Garden Veterinary Services Ltd.

16/11/2024

Did you know it is dangerous to give cats and dogs human Depo Provera?
For those who know, depo is a human hormone containing progesterone and is used to prevent pregnancy. while it may be useful for humans, it is hazardous to use in animals like dogs and cats.
In these species it causes serious life-threatening conditions like pyometra, enlargement of mammary glands as well as death.
So be careful if you want birth control method for your pet, kindly call your veterinary doctor for advise and intervention.

01/11/2024

we wish all our esteemed clients and friends a happy Diwali celebrations

28/10/2024

Geriatric pet clinic
Did you know that we offer geriatric clinic for the aged and senior pets ?

As pets grow older they become more sensitive and require specialized care to ensure proper care is followed to alleviate suffering and ensure good quality life.
visit us with your pet every last saturday of the month starting from 8.30 am to 3 pm
You can book your appointment through our office line +254722898522

28/10/2024

Ear mites in rabbits
Today a client brought in a baby rabbit which had wounds on both ears.
She explained that the rabbit has had these wounds for the last several days; she also noticed that the other 3 grown rabbits seem to have similar wounds, and wondered why they are fighting. She however was quick to point out that they are scratching and shaking ears a lot, and the last time she had this on the last rabbit, it died. What can be done to stop the fight? She asked.
Upon examination and tests, we found out that the rabbit was suffering from mites infestations
What are mites: These are microscopic parasites that live on the skin as well as under the skin of rabbits and other animals.
There are several types of mites that affect rabbits causing skin damage especially the ears but can affect the rest of the body, illness and economic losses. These mites are very contagious, spreading from one rabbit to another and are zoonotic in nature, meaning they can affect humans as well.
If you notice your Bunny has a problem refer him to a Veterinary doctor for immediate attention and advice on control, housing, breeding and hygiene in the rabbit house to curb mite infestations.

26/10/2024

DENTAL HYGIENE IN DOGS
When was the last time you brushed your teeth or had a dental checkup?
Imagine you spent a whole year without taking care of your teeth? A whole year without brushing your teeth, the plaque, the tartar and the smell. YES! That facial expression you have on your face is what your vet has every time you bring your dog or cat with poorly maintained teeth. Dental hygiene is a need for your dogs and cats, just like it is for you. Your pets’ teeth, as part of the digestive system, play a crucial role in maintaining their body condition. I wouldn’t want to have anything in my mouth with sore gums and painful teeth. Frequent brushing of teeth, dry foods or treats (mechanical cleaning) and regular dental checkups improve and maintain your pet’s dental hygiene. Gingivitis and periodontitis are common during most routine checkups. Ensure you visit your vet for a checkup.
FUN FACT: Did you know a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil a day is good for your pets. Aids in digestion, dental hygiene, and improves their fur. Your pets will have a shinier coat.

Below is a photo of winnie, who just had her teeth cleaned at our clinic

25/09/2024

Dog drowns looking for water
Why you should supply clean water to your pets
For the last 2 weeks we have experienced high temperatures in our country
People have increased their water intake perhaps to more than 10 glasses per day but some may have forgotten to adjust the water supply for their pets.
Today in the early afternoon, we received a rare case of drowning of a medium-sized German shepherd dog. The owner sobbed quietly as we ushered the dog to the examination room, and when the verdict came that the dog was dead on arrival, the owner wept uncontrollably “I blame myself”, the owner had left the dog with no water for the whole day so the dog went looking for drinking water in the nearby swimming pool but slipped and drowned only for the owner to turn up later and find it in that state.
Current weather today indicates a high of 27 centigrade and getting higher, this kind of temperature is likely to cause heat stroke in outdoor pets hence the need to hydrate them.
So if you will be away for a long time, ensure that pets have plenty of clean water available at all times.
In the event you notice the animal is panting, has very red gums, and is lethargic owing to excess heat, rush them to the nearest vet clinic for treatment and rehydration to avoid long-term consequences of organ damage and death.

