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What to do if your pet is stung by a bee

Summer is here and so are the bees. While they can be fun to chase, the outcome can be painful and in some cases, life threatening. So what do you do if your cat or dog gets stung by a bee?Both cats and dogs get stung in the mouth, the throat, on their paws or their nose. Just like humans they will experience some localised pain, irritation and some swelling.  Signs that your cat or dog has been stung by a bee or wasp:Nibbling or licking the place they have been stungYowling or vocalising m...

Homeopathy lessens diarrhoea in piglets

Diarrhoea is common in newborn calves, lambs, kids and piglets. The clinical presentation can range from mild diarrhoea to profuse, acute diarrhoea associated with rapid dehydration, severe disturbance of acid-base and electrolyte balance, and death, sometimes in as few as 12 hours. Diarrhoea in newborn piglets caused by E. coli is one of the most common diseases in pigs, leading to weight loss and increased mortality in the animals. Conventional antibiotics are used for treatment, which, in vie...

Beware the Easter Bunny

Easter is of course synonymous with chocolate and who doesn’t love an Easter egg!But it’s important to remember chocolate is toxic for dogs and cats. Unfortunately, no one has told them that and, in particular, dogs are drawn by the smell of chocolate. Chocolate is toxic because it contains a chemical called theobromine, as well as caffeine. Both chemicals are used medicinally as a diuretic, heart stimulant, blood vessel dilator, and a smooth muscle relaxant. Dogs and cats cannot metabo...

A podgy puss is not a happy puss

While many pet owners may think they’re being kind treating their pet to extra goodies throughout the day, those extra treats may well contribute to obesity.  And obesity will likely undermine a cat’s quality of life and may contribute to serious health issues.A 2021 survey showed that one in four cats in New Zealand is overweight or obese.  Overweight is defined as being 10% over ideal weight and obese is 20% over ideal weight.Feline obesity has been linked to many health conditio...

Road trips and pets

The holidays are here and as families hit the road, below are some tips to make the trip as pleasurable as possible for your furry friend. Fortunately, most dogs travel reasonably well in the car but for some owners, it can be a stressful experience. On the other hand, it is unusual to find a cat that just loves taking a ride! My first piece of advice when travelling with a cat is – don’t, unless you absolutely have to. Cats are territorial and generally do not enjoy being exposed to new pla...

Passing your problems onto your pets

We all know that caring for a pet has many benefits - from helping to relieve depression and anxiety, easing loneliness and encouraging exercise and play, to lowering stress levels and improving your heart health. Not to mention, the pure unconditional love and joy a pet can bring. The human-animal bond is extremely strong and there is no doubt that pets are attuned to our behavior and emotions. Dogs are able to understand many of the words we use, but they also pick up on our tone of voice, bod...

Fretting over fireworks

Guy Fawkes Day is on its way and for animal owners it is often a time of dread. Some animals are completely relaxed around explosions, high pitched noises and bright lights but many suffer incredible mental stress, anxiety and downright terror, sometimes leading to physical harm.  For our pets at home we can try and keep them in the house, in a calm and sheltered situation. But even that is not enough when there are loud, unexpected noises going off outside. Remember, dogs hear sound on a m...

Pets important for childhood development

In an increasingly screen-obsessed and personal interaction-poor society, owning a pet could provide a counter-balance for young children, not just for mental health, but also by increasing physical activity. A recent study published in The Journal of Pediatrics showed having a pet improves emotional and social development in children. The study looked at the relationship between pet ownership and children’s social-emotional development at ages five and seven years of age. Owning any type of p...

COVID-19 and keeping your pets safe

Last month in Hong Kong a 17 year old Pomeranian belonging to a woman who had coronavirus herself was considered to be the first known case of human-to-animal transmission of the virus. The dog was quarantined and officials used nasal, oral and blood samples to repeatedly test the pup for the virus while in quarantine.  While blood tests came back negative, meaning no coronavirus-related antibodies were found in the dog’s system, Hong Kong officials believed its owner had passed along â€...

Getting the jump on fleas

The warmer weather is here and for cat and dog owners, this can mean flea infestations. Prevention is better than cure. Food is medicine Fleas are attracted to pets with low immunity - they are much less likely to infest a healthy animal. Ensure you are providing an optimum diet of plenty of fresh meat and organs from a variety of protein sources and add in oily fish like sardines and mackerel which are high in Omega 3 fatty acids. These help maintain a healthy coat and skin.As cats are obligate...

What we can learn from dogs

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp and play daily. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire ...

Making old age easier

Over the winter months you may have noticed your dog moving more slowly and not being quite so keen to go for walks or not wanting to walk so far. There’s nothing like the cold weather to emphasise achy joints or a spot of arthritis. Giving your pet turmeric could make all the difference. Curcumin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, wound healing and anticancer activities. Studies have shown Turmeric can help reduce inflammation and the pain of aching, swo...