Randparkridge Veterinary Hospital

Randparkridge Veterinary Hospital Randparkridge Veterinary Hospital has been operational since 1974 and is a fully equipped hospital,

Randparkridge Veterinary Hospital is home to four experienced veterinarians Dr Mike Selmer, Dr Mark Meyer, Dr David Pienaar and Dr Noline van den Berg, who are extremely passionate about the care and well- being of every individual patient. We are a fully equipped hospital with friendly and knowledgeable staff who are always ready to assist you and your special pet.

🦴 Is Your Pet's Thyroid Working Properly?Thyroid Disease in Pets - The Hormone That Affects EverythingThe thyroid gland ...
30/07/2026

🦴 Is Your Pet's Thyroid Working Properly?
Thyroid Disease in Pets - The Hormone That Affects Everything

The thyroid gland may be small, but it plays a HUGE role in your pet's health! Understanding thyroid conditions can help you spot problems early.

🔬 What Does the Thyroid Do?
The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate:
Metabolism and energy levels
Body temperature
Heart rate
Weight management
Skin and coat health
Digestive function

🐕 HYPOTHYROIDISM (Low Thyroid) - Common in DOGS
🚨 Warning Signs:
Unexplained weight gain (despite normal eating)
Lethargy and lack of energy
Cold intolerance / seeking warm spots
Poor coat quality - dull, dry, brittle
Excessive shedding or hair loss
Skin problems (infections, darkening)
Slow heart rate
Mental dullness
Muscle weakness

📊 Who's at Risk?
Middle-aged dogs (4-10 years)
Common breeds: Golden Retrievers, Dobermans, Labrador Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Boxers
Can affect any breed!

💊 Treatment:
✓ Daily thyroid hormone replacement medication
✓ Regular blood tests to monitor levels
✓ Lifelong treatment (but very manageable!)
✓ Most dogs show improvement within 4-8 weeks

Good News: With proper medication, dogs return to normal activity and quality of life!

🐱 HYPERTHYROIDISM (Overactive Thyroid) - Common in CATS
🚨 Warning Signs:
Weight loss despite increased appetite
Hyperactivity or restlessness
Increased thirst and urination
Vomiting or diarrhea
Poor coat condition
Rapid heart rate
Increased vocalization
Irritability or aggression
Unkempt appearance

📊 Who's at Risk?
Senior cats (usually over 10 years)
Can affect any breed
One of the most common diseases in older cats!

💊 Treatment Options:
Daily medication to control thyroid hormone production
Prescription diet (iodine-restricted)
Radioactive iodine therapy (curative!)
Surgical removal of thyroid gland (in some cases)
Important: Untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney problems!

🩺 Diagnosis:
Simple blood tests can detect thyroid problems:
T4 levels (total thyroxine)
Free T4
TSH levels (for dogs)
Complete blood panel to assess overall health

⚠️ Why Early Detection Matters:
Prevents complications (heart disease, kidney issues)
Improves quality of life dramatically
Easier to manage when caught early
Can prevent irreversible damage

💚 Living with Thyroid Disease:
With proper treatment, pets with thyroid conditions can live normal, healthy lives!

For Hypothyroid Dogs:
Consistent daily medication
Regular monitoring (every 6-12 months)
Weight may normalize
Energy levels return

For Hyperthyroid Cats:
Medication or other treatment options
Regular blood pressure checks
Kidney function monitoring
Most cats improve significantly!

🏠 What You Can Do:
✅ Schedule annual senior pet check-ups (7+ years)
✅ Monitor weight and energy levels
✅ Report any changes in behavior or appetite
✅ Keep up with blood work recommendations
✅ Give medications as prescribed

📞 Concerned about your pet's thyroid health?
Call Randparkridge Veterinary Hospital: 011 678 7526

A simple blood test can provide answers and get your pet on the path to feeling better!

🐾 The Silent Threat in Your Yard: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know About "Spiro" 🐾Have you ever heard of Spirocercosis...
29/07/2026

🐾 The Silent Threat in Your Yard: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know About "Spiro" 🐾

Have you ever heard of Spirocercosis (often just called "Spiro")? If you live in Gauteng, this is a parasite you need to have on your radar.

Caused by the parasitic worm Spirocerca lupi, this disease is dangerous, potentially/often fatal, and often hides until it's too late. Here is a quick breakdown of what it is and how to keep your dog safe! 👇

🪲 How Do Pets Get It?
It’s a bizarre but deadly cycle:
1️⃣ Infected dogs pass parasite eggs in their p**p.
2️⃣ Dung beetles eat the p**p and ingest the eggs.
3️⃣ Dogs get infected by eating the dung beetles—or by eating mice, lizards, or birds that have snacked on infected beetles!

