Laser therapy, and Thermo- and Cryo-therapy can be applied to achieve desired results for speci�c conditions. Electrical stimulation is used for pain control

and neuromuscular electrical stimulation. At TAH we have also made excellent advancements in our Canine Hydrotherapy

facility.

For a detailed description on each of the above

mentioned therapies, go to our website www.tah.com and click on the tab named “Services” for our TAH Rehabilitation information lea�et.

Appointments can be made with Sr Antoinette Smit or Sr Joanne Merry at the Bellville branch on 021 919 1191.

*We currently only provide rehab sessions on weekday afternoons from Monday to Thursday.

PAWPRINTS | TAH NEWSLETTER

EAR, EAR!Improperly treated infections may lead to chronic pain or deafness.

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FUN GIFTS TO MAKESpoil your pets this hot Christmas.

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NOT JUST A TOUGH SHELLTortoises are sensitive pets - what you need to know....

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TYGERBERG ANIMAL HOSPITAL

REHAB SUPPORTING THE HEALING PROCESS _ THERE IS HOPE !

DEC 2013 | ISSUE 8

TYGERBERG ANIMAL HOSPITAL NEWSLETTER

injury. It can improve strength, balance, �tness, �exibility, joint range of motion, bio mechanics, well-being and provides a positive psychological stimulus.

There are various types of rehab therapies that are employed and all have a speci�c purpose. The decision on which modalities to use from session to session is largely determined by the �ndings of the rehab sister at the initial evaluation session. Modi�cations are made as the patient progresses.

TherapiesModalities or therapies used include a range of passive motion and stretching exercises and a range of physical activities, such as Physioroll, Cavaletti rails, stairs, cones, etc. Various and extensive massage techniques,

It can happen in the blink of an eye or it can creep up slowly, leaving your beloved pet struggling to deal with their day-to-day activities that we take for granted.

Injury, illness and necessary surgery can leave your pet battling pain, sti�ness and the inability to move without causing further damage to themselves.

Physical rehabilitation is something TAH Bellville has now made a part of their patients’ healing process. Our goal is to assist patients and their owners by providing rehabilitation and therapy following surgery, illness or injury, thus improving mobility, relieving pain and aiding the recovery process.

Here are some typical patient conditions being treated:General OA; HD, ED; OCD; CCLR; Patella luxations; Legg calve perthes disease; Spondylosis; Lumbosacral disease; Degenerative myelopathy; Fibrocartilagenous infarct; Bicipital tendo synovitis; Disc disease; Disc prolapse; Joint sprains and strains; Muscle tears; Hip dislocation; and Fractures.

Physical rehabilitation is something that can begin immediately post-operatively. For patients su�ering from a neurological condition, the �rst 6 weeks is crucial for performing physical rehab and exercises to aid a faster and better recovery.

Bene�tsProper rehabilitation reduces pain and speeds up recovery, while helping to prevent further

TYGERBERG ANIMAL HOSPITAL

NOT JUST ATOUGH SHELL

THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT

There are many ways in which pets can pick up worms. It can be as easy as licking the ground or drinking contaminated water. Sometimes scavenging or hunting and eat-ing raw o�al, which could be infected, or ingesting infected �eas, can transmit tape-worm cysts. They may even be passed from the mother before birth, and after birth through the milk.

Worms can be transmitted to humans by their pets and in some cases can cause se-rious health problems for both pets and humans. It is therefore important that you and your family follow some basic preven-tative measures. For instance you should always wash your hands after working or playing with your pets; and never allow dogs or cats to lick your face. It is also not safe to feed raw o�al to your pets – make sure it is well cooked.

Pets with worms may not show signs of ill-ness except when the worms are present in large volumes. Puppies are most at risk from worm infections. The symptoms of a worm infestation can be one of the fol-lowing: Bloody stools; loss of appetite; anaemia (pale gums and eye membranes);

diarrhea; weight loss; poor growth; pot-bellied appearance; coughing; loss of vision in one or both eyes; or epilepsy.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, it is essential you take your pet to see your vet for a check-up. Roundworms, hook-worms and whipworms are most easily identi�ed with a simple diagnostic test called a faecal �oatation. A small amount of stool is mixed with a solution that allows the eggs to �oat. The eggs can then be di-rectly visualised with a microscope.

