Animal Matters Veterinary Hospital

02/12/2025

Even the toughest Ginja Ninjas need backup. 😼
�Summer adventures mean more exploring, more bush-missions, and plenty of chances to cross paths with fleas and ticks. Outdoor hunters also pick up worms from catching prey — a true ninja hazard.

And don’t forget vaccinations. Ginja Ninjas inevitably bump into other cats on their travels. They may not be the ones to start the fight… but they’ll definitely finish it. 💥
�Staying up to date with vaccines helps keep them safer when those encounters happen.
And hey — maybe your Ginja Ninja is less “forest warrior” and more “city slicker,” guarding their turf in a complex or lifestyle estate. Don’t forget the undercover patrol cats, the parking-lot sentries, and the rooftop roamers… they need safeguarding too. 😼💪

Keep your orange warrior safe this festive season with vet-recommended parasite control.

01/12/2025

Is your dog protected against Canine Cough/ Kennel Cough?

Canine Cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that spreads
quickly wherever dogs mix — kennels, doggy hotels, grooming salons,
beaches, parks and holiday travel.

Common symptoms include a deep,
honking cough, gagging/retching, nasal discharge and lower energy.

Treatment is usually symptomatic. Some dogs can become seriously ill and
require more intense veterinary care. Should you suspect your pet has
canine cough, contact our veterinary team and we’ll guide you.

What it protects against:
Bordetella bronchiseptica + Parainfluenza
virus. Depending which brand it's administered via the intranasal route
(sq**rt up the nose) or an injection under the skin — we’ll advise which your dog needs and whether a booster is due.
Like the human flu vaccine, dogs can still get infected, but symptoms are
usually much milder, and the chance of serious illness is greatly reduced.

Why it matters over the holidays:
Higher exposure risk, busy public spaces, increased travel, and many kennels require it. Puppies, seniors and brachycephalics are especially vulnerable.

Important:
This is an additional vaccine, not part of the routine core vaccinations. Not sure when your dog last had theirs? We’re happy to check their records.

01/12/2025

🐾🎄Plan ahead for the Festive season!

Animal Matters will be closed on the following dates:
🗓️ 16 Decemeber 2025
🗓️ 25 December 2025
🗓️ 26 December 2025
🗓️ 1 January 2026

Our business hours are as follows
24 December 2025 8-4pm (Christmas Eve)
31 December 2025 8-4pm (New Year’s Eve)

For emergencies, please contact us at 021 300 5399 to be diverted to the clinic on-call.

Happy holidays! 💙🐾

26/11/2025

✨ Sr Danica’s cats, Mira & Spikkels living their best little kitty lives ✨

Nothing brings more joy than watching them savour their new irresistible Churu treats — tiny moments, happy hearts, and very satisfied purrs. 🐾💛

25/11/2025

🔥 HEATSTROKE IN DOGS — WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 🔥

As the weather warms up, our dogs are at higher risk of heatstroke (also called heat-related illness, hyperthermia or sunstroke). This is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition — so here’s how to prevent it, what’s happening inside their body, and what warning signs to watch for.

☀️ What Actually Happens to Their Body

- Heatstroke occurs when a dog’s body temperature rises too high and their cooling mechanisms can’t keep up.
- Dogs can’t sweat like humans — they rely mainly on panting (and some paw/nose sweating) to cool down.
- If their temperature climbs too much, it causes tissue and organ damage, potentially leading to organ failure (kidneys, liver, brain) and even death.
- The risk is especially high if heat comes from both environmental sources (hot day, poor airflow) and from exercise (muscle-generated heat).

🚫 Who’s at Higher Risk / Why It Happens

Some dogs are more vulnerable to heatstroke than others:

- Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds (e.g. Bulldogs, Pugs) struggle more because their short muzzles make panting less efficient.
- Overweight or very energetic dogs generate more internal heat or struggle to cool down.
- Older dogs, very large dogs (especially over ~50 kg), and dogs with thick or long coats are also more at risk.
- Dogs not acclimatised to warm weather (e.g. after a heatwave or arriving in a hot climate) are more vulnerable.

