Entries by Bronwyn Hayes

Miracle dog overcomes deadly canine parvovirus

August 20, 2021 in , /by

A dedicated Cape Town dog owner travelled far to get treatment for her sick pup at the Animal Welfare Society last week. The dog was diagnosed with parvovirus, a highly infectious disease that can be fatal. The AWS says they treat five to 10 parvovirus cases per day and in some cases the animals don’t make it. A Cape Town dog managed to overcome the deadly parvovirus after his owner sprang into action to save it after it became ill. Sylvia Plaatjies, 58, from Tambo Village near Manenberg, said she noticed her dog, My Baby, was not eating and did not move around […]

Unrest relief: International society donates 22 tonnes of dog food

August 19, 2021 in , /by

The unrest that recently swept through parts of South Africa did not leave animal welfare and pet rescue organisations unscathed.  Most were forced to stop their work for safety reasons and close their shelter doors, meaning that their stock of veterinary medicines and pet food began to run dry too. While South Africans unite to rebuild and restock supermarket shelves in parts of the country after the recent, pet care organisations that were affected by the unrest have received a helping hand from global animal welfare organisation, Humane Society International (HSI).  HSI/Africa has provided 22 tons of dog food to animal […]

Eosinophilic Keratitis in Cats

July 26, 2021 in , /by

By Catherine Barnette, DVM What is eosinophilic keratitis? Feline eosinophilic keratitis is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the cornea. In cats with eosinophilic keratitis, eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) invade the cornea, giving the surface of the eye a pink, white, and/or chalky appearance. Eosinophils may also invade the undersides of the eyelids and the thin conjunctival membrane that covers the sclera (white of the eye), creating even more widespread inflammation within the eye. Eosinophils are cells that are typically involved in allergic reactions, as well as the body’s immune reaction to parasites. At this time, we do […]

New factory acquisition sees Montego expand its pawprint into Gauteng

July 22, 2021 in , /by

Montego Pet Nutrition (Montego) continues to make huge strides in the premium pet food industry with its latest acquisition of an existing 3,000 sqm pet food production facility in Rosslyn, Pretoria – a move that is expected to boost the company’s production capacity by 25%. “Montego’s Monty & Me pet food will primarily be produced at this site, followed by contract manufacturing and other Montego ranges, once the current upgrades have been completed,” says Marco van Jaarsveld, Operations Director at Montego. “In terms of production volumes, the new factory will boost Montego’s overall production capacity significantly. We’re expecting to produce […]

Treat your feline family to Montego’s new Packs O’ Purrs chewies

July 23, 2021 in , /by

Montego Packs O’ Purrs range of delectable chewies for cats are the latest must-have treat for your furry feline friends. Not only are they indulgent enough to spoil your kitties, but they’re also nutritious enough to add to their menu as a tasty between-meal snack, complementing Montego’s their dry and wet cat food purr-fectly. Packs O’ Purrs treats are made using only the finest ingredients, containing both omegas 3 and 6, as well as added taurine – an essential amino acid for cats with a range of health benefits, including promoting good vision, digestion and a healthy immune system. These […]

The NSPCA gives the world 3 147 reasons to donate with #AnimalsDoWhat

July 15, 2021 in , /by

Today the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) launches a global campaign to bring awareness to how almost every aspect of our lives is influenced by animals – in all sizes, shapes and forms. And it is more than just our domestic dogs and cats – woodpeckers, desert spiders, porcupines, sharks, snails, bats, butterflies, bees and even earwigs, play incredible roles in our daily lives and in some of mankind’s most life-changing inventions, technologies and innovations. Like did you know that butterfly wings inspired the development of anti-counterfeit technology? Or that the way a mosquito is able to puncture human skin […]

The real issue with COVID-19 in pets is the cruelty that follows from myths – debunking the subject

July 15, 2021 in , /by

COVID-19 occurring in pets is a topic circulating in the media – a myth that is detrimental to animals everywhere. Lara Van Rensburg from TEARS Animal Rescue has emphasised the dangers of this highly inflammatory subject and the dangers associated with it at a time when panic, fear and ignorance can lead people to treating innocent animals with cruelty. “The fact is that while there have been reports of animals infected with the virus worldwide, most of these animals became infected after contact with people with COVID-19. “A small number of pet cats and dogs have been reported to be infected with […]

The hidden history behind our pets most revolting habits

July 14, 2021 in , /by

  From pooing in strangers’ gardens to barking incessantly, even the most precious pets can be annoying, embarrassing, or just plain revolting. Where did these behaviours come from? In a leafy suburban corner of south-east London, a war is brewing.   It started in May this year, when one of my neighbours took a sudden interest in the little wilderness at the front of his house. Over the next three weeks, he could regularly be seen labouring away, hacking out weeds, smoothing the soil, and adding compost. Then one day, it was time to add the finishing touch – a soft […]

Pet owners warned of new scam which could put their lives at risk

July 13, 2021 in , /by

Dogtown South Africa has warned pet owners to not fall prey to a new scam which could compromise their safety. The animal shelter and rescue centre for abandoned and abused dogs said that they have received information about an individual posing as an official from Dogtown, who has been contacting people whose pets have gone missing and telling them that they have been found. However, the organisation insists that this is just a scam. “The modus operandi is to tell the person that they have found their pet and that if they send them airtime, they will be able to […]

Understanding pet diabetes

July 12, 2021 in , /by

Globally, and in South Africa, pet diabetes is on the rise, and pet owners are looking for health management plans to keep their fur babies happy, healthy and living longer lives. “It’s so important for pet owners to understand that diabetes is not a death sentence for their pet,” says Tarryn Dent, Diagnostic and Technical Manager at Zoetis South Africa, a global animal health company “We’ve found that a lack of awareness can either lead to a missed diagnosis because pet owners don’t know what to look for or, if a pet is diagnosed with diabetes, many owners think that there […]