SPRING TIPS from Downtown Veterinary Clinic
Spring brings so much back to life – from longer days, to warmer weather and colourful blooms in your garden again! However it also resurrects intestinal parasites and the faster reproduction of fleas and ticks in the environment and subsequently on your cats and dogs!
We share on a few tips on how you can keep your pet healthy and strong over this Spring Season:
– FLEA Protection: Did you know a single female flea can lay 300 eggs a day? So protection of your home and pets is very important. A topical spot-on application is the easiest and stress-free for you and your pet. It must be given on a monthly basis to maintain efficacy.
– Flea collars are also good but may not protect the entire body of the animal, so in highly infested areas, you can use in conjunction with a spot-on treatment.
– Note: If your dog/cat goes to the parlour or you give a bath at home – you must only apply the spot-on after 3 days for optimal efficacy. Also note it is best to use water-based shampoos as opposed to soap-based which strip off the essential oils that protect their skin.
Please contact us for more information and the products we recommend for flea and tick protection on your pets …and even in your house. Wash bedding weekly and vacuum as often as you can (remember to thoroughly wash out your vacuum bag or if it is disposable – burn it.) For essential environmental flea control, we have just THE products and additional advice you may require … so let’s make daily quality of life a pleasure for you and your pets.
– TICK Control: A topical spot-on is the best way to prevent tick bites – however you must regularly check your pet for ticks and remove them manually in one firm pluck and flush down the toilet immediately. Pay special attention to ears, neck, under the tail and paws and on the legs.
– Diseases associated with ticks are serious and can be fatal, so when you are admiring your colourful flower blooms in the garden, remember to cut down tall grass, prune over grown bushes and weeds plus barricade your compost heap from your pet’s access. Ticks lie in your garden waiting to jump onto your pet and then suck its blood infecting at the same time.
– DE-WORMING: Tapeworm, round worm, hookworms, whipworms are all very easily contracted. De-worming is imperative for puppies – every 2 weeks from 2 weeks of age until they are 12 weeks old and then at least three times a year which is the same as for adults. For kittens the scheduled deworming is slightly different, yet for cats we recommend the same program. Remember if you and your children are in close contact with pets, you all need deworming as well. Zoonoses are diseases transmitted from animals to humans. The pharmacy situated next to Downtown Veterinary Clinic can advise you well on the deworming remedies to use for your human family.
Get in touch with us so we can dispense or administer the best de-wormers to suit your individual pet’s needs.
– VACCINATIONS: These are given to help protect your pet from a number of potentially serious and possibly fatal diseases, including rabies. Every pet should be vaccinated; even if they are kept indoors. Please contact us for a schedule of vaccines and boosters that are available and the time frames we recommend for each. Ensure you always have your pet’s vaccination certificate available to be signed by us when you visit for your record and reference.
Downtown Veterinary Clinic strongly advocates the use of Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus vaccines for Kittens and Cats. Unfortunately these two viral diseases are more widely spread in the cat population than most people would believe and have tragic consequences. Many years of research and development have been spent on making such preventative medications available to us – so let’s use these for the greater good of our feline friends!
– GROOMING: You will notice your dog’s winter coat will soon start to shed. Regularly brush your dog – this is good bonding time for you as well! Check nails to ensure they are not too long or in-growing or curling! Long nails interfere with the gait of your dog causing them to walk incorrectly and can strain their back as well. If you are uncertain about clipping, bring them over to DTVC and we will be happy to show you how to do it for next time! Paws also must be regularly cleaned and observed for any foreign objects, cuts, and puncturing wounds etc., and in-between toes! Use a damp face cloth to refresh the face area and do not forget to clean ears gently, as the warmth encourages ticks and mites to enjoy such lodging!
– Not sure how to do this? – Make a plan to visit us with your pet and we will show you how!
– OUTDOOR PRECAUTIONS: Now Bella will be enjoying the outdoors much more so ensure her collar, name tag, contact number tags are all intact and visible. Update your microchipping details if you have relocated/changed telephone number etc. on the respective data base. If you have not yet microchipped your pets, please seriously consider doing this – it is a simple and quick procedure – just like a vaccination and will protect your pet for life as part of your family!
Always remember to consult us before you treat puppies/kittens, pregnant or lactating pets. Never use a cat product on a dog or vice versa!
Please email us on ‘info@downtownvets.co.za’ or call us 012 3205676 for more information on the products we recommend and administer here in providing the best care for your beloved pets!
Shop 11 & 12 Prinsman Place,
335 Skinner Street (Nana Sita) on Corner of Prinsloo Street (Sisulu), PRETORIA CBD
All Hours Tel: 012 320 5676
info@downtownvets.co.za