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Telemedicine – A New Frontier for Veterinary Clinics

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Medici

As the use of technology and communication continues to grow at a rapid rate in South Africa, which has been escalated by lockdown, the incorporation of telehealth and telemedicine has become a topic of interest within the veterinary fraternity. As a modern solution to unprecedented circumstances, telehealth is described as the virtual veterinary services and telemedicine is a term used for the digital interaction between a veterinarian and their client/patient. The appropriate application of telemedicine, according to telehealth app Medici can enhance an animal’s care by facilitating text, voice and video communications, diagnostics, treatments, client education, scheduling and other operational tasks with a veterinarian.

Today, many families see their animals as family members and are willing to go the extra mile to ensure they live a happy and fulfilled life. According to research, the need for digital engagement is only going to strengthen with 39% of millennials who are most likely to own a dog or cat compared to the previous baby boomer generation.   

The South African Veterinary Services (SAVA) alongside Medici takes a further look into the benefits of telemedicine for pet owners and veterinarians who work with companion pets, livestock or exotic animals. 

  1. General wellness advice
    Whether you have a question on a specific topic or require further insight or information, our first port of call is the internet. However, we are often bombarded with a multitude of results that we must sift through to get the most accurate answer or source. Telemedicine, whether delivered through message, email or video can help veterinarians provide owners with expert advice they can trust. It also allows for pet owners and their veterinarians develop a closer relationship. Owners and their animals will receive better and more qualified care by engaging directly with their veterinarian, faster assessments and a greater sense of care.

  2. Convenient care
    Taking an animal to the vet can be challenging if the animal for example; does not enjoy the experience, is to large to easily transport, gets anxious about being in the car or around other animals, is a senior animal or is terminally ill. Telemedicine offers a sense of comfort and convenience for pet owners who are only required to take their pet to their veterinary clinic, if it is an emergency.

  3. Affordable and accessible
    Animals, like people, require constant care. Telehealth provides an easy, convenient and affordable option for patients and their owners for any after-hours care needs, which increases the loyalty and confidence amongst pet owners.

  4. Post-surgical care
    When an animal has undergone any type of surgery, post-surgical care is of the utmost importance. A key benefit of telemedicine is that owners can now help their veterinarian monitor this crucial stage simply through the power of their smartphone or smart device (e.g. laptop/iPad etc). Veterinarians can monitor a patient’s post-op recovery by simply asking the owner to send images or videos of where the operation/incision took place. This will allow for the veterinarian to ensure that there are no abnormalities. Video calls or videos can also help veterinarians monitor the animal’s behaviour and mobility.

Locally, the South African Veterinary Services (SAVA) recently ran a survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on veterinary services and telemedicine. The results

A recent survey from SAVA indicates that 37% of respondents indicate that they make use of remote consulting (whether through established platforms such as Medici, or informal channels such as WhatsApp). However, only 21% of veterinarians that perform remote consulting actually charge for the service. It is important to state that, whether a veterinarian performs a physical consultation or an online consultation, the veterinarian applies his/her knowledge and experience to be able to make an initial determination.

For more information, please visit the South African Veterinary Services (SAVA) website, Facebook or Twitter page.

Source: SAVA

Tips & Methods for Switching Dog Foods

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Tips & Methods for Switching Dog Foods

It is important that your dog switch dog food gradually from his current dog food to avoid digestive upset or tummy trouble.

To transition, mix your dog’s current food with his new food. Over 7 days, gradually decrease the amount of the current dog food while increasing the amount of new dog food.

To help you with the switch and dog food transition, refer to the 7-Day Transition Schedule below.

Remember these tips when switching your dog’s food:

  • Puppies become adults at 12 months of age and should transition to an adult dog food to ensure they are receiving proper nutrient levels for adult dogs.
  • Large breed puppies and small breed puppies should switch to a large breed or small breed adult dog food to ensure that their special needs are met.
  • For small and medium size dogs who are older, about the age of 7, they should transition to a mature adult or senior dog food that ensures that they are receiving the appropriate level of nutrients for that older lifestage.
  • For large breed dogs that are around 5 years of age, their food should switch to a mature adult or senior large breed dog food so that their special nutrient requirements are met.
  • Pregnant or nursing dogs need energy-dense foods with increased calcium content so be sure to transition them during this special time to a puppy food. However, during pregnancy or nursing, large breed dogs should be switched to a regular puppy food, not a large breed puppy food.

If your veterinarian has recommended a therapeutic dog food for a specific health condition, please be sure to discuss transitioning in detail. There could be some special considerations and suggestions to ensure success.

Source: Hills

Website: www.hillspet.co.za

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Choosing the best veterinarian for your pets is important.