Every adult dog or cat should be given a de-wormer every 3–4 months and puppies and kittens every 3 months, but always re-member that your vet should be the one to recommend the correct medication for the pet you are treating. Puppies and kit-tens will not receive the same medication or dosage as your adult pets. It is also very important to deworm family members at least twice a year.

Ask your TAH vet for the best advice and the correct products and dosage. Keeping up-to-date with the deworming and de-�ea / tick treatments will ensure a healthy house-hold altogether.

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF INTESTINAL PARASITES _ BUT THE MOST COMMONLY FOUND ARE WORMS.

Tortoises living in the interior of the Western Cape become inactive during winter and hy-bernate. Others along the coast, however, stay active and may be seen on sunny, winter days.

As species vary greatly in nutritional require-ments, it is essential to thoroughly research your pet’s dietary needs. They should not only eat lettuce, but also a variety of �owering plants, grass, fruit and vegetables. Plant some of your tortoise’s favourite food plants in its en-closure. They are actually very sensitive animals and highly susceptible to developing growth abnormalities as a result of incorrect nutrition. Fresh water should always be readily available; it is a myth that they receive the bulk of their hydration in their food. They can run the risk of kidney disease and bladder stones.

Tortoises require far more space than most reptiles, as their behaviour and exercise re-quirements are very di�erent. They need a dry, well-drained area with both shade and full sun. It is essential that the habitat you create is safe from attacks from predators like dogs, cats and birds of prey. Many are excellent climbers and others dig deep burrows quickly, so when set-ting up their home, make sure they will not be able to dig their way out or fall o� of any high rocks. Be gentle with your shelled friend be-cause tortoises can feel your touch. Its shell is made from the protein keratin, the same mate-rial as a human nail.

If you ever suspect that your pet tortoise may be ill or have any ailments, contact your Kenridge Tygerberg Animal Hospital on 021 914 0886.

Tortoises are land-dwellers and are often confused with their water relative, the turtle. Tortoises are mysterious creatures that lay eggs, have scales and an oval-shaped hard shell. They can get as old as humans do, and some have lived longer than 150 years.

The easiest way to determine the gender of a tor-toise is to look at the tail. Females, as a general rule, have smaller, dropped-down tails, whereas males have much longer tails which are usually pulled up and to the side of the rear shell. Even though tortoises lack vocal cords, they can make sounds by swallowing or by forcing air out of their lungs. They also don’t really have ears, but

can perceive low-pitched sounds. With no teeth,

tortoises tear and chew food with

their hard, sharp-

edged horny

beaks. !It is illegal to collect a tortoise from the wild, transport a tortoise or keep a tortoise without the necessary permits. The Western Cape has the highest numbers of dif-ferent tortoise species in the world, and some of these do not cope well in captivity and should be left in their natural habitat.

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I have two dogs and one cat that we dopted from welfares when they were babies. My dogs’ names are Barbie and Keira and my cats name is Zorro. My mommy buys our dog and cat food from TAH Bellville. I try to help mommy carry it to the car but it’s the same size as me and is too heavy, so a man that works at TAH helps me carry, he is very strong.

Mommy says I am very sponsable be-cause I walk my doggies in the garden and feed all the animals. My doggies and I like to have naps together after a long day at school. Thank you TAH for looking after my pets when they come for injecons.

Love Angeline

HELLO PAWPRINTS!

MY NAME IS ANGELINE VAN ZYL AND I AM 4 YEARS OLD

If an outer ear infection is not treated, it can spread to the middle or inner ear, causing complications.

Dogs’ ear canals plunge downward and then horizontally from the ear opening, in the canal they have ceruminous glands that produce wax. Sometimes, when drainage from the ear canal is not adequate, bacte-ria or yeast can overgrow in the ear canal, making it smell really bad. Certain conditions, like allergies or ear mites, can also increase yeast and bacterial overgrowth, leading to smelly ears.

