Weltevreden Park Vet Clinic

Weltevreden Park Vet Clinic Small animal Veterinary clinic, online store :
www.epetstore.co.za - store code: WEL2

May has been all about winter prep and puppy power! 🐾This month we covered:✓ Winter wellness for Joburg pets✓ Indoor enr...
29/05/2026

May has been all about winter prep and puppy power! 🐾

This month we covered:
✓ Winter wellness for Joburg pets
✓ Indoor enrichment for cold days
✓ Understanding anxiety
✓ Puppy vaccinations schedule
✓ Winter skin care
✓ Arthritis in cold weather
✓ How puppies should socialise

Your amazing reviews made our month 💙

Need to book before month-end? 📞 Call: 011 475 1342 📱 WhatsApp: 082 316 2877

Socialising your puppy once they're fully vaccinated is important - but not all play is good play 🐕Healthy puppy play lo...
27/05/2026

Socialising your puppy once they're fully vaccinated is important - but not all play is good play 🐕

Healthy puppy play looks like:
→ Role reversals (they take turns chasing)
→ Play bows and relaxed body language
→ Brief pauses to reset
→ Both puppies engaged and enjoying it
→ Appropriate match in size and energy

When to step in:
• One puppy is always on the bottom
• One is trying to escape or hide
• No breaks in the action
• Yelping or excessive roughness
• Overwhelming fear (tail tucked, cowering)

Safe puppy socialisation tips:
✓ Start with calm, vaccinated adult dogs who are good with puppies
✓ Keep initial sessions short (10-15 minutes)
✓ Watch your puppy's body language closely
✓ Match energy levels and sizes when possible
✓ Supervise every interaction
✓ End on a positive note

Different dogs = different experiences: Expose your puppy to various breeds, sizes, and ages. This builds confidence with all types of dogs.

The goal isn't just play - it's learning. Your puppy is learning how to read other dogs, how to communicate, and how to self-regulate. Quality matters more than quantity.

Antifreeze smells sweet. Tastes sweet. Kills pets. ☠️With Johannesburg mornings dropping to freezing temps, access to an...
25/05/2026

Antifreeze smells sweet. Tastes sweet. Kills pets. ☠️

With Johannesburg mornings dropping to freezing temps, access to antifreeze may become more possible as people prepare their cars for the winter.

Why it's so dangerous: It contains ethylene glycol, which has a sweet smell and taste. Pets are naturally attracted to it. The problem: Even small amounts are toxic and can be lethal.

Early signs of ingestion (first 12 hours):
• Acting "drunk" (wobbly, disoriented)
• Vomiting
• Excessive thirst and urination
• Seems to recover (THIS IS THE DANGER ZONE)

Later signs (12-72 hours):
• Severe lethargy
• Seizures
• Kidney failure

If you even SUSPECT antifreeze ingestion: Call us immediately. Every minute matters. Treatment must start within hours for survival.

Cold mornings in Joburg = Stiff, painful pets 🥶 If your senior pet takes longer to get up in May/June, arthritis maybe b...
22/05/2026

Cold mornings in Joburg = Stiff, painful pets 🥶 If your senior pet takes longer to get up in May/June, arthritis maybe be flaring.

Why cold makes arthritis worse:
→ Joint fluid thickens in cold temps (less cushioning)
→ Muscles tighten to conserve heat (puts pressure on joints)
→ Barometric pressure changes = inflammation spikes

What you're seeing:
• Stiffness after lying down
• Limping that "warms up" after walking
• Reluctance to jump on furniture
• Irritability when touched in certain areas

Winter arthritis management:

Warmth:
✓ Heated pet beds
✓ Warm (not hot) compress before walks
✓ Keep them moving midday when it's warmer
Support:
✓ Joint supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin)
✓ Omega-3 for anti-inflammatory benefits
✓ Pain medication (prescribed, not human meds!)
Exercise modification:
✓ Shorter, more frequent walks
✓ Avoid cold, hard surfaces

When arthritis needs professional management: If your pet's quality of life is affected - skipping walks, struggling on stairs, sleeping more - let's create a pain management plan.

Thank you, Danielle and Max! 💙First vet visits set the tone for a lifetime of care. We take extra time with puppies to m...
20/05/2026

Thank you, Danielle and Max! 💙

First vet visits set the tone for a lifetime of care. We take extra time with puppies to make sure they associate the vet with positive experiences - not scary ones.

What makes a great first puppy visit:
→ Gentle handling, no rushing
→ Treats and patience
→ Answering all your questions (no question is silly)
→ Creating a care plan tailored to your lifestyle

New puppy or kitten? Let's start on the right paw. 📞 Book your first puppy or kitten’s visit: 011 475 1342

"My dog refuses to wear a jersey. Does he actually need one?"Depends on the dog 🧥WHO NEEDS WINTER GEAR: Short-haired bre...
18/05/2026

"My dog refuses to wear a jersey. Does he actually need one?"

Depends on the dog 🧥

WHO NEEDS WINTER GEAR: Short-haired breeds, small breeds, senior dogs and puppies.

