Abdonded Kitty: please help!

Hi All,

One of our loyal clients told us of a wonderful cat that has been abandoned and needs a new home.

Kitkat is a black and white domestic short haired cat with the most awesome nature. She has been living at Avalon Vet for 3 months and because she has been kept indoors and enclosed she is just craving lots of love and cuddles. Her previous owner moved into a flat and decided not to take her with, which is very sad as she adapts very well to new environments.

She is 6 years old and of perfect health. Has developed a little belly due to being spoilt at the vet and no space to run and jump.

If you could help or know of anyone that would possible be able to give a loving home to this beautiful gem please let us at MediPet (0800MEDIPET) know or give Janie or Margaret at Avalon vet a call. On 0217157517.

Thanks from all at MediPet

MediPet Insurance

Applying for insurance is notoriously challenging but not anymore! With Medipet your application is simple and fast and can even be online in the comfort of your own home. You can instantly apply online and your pet – if older than 8 weeks of age – will be covered with a great insurance package that insures your cat and /or dog’s health.

Medipet understands that you need pet insurance that will make your life easier and will take the unnecessary worry out of your pet’s medical needs. Medipet’s insurance packages for both cats and dogs are specifically designed to cover the essential and more specific needs of each of your pets. Because we cannot always plan for emergencies and unexpected veterinary costs Medipet is offering you the comfort and convenience of medical insurance that can plan for unforeseen illness or injury.

While covering your pet’s health needs Medipet will also go eth extra mile and cover the costs of kennels or catteries if you were unable to take care of your pets for a period of time and Medipet will even help you with a reward and advertisements if your pet were ever to go missing. For only
R115 per month for cats and R125 per month for dogs you can have the best animal insurance for your pet.

Puppies!

Knowing your dog and its habits is a great way to ensure a good and lasting friendship. But understanding your dog and why they do the things that they do will go even further to ensuring a stronger and more definite bond! A lot of habits and ways of doing things form when our pets or just little puppies and the habits that our pets get into often have a lot more to do with real reasons than just them being naughty or stubborn. Puppies are like young children – they will test boundaries and will try new things but they will never do with any bad intent.

A good way to learn about your puppies or dogs is to understand what is happening to them as they are growing up. As puppies grow into adult dogs they develop 42 permanent teeth which replace the 28 "milk" teeth. These milk teeth are gradually lost between 14 and 30 weeks of age. While these teeth are falling out there is no cause for concern and it is while these teeth are being replaced with the permanent teeth that puppies start to chew more. This increase in chewing is often seen as a problem and many puppies get shouted at and get into a lot of trouble when all they are doing is what comes instinctively to aid the growth of good strong teeth.
To prevent your puppies from chewing on your slippers or shoes, hard rubber or rawhide toys are made especially for dogs going through teething.

Animal Health

When it comes to animal health we generally tend to focus on the foods we feed our pets, on the exercise that they get and on their medical needs.
But one important – and probably the most important – aspect to ensuring good animal health is the love and attention that we give to our pets.
Domestic animals are social by nature and need love, care and attention to be able to thrive. Not only are our pets in need of the occasional walk and throwing of a tennis ball but they also need to feel loved and wanted.

When an animal is happy and content and well looked after their health is positively influenced by their happier state of being. So by taking a few minutes out of every day to talk to our dogs and cats, or to sit and pat them or play around with them we can improve not only their mood, our pet-and-owner bonds but we can also quite effectively contribute to improving their good animal health.

When you get home today and your dog is wagging his or her tail in excitement to see you take a minute to show the same love and stop to give them a hug or throw a tennis ball a few times. And when your cat is sitting next to you on the couch lean over and give their backs or necks a good scratch – being caring and showing it is the best way to assure good animal health for your pets!

Pet Assistance from MediPet

We all know that having a pet is like having an extra family member and so when we fall ill or are unexpectedly unable to take care of our beloved animals it could make all the difference to know that our dogs and cats will be looked after and properly cared for while we are unable to be there for them. With Medipet’s great cover you will be covered with pet assistance that will make sure that your cats or dogs will be provided for while you are ill. This means that while you are unable to take care of your animals yourself you can still be taking care of them through pet assistance insurance that will pay for your pets to be looked after in kennels, catteries or by pet sitters.

