Pet Prints March/April 2022 by Pet Prints Magazine

MAR | APR 2022

Top Tips

for introducing a ] new pet to the pack

All about Rescue + the Road so far

Win

with

DIABETES

in dogs

FREE

Welcome

Putting together this issue has been quite the journey. It’s easy to forget how far you’ve come if you don’t stand back to look at the bigger picture. This is a tribute to all the wonderful people and animals we’ve met over the years since starting Pet Prints. Stepping into an industry that we didn’t know a thing about was a learning curve and I think we’ve done much better than a lot of people expected us to. That said, we also had people supporting every effort we made to better ourselves. These are the people we would like to celebrate with this edition. If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be here, so thank you! For those wondering who the very handsome guy on the cover is, the answers are short. Yes, he’s taken. Yes, he howls and, yes, he is a as cuddly as he looks! Many will know the story of how Rolo came into our lives, but if you don’t, head on over to page 8 to follow our journey and read a bit about this striking boy.

ISSUE 2, 2022 in fundraising and show you some awesome items to add to your “Wild Child” kit for taking a little adventure over the Easter Holidays. Our Breed Specific rescue feature for this issue is the hard-working team at Labrador Rescue, who are always working to connect families with their perfect companion. If you have a moment to spare, why not go to their Facebook page and share one or two of the pups to your own timeline. You never know who might see the post and as far as algorithms go… you’d be doing their page a huge favour. So, without further ado, please keep in touch and enjoy the March offering!

EDITORIAL Marise Burger Gerhard Maritz Nelda Cilliers Sharnelle van der Merwe Gaironesa Atkins

PHOTOGRAPHY Emma O’Brien Photography

PRINTING Optic Printers

CONTRIBUTORS Until next time.

Get-to-Know Dr Keagan Boustead from Westville Veterinary Hospital Animal Rights - Jennifer Davies Top Tips for introducing a new pet to your pack - Bryony van Niekerk

In this issue we also celebrate the wonderful work done by our welfares

Chronic Kidney Failure in 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. “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

Snakes in the Garden - Johan Marais Diabetes in Dogs - Dr Kathryn Knipe Over the Rainbow Bridge - Jennifer Davies Pets need a break too - Brian Berkman Safety Tips to teach your child - Dani McNeill Dr Travis Gray - Tygerberg Animal Hospital 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.

content

MARCH / APRI L 2 0 2 2

SNAKES IN THE GARDEN

DIABETES IN DOGS

FASCINATING KOI FACTS

COMMUNITY PAGE

LIFESTYLE

B-WELL RECIPE

By: Johan Marais from African Snakebite Institute

Working together for the animals Wild child

Pink Potato Salad

Luxury travel writer, brian berkman, searches out the fabulous and often affordable options available to you and your pets. Julie, his rescued mixed-breed doggiedaughter insists on joining them.

Get to know Dr Keagan Boustead from Westville Veterinary Hospital

FROM OUR READERS

FEATURE ARTICLE

The story behind Pet Prints

TOP TIPS

Top Tips for introducing a new pet to the pack

ANIMAL RIGHTS

ASK THE VET

ADOPTIONS

BREED SPECIFIC ADOPTIONS

WELFARE DIRECTORY

Dr Travis Grey from Tygerberg Animal Hospital answers your questions.

We treat them as if they are family and we educate ourselves to improve their lives, as we would our own.

CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE IN CATS

The hardest decision

PETS NEED A BREAK TOO!

GET TO KNOW YOUR VET

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

OVER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

Adopt a Labrador

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

Get to Know

Dr Keagan Boustead from

ince moving to Durban at the beginning of 2021, I have worked at Westville Veterinary Hospital, where I am primarily responsible for providing an anaesthesia service for the hospital to critically ill patients, as well as complicated, surgical cases. My time is shared with the University of Pretoria, where I lecture parttime in veterinary anaesthesia.

The primary responsibility of an anaesthetist is to optimise patient outcome in the perioperative period. This entails developing personalised protocols (drugs, dosages, type of monitoring equipment used) based on each patient’s underlying medical condition as well as the specific surgical procedure. Anaesthetists are also extensively involved in the management of critically ill patients. In the veterinary field there are not many anaesthetists and South Africa currently only has 3 registered specialists in veterinary anaesthesia. The primary reason for this is that the surgical procedure becomes “too expensive”, as extra cost needs be added to cover the anaesthetist’s salary and the costs of advanced monitoring equipment. Thus, sadly, most veterinary anaesthetics are performed under suboptimal conditions. It’s important to know that mammalian physiology is all very similar, whether it be a human or dog. The drugs and equipment we use are also exactly the same as those used by anaesthetists on human patients. I was born and grew up in Pretoria. Thus, transitioning from Pretoria Boys High School to the University of Pretoria, just a few hundred meters away, was natural. Unlike many people working in the veterinary field, my decision to pursue veterinary science

was not one of passion. It was a logical decision: I enjoyed biology, I wanted to study something that would provide job security, I disliked human ailments and I rather enjoyed the diversity of the animal kingdom. Retrospectively, I definitely would advise anyone interested in studying veterinary science to talk to as many people in the profession as possible to get a full idea of the pros and cons of the profession. To anyone romanticising the profession, it is not what you think! Long working hours, treating many cases simultaneously, owners’ financial constraints, and the expectation by clients that you should be performing at a specialist level are just some of the daily challenges faced by vets. In 2016 after graduating, I was sent to Nelspruit to perform my compulsory community service. I was posted to a veterinary public health state vet post, where my responsibilities primarily included abattoir inspections and export certification of animal products. Veterinary science is a very diverse field and does not only include clinical jobs. In fact, the non-clinical positions often form an essential part of the agricultural sector and play an extremely important role in ensuring food security.

prerequisite to enrolling in specialist training. Essentially it provides an extra year of working under the supervision of specialists. It was during this year that I met my current mentor and supervisor, Professor Gareth Zeiler. He exposed me to the interesting world of post graduate anaesthesia. Physiology + pharmacology + equipment = anaesthesia, exactly my interests! He gave me the opportunity to start specialist training under his supervision. Since 2018, I have been registered as resident in veterinary anaesthesiology at the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia with the intention of writing the specialist exam this year. During my training, I provided a specialist anaesthesia service at Valley Farm Animal Hospital and at the University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science. In 2020 I also received an MSc in veterinary anaesthesia from the University of Pretoria, having completed a research project in mechanical ventilation in dogs.

I returned to my hometown in 2017, and completed a small animal (dogs and cats) rotating internship at the University of Pretoria. This internship, unlike in human medicine, is voluntary and is often a

I have a keen interest in research and hope to continue being able to contribute to the field of anaesthesia and critical care, particularly in the field of mechanical ventilation.

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

With M-Pets & Petprints

We are giving 1 lucky winner a chance to get

DOLLY ECO BED their paws on a

Cute and adorable Sheep (DOLLY) and Bee (MAYA) shaped design cushions to care for your pet.

Lovely and playful for both pets and owner. They are made with 100% recycled plastic bottles, wool-like fabric and non-slip bottom. Suitable for dogs and cats, a removable and washable cushion is included, easy to clean.

To Enter: Simply follow 2 instagram accounts @petprintsmag and @mpets_za & tag us in a photo showing us the craziest position your cat sleeps in. Once you’re done, comment on the competition post with the hashtag #catnap

We’ll choose 1 lucky winner at random at the end of March. Best of luck everyone! Competition closing 31 March 2022. The winner will be announced on Facebook and Instagram 5

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

FROM OUR READERS Ezra, Hudson, Oakley + maya I just thought to share this super cute photo of my Border Collies. They are my world! From left to right: Ezra, a 2-year-old energetic little boy who is full of life and keeps us on our toes. Hudson is a 3-year-old giant love bug who’s always ready for unlimited amounts of cuddles - a true gentle giant. Oakley is also 3 years old. She is the definition of ball crazy! Maya is a 5-year-old tiny little rescue girl who leads the pack with an iron fist! She rules the house and there’s nothing she loves more than her “ballie”. These 4 Border Collies have my heart! - Danielle Stassen

Master Jack

Fynn I just wanted to share this stunning picture of my fur baby, Fynn. He is like my shadow! He is a 12-year-old, extremely intuitive and caring puppy, at least that’s how he acts. He is a ball-aholic, but will chase anything you throw. He is always game for cuddles and naps, and he melts everyone’s hearts when they meet him! – Ayla Barham

Tag us on instagram 6

Impurrfectly purrfect Jack was found in a dumpster at +/- 4 months of age, with an underdeveloped eye and the other eye had no eyelid or a cataract. He came to me as a medical foster from DARG in Hout Bay, Cape Town. 100 strings of fairy lights were donated to light up Jack’s life, and through selling them and getting some donations, we raised the R12,000 for his skin graft from his inner cheek to build him an eye lid and his dud eye was removed. Now, 2 years old, this boy is still with me. I adopted him as this crazy, brave, funny, loving boy totally stole my heart! He is an indoor kitty as, although he can see, he has limited depth perception and needs to be kept safe… – Claire Shadbolt

@petprintsmag MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

Daisy Daisy was a stray puppy found in Hillbrow, who survived parvovirus. We made a deal that if she got better, I would take her to the beach. She is such a loyal, lively dog who adores the children and is always ready for a game! – Meagan Beier

Sugar Sugar is an all-white cat, adopted through Raise and Rescue in 2015, at the age of 1, and will be turning 6 this year. She is petite, weighing only 3kg, but rules the household with a furry, iron paw! – Liezl Geldenhuys

Hi, my name is Baloo. I am a 9-month young German Shepherd / Malinois Mix. My mommy and daddy drove 4 hours to rescue me from “For the Love of Animals” in Stilbaai. I had a rough start to life and couldn’t find a home, until now. My favorite thing to do is to chew everything and kiss everyone. My favorite toy is my mommy’s broom and I just love to steal it when she’s not looking! Mommy thinks we were meant to be together, and I agree! - Morné Mong

Bailey

Baloo Hi, my name is Bailey. I’m a 7-month-old German Shepherd. My mommy got me for her 21st birthday and immediately fell in love with me and I with her. She takes me everywhere she goes, even to work. I LOVE swimming and playing in water. Everybody tells me I’m the most well-behaved girl ever! I love you all and stay safe! - Mariska Malan

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, vet-x.co.za, apetslife.co.za, takealot.com and others. Distributed by Meelo (Pty) Ltd.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMMA O’BRIEN WORDS BY MARISE BURGER

All about

Rescue + the Road so far

“

So you’re probably wondering how we ended up here. Let me tell you.