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Choosing-the-best-vet-for-your-pet-is-important.

Do you want  a proactive, wellness-oriented vet or a traditional one that only puts out “fires” as they arise?

If you are a pet guardian (owner) then you have been to a veterinarian before. If you are a responsible pet guardian then you should have visited them at least once in the past year for a wellness check and annual vaccinations.

As a pet guardian who takes my responsibility towards our pets seriously and as an animal welfare volunteer, choosing a good veterinarian is not a decision I take lightly.  I do my homework well and I am not blind to the fact that not all vets are good, competent or even kind. Sadly, we can share many horror stories about this.

A few things to keep in mind

When people visit a vet, it can be an emotional situation and emotions are rarely objective. People will claim their vet is the best, but they can’t say that if they have not actually been to all vets in the area. 
No vet is perfect and vets can make a mistake, but when those mistakes pile up, you have to ask questions!  For me, one of the best indicators of a good vet are those used by responsible animal welfare organizations. They deal with vets on a daily basis and have extensive experience in how veterinarians work.
Not all veterinarians are qualified to treat farm animals or exotic pets! If you have exotic animals, it is crucial to find an exotic qualified vet! Not all countries require the same qualifications to become a vet.
Do your own research even if it seems like a lot of work because your pet’s well-being and life depend upon finding the best veterinary care available.

  • Start the search before you have an emergency!
  • Google reviews can be used, but we have had a situation where a vet practice unethically encourages good google reviews for prizes! They can also create fake profiles to give good reviews.

If you are looking for an exotic vet you can do the following: Check Google for veterinarians who advertise as “exotic” (including, rabbits & rodents). Then randomly select 5 veterinarians who do NOT advertise as avian or exotic. Phone these veterinarians and ask who they refer their clients to if they have an exotic pet case. If all 5 veterinarians give you the name of the same veterinarian, ok. If not, then randomly select another 5 veterinarians and continue the process until you have a clear “winner.”

The next step is to phone the vet and let the receptionist know that you are concerned with finding the very best veterinarian to care for your exotic pet and that you would like to consult with the vet directly.

So, what do I look for in a veterinarian?

1.When I visit the vet

  • Location is not the most important thing, but having an area where the dogs can relieve themselves or walk without immediate danger, like a busy road, while we wait, is a bonus.
  • Our pets are relatively healthy, so we mostly go for the annual check-up only.  In this case, I don’t want my pet to be in close contact with other sick animals, so having a separate area for healthy pets and vaccinations for example is important to me. It is also a bonus if they have specie specific treatment rooms like a cat room.
  • Whether it is another animal business like grooming, a pet shop where they sell animals, or for treatment I never want the sick animals to be in close contact with the healthy ones to reduce that risk.
  • How kind is the vet towards all kinds of animals and people? You can usually see this in the way they talk to and handle the animals. How kind and helpful is the receptionist?
  • I need my vet to be confident when working with my pet.  Sure, the risk of being scratched or bitten is always there, but animals know when someone is not confident and this will only increase their stress during the visit.
  • I want a vet who is proactive, wellness-oriented, informed and does not mind prescribing natural remedies or treatments.  How accurate is their diagnosis?
  • I want to see the vet when I visit and not the vet nurse. Especially if it is an annual wellness check and if you pay the same for the consultation.  I also prefer to ask for a vet specifically so my pets can see the same vet. 
  • They need to be able to communicate clearly, explain well and be willing to answer your questions.  You cannot take the chance with your pet’s life to misunderstand the treatment. Some veterinarians are better than others at communicating what they’re doing and why, and what they are or aren’t finding as they inspect your pet. I recently had one of the best vet experiences ever in this regard.
  • I want a vet who does a thorough questioning about all aspects of my pet’s life (diet, behaviour, body and environment) as well as a thorough exam from nose to tail and compare it to the previous visit.
  • Is this vet practice helpful in emergencies and especially with stray or wild animals brought in by strangers who try to help?  
  • Do they check whether your pet’s microchip is working and has not migrated in their body and then ask if the microchip is registered on multiple databases?  Are they willing to check microchips on lost pets, without charging you, so these animals can potentially be reunited with their owners quickly?
  • How understanding and supportive is your vet with euthanasia because this is hard for any pet parent (and compassionate vets)?
  • When you keep proper records of your pets, you want clear statements from the vet and it is important in case something goes wrong.
  • Fancy equipment can be useful, but even in my profession, I find that some who become dependent on fancy equipment, tend to lose some important “natural” instincts which I value more.