When something unexpected happens it is extremely reassuring to know that you have procedures in place to take care of the important things in life that still need love and attention even while you are temporarily unable to give it. And with Medipet’s great pet assistance offer your pet’s well being is guaranteed while you recover and until you are able once again to take care of your pets yourself.

Cat health: cat behaviour

When my cat has the chance to be outside and roll around in sand and rummage through bushes there really seems to be little in the world that could make him happier. There is definitely something about being immersed in nature that does wonders for a cat’ happiness and can only be beneficial for their overall cat health. However, there are one or two little gripes that we should be on the lookout for when our cats have been outdoors.

Rolling in sand, crawling through grass, and creeping through bushes can revitalise your cat and gives them a great way to work out their energy but in the sand, and in the plants that they are playing in they could pick up some nasty little critters that can negatively impact on your cat’s health. These bugs that can get into your cat’s fur and onto their skin include lice, fleas and ticks. But although they can be annoying and bad for your cat’s health they are easily manageable and need not become a problem or a reason to stop your cat’s fun frolicking.

By keeping watch of your cat fur and behaviour you will soon pick up on the presence of any parasites and with anti-flea and tick collars to aid you in taking care of your cat’s health you can even prevent any concerns before they occur.

Recognizing Ringworms

Ringworm, unlike the name suggests, is a fungal disease, and unlike fleas, ticks and worms, it is not a parasite. Ringworm is a fungal infection that sits inside of the skin tissue and can spread if not treated and controlled. Ringworm is identifiable through skin lesions and in some cases, through a fungal presence on the hair follicles. The appearance of ringworm is easily differentiated from that of bites from fleas or other parasites as the lesion on the skin is circular, and hence the name, it looks like a worm that is curling up inside of the skin tissue. Because ringworm is a fungal infection the sooner the infection is caught and treated the sooner the spread of the infection will be stopped and it can start to clear up.

The incubation period for ringworm is around two weeks. This means that only after about two weeks of coming into contact with the fungus will lesions on the skin start to show. Do be careful, the fungal infection is highly contagious and can be transmitted by contact with people and with animals that are already infected or are carriers of the fungal infection – this is another reason to seek out treatment as soon as you notice or suspect that you pet may have ringworm. As with fleas, there are a number of ways to treat ringworm, from tablets to ointments and shampoo treatments.

Dog Health: dental problems

When taking care of your pet’s health there are some essential and sometimes forgotten dog health elements that do require attention. One of these areas is your dog’s mouth and teeth. Your dog’s mouth is similar yet, in some respects, is very different to a human mouth. Where we eat with our teeth and mouths, and use our hands to do all other things, dogs use their mouths to eat, to pick things up and to clean themselves. This means that if not taken good care of their mouths can lead to serious health risks and dog health problems. So having your dog’s teeth cleaned and properly checked every few months can save you both a lot of pain and hassle.

Some common dental problem signs that can affect your animal’s dog health include a loss of appetite, as your dog will be in too much pain to eat properly, red swollen and bleeding gums, broken teeth and problematic foul breath. Because a dental problem can lead to more serious dog health concerns it is important to get the problem sorted out as soon as you spot it. If you suspect that your dog may have a dental problem your best solution is to get them to a vet as soon as is possible. And the sooner the better as infected gums and tissues can be dangerous to your pet’s overall dog health.

Pet Insurance: everything you need in one package

Many people spend their days worrying about health insurance, home insurance and life insurance: but do you give thought to pet insurance? These insurance plans are not only for those people who treat their pets like royalty, but for everyday you and me who love our pets and don't want to be faced with unnecessary medical bills for things we didn't expect.

Give your pet the medical attention they deserve when they exhibit symptoms of pet illnesses or are involved in a pet accident and don't worry about whether or not you can afford it! For the cost of two movie tickets a month you can make sure that your pet is covered under his or her own pet insurance package from MediPet.

Many people don't realize the cost of pet medical procedures like operations, and this incurs a lot of unplanned debt that can affect the kind of care your pet gets. Don't settle for anything less than the best when it comes to your furry family member: get MediPet Pet Insurance and always be prepared.

