Old age – It’s only for the brave – both human and animal! Our pets, once in their golden years, don’t run as fast and jump as high as they once did. They get a bit of grey around the muzzle and enjoy their afternoon naps more. Sometimes it’s hard for us to see or […]
The most common mobility issue in dogs is osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease (DJD). Arthritis can affect all dogs of all ages and sizes, male and female. Most pet owners only see the visual effects of arthritis in their older dogs and more often in large and giant breeds. Unlike people with arthritis, dogs […]
This is a big question: My dog has had surgery/an injury. Will his muscles return to normal – by themselves? According to Michelle Monk, leading Pet Rehab specialist with a Masters Degree in Animal Physiotherapy, the short answer: NO, THEY WON’T! This is a common question to canine physiotherapists. Most people think that muscles […]
Soft tissue injuries include injuries to muscle, tendons and ligaments. They come in the form of sprains or strains and tears or ruptures. 1. Sprains and strains. Dogs spend most of their days standing on their toes, with their ankles raised and their knees often bent. Sounds awkward, but normal for them. This […]
You know that having a strong core is good for you. The same applies to your dog! A strong core goes beyond the doggy “6-pack”. Daily tasks like sitting, standing, bending to pee and poo, all need core muscles. The stronger the core muscles are, the more comfortable your dog and the less likely he will […]
It is a Universal acknowledgment that dogs may benefit from having their teeth brushed. The hard part: going from knowing to doing. Few of us have the time, discipline – or the cooperative pet – to brush teeth on a daily basis. While brushing may slow down the buildup of plaque and tartar, there are […]
DOES YOUR DOG HAVE AN ILIOPSOAS INJURY? An iliopsoas muscle injury can be daunting as it can be difficult to diagnose. Even if treatment is done appropriately, the dog uses the muscle every day in every way and it can lead to chronic discomfort. Luckily the majority do respond well to rest and treatment and […]
Dogs with groin or iliopsoas muscle issues are a common source of injury, chronic pain and lameness in a dog’s hind limb. More common than you may think! WHERE IS THE ILIOPSOAS MUSCLE? The iliopsoas muscle consists of the fusion of two muscles – the Iliacus and the psoas major. Hence: ilio+ psoas = […]
Ever wondered how PlaqueOff Animal Powder works? How does this 100% natural product help my pet? We’ve made it easy for you! this infographic explains it all.
Puppies are hip! Our previous article shows that puppies are born with perfectly, normal hips. Puppy hips are quite amazing, although they are not quite adult hips yet. Looking at their x-ray, a newborn puppy looks like it has no joints at. This is due to the ends of the long bones and many parts […]
In memory and admiration of a very grand old lady. I asked Andrew if he would mind that I dedicate a Newsletter to his beautiful girl, Jessie. Jess, a working and very active German Short-haired Pointer, passed at the very grand age of 15 years and 4 months, just last week, on 15 August 2018. His […]
Tartar is also known as dental calculus. It consists of hardened bacteria. This hardened bacteria, or tartar, occurs when dental plaque gets stuck on your pet’s teeth and then comes in contact with their saliva. So what is tartar? There are two types and one of them is more harmful than the other: […]
Hip dysplasia is one of those conditions that all dog breeders are very well aware. Responsible breeders make considerable efforts to eliminate it from their dogs for decades. Almost every breed’s parent club recommends screening breeding stock for hip dysplasia (HD). Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA) in the USA was founded for this very reason. […]
From puppies to senior dogs, let’s take a quick look at dog teeth problems and dog dental care through every stage of your fur buddy’s life. Dog teeth problems — they’re not something you want for your dog. So what can you do to prevent them? Dogs can suffer from a variety of dental diseases […]
Joint pain is part of the ageing process for both dogs and humans alike. Let’s look at some ways that could slow down and possibly prevent the onset of arthritis and other joint issues for your senior dog. Joint problems are a common problem of ageing dogs. Similarly, for people, the wear and tear of […]
Many of us assume that the condition of their dog’s dental health i.e. teeth and gums, has no influence on their overall health. Nothing could be further from the truth. “The toxins from periodontal disease are absorbed into the dog’s blood stream. As the kidneys, liver and brain filter the blood, small infections occur causing […]
Whether to spay or neuter a dog is always a “passionate” topic. In South Africa, we have a large population of dogs that remain free to roam unsupervised. This is a very real problem. For this reason, this article is specifically aimed at responsible pet owners, and owners of working, active and sports dogs (our […]
Let’s take a closer look at your fur buddy’s teeth – or canine dentition! The cuteness of puppy nibbling on your finger. This is a delight with a limited shelf life, but puppies’ teeth are sharp fraught with peril. As we know, puppies grow, develop and mature faster than humans. The same applies to dog […]
Puppy’s teething troubles have a nasty pointy end and can be quite sore. Caution: Puppy’s teething is like meeting Jurassic Park raptors – cleverly disguised as a ball of cuteness. Your puppy won’t hunt you down and eat you, but when you’re dealing with puppy teething, we all ask: “When will my puppy stop teething?” […]
This is a frequent question about probiotics: How to protect these beneficial bugs from harsh stomach acid as it passes through to the intestines? There is more to this question than meets the eye. Probiotics are live bacteria present in yoghurt, other dairy products and pills. The goal is to get these probiotic bacterias to […]
Arthritis may come in many forms for dogs and cats. The most common form however, is osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease (DJD). As the name indicates, this type of arthritis is a long-term, continual damage and deterioration of the cartilage found around the joints. Osteoarthritis can manifest as a primary disease brought about through […]
EASTER – a time of delicious chocolatey celebration. But what about your fur buddies? Easter presents some hidden hazards for our dogs and cats. For many of us, Easter is a time to relax and take a well-deserved break from work or studies. The weather may be a little cooler as Autumn sets in. Families […]
I have been asked: How does Oligofructose enriched Inulin in Stomax compare to other soluble fibres such as psyllium? Psyllium is a very old and effective stool bulking agent, having been grown and used in India for over 1000 years. It does lower cholesterol. However, it is not a prebiotic fibre as defined by many […]
A Puppy is generally a ball of fun-filled energy. It is exactly this that makes them vulnerable to injury. Let’s take a look at the top two factors that put them at risk: #1: Growth Your puppy’s skeleton is made up of 320+ bones (+1 for the boys) and some bones have as many as five […]
A diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia is always a crushing blow to any pet owner. We received this story from Annemie and what she had to say about her fur buddy, Minky and their experience with Sashas Blend. We love this story: I would love to give a testimonial on how well this product works. My […]
Ehrlichia is a type of bacteria. It infects dogs, cats and other species worldwide, causing a disease called Ehrlichiosis. Other names include “tropical canine pancytopenia” (and several other names). Ehrlichia is commonly transmitted by ticks. What causes Ehrlichia? Ehrlichia bacteria infects white blood cells. There are many species of Ehrlichia, which infect a wide […]
Not all dogs howl in pain when they get a tooth infection. Do you know what symptoms to look for? What can one use to help your fur buddy and when must you see your vet? Like most people, dogs get tooth niggles like aches and infections. A common reason for tooth infections may be […]