Your vet may also perform diagnostic tests such as a complete blood count, urinalysis, thyroid screen, and others to get a complete picture of your pet’s internal health. When the vet suggests expensive diagnostic tests, in most cases, it is not about the money.  There are so many things that can happen in your pet’s body, which can be caught early before it presents physically for you to notice. 

Tips for the visit

  • Prepare questions or observations since the last visit in advance, so you can discuss them with your vet. It may also lead to important conversations about their health.  There is no stupid question when it comes to the life and well-being of your pet and if a vet makes you feel judged or stupid, then get another vet.  Ask these questions and ask for explanations if you don’t understand. 
  • Knowing what your veterinarian is checking for can help you prepare questions and raise concerns you may have about your pet’s health. Here are some questions Dr. Karen Becker suggests your vet should ask and some questions you can ask your vet.
  • Be honest with your vet because it is in the best interest of your pet.
  • For non-emergency situations, I take treats and water with for them to drink.  Doing some sniff-work before the visit can help calm them too.
  • Don’t forget your harness and leash.

2.Outside the vet

  • There are some veterinarians all over the world where you will get the impression that it is about the money and not because they care, be very wary of those ones! If a vet bad mouths animal welfare organizations or make an issue if they use outside vets or organize sterilization days, then it is a good indication that it is about the money.
  • Those of us in animal welfare are highly unlikely to choose a vet that breeds themselves or that encourages breeding. The reason for this is that we have a massive overpopulation crisis and millions of healthy animals are being euthanized (killed humanely) because there are just not enough homes for them all. If a vet doesn’t understand that and doesn’t promote sterilization, which is beneficial for your pet’s health, then I can’t support them with a clear conscience.
  • Although I think it is important for the public to know which vets are good for animal welfare organizations, be wary of those who constantly brag about it on social media! Smart people will see right through those who are constantly bragging or badmouthing others or deleting comments or blocking anyone who oppose the narrative they sell. I also like vets who focus on education via social media!
  • Do they have emergency hours available? I don’t want to use one vet practice for the annual checks and use a totally different one for an emergency(with exceptions).
  • One of the best indicators for me about any business is the personnel turnover. How does the vet treat their personnel? Are the employees happy there or does this business constantly change personnel? If they do, you should ask some serious questions!

Other important questions for your search:

  • How many patients do they see per day or how many operations do they do per month on average? Take that number and divide it by the number of vets and hours they are open. You do want a vet that is trusted by a lot of people, but you also want a vet that does get enough rest and one that does not push in too many procedures. Quality versus quantity (the money thing you know). This is important because they work with lives and need to be responsible.
  • Ask who does the procedures. We have had cases where unqualified personnel performed dental procedures or euthanization and that is highly irresponsible.
  • If a vet does euthanize your pet, it is important to ask what happens to the body. I prefer proper cremation through registered cremation service providers. Some vets charge you a lot and then either dump the bodies at local garbage sites or burn the bodies somewhere.
  • Don’t be shy to ask when and where they qualified as a vet.

What shouldn’t you do?

Do not make your choice based on how close the veterinarian is to your home (unless that vetenarian is the clear “wqaner”).
Don’t assume that just because a veterinarian works with breeders or kennel clubs, they are experienced or knowledgeable about a species.
Don’t think you case is isolated. If you had a bad experience at a vet including unprofessional conduct or negligence, please read here and contact me via The Paw Company. Your case might not be isolated and you can prevent this from happening to another animal.
It is your responsibility to choose the best vet possible for your animals, visit them for wellness checks and be proactive in keeping them healthy! We support at least a minimum once a year visit to your vet, but bi-annual visits, especially for older pets should be considered.

WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER!

Source: The Bulletin

Website: www.thebulletin.co.za

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Responsible pet parents spay and neuter their pets.

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RESPONSIBLE PET PARENTS SPAY AND NEUTER THEIR PETS

Spaying and neutering have many benefits, including health, behaviour & community benefits.

There are two big reasons why you should spay and neuter your pets.  We have a massive pet overpopulation crisis worldwide, with not nearly enough homes, never mind good homes.  This means that millions of healthy animals are being euthanized (killed humanely) annually. Another reason is it is good for their health!

THE PET OVERPOPULATION CRISIS

You need to understand the magnitude of this overpopulation crisis and then, hopefully, you will understand why many of us advocate so hard for it.

  • One female cat and her offspring can exponentially produce 370 000 cats in just seven years.
  • One female dog and her offspring can exponentially produce 67 000 dogs in six years.
  • Only 1 out of every 10 dogs born, find a home.
  • According to Rescue Rehab SA, approximately 1 million dogs and cats are euthanized in South Africa every year, that is 2740 a day!
  • According to the Humane Society of the USA, a cat or dog is euthanized at shelters every 10s.
  • A report by Mars Petcare showed 224 million animals are homeless in the USA, UK, SA, Mexico, Greece, Russia, China, India & Germany and about 30% of animals in SA are homeless.
  • At least one in four pets brought to shelters are purebred and this number is climbing.

