old German Shepard Cross who is good with other dogs and with children but not sure with cats. He is a very friendly boy who loves to run, have fun and he is full of energy. He will appreciate someone who would take him for walks every day and give him lots of love and attention.

Skye

Benji is a 3-year-old Pitbull cross. He is not good with other dogs or cats but he is however good with children.

He aims for greater heights. He is not always in favor with other dogs but he thrives with human companions.

Benji has springs under his paws and will jump for joy when he sees you, and they say, jumping for joy is good exercise though.

Snow

Skye is a 3-year-old cross breed.

She is good with other dogs, good with children but not good with cats. She is a sweetheart full of love and very easy to be loved or understood. Skye likes to cuddle, loves walks, and attention.

Nyari

Snow is a 3-year-old, cross terrier. He is friendly with other dogs and with children but unsure with cats. Snow beautifies everything it covers as does he. He is a ball of energy who enjoys spending time with other dogs and his human companions.

He also adores being the centre of attention. He could be a bit nervous at first, but be sure that once he warms up to you, he will adore you all the days of his life.

Nyari is a 4-year-old Boerboel Cross who is good with other dogs and good with children but not sure with cats. She is very sweet and loving. She has forgotten about the past and looking forward to find her forever home.

Nyari likes to give hugs and loves a tummy rub, biscuits or treats.

The adoption fee will include full vaccination, frontlined, sterilized and with a micro-chip inserted.

Adoption fee: R900 Contact us: 0216922626 | adoptions@awscape.org.za

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SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

Adopt a Dachshund Cape Dachshund Rescue is a pro-qualitylife non-profit organization focused on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming the Dachshund and other small breeds in the Western & Eastern Cape, Garden Route, and Free State.

All the dogs in our care are kept in preapproved private foster homes where they form part of the foster home’s family life. This enables the foster homes to gauge and understand each dog’s temperament intimately thereby enabling Cape Dachshund Rescue to rehome every dog accurately, lovingly, and responsibly according to the dog’s nature, energy levels, likes & dislikes.

During this period of assessment, the dogs are medically evaluated, spayed/ neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, and micro-chipped. Any other medical issues that arise are similarly handled thereby ensuring that at the conclusion of an adoption, the dog is handed to the new home vetted and where necessary, an understanding of any known chronic illnesses supplied.

When a dog is deemed ready for rehoming, a blurb/advertisement is placed on our social media platforms. On each blurb/advertisement, potential applicants are requested to email cdradoptions@ gmail.com to enquire. Each enquiry is handled and adoption application forms are sent out to potential homes.

Preference is given to those applicants who have already completed our process and in possession of their Adoption Approval emails.

issues have been resolved.

First-time applicants are guided through our system by our friendly adoptions volunteer. On receipt of an applicant’s fully completed application form, we initiate an unintrusive and friendly home inspection. Our home checkers will complete a comprehensive report and in so doing supply us with a good understanding of the home in question.

Based on the information supplied by the home checker, the home is approved, approved with conditions, or on the very rare occasion the home is declined, we will ask for alterations and or improvements thereby encouraging the applicant to reapply once any outstanding

Adoption Fees: R1250 For more information contact 083 230 3230

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As the members of Cape Dachshund Rescue have collectively many decades of combined experience, knowledge, and love of the Dachshund breed and other small dogs, Cape Dachshund Rescue is well-equipped to rehabilitate where necessary and rehome the Dachshund carefully and conscientiously in a professional and strict yet kind and friendly manner.

SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

UP FOR ADOPTION

Bubbles

Droopy

Western Cape - Garden Route Age: 2 Sex: Male Breed: Dachshund Cross Personality/Nature: Sensitive and shy

Western Cape - Cape Town Age: 8 Sex: Female Breed: Dachshund Cross Personality/Nature: Loves being around her humans

Western Cape - Breede Valley Age: 14 weeks Sex: Male Breed: Dachshund Cross Personality/Nature: Playful friendly puppy

Archie

Cassidy

Parzi

Western Cape - Cape Town Age: 5 Sex: Male Breed: Dachshund Personality/Nature: Loves attention, curious & playful

Pudge

Western Cape - Cape Town Age: 2 Sex: Male Breed: Dachshund Personality/Nature: Funny and busy but an obedient boy

Western Cape - Cape Town Age: 2 Sex: Male Breed: Dachshund Personality/Nature: Dramatic with lots of personality

EXCITING NEWS COMING THIS OCTOBER! WWW.VETSOFTZA.CO.ZA 51

SEPTEMBER 2022 | PETPRINTS

Emergency Welfare Directory African Tails

Brooklyn CT

021 510 7360

www.africantails.co.za

AACL Durban & Pietermaritzburg

Durban

031 736 9093

www.aacl.co.za/branches-durban

AACL Epping

Cape Town

021 534 6426

www.aacl.co.za

AACL Johannesburg

Johannesburg

011 435 0672

www.aacl.co.za

AACL Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth

041 456 1776

www.aacl.co.za

Animal Rescue Org

Ottery CT

021 396 5511

www.animalrescue.org.za

AWS (Philippi)

Philippi

021 692 2626

www.awscape.org.za

AWS (Stellenbosch)

Stellenbosch CT

021 886 4901

www.aws-stb.co.za

Cape of Good Hope SPCA

Cape Town

021 700 4140

www.spca-ct.co.za

Cart Horse Protection

Cape Town

021 535 3435

www.carthorse.org.za

CHAIN (Boland)

Tulbagh/Ceres

072 609 1165

www.chainboland.co.za

DARG

Houtbay CT

021 790 0383

www.darg.org.za

Fallen Angels

Cape Town

084 688 7111

www.fallenangels.org.za

Hermanus Animal Welfare

Hermanus

028 312 1281

www.hermanusanimalwelfare.webs.com

Knysna Animal Welfare Society

Knysna

044 384 1603

www.knysnaaws.com

LEAPS

West Coast CT

082 447 8866

www.leaps.co.za

Mdzananda Animal Clinic

Khayelitsha

021 367 2302

www.mdzananda.co.za

Peanut Animal Rescue

Melkbosstrand CT

076 339 5485

www.peanutanimal.co.za

People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals

Cape Town

021 638 5134

www.pdsa.org.za

People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals

George

044 875 8300

www.pdsa.org.za

People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals

Soweto, Johannesburg

011 984 4340

www.pdsa.org.za

SPCA Durban

Durban

031 579 6500

www.spcadbn.org.za

SPCA East London

East London

043 374 1441

www.elspca.co.za

SPCA Garden Route

Garden Route/George

044 878 1990

www.grspca.co.za

SPCA Johannesburg

Johannesburg

011 681 3600

www.jhbspca.co.za

SPCA Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay

044 693 0824

www.grspca.co.za

SPCA Port Elizabeth

Uitenhage

041 992 3016

www.uitenhagespca.co.za

SPCA Pretoria

Pretoria

012 803 5219

www.spcata.org.za

TEARS

Southern Peninsula CT

021 785 4482

www.tears.org.za

Township Animal Rescue

Somerset West CT

021 855 1824

www.townshipanimalrescue.co.za

TUFCAT

Cape Town

082 433 0932

www.tufcat.co.za

Wetnose Animal Rescue Centre

Bronkhorstspruit

013 932 3941

www.wetnose.org.za

Emgwenya Animal Welfare Organisation

Waterval Boven

082 262 3197

www.eawo.co.za

Leading Veterinary Practice Management Software since 1999 Designed by Vets for Vets CONTACT US ON 021 704 2720 | OR EMAIL US AT info@bm.co.za For a FREE consultation to find out how we can help you manage your practice

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