⚠️ Key Signs & Symptoms to Look Out For

Signs of heatstroke can develop very quickly — especially when body temperature rises above 41°C.

Watch for:

- Heavy panting, even when resting
-Breathing difficulties (especially in flat-faced breeds)
- Lethargy, stiffness, or reluctance to move
- Excessive drooling or dribbling
- Confusion, disorientation
-Vomiting or diarrhoea (may be bloody in more severe cases)
- Loss of coordination (“not walking in a straight line”)
- Collapse or even seizures / fitting

✅ How to Prevent Heatstroke in Your Dog

Here are practical prevention tips:

- Walk smart: Avoid exercise in the heat of the day — stick to early morning or evening walks.
- Always carry water on walks and offer your dog something to drink regularly.
- Shade & airflow: Make sure your dog has access to shaded, well-ventilated spots at home.
- Car safety: Never leave your dog alone in a parked car. Temperatures inside can skyrocket.
- Cooling at home: Use damp towels, fans, or air-conditioned spaces. You can also give your dog a paddling pool or frozen treats.
- Be careful on pavement: On hot days, ground surfaces (like pavement) can burn paw pads — avoid walking on hot ground.
- Use a harness: Instead of a collar — a lead attached to a harness reduces pressure on the neck, supporting better air flow.

🚨 What to Do If You Suspect Heatstroke

If you think your dog is overheating:

- Start cooling immediately — move them into shade or a cool area.
- Offer small amounts of cool water (but don’t force them to drink).
- Use water to help cool — carefully pour water over their neck, belly, and inner thighs (or sponge them), ideally continuing until their breathing calms.
- Add airflow — fan them, or put them in an air-conditioned area or car if possible, especially once wet.
- Get veterinary help immediately — even if they seem to recover, they must be checked.

Don’t worry about cooling too quickly — newer research shows that rapid cooling with water can improve survival.

💡 Bottom Line

Heatstroke in dogs is very serious, but you can significantly reduce the risk with a few smart habits: time your walks, keep fresh water available, and know the early warning signs. If you ever suspect it, act fast — cooling + vet care can save your dog’s life.

20/11/2025

🐾 November is Pet Diabetes Awareness Month! 🐾

Did you know that diabetes doesn’t just affect people — our beloved cats and dogs can have it too? November is Pet Diabetes Month, a time to shine a light on this important condition and how we can manage it.

What is Diabetes in Pets?
• Diabetes mellitus in pets is a condition where their bodies struggle to regulate glucose (blood sugar).

• There are two main types:
• Type I – more common in dogs, where the body doesn’t make enough insulin.
• Type II – more common in cats, where the body makes insulin but doesn’t respond to it properly.

• Signs to look out for: increased thirst, frequent urination, weight loss despite a good appetite.
• The good news? With early diagnosis, treatment, and good care, many pets live happy, active lives.

How Do We Manage It?
1. Glucose Monitoring

Glucose meters and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) such as the FreeStyle Libre, allow owners and vets to track glucose throughout the day. This helps fine-tune insulin dosing and improves safety.

2. Prescription Diet
Nutrition plays a huge role in managing diabetes:
• Royal Canin Diabetic (or equivalent diabetic diet) — designed to support stable glucose control.
• Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic — helps maintain or reach an ideal body weight, which is so important in diabetic pets.
• Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d — formulated for glucose management, with balanced fiber to help regulate blood sugar.