Although we promote adoption, we can’t adopt our way out of this problem, so we need to fix (pardon the pun) it. We have heard all the bad excuses, debunked the myths and I educate about it daily on the SPAY & NEUTER SA page.

One of the worst excuses I have heard is that preventing pets from having litters is unnatural and that if God thought it was a problem he would make them sterile.  The fact is that we have already interfered with nature by domesticating dogs, cats and other animals. We domesticated the dog 15 000 years ago and the cat 8 000 years ago. In doing so, we helped create this problem. Now it’s our responsibility to solve it. It’s also unnatural to be killing so many of them in our pounds and shelters each year. You can’t blame the shelters, but you should blame breeders and dealers of any kind.

 

IT IS GOOD FOR THEIR HEALTH

When you spay and neuter your pets it can lead to longer and happier lives.  There are many benefits of spay and neuter for their health which include a lower risk for certain diseases like cancers and pyometra. It certainly eliminates the stress associated with pregnancy.  It improves behaviour, especially when dealing with females in heat and males marking or spraying and wandering out of the yard in search of these females which they can smell from far away. 

RESPONSIBLE PET PARENTS SPAY AND NEUTER THEIR PETS.3

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SPAYING & NEUTERING
WHAT DOES SPAY & NEUTER MEAN?

It’s important to recognize the difference between sterilization and desexing (traditional spay and neuter). Whereas the former procedure eliminates a dog’s ability to procreate, desexing sterilizes but also eliminates the dog’s ability to produce sex hormones for the remainder of their life.

Vetcare.com defines it as follows:

The word “spay” refers to the sterilization of female pets. During the ovariohysterectomy, or the typical “spay”, the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are removed from a female dog or cat.

The term “neuter” refers to the castration of male pets.  During orchiectomy, or the typical “neuter”, the testes are removed from a male dog or cat.

Both the spay and neuter procedure makes them unable to reproduce and reduces or eliminates breeding-related behaviours. In females it eliminates her heat cycle.

WHAT AGE SHOULD I SPAY/NEUTER MY PET?

An experienced vet can spay and neuter at an age as young as 6-8 weeks old, however, the risks involved with anesthesia may be slightly greater at this age.  Older females that are not spayed are at risk too. There is generally no other age limit for the procedure as long as your pet is healthy.

We support spay and neuter at around 6 months of age. We have done so with our pets who all reach ripe old ages and are rarely sick.

SHOULD I LET MY PET HAVE BABIES BEFORE I SPAY THEM?

Most veterinarians and the most recent research recommends that animals are spayed before their first heat cycle (before the age of 7 months or so). This drastically reduces the risk of mammary tumors later in life, prevents uterine infections and unwanted pregnancy. Pregnancy can put unnecessary stress on your pet’s body.

MY PET JUST GAVE BIRTH, HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT TO SPAY?

Please prevent this, but if it did happen, the suggested time for animals that have recently given birth is about 2 weeks after the young have been weaned and the mother’s milk has dried up.

WHAT ARE SIGNS THAT MY CAT/DOG IS IN HEAT? (Vetcare.com)

Dogs have outward signs of being in heat. The vulva swells, and there is bleeding present for 1-1 ½ weeks. Just after the bleeding stops, most dogs will be receptive to mating for 1-2 weeks. Most dogs will go into heat twice a year, in the spring and fall.  Some dogs may skip the fall cycle.

Cats go into heat for the first time typically when they are 5-7 months old. A cat will be in heat (receptive to mating and able to become pregnant) for up to two weeks and then go out of heat. If she has not been mated, two weeks later, she will go back into heat again. This cycling in and out of heat will continue for several months.

Cats can have their first heat cylce at around 4 months of age.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

Even though spay and neuter are major surgical procedures, they are some of the most common procedures done by vets.  As with any surgery, there are risks associated with anesthesia and potential surgical complications. The overall occurrence of these risks is very rare.

WILL MY PET GAIN WEIGHT?

Probably not. Just like people, pets become overweight when they eat too much or exercise too little. Choosing a diet that is species-appropriate and suited to the health and lifestyle of your pet is important to prevent weight gain.

WILL THEIR BEHAVIOUR CHANGE AFTER THE SURGERY?

The spay and neuter will most likely not alter your pet’s basic personality which is mainly determined by the breed and a few other factors. It can result in some behavioural changes, but usually for the better! 

