Garden Veterinary Services Ltd.

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

18/07/2023

Do cats grieve their dead kittens?
Today a client just called to enquire about what to do with her cat “Tam” who lost her only kitten.
Tam is only 9 months old and she got pregnant at her first heat. The owner expected many kittens but when labor pains started she sat by her side in anticipation in case she was required to assist. She was shocked when after 8hrs of labor, only one kitten came out. And as if that was not bad enough, the kitten was dead. That was too tormenting both for the owner and for the “mother.”
The mother cat licked and cleaned the dead kitten for more than 24hrs, she would not leave the dead kitten, would neither eat nor did drink, and all the while the owner was not sure what to do. The following morning when nature called and the kitten mother had to go use the bathroom, the owner took a chance and removed the kitten. When the mother kitten returned, she was shocked to find no kitten. She looked frantically everywhere, under the bed, in the bathroom in the whole house, and on the rooftop but there was no kitten.
The cat was depressed and distressed and went into mourning: she started meowing, pacing up and down, she refused to eat or drink or sleep; she literary sat on her bed and looked dazed and would become aggressive towards the owner
This was now the 4th day since the birth of the kitten and the cat is not eating or drinking, what should I do? The owner enquired.
My advice to the owner was that cats do grief their dead kittens like humans do; the first thing is to realize the cat is sad and give her a shoulder to lean on. Pay great attention to her by petting and cuddling her, keep her busy perhaps bring her toys to play with but most important thing is to give her something warm to drink or eat.
Should i have shown her where I buried her dead kitten? Well cat behaviorists agree that it is good to let her know that her kitten is dead and buried and that it will not come back.
For the next week or two she will grief her dead kitten but you just have to be patient at least she knows it is dead and buried.

The owner is advised to provide fresh food, water, a clean litter box, and time; all of these things will go a long way. Your cat will get better, but she is going to grieve for a space and the best that you can do is make her comfortable. Ensure that the area is cleaned and disinfected to remove any smell of the dead kitten; this gives the mother cat time to forget the dead kitten and to focus in the future.
If unable to calm her down, you are advised to see a veterinary service provider for advice on how to get your pet back to normal self and routine. Most importantly, ensure that cats are spayed to reduce early pregnancies which might lead to kitten deaths and unwanted kittens.

10/07/2023

*RICKETS IN DOGS*

A client came into the clinic with a 4-month-old puppy for vaccinations. He said “I bought Flo, the puppy, a week ago and I would wish to start him on vaccinations"
As a norm in our clinic, we do general examination prior to any procedure or vaccinations
The puppy’s parameters were all ok except that he was small for his age and his legs looked crooked, especially the front legs. The owner thought it was ok, being the first time he bought a puppy, and confessed that he had no experience with dogs.

On further examination the joints were soft and painless to pressure, this was diagnosed as Rickets.

Rickets is a disease of the bony growth plate and thus only affects young, growing animals. The most common causes are dietary insufficiencies of phosphorus or vitamin D. Calcium deficiencies can also cause rickets, and while this rarely occurs naturally, poorly balanced diets deficient in calcium and especially the imbalance of calcium: phosphorus ratio have been said to cause the disease.

There are a variety of signs that the owner might notice that requires medical check-ups; swelling in the joints, difficulty in rising, and will have bowed legs with or without pain.
The complication of rickets is that the puppy will have stunted growth with low weight gain, will be prone to diseases, and likely have fractures.
It is advisable to seek advice when purchasing puppies and to take them to a professional Veterinary doctor early in life whenever you see such signs in order to make a proper assessment, and diagnosis and do corrective measures to save and improve the puppy's life.

24/06/2023

Yesterday a client brought in a young dog, about 4 years old with an eye problem
“Doctor, my dog is in a lot of pain am afraid he might go blind, please help to alleviate the suffering".
On examination, there was opacity and clouding on the left eye, and a closer look reveals a hole in the cornea. This was diagnosed as a corneal ulcer
A corneal ulcer is a painful and potentially sight-threatening condition that can affect dogs of any age, breed or gender.
It results from the erosion of the layers of the epithelium.