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

e often get asked about the origin of the magazine and when I’ll be on the cover. While it’s been quite the adventure and we’ve achieved so much, it took me forever to decide if I should write this article. You see, while many people would love to be a cover feature on a magazine, I usually veer away from this kind of attention. I’m an introvert at heart and enjoy standing behind the scenes, cheering, as a masterpiece comes together. I revel in the excitement of creation and being a sound board as well as mentoring, but being a cover model makes me anxious. The reason for this is that I feel like I’m failing most of the time. Something I’ve found to be a common connection with most people I meet in animal welfare. We love, we work, we encourage and we teach as much as humanly possible but somehow, we still don’t feel qualified to call ourselves activists. This cover is me, telling you, that you are more than qualified. I did, however, choose to give you a more handsome cover model. :)

So you’re probably wondering how we ended up here. Let me tell you. It’s no secret that resources toward the animal welfare sector have been, and still are, very scarce. I still remember the morning I heard that the Lotto decided to cancel their contributions and donations toward animal welfare. I was driving to work and listening to the radio. A lady from the SPCA was pleading to the public for donations, because the sudden shortfall in funding would lead to devastating results. Her

with the project. The universe ruled in my favour and made sure that the numbers came in at exactly my target to get the publication off the ground. I wasn’t planning on having big fancy articles filling up the magazine. I was already trying my hand at doing the graphic designing for this project. I was nowhere near qualified to write anything.

voice was quivering and you could hear the exhaustion. I’ve always loved animals. They have been my companions through life’s darkest days and have brought me more joy than I can describe. Seeing posts of animals in distress brings me grief and heartache, as I’m sure it does most people. While I never shy away from donations when I have the means, I felt like there was potentially more I could do to help with raising funds for welfare. I am quite stubborn when it comes to business matters and thought that maybe this skill set could be put to good use. I started researching options for a part-time business that could generate cashflow for organisations in need. One idea stuck out from the rest, and that was to create a free distribution flyer containing advertisements. The concept would be the same as the ones for home renovation, but this would be directly targeted at pet owners. The risk was small, and the opportunity great. The days leading up to the first issue of Pet Prints created a bit of a challenge to myself. If I could generate enough interest and sell a certain amount of advertising space, I would go ahead

born.

But as luck would have it, we were short a few pages and I needed to fill them. This is where the Fascinating Facts column was born. I figured some random facts wouldn’t be too difficult to put together and one could not stuff that up too badly. I also asked a local animal behaviouralist to write a short piece for us and off we went. A publication was

For the first year or so, it was just me, myself and I, working to put the pages together for Pet Prints. I worked on it during evenings and weekends and basically said farewell to any kind of social life. It was a little magazine, a mere 18 pages, that we distributed to homes in Cape Town. The only goal was to raise funds for food and animal welfare items. The contents weren’t up to par with other magazines, and the design wasn’t great either. But then the letters started coming in. The most heartwarming letters from readers telling us about their own pets. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I recall a couple of occasions where we received handwritten letters from retired individuals who asked their local POSTNET to scan and email their stories to us. I think this was the tipping point which encouraged us to start adding more pages and stories to the publication. The project was no longer only about raising funds, we were reaching people who needed advice and there was a whole community of animal lovers to connect with. The only hurdle was that this was no longer a one person venture. I needed help.

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

Building a team While I’m sure it doesn’t look that hard to put together some words and images on a few scraps of paper, the project does take its toll on me every now and again. Lucky for me, I’ve always had a brilliant support system. Between Gerhard and Nelda, I’ve always had a shoulder to cry on and a friend to confide in. Nelda, being the discerning person she is, has a wonderful way of talking sense into me when I need it the most. About a year after starting our little adventure, we decided to adopt a dog. Enter Mia, the most amazing Labrador-mix from LEAPS. Being the proud cat mom I am, I adore having felines in the house, but the time was right to add a bit of chaos to the clan and we decided a large dog would be just the key. I wanted a running partner, and a Labrador would be the right fit. Again, fate had a plan and the adoption process required a home-check which introduced us to Sharnelle. Sharnelle’s passion for animal welfare is inspiring. She lives for welfare and we connected almost immediately.

We needed that passion in our team and Sharnelle was looking for a project that would allow her to be home a bit more. With Sharnelle on board, we mustered the courage to take our project to a national level and also transition to a bi-monthly magazine. It was as scary as it was exciting. The work would be almost double from what it was previously, but the goal was to build our community. Our excitement grew as we started making more connections and attracted the attention of one of my favourite pet photographers, Emma O’Brien. We had the opportunity to do a photo shoot with a rescued baby rhino who was being cared for at a game farm close to Cape Town. I gathered enough courage to email Emma and she’s been part of the team ever since!

It’s not to say that there haven’t been days where I’ve felt utterly defeated and exhausted. It’s happened more than a couple of times actually. Where advertisement reduces to almost nothing or printers leave us disappointed and I tell everyone that I’ve done what I can, but this will be our last issue. Sure enough, something always seems to happen just as I’m about to throw in the towel. I remember this one incident in particular, where I delivered some magazines to one of our bigger distribution points. I walked out of the shop, took a deep breath and thought what a good run we had. Then, I heard a little girl shriek and tell her father in a very excited voice “It’s here! It’s here!” I turned around, watched the cashier unpack the books I just delivered and heard her say how relieved she was the magazines came in when they did, because Saturdays were always the busiest days. The father breathed a sigh of relief and explained how he wouldn’t have heard the end of it had they not gotten their Pet Prints magazine that day.

No one knew who I was or that I was there, but moments like this always revive hope when I feel defeated.

As you all know, we also have some very talented people writing for us. Each one of these individuals have brought so much joy to our lives. I cannot express how grateful I am to every one of them for volunteering to help educate readers. That’s what it’s all about at the end of the day.

At the beginning of last year, we were fortunate to welcome Gaironesa, affectionately known as Gee, to the team. She’s now the person in charge of most of the magazine design. She also contributes a great deal to magazine administration and sales.

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

The people we’ve met With Pet Prints growing into a proper publication, we started collaborating with individuals that shared our values and wanted to be part of the project. This included writers, product suppliers and, of course, celebrities who own pets and work with welfare. It’s been wonderful getting to know these people. The insights they have and all the amazing stories have truly been inspiring. We all share a goal of wanting to make the world a better place and we actively work towards achieving this, whether by being a rolemodel or working in the field, supplying medical care or gathering supplies from your own network. I’ve been mesmerised by the wonderful people out there.

THELESSROAD TRAVELED As I’ve mentioned in the beginning, the main objective for this project, when it started, was to raise funds. The thing is, as the years went by, the goal has changed somewhat. We’ve made money, friends and connections that have contributed so much to animal welfare.

I think sometimes we get lost in the material objectives we set out for ourselves. While it’s great giving an organisation a cheque for a large sum of money, it’s also important to remember the ripple effect we as a community can have on each other. By hosting fundraisers and giving the wonderful fundraising projects and animal welfare organisations in our country a platform, we’ve been able to do so much more than just give money. We give hope. We gather support. We educate children through our example. We encourage welfare organisations to not lose hope, because they are not alone. It takes a village, right? As Jane Goodall likes to say: “You cannot not be depressed if you look at what’s going on in the world. That’s why the message is: Don’t think globally, act locally. Act locally first, see the difference you make. Taking that first step gives you hope that your actions do make a difference and then you want to do more and as you do more, you inspire others.” Well, this is our village and I’m proud to be part of a community that help each other. No effort is ever too small.

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

ROLO

THE COVER STAR

Rolo came into our lives as a foster. We met Rolo while on an outreach to Fisantekraal where we delivered kennels and food to the FAW team. Rolo was a regular at the container and didn’t mind helping himself to the donations. Everybody loved Rolo. I mean, how could you not? He is fluffy with blue eyes and is as friendly as they come. Unfortunately, Rolo managed to also scare a lot of people with those blue eyes. One weekend he got into an altercation with someone in the Fisantekraal informal settlement who attacked him with a panga. The FAW team reacted swiftly and got Rolo the medical help he needed, but there was a lot of concern about sending him home. We volunteered to foster Rolo until he could get back on his feet. As the days went by, Rolo recovered. He lost a toe and had some bad lacerations, but he never once got aggressive when his wounds were cleaned. We were at the vet a lot!! Sharnelle looked after Rolo when we had to go to our office jobs, because he did not enjoy the cone of shame. To this day, he still knows how to put those puppy eyes to good use. When Rolo was well enough to go back home, we got the message from FAW that his owner thought it might be in his best interests to not do so. She feared for his safety and would prefer Rolo had a safe, loving home. The rest, as they say, is history. The big goofball has been a great conversation starter to show people just how amazing rescues are and that they can be adopted as grown-ups without any issues. We couldn’t imagine our lives without him!

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

DONATIONS 3.9 tons 237 24 Food donations

Animals Sterilised

Kennels placed

A F R I C A TOY R A N G E

Safari dog toys now in 5 different styles, all with their own unique characteristics and appeal. Jipsy . Taki . Aristo . Abu . Spot

17 16

MARCH | PETPRINTS MARCH 20222022 | PETPRINTS

Portrait and lifestyle pet photography for people and brands

EMMAOBRIEN.COM

BY BRYONY VAN NIEKERK

Top Tips for introducing a new pet to the pack Some of you might be surprised to know that I, in fact, have a multi-pet household made up of 5 cats and 2 dogs. One could even say I am more Cat than Dog Mom (blame the last 2 years of lockdown, which resulted in 2 kitten foster fails). We also regularly foster kittens that we take from feral colonies that form part of our TNR (trap, neuter, release) programme. So, I am no stranger to introducing new additions, even temporary ones, to my household. I am proud to say that, overall, everyone gets along - cats with cats, dogs with dogs and dogs with cats, but it certainly didn’t start out this way. There was a lot of hissing, yowling, swatting, and chasing that went on before we got to this stage. Even now, it is by no means perfect. Within the pack we have different dynamics - some get along very well, others hiss and bite an ear if they get too close, a dog will snap at a cat if they dare wander into their space (it’s all bark and no bite, thankfully). But this is all to be expected as not every animal is going to become BFFs. I mean, you don’t like every person you encounter, so why should your pets be expected to? Being prepared, however, and implementing the tips below can help to make the transition as smooth as possible and get your pets off on the right foot.

