Vet On Main

16/03/2025

Gosh, we are absolutely blown away by all the good wishes and offers to help. We are so very fortunate to have such a wonderful community. Vet On Main is slowly getting there. We are still drying out and will be able to commence with further cleaning today and tomorrow. We will try help with basic requests and appointments tomorrow, but please be patient with the noisy generator and suboptimal service!

We are okay for now - and do not need more assistance, but if there are spare hands or donations available, the Kloof and Highway SPCA and the Kloof Library were affected by the floods too, and maybe they need the help.

Thank you to each and every one of you for your offerings of help. Thank you to my most amazing team at Vet On Main for just getting stuck in. Vela Biela for thinking quick and raising what he can - and turning off the power! Denise Ledingham brings the whole family to help - everytime 🙂 Thank you family! Thanks to the amazing Kloof Neighbourhood and all our beloved clients for all your support. Thanks Jade at Paw Prints Rescue and Rehoming - NPC 2018/554039/08 PBO 930076636 for helping us with appeals and even coming in to help -with food - despite the flood damage at Paw Prints. Thanks to Wendy at Cliffie's Crew - Cliffdale Animal welfare for your help and genie. CALLAHAN NEGUS - What a gem! Thank you for helping us out till 3 am with a water pump and generator. Thank you to Redline_crew24 for dispatching a water pump/fire crew to us. Thank you to Rupert Sebire at Geomeasure Group for providing another waterpump and getting us going. Thank you to Michael Austin for arranging a pump and supervising our generators all weekend! And to Lyndon Nash of Lan IT for organising a generator, immersing himself in our storm drains and sorting out of connections. Thanks to TITAN Plumbers for pumps and cleaning. Thanks Natalie Fillis for pizza and cokes! And to my amazing insurance broker, Darryl Ekerold at Brokersure for making me believe it's going to be okay. Thanks to our neighbour Karen Cotton for early morning coffee and rusks. Thanks Nicky Hogan Parker for fans and treats. Nic Stirk Watercrest Veterinary Clinic for coming in to see how you can help. Thanks Anthony Ekerold Attorneys for assisting with the legals. Oh my - The list is longer, but I feel like a gushing Oscar's winner, so I will leave it at THANK YOU everyone. We will be dry again! 🙂

14/03/2025

We are sorry to inform all our valued clients and beloved patients that Vet On Main has closed until further notice. We were, unfortunately, severely affected by the downpour. Thank you for your understanding.

27/02/2025

After much research, using recently published, peer reviewed articles, Vet On Main has committed to providing sterilisation guidelines.
The timing of sterilisation remains a controversial topic, as there are pros and cons to different age recommendations.
If you are unsure about what is right for you and your pet, please feel free to book with us to discuss.

24/02/2025

The Importance of Completing Medication Courses for Your Pet
When your vet prescribes medication for your pet, it is essential to follow their instructions carefully and complete the entire course of treatment. Stopping medication too soon or using leftover antibiotics or antifungals for a short duration can have serious consequences.

Understanding How Medications Work
Antibiotics and antifungals are designed to eliminate harmful bacteria and fungi that cause infections. However, these pathogens exist in different stages within your pet’s body. When medication is started, the weakest organisms are killed first, leading to an improvement in symptoms. But stronger, more resistant strains may still be present. If treatment is stopped prematurely or given inconsistently, these surviving pathogens can multiply, leading to a more severe infection that is harder to treat.

The Risk of Superbugs
As resistance increases, finding effective treatment options becomes more difficult, potentially leading to prolonged illness, higher medical costs and the spread of superbugs to humans in your home.

Why You Shouldn’t Use Leftover Medications
It might be tempting to give your pet leftover antibiotics or antifungals when they show similar symptoms from a past illness. However, this practice can be dangerous for several reasons:
- Incorrect Dosage: Medications are prescribed based on the specific condition, weight, and health status of your pet. Giving the wrong dosage could be ineffective or even harmful.
- Misdiagnosis: Symptoms that appear similar may actually be caused by different types of infections that require different treatments.
-Inadequate Treatment Duration: A short, incomplete course of medication may suppress symptoms temporarily but allow the infection to return even stronger.
-Side Effects and Toxicity: Some medications can cause adverse effects if not used correctly or if they have expired.

How to Ensure Safe and Effective Treatment
- Follow the full prescribed course: Even if your pet appears to be feeling better, completing the full treatment ensures that all harmful pathogens are eliminated.
- Never use old or leftover medication: Dispose of unused medications properly.
- Consult your veterinarian verse self-medicating.

06/02/2025

Why Dental Care Is Important for Dogs and Cats

Proper dental care is essential for the overall health and well-being of dogs and cats. Many pet owners underestimate the importance of oral hygiene, but neglecting it can lead to serious health issues. Here’s why maintaining your pet’s dental health is crucial:

1. Prevents Dental Diseases
Dogs and cats are prone to periodontal disease, which is caused by plaque and tartar buildup. This condition can lead to gingivitis, tooth loss, and painful infections if left untreated.
2. Protects Internal Organs
Bacteria from untreated dental infections can enter the bloodstream and spread to vital organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys, leading to serious health complications. Proper dental care reduces this risk and contributes to a longer, healthier life.
3. Reduces Pain and Discomfort
Pets with dental disease may experience difficulty eating, drooling, pawing at their mouth, or even behavioural changes due to pain.
4. Saves Money on Veterinary Bills
Preventative dental care, such as brushing and professional cleanings, is far more cost-effective than treating advanced dental diseases that require tooth extractions, antibiotics, or surgery.