WILL MY MALE CAT STOP SPRAYING IF I GET HIM NEUTERED?

Spraying is common in unneutered male cats. They want to mark their territory and it would be best to neuter your cat before they develop this behaviour. Males may still engage in full-testosterone male behaviors while their male sex hormone levels diminish after surgery. This can take 6-8 weeks. Remember that male rabbits can still be fertile for a few weeks after neutering, as there may be sperm left in the reproductive tract!

DOES SPAYING & NEUTERING HURT?

During a spay or neuter surgery, the animal is fully anesthetized, so they feel no pain. Afterward, some animals seem to experience some discomfort temporarily, but with pain medication, discomfort may not be experienced at all.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HEAL?

According to vetcare.com, most spay and neuter skin incisions are fully healed within about 10–14 days, which coincides with the time that stitches or staples, if any, will need to be removed.

WHICH VET TO CHOOSE?

Even though this procedure is a common procedure for vets, not all vets are good at it, so do your homework on the vet! Cats & dogs are common patients, but please use an exotic qualified vet for other animals!

SHOULD ALL ANIMALS BE SPAYED & NEUTERED?

The massive overpopulation crisis includes more than just cats and dogs, so the answer is mostly yes.  There might be exceptions due to safety or medical reasons and those animals need highly responsible owners to prevent litters. Spaying or neutering a bird is not a routine surgery like it is with many mammals and can be riskier. There are many other ways to prevent your birds from reproducing offspring. Removing eggs of egg-laying animals (the right way) is another method.

CAN YOU SPAY A FEMALE IN HEAT?

Although possible, most vets will probably advise against it due to more swelling and a higher risk of bleeding. This surgery may take longer and be more expensive.

CAN’T WE JUST SPAY THE FEMALES AS THEY HAVE THE LITTERS?

No darling, it takes two to tango if you missed biology class.  The female can only have so many puppies/kittens at once, but the male can impregnate many females around the same time.

IF I KEEP THEM SAFE IN MY YARD, DO I STILL NEED TO SPAY & NEUTER THEM?

Yes, for sure!  Do you know that guy called Murphy?  Animals get in and out of yards and saying it was an unexpected litter doesn’t fly.  If your pet is not spayed or neutered, you can totally expect it.

ARE THERE SPECIFIC PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE AFTER THE PROCEDURE?

Apart from the usual veterinary advice like keeping your pet still and keeping the wound clean, you also need to phone your vet the moment you think something is not right and keep the freshly-neutered males away from non-spayed females for some time.

When it comes to male neuters for various species, after the testicles are removed, it takes time for all of the residual sperm to clear out of the pipes. Ask your vet how long, but some sources suggest days to weeks. During this time, a freshly-neutered male can still impregnate females.

IS THE PROCEDURE EXPENSIVE?

It probably depends on what you spend money on and whether your pet’s health is a priority to you. The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of the pet, your veterinarian’s fees, and a few other factors. Remember that spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost and the cost far outweighs the cost of health-related issues due to not sterilizing or even for raising litters. There are many opportunities to do this at more affordable rates and adoption fees include it!

n general, spaying tends to be more expensive than neutering. Spaying involves opening your dog or cat’s stomach to access the animal’s reproductive organs where neutering is less complex.

The cost may vary from town to town, but according to Pawpawpets.com, the average cost of a spay in South Africa is around R1350 for a female cat and around R1800 to a crazy R4000 for a female dog. Neuters can cost around R750-R1000 for a male cat and around R1200 – R2500 for a male dog.

THE BIGGEST CRITICISM OF EARLY SPAY & NEUTER
There are always two sides to a coin and it is important to look at both.

Some research shows that in desexing spays and neuters – surgical procedures that remove the gonads and associated sex hormones – can have a long-term negative impact on their health.

The research mostly suggest this more in large dog breeds. The advice then is to have them spayed or neutered after they turned one year old, but again then they need a highly responsible owner. You must also remember that the relationship between sex hormones, health and wellness is more complex and can be influenced by many aspects like sex, breed, age, environment and more.

I have not yet seen these negative effects and I think there is more research needed on this as single case studies are not enough. With this massive overpopulation crisis worldwide, the benefits far outweigh the risk for me.

If this does occur, it seems that hormone restoration therapy may be beneficial to symptomatic spayed and neutered dogs.

What are alternatives then? 

When a pet is left intact, it requires a highly responsible pet guardian who is fully committed to and capable of preventing mating and litters.

Another option is sterilizing so the testes or ovaries can continue to produce hormones. This can be accomplished through vasectomy and hysterectomy. According to Dr. Karen Becker, traditional spaying and neutering are basically the only techniques vets are currently taught and we need to change that.