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

MANAGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS Before bringing a new pet into the household, it is important to manage your expectations. If your dog has never encountered a cat before, their first instinct might be to chase them or, like in our case, a 13-yearold dog might not take too kindly to a rambunctious puppy who doesn’t understand boundaries. Building trust and creating a bond takes time, so never force your pets to interact with each other as you could end up achieving the exact opposite of what you wanted. Your pets may never become the best of friends that you hope for, but if they can tolerate each other and coexist without any altercation, take that as a win.

CREATE A SAFE SPACE When you first bring a new addition home, be it a dog, cat, puppy or kitten, it can be a very overwhelming experience for them. They have been taken from a place where they felt comfortable, from their mom/ siblings, and placed in a new foreign environment. To help them better adjust to their new home, place them in a separate room where the other pets are not allowed. This will create a safe space for your new pet to decompress and get used to their surroundings. This also helps the new and resident pets to get used to each other’s presence - while they may not be able to see each other, they can hear and smell each other. This space will also provide a haven where your pet can retreat should they start feeling overwhelmed, when the physical introductions start.

situation will be unique and will depend on your pets’ personalities. It is best to begin with short face-toface introductions, while for the rest of the time the new pet is confined to their safe space. This reduces the pressure on all involved and allows them to adjust at a gradual pace.

Remain calm and positivE

terms. Continue doing this multiple times a day over a period of time, until you feel you can start to relax the leash and give your dog more freedom. Once the animals appear to be getting along, you can drop your dog’s leash and monitor their interactions. Always make sure that your cat has an escape route, a high area to jump on and access to their safe place.

Introducing a new dog When first starting with face-to-face introductions, it is essential to remain calm. Often excitement in dogs can lead to overstimulation, which can then manifest itself as aggression. Use gentle voices and slow movements to foster a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, all while reassuring your resident and new pets that everything is okay. Another key element is to constantly reward calm and good behaviour, in both the new and the resident pet. By rewarding your pet in the presence of the new addition, they will begin to create a positive association with the new animal. However, the moment either animal starts to show signs of aggression, overexcitement or high levels of fear, stop the rewards and introductions, and try again another time.

Introducing a new cat

With dogs it can be beneficial to introduce them on neutral territory like in a park. However, once you enter the home, the resident dog may become stressed and act territorial. To help prevent any issues relating to resource guarding, pick up any toys, bowls and beds. Once the dogs are more comfortable with each other, you can reintroduce items like toys and beds, but make sure that each dog has their own.

Know when to ask for help If you notice that the introductions seem to be heading in a negative manner, unwanted behaviour is escalating, or if you have any concerns at all, seek professional help from a qualified animal behaviourist. Do not wait until the animals have had a physical altercation, or have a complete dislike for each other, as you may find that the situation cannot be easily reversed.

When introducing a new cat to the resident dog/s, secure the dog on a short leash while allowing the cat to move around freely and approach the dog on their own

Slow and steady Do Not Rush. As in the fable of the tortoise and the hare, slow and steady wins the race. Introductions can take place over a few days, or even weeks. There is no magic amount of time where your animals will suddenly get along, as every

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

bertyTranquility Growth

oleranceSafety

ent

Peace Support

Hope Love

BY JENNIFER DAVIES

Acceptance

eedom

Family

nimal

Developme

Privacy Healing

Medical

Empathy

Compassio Housing Education

Nature

Justice

Expression

Understanding

Life

Animal Rights

Discrimination Health Equality

gnity

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

Editor’s Note: It goes without saying that we all care about our pets. We treat them as if they are family and we educate ourselves to improve their lives, as we would our own. Unfortunately, this is not the case for all animals in South Africa. To talk about animals’ rights is often frowned upon as pointed out in this article. So, let’s talk about what could improve should we implement better regulation of animal rights.

Animal Rights Human Rights The subject of animal rights is controversial and often hard to discuss. The way in which animals are treated worldwide is appalling, and this urgently needs to change. But can we justify caring about animal rights when so many of our fellow human beings are struggling to survive and experiencing abuse and neglect, too? The answer is a resounding: ‘Yes!’. Striving towards better treatment and rights for animals does not mean not caring about human needs and rights – quite the opposite, in fact.

What are animal rights? In broad terms, rights are certain moral, legal, and social entitlements and freedoms that each individual has, which nobody is allowed to ignore or take away. Animals are now considered to be sentient beings and, as such, they should also have certain rights with which we cannot interfere. At the very least, they have the right to live a normal life that provides everything needed to thrive and does not cause unnecessary suffering and distress. Many people believe that animals are simply here to feed, clothe, protect and entertain us; that they lack sentience and, therefore, don’t

need rights. On the other end of the spectrum are those that believe that animals are not only sentient but should never be used for anything benefiting humans at all; that all ‘use’ is abuse. Most of us fall somewhere in between these opposing views, believing that it is normal to benefit from animals in some way, but acknowledging that we have a moral obligation to treat them with kindness and respect. The problem is that this generally makes it challenging to get as much out of animals as some would like: if we care about their rights, we cannot intensively farm them, transport them in cheap but inhumane conditions, chain them up to guard property, use them as disposable test subjects, destroy their habitats to build houses, and all the myriad other ways in which humans exploit animals. Some may argue that human rights and needs trump those of animals, but, when you consider it from several angles, looking after animal rights actually benefits everyone.

Agriculture Humans will almost certainly continue getting food and other items from animal sources for the foreseeable future. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, for example, if someone keeps a few happy chickens in their garden and eats the eggs, there shouldn’t be an issue. Unfortunately, the vast majority (over 90%) of animal products we consume do not come from happy chickens in back yards – they come from intensive or industrial animal farming. This provides cheap, abundant, and accessible food and other animal products, and rakes in profits… but it comes at a heavy cost. These animals live in overcrowded, stressful conditions, and have a truly awful existence, but did you know that it also has a negative impact on our health and the environment?

Sentience (sehn-stjens) The capacity to experience feelings, both positive (joy, love, pleasure) and negative (suffering, pain, distress). It implies having an awareness of oneself and others. It is different to reason (the ability to think), although they are often closely linked.

When huge numbers of animals live crammed together, as is the case with factory farming, the risk of disease spreading is greatly increased. In order to prevent this, the animals are routinely given antibiotics, which also make them grow faster. These drugs find their way into eggs, milk, and meat, and the air, soil, and water. Although still requiring more research, it is thought that this is possibly the largest source of antibiotic resistance today, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). And you don’t even need to eat the animal to be affected – in one study, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health collected drug-resistant bacteria from the air and surfaces in their cars…while driving behind factory chicken transport vehicles. It can also contribute to development of zoonoses, such as novel H1N1 (‘swine flu’).

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who live there.

“Compassion for animals is intimately associated with goodness of character, and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good person.”- Arthur Schopenhauer, philosopher and author

In a 2009 report, Dr Gregory Gray, director of the Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, advised that, “The same economy-of-scale efficiencies that allow [factory farming] to produce affordable meat for so many consumers, also facilitate the mutation of viral pathogens into novel strains… workers exposed routinely to livestock can pass these zoonotic infections—which transmit readily among humans and animals—on to the wider public.” Moreover, poorly looked after animals are not as productive, for example, stressed cows give less milk. Because these animals don’t eat naturally (instead are fed mass-produced, fortified foods full of antibiotics), and have their growth unnaturally accelerated, it is possible that products from these animals could be less nutritious.

Intensive livestock farming practices (which couldn’t happen if we cared about animal rights) also have a massive impact on the environment, from their contribution to greenhouse gases, to toxic run-off which lands up in our water. Clearly, if the end goal is to provide better lives for people, factory farming – which most definitely infringes on animal rights - is not actually achieving that goal at all.

Community We know that our environment contributes to our behaviour, and when people are continuously surrounded by the physical signs of lack, of which visible animal neglect, mistreatment, and overpopulation are a part, it feeds into a poverty narrative. By improving the care of community animals, it speaks, not just to the welfare of those animals, but to better surroundings and more positive mind sets for the people

Neglect of animals living closely with humans, be they dogs and cats, or goats, chickens, and pigs, can also contribute to dangerous situations developing. For example, when an area has lots of uncared for dogs, the likelihood of someone being bitten increases. Dirty, unsanitary animal enclosures pose health threats to the people who live near them; the same goes for not treating for parasites like fleas and worms which can affect people too. Those in challenging circumstances, who rely on their companion animals for protection and companionship, need them to be happy and healthy. All of this can only happen if we concern ourselves with making sure their basic rights are attended to. There is also a strong link between animal abuse, and family and community violence, and it’s estimated that animal abusers are five times more likely to harm humans too. People who abuse animals generally do not stop with animals. Children exposed to animal cruelty are less likely to cope with other forms of trauma and more likely to develop psychological issues. Women in abusive relationships frequently report that their abuser had “threatened, harmed, or killed” their companion animals as a way to exert dominance over them and the family. Aggressive criminals, mass murderers, sex offenders, and serial killers are all significantly more likely than the general population to have perpetrated cruelty to animals, particularly from a young age.

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Animal abuse and neglect has also been linked with general antisocial behaviour, including drug and public disorder offences. In addition, children that are involved in animal abuse are often themselves being abused. So, animal abuse can be both a predictor to, cause of, and red flag for other forms of abuse towards humans. The better animal rights laws there are, the more likely animal abuse is to be taken seriously, which, aside from helping the animals themselves, could potentially prevent escalation to abuse of people and add weight to prosecution of that abuse.

Wildlife Wild animals, be they birds or buffalo, are also deserving of rights – and protecting them impacts greatly on us. Poaching, killing, poisoning, or removing our wildlife has a negative impact on the entire ecosystem, which we are also part of. Moreover, nature tourism, in which visitors come to the country to enjoy our biodiversity and unique animals, is a crucial source of income for both local communities and the

country as a whole. Tourism brings jobs, education, community upliftment, and bolsters international goodwill. It is also thought that wildlife crime, such as rhino poaching, is linked with other serious crimes, such as weapons and drug smuggling, money-laundering, and possibly even funding of terrorist groups. We also have to consider that infringing on wild animals’ habitats and food sources, tends to force them to enter ‘human’ areas. This can lead to dangerous clashes between humans and animals, destruction of crops, attacks on domestic animals, and spreading of parasites and disease, all of which affect humans.

5 Freedoms

The bottom line is that animal rights and human rights are inextricably connected. The foundational values on which our own constitution is based include human dignity, the achievement of equality, and the advancement of human rights and freedoms. If we take into account all the ways in which our lives are closely linked with animals, it becomes clear that, in order to maintain these values, it is essential that we uphold and further animal rights too.