How to Maintain Your Pet’s Dental Health
• Brushing: Use pet-safe toothbrushes and toothpaste to clean their teeth regularly.
• Dental Treats & Chews: These can help reduce plaque buildup.
• Professional Cleanings: Annual or biannual veterinary cleanings remove deep tartar and prevent severe issues.
• Diet: Feeding dry kibble or dental-specific diets can help keep teeth clean.

05/02/2025

05/02/2025

We walked beside you for a while,
Through bright-eyed youth and days of trial.
I held your paw, your feathered wing,
And felt the love your hearts did bring.

Some came in strong, with joyful grace,
A wagging tail, a whiskered face.
Some came in tired, frail, or worn,
Yet still they loved, though old and torn.

We knew the time would come to part,
Yet still it weighs upon our hearts.
Each gentle soul, each trusting gaze,
Forever bright in memory’s haze.

I whispered soft, “You are not alone,”
As hands that loved you led you home.
A final breath, a fleeting sigh,
A peaceful rest, a soft goodbye.

08/11/2024

31/10/2024

31/10/2024

We are committed to better managing noise phobia. Marked pet reactions to fireworks and thunder can be dangerous, and can affect the relationship between you and your pet.
The sooner anxious behaviour is addressed, the better it can be managed. Experiencing trauma over and over again, simply exacerbates the problem.
Please make an appointment with Vet On Main to assess your pet, and discuss a more effective strategy.

29/09/2024

This little girl came in at 1.3 kgs with chronic vomiting and poor growth.
After xrays and positive contrast studies she was diagnosed with a Persistent Right Aortic Arch and a resultant megaoesophagus.
Persistent Right Aortic Arch (PRAA) is a congenital heart defect where the aorta (the main blood vessel from the heart) development is atypical, resulting in a vascular remnant circling over the oesophagus. This abnormal development can cause the esophagus to become constricted, leading to difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, and poor growth in affected pets.
Surgical correction of the heart defect is the only cure, and we're hoping the oesophageal dilation slowly regresses.
I'm so proud of our team for getting Zoe through this. Open chest surgery and the anaesthesia management to get a little 1.3kg pup through is tricky. And they rocked it :)
Zoe was 1.6 kgs on her weigh in 7 days later and she is a happy, thriving little puppy. Thank you Paw Prints Rescue and Rehoming - NPC 2018/554039/08 PBO 930076636 for giving her a chance 🩷

23/09/2024

YOU can help PawPaw raise R25 000 for shelter animals in need. How? 👇

👍 EASY: Click. Share. And VOTE for a nominated shelter. We then donate R25 per vote to our charitable fund, up to a maximum of R25 000! 😻

🏆 GOAL: the raised R25 000 goes to the winning shelter as voted for!

HERE’S HOW YOU PARTICIPATE:

✅ Fill in your entry details here, and VOTE for a nominated shelter 👉 https://pawpawpets.co.za/shelter-fundraiser/

✅ PLEASE share our pinned Shelter Drive post (at the top of our page) to your timeline 👉 https://www.facebook.com/pawpawpethealthinsurance

✅ Like our Facebook or Instagram page to stay part of the drive! 😻

🗓 Dates:
🐾 Starts - 15 September 2024
🐾 Closes -15 October 2024

‼ Don't forget to vote for a nominated shelter after sharing this post. We need YOU and everyone you know to share this fundraiser as far and wide as possible to raise R25 000.

😻 EVERY Rand helps animals in shelters.

Let's make a PAWSITIVELY SUPER impact together! 🤗

Yours in Paws,
The PawPaw Team 🧡💙
T's&C's Apply. Underwritten by Renasa Insurance Company Limited, a licensed non-life insurer and FSP.

Dogtown South Africa
Mdzananda Animal Clinic
Woodrock Animal Rescue
Fallen Angels Pet Rescue
Animal Anti-Cruelty League Cape Town

18/09/2024

The Story of Russell the Jack Russell Terrier, who nearly didn't make it.

Russell belongs to our lovely temp receptionist, Savannah. We saw him for the first time as a very, very sick puppy, about 6 weeks before his first birthday. Russell had been under treatment, with another vet. As things sometimes go, they just could not get to the bottom of it. This is in no way implying the other vets didn't do a good job - it is always easier looking at the picture when half the conditions are already ruled out.

The poor boy was vomiting, not eating, wasting away and was now in kidney failure 😢He had had multiple blood tests, even an exploratory laparotomy (surgery to look in the abdomen in case something is causing an obstruction) and was referred for an abdominal ultrasound.