🪱 What Does the Worm Do?
Once inside your dog, the larvae don't just stay put. They embark on a perilous journey!

Pe*******on & Migration: After being ingested (usually via an infected dung beetle or a "transport host" like a rodent), the larvae burrow through the stomach wall and migrate extensively throughout the chest cavity. Their path often takes them along major blood vessels.

Aortic Damage & Rupture: One of the most dangerous legs of their journey is within or along the aorta (the body's main artery). As the larvae tunnel here, they cause inflammation and weaken the vessel. This can lead to an aortic aneurysm (a balloon-like bulge) or, catastrophically, an aortic rupture, causing massive internal bleeding and sudden death.

Esophageal Nodules & Cancer: The larvae eventually settle in the wall of the esophagus (the food pipe). Here, they mature and induce the formation of large, fleshy nodules (granulomas). These nodules can severely obstruct the esophagus, causing swallowing difficulties and regurgitation. In severe, long-standing cases, these nodules can transform into aggressive cancerous tumors (sarcomas).

Indirect Respiratory Issues: While the worms don't typically burrow directly into the lungs, large esophageal nodules can press on the nearby windpipe (trachea), leading to coughing or breathing difficulties. Severe regurgitation can also lead to aspiration pneumonia if food or fluid accidentally enters the lungs.

⚠️ Signs to Watch Out For:
Because the worms work on the inside, early detection is tricky. Watch for:

Regurgitation or vomiting (especially right after eating)
Unexplained weight loss
Excessive drooling or gulping
A chronic cough or breathing trouble
Lethargy and pale gums

🛡️ How to Protect Your Pup:
Prevention is much easier and safer than treatment!

💩 Daily P**p Patrol: Pick up dog p**p from your yard every single day. If dung beetles have no p**p, the life cycle breaks!

🦎 Stop the Scavenging: Try to prevent your dog from hunting lizards, birds, and rodents.

💊 The RIGHT Preventative: Standard dewormers DO NOT kill Spiro. You need a specific, vet-prescribed monthly preventative.

❌ Not All Dewormers are Created Equal Against Spiro!

This is a critical distinction that every dog owner must understand. Many standard "all-wormer" medications are excellent for common intestinal parasites but they DO NOT contain the specific ingredients (like Milbemycin oxime or Moxidectin) required to effectively target Spirocerca lupi.

Relying on a general dewormer alone will leave your dog completely vulnerable to Spirocercosis.

Don't wait for symptoms to appear. Contact Randparkridge Veterinary Hospital to order your preventative treatment or to schedule a consult today: 011 678 7526.

Share this post to help educate other dog owners and keep our furry friends safe! 🐶❤️

https://randparkvet.weebly.com/pawsome-info-articles/category/the-killer-spirocerca-lupi-mdash-what-every-dog-owner-should-know

Bad breath, yellow teeth, drooling or dropping food can all be signs of dental trouble.Give their teeth (and breath!) a ...
27/07/2026

Bad breath, yellow teeth, drooling or dropping food can all be signs of dental trouble.
Give their teeth (and breath!) a fresh start.

We’re offering 20% OFF dental procedures for cats and dogs –
June & July bookings only.

📞 Call Randparkridge Veterinary Hospital on 011 678 7526 to book.

Treat them to a cleaner, healthier smile with20% OFF dental procedures for cats and dogson all June & July bookings.📞 Bo...
24/07/2026

Treat them to a cleaner, healthier smile with
20% OFF dental procedures for cats and dogs
on all June & July bookings.

📞 Book now with Randparkridge Veterinary Hospital
at 011 678 7526.

23/07/2026

Xmas in July is here with ’s Pet Nutrition!
Get 25% off any Hill’s dog & cat food and SAVE UP TO R1000. No minimum spend required.
Visit www.SaveOnHills.co.za to get your coupon now! Ts & Cs apply.

👂 Is Your Pet Scratching Their Ears?Otitis (Ear Infections) in Pets - A Common But Treatable ProblemEar infections are o...
22/07/2026

👂 Is Your Pet Scratching Their Ears?
Otitis (Ear Infections) in Pets - A Common But Treatable Problem

Ear infections are one of the most frequent reasons pet owners visit us. Understanding the signs can help your furry friend get relief faster!

