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VACCINATION OF YOUR PETS by Dr Liesel van der Merwe  Much work has been done to determine the optimal frequency with which we need to vaccinate our pets – the aim being to minimise the overstimulation of the immune system with foreign substances,   whilst still maintaining protective immunity against disease. Core vaccination is a termRead more

Vaccinations – What is all the fuss about? by Liesel van der Merwe   I am going to try and demystify the whole vaccination process for all you pet owners out there. This will involve me taking some liberties with the exact detail of the immunological process, so to those with a bit more knowledgeRead more

Canine Coronavirus(CCV) Canine coronavirus, sometimes called Corona, is a rare viral intestinal infection of dogs which is usually short in duration. The virus itself causes mild transient diarrhoea in dogs and is certainly harmless to other species – however, most infections in dogs go completely unnoticed. How is it spread? Infected dogs normally shed theRead more

What Is Canine Herpes? Canine herpes virus (CHV), also known as “fading puppy syndrome,” is a viral infection that affects the reproductive organs of adult dogs. While adult dogs infected with CHV usually do not show any symptoms, the infection is the leading cause of death in newborn puppies.Canine herpes virus lives in the reproductiveRead more

Babesiosis Babesia infections occur in dogs and other species, and are transmitted mainly by ticks. Babesia are protozoal parasites that attack blood cells. Babesia infections have a wide range of severity: they can be very mild (dogs may not even show symptoms) or very severe (sometimes fatal). The severity depends mainly on the species ofRead more

EHRLICHIOSIS Ehrlichiosis is an infection in dogs caused by bacteria spread by ticks. This disease is more common in warmer areas. Throughout several stages of the infection symptoms may include weakness, lethargy, depression, lack of appetite, difficulty breathing, nose bleeds, weight loss, fever, joint pain, seizures, anemia, kidney failure, and possibly paralysis. Prevention Monthly FleaRead more

ANAPLASMOSIS Anaplasmosisis a bacterial disease affecting both dogs and cats. It is carried and transmitted by several different species of tick. Symptoms of anaplasmosis may include joint pain, fever, diarrhoea, and vomiting. Prevention Monthly Flea (and tick) Parasite Preventatives Because this is a tick-borne disease, and there is no vaccine or other guaranteed method ofRead more

H3N8 CANINE INFLUENZA Canine influenza, often referred to as “Dog Flu” is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a specific Type A influenza virus. H3N8 is transmitted from dog to dog through direct contact, or through uninfected dogs coming in contact with contaminated objects or clothing that has been in the presence of infected dogs. SymptomsRead more

Canine Leptospirosis Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection often causing permanent kidney and liver damage in dogs. It is a bacterial disease which attacks the kidneys and the liver, causing uremia (uremic poisoning), jaundice, and sometimes death. The disease is highly contagious and often fatal. It is transmitted by many species of wild and domestic animals,Read more

Canine Bordetella (Kennel Cough) Bordetella bronchisepticum, a bacterial pathogen, is one of the several major causes of infectious tracheobronchitis (ITB, more commonly known as kennel cough), an extremely contagious respiratory disease of dogs. If treated, ITB rarely causes death, but even with treatment, the disease typically lasts for many weeks, during which time the affectedRead more