It’s important not to self-diagnose ear problems, as improperly treated infections may lead to chronic pain or deafness in dogs. Please always allow your vet to determine the cause of your dog’s symptoms.

The following symptoms may indicate that your dog needs to have his ears checked by a veterinarian:

Ear scratching; brown, yellow or bloody discharge; odour in the ear; redness; swelling; crusted or scabby skin on the near ear �ap; hair loss around the ear; wiping the ear area on the �oor or furniture; head shak-ing or tilting; loss of balance; hearing loss; or a sudden increase in ag-gression can be indicators of physical pain. Such behavioural changes should also prompt a veterinary exam.

Treatment will depend on the diagnosis by your vet. A sample of ear discharge may be examined to look for bacteria, yeast and parasites. A vet may also suggest blood work and allergy tests to determine the root causes. Sometimes vets will treat what they see and then a follow-up consultation will be made to see what remains, this is because

EAR, EAR! IT’S IMPORTANT NOT TO SELF-DIAGNOSE EAR

PROBLEMS

PAWPRINTS | TAH NEWSLETTER

3

Many non-pro�table animal welfare organisations in Cape Town are working towards setting a very high benchmark for the rest of our nation to work towards. We are �nding more and more welfares striving for pro-life with the objective of no euthanasia, except if the animal is suf-fering and cannot be rehabilitated.

These organisations rely solely on �nancial and other donations from the public and the work of volunteers, local vets, vet nurses and other welfares striving for the same goal. Gathering funds to help animals in need can be a tough job in itself. Unfortunately not everyone is willing or able to open up their pockets to help – this is just one of the many obstacles these organisations have to deal with on a daily basis. These obstacles don’t hold them back though, but are seen as chal-lenges that can be overcome with a helping hand and support from the unnamed angels out there.

Most welfares are taking on a new approach where education in underprivileged ar-eas means seeing a steady improvement in the health and care of animals in these ar-eas. Subsidised food programmes, kennel projects, sterilisation days and donation/adoption drives are only a few ways in which they are making a di�erence. Bit by bit, their e�orts are making a big di�erence in the �ght towards animal rights.

“If you think you’re too small to make a dif-ference, try going to bed with a mosquito.” These wise words were said by the Dalai Lama and could not be any truer. It only takes a small donation to make a big di�erence to an animal in need.

TAH works alongside welfares like Fisantekraal Animal Welfare, Uitsig Animal Rescue Centre and Lucky Lucy Foundation just to name a few. Assisting with sterilisation and vaccina-tion drives and making hospitals available to animals in need of a veterinarian’s care.

If you would like to help make a di�erence by donating to the above mentioned welfares this festive season, TAH will have donation boxes available at our six branches. Blankets, canned food, kibble food, toys, beds and old kennels are welcome. If you or the company you work for would prefer donating money or goods di-rectly to one of the above mentioned welfares you will be able to �nd their contact or banking details on their websites listed below.

Fisantekraal Animal Welfare www.faw.za.org

Uitsig Animal Rescue Centre www.uitsig.za.org

Lucky Lucy Foundation www.luckylucy.org

Together we can make a big di�erence.

FIGHT FORANIMAL RIGHTS

MAHATMA GANDHI ONCE SAID, “THE GREATNESS OF A NATION AND ITS MORAL PROGRESS CAN BE JUDGED BY THE WAY ITS ANIMALS ARE TREATED.”

PAWPRINTS

secondary infections can hide the underlying cause. Allergies can cause chronic recurrent ear infections. Moisture as a result of hairy ear canals or swimming can also cause recur-rent ear infections. Often ear allergies and excess moisture can be treated e�ectively by topical corticoster-oids, topical antibiotics, or topical ear �ushes to enhance drainage.

Prevention is always the best medicine. Checking your dog’s ears regularly will help you keep on top of unnecessary moisture and build-up. Inner-ear skin is delicate, so ask your vet to demonstrate the proper method for maintaining your dog’s ear health. After baths and swimming, be sure to dry your dog’s ears as thoroughly and carefully as you can.

