South Cape Veterinary Clinic

22/09/2024

05/09/2024

Kidney (or renal) disease is very common in dogs and cats, and it may be reversible or permanent based on underlying causes. The disease could be a result of age-related changes to the kidneys, acute injury or toxin ingestion, congenital defects present from birth, or in rare cases, a side effect of some medications. To prevent kidney disease or slow its progression, it's vital to stay regular with wellness visits so that together, we can monitor renal levels with blood work and urinalysis and catch any changes ASAP.

To learn more, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/kidney-disease-in-cats

22/08/2024

Pets can’t advocate for their needs like us humans can, and many owners fail to recognize signs of osteoarthritis (OA), often chalking it up to pets “slowing down with age.” OA is common in dogs and cats ages six and up, so to help champion their health, we’re sharing the key signs of this degenerative joint disease so that you know when it’s time to seek veterinary support. If your pet is . . .

• Struggling to climb up or down stairs
• Having trouble jumping up or down
• Slow to rise from a resting position
• Lagging behind on walks or during play
. . you should discuss these concerns with us. The good news is highly effective treatments exist to help manage the chronic pain associated with OA and increase their mobility. With the right pain management, your pet can get back to being themselves again! To learn more about OA and treatment options, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion

13/08/2024

We get it: when your pet is itchy, you start to scratch, too! The good news is your pet doesn’t have to live with incessant itchiness. Learn to spot the signs, then book a visit so that together, we can discover the cause and explore options for long-lasting relief, like:

Cyptopoint®: an injectable therapy that provides 4 to 8 weeks of allergy relief with a single in-office dose. ¹ Plus, for a limited time, get $25 off when you buy 2 doses of Cytopoint. ²

Or Apoquel®: an oral medicine that can be given at home for fast relief of allergic itch.³

To learn more about how allergic itch is diagnosed and treated, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion

¹ Data on file, Study No. C863R-US-12-018, 2014, Zoetis Inc. Data on file, Study No. C166RUS-17-180, 2018, Zoetis Inc. ² Valid 7/15/24-9/30/24. Terms apply see thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion. ³ Apoquel® (oclacitinib tablet) and Apoquel® Chewable (oclacitinib chewable tablet) IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Do not use Apoquel or Apoquel Chewable in dogs less than 12 months of age or those with serious infections. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable may increase the chances of developing serious infections and may cause existing parasitic skin infestations or pre-existing cancers to get worse. Consider the risks and benefits of treatment in dogs with a history of recurrence of these conditions. New neoplastic conditions (benign and malignant) were observed in clinical studies and postapproval. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable have not been tested in dogs receiving some medications including some commonly used to treat skin conditions such as corticosteroids and cyclosporines. Do not use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. Most common side effects are vomiting and diarrhea. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable have been used safely with many common medications including parasiticides, antibiotics and vaccines. See full Prescribing Information at ApoquelPI.com and ApoquelChewablePI.com.

31/07/2024

Staying active is essential to both the physical and mental well-being of your dog. As a busy pet owner, ensuring your companion is getting enough exercise can sometimes fall to the wayside, but we’re here to offer some ideas on how to implement regular activity into their life – and yours! 🏃

Age, breed, size, and additional health considerations will all influence how much exercise your dog should be receiving each day. Also important to consider are weather conditions. If it’s too hot or cold out for you, it’s likely the case for them, as well, in which case outdoor time should be limited. If you are ever unsure about your pet’s exercise needs, we’re more than happy to provide honest, professional advice during your next visit.

Click here to learn more about the unique health benefits of each of these activities: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/the-ultimate-list-of-exercise-ideas-for-dogs-and-cats

26/07/2024

Did you know that a 2022 study conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that 61% of U.S. cats are classified as overweight or obese? Between visits, here are some clear signs you can look for to get an idea of whether your cat is overweight:

✋ By Feel: If you feel your cat's rib cage, the padding on healthy cats will be about as thick as that on the back of your hand. If you can’t feel your cat's ribs at all, or if you can only feel them when pressing firmly, then they may be obese or overweight.
🔎 By Sight: Begin by looking down at your cat when they are standing. There should be a slight indentation above the hips resembling a waist (remember that this may be difficult if your cat has long hair). If the waist area bulges out instead, they may be overweight.

Save this diagram for easy reference, and to learn more, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/is-my-cat-overweight

19/07/2024

Here’s an eye-popping fact: Just ONE burger patty given to your dog as a snack is like you eating FIVE cupcakes in one sitting! 🧁 😱

If we eat a few cupcakes in one day on occasion, it is not going to have a large impact on our overall health. However, when consumed in those quantities regularly, in additional to regular meals, weight gain is very likely. The same is true for our pets. A burger patty given to your pet for a special meal on their gotcha day isn’t going to be very harmful – but used regularly as a training aid or treat could lead to sizable weight gain. Check out our article for mindful treat giving strategies and more: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/human-snacks-and-weight-gain-in-pets

15/07/2024

Your pet deserves all the love—and a big part of that love includes championing their health! Here at Thrive, we're passionate about helping pet owners learn how to give their pet the best care, whether it's providing an individualized diet, grooming and exercise advice, or screening for health concerns regularly. By working together, you and your vet can prevent illness down the road or manage an ongoing chronic condition today, ensuring your pet lives their best life at every stage. 💚

Learn more about how we can help you keep your pet thriving here: thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion

12/07/2024

The best way to know your dog is at a healthy weight? Staying up-to-date on their routine wellness appointments, where we will monitor your pet’s weight and provide a professional diagnosis. Between visits, here are some clear signs you can look for to get an idea of whether your dog is overweight:

✋ By Feel: You should be able to feel their ribs and there should not be a thick layer of fat covering these bones.
🔎 By Sight: The chest should be wider than the abdomen, and you'll notice a significant tuck-up from chest to stomach.
😴 Behavior: Overweight dogs may also walk a bit slower than before, take more naps than usual, and may pant on your daily walks.

Save this diagram for easy reference, and to learn more, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/is-my-dog-overweight

27/06/2024

A microchip may just be the size of a grain of sand under your pet’s skin, but it has the power to hold all their important information for life, which can be accessed via a national database in the event a lost pet is found and brought to a shelter or vet.

Before comes to a close, we want to take a moment to remind pet owners that just because a pet has been chipped doesn't mean their information is registered is up-to-date! We can check their chip easily during your next visit, and if you haven't chipped your pet yet, there's never been a better time.

To learn more about how microchips work, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/service/microchipping

25/06/2024

Warning:️ this post is about p**p! 💩 If you’ve ever wondered why you’re asked to bring in a f***l sample as part of your pet’s annual wellness exam, the answer is to check for intestinal parasites.

There are a variety of parasites that thrive inside of otherwise healthy pets, so having them routinely tested is essential to their well-being. Your pet's p**p will be checked for evidence of hookworms, roundworms, giardia, and more. 🔬
These parasites can not only make pets uncomfortable and irritable but can also lead to many more serious issues if left untreated. Several parasites can even be transmitted to people, so by having your pet’s f***s examined, you are protecting humans in your household, too!

To learn more about what intestinal parasites we test for in f***l exams, visit:

25/06/2024

Penny and Cleo became fast friends yesterday at South Cape Veterinary Clinic! A play date may be around the corner!