Waterkloof Glen Animal Hospital

19/09/2025

CANINE DISTEMPER OUTBREAK!! 🔎 What is Canine Distemper?

Canine Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs and some wildlife (foxes, jackals, raccoons, etc.).
It attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous system.

⚠️ Signs & Symptoms

Early signs: Fever, runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, sneezing, lethargy

Digestive symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite

Neurological signs: Seizures, twitching, paralysis, head tilt

Skin sign: Thickening/hardening of nose or paw pads ("hard pad disease")

🧪 How It Spreads

Direct contact with infected dogs’ saliva, urine, or nasal discharge

Airborne droplets from coughing/sneezing

Contaminated bowls, bedding, human hands, etc.

🛑 What To Do During an Outbreak

Vaccinate: Puppies & unvaccinated dogs should be vaccinated immediately.

Isolate: Sick dogs must be quarantined to prevent spread.

Sanitize: Disinfect surfaces, bowls, and bedding.

Avoid dog parks & gatherings until outbreak is under control.

💉 Prevention

✅ Core vaccination is the best protection (DHPP or 5-in-1 vaccine).
✅ Boosters should be given as recommended by your vet.
✅ Keep your dog’s immune system strong with proper nutrition and parasite control.

Warning: Highly contagious distemper virus spreading in parts of Pretoria
Read more here: https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/2025/09/18/warning-highly-contagious-distemper-virus-spreading-in-parts-of-pretoria/

09/09/2025

🐾 What is whisker fatigue?

🐈Your cat’s whiskers are super-sensitive.🐈

If they’re constantly touching the sides of food or water bowls, it can overstimulate them and cause stress, leading to refusal to eat, drink, or general irritability.

✅ How to avoid it:

🐱Switch to shallow, wide bowls – so your cat’s whiskers don’t touch the sides.

🐱Use ceramic, glass, or stainless steel – plastic can hold odors and bacteria.

🐱Keep food and water bowls separate – cats often prefer distance between them.

🐱Clean bowls daily – to keep things fresh and inviting.

🐾Watch for changes – if your cat seems picky, it might not be the food, but the dish!🐾

04/09/2025

Bladder stones are hard mineral deposits that form in the urinary bladder.

They can vary in size, shape, and composition, and can cause a range of urinary problems such as:

🐶🐾Straining to urinate

🐶🐾Blood in urine

🐶🐾Frequent urination or accidents

🐶🐾Pain or discomfort

🐶🐾Complete urinary blockage (a medical emergency)

Common causes include:

🐶🐾Diets high in certain minerals (magnesium, phosphorus, calcium)

🐶🐾Urinary tract infections

🐶🐾Genetic predisposition (some breeds are more prone)

🐶🐾pH imbalances in the urine

Treatment usually involves:

🐶🐾Surgical removal (like in this case) or non-surgical dissolution (for certain stone types)

🐶🐾Special prescription diets to prevent recurrence

🐶🐾Regular monitoring with urinalysis and imaging

03/09/2025

🐾💦From pool dives to grass rolls, let’s see how your furry friends do summer fun! 🐾💦

Share your pet pics of enjoying summer in the comments..

Warning: these summer pet pics may cause extreme smiles! 🐶🐱🌞

01/09/2025

🐾 Spring = Adventure Season!
With warmer days, pets are out exploring more — sniffing new grass, meeting other pets, and sometimes finding muddy puddles. Vaccines help keep them safe from bugs and germs they might pick up.

🌸 Fresh Flowers, Fresh Protection!
Just like gardens get a spring refresh, your pet’s immune system needs a boost too. Vaccines act like their seasonal “tune-up.”

🐶🐱 Playdates Without Worries
More park visits and playdates mean more chances of meeting new furry friends. Vaccines make sure the only thing they catch is fun!

🌍 Community Shield
When your pet is vaccinated, you’re also helping protect other pets (and sometimes humans too!) from dangerous diseases. Think of it as “pet teamwork.”

🎾 No Interrupted Fetch Time
Vaccinated pets are less likely to get sick, which means more uninterrupted games, cuddles, and adventures all season long.

💉 Tiny Jab, Big Protection
One quick visit = months (or even years) of safety. Pets bounce back faster than you think!

29/08/2025

🦴🐾 Understanding Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease in Dogs 🐾🦴

Say hello to Lood, a sweet little pup who came to us after his owners noticed he was limping and in pain 😢. After a thorough exam and X-rays, Lood was diagnosed with Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease — a condition that affects the hip joint, most commonly seen in small breed dogs.