WHO DOESN'T: Double-coated breeds and healthy large breeds.

Signs your pet is cold:
• Shivering
• Reluctant to go outside
• Hunched posture, tucked tail
• Seeking warm spots constantly

Coat/blanket rules:
✓ Must fit properly (too tight restricts movement, too loose is dangerous)
✓ Remove indoors (overheating risk)
✓ Never leave on unsupervised overnight
✓ Wash weekly (bacteria buildup)

Cats: Most cats refuse coats. Instead: heated pet bed, fleece blankets, enclosed sleeping spots.

Your pet's skin is flaking. It could be your heater…🔥Johannesburg winter skin issues: Indoor heating = 20-30% humidity d...
15/05/2026

Your pet's skin is flaking. It could be your heater…🔥

Johannesburg winter skin issues: Indoor heating = 20-30% humidity drop = dry, itchy skin

What you're seeing:
• White flakes when you brush them
• Scratching (but no fleas)
• Dull, brittle coat
• Cracked paw pads

A few ways to alleviate symptoms:
Bathing:
→ LESS is more (bathing strips natural oils)
→ Use moisturizing shampoo if you must bathe
→ Rinse thoroughly (leftover soap = more dryness)
Nutrition:
→ Add omega-3 (fish oil supplement)
→ Ensure fresh water always available
Paw care:
→ Paw balm after walks (protects against cold, dry ground)
→ Wipe paws when they come inside (removes irritants)

When to call us: If scratching is intense, skin is red/inflamed, or you see bald patches - it's not just dryness.

Cold Johannesburg weekend = Bored, destructive pets 🌧️When outdoor time shrinks, behavioural problems spike. Chewed furn...
14/05/2026

Cold Johannesburg weekend = Bored, destructive pets 🌧️

When outdoor time shrinks, behavioural problems spike. Chewed furniture, excessive barking, and "zoomies" at midnight.

Why mental stimulation matters as much as physical exercise: A 20-minute sniffing/puzzle activity = 1 hour walk (mentally)

Indoor enrichment ideas that actually work:

DOGS:
→ Hide treats around the house (sniff games)
→ Frozen Kong with peanut butter (30+ min entertainment)
→ Teach new tricks (mental workout)
→ Puzzle feeders for meals
→ Rotate toys weekly (keeps them "new")
CATS:
→ Cardboard box maze
→ Feather wand play (10 min, 2x daily)
→ Window perch with bird feeder view
→ Crinkle balls or ping pong balls in bathtub
→ Hide kibble around house instead of bowl feeding

The difference: A tired pet = calm pet. A bored pet = destructive pet.

"Can I take my puppy to meet other dogs at the park?"Public park socials? Not until vaccinations are complete. Puppy sch...
13/05/2026

"Can I take my puppy to meet other dogs at the park?"

Public park socials? Not until vaccinations are complete. Puppy school? Essential after their 2nd vaccination.

Parvovirus, Distemper, and other deadly diseases are still present in South Africa. These viruses live in the environment - soil, grass, pavements - for months or even years.

Parvovirus is especially dangerous:
→ Spreads through infected faeces
→ Survives outdoors for 6+ months
→ Puppies can contract it just by walking where an infected dog was weeks ago
→ 80-90% fatal in untreated puppies

Your puppy's vaccination timeline:
6 weeks: First vaccination
9 weeks: Second vaccination
12 weeks: 1st Rabies vaccination
16 weeks: 2nd Rabies vaccination
They are NOT fully protected until 2 weeks after their final shot.

We also advise first vaccination at 4 - 6 weeks for Parvo specifically.

That means no dog parks, no pet stores, no walks in public areas until they are fully vaccinated and protected. However, puppy school is essential after their 2nd vaccination.

Johannesburg winter hits different when you have pets 🥶What changes in May/June:→ Morning temps drop to 5-8°C→ Indoor he...
12/05/2026

Johannesburg winter hits different when you have pets 🥶

What changes in May/June:
→ Morning temps drop to 5-8°C
→ Indoor heating dries out skin and airways
→ Less outdoor exercise = weight gain risk
→ Arthritis flares up in senior pets

Your May prep checklist:

For short-haired/small breeds:
✓ Get a coat or sweater (yes, they actually need it)
✓ Limit outdoor time on freezing mornings
✓ Provide warm, draft-free sleeping spots

For all pets:
✓ Switch to higher-calorie food? NO - adjust portions instead
✓ Maintain exercise (just move it to midday warmth)
✓ Watch for dry, flaky skin (indoor heating culprit)

Senior pets need extra attention: Cold weather makes arthritis painful. If your older pet is stiff in the mornings, now's the time to address it.

We can help with our wellness check-ups, which includes:
• Joint mobility assessment
• Skin and coat evaluation
• Weight check
• Arthritis management plan if needed

📞 Book a wellness check: 011 475 1342

Address

878 Tennis Road, Corner JG Strydom Rd
Weltevredenpark
1709

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 12:00

Telephone

+27114751342

Website

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