THE

The Five Freedoms encompass both the mental and physical wellbeing of animals and are based on the absolute minimum rights that we should afford them. They are used in veterinary practice, farming, animal welfare organisations, and others, as a framework for evaluation of animal living conditions and daily life and are a useful tool for improving these conditions. They state that all animals have the right to:

1 2 3 4 5

Freedom from hunger and thirst Freedom from discomfort Freedom from pain, injury and disease Freedom to express normal and natural behaviour Freedom from fear and distress.

ANIMAL RIGHTS IN SOUTH AFRICA It is a sad reality that South African law does not currently provide modern, effective guidelines for the protection of animal rights. The ‘Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962’ was written to “consolidate and amend the laws relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals” and is aimed at protecting “domestic animals and birds, and wild animals, birds, and reptiles that are in captivity or under the control of humans”. It does not mention wildlife not in captivity. World Animal Protection ranks our laws as an E (on a scale of A to G) and adds that “there is room for improvement in many areas related to animal welfare [in South Africa]”. Following a 2020 report (available on their website at api.worldanimalprotection.org), they concluded that, “The Government of South Africa is strongly encouraged to align its current legislation with OIE* standards”. *OIE: World Organisation for Animal Health, a global intergovernmental organisation in charge of intergovernmental standard setting in the field of animal welfare. 23 19

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chronic Kidney failure in cats What is chronic kidney failure?

Chronic kidney failure, or chronic kidney disease as is it otherwise known, refers to an irreversible and progressive disease of the kidneys that leads to them not being able to perform their regular function.

How does chronic kidney failure occur?

The kidneys are made up of many functional units called nephrons. Each one of these nephrons performs a multitude of functions that are responsible for excreting waste products from the body, regulating electrolytes, regulating blood pressure and producing red blood cells in the body. The kidneys have what we refer to as a large reserve capacity, meaning that the kidneys can continue to perform their necessary functions despite the loss of many of these nephrons. In fact, the kidneys can continue to perform their necessary functions until approximately 75% of the nephrons have been lost. This means that over a lifetime, many repeated injuries can occur to the kidneys which can damage a number of the nephrons, which ultimately leads to the kidney losing enough of its functional capacity to cause chronic renal failure. Once a certain percentage of the nephrons have been lost, it incites a vicious cycle leading to further destruction of nephrons. Some animals may be predisposed to developing chronic kidney failure as a result of birth defects which lead to them having less functional nephrons to start with. Other types of injuries to the kidneys include kidney infections, kidney stones, bladder stones that occlude the flow of urine from the kidneys to the bladder, urinary tract obstructions as a result of crystals or cells that cause a blockage in the urethra (most commonly seen in male cats), prior acute kidney injuries that can occur as a result of toxin exposure, autoimmune damage directed at the kidneys, cancer in the kidneys or any condition in

which severe dehydration occurs. In the vast majority of cases, by the time chronic kidney failure has been identified, the inciting causes are no longer present or cannot be identified.

What are the symptoms of chronic kidney failure?

The kidneys have a multitude of functions within the body, therefore there are a large number of clinical signs that can be observed. Most often, one of the first functions that the kidneys lose is their ability to adequately concentrate the urine. This leads to a pet urinating in large volumes. To compensate for this, animals will start drinking increasing amounts of water to compensate for this loss. At the same time, the kidneys will usually also start losing their ability to remove proteins from the urine that should stay in the body. This loss of proteins through the urine then leads to weight loss. During this time, your pet may not necessarily feel unwell, but, as the disease progresses, further loss of function leads to other symptoms that make them feel sick (usually nauseous). The most notable of these is what we refer to as azotaemia, which is a word that describes the build-up of nitrogenous waste products formed during protein metabolism in the body. In particular, we use the term azotaemia to refer to urea and creatinine. These waste products will make your pet feel ill if they are not excreted efficiently from the body. This can make your pet unwilling to eat and may also cause vomiting. Veterinarians monitor creatinine levels to gauge the progression of the

kidney disease in a specific animal. These elevated levels of urea and creatinine can lead to inflammation in the stomach (referred to as uraemic gastritis), as well as halitosis (a particular bad smell coming from the mouth) and ulcers forming in the mouth and stomach. The kidneys are also responsible for regulating electrolytes within the body, and loss of the correct balance of electrolytes in the body can make your pet feel even more sick and weak. If your pet is not eating and drinking enough, because they feel ill, this will lead to dehydration, which compounds the azotaemia and makes them feel even worse. If the kidneys start losing their ability to function correctly, a process is triggered in the body that leads to the pet developing high blood pressure, which further damages the kidneys. The kidneys are also responsible for producing a hormone called erythropoietin, which is the stimulus for the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Chronic kidney disease will lead to decreased levels of erythropoietin which will lead to a decreased production of red blood cells in the body, resulting in anaemia which will leave your pet feeling weak. The ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine is one of the defence mechanisms of the body that help to prevent the bladder from becoming infected with bacteria. As cats with chronic kidney failure have poorly concentrated urine, they are very prone to bacterial bladder infections.

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BY: DR KATHRYN KNIPE FROM BIRNAM VETERINARY CLINIC

If left untreated, this can escalate to kidney infections which are even more serious and will lead to further progression of your cat’s kidney failure. Symptoms of a bladder infection will include frequent urination (which may be difficult to distinguish as these cats already urinate more frequently than normal), discomfort during urination, or urination in abnormal places.

What are the symptoms of chronic renal failure?

The most obvious symptoms that you may notice in your pet are: • Increased water intake and urination • Decreased appetite • Weight loss • Dehydration • Vomiting • Halitosis • Pale gums and mucus membranes in the eye

What do I do if I suspect my cat has chronic renal failure?

If you are seeing the above symptoms, you should take your cat to see your veterinarian. Although the disease is irreversible and progressive, taking certain actions at the early stages of chronic renal failure can help to extend your pet’s longevity and improve their quality of life. Your veterinarian will recommend running various blood tests as well as concurrent urine tests to identify chronic kidney failure. It is important for your vet to run all the necessary tests they require, as there are many other potential causes for increased water intake and urination, poor appetite, and weight loss in cats.

are good that they will be dehydrated. Dehydration occurs rapidly in cats with chronic kidney disease as they are urinating large volumes and often are not eating well. If that is the case, your vet will recommend admission to hospital for a drip. They will also give further supportive treatments such as anti-nausea drugs, appetite stimulants, placement of feeding tubes for supplemental feeding, treatment of potential urinary tract infections, and treatment of potential gastritis or gastric ulcers. In terms of chronic management, your vet will recommend a change to a diet that is designed to decrease the progression of the disease. These diets are designed to have a moderate amount of high-quality protein to decrease the amount of protein breakdown products that the kidneys need to excrete. These foods are also limited in phosphates as these tend to accumulate in the blood of patients with chronic kidney disease and also make them feel unwell. The foods will be well balanced to provide additional vitamins, which they may be losing in excess through the kidneys, as well as high levels of antioxidants to help to reduce additional damage to the kidneys. They are also designed to be very palatable to keep your cat eating well.

subcutaneous fluids to help keep your cat well-hydrated if they are not eating and drinking enough to maintain their hydration. Your vet will also want to do regular check-ups on your cat, including repeating the blood tests to monitor the progression of the disease, as well as urine tests to ensure that there is no urinary tract infection.

What is the prognosis for my cat with chronic kidney disease?

Unfortunately, the rate of progression of chronic kidney failure is unpredictable. Some cats will deteriorate rapidly over a couple of weeks, and some patients will continue to live a good quality life for a number of years if the disease is detected early enough.

Many patients will additionally be placed on medication to regulate blood pressure as this can help to limit ongoing damage to the kidneys, as well as limit the amount of protein lost through the kidneys, and therefore limit ongoing weight loss. Your vet may also show you how to administer

What treatments are available if my cat has chronic kidney failure?

Unfortunately, there are no treatments available that can reverse the damage that has already been done to the kidneys of an animal with chronic kidney failure. At best we can try to prolong their life expectancy, treat the problems that arise from the disease and try to give them the best quality of life possible. If your pet is feeling ill, the chances

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

BY: JOHAN MARAIS FROM AFRICAN SNAKEBITE INSTITUTE

Please visit the African Snakebite Institute website: www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com for more information on snakes. African Snakebite Institute Cell: 082 494 2039

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Growing up in suburban Durban, we have had our fair share of encounters with snakes. Most of them were harmless – Brown House Snakes and Herald Snakes, but, unfortunately, a lot were killed on sight, and the killing continued when visiting relatives on farms in Vryburg and Grootvlei. With the expansion of suburbs, and estates being established on the fringes of cities and towns, more and more good habitat is being destroyed and many forms of wildlife, including snakes, are forced into corridors of natural bush. This has resulted in somewhat of an explosion of snakes being found in gardens, not because they are massively increasing in numbers, but because they are running out of habitat. And residences attract rodents and frogs – ideal food for a variety of snakes. The majority of snakes found in gardens are harmless – the likes of the Brown House Snake, Herald Snake, Rhombic Egg-eaters and harmless green water and bush snakes, but venomous snakes, including Puff Adders, various Cobras, the Rinkhals, Boomslang and even the Black Mamba also venture into gardens. The snake removers in the greater Durban area now remove more than 100 Black Mambas a year from residential gardens. Bites from these snakes are rare, but several dogs get bitten, and often with fatal results. There are a few important points to remember – snakes do not attack unprovoked and do not chase after people. If you encounter a snake, back off at least five paces immediately and you will be perfectly safe (spitting snakes, like the Rinkhals and Mozambique Spitting Cobra, eject their venom up to about 3 meters – no further).

Keep an eye on the snake from a safe distance, as they are masters of escape, and once out of sight, they are extremely difficult to find again. Immediately clear the area, get kids and pets out of the way, especially dogs. Most dogs instinctively want to attack any snake that they see, and this often ends badly. Never attempt to catch or kill a snake – that is looking for trouble. Bended coat hangers and braai tongs were not designed for snake-catching. There are over 800 snake removers country wide, and they are listed on a free app called ASI Snakes (http://bit;y/ snakebiteapp). Go to “snake

removal” and the app will list the snake removers closest to you with their cell numbers. As for any snakebite, the best course of action is to immediately get the victim to the nearest hospital with a trauma unit. Forget about cutting and sucking out the venom, applying a tourniquet, or any of the other ineffective first aid measures – get to a hospital. For more details on first aid for snakebites, go to the first aid section on the app.

