Bellville:1 Kontiki Rd, Glen Ive021 91 911 91

Parow:20 Frans Conradie Drv021 939 7102

Kenridge:78 De Bron Ave021 914 0886

Durbanville:16 Plein Street021 976 3015

Sonstraal Heights:10 Verdi Boulevard021 975 1870

Goodwood:107 Vasco Boulevard021 591 2571 FOLLOW US

One of Cape Town’s most prominent veterinary groups – where pets have been first for more than 45 years!

www.tah.co.za AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCIES: 021 91 911 91 PAWPRINTS | TAH NEWSLETTERTYGERBERG ANIMAL HOSPITAL

TYGERBERG ANIMAL HOSPITAL PAWPRINTS | TAH NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2014 | ISSUE 12

TYGERBERG ANIMAL HOSPITAL NEWSLETTER

Darling17 Main Rd 022 492 2545

Moorreesburg26 LangstraatTel: 022 433 4883

DIY ChrIstmas toYsEver wondered what to do with those pesky socks that have lost their partner? Here are 3 DIY toy ideas perfectly timed for Christmas.

String wooden beads, spindles, plastic buttons, and a bell onto a shoelace and your bird will busily move them around with his beak.

Sock FiSH – For catSSocktopuS – For DoGS

BirD SwinG

“Thank you”To all our sTaff and valued clienTs

Get one sock and one tennis ball, place the tennis ball all the way into the toe section of the sock and then tie a knot in the sock to secure the ball.

With scissors, cut strips from the opening of sock to the knot you made.

Grab three strips at a time and start plating. At the end of the plat tie a knot so that it does not unravel.

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3

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Roll a piece of paper into a cone for a funnel; secure with tape.

Insert funnel into sock, and fill halfway with catnip. Knot just above filling.

Cut out eyes and a mouth from a piece of paper. Attach to sock with nontoxic fabric glue.

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3

1

caT goT your Tongue ?

wHAT YOU NEED• String • wooden beads• spindles• plastic buttons

PAWPRINTS | TAH NEWSLETTER TYGERBERG ANIMAL HOSPITAL

32 TYGERBERG ANIMAL HOSPITAL PAWPRINTS | TAH NEWSLETTER

Beaches (without a leash):Clifton 1st

Beta beach in Bakoven

Sunset in Seapoint

Froggy Pond

The middle section of Hout Bay beach

Long beach, Kommetjie

Long beach, Simon’s Town

Beaches (with leash):Blaauwberg Graaf’s Tidal pool

Capricorn Nine Miles

Danger Beach Milton tidal pool

Snake alert! Being cold blooded creatures, snakes are more active when the weather is warmer...As summer arrives, snakes become more active, so we must be vigilant to ensure that our pets are not bitten. It helps to know what to do in the event of such an unfortunate situation. Snake bites most commonly occur when dogs enter the snake’s territory, usually on farms or mountainous areas, as snakes are not often inclined to enter residential areas.

Poisonous snakes are commonly classified according to the venom type that they possess. Venom from neurotoxic snakes such as cobras and mambas causes paralysis of the muscles and so the victim is unable to move and eventually unable to breathe, leading to death. Cytotoxic snakes such as those of the adder family cause massive damage to the flesh where these bites occur.

A Haemotoxic snake bite, such as that of a boomslang, affects the body’s ability to clot blood and eventually the victim may die from blood loss and kidney failure.

dogs & snake biTes

Here is a list of nature parks and beaches that allow your furry friend on a lead or off. Try to do a little research before running off, some places may need permits or payment for entry.

When you’re a pet owner, going away for the holidays can sometimes be more stressful than it is worth. Not all vacation destinations are pet friendly and most of the time we have to leave our pet companions at home or with family and friends.

To save yourself all the worry before and while you’re away, we would advise that you do some research into pet sitters. There are many options to choose from to suite your needs; you could have a sleep-in sitter to be at your pets’ beck and call or you could have someone pop in twice a day to do feeding and take care of play time.