Listening to the story, and having a look at Russell's blood results, we had a sneaky suspicion of what it could be. But it was likely too late to manage it. 😢

Getting Russell in to Vet On Main, was a priority, We repeated blood tests, to see that his calcium was consistently more elevated and causing the clinical signs and renal failure. Ruling out a few other causes of this, we had a diagnosis - CHOLECALCIFEROL TOXICITY.
There are, primarily, two different types of rat poison - One that causes internal bleeding and one that causes calcium to be mobilised from your bones and absorbed from your gut, in excess (Vitamin D toxicity). Russell had the latter. The calcium settles in the kidneys and other organ systems, slowly shutting them down.

The treatment was intense - Russell was in and out of hospital for weeks, using a drip for diuresis, a pharmacy of medications and with strict instructions for his diet and to stay out of the sunshine.

It was a terrible time for Russell and Savannah. We weren't sure we could pull him through, and there were times that it looked very unlikely. He became a little bag of bones and had infections at his i/v sites from continual use, despite shifting them.

It was an 'N2 on a Friday afternoon' tough road, but I tell you what, this little guy was a fighter. Ain't no trucks blocking his path!

We love getting updates about how Russell is doing! Today he is thriving, getting his CGC Bronze and he loves doing protection work.
Well done Savannah, for opting to keep trying, even at the worst times.

15/09/2024

Meet Vela!
As I type this, Vela is probably still in the dedicated isolation ward, desperately trying to pull our Parvo virus puppies through. He won't shout out that he's putting his all in, because he's innately a little shy, but he's there, quietly doing it. We value his consistency, his even nature, dedication and his subtle, but witty sense of humour. Just the other day we joked about his suitability as an excellent dad - After he had been dealing with diarrhoea and vomit all day long. I'd even write a reference. 🤣🤣

Thank you Vela for being a wonderful part of our team :)

We asked Vela to answer a few fun questions:

Summer or Winter? Summer 🌞
When you were a kid, what was the silliest thing you believed? I believed that when my dad played the stereo the people singing lived inside of it. I was always curious where they slept, went to bathroom and ate . I wanted to pry the speaker open to look inside, but I knew that would get me in a lot of trouble 😅
What song can you listen to over and over again? Skylar Grey- Coming Home
What's one aspect of your personality that you're grateful for? I think the ability to show kindness and understanding towards myself and others. ☺️
What book or movie had the biggest impact on your life? The book: Rich Dad, Poor Dad.
What's the strangest thing in your fridge? Wax Denim Jeans 😂😎
When you're feeling down, how can team members cheer you up? Share a funny meme, joke or a story to brighten my day.
What's the last thing you did for the first time? Bought myself gifts on my birthday 🥳
What's the best compliment you've received from a team member? Probably that's my perfume/cologne smells nice😂
Which team member do you think is most likely to escape a deserted island alive? Dr Megan 🤣
What's your favourite food? I don't have, but I can say anything with beef.
Dog or Cats? Dogs

20/08/2024

If you've popped in, in the afternoon, you would have met our lovely Glynis aka 'Glynnie May'. Glynis joined us a couple of months after opening and she's been the most wonderful team player. Always a smile, quick witted and ready to help. Thank you for your kindness, every day :)

A little a fun with Glynis ⬇️

What is your guilty TV pleasure? Heartland 🐴

What's your favourite healthy food or snack? Fruit Salad

What fashion trend do you wish would come back? Leg warmers so I can do my Jane Fonda Workout 😆

What song is guaranteed to make you sing? I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) The Proclaimers

What's the strangest gift you've ever received? Awful knitted bed socks 😆

What was your favourite class in high school? English Literature

What did you eat last night for dinner? Fish and chips

How do you stay informed about current events? I read a bit of news online. 🤷‍♀️

What's the last book you read? The Women by Kristin Hannah

What's your favourite ice cream topping? Nothing better than flakey with ice cream.

Which team member do you think is the most likely to be an undercover secret agent? Our Dr Meg, she is so fast and fleet footed no one can keep up with her and her undercover activities 🥸

Drive or fly? Definitely drive, I get airsick.

15/08/2024

Our Ginger, the most gorgeous PawPrints adult adoption, and I had a great time at Winston Park Primary School chatting to the Grd Rs about being a vet.

Thank you Paw Prints Rescue and Rehoming - NPC 2018/554039/08 PBO 930076636 for making us far more exciting with PUPPIES! 🩷🧡💛💚❤️

Thank you for having us Winston Park Primary School 😁

17/07/2024

Urgent ..Life or Death

Seeking the people who dropped a brown tan puppy off at the SPCA Pmburg on Sunday afternoon.. THE DOG HAD RABIES! Their lives are in imminent danger and they could die of rabies in the next few weeks. They require immediate treatment..please help us find these people..they need to go to the nearest government hospital for free treatment!!!!

The virus enters the body through a bite or contact with saliva from an infected animal.. The puppy was extremely aggressive and probably bit people prior to surrender...once the virus seats itself in a nerve death is 100%...successful treatment depends on time and they have hours before it is too late.