When venom gets in someone’s eyes, immediately rinse with lots of water and get to a medical doctor who will do an examination for corneal damage and apply an antibiotic cream. The eyes should be healed within two or three days.

about Allergex, milk, charcoal, antibiotics or antihistamine – get your pet to a vet immediately. In case of severe envenomation, the only effective treatment is antivenom, and it is an expensive procedure.

As for pets, there are no quick and easy remedies for severe snakebite envenomation. Forget

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Diabetes in dogs BY: DR KATHRYN KNIPE FROM BIRNAM VETERINARY CLINIC

What is Diabetes? Diabetes, or more accurately, Diabetes mellitus, is a complex disease resulting in an insufficiency of insulin, the hormone which is responsible for helping the body utilize glucose as an energy source in the body. Diabetes in dogs is only rarely diagnosed in young dogs. Most dogs develop insulin-dependent, or type 1 diabetes mellitus, at a later stage in life. In this article, we will focus on the classic type 1 diabetes that develops in older dogs. How would diabetes develop in my dog? The development of diabetes in dogs is usually a result of an inability of the pancreas, which is responsible for the production of hormones that regulate blood glucose, to produce adequate amounts of insulin. This can occur as a result of destruction of pancreatic cells due to chronic inflammation in the pancreas (known as chronic pancreatitis) or auto-immune destruction of the pancreatic cells (the body attacking its own cells). Insulin resistance is an additional complicating factor that can have many causes. What factors put my dog at risk for developing diabetes? Diabetes is typically diagnosed in older dogs, with females being twice as likely to be affected as males. There is a genetic predisposition suspected in poodles (miniature and standard), Schnauzers (miniature and standard), Bichon Frise and Samoyeds. Obesity is a high-risk factor. Chronic or recurrent pancreatitis can lead to destruction of the pancreatic cells responsible

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for insulin secretion. Certain underlying diseases can lead to insulin resistance, most notably in dogs we find hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease) alongside diabetes. For older female dogs, not being sterilized is an additional risk factor. The use of certain drugs also predisposes the development of diabetes, most notably corticosteroids as well as drugs used to regulate the reproductive cycle of female dogs. What signs will I see if my dog has diabetes? The most noticeable signs are polyuria (urinating in large amounts), polydipsia (drinking large amounts of water), and polyphagia (wanting to eat large amounts of food, often begging and looking hungry). Dogs may be overweight or skinny or may have changed in weight significantly over a short period. Dogs will be prone to the development of cataracts which can lead to partial or complete blindness. Diabetic animals can develop a condition known as “diabetic ketoacidosis” which is very serious and potentially fatal if left untreated. Such an animal will be collapsed, and veterinary attention should be sought immediately. Additionally, many other conditions are diagnosed concurrently with diabetes mellitus, notably pancreatitis, kidney disease, high blood pressure and high susceptibility to bacterial infections (bladder infections are common). How would diabetes be diagnosed in my dog? If you see any symptoms mentioned above, which may make you suspicious of diabetes in your dog, it is important to consult your vet for diagnostic testing. Your veterinarian will recommend various tests based on your pet’s presenting signs. Often a baseline panel of blood tests together with urine tests are performed. These will often be enough for your veterinarian to establish a diagnosis of diabetes. The most important test results confirming this will usually be the presence of glucose in the urine and very high blood glucose. This is because a lack of insulin will lead to the body being unable to remove glucose from the bloodstream and place it in the cells of the body. This leads to excess glucose circulating in the blood, which then spills over into the urine. Your vet may recommend additional tests to confirm a

diagnosis of diabetes and/or identify other diseases that are commonly associated with diabetes. How will the vet treat diabetes in my dog? Diabetes in dogs is managed through twice-daily injections with insulin. Your veterinarian will guide you in exactly how the insulin is to be stored and administered. Routine is very important for a diabetic patient, therefore feeding times will be adjusted to twice daily, which will coincide with the time that the insulin is given. Patients who are overweight or obese should be managed on a weight loss program that is compatible with diabetic control. If your dog is not overweight, certain diets are recommended for dogs with diabetes that will help to maintain glucose control more effectively. Your veterinarian will instruct you as to which diet is recommended, as well as the amounts that should be fed. Instituting a daily exercise routine will also assist in the control of diabetes. It is also important to address any potential causes of insulin resistance, such as underlying hyperadrenocorticism, underlying bacterial infections, the use of chronic corticosteroids, sterilization of intact female dogs, as well as control of chronic pancreatitis, if present.

Brackenfell P

m o r e th an ju st a p e t s to r e

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Trading: Mon - Fri 09h00 to 18h00 Sat - 09h00 to 16h00 Sun 09h00 to 14h00 Public holidays 09h00 to 14h00

Successful management of diabetes is highly dependent on your input and compliance with the recommendations of your veterinarian. Initially, your dog will need to be admitted to the hospital for a day regularly, to do a glucose curve, where multiple blood glucose readings are taken throughout the day to gauge the effect of the current dose of insulin being administered. This will help your vet to adjust the dose until good control is observed. Adherence to the correct dosing regime for insulin, the correct diet for your dog as well as daily exercise will lead to the best control of your dog’s diabetes. It is important to note that once diabetes has been diagnosed in your dog, it will need to be chronically managed as it is not a condition that can be reversed. Working narrowly alongside your vet with regular check-ups will help to give your dog the longest possible life expectancy with the least associated disease problems and clinical symptoms.

0219828026 Whatsapp 074 181 8811 Shop No.31, Brackenfell Centre, Old Paarl Rd, Brackenfell MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

FASCINATING A koi is a freshwater fish of the cyprinidae family and belongs to the actinopterygii class of animals. Koi fish are descendants of the hardy carp and can be found all around the world. Goldfish and koi fish are distant cousins, as they are both descended from the carp. The word koi comes from Japanese, meaning “carp“.

Koi fish were developed by farmers who noticed the bright colour patches on carp, and bred them to get the beautiful appearance of the species we have today, via selective breeding. Koi fish were originally brought to Japan as a food source.

Koi fish domestication began around the 19th century in Japan, and they were then kept as pets, instead of food.

THE KOI FISH’S POPULARITY IS INCREASING DAILY DUE TO ITS GORGEOUS COLOUR PATTERNS, AND THAT THEY ARE EASY TO CARE FOR.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 100 VARIETIES OF KOI CREATED THROUGH BREEDING, AND EACH VARIETY IS CLASSIFIED INTO 16 GROUPS, ACCORDING TO ZEN NIPPON AIRINKAI (A GROUP THAT LEADS THE BREEDING AND DISSEMINATION OF KOI IN JAPAN).

The most popular koi fish colours include white, cream, blue, black, yellow and red.

The koi is a pretty large fish, the size of the fish depending on the environment the koi is raised in; diet, genetics and appropriate water temperatures. An average koi can grow from between 60-91 cm in length. Koi fish can weigh an average of anything between 13-15 kg. The largest koi fish ever recorded weighed in at a whopping 40.8 kg and was 1.2 meters long. Koi fish are gentle and will typically not act aggressively towards humans. A koi fish may nibble your finger, which will feel more like pressure than a painful bite. Female koi are more playful and have great personalities and lots of body movement compared to males, according to some studies. Male and female species of koi are simply called male koi fish and female koi fish. KOI FISH ENJOY HAVING OTHER KOI FISH AROUND AND ARE VERY SOCIAL. Koi fish use sounds, vibrations, impulses, motion and various smells to communicate with each other.

KOI HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BULLY OTHER TYPES OF FISH, OR NON-KOI FISH, IN A POND. Koi fish don’t tolerate drastic or rapid changes in temperature and prefer water temperature that range from 15°C to 25°C. Koi fish are sensitive to the sun and may even get sunburnt if there’s not enough shadow in the pond. IN WINTER TIMES, KOI GO INTO A SORT OF DORMANCY, USING LESS OXYGEN AND SETTLING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE POND WHERE THE WATER IS WARMER.

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oi FACTS KOI ARE UNBELIEVABLY POWERFUL SWIMMERS AND CAN SWIM AT A SPEED OF ANYWHERE FROM 1.6 TO 4.8 KM PER HOUR. Koi fish are known as intelligent animals and can recognize the person who regularly feeds them. Koi fish have a row of teeth at the back of their throat known as “Pharyngeal teeth”, which is actually common to other freshwater fish. These Pharyngeal teeth are used to grind food like shells and insects they find at the bottom of the pond. Koi fish have a typical life span ranging anything from 25 to 60 years. Koi can survive for more than 100 years if they receive proper nutrition, their water is kept clean and filtered, and if kept under good conditions. The oldest koi fish was a koi named Hanako, who according to history, hailed from Japan and lived to be 226 years old.

KOI FISH REPRODUCE THROUGH SPAWNING, LIKE MOST FISH, IN WHICH THE FEMALE LAYS A NUMBER OF EGGS AND ONE OR MORE MALES FERTILIZE THEM. Female koi fish can lay anything between 1,000 to 50,000 eggs during one breeding

The Japanese believe that the koi fish symbolizes strength, courage, wealth, success, good fortune, fertility, determination, perseverance and persistence. Koi fish were brought to the attention of the world after one was given to the Japanese emperor as a gift, in 1914, to grace the imperial palaces’ moat.

season. ONLY HALF OF THE FERTILIZED EGGS TYPICALLY SURVIVE. A baby koi is known as a fry or fingerling. KOI CONTINUE TO GROW UNTIL THEY REACH MATURITY AT AROUND 3 YEARS OF AGE. Koi fish attracts several predators, such as otters, raccoons, snakes, birds of prey, badgers, cats and even dogs. KOI INCREASE IN VALUE ON SEVERAL FACTORS, INCLUDING THE SIZE AND THE SPECIFIC BREED, BY AGE, LENGTH AND WEIGHT, PATTERNS AND COLOURS.

THE KOI FISH IS A POPULAR TATTOO DESIGN. ONCE RELEASED INTO THE WILD, THE KOI REVERT TO THEIR NATURAL COLOURATION (THAT OF THE COMMON CARP) WITHIN A FEW GENERATIONS. The conservation status of koi fish is currently of Least Concern, although the exact figure of their population is not known.