Here are some boxes your petsitter should tick;• Are they able to cater to your specific needs, in-

house sitter or pop-in?• Do they offer additional services like watering

plants, turning on and off lights, etc?• How does the cost compare with others?• How old is your sitter? An older lady may not be

able to handle a large breed dog.• Does the sitter have other work obligations, and if

so what are their hours?• Do they have their own transport?• Will they know how to get to a 24/7 vet should

there be an emergency?• Do they have competent back up should they fall ill,

or be unable to commit?

petSittinG

Have you ever wondered what happens to all the wild birds that are brought into tygerberg animal Hospital? we receive a wide variety of birds, but during this time of the year, many of these are egyptian geese (adults and babies.)

Recently an injured mother goose - with three tiny babies - was brought to our Kenridge branch (the mother was probably hit by a car). Unfortunately one of the babies died, but we treated the mother goose’s injuries and looked after her two other babies.

The injuries to her head healed quickly, but her wing was still not 100%, so she could

not fly well. We thought it would be helpful for her to raise the babies in a safe natural environment rather than a cage, so one of our vets took the mother goose and babies home to her small holding and released them on the dam in her back garden.

Soon thereafter another two orphan goslings arrived at the Kenridge branch, and after the mother goose had settled a few days later, the orphans were taken to the small holding and put in a cage outside near the mother goose.

Once she had investigated them, the cage was opened and the babies joined her. And then another gosling arrived at the branch.

BEFORE

It was also injured, and although he was somewhat bigger than the other little ones, the decision was made to also place him with the mother goose.

She happily took him on board - now she is raising five babies of different ages, only two of which are actually her own. What a great foster mother!

Be safe and responsible while walking these routes with your loved ones. Remember to respect other walkers’ space as they may not be as friendly as you are. Prepare for the journey by packing a small backpack with poop packets, water, snacks and warm clothing for if the weather turns. Enjoy your adventures, and share it on Facebook!

ouT and abouTBirDS oF a FeatHer

If your dog has been bitten, it is therefore important to get to a suitable veterinary facility as soon as possible as any delay may affect your pet’s chances of survival. The veterinary facility must ideally have anti-venom to reduce the effect of the venom. As is the case of the neurotoxic snake bite victims, a ventilator will help should the pet stop breathing and need machine-support until the anti-venom does its work.

These facilities are currently only available at the Bellville branch of TAH. TAH Bellville also hosts a blood bank with blood products to aid in the treatment of haemotoxic bites.

Warn the veterinary facility of your intention to bring your pet in so that they can be ready for you, or at least be able to refer you elsewhere should they not have the necessary equipment or anti-venom available.

Try to get a good photo of the snake or bring in the snake if it has been killed, but be careful to not be bitten yourself! This will aid the veterinarian in deciding what treatment needs to be instituted.

AFTER

parks (with leash): Hout Bay - Chapman’s Peak Contour Path and Mount Blackburn Ravine can be walked with dogs.

Newlands Forest to Rhodes Memorial walk is beautiful.

Observatory - The Liesbeeck River Trail (corner of Alma and Liesbeeck Roads) has a constructed path following the river/canal that you can walk along with your dogs.

Cecilia Forest

Constantia Nek

Diep River Trail

Klaassenbosch Trail - Your dog must be on a leash; you will get a hefty fine if you are seen without one.

Sillery Trail

Claremont - Kromboom Park.

It’s perfect weather for adventures out in nature with your canine companion, but the only problem is, where can you go that is dog friendly?

TAH Kenridge deals with many exotic animals - injured wild birds are a common occurrence.

The ins and outs• Do they have experience with your

specific pet - for instance if it is an exotic breed?

• Are they able to administer medication if necessary?• Do they give you regular feedback on your pets and

property? (sms)

Once you are happy that your pet sitter is best suited for your needs on paper, then arrange a meeting with them so you can see how your pets react to them. It is important that both the sitter and your pet are comfortable with one another.

Before leaving on holiday phone your vet to inform them that you will be away, indicate which dates, provide the sitter’s contact details and arrange for account payment options. Arrange to meet with the sitter again, the day before you leave so you can hand over keys, alarm codes, emergency numbers and confirm the daily routine that needs to be followed.

Now all you need to do is relax and enjoy your break!.