Gillitts Veterinary Hospital

16/11/2021

Stay a step ahead of skin issues with ’s Pet Nutrition Prescription Diet Derm Complete. This amazing food helps improve skin conditions & quality of life in as little as 21 days! Visit www.itchyPets.co.za to learn more.

04/11/2021

As we approach the season of fireworks, the NSPCA wishes to remind the public to spare a thought on how fireworks adversely affect animals.

Here a few tips to try and keep your pets safe during the fireworks season:
• Stay at home with your pet, they are likely to stress less if there is someone they know and trust around.
• Stay indoors, with the doors, windows and curtains closed. This may assist with muffling out the bangs and blocking out the bright flashes.
• Turn on the TV or radio to block out the loud bangs with familiar sounds.
• Provide toys or some form of enrichment that may assist in keeping your pet distracted from the fireworks.
• Exercise your pets earlier on in the day when it is less likely for fireworks to be set off.
• Keep your pets away from windows or glass doors which they may jump through.
• Ensure your pet has been microchipped and is wearing a collar. In the event that your pet does get scared and runs away, these forms of identification may assist in getting them back to you.
• Smaller pets like rabbits and guinea pigs, as well as larger pets such as horses should not be forgotten. Smaller pets should be moved into a secure, quiet area or brought indoors. Larger animals should be stabled early to become familiar with their surroundings, or moved to a place where fireworks will not be set off. This should be done well in advance to the days when fireworks are likely to be used.
• If you know your pet gets frightened easily, consult your veterinarian beforehand about medical treatment.

27/10/2021

This festive season everyone has a reason to be on the ’s Pet Nutrition Nice List. Visit www.HillsNiceList.co.za to see what it’s all about…

25/10/2021

❤🐈

20/10/2021

15/10/2021

Puppy classes start tomorrow again! It's not too late to enrol your pet.

Contact Tammy on 0317621816 or [email protected]

13/10/2021

WARNING!

Tomorrow and Friday are going to be extremely HOT. Please ensure your pets have shade and cool water to drink at all times.

Signs of heat stroke are:

Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
Dehydration. Signs of dehydration include dry nose, visible tiredness, excessive panting, and sunken eyes
Excessive drooling
Fever
Bright red, purple, blue or grey gums
Lack of urine
Rapid pulse
Muscle tremors
Lethargy or weakness
Vomiting or diarrhea

Contact us if you are concerned about your pet please.

04/10/2021

Celebrating World Welfare Day❤

❤DONATE - VOLUNTEER - LIKE - SHARE❤

Today is the day to choose an organization and support it in any way you can.🐕🐈❤

LIST OF ANIMAL WELFARES IN KWAZULU-NATAL

A.A.C.L. Durban
031 736 9093
www.aacl.org.za

A.A.C.L. Ladysmith
076 151 1784
[email protected]

Animal Lodge
083 657 8767
[email protected]

A.P.E.S. Animal Protection & Environmental Sanctuary
072 306 5664
www.apes.org.za

Coastal Horse Care Unit
031 782 1434 or 073 550 3061
www.coastalhorsecareunit.org.za

Cat’s Cradle
082 719 0838
[email protected]

Cats of Durban
031 205 8331 or 083 758 4483
www.catsofdurban.wordpress.com

C.R.O.W. Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife
031 462 1127
www.crowkzn.co.za

4 Paws and a Tale
084 626 5508
[email protected]

Fallen Angels Bird Sanctuary & Rescue Facility
0762277416
[email protected]

Feline Feral Fund
072 266 9171
[email protected]

Feral Cat Rescue
0827867269
[email protected]

Free Me KZN (wildlife)
033 330 3036
www.freemekzn.co.za

Fundanenja Township Dog Training Initiative
033 347 2915 / 083 636 0891
www.fundanenja.co.za

Harrismith Animal Shelter
079 613 5134
[email protected]

Kitten Action
031 764 3845
www.kittenaction.org.za

Monkey Helpline
082 659 4711
www.monkeyhelpline.co.za

Purr-Fect Rescued Cats
072 752 0324
[email protected]

Pet Rescue Pinetown
083 656 1140
[email protected]

Phoenix Animal Care
073 005 4275
[email protected]

Protect Ponta
082 464 3223
[email protected]

Project Dog
083 555 0111
www.projectdog.co.za

Second Chance Sanctuary
072 448 7394
www.secondchancecats.org

The Lebanon ARROHHH Husky Rescue KZN
082 336 1162
www.huskyrescuekzn.co.za

Umsizi Umkomaas Rescue Centre
072 833 5119
www.umsizi.za.org

01/10/2021

Meet Patrick❤

Not for sensitive viewers!