Koi are omnivorous (consume both plants and animals) and will eat a wide variety of foods including fish food, insects, small bugs, snails, worms, algae, shrimp, rice, peas, apples, bananas, berries, lettuce, and even watermelon. In the wild, if they’re hungry enough, they will sometimes consume different kinds of fish and their eggs, that are smaller than they are.

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

BY: Kristella Rose, Rayne & Rose Boutique

Working together for the Animals

Early December I heard that Jaymee Gobetz, an animal lover and active volunteer at Woodrock animal rescue in Johannesburg, would be coming to Cape Town for the holidays, so we organized to co-host a Tin Can collection event for a small shelter I volunteer at, called Imagine Animal Dreams based on a farm in Joostenberg vlakte. I had just done a successful Christmas themed treat raiser event with the very talented Lee from Belle Lumiere Foto in aid of Animal Anti Cruelty League during which we raised over 40kg of treats for the animals in their care.

For every 500g of tinned food donated you received a digital photograph taken by the talented Emily from Furtos, a photographer who photographs pets to raise money for animal shelters. Demi Preston from Button for Pets was happy to sponsor all the bandanas for the day and I supplied Rayne & Rose accessories for the pictures of our VIP 4-legged guests!

We’re happy to say that we were able to raise over 360 tins of canned dog food and 60kg of pellets, as well as a bunch of second-hand goodies. What an amazing community to be a part of!

Jaymee and I both have multiple rescue dogs of our own and believe that we need to be the voice for the voiceless.

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Woodrock keeps breaking boundaries

WOODROCK ANIMAL RESCUE is the rescue organization that keeps pushing the boundaries and taking rescue to another level. We rescue, rehabilitate and then, the exciting part, rehoming takes place. This is where Woodrock Animal Rescue is in a league of its own, and our exciting POPUP adoption units take centre stage, bringing rescued furbabies to be adopted within sought after residential areas. Our first POPUP was flagshipped at The Garden Shop in Parktown North, and the second at Woodrock Animal Rescue in Hennops (Pretoria). These were followed by The Bryanston, The Garden Shop, and, recently adding, Kaylee’s Eatery (vegan) and Prisonbreak Market. We are now entering our second year of this project. Our innovative “POPUP” units are a brilliant, unique means of adopting out HIGHLY ADOPTABLE DOGS. We also ensure that every animal adopted through Woodrock Animal Rescue is sterilised, chipped, vaccinated and dewormed. This project has proven to be a winning formula that has broken all boundaries when we consider adopting dogs.

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HOW DOES IT WORK? • During the week we select the crew made up of 20 furbabies, consisting of all ages, sizes and breeds, that will be participating at the relevant POPUP on the forthcoming weekend. • On the morning of POPUP, we pack the excited crew into the dog friendly trailers and off they go. • On arrival at their dog friendly locations, our happy dogs jump out of the trailer ready to meet the team

of volunteers, who have already arrived and prepared for their arrival. • Awaiting the dogs is a team of highly skilled enthusiastic monitors who take charge of the dogs (one dog per monitor) and who have prepared food and water for them, give them undivided attention, and exercise, play and cuddle the pooch for the time spent at the venue. • Visitors arrive, these consist of people who are on the scout for an addition to their family, and we encourage all family members, including furbaby brothers and sisters, to come and meet their new addition. We have professional dog handlers who manage meet

and greets to ensure the perfect introduction to all family members. The POPUP team are engaging, encouraging and informative. These are definitely key elements to the success of the adoption process. The adoption process is the same at all our adoption centres and POPUPs 1. Complete an application with a R200 deposit 2. Our team will evaluate the application 3. A “home checker” will make contact to set up a convenient time to do a home check 4. You can collect your healthy, sterilised, chipped, vaccinated and dewormed furbaby MARLTONS is our headline sponsor, and you will receive a perfect doggie starter pack on collection. ALL POPUPS ARE OPEN EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 9AM - 2PM – please contact 0794152624 to enquire about popup details and times.

WOODROCK ANIMAL RESCUE PLOT 51 R511 PRETORIA RURAL THE GARDEN SHOP 167 JAN SMUTS AVENUE PARKTOWN NORTH

THE BRYANSTON GARDEN SHOP 278 MAIN ROAD BRYANSTON

For more information contact us on: Community@ woodrockanimalrescue.co.za

PRISONBREAK 10 MACMILLAN RAOD GLENFERNESS MIDRAND

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

ADVERTISE

HERE contact:gee@petprints.co.za

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No Time for “Walkies” - Call The Dog Walkers, Cape Town Southern Suburbs

Amber believes that regularly exercised dogs have better health and

Amber started The Dog Walkers in 2015, and we enrolled our dog (and Bizzibabs Model) Aloe-Vera up for a weekly walk (45 - 80mins) in 2019 after hearing and reading excellent things about her dog walking service. Vera loves Amber and her Group Walks with her friends and Amber has made it easy for us to help Vera maintain a healthy lifestyle. We also love it that Amber shares pictures on her Instagram account showing us how much fun our dogs have when out on a Dog Walkers adventure.

behavioural issues. We concur! Amber has worked with dogs of many types and sizes. The Dog Walkers offer single, group and monthly walks. Also weekend hikes. The price includes pick-up and delivery of dogs in the Southern Suburbs. Visit www.dogwalkers.co.za to see all of the available packages Email: info@thedogwalks.co.za Phone: 0766803944 Instagram: @thedogwalkers_cpt

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

Pet Hero

M-Pets Rubeaz Soap Dispenser & Brush Rubeaz Soap is ideal to wash and massage your dog and makes bath time very easy for you and relaxing for your dog.

R145.00

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pawfect

Pug Dad T-Shirt Who loves you more than your pet? Show them some love with these pawsome shirt designs! They are specifically designed to celebrate the love we get from our pets!

R350.00

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WILDCHILD Alfies Pet Accessories

Babies Breath Collar Our collars have been designed for maximum comfort, made with 100% cotton material and lined with nylon webbing on the inside for durability and fully adjustable for the perfect fit.

Pet heaven

R150.00

Rosewood Snuffle Forage Mat Toy Your small animals will love the Rosewood Snuffle Forage Mat, designed to stimulate and engage this fun interactive toy will enrich their lives and help prevent boredom.

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R270.00

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The Pets Circle

Efazol Skin Supplement For Dogs The Efazol Dog Skin Supplement is a palatable and nutritious supplement containing essential fatty acids that facilitate the treatment of skin conditions,

R150.00

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MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

furball pet

Doggles Dogs need eye protection just as humans do, whether it is protection from the sun’s harmful rays or from wind and debris. Doggles are designed with a deeper lens cup, wider nose bridge, flexible frame and soft adjustable head and chin strap.

R370.00

epet store

M-Pets Hiking Dog Shoes Made with airmesh these shoes are breathable but waterproof. Double reflective strips, anti-slip, comfortable & durable.

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R248.75

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Cat Box Pet Hyper

D&D Cat Toy Keekaboo Farmer Chickie Keekaboo farmer-chickie 9cm unstuffed/ in 9CM 25ML with refill catnip

R85.00

www.pethypers.co.za

Canine & Co

M-Pets Hiking Soft Collar Hiking Dog Collar with poly webbing and air-mesh lining padding, a lockable buckle and double reflective strips. Designed for adequate aeration.

R145.00

www.canineandco.co.za

simply spoilt

SUMMER PET BEDS Production of items will take between 7 and 14 working days.

R895.00

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MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

PINK POTATO SALAD It’s the family/friend gathering go-to, the ultimate leftovers, some would say it’s basically a bowl of happiness. That’s right, Potato Salad! This one is so sensual and creamy, crunchy and mushy and the perfect side for everyone to enjoy! Vegan-friendly.

Ingredients • 2 cups B-Well Thick & Creamy Mayonnaise • 2 kg Potatoes / Baby Potatoes, chopped, boiled & peeled

• 1 cup corn • 3 celery stalks, diced • 1 stalk Spring onion, finely chopped

• 1 red onion, finely diced

• Plant milk

• 1 cup red cabbage, shredded

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation 1. Place the tender potatoes in a large bowl with the B-Well Thick & Creamy Mayonnaise. Add a splash of plant milk, the chopped celery, cabbage, corn and red onion, and gently mix- slowly adding plant milk till desired consistency. 2. Taste, then add salt and pepper to taste. 3. Garnish with fresh herbs like dil or coriander. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

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For more information 081 736 1506 kittykazzrescuegmail.com

Our pets deserve to be spoilt and look fabulous too. At Dear Pet Co. we offer a range of luxury, bespoke accessories for you and your pets. Shop Online Now www.dearpet.co.za

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

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MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

BY BRIAN BERKMAN

Break PETS NEED A

too!

“

LUXURY TRAVEL WRITER, BRIAN BERKMAN, SEARCHES OUT THE FABULOUS AND OFTEN AFFORDABLE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO YOU AND YOUR PETS. JULIE, HIS RESCUED MIXED-BREED DOGGIE-DAUGHTER INSISTS ON JOINING THEM.

“

37 41

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he three Home Suites Hotels, The Bristol in Rosebank, Johannesburg, The Quarter in De Waterkant and, the most recently opened one in Sea Point, provide a top-notch luxury guest experience and they are all pet friendly. Since Julie has joined our family, we don’t like being apart from her, and seek out places where she is as welcome as we are. Despite her lack of training (and our lack of training in being doggie-parents), the journey together has been a loved-up fest with overwhelming highs.

While there are some beaches along the Atlantic Seaboard where dogs are not permitted, there are many areas and beaches where they are free to roam untethered.

A recent low in the Julie chronicles was during a Sea Point stay and family lunch with cousins, who have two dogs. Julie was welcomed into their home with open arms by the humans, but she never settled sufficiently to play with the other dogs, who were keen on her companionship. Her incessant barking and snarling must have been stressful for her as it certainly was for us.

As a rescued dog, I am never certain how Julie will react to other dogs she meets. When she is on the leash she barks at other dogs and sometimes tries to aggressively lurch towards them. Off the leash, Dr Jekyll becomes Mr Hyde, most times, and she is mild and even-tempered.

So, imagine the delicious relief at being on the roof-top pool at Home Suites Sea Point with Julie laying in the shade close by wagging her tail without a care in the world. Even when we walked past another guest room that was occupied by a dog, she didn’t give them a second thought.

One of the highs was seeing her joy at encountering other dogs, also off the leash, on the large grassy patch near the Mouille Point lighthouse.