The causes could be any of the following:
a) Trauma: scratches from another animal; running into tree branches, plants, or bushes; self-inflicted trauma from rubbing their own face
b) Foreign body: sand, dirt, or other foreign material can enter the eye and get stuck behind the eyelids, causing repeated damage to the cornea
c) Chemical irritation/burns: shampoos, topical medications, or household cleaning products getting into the eyes
d) Could be Bacterial or viral infections
e) It may be secondary to conformation/congenital issues of the eye: such as abnormal eyelash growth, eyelid masses or tumors, or entropion (rolling in of the lower eyelid)
f) It could also be secondary to chronic dry eye, called keratoconjunctivitis sicca

The signs you may notice are
Blinking the eye more often than normal, Excessive tearing, Redness of the eye, Swelling of the eyelid or skin around the affected eye, Pawing at the eye or rubbing their face on the ground.

Sometimes there may be complete shutting of the eyes and you may notice yellow/green/bloody eye discharge (in severe cases) , there could be perforation in the outer layer of the eye/rupture of the cornea, and in severe cases there will be blindness in affected eye. The dog is lethargic and will show decreased appetite and pain in the affected eye.

This is a serious problem that can affect your dog’s health and welfare
Visit your Veterinary health care professional as soon as you notice any of those signs to help prevent damage to your pet’s eyes.

20/06/2023

Beware of Dogs and Cat worms!
Why you should routinely deworm your pets

Last week we admitted a stray cat to the clinic for repair and treatment for traumatic injuries caused by a razor blade wire fence, while recovering, we noticed that he had worms as well.

These worms were visibly crawling out of the a**s and anchoring themselves on the fur.
Ever thought of that? Now you know!
On examination, the worms were confirmed to be segments (proglottids) of tapeworms specifically Dipylidium caninum. Cats get infected by swallowing fleas by mistake in course of grooming.
Tapeworms cause serious problems in cats especially if they are in large numbers, occasionally they cause itch at the a**l area making the animal to rub its bump on the ground trying to reduce the irritation. In kittens they have been known to cause sudden death especially if they block the intestinal tract.

Deworming is therefore a necessary and regular routine that must be adopted by pet owners to avoid such instances. Flea control is important since cats get tapeworms from ingesting fleas.

Remember worms can be transmitted to humans and especially kids thus the need to regularly deworm your pet to protect your family as well.
Visit your Veterinary service provider for advice on the best regime to use for worm and fleas control on your pets.

23/05/2023

Beware of feeding bones to your dog
An old client called today to enquire why his dog was straining to p**p; "it is taking long to come out after the dog tried for close to 20 minutes" he said.
Upon interrogation as to what he feeds the dog on, he said just “the usual ugali but occasionally I give goat rips to sharpen his teeth, he said”
It is a myth that dogs need to chew bones. While dogs want to chew, and most would love to chew on bones, bones are dangerous and they can cause serious injuries.
One of the problems is that bones can break dog's teeth, can injure the mouth and tongue, they can get stuck in the palate and can also choke a dog to death. If the bone fragment is large, it may be unable to pass out of the stomach. Bone fragments that remain trapped in the stomach and small intestines can lead to vomiting and constipation. These bone fragments stuck in the tummy is a medical emergency and must be removed with abdominal surgery.
Discuss with your service provider for advice for proper dog diet and dog chews that are available in the market to avoid accidents of swallowing bone fragments

01/05/2023

we wish to take the opportunity to wish our customers a fruitful labour day

24/03/2023

To all our esteemed clients. we wish you a happy period of fasting and prayer of Ramadhan

17/03/2023

Flea menace in dogs is a headache to the owner

This 7-month-old mixed male puppy looks like 3 months due to flea infestation.

Here below are some of the fleas that were removed from the puppy.

Fleas on dogs and especially on puppies can really make life unbearable for your pet. They not only cause loss of weight due to constant scratching and blood loss anemia, but they also cause sleepless nights for your pet. Owing to constant scratching and irritation, they contribute to various skin conditions some of which may become life-threatening.
Fleas are known to transmit diseases to pets and humans as well. On humans besides causing constant allergies, fleas are known to transmit serious illnesses like Bubonic plague
Fortunately, there are a variety of ways of controlling fleas. If you have problems with these parasites on your pet or on humans, consult your veterinary service provider for help.

