Dear Clients,
Our after hours contact number has changed from the older "pager" system to an answering machine. A recorded message will have the details of the Vet on call: 033 345 2291
Wednesday 20 December 2017
Thursday 4 February 2016
Microchipping Awareness Campaign
February is Microchip Awareness month here in
Pietermaritzburg. Longmarket Vet Clinic, along with many other practices here in
the Garden City, have banded together to offer Owners reduced rates in an effort
to increase the total number of pets chipped.
Microchipping your pet has gone from a luxury to an ethical necessity
over time. A chipped Furbaby stands a much better chance of being reunited
with their loved ones which keeps us all happy and alleviates pressure on the SPCA
kennels.
Get a hold of your favorite Vet and find out more about
this fantastic campaign.
We found this useful FAQ link:
Special thanks to Dr. Estee van Aardt at the Chase Valley Vet and an awesome samaritan ,Chavonne Chetty, for getting this
initiative kicked off.
Wednesday 2 December 2015
Festive Furbabies
With twinkling tinsel, dancing Santa’s and the endless loops
of Jingle Bells and George Michael playing over the loud speakers it quite clear that
it is the Festive Season once again. While we as a community don’t achieve the
same level of tinsel euphoria as the Europeans do it is still something quite
special and a wonderful time of year.
With the rand performing at its weakest and the cost of
living soaring through the ceiling we are all feeling a bit off about this year’s
Festive Season. In these times of difficulty it is a challenge for parents to
find a gift that is both cheap and will provide the joy you wish to see in your
loved-one’s eyes. There is little that has the same effect as a puppy or a
kitten, especially since you may purchase one of these for less than a pair of
shoes.
Please be careful. It is imperative that potential
owners understand the level of commitment that is required to raise a puppy or
a kitten. Yes it will bring giggles of joy and a wonderfully warm feeling to
your home however once the initial flourish of enjoyment is over, that animal
will still be there. She will still require your love and your effort. Not to
mention parts of your pay check to keep her healthy.
There is an exponential growth in the number of families
that are first time owners. This is partly due to relaxations in our cultural
and social beliefs. Always remember: You
have your family and friends. You have work colleagues and acquaintances all day,
every day. Your new puppy has only one family. She has no plan B, she has
absolutely no one else. You have an immense moral responsibility towards her.
If you are planning on getting a puppy or kitten this Festive
Season then we wish you all the best. Just remember to keep her homed, keep her
healthy and keep her happy.
Check out this article of interest:
Wednesday 4 November 2015
Firecrackers and your Furry Family
Diwali is almost here. The culturally in-depth “Festival of Light”
is an amazing sight in the city of Pietermartizburg with hundreds, if not
thousands, of brilliantly bright fireworks shooting off into the nights sky. One
of the many reasons we love the Garden City is for the incredibly diverse cultural
and demographical spectrum that has us celebrating all kinds of wonderful festivals.
We here at Longmarket Vet Clinic want to help out with a
little advice to all of our clients and readers on how you could make the festival
more bearable for your pets. We came across this poster on facebook on the Lost-Found-Need-a-Home-Maritzburg which has some great
pointers. They are physical controls that will help your furry family settle in
for the night.
We always promote effective behavioral controls over medication. However, if you know that your pet is particularly excitable and may become stressed
to a point where they injury themselves, then we suggest popping into the practice
for some advice on the different kinds of calming medication available.
Here is a wonderful article on Diwali and what it
represents:
Monday 19 October 2015
Faults with Flubber
It is tough. We know
it is tough. Here is the scenario: You have just finished off your steak dinner
and with a tummy full of happiness you spot your fur-baby there, in the corner,
with those big sappy eyes full of love and longing. “Ag, it’s just a piece of
steak” as you paw a little bit off for them to nibble on. The next morning it
is a pouch of soft food and perhaps just a little bit of your toast. Lunch time
they get a few small snacks and again, a little extra nibble from your toastie. This goes on as habits do and the next thing you know is that your Labrador has turned into an overweight, flabby Labra-bore
tank. Yes, yes: We know he looks happy but Owners need to understand the
dangers of your pet being overweight. It affects them in much the same way it affects
us.
During the month of October Hills is running an Obesity Awareness
Campaign and, with the involvement of many veterinarian practices, they are
offering free weight in’s. Hills will assist you with tracking and improving your
pets body fat percentage with the tips and tools available on their website.
Check out this link for more information:
Longmarket Vet Clinic is actively involved, as we always are
J
Sunday 4 October 2015
Stressing About Heat Stroke
Somebody left the oven on! It is incredible how quickly our
heaters were packed away and the fans have been pulled out from their hibernation.
It has gone from an average temperature of 15 degrees to 25 in less than one
month and being in the center of Pietermaritzburg in an area notoriously known
as “The Basin” we are feeling it! This, for us, means time in the pool and
lovely long sunny days. However, for your pet this may cause major problems. I
have met many clients whom believe heat stress and heat stroke are conditions
unique to us as humans however it is, in
fact, far more of a concern for our canine companions.
We came across this great little poster, designed by facility
students at the Murdoch University in Perth, which covers the basics on the
identification and treatment of heat stroke as well as a few tips on how to prevent it entirely.
For the full resolution click here:
Friday 21 August 2015
Spay/ Neuter your Pets
We often have Owners ask us what our opinion is on spaying/ neutering
their animal. Yes, yes and yes again.
Apart from the very obvious fact that your animal won’t be able to reproduce
there are so many positive spin offs from having your pet fixed. We came across this fantastic little illustration on the web:
There is a fallacy out there that a female should have at
least one litter and that that a male will explode with fat if their
reproductive organs are removed which is, simply put, complete nonsense. Our
SPCA is overflowing with beautiful candidates for you and your family with many
of these having to be put down due to lack of interest. We shouldn’t be adding
to the problem by allowing our pets to breed unnecessarily. Check out SPCA 's facebook page by clinking on the link.
Neuter your pets,
it’s the right thing to do.
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