Dog Breeding: a career?

Are you interested in dog breeding as a career, as a dedicated side project, or even just as a once off interest in breeding your dog?
Breeding animals can be very simple but can also become extremely complicated depending on your level of breed and type of dog that you are deciding to breed. To get you started you can get good vet advice and breeder information from your local veterinary clinic.

Breeding dogs can be a very rewarding venture both financially and personally. You will need to have an already present and very real love and passion for dogs and their well being. Breeding dogs means that you need to be involved in all processes of the dog’s well being. You will need to obtain and adhere to good vet advice on health and health related issues and get to know the breed or breeds that you are dealing with vey well. Breed information is readily available on eth internet, in journals and books. Otherwise the best option is to find a specialist dog breeder or to get some real vet advice on what to do and where to go to for the right start into dog breeding, however you choose to source your information be sure to be well informed before you get started with dog breeding.

Interesting pet news: Ban on dogs and Cats

Here's an interesting news article published at MSNBC, be sure to check out the rest of the article and send us your comments!

CATS AND DOGS BANNED BY SAUDI RELIGIOUS POLICE

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia’s religious police, normally tasked with chiding women to cover themselves and ensuring men attend mosque prayers, are turning to a new target: cats and dogs.

The police have issued a decree banning the sale of the pets, seen as a sign of Western influence.
The prohibition on dogs may be less of a surprise, since conservative Muslims despise dogs as unclean. But the cat ban befuddled many, since Islamic tradition holds that the Prophet Muhammad loved cats — and even let a cat drink from his ablutions water before washing himself for prayers.

The religious police, known as the Muttawa, have the role of enforcing Saudi Arabia’s strict Islamic code. Its members prowl streets and malls, ensuring unmarried men and women do not mix, confronting women they feel are not properly covered or urging men to go to prayers.
But the government also gives the Muttawa wide leeway to enforce any rules they deem necessary to uphold the social order.

The decree — which applies to the Red Sea port city of Jiddah and the holy city of Mecca — bans the sale of cats and dogs because “some youths have been buying them and parading them in public,” according to a memo from the Municipal Affairs Ministry to Jiddah’s city government.
The memo, obtained by The Associated Press, urges city authorities to help enforce the ban.
Pet owning is not common in the Arab world, though dogs are kept for hunting and guarding. In large cities around the Middle East, stray dogs often wander the streets and are considered pests. Street cats are also plentiful, and people will often feed them or play with them — but it isn’t a widespread custom to keep one in the home, and many cannot afford it.

The rest of the article explores these concerns, and can be found at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14738358/. Due to copyright restrictions we cannot reproduce the article in full, but please visit the MSNBC website to read more and send us your opinions and comments!

Natural dog food

Keeping your dog fed on a healthy and balanced diet of natural dog food means that they can get the most out of each and every single meal that they eat. By feeding your dog natural foods you can ensure that your pet maintains a glossy and healthy coat, develops strong teeth and bones and maintains a great health rating that boosts their immune system and helps them to fight off any unwanted bugs and viruses. Dog food is your dog’s most essential way of getting in all the vitamins and minerals that he or she needs for everyday and long term life. So why not make sure that what you are feeding your dog is the best that nature has to offer?

Natural dog food includes many of the natural foods that we already do eat, or should be eating ourselves. It does not mean that you have to drastically change your dog’s diet just try and cut out on the processed and nutrient lacking commercial dog food. This means that when you are cooking your family rice or chicken cook a bit extra and include your dog as another mouth to feed. Keeping it natural with you pet’s dog food can save you a lot of time, money and worry about whether or not your pet is eating the right stuff.

Send us your pet pics!

Do you sit at home and just stare at your pet in absolute amazement as to how cute, clever, charming or courageous your pet is? I’ll bet that there are occasions when you do, and you may even think to yourself: this is the best pet sa has to offer!