30/09/2021

🤣❤

28/09/2021

Today is World Rabies Day!

Below are some key facts about rabies from the World Health Organisation:

Infection causes tens of thousands of deaths every year, mainly in Asia and Africa.

40% of people bitten by suspect rabid animals are children under 15 years of age.

Dogs are the main source of human rabies deaths, contributing up to 99% of all rabies transmissions to humans.

Share the message, save a life!

27/09/2021

FREE RABIES AWARENESS WEBINAAR FOR PET OWNERS...

National Rabies Webinar
“Rabies: Facts, not Fear”
Date: 27 September 2021
Time: 11:00—13:00

We hereby invite dog & cat owners and the community at large to an information and dialogue session on rabies. Rabies is a zoonotic disease (which means that people can become infected if they make contact with an infected animal). As a society, we need concerted efforts to combat this disease through vaccinating our dogs and cats against rabies, to protect our communities.



Vaccinate your animal by visiting your local veterinarian or state veterinarian. Protect yourself, your family and your community against deadly rabies!

There is no need to register for the event and the livestream will take place at the following link: https://m.facebook.com/TheNAHF/

Attendees are encouraged to “follow” the NAHF page prior to the event.

The aim is to reach animal owners and members of the public through this livestream webinar. A recording of the event will also be made available afterwards.

FOR ENQUIRIES YOU CAN CONTACT HOSTS AS FOLLOWS: [email protected] or [email protected]

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERINARY COUNCIL
SOUTH AFRICAN VETERINARY ASSOCIATION

24/09/2021

Have a lovely Heritage Day. 😊🐕🐈

13/09/2021

07/09/2021

🌻🌷☔️Here is a Spring Deal you cant miss out on!!!🌻🌷☂️

23/08/2021

Pop in and chat to one of our trained receptionists on which product is best suited to you and your pets to treat for worms. Worm treatment should be done every 3 months.

16/08/2021

Share with us what you and your pets got up to this chilly weekend...

11/08/2021

Meaning of a Meow...❤🐈

08/08/2021

Spoil your cat a little extra today❤🐈

30/07/2021

Christmas in July special!🎄😊

27/07/2021

In the spirit. 😄🐈

19/07/2021

❤🐕❤

16/07/2021

After hearing about people going without pet food for 2 days, we are now offering delivery to those who can not get to the shops.

14/07/2021

We will remain open until 4pm today.

We will be open tomorrow and Friday until 4pm and Saturday morning as usual.

14/07/2021

We are open this morning. Call ahead to make an appointment please.

12/07/2021

NOTICE: We will be closed tomorrow,13 July, due to the ongoing protests and unrest.

Please stay home and stay safe.

12/07/2021

Common poisons in the home.

Paracetamol is safe at the correct dose prescribed by your Vet. Please never self medicate your dog as human and dog dosages are very different.

Always contact your vet if your pet is unwell.

07/07/2021

Deal almost sold out!!!

Hurry in today to get your FREE Thermal Flask with the purchase of 2 Broadlines or a single Nexgard Sprectra.

02/07/2021

❤Responsible owners microchip their pets❤

One of our amazing clients brought in a very friendly little lost cat which she found in the office park where she works. The cat was brought into GVH to be scanned. We located the chip, went on line, found the owner and Dakota was happily reunited with her owner, Mrs French.

Cats love to wonder and explore, but they cant ask for directions, so please help them with a simple microchip.

22/06/2021

FREE Thermal Flasks with the purchase of Broadline, Nexgard or Nexgard Spectra!

Keep Warm!❄️

21/06/2021

FREE Thermal Flask with the purchase of 2 Broadline,2 Nexgard or single Nexgard Spectra's!!! ⭐ Perfect for these chilly mornings!

19/06/2021

⭐We are very proud to announce that we WON Best Vet! Yay! ⭐ Thank you to all who voted ❤

16/06/2021

RIP K9 Heroes Shaka and Simba. ❤

Thank you to our colleagues at Hilton Vet for taking such great care of Duke, we wish him a speedy recovery. We hope to see our star patient soon. ⭐

The MyVet Team
###

11/06/2021

😄❤🐈

07/06/2021

We are now open Saturdays!! Make an appointment for a Saturday this month and receive 10% OFF our already amazing price for VACCINATIONS or a CONSULTATION.

31/05/2021

🥰😁

31/05/2021

What are Hot spots on dogs?

Hot spots are considered surface pyoderma. Surface pyoderma is when only the superficial layers of the skin are involved. This pyoderma often comes with a secondary bacterial infection from trauma.