Remember to ask your TAH vet to demonstrate the safest way to clean your pet’s ears.

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

AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCIES: 021 91 911 91www.tah.co.za

PAWPRINTS | TAH NEWSLETTERTYGERBERG ANIMAL HOSPITAL

We regularly feature letters from our junior PawPrints Readers. Why don’t you send us a photo or drawing of you and your pet, or perhaps you have a great story to share with us. We would love to publish it in the next edition of PawPrints.

Send submissions to pawprints@tah.co.za

HEY KIDS, SEND US A LETTER!

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DogsEmpty 2 litre ice cream tub • canned dog food & dog pellets • about 1 litre of water • mixing bowl

Method(1) In a mixing bowl, place half the dog pellets in the water to swell up. (2) In your ice cream tub mix your canned dog food and the rest of the dog pellets. (3) Add the pellet mixture until the tub is ¾ full. (4) Mix gently so that the canned dog food and pellets are evenly submerged. (Some of the pellets will �oat while others will sink.) (5) Place the ice cream tub in the freezer on Christmas Eve to give it time to freeze. (6) When it comes to present opening time, take it out of the freezer and place it in the sink for a minute or so with some hot water. This will help when removing the ice treat from the container. It is best to give your dogs their gift on a lush piece of grass outside so that your house doesn’t end up with meaty puddles.

CatsIce cube tray • can of water-packed tuna • approximately ½ cup of water • mixing bowl • sandwich bag

Method(1) Mash the tuna in a bowl or your food mixer. Don’t drain the tuna water as it helps with the freezing. Add water and mix to a �ne paste. (3) Fill a Ziploc bag with the mix and cut a small hole in one end. Squeeze tuna into ice cube trays and place in the freezer. (4) When the treats are frozen, you can pop them out and let cats have a taste! We recommend letting them chew these on a tiled �oor or a plate, because you don’t want tuna bits all over your house. You can store these in a plastic bag in your freezer for up to six months, so if you make a bunch you’ll have some on hand for hot days!

TO MAKE FOR YOUR PETS THIS HOT CHRISTMASFUN & EASY GIFTS

Reporting to the dairy o�ce, I greet the farmer and his manager. I then get changed into my overalls and gumboots while drinking my compulsory cup of hot, sweet co�ee before any work can proceed. I use this time to en-quire about the general health of the herd and whether or not there are any sick cows to be attended to before the herd visit starts.

My herd visit consists of checking all cows that have just calved to make sure that their uter-uses have recovered after calving. I also check cows for pregnancy and those cows that are battling to fall pregnant. The cows are sorted after milking and restrained adequately for me to examine them safely and e�ciently.

Once my work with the cows is complete, I enjoy another cup of co�ee with some lovely farmhouse treats, depending on what the farmer’s wife has had time to prepare. During this time, I also discuss vaccination, deworm-ing and mastitis prevention programmes with the farmer. It is then time to head back to the practice where my small animal patients await me.

This is a day in the life of Dr Bradley Hodgson and Dr John Adam of our TAH Durbanville branch. TAH Durbanville not only works with domestic animals but also sees to the farms animals in and around our areas. Someone has to keep our dairy cows healthy and happy.

With the time on my bakkie’s dashboard clock reading a few minutes before 6 in the morning I set o� for another farm with the all too familiar sound of the gentle rain fall-ing against my windscreen as my headlights pierce the dark morning mist.

When I arrive I am greeted by the farm labourers who have come to help me carry the equipment I will need for my visit into the dairy today. Each farm has its individual characters like Hempies, Strepies and Patat, to mention but a few. They bring a unique humour and cheerfulness in their personalities and gestures.

Many of you may not know this, but TAH Durbanville also tends to farm animals in the surrounding areas, keeping our dairy cows healthy and happy ...

THE UDDER SIDE OF TAHMany of you may not know this, but TAto farm animals in the surrounding areas, keeping our dairy cows healthy and happy ...

THE

One of Cape Town’s most prominent veterinary groups - Where pets have been �rst for more than 45 years!