Is your pet on chronic medication? It’s crucial to renew your pet’s prescription regularly. This short guide explains why and how we are bound by specific laws and regulations to ensure the well-being of your furry friend.
Legal Regulations
We adhere to standards set by:
South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)
These organizations have Acts in place to regulate the prescription of veterinary medicines.
Why Regular Appointments are Important
According to the law, we can’t prescribe chronic medication unless we’ve examined your pet within the last 6 months. Regular appointments help us make accurate diagnoses and prescriptions.
Reduced Consultation Fees
To make this easier on your pocket, we offer a reduced consultation fee for these regular check-ups.
How to Book an Appointment
We operate by appointment only. To schedule a consultation, please call us at 013 744 1836.
Key Takeaways
We’re regulated by SAVC and SAHPRA.
Pets on chronic medication must be examined every 6 months.
This is the story of the remarkable Bullet, a 2-year-old pitbull that fought to the bone to escape from a snare. The snare caught onto Bullet’s right hind leg, trapping him in the bush without food or water.
Bullet is no stranger to nine days away from home due to snares. In 2021, the pitbull found his way home after being trapped in the bush with a snare around his neck for nine days. Once he returned, he received immediate medical attention. His wounds healed well, and he fully recovered, with the only signs of his trauma being a few white hairs where the scar had formed.
Bullet’s owners reached out in desperate need of help after Bullet had disappeared again for nine days but finally returned with a shocking snare injury.
To escape the snare – Bullet chewed off his lower leg and then returned home to his owners.
This incredible determination to survive brought Bullet back to our practice at Van Wijk Street Vet, where we were met with tail wags, soft licks, and exhausted gratitude. The tenderness of this dog’s nature only amplified the awe and respect all staff felt towards him. His spirit fought tooth and nail to return to his family regardless of what it would cost him.
Bullet was stabilised, and once he was strong enough for the anaesthetic, he underwent surgery to remove the remaining infected bone and tissue.
Bullet is already fully mobile and at home recovering with his family. Thanks to the vets at Van Wijk Street Vet, Bullet can take another shot at life.
Radiograph taken, note the size of the bladder stone
Bladder stones (uroliths or cystic calculi), are rock-like collections or formations of minerals that form in the urinary bladder, and are more common than kidney stones in dogs. They may occur as a few large stones or as collections of multiple small stones. Bladder stones start out small but over time can grow in number and/or size.
Bladder stones in dogs can develop from a very young age, and are caused by metabolic abnormalities (such as liver disease or high blood calcium), nutrient imbalances from diet or supplements, or genetic conditions that the dog or cat inherited from their parents.
Symptoms of bladder stones in dogs
Some patients with bladder stones show no signs of any kind and the stones, but there are some changes that might promote a search for stones.
Blood in the urine
Straining to urinate
Increased frequency to urinate (the dog will urinate small amounts on a regular basis)
If we suspect bladder stones, we will recommend an X-Ray (radiograph) or Ultrasound to be done, depending on the type of bladder stone.
How are bladder stones in dogs treated?
The most effective treatment solution is to remove the stones surgically, by opening the bladder through an incision in the abdomen.
In some cases, bladder stones can be dissolved by feeding your dog a special diet that is formulated to dissolve bladder stone(s).
Can bladder stones be prevented?
We will first examine the dog and investigate the bladder stones to figure out why the bladder stones have formed.
Usually, the dog’s diet can be adapted to prevent a recurrence of bladder stones. Talk to us about different diet options for your dog.
It is very important for your pet to have regular vet checkups (we recommend a minimum of once a year). Bladder stones are just one of the things that an owner won’t necessarly notice, but a vet will pick up on during these consultations.
Milk fever (eclampsia/hypocalcemia) occurs when a dog is nursing and doesn’t have enough calcium reserves for her system to keep up with the demand, which then results in her calcium levels falling dangerously low. It is usually seen 1-3 weeks after giving birth, but can also occur in the last weeks of gestation or pregnancy.
It can affect any size and breed of dog but seems to affect small breed mothers with large litters the most. Breeds such as Chihuahuas, English Settlers, Miniature Poodles, Pomeranians, Toy Poodles, Miniature Pinscher, Shih Tzu, and other small breeds are at an increased risk, as well as dogs who have previously had milk fever and are daughters from mothers who had the condition.
