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June 2014: Issue 146

1. From the Editor’s Desk2. 5 tips for a Healthy Happy cat3. Hills Kitty beds availalble4. Arthritis in aging pets - an aching

issue5. No reason for your pet to suffer -

Hills j/d offer6. Westville Vet Rehabilitation and

Wellness centre offer will help yourpet ‘Beat the Winter Blues’

Editor: Dr Alan Isdale

Design and layout: Debra Müller

www.petsure.co.za

www.medipetsa.co.za

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During the 1800’s, before the adventof motor vehicles,the horse was themain mode of transport, whether itwas for individual transport, themovement of farm machinery,general transport wagons orcarriages. Military horses were ofprime importance. In those days theveterinarian was in great demand toattend to various horse ailmentsinsuring that the animals were fit toperform their various duties. Thesewere not only important to theindividual but to the economy as awhole.

Keeping farm animals well and freeof disease was another top priority ofthe local vet. The health of domesticpets was low on his list of prioritiesand were often treated by a vetvisiting farms or stables almost as anafterthought- “Oh while you are herewould you mind having a look at mydog” – and often these services werenot even charged for.

It was only in the middle of the 20thcentury that vets treating domesticpets became common. Vets in thosedays would usually fit in seeing theseanimals after him ( in those daysmost vets were men!) Had done hisfarm visits for the day, small animalclinics as such were a very newconcept. At that time you could buya car for a few thousand rand, buy ahouse for what people earn in a fewmonths today and the cost of food,medical and veterinary treatmentwas in today’s terms, very cheap.How things have changed! Cars cost

hundreds of thousands of Rand,houses often into the millions and avery full shopping trolley is now avery large number of Rand.

Along with everything else veterinaryfees have become substantial andthe cost of looking after an animalhas had to become a consideration inthe family budget.

Today veterinary medicine andsurgery have become verysophisticated and animals are beingsaved when long ago this was, inmany cases, just not possible. This isdone with the help of hi techmachinery in the form of bloodtesting machines, ultra sound, digitalx-ray machines, anesthetic machinesand the like. Drug costs have alsoescalated.

In these difficult times when familiesare stretching their Rand to last tothe end of each month unexpectedveterinary accounts are not what arewanted. This can be overcome bybudgeting for your pet’s treatmentby taking out a medical insurance asmost pet owners in the UK and USAdo. A set monthly payment will allowyou to have the peace of mind thatshould your pet become ill or meetwith an accident of any kind,unexpected costs will be taken careof.

The best time to take out this type ofcover is when you first get youryoung puppy or kitten and have itcared for the rest of it’s life.

Keeping your cat healthy, groomed,and well fed is important. Take alook at these five easy tips formaintaining your cat and you’resure to have a lovely companionfor many years to come.

Whether you’re a new cat owner orsomeone with a few other furry,four-legged creatures around, onething is for certain - pets do dependon you to keep them in tip-top shape.Follow these five easy tips and you'llmake your cat healthy for manyyears to come.

1. Essential Cat Requirements

Your cat has certain needs, some ofthose are basic: food, water, litterbox, and bowls for food and water.Carriers are also important, as are IDcollars and microchips, especially ifyour cat spends time outside.

Did you know cats can sleep up totwenty hours a day? But whenthey’re not sleeping, eating, orshowing off in windows for passersbyto admire, they are playing. Toys,therefore, are a great way for yourcat (or kitten) to hone its huntingskills, stay fit, and not get boredwhile you’re away at work.

A piece of colourful string, toy micefilled with catnip or a ball are allgood toys. Rotating the toys is also agood idea, as the kitty will enjoyrediscovering an old friend (or foe).

2. A Healthy, Good Quality Diet

Food and water are essential for anyliving being. Like-wise, cats like theirwater fresh and clean. You can evensplurge and buy water fountains thatprovide your cat with filtered,flowing water. Now we know whatyou're thinking, "I'm not spendingthat kind of money!" Don't worry.Just make sure they have access toclean water, allowing them toquench those parched lips wheneverthey please.

It's important you only put enoughfood for the cat’s recommendedmeal allowance. If cats are given toomuch food, they tend to overeat.Remember, fat cats are made, notborn. Dry food as well as tins andpouches are recommended by manyvets. Make sure you ask your vet forgood brands.

5 tips for a Healthy, Happy Cat

3. The Litter Box "Thing"

Cats are very fastidious creatures.They like their litter box to be clean.If it isn’t clean, they might start

“going” elsewhere, and you certainlydon't want to deal with that. It’s agood idea to change the cat litterdaily, re- moving all the old litterand giving the box a thoroughcleaning.

4. Good Grooming

While cats are very clean creatureswith saliva containing naturaldeodorants and cleansing properties,they do need a little help every nowand then. Some advocate a bath oncein a while. This is your decision andmay depend greatly on howcooperative the cat is. If you do

decide to wash your cat, use aspecial cat shampoo and warm water.

The best thing to help your cat withgrooming is brushing. It will helpremove excess hair, which leads tohairballs for cats. If your particularcat has long hair, then it is essentialto keep it tangle free. Brush often,most cats enjoy it.

5. Vets are important

Making an appointment with a vet isparamount when purchasing a newcat, especially if it hasn’t beenspayed or neutered. Make sure youbring in your cat to the vet's officefor its shots and once-a-year

"wellness" check-up. Being proactivewill allow the vet to catch anymedical conditions or problems inyour cat earlier, thus reducing

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A common reason for impairedquality of life in aging pets is thatof joint pain. As vets wecommonly see this problemrearing its head as the daysshorten and temperatures beginto drop at the onset of winter. Atthis time of the year the old jointsbegin to stiffen and getting up inthe morning becomes a chore!Arthritis (actually osteoarthritis)affects many joints in dog,including knees, hips and elbows.A key feature of this disease isdegeneration of the cartilagewhich lines the surface of thesejoints. This stiffness and pain mayresult in a significant impairmentof your pets quality of life.

A lot can be done to alleviatepain and support normal jointfunction in these dogs. Painkillers/anti-inflammatories are animportant part of this treatment,and can be obtained onprescription from your vet. Otheravenues include use of dietarysupplements such asglucosamine, omega-3- and-6fatty acids (as found in fish oils)and chondroitin sulphate, andinstitution of a weight lossprogram if appropriate.

A range of premium andprescription veterinary diets isavailable which already contain

these supplements in the correctbalance. Please consult yourveterinarian for advice regardingthese products.

Dr Phil Rees BVSc (Hons)MMedVet (Med)

Veterinary Specialist Physician

Arthritis in aging pets - An aching issue!

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Cats are connoisseurs of comfort - James Herriot