Summer 2016 | ISSUE 18

1PAWPRINTS | TAH NEWSLETTERAFTER-HOURS EMERGENCIES: 021 91 911 91

TAH ANIMAL HOSPITAL & VETSHOP PAWPRINTS | TAH NEWSLETTER

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER - TAH ANIMAL HOSPITAL & VETSHOP

Do you find your pet is slowing down or reluctant to engage in usually enjoyable activities?

The TAH physical rehabilitation clinic is here to help!

We have a beautiful hydrotherapy facility for safe exercise. We perform skilled hands on therapy for pets with aching muscles and joints. We also use laser therapy to assist with pain control as well as Canine Core Ball to strengthen and train all the correct muscle groups.

Our clinic excels at assisting with • Recoveries after injury or surgery• Weight loss programs• Osteoarthritis• Puppy development skills

The benefits include• Smoother recovery• Pain management• Improved strength, balance, flexibility and

fitness• Overall wellness and wellbeing

Please come and meet the team and see our great clinic at the TAH Bellville branch.

At TAH we absolutely love the holiday season because we get to spend as much time as possible with our pets! December is generally a busy time, so here are some tips to keep in mind over the festive season.

TravellingIf you’re like us, and want to take your pet everywhere with you – remember to always be prepared with leashes, water and any other necessities you might need on long road trips. If your furry friend is staying home, make sure they’re left with plenty of fresh water and maybe a special chew

to keep them occupied. If you’re going away for longer than a day, please make arrangements with a friend to feed your pet and regularly.

GuestsHoliday season is the most festive season, so if your house is full of family and friends you need to know how your pet will react to big crowds. With lots of people around it’s easy for pets to slip out of an open door or gate, so it is wise to keep close tabs on them to prevent an accident, escape or disappearance. Have a quiet space they can

always retreat to if it starts getting a little rowdy.

FoodAs much as your pet will probably be begging at your feet for another bite, it’s vital that you know what food is safe to share, and that you share in moderation. Avoid letting them sample foods containing potentially toxic ingredients like onions, mushrooms, grapes, raisins and desserts that contain chocolate. Rather treat your pet to some snacks from any TAH vetshop, that won’t cause them any harm.

December/January is normally the time most of us are thinking about adding more fur to our families.

Adopting pets is something we hold very close to our hearts, and believe it’s a great way to give love and receive even more love!

If you’re thinking of adopting, please have a look at the charities we support – with many dogs and cats looking for a forever home.

Animal Welfare Society (AWS)  021 951 3010

Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL)  021 534 6426

People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA)  021 638 5134

Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)  021 700 4166

Domestic Animal Rescue Group (DARG)  021 790 0383

The Emma Animal Rescue Society (TEARS)  021 785 4482

Fisantekraal Animal Welfare (FAW)  079 173 8260 / 082 783 1066

Animal Rescue Organisation (ARO)  021 396 5511

Lucky Lucy Foundation (LLF)  073 928 6236

Uitsig Animal Rescue (UAR)  083 704 9700

ChRIstmas,holIdays&alltheGoodthInGs

HERE’S TO HEALinG!

WoW, Where has this year gone to? We can’t believe hoW fast time has floWn, but We’ve sure had a year filled With fun, and lots of furry friends! eXtendInG

theFamIly

MEET THE vETS AT TAH KLOOF bRAnCH!

We welcome you both with open arms to the TAH family, and wish you all the best for this new chapter in your lives.

Dr. Stephen brink has been working as a veterinarian for 16 years, after graduating from the University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort in June 2000. A very experienced practitioner, having treated everything from bearded dragons to miniature goats, he has worked in SA, the UK and Hong Kong. Family has brought him back to Cape Town, where he looks forward to bringing his skills and experience to the clients and patients of Kloof Veterinary Hospital. His main focus will be delivering excellent patient care and client service and forging lasting relationships with existing and new clients of the clinic.

Dr. Gemma Driscoll was born and bred in the UK, graduating from Cambridge University before moving out to South Africa in 2011. Her first 18 months were spent working for Mdzananda Animal Clinic, a charity serving the Khayelitsha community. This is a project that remains close to her heart being still heavily involved in a voluntary capacity.

Gemma’s passion lies in small animal internal medicine. Outside of work she enjoys riding her horse, spending time with friends, her husband and her own fur-kids as well as baking for her wonderful colleagues!

Looking for the perfect gift ideas?

Pop into one of our TAH branches or your nearest TAH Vetshop for an excellent range of choice gifts to treat your furry friend this festive season.

