Sterilising your animals

Sterilisation is the surgical removal of reproductive organs of your pet.
Every year thousands of unwanted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens are needlessly destroyed. The good news is you, as a pet owner, can make a difference. By having your dog or cat surgically sterilised, you will do your part to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens and you will enhance your pet’s health and quality of life. Both operations lead to the improved long-term health, prevent unwanted litters and eliminate many behaviour problems associated with the mating instinct.

Benefits to your female pet

Female dogs experience a “heat” cycle approximately every six months, depending upon the breed. A female dog’s heat cycle can last as long as 21 days during which your dog will leave bloodstains in the house and may become anxious, short tempered and actively seek a mate. Female cats can come into heat every 2 weeks during breeding season until they become pregnant. During this time, they may engage in behaviours such as frequently yowling and urination in unacceptable places. Both female dogs and cats benefit from spaying which eliminates their heat cycles and generally reduces the negative behaviours that may lead to owner frustration and, ultimately a decision to take the pet to a shelter or have it put down. Early spaying of female dogs and cats helps protect them from serious health problems later in life such as urinary infections and cancer of the mammary (milk) glands and reproductive tract.

Benefits to your male pet

At maturity (6-9 months of age) male dogs and cats are capable of breeding. Both male dogs and cats are likely to begin “marking” their territories by spraying strong-smelling urine on your furniture, curtains, and in virtually any part of the house. Also, given the slightest chance, males may attempt to escape from home in search of a mate. Dogs seeking females in heat can become aggressive and may injure themselves and people by engaging in fights.

Neutering male dogs and cats reduces the need to breed and can have a calming effect that makes them less inclined to roam and more content to stay at home. Neutering your male pet also improves his health by reducing the risk of prostate disease, testicular cancer and infections.

• What is the best age to spay or neuter my pet?
• A dog or cat can be surgically sterilised from 6 months of age
• Will the surgery affect my pet’s ability to learn or will my pet become fat?
• The procedure has no effect on a pet’s ability to learn, play, work or hunt. The surgery will not make your pet fat.

*Information courtesy of SAVA

Surgery

As veterinarians, we differentiate between soft tissue surgery and orthopaedic surgery. Soft tissue surgery is best described as surgery on the skin, muscle or inside the abdomen or the chest. Orthopaedic surgery is surgery on the bones, joints or associated tendons or ligaments.

Vaccinating your animals

Vaccines are a safe and easy way to stimulate an animal’s natural defence system to prevent disease, safeguard their health and protect their welfare.

Vaccines also protect livestock against infectious diseases, ensuring the provision of safe and nutritious food such as eggs, milk, fish and meat products.

They are safe and efficient.

Vaccines improve an individual’s immunity to a disease without them experiencing typical symptoms. In some diseases, natural infection provides no immunity. Vaccination mimics  infection by stimulating the bodies immune system with an organism that is either weakened or dead

For farm animals, good husbandry and efficient bio-security measures are important factors in the prevention of diseases. Even when following these practices, animals can still become ill and highly infectious diseases can spread rapidly with devastating results. And so, vaccination is an important part of herd health plans, to stimulate animals’ natural immunity.

*Information courtesy of www.healthforanimals.org

Please ensure that you vaccinate your animals for the following:

The importance of microchipping your animals

One minute they’re there, the next they’re gone. It is impossible to keep track of your pets every minute of the day and night. As a pet owner, you know what a worry the prospect of them disappearing can be. No matter how careful you are, there is always the chance that your pet will go astray.

Microchipping is a simple procedure that will give your pet a lifetime of protection.

Each pet requires a single mini microchip. The process is simple and causes no more discomfort than any other injections. Pets of all sizes from small birds, exotic pets and fish to dogs, cats and horses can be microchipped. Microchips are durable and shock proof. They will last a lifetime.

How does the BackHome microchip work?

The microchip is not a tracking device. The microchip is implanted under the skin of your pet and will last for their lifetime. A unique chip number is allocated to your pet. In the event that your pet goes missing and is found, vets and pet welfares automatically scan the pet for a microchip. Once they have scanned the microchip, they will search the microchip database for the owners details and then contact you to collect your pet. Your personal and pet details are captured onto the microchip database as soon as the chip is implanted. By keeping your details up to date on the microchip Database you can trust that your pets will be returned to you if they are found, should they stray, be injured or stolen.

You only pay for the cost of implanting the microchip. Your personal and pet information is registered and maintained on the microchip database at no additional cost for the lifetime of your pet.

Some microchip databases are www.backhome.co.za, www.fivestarid.co.za 

Veterinary Dentistry

Veterinary dentistry involves the evaluation of the oral cavity in cats and dogs. With these evaluations we determine if there is any disease in the mouth and then treat the disease accordingly. Treatment includes scaling and polishing of teeth under anaesthetic. Often loose or damaged teeth will also be extracted.

By three years of age, most dogs and cats have some level of dental disease. Not always apparent to pet owners, dental disease can cause oral pain, infection, inflammation, and other health problems, decreasing the quality of life for these pets. After a proper dental procedure, many pet owners report the emergence of a “whole new pet”—one who is happier and more active.

We are here to improve the quality of life for pets by helping pet owners clients to better understand the following:

• The importance of regular veterinary dental exams and cleanings
• Dental disease can be prevented through regular dental examinations and proper home care
• If left untreated, dental disease can lead to chronic pain and suffering

The widest range of pet supplies

Loskop Dierekliniek stocks a wide variety of pet supplies including :

• Animal health supplements
• Dermatological products
• Tick and flea control products
• Pet accessories
• Pet beds
• Pet treats

We stock products from these reputable brands

• Kyron
• MSD
• Bayer
• Zoetis
• Affrivet
• Virbac

Farm Calls

The veterinarians at Loskop Dierekliniek are available to go out on farm calls for consultations, treatment, blood collection for blood test, pregnancy diagnosis and more

Darting and treatment of wildlife

The veterinarians at Loskop Dierekliniek also do wildlife calls, darting for relocation, darting for treatment and more