Dogs

Theileria equi (originally named Babesia caballi. These parasites are transmitted by ticks, Rhicephalus (Red Legged Tick). Both these species of ticks are common in the Natal Midlands area. The Blue Tick is a single host tick and reasonably easy to control while the Red Legged Tick is a two host tick and poses more of a problem. 

Dogs and cats in kennels and catteries or socializing with other animals may be at greater risk

Billary is a tick born disease. The parasites (protozoa) pass from the tick to your dog when they bite your dog. The parasite then enters the red blood cells where they multiple.

At book club last week our hosts little dog started to cough. I asked her if he was OK and she said yes but that he and the other dog both seemed to have chicken bones stuck in their throats! Although it\’s not a good idea to feed your dog chicken bones, they are certainly not likely to get stuck in two dogs throats causing them to cough!

* Only 5 percent of the flea population consist of the adult fleas we see hopping on and off your pets. The other 95 per cent are buried somewhere in your carpet, growing and laying yet more eggs

Spring, the season of renewel, of warmer weather, longer days, flowering trees and shrubs, bright-coloured pansies….. and fleas

The summer months are “high season” for fleas and ticks, bringing with them all sorts of unpleasant, and even fatal, illnesses and diseases such as skin allergies, transmissions of tapeworms and roundworms, and not forgetting, the dreaded biliary.

When working outside with your dog, you and your dog will be exposed to the weather and sun. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition for your dog, and you should be able to recognize the warning signs, and know how to prevent it. Even on a cool day, if it is very sunny and your dog is working hard, or is a dark-coated breed, it can get overheated.

Spirocerca Iupi is a type of worm called a nematode which is a round worm. The worm causes a disease in dogs called Spirocercosis.