Perfect gifts for your favourite pets

anImalhosPItal&VetshoP

www.tah.co.za

Brackenfell Hypermarket CentreTel: 021 981-7080

Kloof St, Cape TownPalmhof CentreTel: 021 423 2917

UitzichtGraanendal CentreTel: 021 979-2068

Durbanville16 Plein StreetTel: 021 976-3015

Goodwood107 Vasco BoulevardTel: 021 591-2571

Moorreesburg26 LangstraatTel: 022 433-4883

Bellville1 Kontiki Rd, Glen IveTel: 021 919-1191

Darling17 Main RdTel: 022 492-2545

Kenridge78 De Bron Ave021 914-0886

Green Point 86 High Level RoadTel: 021 434-5475

Parow20 Frans Conradie DrvTel: 021 939-7102

Somerset WestBright St, Audas EstTel: 021 851-5739

Sonstraal Heights10 Verdi BoulevardTel: 021 975-1870

BRANCHES

FOLLOW US TygerbergAnimalHospital tah_animal_hospital VETSHOPS

Van RiebeeckshofVan Riebeeckshof MallTel: 021 913-9066

DurbanvilleD’Ville CentreTel: 021 979 1660

KuilsrivierIpic Soneike CentreTel: 021 903-8946

“Where pets have been first for more than 50 years”

PAWPRINTS | TAH NEWSLETTER TAH ANIMAL HOSPITAL & VETSHOP

32 TAH ANIMAL HOSPITAL & VETSHOP PAWPRINTS | TAH NEWSLETTER

Rikki is a cross terrier; who was brought in as a mange ridden puppy. She had very little hair on her body and was very skinny. I took Rikki home with me for a long weekend because I did not want her to stay in the hospital all weekend.

We’re still together 8 years later! Rikki lives with 6 other dogs, 4 chickens and 2 cats, and although she is the smallest she rules all of us.

Rikki has the best time going to the Cedarberg where she loves swimming in the rivers and huge dam. She also enjoys walking up in the mountains, for she is a very tough dog. One weekend we went away with 16 dogs and 18 people camping at the farm, Rikki had the time of her life!

As you can see, Rikki loves her food. She is always standing around in case the others do not eat every pellet and she will be there getting her extra mouthful.

Although Rikki is a very active dog, she has a weight problem. Rikki started the weight loss program and has done very well in her first weigh-in – she weighed 16kg before and within two weeks she lost 0.6kg.

Rikki’s chest measurement was 57cm and her back was 49cm and with wonderful results her chest measurements are now 53cm and her back with 45cm.

The first step for ensuring your pet lives a long, healthy life is to know what your pet should weigh and in this case Rikki’s goal weight is 11.3kg. When Rikki started, she was overweight with 42%; and now with a 36%, which means she has lost 4.35% of her body fat.

We are all very proud of Rikki, and urge her to keep up the hard work.

STARTINGTHE DiETIf you’re changing your pet’s food to Hill’s Prescription Diet recommended for weight loss, we would advise the following:

Introduce the new food gradually. Over a 7-day period, mix your pet’s previous food with increasing proportions of the new food, until only the new food is being fed. Any sudden or drastic change in food can result in refusal to eat and tummy upsets.

Ensure that you stick to the recommended daily allowance of food as directed by your vet. It helps to weigh and divide the daily allowance into several meals for the most efficient weight loss, at the beginning of the day, to avoid accidental overfeeding. Just a few extra kibbles can make a difference.

Avoid feeding table scraps - they are inappropriate for pets (most especially those on a weight loss programme) because they are nutritionally unbalanced, have high salt and high fat levels and promote begging and fussy eating habits. Opt for healthy, low-calorie snacks if you would like to treat your pet to something extra.

http://www.petslimmer.co.za/tips/ snacking-and-begging

they don’t have to miss out this summer - take advantage of the hot Weather and take a camPing triP With your Pet! We’ve found a few pet friendly campsites for the whole family to visit. Remember to post your photo’s to our Facebook page, we always love to see your families enjoying the holidays!

breede riverRivierplaas – near Worcester Web: www.rivierplaas.co.za/ Tel: 023 340 4551

Kam’bati Swellendam/breede River/Sonderend River Web: www.safarinow.com/go/kambatiriverresortswellendam

River Goose Campsite Web: www.safarinow.com/go/rivergoosecampsite

seWeWeeksPoortOp Die Plaas Web: www.safarinow.com/go/Op-die-PlaasKamp

montaguMontagu Caravan ParkMontagu Caravan Park is pet friendly. Web: www.montagucaravanpark.co.za Tel: 023 614 3034

ceresKlondyke Cherry Farm Web: www.cherryfarm.co.za Tel:  023-312 1521

citrusdalCitrus Creek Web: www.citruscreek.co.za Tel: 022 921 3145

Porterville near the cederbergbeaverlac Web: www.beaverlac.co.za Tel: 022 931 2945

riviersonderendKhomeesdrif Campsite Web: https://www.safarinow.com/go/khomeesdrifcampingsite/?source=6309

West coastKuifkop – velddrif Web: www.kuifkop.co.za Tel: +27(0)22 783 0818

LET’S GOCamPInG!

bRAvEHEART MinKAMinka Kober was a boxer who loved life and was, in turn, a much loved companion.