25/09/2024

Importance of vaccinations

There is a lot of discussions about vaccinations of pets amongst clients, some think that once an animal is injected that it is lifelong protection, others argue that since their pets are indoors and live only inside their compound then they should be ok; While others say that their animals are local so they should be strong to fight any infection.
Vaccination safeguards against many illnesses and helps to avoid costly treatments for diseases that can be prevented.
Dogs are routinely vaccinated against Rabies, Canine Distemper, Leptospirosis, Para-influenza and parvovirus; while Cats vaccines are: Rabies, Feline Panleukopenia, Calici and Feline Rhinotracheitis virus.
How does vaccination work?
The vaccination aims to stimulate the body's immunity against specific diseases such that in future, in case of exposure to the disease, the body's immune system will be able to enhance its protective response.

Can vaccination cure disease?
No, vaccination is a protective measure not a cure so if your dog or cat is sick, call your veterinary doctor immediately for treatment.
For proper protection of your pets get the vaccination protocols from your nearest vet service provider.

25/09/2024

Beware of tick fever in your pets
We have come from very long cold days and a “winter climate”. This despite having been unconducive for outdoor activities especially for pet owners, was also good for pests especially ticks which may have taken a break from prolific production and “hibernated”.
The hot weather is here and so are the increase in outdoor activities and of course increase in fleas and ticks. Ticks specifically are not only a nuisance to animals but they cause tick borne diseases to both pets and humans and if not treated fast and in good time will cause death of a pet.
The last 7 days we have seen and treated several cases of tick fever in dogs; this is a disease caused by protozoan parasite, Babesia species, the common one being Babesia bigemina and Babesia canis. The disease is transmitted mainly by brown tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus, some have been transmitted by dog bites, blood transfusion and even through the uterus from a pregnant bitch to her young ones. Once an infected tick bites the animal, within 14 to 21 days the animal gets sick with signs like; lethargy, fever, increased respiratory rate, vomiting, pale gums, and an enlarged spleen and in the final stages there is red urine.
So during this hot weather and especially for the outdoor pets, tick control must be heightened: ensure you inspect and remove any tick that may attach to your animal after the walk; for those who prefer to wash dogs, make sure to dip dogs with recommended acaricide at least once a week. There are other topspots as well as oral tick control medications for dogs, please check with your veterinary doctor for availability and suitability of these products. If you notice lethargy and or altered behavior
in your pet, call your vet doctor immediately for intervention,
Protect your pets from deadly tick-borne diseases

28/05/2024

Protect your dogs against Aflatoxins
Aflatoxin in dogs what you need to know

Recently we have had several dogs that have been reported very sick and when we examined they showed all signs of aflatoxicosis.
One such dog had refused to eat for 5 days and eventually it died
When owner was asked he said that he has been feeding the dogs on ground maize flour and sometimes on “dog meal”.
Owing to the heavy rains from last season, the harvested maize and other grains did not dry properly and so they end up with high moisture content. This attracts mold growth and hence the beginning of the problem.

What causes aflatoxins?
Aflatoxins are toxins produced by fungi namely; Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which are abundant in warm and humid regions of the world, these fungi are found on crops such as maize peanuts, cottonseed and wheat. These are ingridients used to make animal feed and when consumed over a period of time, aflatoxin levels build up in the pet’s body causing illness (aflatoxicosis), liver damage, problems with blood clotting, and sometimes even death. The toxins may be there even if you can’t see any mold on the pet food

Signs that you may see are;
Dog becomes sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes, gums or skin due to liver damage), unexplained bruising or bleeding, and/or diarrhoea, and sometimes potbelly contact a veterinarian immediately.
If your pet passes away prior to seeing a veterinarian and you suspect possible aflatoxin exposure, contact your veterinarian to discuss whether an autopsy (necropsy) may be appropriate to determine the cause of death.
Prevention
 Dogs should not be allowed to pick food remains from dustbins
 Ensure dog food is purchased from reputable millers and is aflatoxin tested
 If you suspect spoilage of food , just avoid it
 If in doubts of food quality, test it to avoid killing pets.