14/02/2023

To all our lovely clients, we wish you happy valentine.to you and your purr babies

04/02/2023

Wounds and abscesses in cats
'Hello doctor, my cat has been isolation himself and has not been feeding well since yesterday and today I have noted this bloody discharge on his neck.' A client explained immediately she walked with her cat into our clinic this morning. Upon examination, all the parameters were okey but there was some bloody pus oozing from the left side of the neck.
After shaving and further examination under sedation, we noted a big wound that appeared to have resulted from an abscess that had eaten into tissues. We cleaned, refleshed and surgically repaired the wound under local anesthesia. We also covered the cat with antibiotics and antiinflammatories to take care of further infection.
Wounds can result from bites after cat fights or injuries by inanimate objects. Abscesses occurs when the wounds gets infected by bacteria forming pockets of pus.The pockets may ruture at some point to release the pus. Treatment involves flushing out the pus and injection of systemic antibiotics and antinflammatories.
Owners should always ensure that their cats are closely checked especially if they are suspected to have had fight with other cats or they are isolating themselves.

18/01/2023

Are you a goat farmer and want success in your business?
With today’s hard economic times, we all want to do business. If you are planning to rear goats for business, you need to know the secret
A farmer from Kitui County complained to me that he has been keeping goats for a long time but he is not happy with the business partly because his goats take a long to mature and secondly they don’t fetch a lot of money because they are too small by age of 2 years.
When I enquired where he buys his breeding stock and how he selects them; he said that he doesn’t change the breeding stock and that he doesn’t select anything he just leaves them to multiply.
The secret to success lies in the type and breed of goat. So when buying, you must involve an expert to help you select the best breed for the type of business you want to do; may it be for meat or milk production, and you must know when to change the stock.

18/01/2023

it is happy seasons from here at Garden Veterinary services ltd

18/01/2023

When that limping of your pet might mean nerve damage

A client drove in with his dog and complained that the dog was reluctant to walk and has changed the walking style.
This 10-year-old has enjoyed good health, but in the last couple of days, the dog has become “lazy”, and will spend a lot of time lying down only standing to eat, drink or help himself.
On examination, we realized the left leg seems smaller than the other and there was wobbling and knuckling at the paw with the hyperflexion of the tarsal joint. The problem was traced to the nerve that supplies the whole leg causing partial paralysis and loss of muscle mass. Upon treatment, the dog regained his strength and he started walking normally after some time. These are common aging processes among pets.
It is advisable to keep an eye on your dog's condition and mobility to ensure that such problems are detected early for quick interventions.
A 6-monthly check for aging dogs and cats is recommended to detect some of these old age-related conditions.

16/01/2023

Be careful,When that cough might mean Heart Problem!!!

Rather than a disease in itself, a dog cough is often a sign of an underlying illness caused by either a virus,bacteria or fungus.Proper treatment provided by a vet will likely lead to your pet's full recovery

In some cases,though, a dog cough can be a sign of a serious illness such as heart disease called Congestive heart failure.

In this case of congestive heart failure, it is important to know of the symptoms of the disease. A persistent or progressive cough in a dog ,When combined with other symptoms, can be a sign of heart disease.

Congestive heart failure can occur due to dysplasia or incompetent mitral or aortic valves.The valve flaps between the upper chambers and lower chambers become thickened and distorted, so they don’t close properly. The heart may increase in size to compensate, which can lead to constricted airways and stimulate coughing. Eventually, inefficiency of the heart causes pulmonary edema .Blood accumulates in the lungs leading impairment of gaseous exchange in the lungs.This leads to hypoxia which subsequently stimulate the carotid sinus and respiratory associations and dysponea occurs.This results in wheezing and cough

12/01/2023

To all our esteemed customers: we take this opportunity to wish you a happy and prosperous 2023
From garden vet staff