She was first diagnosed with early spinal arthritis and cruciate ligament ruptures in both knees at the young age of 2 and a half years. She had surgeries in both knees. Over the years she struggled at times with the resultant arthritis and her spinal problems. Even with her disabilities nothing stopped Minka from being a “bouncing Boxer”! In March 2015 Minka, at 10 years of age, came for a spinal and general check up with Dr Ian Campbell. On examination Dr Campbell noticed a problem in her mouth and referred her to Dr Jose Almansa Ruiz.

Minka was diagnosed with a benign but very invasive tumour on her maxilla (upper jaw). After a long discussion Minka underwent a procedure called Rostal Maxillectomy to remove her oral mass. After a short stay in hospital, Minka recovered very fast, and at her 2 week follow-up everything was back to normal. She was again a happy Boxer and Mrs Kober was very relieved that she had made the correct decision. Seeing Minka back to her herself again after such a big procedure was absolutely wonderful.

The best news was yet to come! The histopathology results showed clean margins, meaning that Minka was given the all clear. It is essential to perform routine dental care on your pets to ensure that you are on top of their health needs. Your pet may not outwardly show a health issue until it is too late. Brushing your pets’ teeth on a daily basis is a great way to bond with them as well as keeping them in tip-top shape.

Sadly we had to say goodbye to Minka on 21 November 2016, 2 days shy of her 13th birthday. Her mouth still looked perfect but her longstanding battle with her spine and knees finally got the better of her and her back legs gave in.

R.I.P. Minka. We’ll miss you.

GetmoVInG!WalkingRegular walk - take your dog to the park or along the street.

Resistance walk - if possible, make your pet walk on different surfaces such as sand, shallow water or fallen leaves.

Enhanced walk - when out walking, use obstacles such as benches, trees, ditches or fallen tree trunks as a natural obstacle course to jump over, crawl under or balance on.

Fun and GamesFetch - always a firm favorite! Throwing a ball or toy is a great exercise for your dog – and not too strenuous for you. For a more challenging game of fetch, use steep banks (outdoors) or stairs (indoors) for increased resistance.

Hide and Seek - hide a toy or some kibbles and let your dog find it.

Jogging and Cycling - take your dog along with you.

Swimming or Hydrotherapy - ideal for dogs with arthritis or back problems. Ask your vet for advice about hydrotherapy.

Obstacle Courses - indoors or outdoors, set up low hurdles (use a broom stick across two objects), tunnels (these are available from pet shops, or use cardboard boxes) and a slalom course (set objects like buckets one meter apart) to exercise your dog.

Massage and stretching - warms up muscles, releases tension and stimulates blood circulation. And your dog will love it!

dogs esPecially love exercise - here are some suggestions to enjoy being active together in the coming Weeks.

sr karen shares a heart-warming story of hope and recovery. this is the tale of a terrier called

RiKKi

Keep Xmas decorations out of reach:Round, ball-like decorations may seem similar to a tennis ball to your dog. However, if broken in the mouth, the sharp pieces of plastic or glass can cause lacerations to the tongue and intestines and require surgery.

Beware of what you hang on your tree. Edible treats such as candy canes or chocolate may be attractive to your pet, but are harmful if consumed.

Cats love string, and tinsel can seem like a very attractive toy. If dogs or cats eat tinsel, it can pose an extreme risk to their health, obstructing the intestines and often creating a surgical emergency.

Remember to clean up before you go to bed ;-)

Christmas day tips:After unwrapping the presents, quickly clean up any bows, plastic and ribbons that could cause strangulation, or be swallowed by your pet.

If you’re expecting visitors, exercise your pet before anyone arrives. That way, they’ll feel rested and more inclined to nap once the celebrations begin.

Create a calm, quiet spot for your pet away from the festivities and noise. Even the most sociable of pets will need a break from all the excitement.

Change the way you feed your pet on Christmas Day, try creating a treasure hunt with their favorite treats through the house to help them feel part of the celebrations.

stoPyouRPet

FRomRaIsInG

Jingle bells,

Jingle bell

hell!