🔍 What is Otitis?
Otitis is inflammation or infection of the ear, which can affect:

Outer ear (Otitis Externa) - most common
Middle ear (Otitis Media)
Inner ear (Otitis Interna) - most serious

🚨 Warning Signs:
Head shaking or tilting
Scratching or rubbing ears
Redness or swelling of the ear canal
Discharge (brown, yellow, or bloody)
Unpleasant odor from ears
Pain when ears are touched
Crusty or scabby ears
Loss of balance or hearing (advanced cases)

🐕 Common Causes:
✓ Allergies (food or environmental) - #1 cause
✓ Ear mites (especially in cats and puppies)
✓ Bacteria or yeast infections
✓ Foreign objects (grass seeds, dirt)
✓ Excessive moisture (swimming, bathing)
✓ Hormonal imbalances
✓ Ear anatomy (floppy ears trap moisture)

🩺 Breeds at Higher Risk:
Cocker Spaniels
Basset Hounds
Labrador Retrievers
Golden Retrievers
Poodles
Any breed with long, floppy ears!
Cats can get ear infections too!

💊 Diagnosis & Treatment:
Our veterinary team will:

Examine the ear canal with an otoscope
Take samples to identify bacteria, yeast, or mites
Prescribe appropriate treatment:
Ear cleaning solutions
Topical medications (drops or ointments)
Oral antibiotics or antifungals
Anti-inflammatory medications
Pain relief if needed

⚠️ Why You Shouldn't Wait:
Untreated ear infections can lead to:

Chronic pain and discomfort
Ear drum rupture
Permanent hearing loss
Head tilt and balance problems
Spread to middle/inner ear

💚 Prevention Tips:
✅ Keep ears clean and dry
✅ Dry ears thoroughly after swimming/bathing
✅ Regular ear checks at home
✅ Address allergies promptly
✅ Professional ear cleaning when needed

⛔ NEVER DO THIS:
🚫 NEVER use cotton buds (Q-tips) or ear buds to clean your pet's ears!

You can:
Push debris deeper into the ear canal
Rupture the eardrum
Cause permanent damage and hearing loss
Create painful injuries
Worsen existing infections
Only clean the visible outer ear with vet-approved products and soft gauze!

🏠 Home Care:
If your pet is being treated for otitis:

Follow medication instructions carefully
Complete the full course of treatment
Return for follow-up appointments
Keep ears dry during treatment
Important: Never use old medications or someone else's pet's ear drops - each infection needs specific treatment!

📞 Is your pet showing signs of ear discomfort? Call Randparkridge Veterinary Hospital: 011 678 7526

Don't let your pet suffer - ear infections are painful but highly treatable!

💡 Did You Know? Dogs with allergies often get recurring ear infections. If your pet has chronic ear problems, we may need to investigate underlying causes like food or environmental allergies!

🎁✨ RAFFLE TIME! WIN THIS AMAZING HAMPER & SAVE LIVES! ✨🎁Sweeties for YOU and Treats for THEM! 🐱💕WHAT YOU COULD WIN:🍷 Tal...
21/07/2026

🎁✨ RAFFLE TIME! WIN THIS AMAZING HAMPER & SAVE LIVES! ✨🎁
Sweeties for YOU and Treats for THEM! 🐱💕

WHAT YOU COULD WIN:
🍷 Tall Horse Wine for you.
☕ Cadbury Mocha Instant Coffee for you.
🍬 Delicious Liquorice for you.
🧤 Special Kitty Hand Warmer.
💧 Cat Water Fountain.
😺 Biskitty Treats.
🌿 Catnip.
🐾 Packs O' Purrs Treats.

HOW TO ENTER:
💰 R20 per ticket

BANKING DETAILS:
Randparkridge Veterinary Hospital
ABSA
Acc: 4067671242

Reference: rescue raffle 23893
📧 MUST EMAIL POP to [email protected]
Include: Your name, cell number & email address
🗓️ DRAW DATE: 31st August 2026
🐱 100% of proceeds go directly to Nicholson Kitty Rescue - Every ticket helps save a precious life!

Share this post and help us help them! 🙏💕

This tiny puppy was rescued for an individual trying to sell her on the side of the road in Melville. If this is your pu...
20/07/2026

This tiny puppy was rescued for an individual trying to sell her on the side of the road in Melville.

If this is your puppy please contact us with proof of ownership.
Female around 8 weeks old, no chip or collar.

This could be an instance of a stolen puppy so please contact us directly if you have any info.

Please do not comment but rather call us on 011 678 7526.

Address

15 Monkor Road
Johannesburg
2169

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 18:00
Thursday 08:00 - 18:00
Friday 08:00 - 18:00
Saturday 08:00 - 12:00
16:00 - 17:30

Telephone

+27116787526

Website

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