🩻 What is it?
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease causes the femoral head (the ball of the hip joint) to lose blood supply, leading to bone degeneration and pain. Left untreated, it can severely impact mobility and quality of life.

💉 How did we treat it?
We performed a Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO) — a surgical removal of the damaged femoral head. This allows the body to form a "false joint," relieving pain and restoring comfortable mobility over time.

🌟 We’re happy to report Lood is now recovering beautifully! With rehab and rest, he will be back to zoomies in no time. 💨🐶

If your pet is limping, reluctant to play, or showing signs of pain, don’t wait — early diagnosis can make all the difference. 🩺

28/08/2025

Thursday: 🐶🚨 Bone Trouble! 🚨🐶
This curious pup got himself into a bit of a sticky situation when a round bone slipped over his lower jaw and got stuck around his mouth! 😮🦴

Thankfully, his family brought him straight to us, and our team was able to safely and gently remove the bone without any harm done. He’s now back to his happy tail-wagging self! 🐾💙

A quick reminder:
Bones can seem like a treat, but they can pose serious risks — from choking hazards to dental injuries or situations like this. Always supervise chew time and ask your vet about safe options!

👉 Have questions about safe treats or toys for your pet? We're here to help!

22/08/2025

Freaky Friday🚨

🐶💥 "I Swear It Was Laundry Day!" 💥🐾

A cheeky pup with a very questionable taste in snacks. Last week, he decided his human’s underwear looked... delicious. 😳🩲

While foreign objects like this often require emergency surgery (and can be life-threatening), this one got very lucky. His “snack” became a self-eliminating foreign body, meaning it passed safely all on its own. 🫣💩

This patient is back to being his goofy self, and his owner is keeping the laundry well out of reach from now on. 😅🙈

21/08/2025

🦴🐶😿 Why the Cone of Shame? It's Actually the Cone of Healing! 🐾✨

After sterilisation (spaying or neutering), your furry friend might come home wearing a cone, but don’t feel bad — it’s actually a very important part of their recovery! 🩺💙

👉 Why the cone?
It stops your pet from:
🔹 Licking or biting their stitches
🔹 Causing infections
🔹 Tearing open the wound
🔹 Delaying the healing process

Even a few seconds of licking can undo the vet's work and lead to complications that mean more vet visits, more stress, and more discomfort for your pet. 😢

🐾 It might look uncomfortable, but it’s temporary and it’s all for their safety. You can even ask your vet about soft or inflatable alternatives if your pet is struggling with the hard plastic type!

15/08/2025

😺 Bored Kitty? Let’s Fix That! 🧠💡
Cats are natural hunters, climbers, and explorers. Even our cozy indoor companions need mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy!

Here are a few simple enrichment ideas to try at home:
🐾 Puzzle feeders to make mealtime more fun
🧶 Rotate toys to keep playtime fresh
📦 Cardboard boxes and paper bags for exploring
🌿 Cat-safe plants like catnip or cat grass
🪟 A window perch for “Bird TV”!

Enrichment reduces stress, curbs unwanted behaviors, and keeps your cat mentally sharp. Have a favorite tip? Share it below, we’d love to hear what your feline friend loves most! 🐈💬

12/08/2025

🐾 Healthy Pets, Happy Hearts! 🐾
At Waterkloof Glen Animal hospital, we treat your furry family members like our own. From wellness exams and vaccinations to dental care and surgery, our compassionate team is here to keep tails wagging and whiskers twitching! 💙

📅 Need to schedule an appointment? Call us at 012 993 2315

📍Visit us at 486 Judith Street, Waterkloof Glen, Pretoria
📸 Don’t forget to tag us in your pet pics—we love seeing our patients looking their best!

01/08/2025

❄️🐶 Winter Stiffness? Help Your Senior Dog Move with Comfort! 🐾🧣

As the temperatures are low, your older dog might start feeling the chill in their joints! Just like us, cold weather can worsen arthritis and joint pain. 😞

🛑 Signs your senior pup may be struggling:

Slower to get up or lie down

Limping or stiffness, especially in the morning

Reluctance to go for walks or use stairs

Less interest in play or exercise

💡 How you can help:
✅ Keep them warm with cozy bedding and a draft-free space
✅ Use joint supplements (glucosamine, omega-3s)
✅ Short, gentle walks to keep joints moving
✅ Non-slip mats on slippery floors
✅ Book a vet check for pain relief options

You don’t have to watch them slow down, let’s make this winter easier on their joints. ❤️

📞 Call us to book a mobility check-up or discuss treatment options.