Hoedspruit Animal Hospital - ProVet

29/05/2026

🐾 FIV in Cats – What Every Cat Owner Should Know 🐾

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a common infectious disease in cats that affects the immune system, making infected cats more vulnerable to illness over time. While an FIV-positive diagnosis can be worrying, many cats live long, happy lives with proper care and monitoring.

🦠 How is FIV spread?
FIV is most commonly spread through deep bite wounds from infected cats. Unneutered male cats that roam and fight are at the highest risk. Casual contact such as sharing food bowls, sleeping together, or grooming carries a much lower risk of transmission.

What happens after infection?
FIV infection usually progresses in stages:

Acute Phase:
Shortly after infection, cats may develop mild fever, swollen lymph nodes, poor appetite, or lethargy, although many show few or no obvious signs.

Asymptomatic (Silent) Phase:
This stage can last months or even years, with cats appearing healthy while the virus slowly affects the immune system.

Progressive Phase:
As immunity weakens, some cats become more prone to recurring infections and illness. Common problems include:
• Severe dental disease and gingivitis/stomatitis
• Skin, eye, respiratory, or urinary infections
• Weight loss
• Neurological changes or seizures
• Increased risk of certain cancers

How is FIV diagnosed?
Diagnosis is usually made with a simple blood test at your veterinary clinic. Additional testing may sometimes be recommended.

Caring for an FIV-positive cat
There is no cure for FIV, but good management can make a huge difference.
✔ Keep cats indoors to reduce disease exposure and prevent spread to other cats
✔ Feed a high-quality balanced diet
✔ Avoid raw food diets
✔ Schedule regular veterinary check-ups and blood tests
✔ Monitor for changes in appetite, weight, behaviour, or signs of illness
✔ Treat infections promptly

✂Spaying and neutering help reduce roaming and fighting behaviour, limiting the spread of the virus.

The good news?
Many FIV-positive cats enjoy excellent quality of life and can live normal life spans with proper care.

If you have questions about FIV testing, prevention, or caring for an FIV-positive cat, speak with your veterinarian — early diagnosis and ongoing management are key. 🐾

27/05/2026

At 15 years old, sweet Clive travelled all the way from America before suddenly becoming critically ill here in Hoedspruit. He presented to us in septic shock with a large abscess beneath his jaw - and with no obvious cause for the infection, the case became a bit of a mystery.

After several days of intensive hospital care, this gentle old boy thankfully pulled through and was discharged to continue his recovery at home. But a month later, the swelling began to return, and this time it was filled with saliva instead of pus. Clive was promptly booked for a CT scan right here in Hoedspruit, allowing us to investigate exactly where the problem was originating.

The scan confirmed that Clive had a sialocele - a condition where saliva leaks from the salivary glands into the surrounding tissues, where it can build up and potentially become infected. With the mystery finally solved, and a clear surgical plan mapped out from the CT results, Clive was booked for surgery.

Dr Debbie performed the delicate procedure to remove the affected salivary glands before draining a satisfying amount of mucus from Clive’s neck. We are thrilled to say that Clive is recovering beautifully and is expected to make a full recovery.

We are incredibly grateful to have access to advanced diagnostics here in Hoedspruit, helping us make safer, more comprehensive treatment and surgical plans for our patients.

Clive truly was the sweetest gentleman of a patient, and it has been a privilege to care for him every step of the way, alongside his wonderful owner, Carly.

21/05/2026

🐾 Sometimes behavioural issues in pets are more than just “bad behaviour.” 🐾

Anxiety, stress, boredom, routine changes, or compulsive behaviours can all affect our pets in different ways — and some dogs and cats really do struggle emotionally.

The good news is that with patience, routine, enrichment, training, and sometimes veterinary support, many pets improve dramatically.

And remember — certain medical conditions can mimic behavioural changes, so it’s always worth having your pet checked if something seems out of character.

19/05/2026

Warning: Graphic Images

Today, we wanted to share a little update on one very brave boy. 🐾

A few weeks ago, Roman from Hoedspruit AnimaL Outreach was brought to us after what we suspect was a honey badger attack. His injuries were extensive and heartbreaking — he had a massive facial wound, parts of his skull were exposed, and initially we honestly didn’t even know if his eye was still intact beneath all the trauma and swelling.

This has been an ongoing and incredibly intensive case involving regular bandage changes, stent bandages, topical treatments, pain management, and a lot of patience. Roman still has a bit of a road ahead and we are definitely not out of the woods yet, but the progress he has made so far has honestly been incredible. Seeing healthy tissue slowly replace such devastating wounds has been hugely rewarding for all involved. 💚

He may not be thrilled about all the bandage changes… but Roman is healing like an absolute champ.

14/05/2026

🐾Caring for Kruger’s Canine Heroes 🐾

There are some patients that leave a very special mark on your heart… and the working dogs of SANPARKS and the Kruger National Park are certainly some of them.