Do you and your pets attract a lot of attention when you go for casual walks around the neighborhood? Do neighbors and strangers comment on what a good looking, well mannered or intelligent pet you have? Have you ever considered entering your gorgeous cat or dog into a pet sa animal competition? If your pet’s a little pavement special that just captures the hearts of all those who meet him or if your pet is a pure bred, beautifully groomed and perfectly poised animal then you are sure to be able to find a pet sa animal show or competition that is well suited to your animal’s type somewhere in or near to your area. Whether you go out looking for a prestigious pet sa competition or just something local and fulfilling you and your pet are sure to dazzle and shine as you show that your dog or cat is the best pet sa has to offer! Be sure to let us know what a great pet you have, and send us your pictures too!

Cat food treats

We all like to try new things, new exciting dishes and recipes and a little change in the regular routine diet can do wonders to perk up any appetite or interest in food. When it comes to your cat, their cat food need be no different. So here is a great new idea for a cat food recipe that will get your cat’s taste buds roaring!

Instead of cracking open a tin of the usual processed cat food try cooking for your cat once in a while just to keep their food interesting. Cat’s usually go crazy over fish, so get hold of a nice piece of mackerel or haddock (usually the stronger the smell of the fish the better!) and cook it up in the pan with a dash of oil, the smell alone will have your cats purring and possibly even meowing with watering mouths. Once cooked break the fish up into little pieces and allow it to cool off. You can also add stock or jelly or even gravy to their new meal just to make their new cat food experience all that more special!

You do not have to feed your cats like royalty everyday but once in a while a nice cat food treat would gladly be appreciated!

Poll Results!

It's winter time and we're all freeeeezing cold! Poll's in: 7 people let their pets sleep in bed with them, 4 people say 'no way!' adn encourage good pet behaviour, and 2 people let the rules slide when it's really, really cold! If you don't let your pup cuddle up with you, then you need to make sure that you give him or her an extra blanket this winter time! Put a nice polar fleece in your dog's bed, or leave a comfy blanket on your couch for kitty so that they can keep nice and warm when it's cold out.

It would be a lot of fun to hear what kind of pets, big or small, sleep in your bed! Send us an email so we can share with everyone here!

Medipet Pet Insurance

Have you recently had to take your beloved Felix or Fido to see the vet?
Was it an unplanned visit that you had not financially prepared for? Did the veterinary bill hit you much harder than you had expected? You do not have to be unprepared for the unexpected emergencies and visits to the vet. With a Medipet pet insurance package you can have the best and the most reliable animal health insurance package that will be there to back you where and when you most need it.

The great thing about Medipet’s insurance packages is that they do not cost the earth - only R115 per month for your little Felix cat and only
R125 per month for your best friend Fido.

When you realize that you need more than just your monthly savings to take care of unexpected veterinary bills and other medical costs for your dog or cat you do not need to panic and spend sleepless nights worrying about how you and your pet are going to make it through, with an insurance package that is suited to you and your pet’s needs it is incredibly reassuring to know that both medically and financially you are not alone.

Local doggy heroes

So many people take for granted the help and assistance that our beloved pets give us, which is why it's time to celebrate all of the local kitty and doggy heroes in your life! Send us your stories of pet bravery and we'll publish them on this site for every one to see! Give your pet the attention they deserve and put them on this digital pedestal. This week's story is about
Elle, an eight year old trained police dog who was only too pleased to help police out a little earlier this year as published on News24:

Johannesburg - A wanted criminal, who was shot and wounded by police on Saturday but managed to run away, was sniffed out by a police dog and later arrested, Eastern Cape police said. Captain Jackson Manatha said eight-year-old Elle followed the 29-year-old man into the Mdekweni forest near Mdanstane, East London and alerted police to his presence.
Manatha said police had been searching for the man for a number of weeks in connection with housebreaking, theft at schools and robbery, however the man had always evaded being arrested.

He was traced to Mdantsane around 03:00 on Saturday, but when police tried to arrest him, he ran towards them with a dagger. "Police fired some warning shots but he continued to attack and was shot," he said. However the man still managed to run away to the nearby forest.
"Elle found him and brought us to him," he said. The man was taken to Cecilia Makiwane hospital and was placed under police guard.