Changing the fate of animals and the massive overpopulation crisis resolves around three principles namely sterilization, education, stricter and enforced laws for those who don’t respond to being asked nicely.  No breeding can be “responsible” when we have a massive overpopulation crisis and when you support breeders, you are part of the problem.

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION AND JOIN THE SPAY & NEUTER REVOLUTION

  • Spay & neuter your pets.
  • Share, educate & advocate for it.
  • Donate to spay & neuter campaigns.
  • Support petitions on the topic.
  • Don’t support animal dealers, breeders, or pet shops that fuel the overpopulation crisis.
  • Adopt from reputable organizations.

Can you see now why reputable animal welfare organizations are all up-in-your-business about spay and neuter?

WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER!

Source: The Bulletin
Website: www.thebulletin.co.za

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What you can do if your pet dies at home?

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Pet Burial Image by The Paw Company

SO NOW WHAT?

You can’t get a hold of your or other vets in the area or any of the above.  This means the body will need to stay with you until the vet practice is open or the body can be collected.  This might be upsetting for many, but here are some suggestions on the dos and don’ts in the meantime:

DO

  • Make sure the pet is deceased.  They might be unconscious or in a deep sleep.  Look, listen and feel for a pulse and breathing.  You can look and see if the chest rises and falls. Listen closely to whether you can hear breathing or even hear their heart beating.  You can put your finger under their nose to feel for breathing.  To allocate a pulse you can place the ball of two fingers (not the thumb) on the depression found in your pet’s inner upper thigh over the Femoral artery.  You can also place your hand over the left side of their chest where their elbow touches their body.  If there is a pulse but no breathing, then rescue breaths are required.  If there is no pulse and no breathing, CPR is needed.  It is important to know basic first aid for your type of pet (cat, dog, bird, etc.).
  • Use gloves if possible and heavy-duty trash bags.  If you don’t have heavy-duty bags, use multiple bags for the body.
  • Place a towel under the tail, genitals and mouth of your pet. Their body may begin to expel fluids as the muscles relax. This will protect carpets and flooring.  Clean the areas around your dog’s mouth, genitals and anus if the fluid has been released. Keep in mind that more body fluids might be released as you move the body.
  • It is important to understand that the remains of the pet must be handled as soon as possible and before the onset of rigor mortis. Rigor mortis, the stiffening of the joints, typically begins within 10 minutes to three hours after death and can last as long as 72 hours. The temperature will affect this process.
  • Use a blanket, towel, or bed sheet that is large enough to wrap around the body. Place your pet’s body on its side in a curled-up position, as if sleeping. If your pet dies with their legs stretched out, gently fold them in closer to the body if they haven’t already stiffened. The sleeping position can also offer a sense of peace and make it easier to move the body later. Tightly wrap the body and move the body into the trash bags. Securely close the bag with knots.
  • The body needs to be kept cool. An animal’s body begins to decompose immediately after death and will soon begin to give off a foul odour and attract insects. The hotter the temperature, the faster the rate of decomposition. If you can’t get the body to your vet or a local pet cremation service or use a freezer/refrigerator, we suggest to keep the body in a cool utility room, basement, or garage floor and making use of additional trash bags is recommended.  This should be for no longer than 4-6 hours, as the odour will become severe and spread through the house. 
  • I do support other pets being allowed to smell the body, so they can better understand what happened and it can help them with the grieving process too. Yes, they grieve too. If you don’t know why the animal died or they have been poisoned or had a transmissible disease then this is not advisable.
  • If the body is going elsewhere, be sure to put a labell on the bag with your name, number and your pet’s name.

DON’T

  • Don’t panic.  I know it is easier said than done, but when you panic, it can cause extra distress for other family member or pets which adds to the trauma and you may not be able to think clearly.
  • Don’t leave your pet in a warm place. A cool, dry place such as a garage will have to do if you can’t keep it in a freezer or refrigerator.
  • Don’t try to handle it alone as the death of a pet can be a traumatic experience. Call a friend or family member if you are alone when it happens.
  • Don’t move larger pets without assistance. As the pet’s body stiffens it may be more difficult to move alone.
  • Don’t bury the animal in your yard if the local bylaws do not allow for it or if you don’t know why your pet died, if they had a transmissible disease or were poisoned. This can be dangerous for other animals and your family as well as the environment.