At Hoedspruit Animal Hospital, it is an incredible privilege for our team to assist with the veterinary care of some of these dedicated dogs who work tirelessly alongside their handlers to help protect one of South Africa’s greatest treasures. We are proud to work alongside many other vets and teams involved in supporting the health and wellbeing of these incredible animals across the park.

From routine health care and preventative medicine to emergencies and injuries sustained in the line of duty, these dogs give everything they have — and it is always an honour to help where we can.

For Dr Debbie English, this work is especially meaningful having grown up in Kruger, making it feel very close to home and an honour to now be able to contribute in a small way through veterinary care and support.

A huge thank you to SANPARKS, the Kruger National Park teams, SANPARKS Honorary Rangers, the handlers, and everyone working behind the scenes to protect our wildlife heritage. We are grateful to play a small role in caring for the remarkable dogs that stand on the frontlines every day.

12/05/2026

🦷Say Hello to Fresher Breath & Healthier Smiles! 🦷

Let’s be honest… doggy kisses and kitty cuddles are a lot cuter when the breath is fresh!
Bad breath in pets isn’t always just from eating something strange — it can often be a sign that your pet’s mouth needs a little extra TLC.

That’s where Stomafocus Oral Spray comes in! 🐾

This easy-to-use oral spray helps support better oral hygiene at home and is a great addition between professional dental check-ups and cleanings.

🐱 Why we like it:🐶
✔ Helps freshen breath
✔ Supports healthier gums and a cleaner mouth
✔ Assists in managing bacterial build-up
✔ Super easy to use — no brushing battles required!
✔ Suitable for both dogs and cats

🪥 How to use:
Simply shake well and spray gently onto your pet’s gums and tongue once or twice daily. A few quick sprays can make a noticeable difference in breath quality and oral comfort over time.

💡 Pro Tip:
For the best long-term dental health, combine Stomafocus with regular brushing, dental chews, and routine dental check-ups with your veterinarian.

Remember — dental disease is one of the most common conditions we see in pets, and keeping their mouths healthy can make a huge difference to their overall comfort and wellbeing ❤️

If you’re worried about your pet’s breath, teeth, or gums, chat to us — we’re always happy to help keep those tails wagging and smiles shining! 🐾✨

07/05/2026

May is Allergy Awareness Month! 🌿🐾

As the seasons change, many of us deal with itchy eyes, sneezing, and allergies… but did you know pets can suffer from allergies too?

Allergies are very common in both dogs and cats and can range from mild irritation to severe itching that affects your pet’s comfort and quality of life.

A few important things to know about allergies in pets:
🐶 Environmental allergies are far more common than food allergies in dogs
🐱 In cats, food and environmental allergies are equally common
🐾 Allergies are usually lifelong conditions needing ongoing management
🐾 Itching is the most common sign — especially around the feet, face, ears, neck, tummy, and legs
🐾 Constant scratching and licking can lead to redness, wounds, ear infections, scabs, and hair loss

Diagnosing allergies isn’t always straightforward. Your veterinarian will consider your pet’s age, breed, symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history to help determine the cause.

Allergy testing can help identify environmental triggers, while food allergies are diagnosed through a strict food trial over several weeks to months.

The good news? There are many ways to help allergic pets stay comfortable and improve their quality of life — from diet management and medicated shampoos to modern allergy medications and long-term treatment plans.

If your pet is constantly itchy, chewing their feet, getting repeated ear infections, or something just doesn’t seem right, don’t ignore it.
Early management can make a huge difference!

06/05/2026

🐰Tiny Patient, Big Difference🐰

Meet little Tibbles — a tiny 440g bunny with a very uncomfortable problem called entropion. Entropion is when the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes and fur to rub painfully against the surface of the eye. Over time this can lead to irritation, ulcers, infection and constant discomfort.

Despite being such a tiny patient, Tibbles underwent delicate corrective surgery with us— and what a difference it has made.

The before-and-after photos say it all.

No more squinting, irritation or sore little eyes — just a much happier, more comfortable bunny living his best life.

Small patients often come with very big anaesthetic and surgical considerations, so cases like these are always incredibly rewarding for our team.

Well done, brave little Tibbles ✨

30/04/2026

30/04/2026

There’s something really special about being part of a team that extends beyond your own walls. 💚

At Hoedspruit Animal Hospital, we’re incredibly grateful to work alongside the passionate team at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC). It’s not just about the medicine—it’s about the people behind it. The dedication, the long days, the shared problem-solving, and the genuine care that goes into every single case.

We’re lucky to step in where we can, working together with HESC and other teams involved, each playing our part in supporting the animals in their care. It’s a real team effort, and one we don’t take for granted.

And of course… we’d be lying if we said there weren’t a few favourites along the way—Dawid being right up there as a firm legend in our books.

To the HESC team—thank you for trusting us, for the work you do every day, and for the energy and heart you bring to it all. It never goes unnoticed. 🐾