3. Insulin Therapy & At-Home Injection Tips
Many diabetic pets require twice-daily insulin injections, usually given under the skin (SC) — your vet will teach you how. Here are some practical at-home tips for pet owners:

• Get comfortable: Practice the technique with your vet. Use a soft pet towel or gentle restraint so your pet feels safe.
• Know the site: Common injection sites are loose skin of the withers, flanks or along the back behind the shoulder blades. Rotate sites to avoid lumps. Avoid injecting in the scruff of the neck- this area can have poorer blood supply, leading to slower and less reliable insulin absorption
• Use the right equipment: Always use the syringes your vet prescribes, and make sure the insulin isn’t expired or damaged.
• Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): These can include weakness, tremors, disorientation, or even collapse.
• Always give insulin after your pet has eaten.
• If you have a CGM (Libre), use it to detect lows; but also be ready to act even if the scanner is “normal,” especially if your pet shows symptoms.
• Keep something sugary on hand (e.g., syrup or glucose gel) to treat a low in a crisis.
• Record and report: Keep a log of injections, food, behaviour, and glucose levels (if you have a monitor). This helps your vet adjust the dose more safely.
• Stay in touch with your vet: As your pet stabilizes, your vet may adjust insulin dosage.

Why This Matters
• Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes in pets, especially in cats, so maintaining a healthy weight is vital.
• With proper care — timely diagnosis, the right diet, regular monitoring, and insulin if needed — diabetic pets can thrive.
• Spreading awareness during November helps more owners recognize the signs and take action early.

💬 Call to Action

If you think your pet might have diabetes (or if you’re already managing it), talk to your vet about:
• Glucose monitoring options
• A prescription diet tailored for diabetic control
• Proper insulin administration and care routines

Let’s use Pet Diabetes Month to support and educate one another. Share this post to help raise awareness — and give your fur-babies their best, healthiest life. ❤️🐶🐱

15/11/2025

📢 Important Notice

We are currently experiencing issues with our email system. If you need to contact us, please give us a call on 021 300 5399.

Thank you for your understanding and patience! 💛📞

11/11/2025

Thank you for the beautiful message, Maggie! We are honoured to have been apart of Dax’s care and will miss seeing him 💙

08/11/2025

‼️ Unfortunately, our clinic is currently without power, which means our phone lines and computers are down.
We will, however, be open until 12:00 for emergencies.

If you need urgent assistance and cannot reach us, please contact Teva Veterinary Clinic at 📞 021 851 3511.

Thank you for your understanding and patience 💙

07/11/2025

07/11/2025

🐾 Canine Babesiosis — What South African dog owners must know 🩸

Babesiosis is a tick-transmitted disease that can range from mild to life-threatening. In South Africa the most virulent form is Babesia rossi, which can cause rapid, severe anaemia and organ complications — but other species (like B. vogeli) often cause milder or even subclinical infections.

Watch for these signs
• Pale gums, weakness or collapse
• Lethargy, fever, loss of appetite
• Fast breathing or heart rate, jaundice (yellowing), dark urine
• Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain or sudden neurological signs

How it’s diagnosed
• Your vet may find parasites on a blood smear or use blood tests (serology or PCR) — sometimes parasites are hard to see, so PCR is useful for low-level or chronic infections.

Treatment basics
• Antibabesial drugs (choice depends on the species), plus supportive care. Severely anaemic dogs may need blood transfusions, IV fluids, oxygen and intensive monitoring. Some species (e.g., B. gibsoni) are harder to clear and may require combination therapy.

Prevention — the best strategy
• Check your dog daily for ticks (ticks usually must feed several days before transmission).
• Use effective tick control: spot-ons, collars or regular dips as advised by your vet.
• Test blood donors and be cautious when moving dogs between regions.

When to see the vet
If your dog is dull, pale, vomiting, has discoloured urine, or shows any of the signs above — seek veterinary care urgently. Early treatment greatly improves the chance of recovery.

04/11/2025

🐾 NEW TREATS ALERT! 🐾

Get ready to treat your furry hero! 🦴💛
We’ve just unpacked a pawsome new range of Montego treats— inspired by your pup’s favourite Paw Patrol characters! 🐶✨

These tasty bites come in fun shapes and delicious flavours your dog will love — perfect for training, rewarding good behaviour, or just showing a little extra love. ❤️

🍖 Made with Montego’s favourite recipe
🐾 Semi-soft, meaty goodness in every bite
🐕 A treat for every Paw Patrol fan!

Pop by the clinic and grab a pack (or three!) before they race off the shelves!