Image by Dr. Karen Becker

REMEMBER

  • Contact vets in advance about euthanasia prices.  Some are double the price of others.  Also ask the vet what they do with the body, especially if you pay for cremation, ask through which company.
  • If you do not have the funds to euthanize a pet who is suffering, please surrender them to your local SPCA, which will end the suffering humanely. They may not refuse any animal.
  • If you found a body in the road, please remove it from the road.  Take a picture if you can and send it to your local lost and found pet groups so they can give closure to someone whose pet is missing.
  • Please don’t replace the animal soon after with another pet as you will introduce the new family member into a low/sad energy home which is unfair to them.  As mentioned, your pets grieve too, so keep an eye on them.

The hardest part of being a pet guardian is saying goodbye. Remember your grief is valid & personal. Reach out if you need to! There are professional counsellors for those who have lost pets. You will need time to grieve properly. Also read strategies to cope with the loss as well as help your other pets cope with the loss..

WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER!

Source: The Bulletin
Website: www.thebulletin.co.za

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Signs of good health

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health

Signs of good health

When you visit your veterinarian, be sure to bring up any questions or concerns regarding your cat’s health. To help you determine abnormalities you need to discuss with your veterinarian, please review the following lists.

What’s Normal

  • Eyes: Should be bright and clear. Report any discharge to your veterinarian.
  • Ears: Should be clean and free of discharge, odor and redness. Untreated ear problems are painful and can cause hearing loss.
  • Mouth: Should smell fresh. Gums should be pink. Teeth should be free of tartar or plaque. Mouth and lips should be free of sores or growths.
  • Coat: Should be shiny and clean.
  • Weight: Active cats are rarely overweight. Ask your veterinarian for advice on providing the right cat food to maintain your cat’s healthy weight.
  • Litter Box Habits: Report changes in litter box habits such as frequency or consistency of your cat’s urine or stool to your veterinarian immediately.

What’s NOT Normal

  • Diarrhoea: This common ailment can be caused by many factors including bacteria, viruses, internal parasites, toxic substances, too much food or psychological upsets. Call your veterinarian if stools are bloody, if there is a large volume of watery stools, if your cat is thin or potbellied, or if the diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours.
  • Constipation: Like diarrhea, constipation can be caused by many factors, including ingesting substances such as hair, bones or foreign materials, or because of disease or insufficient water intake. Your veterinarian may recommend blood tests, radiographs or perform other tests to find the cause.
  • Vomiting: It is not uncommon for a cat to vomit occasionally, but frequent or persistent vomiting is not normal. Call your veterinarian if vomiting occurs more than five times in a few hours, large volumes are vomited, vomit contains blood, or is accompanied by diarrhea or abdominal pain.
  • Abnormal Urination: Straining to urinate or bloody urine may indicate a painful infection of the urinary tract. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition

WSAVA Calls for a ‘Paradigm Shift’ in Thinking on Reproduction Control

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WSAVA

WSAVA Calls for a ‘Paradigm Shift’ in Thinking on Reproduction Control

New Global Guidelines highlight the need move away from ‘routine’ neutering

Calls for veterinarians to ensure that clients have all the information they require to make an informed decision about neutering their animals and to move away from the traditional approach of ‘routine’ spaying and neutering of owned animals are central to the world’s first Global Guidelines on Reproduction Control.

The Guidelines have been prepared by the Reproduction Control Committee (RCC) of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, the WSAVA’s official scientific journal. They aim to help WSAVA members make science-based choices for the management of reproduction in their patients, while safeguarding animal welfare and supporting the human-companion animal bond. Included are discussions of current practice, together with explanations of newer approaches, both surgical and non-surgical.  They also explore the health benefits and drawbacks of each method and explore ethical questions.

Commenting on the launch of the new Global Guidelines, RCC Chair Professor Stefano Romagnoli said: “Managing reproduction is a critical and rapidly evolving area of companion animal practice. For many years, our default advice has been that dogs should be neutered and bitches spayed – but, in the light of new scientific evidence, it’s time for a paradigm shift in our thinking.

“Emerging scientific data shows that gonadectomy can adversely impact the health of some animals. It also shows that recommending castration in older dogs to reduce their risk of developing Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPC) may not be appropriate because, in fact, in some cases, late castration can actually increase the risk of prostatic carcinoma.

“We also have concerns about increasing moves to early neutering or for neutering to be used as a method of behavioural control.”

The Guidelines call on veterinarians to update their own knowledge and to spend more time with clients, advising them on the benefits, risks and side-effects of surgical and non-surgical castration and the options for their particular animal. This should take into account their breed, age, any behavioural issues and other relevant factors.  While veterinarians may need to spend more time in neutering consultations in order to convey all the necessary information, the RCC believes this to be in the best interests of the animal and essential to ensure that owners are fully informed and guided towards the most appropriate solution.