01/05/2024

Happy labour day to all our esteemed customers

10/02/2024

Diarrhoea in a cat
Today very early in the morning, a customer called about her cat that was ill. When I inquired about the nature of the illness, she responded; “my cat doesn’t seem to keep anything in the tummy, everything that he takes comes out almost immediately as loose p**p, he stays in the litter box longer than necessary and doesn’t want to eat”.
Upon examination, we confirmed that the cat has had diarrhoea for the last 5 days and the owner was waiting for it to resolve on its own as has happened in the past.
This kept me thinking and reminded me about something very important for all cat owners out there: diarrhoea in your furry pals may not resolve on its own and should never be ignored!
Here's why:
1. Health Concerns: Diarrhoea can be a sign of various health issues ranging from dietary indiscretions to infections and parasites. Ignoring it could lead to more serious health complications for your beloved kitty.
2. Dehydration Risk: Diarrhoea can quickly lead to dehydration in cats, especially if it's persistent. Dehydration is serious and can have severe consequences for your cat's health.
3. Underlying Problems: Diarrhoea could be a symptom of an underlying health problem that needs prompt attention. By addressing it early, you can prevent more serious issues.
4. Discomfort for Your Cat: Imagine how uncomfortable and unhappy your kitty must feel with an upset stomach. Don't let them suffer unnecessarily!
So, if you notice your cat experiencing diarrhoea, please don't hesitate to reach out to your veterinary doctor for immediate attention. Remember, our cats rely on us to take care of them, so let's be proactive about their health and well-being! Share this with your fellow cat lovers to spread the word

photo courtesy of bettercats

08/02/2024

CEREBRAL PALSY IN KITTENS
Did you know that kittens and puppies can suffer from a condition called cerebellar palsy (similar to cerebral palsy in humans?)
Yesterday as I was closing the practice, a customer walked in with two kittens which were about 4 weeks old. One was perfectly well and was full of energy, the other one which looked scared, sat on one corner and was shaking the head and legs and had a head tilt.
The owner confirmed that he had rescued the kitties 2 days ago from an owner who could not take care of them and was concerned about the little one which was not feeding well and wondered if it was a broken leg.
Upon examination; the kitten was smaller than the sister, had this shaking of the head, jerky movements of the legs and could not sit still. Everything else was ok. This condition was there soon as the kittens opened their eyes about 2 weeks earlier, the owner confirmed.
Diagnosis of this condition was cerebellar ataxia/palsy/hypoplasia
Cerebellar hypoplasia is a developmental condition in which the cerebellum of the brain fails to develop properly, this is the portion of the brain that controls fine motor skills, balance, and coordination and despite the shaking, it is not painful or contagious and so one cat may get it while the other one is normal.
The condition may be caused by Structural abnormalities like under-development or malformation of the cerebellum or the surrounding skull or sometimes by infection of the mother cat by feline panleukopenia virus and passing the infection to her unborn kittens.
Typical signs that you may notice are jerky or uncoordinated walking, swaying from side to side when trying to walk, a goose-stepping gait, mild head tremors, and/or intention tremors that occur when the kitten intends to make some sort of movement. Intention tremors may be present to a minor degree when the kitten walks but will worsen when the kitten is playing with a toy or bending over to drink or eat out of a bowl.
Such kittens may not thrive because of these challenges; they tend to fall on bowls of food or water and might drown if left alone. Great care is thus expected of such kittens to ensure they don’t fall on dangerous objects.
Prevention is to ensure that mother cats are vaccinated routinely against panleukopenia and other cat diseases like flu before getting pregnant. It is recommended that cats are not in**ed because that may contribute to the birth of cats with defects. Feeding the mother cat a proper diet while pregnant will protect the unborn kittens from some of these defects.
If your cats gives birth to defective kittens, don’t panic, just consult your veterinary service provider for advice on the best way to care for them.

31/12/2023

08/11/2023

Electrocution of dog from exposed electric cable

Why you should insulate all electric wires to protect your dogs

Did you know that dogs can be electrocuted by chewing on live wires
Yesterday, a client called to report that in the morning they found their guard dog biting the cable that connects to the giant water heater. Unfortunately, when I arrived the dog was long dead but was still biting the cable that blew the life out of it.