A calcium deficiency can occur because of:
A depletion of calcium, when the body cannot replace the calcium lost during the process of foetal bones formation during gestation and when milk production is high during lactation
An insufficient diet/nutrition (during pregnancy and after) that lacks in calcium
If excessive calcium supplements/foods were given prior to birth and the mother is now unable to access the calcium stores in her own body
A hormonal problem with the parathyroid gland causing a disruption in normal calcium levels
Symptoms of milk fever in dogs
The signs are very subtle in the beginning. The female may be restless, panting heavily, drooling, moving stiffly, vomiting and/or have a reduced appetite. Eventually, she will be unable to stand or walk. She will then soon have muscle tremors which could lead to seizures and fever. The “fever” is usually a result of the uncontrollable muscle spasms, which increases the body temperature.
Once the signs of milk fever appear, the condition can turn fatal within 30 to 60 minutes if left untreated.
This is a life-threatening condition that progresses quickly and needs urgent medical attention. Contact us immediately if you think the mother is in trouble.
Separate the puppies from the mother and seek veterinary attention immediately as clinical signs can progress fast. If possible, transport the puppies to the veterinarian in a separate, secure carrier. Stress can worsen the condition, so it may help if the mother can see her litter during transport.
Other signs include:
Itchy face, rubbing face on the ground
Aggressive
Restless
Increased heart rate
Pace excessively
Increased vocalisation/whining
Weakness
How is milk fever in dogs treated?
If milk fever is treated early, the chances of recovery are high.
Provide us with a full history including dates of whelping (birth), the number of offspring born and the diet provided.
We will confirm milk fever with a blood test.
A solution of calcium gluconate will be slowly administered intravenously, while the heart rate is being monitored carefully (overdose or rapid administration can cause severe heart rhythm disturbances / cardiac arrhythmia).
Intravenous fluids to treat shock and dehydration might be given
If the fever is worrisome, the dog might be placed in a cool bath
Oral calcium supplements may also be required.
Recovery is usually very quick (within hours) and will not require more than 12 hours in the hospital
We may require weekly check-ups to monitor the levels of calcium in the blood. The mother should be fed a balanced and high energy diet, like puppy food to help with calcium deficiency. The puppies must be hand-reared using a milk replacer/puppy milk since there is a real risk of relapse if they continue to feed from their mom.
Can milk fever be prevented?
Ensure the mother is fed a high-quality puppy food during pregnancy and breastfeeding – these contain adequate levels of calcium, are nutritionally complete and balanced and provide the correct nutrients in the correct proportions. She must have access to food all the time and can eat as often/much as she wants.
Avoid feeding calcium supplements and extra calcium foods (like milk/cheese) during pregnancy as it stops the body from recognising the blood calcium levels are low and inhibits the body from regulating normal blood calcium levels. Only give medications that are recommended by us.
If you are concerned the size of your dog’s litter may put her at risk of developing milk fever, or you have any other concerns, speak to us to work out a plan to prevent the condition from occurring.
Apply sunscreen, stay out of the sun… these are easy solutions to prevent sun damage in humans. But in pets it is not that easy, and preventing sun damage if you have a pet with no melanin pigment in their eyelids, is even more crucial.
Pets with normal pigmented eyelids have melanin-containing cells which helps in filtering UV rays of the sun, and they have a naturally lower risk of skin damage and skin cancers brought on by the sun.
However, the sun’s UV rays can can cause intense damage to pets with no or reduced melanin pigment in their eyelids, putting them at at an increased risk for skin cancers, skin inflammation/sunburn and skin infections and irritations.
A few examples of pets at higher risk are:
Jack Russels
Dalmations
Bull terriers
Staffodshire Bull Terriers
Border Collies
Boxers
Crested dogs
Studies have shown that tattooing around the eye with black ink could assist in reducing the chance of skin cancer in those areas. Van Wijk Street Vet and professional tatoo artist Serah Cue have partenered to offer this groundbreaking procedure to our local pale skinned pets in Nelspruit.
Sarah uses a very low PAH (low-polycyclic aromatic hydocarbon) carbon based pigment and uses state-of-the-art equipment that is soundless and portable to prevent unnecessary wires when performing the procedure alongside the vet.
Animal tattooing is done at our animal hospital and the dog is put under anesthesia for the duration of the procedure. We provide the pup with an aftercare beeswax ointment – free of chemicals – to prevent the skin from drying out and to keep the skin soft, healthy and clean. We will also prescribe an anti-inflammatory. The dog is fitted with a buster collar and will not be allowed to swim or be washed for a few days afterwards. A check-up appointment will be made if deemed necessary.
Half way there
All done
Please note: This procedure cannot be performed if there are already cancer lesions on the eyelids. Thus, tattooing should be done sooner rather than later, and we suggest that the pet undergoes tattooing with his planned castration/sterilization.