Available for free download from the WSAVA website, the Guidelines acknowledge that shelter animals are in a different situation and provide recommendations tailored to their needs, including the need to secure a new home. Setting global standards for companion animal veterinary care is one of the WSAVA’s key goals with the RCC working to ensure that veterinarians globally have access to the latest resources and knowledge in this area.  The work of the Committee is kindly supported by Virbac.

Professor Romagnoli added: “We hope that WSAVA members find the Guidelines a valuable resource and that they will be a catalyst for change in reproduction control practice globally.”

The WSAVA represents more than 200,000 veterinarians worldwide through its 113 member associations and works to enhance standards of clinical care for companion animals.  Its core activities include the development of WSAVA Global Guidelines in key areas of veterinary practice, including pain management, nutrition and vaccination, together with campaigning for change on issues affecting its members.

Source: WSAVA

Gemma Campling Honored with WSAVA 2024 Future Leader Award for Her Exceptional Contributions to Veterinary Medicine

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WSAVA

Gemma Campling Honored with WSAVA 2024 Future Leader Award for Her Exceptional Contributions to Veterinary Medicine.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is proud to announce Dr. Gemma Campling, BVMed Sci (Hons) BVM BVS MRCVS MCVSZ, as the recipient of the prestigious 2024 Future Leader Award. The recognition highlights Dr. Campling’s significant impact on veterinary medicine and training, her commitment to animal welfare, and her outstanding leadership in the field, particularly in developing countries.

Dr. Gemma Campling, CEO and Founder of Worldwide Vets, has made remarkable strides in veterinary care across the globe. With a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from Nottingham University, UK, Dr. Campling has devoted her career to improving animal health and welfare in challenging environments such as conflict zones. Her extensive experience includes frontline veterinary outreach for both animals and owners affected by the war in Ukraine, community outreach and sterilization programs in Thailand and India, and high caseload equine practice in Egypt, among other significant contributions.

Dr. Ginger Templeton, a consultant and small animal practitioner who nominated Dr. Campling for this award, emphasized her unique approach and impactful work. “While her work on the front lines in Ukraine is attention-grabbing, what is perhaps most important is that she has intentionally positioned this work to fuel sustainability in local vet care and local employment while offering free services to those in need.”

Dr Campling runs Worldwide Vets, which she set up just after qualifying, to help other veterinary students and graduates gain clinical experiences while helping animals and charities needing volunteers. Olivia Walter, the director of Wildlife Vets International, commented how Worldwide Vets has grown in professionalism over the years, working in countries such as Thailand, Peru, Costa Rica, India, South Africa and Zimbabwe. “Gemma’s ability to provide veterinary expertise for a huge range of species, to be part of an in-country team passing on what knowledge she has to them as well as to continuously learn herself, make her a perfect partner for WVI. And her skills have come to fruition with her outstanding work in Ukraine.”

WSAVA

Dr. Campling has also launched significant projects within the veterinary community, creating the Worldwide Vets Golden Star Award which showcases the outstanding contributions of individuals in the veterinary and animal care industry who have made significant strides in animal welfare or conservation.

Markus Hegen, the chairman of the German charity Tiernothilfe, who worked alongside Dr Campling on animal sterilization missions in Ukraine, emphasized that she is a perfect candidate whose achievements are commensurate with the values of the WSAVA Future

Leader Award. “Her historical track record, current work, and future goals are tightly aligned with the focus of this award… she is always looking for ways to reach more animals despite challenging working conditions on the frontline.” Dr. Campling’s groundbreaking initiatives, such as the THRIVE mental health course for veterinarians and nurses, further exemplify her holistic approach to veterinary care.

Dr. Ellen van Nierop, President of WSAVA, expressed her admiration for Dr. Campling’s achievements: “Dr. Campling is a credit to her community, as her work not only saves lives but also provides quality training opportunities for future generations of veterinarians. Her relentless commitment to animal welfare, her innovative approaches in veterinary medicine, and her courage and leadership in the field make her an exemplary recipient of the WSAVA Future Leader Award”. 

About WSAVA

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is a global community of veterinarians focused on advancing the health and welfare of companion animals. Through its various initiatives, WSAVA provides continuing education, fosters international collaboration, and sets standards for veterinary care worldwide.

About Worldwide Vets

A non-profit organization dedicated to providing veterinary care in developing countries and high-conflict zones, Worldwide Vets was founded by Dr. Gemma Campling to offer free veterinary services, source and provide medical equipment. The NGO trains local veterinary professionals and runs student and CPD courses. Worldwide Vets operates across Southern Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe, working to improve animal welfare and support sustainable veterinary practices.

Source: WSAVA