The most common way of electrocution of dogs is through biting exposed live cables or wires. Dogs by nature are bored and curious and as such when left alone, they tend to explore their surroundings either by digging or biting anything they come across.
When a dog bites the live cable, a deadly current passes through the bloodstream to the brain and heart causing shock and abnormal heartbeats called arrhythmias, if the current is very strong, the dog, dies instantly as was the case with this particular one.

If the current is not fatal, then you are likely to note some weakness, panting, fast heart rate, collapse, or fits. If you suspect your dog has been electrocuted and shows such signs, then take him to your veterinary surgeon immediately. Subsequently, ensure that all cables are completely insulated

Also, watch out for other sources of electrocution from wet grounds. If cables get broken, they may cause the ground around them to be charged with electric current and so when dogs walk with their bare paws on the wet ground, they get electrocuted. Be very careful when walking your pet during this wet season and keep off any ground, especially near electric poles that may look exposed.

30/10/2023

Bone stuck in the dog's mouth

Over the years we have received cases of a dog with bone or stick stuck in its mouth.
When dogs are left alone, they tend to be bored and wander around picking objects.
Dogs by nature are explorers and use their mouths for that and as such they are likely to pick sharp objects, splinters of wood, bones, or even sticks. These objects end up stuck in the mouth in such common areas as the roof of the mouth, across the lower jaw, and on the upper or lower teeth, these can be a big choking hazard and the splinter can lead to injuries and internal damage.
The first sign you notice of an object stuck in the mouth is pawing the mouth in an attempt to remove it, rubbing the face, excessive drooling, bleeding from the mouth, and foul smell if the object has been stuck there for a long time.
Many times when a dog is presented to the veterinary doctor, a thorough examination is required to reveal the stuck object, however, if the dog is vicious, it may require sedation for safety and ease of visualization. There are times especially if it has caused injury, an X-ray may be necessary to see the extent of the damage.
Treatment is mainly through the removal of the stuck object from the mouth. Ensure you take your pet to the vet if you see those signs. The vet will assess and treat accordingly, sometimes if the object has caused injury and infection, then proper cleaning under anesthesia and a dose of antibiotics will be required for full recovery.
A good practice for pet owners is to desist from throwing bones and small sticks around the compound and to avoid giving dogs small bones at all costs.
Keep your dog busy in a clean environment to remove boredom and destructive thoughts.

see photos

05/10/2023

I wish all our esteemed customers happy World Animal Day.
all animals are good, may they be big or small, young or old. enjoy and care for them

14/09/2023

When excessive exercise is dangerous for your dog

This is Tusky, a nine-year-old dog; he is now getting to his senior years in dog age. He is starting to slow down and hence put on a bit of weight. The owner started by taking him for small walks and little exercise. But over time the walks have become long and strenuous. And this last one was brought in with an injured leg which had to be treated
Exercise provides your dog with a myriad of physical and mental benefits. It keeps joints limber and promotes a good range of motion, maintains muscle mass, which can help prevent injury and help to maintain cardiovascular health, decrease obesity, or maintain an appropriate weight.
All these are benefits of controlled or moderated exercise.

However, in excessive or strenuous exercise, your dog may develop serious effects including real risk for joint injury, back injury, respiratory distress, or cardiovascular problems.
Heat stroke is a huge problem (and an often fatal one) for obese dogs who are exercised too rigorously.

Before exposing your dog to any kind of exercise, consult your vet for advice. This is because the type and longitude of it depends on the condition, health history, breed, and age of the dog;
Some dogs are built for heavy exercise while others are not
Hunting and working dogs have more endurance than the brachycephalic breeds. The hunting and working dogs can exercise for a much longer period of time before showing signs of being tired.
Just be careful lest you injure your pet in the name of keeping fit

18/07/2023

To all our clients: we are aware of the planned demonstrations scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. while this is distressing, we want to assure you of our support.
we shall thus remain open throughout these days for all our services.
you can come to the clinic or reach us on our office line: 0722 898522