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

What I love about Home Suites Sea Point is that its location on Main Drive, not to be confused with Main Road, which is some distance away, gives you an eagle’s view over the sea and the majestic Lion’s Head mountains behind you. Our room, a 36m2 Superior-category room, had vast windows with opening sliding doors and a glass balustrade to prevent one falling out. Lying in the King-sized bed while looking out over the other roof tops to the expansive sea is such a treat, and, if the view from the second floor seems spectacular, and it is, from the roof-top it is heavenly. Currently, there is a fabulous restaurant-quality kitchen, lounging and dining area on the fourth floor. This communal space is available for guests to self-cater. Although the location is a steep walk from Beach and Main Roads, and having a car will make all the difference, getting an Uber or similar couldn’t be easier. We used an app to open the gates to the hotel parking which worked really well. Brilliant internet and really upscale furniture and design by Tonic, make what is offered easy to recommend and very good value for money. https://www.homesuitehotels.com/sea-point

f dogs communicate by pee-mail, then a visit to The Atlantic Seaboard beachfront promenade, 50 meters from The President Hotel, must be the human equivalent of being in a busy internet cafe, in Silicon Valley.

And, for Julie, who survived on her wild wits and love-me eyes before she found a forever home with us in Pringle Bay, being on the Promenade and the many dog-friendly beaches delivers an overload of stimulation. A Pringle Bay local, who previously had a Manchester Terrier, told us Julie must have that breed in her lineage. And, after reading about their skill at hunting, I think he must be right. Julie will smell a week-old KFC bone in the long grass and relish it as if a chef had prepared it just for her. I know this to be true as Julie was the first four-legged visitor to The President Hotel in Bantry Bay since it became Pet-Friendly.

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

While she normally follows a dry food diet (when she can’t forage for KFC and other bones) she so enjoyed the Cheeky Chicken All-Day Doggie Hot-Pot off the Pupper’s Menu at The President that she couldn’t have been less interested in the dry food we brought for her. Made without salt or additives, doggie delights can take up to 45-minutes for the kitchen to prepare and cool sufficiently to eat. I watched her wolfdown the chicken, rice and corn, but leave the peas. A moment later, even the peas had vanished, and the bowl licked so clean it looked new. Besides the big open-hearted welcome of all the hotel staff, and from the many children she encountered, the hotel also had a food and water bowl in the room for her, poo bags, a poop-scoop and a bunch of treats. The President Hotel, like many that welcome pets, prefer pets at 12kg or lighter. Although Julie’s big personality must count for some of

the kilos, she is nearer to 20kgs than 12, and the hotel made a kind exception to welcome us three, nonetheless. We spent one of the most perfect weather weekends at The President Hotel and most of the time was at the large infinity pool. There is astro-turf style “grassed” areas with pool loungers and umbrellas, but she found the most comfortable spot sitting among the lush greenery and fern fronds near the poolbar area. A visual feature at The President Hotel as you enter is a triple volume of space with huge windows and views towards the sea. There are glass balustrades and Julie felt quite stressed walking in that area. Perhaps she feared she might fall as she was able to see through the glass. We also appreciated how a table in a quieter part of the fabulous, buffet

breakfast restaurant was made available for us, where she could sit and wait tethered to the table leg while we enjoyed the fare. The area where The President Hotel is located has welcomed guests for more than 250 years. Since 1766, when the Society House was built, which later made way for The Wentworth Hotel and The Queens Hotel before becoming The President Hotel in 1967. In June 1998, President Nelson Mandela re-opened the 350 bedroom hotel as we know it today. It has long been a beacon of hospitality and The President continues to welcome and accommodate all peoples making allowances for various faiths and dietary restrictions. It is wonderful to know they now welcome our beloved pets too. reservations@presidenthotel.co.za, +27 (0)21 434 111, www.presidenthotel.co.za

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

THE HARDEST

DECISION Our animal family members bring boundless joy and unconditional love, and are such an integral part of our lives that we can’t imagine being without them. 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. Every caring pet guardian hopes that their animal family members will live to a ripe old age, then peacefully drift off naturally, but the reality is that, inevitably, we are faced with having to make ‘The Decision’. According to a UK study, around 90% of family pets pass away through humane euthenasia so you are not alone. But how do you know if it’s time? How do you decide something like that when your heart is breaking? We spoke to veterinarian, Dr Travis Gray, to find out what you need to consider.

WHY DO WE CONSIDER IT?

In very straight-forward terms, when we talk about euthenasia (from the Greek meaning “good death”), we mean the process of ending an animal’s life without pain and distress. This is usually done with a high dose of anaesthetic drugs. The main reason why caring owners consider putting their pet to sleep is to prevent them from continued suffering.

Dr Gray understands that this is an extremely tough decision. “Nobody wants their pet to die, but more importantly, no owner should want their pets to suffer,” he says. “Unfortunately, some conditions can’t be cured, and some give the patient chronic pain or other symptoms that can make their lives miserable. In these cases, euthanasia should not be considered as something unkind, but rather a chance to end the patient’s suffering. I often say to clients that unfortunately truly loving an animal means that you sometimes have to make difficult decisions for them. As harsh as it may sound, we need to consider what’s best for them, not us.” The reality is that sick and dying animals can go on for a surprisingly long time despite being in a terrible way, so the idea that they will ‘go naturally’ at home, as well-intentioned as it is, can actually be cruel. Dr Gray explains that, “Very few of these animals end up dying ‘peacefully’. In fact, many die of dehydration and/ or starvation. If an animal is terminally suffering, there is no ethical reason to prolong its suffering longer than you have to.”

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

As much as euthenasia provides help, it is still a monumental decision and should not be taken lightly. Dr Gray advises that, “The main thing to look at is whether they are still able to enjoy the activities that make them happy, and whether they still interact with their owners as normal. Some animals will continue to eat despite pain and sickness, so appetite isn’t always the most reliable indicator of quality of life. If they’re losing interest in the things they once enjoyed, or withdrawing from their owners, then they are likely suffering and it may be time.” Being objective about this is easier said than done. We tend to look for any spark of hope, any sign that things are improving; in degenerative conditions, we may not even notice how much they’ve declined because we see them every day. This is where it’s helpful to do Quality of Life (QoL) assessments such as the one developed by the Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr Gray explains that, “It asks several questions, and owners have to rank each answer from 1 to 5, then add them up for a final score; the lower the score, the worse the quality of life. It can be repeated over time to track whether quality of life is worsening or improving.” You can download this questionnaire at www.vet.osu.edu/ HonoringTheBond.

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

Honour their legacy for years to come. Let the memories of your loved-one live on through our range of hand-selected caskets, urns and keepsakes.

HELPING HANDS

While questionnaires and checklists are helpful, they aren’t infallible, says Dr Gray, “They’re a useful tool but they do have limitations. For example, a pet may score well in some areas, but still have immense pain, or no appetite. Charts like these should ideally be used in consultation with a vet who can give an objective opinion and help guide owners on whether it is time or whether they should try treatment a little longer. This works best when the patient and client already have a relationship. As a night vet, clients sometimes have to make that decision with me, and they’ve never seen me before; that makes it more difficult.” “For many pet owners, there is a lot of guilt and sadness when making a decision to put an animal to sleep,” says Dr Gray. “For them, it does help when they have a discussion with the vet to make sure that nothing else can be done to make their pet comfortable. When they doubt themselves, it’s a sad part of our job to reassure them that this is the kindest option. Because of our training, we can explain why the animal is suffering, and why quality of life won’t improve. That knowledge helps to put people at ease about their decisions.” Dr Gray adds that vets do not take these decisions lightly – they fully understand the depth of your emotions and the ramifications involved. “No matter how many times I have to euthanise, it is never easy. So this is never something that would be recommended if it wasn’t in the best interests of the animal.”

Return of Ashes

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It may be helpful to also discuss the situation with others. Everyone in the household should be involved in the decision, not just to take their feelings into account, but also because they may notice things that you haven’t. If you’re still struggling, reach out to an understanding friend. Sometimes just talking though all the facts out loud is enough to bring things into perspective. At the end of the day, focus on what is most important: doing your best for your pet, whatever that may look like. By keeping this uppermost in your heart and mind when you look at the facts, you will make the right decision for them. In the next issue, we find out what to expect once you have decided to put your beloved pet to sleep. Many people find this, not only emotionally devastating, but scary and confusing. We talk to a veterinarian to find out more. (If you missed last issue’s column about coping with grief, visit our website at www.petprints.co.za.)

Celebrating over 25 Years of

1996 - 2022 Western Cape | KwaZulu-Natal | Gauteng For more information and to see the rest of our memorabilia range talk to your vet or visit www.legacypet.co.za

By Dani Mc Neill

SafetyTips To Teach Your Child

Quick Tips for Child Safety Around Horses •Teach your kids through example; what they observe and see practically stays with them longer. •While selecting a horse for your child, keep in mind your child’s size as well as experience level. •Never slack or lose attention when your child is near the horse. •Treat your kids for following the rules, just like you would for a horse. Similarly, tell them that there will be consequences if the rules are broken. •Hire an instructor for your kids to help them learn better. Even the calmest, most mature and well-trained horse can act out. As a horse rider, your child should be aware of that and should know how to act in such situations. Making safety a habit can save you a lot of trouble when your kids are learning basic horse care and riding.