It’s important to consider all the defence mechanisms of the skin when educating yourself on hot spots. The skin is designed to prevent infection, but infection can still easily occur. The following list shows how the skin protects against pathogenic bacteria:

Hair coat- your dog’s first line of defence in preventing superficial grazes or cuts.

Epidermal turnover- when the skin is breached, brand new and healthy cells will form a covering layer.

Stratum corneum– this area is packed tightly with epithelial cells (the thin membrane that lines and covers many areas of a dog’s organs, tissues, and glands) that help prevent invading organisms from proceeding any further.

Epidermal lipids are used for skin surface protection, for example, when crusts form.

Sebum (antibacterial fatty acids)- produced within the sebaceous glands that form to drown bacteria

Immunoglobulins (antibodies)

Interferon (proteins that are apart of natural immune system defence)

Normal non-pathogenic flora- your dog’s normal flora will help fight off pathogenic flora keeping it from breaching the surface to cause infection.

What causes hot spots on dogs?
Hot spots are usually secondary conditions that are self-inflicted. Many primary reasons can cause a dog’s skin to become irritated. Some common underlying problems that may lead to them are:

Allergic skin diseases
Ectoparasites (fleas/ticks/mites)
Otitis Externa (ear infections)
A**l sac disease
Dirty/matted hair coat
Foreign body from a stick/twig
Boredom/Stress
Wet/moist hair from heat/swimming
Any of these reasons may cause your dog to start to lick and bite an infected area. Once the site is inflamed, and irritated bacteria can find its way in. Infection is likely to occur at this point, making it itchier.

Clinical Signs of Hot Spots
There are a few tell-tale signs of hot spots. They include:

Pruritus (itching)
Erythema (redness that often grows in size as trauma occurs)
Oedema (swelling)
Sero-purulent exudate (a mixture of serum and pus, causing yellow crust along the outsides where it interferes with the hair)
Pain- sometimes, orthopaedic pain will cause a dog to lick the area in order to self-soothe

Source: https://iloveveterinary.com/blog/hot-spots-on-dogs/?fbclid=IwAR0mUJhxcLq7u1ervHNLa2hI9HLdWXZUU-2IRZ0-2fbKUYqvPk2Sq-DaSxc

26/05/2021

Blood Pressure readings are done regularly at MyVet Inanda. The below article is focused on dogs but it it even more common to see hypertension in cats.

One study showed that 93% of dogs with chronic kidney disease also suffer from high blood pressure. Other studies cite that more than 60% of geriatric dogs (over 8 years old) also suffer from this often silent disease. One reason that so little is known about how many dogs are actually affected is the fact that blood pressure measurements are not routine during your pet's office visit. Considered to be one of five vital signs for humans, blood pressure in our pets has not received the same attention and thus, inconsistent measuring practices and varying guidelines have made it difficult to determine what values are currently accepted as borderline or mild hypertension in pets.

Dogs often suffer from secondary hypertension, or high blood pressure due to some underlying disease process. The most common canine diseases that can lead to high blood pressure are chronic kidney disease, Cushing's disease (an overproduction of cortisone by the body), and adrenal gland tumors. With high blood pressure, blood vessels can become thickened and stretched and may eventually rip and tear, causing bleeding. This may not be immediately noticeable, but as small vessels in the eye and in the kidneys begin to be destroyed, patients will begin to show clinical signs. Symptoms of high blood pressure are often unnoticed by the owner. A sudden or gradual onset of blindness can be the only outward sign that your pet may have high blood pressure. High blood pressure can worsen existing kidney disease, can cause bleeding in the brain, and will eventually affect every organ in the body.

Hypertension in Dogs

Symptoms of high blood pressure are often silent, but a common sign in dogs is a gradual, or sudden, onset of blindness due to blood vessel tears within the retina.

Treating the high blood pressure requires that the underlying disease be identified and treated.

After treatment, animals often resolve their high blood pressure issues.

In case the high blood pressure cannot be resolved, medications, such as ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and vessel dilators can be used with varying degrees of success. The success depends on the individual and the species of animal involved.

Measurement of dog's blood pressure is an inexact science. Most veterinarians will utilize a Doppler Blood Pressure Monitor. This device uses an ultrasonic probe to translate the barely audible systolic signal into an audible tone for the doctor to hear.

Due to lack to adequate numbers of patients studied, the definition of mild hypertension or borderline hypertension has never been fully described.

Additionally, the stress factor of visiting the veterinarian can cause an animal's blood pressure to rise to a point considered to be hypertensive

Source: https://www.helpforanimals.net/high-blood-pressure-in-dogs