Vet Searching

Are you looking for a new vet or are a first time pet owner that is looking for a vet? There are many things that to consider when you are looking for the one person who will be responsible for taking care of your animal’s health. You will surely be looking for somebody who is qualified, knowledgeable and somebody who is caring and clearly loving towards the animal’s that he or she treats. A great way to find a good vet is by word of mouth, by talking to and hearing from other pet owners you can very quickly sum up a general view of a vet by what these other pet owners think about their animal’s vet. If a vet get’s a lot of good referrals they are bound to be a safe bet.

If however you are moving from one place to another and you are changing your animal’s vet for this reason then you could ask your previous vet for any suggestions for finding a new vet, they may even be able to give you some names of vets that hey know about in your new area. If you are looking for a vet with specific fields of expertise then contact a nearby shelter or pet centre and they are sure to have information that will help to find the right vet.

Time to visit the pet shop again!

Well winter does seem to well and truly be here and with so much cold and wet weather your pet is sure to be spending a lot more time indoors this season, which may be mean a few extra visits for you to your local pet shop. With your pets settled indoors this means that they will be spending less time playing and running around the garden or chasing bugs or cats around. But they will still have a lot of energy building up and will need a way to get it all out, hence the wonderful trips to the pet shop.

Before your dogs get stuck into chewing up your slippers or before your cats take to scratching at your furniture there are some ideal ways to keep your pets entertained even when they are sitting inside. A pet shop will stock a wide range of toys, scratching posts and other innovative pet things to keep them occupied and out of mischief.

The great thing about a pet shop is that it will even be able to give you a fresh outlook on the sorts of things that your pet may enjoy – on your visit to the pet shop you might even discover new treats and toys that your pet will absolutely adore!

Puppy Training

Puppies are gorgeous, even when they are not all that pretty they are still incredibly gorgeous little creatures! But there are some habits, which can be eradicated by some effective puppy training, that your new little pup may be inclined towards that certainly do not leave gorgeous results around your house. The most common of which is toilet slip up when your carpet or furniture becomes the nearest and most available place for your pup to do its business.

It is important to spend quite a bit of time with your puppy when you first take him or her home – you will probably be so enamoured with the dog that this will not be a hardship in any way at all. And with lots of time to watch your pup and to talk to him or her you will soon be able to connect and see what you may need to work on in puppy training. The first thing to know and to remember when you get your new little puppy is that you need to set rules into place from the get go. This means that you need to establish from day one what you will allow and what you will not allow.

In puppy training it is often consistency that proves to be the most effective means for getting your puppy properly trained, and it is never too early to start teaching your puppy either.

Animal safety tips: First Aid Kit

First aid is something that we all regard as being very important as we know that being able to act quickly in emergency situations can often save lives. The same is true when it comes to animal safety, knowing what to do and being prepared to do it when an accident strikes can often save an animal’s life too. Some essential know how and a few good tips can equip with you with enough knowledge of how to act and what to do in urgent situations when the animal safety of your pet is brought under threat.

When setting up and putting together an animal safety first aid kit there are some essential basics that you should get a hold of. Starting with gauze pads, gauze roll and / or bandages, a roll of cloth, tweezers, antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide and an easy to use, short manual on animal safety and first aid.

Remember that when an animal has been hurt or injured they may be in shock and may react to try and further protect themselves so be cautious about being bitten or scratched when you are handling the animal. With some knowledge and the right tools you should be able to treat emergency and common animal safety problems.

Pet grooming opportunities

Ever thought of a career in animal grooming? Well if you love animals, care about their hygiene and good looks then being a dog, cat or other animal groomer may be just the job that you have been searching for! As with most careers you first and foremostly need to have a passion and a love for the work that you are going to be doing, then you may want some extra and specialised training so that you are up to date with the best ways to make sure that someone’s pet is looking their absolute best after a session of animal grooming with you.

There are many ways to get started in the pet grooming industry – from offering washing and brushing services to being a highly specialised dog or cat groomer. As a pet groomer you can work at animal kennels, veterinary clinics, pet supply stores, animal shelters, in a grooming focused store, and you could even offer a mobile service.

Proper animal grooming is very important and as a valuable service to pet owners you can make a huge difference to the lives of so many people while also contributing to the well being and good looks of their pets.