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

verything about caring for a horse, including approaching, saddling, feeding, grooming, and tying, should all be done with extreme care. Children are keen observers, so what you do and teach matters a lot. So, make sure you teach them by giving physical demonstrations. Here is what your basic safety training should cover when teaching your child to stay safe around horses: Child Safety Around Horses, While on the Ground Kids are always excited while approaching an animal. Although that’s appreciable in some cases, this can be a huge mistake if the horse freaks out. Make sure that every time your child approaches the horse, he or she is accompanied by an adult. With that said, here is a detailed breakdown of the different aspects of child safety on the ground: Safe Approaching Building trust is very important when your child is approaching a new or unfamiliar horse. Also, it is better to ask the owner of the horse if it is social enough to be approached by strangers. Never approach a horse from its blind spots – in front of the eyes, and directly behind it. If not from the blind spots, which part is the safest to approach a horse? Well, teach your children to approach the horse from the side. This way, they are not standing in its blind spot, and it can clearly see you during the whole process. This should help you avoid startling your horse unnecessarily. Teach your children to be Alert all the Time Horses are as fast as they are powerful. So even if it’s an old horse that your child is familiar with, you need to stress the fact that he or she needs to be alert all the time when they are near the animal. These basics things matter, like while caring for your horse and checking its hooves, never sit on the ground, but squat. Letting your guard down around horses can result in accidents. Leave the horse alone at Feeding Time One of the most important things to teach your child is to leave the horse alone when it is feeding time. Horses have their own routine - they are pretty possessive about their food. Your horse can mistake the kid as a herd-mate, and in the spirit

of protecting its food, it can injure the child. Let your kids measure the ration and fill it in feeding buckets, but no more than that, until he or she is old enough to understand the risk involved. Turning Away From the horse Teach your child never to turn their back towards the horse. Horses have a playful nature, and they might take this as a sign to play, and chase the kid. Turning your back also puts the horse in your blind spot. Instead, teach your kid to back away slowly, while facing the horse. Child Safety While Riding a Horse Never leave your child unsupervised near a horse, whether they are in the saddle or on the ground. This applies to your wellbroken, as well as trained and mature horses. No matter how much you trust the horse with your child, do not leave them unsupervised. Teaching your kid to buddy up while riding will help him understand that he needs a backup in case an accident occurs. Don’t let him think that you aren’t confident in him, but rather teach him that this is a safety precaution. Safety Gear Explaining the importance of proper equipment is vital for teaching your child how to ride. From hard-toed shoes to a helmet, everything should be in place. Make sure your child’s horse riding helmet meets all safety standards and that it fits snugly. Tacking Up Tacking equipment should be wellmaintained; an extra tight back cinch can make the horse irritated and cause it to act out. This can be dangerous for the child. Explain proper bridling and saddling rules to your kid, or appoint a professional instructor to do so. Also, teach your kids how to maintain and look for signs of tack wear and tear that can lead to an unnecessary accident. Preparing The Horse For Mounting Mounting should always be done under vigilant supervision. Also, the child should never mount a horse near low overhead projections. Teach your kid to maintain firm contact with the reins while mounting the horse. An adult is also required to keep the horse steady while the child mounts it. Confidence is key while your child is in the saddle. You can teach your child everything, but the confidence comes from within.

Horses can smell fear. A horse only feels confident if the handler is confident. Paying attention, sitting alert in the saddle and never losing your focus are the ways of riding a horse. Riding is a fun activity that takes a lot of concentration. Tell your child to always keep his or her feet in the stirrups while on the horse. Having a Proper Saddle All of your safety tips will mean nothing if the saddle doesn’t fit. Always get a proper saddle that not only fits your child, but also fits your horse snuggly. Many people make the mistake of buying bigger saddles for kids, expecting the child to grow into it; this is not a safe practice and can result in an accident. Child Safety in Daily Chores Apart from mounting, approaching and saddling a horse, you need to teach your kid how to accomplish daily chores in a harmless way. Child safety with horses doesn’t end with riding and saddling, but extends to feeding as well as grooming the horse. Feeding The two most important chores that need full attention from your child are feeding and grooming. Any child who wants to become a professional rider needs to learn these two routines. A child shouldn’t feed a horse without adult supervision. That doesn’t mean your child shouldn’t feed the horse at all. In fact, doing so can establish mutual trust between your child and the horse. As kids learn by example, demonstrate horse feeding by offering treats, like carrots, apples or sugar lumps in the flattened palm of your hand. Horses bite, it’s how they act cute and playful, so teach your child never to let fingers get in the way of feeding. To be extra safe, teach your kids to offer treats in a bucket. Grooming As for grooming, keeping close contact while grooming is extremely important. Daily grooming builds a bond that encourages the child and the horse to trust each other. While grooming the feet, the child needs to be mindful as horses are often careless about where they step. Teach your kid to squat to inspect under the hooves, and never relax and let their guard down. Squatting helps them jump away quickly if need be. Meanwhile, sitting in a relaxed position may slow down their reflexes and put them at a risk of injury.

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

Ask the Vet

Q: Good morning, Dr Travis. Is it normal for cats to lick bricks (building blocks)? Recently, I noticed that our 13-year-old female, sterilised cat, licks bricks and building blocks. What does it mean, and is it something to be concerned about?

often shows pain when trying to urinate. In more severe cases, the prostate may also become inflamed or infected, and abscesses may form in the gland. The condition can be diagnosed with radiographs or ultrasound, and if it is confirmed, then castration is the treatment of choice.

A: In cats that lick bricks, or eat their litter, there is always a worry that they may be anaemic (have a reduced number of red blood cells in the body). Most of the time, anaemia can be obvious as the patient’s gums appear white, rather than pink, but in some cases, a red blood cell count is needed to diagnose the condition. Then, further testing would be needed to identify the cause of the anaemia. There are many causes of anaemia in cats, from viral infections to parasites that break red blood cells down. Some of these causes require prompt treatment or may be transmissible to other cats. For this reason, I would recommend that you take your cat into your local vet for a check-up

Q: Dear Dr Travis, I’m looking for advice on how to keep my 13-year-old Golden Retriever healthy. We’ve had him at the vet a few times in the last two years for bladder infections. He struggles urinating sometimes, and the vet gives him medication, but is there something we can do to help with his overall health to prevent this from happening?

With an ageing large breed dog, we can also expect some degeneration of the hips and vertebrae. The degeneration of the vertebrae generally causes the individual vertebrae to start fusing together, particularly towards the tail-end of the spine. These joint and spine issues can affect urination, not only because movements, such as squatting or lifting a leg, become more difficult, but because there can also be impingement on the nerves that control the bladder. Once again, these conditions require radiographs to diagnose, and I would consider having them done if you notice your dog seems stiff when rising or doesn’t enjoy exercise as much anymore. If your dog is showing any sign of joint degeneration, then you will have to manage his weight, if he is over conditioned. Body weight does have a large impact on overall joint health. In older large breed dogs, there are diets formulated to help maintain joint health. They contain nutrients to maintain cartilage, and high levels of omega fatty acids to help reduce inflammation.

A: If a dog is unable to urinate properly, this causes urine to pool in the bladder and this can lead to irritation and an increased risk of infection. Difficulty urinating in older male dogs can generally come from two different places: the prostate or the spine.

Q: Hi Dr Travis, my dog was at the vet last week and the vet says he has a subluxating patella. Could you please help me understand what this is and how serious it is? I’m not sure what the cause could be and would like to avoid it as much as I can.

In your question, you don’t mention whether your Golden Retriever is castrated or not. Intact male dogs are at an increased risk of developing an enlarged prostate gland in their older years; a condition called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Because the prostate sits at the beginning of the urethra, enlargement of the gland can impede urine flow, making it more difficult to urinate. Owners may also note blood or a foul smell in the urine, and the patient

A: Luxating patella is a condition where the kneecap of the patient is able to slide in and out of place. It’s a fairly common issue that we tend to see in smaller breed dogs, and it has been proven to be heritable in some toy breeds. The condition is generally diagnosed based on physical examination but can be seen on radiographs if they were taken while the patella is out of place. Once a luxating patella has been diagnosed, the veterinarian will

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

grade the severity of the condition. The severity is based on how easily the patella pops out of place, and how easy it is to return to its correct position. The higher the grade of severity, the higher the chances of the patient developing issues in the affected knee, such as arthritis or cruciate ligament damage. However, not all patients develop problems, and some can live their entire life with little discomfort. The treatment of a severe luxating patella is surgical. This is generally only recommended if the patient is showing overt pain in the affected knee. In elderly patients, that have begun to develop arthritis, pain control with anti-inflammatories can provide relief. Regardless of the degree of patella luxation, it’s also advised to be mindful of your pet’s weight, as increased body weight is always a risk for joint problems. Q: Dear Dr Travis, my cat went for his annual check-up with our regular vet who mentioned that she was overweight, but not too much. What is the guideline for a healthy weight in cats and how can I monitor this? A: Rather than looking at the actual weight of the cat, it would be better to keep an eye on her body condition score. Whereas weight can be affected by factors other than fat, such as hydration and muscle mass, checking the animal’s body condition score gives a decent subjective idea of how over- or underweight they are. I normally tell owners to have a feel of their cat’s rib cage. Cats with a good body condition should have ribs that are easy to feel, but not visible. You don’t want to feel deep gaps between the ribs, as this would mean that your cat is underweight. Cats with ideal body conditions also have tucked up abdomens and a clear waist behind their ribs. There are many body condition scoring charts that can be found online to help you determine your pet’s score. Remember, body condition changes with time, and, as pet owners, we don’t always notice small changes. For this reason, a body condition check should be done at least weekly. It takes less than a minute and will keep you mindful of whether your pet is at a healthy weight. Cats who are overweight and obese are at an increased risk of diseases, including arthritis, heart disease and diabetes mellitus. If your cat is at an increased risk, there are special diets that can help aid weight loss. The sooner you get them to a better body condition, the better their quality of life will be in the long term.

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If you would like to ask Dr Travis a question, please send

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an email to mail@petprints.co.za Please include as much information in the email as possible. Dr Travis Gray Tygerberg Animal Hospital

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Adam

Kylie

Adam is a 9-week-old male. He was found in a bag in a field, along with his mom and siblings. He is very shy but playful

Kylie is a 4-month-old female. She is really smart, and has learned all the basics of puppy training in a flash. She would do well with one or two other large breed dogs. She is a beagle cross, and will be medium sized when fully grown.

Bennet

Jasmine

6-month-old Bennet is a petite boy. He was a stray and never claimed. He gets on well with other cats and is very unusual looking

Jasmine is a 8-month-old female. She is a laugh a minute. She loves with her whole heart and is a total cuddle bug

Sheeran

Sweetpea

Sheeran is a 8 -month-old male. He is named after Ed Sheeran, because of his beautiful dark ginger colouring. He is a strong boy, but gets on well with other dogs. He would do well in a home with a large garden and someone who likes to go running or hiking as he has a lot of energy and will be large when fully grown.

8-month-old Sweetpea is a medium sized female, beautiful brindle girl arrived as a stray. She adores people, and seems to be ok with cats. She would love to be with other dogs, but also would be fine with human company, especially someone who works from home and can give her lots of cuddles.

Adoption fee R650 Call (0)44-384 1603 / (0)44-384 0991| kennelmanager@knysnaanimalwelfare.co.za

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

MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS

Pet Prints March/April 2022

Articles inside

BREED SPECIFIC ADOPTIONS

WELFARE DIRECTORY

ANIMAL RIGHTS

ASK THE VET

ADOPTIONS

CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE IN CATS

DIABETES IN DOGS

SNAKES IN THE GARDEN

COMMUNITY

FASCINATING KOI FACTS