PET STARS – Bakenkop Animal Clinic Inc

PET STAR VONKIE

Pet Star – VONKIE

“Watching Vonkie’s transformation has been truly inspiring. When we first started our journey towards better health, Vonkie was overweight and struggling with back issues. With dedication and guidance from Sister Cindy at Bakenkop Animal Clinic’s Weight Loss Clinic, we embarked on a weight loss plan tailored to Vonkie’s needs. Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic was the only option that we considered.

Through regular exercise and a carefully managed diet on Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Mobility, Vonkie gradually began shedding excess grams to lose a total of 15% of his bodyweight. Each milestone reached filled our hearts with joy and pride. We witnessed Vonkies’s energy levels soar, his playfulness return and his zest for life reignited – and no more signs of back issues! It wasn’t just about losing weight but improving overall health, well-being and reclaiming a vibrant and fulfilling life together.

Today, when we look at Vonkie, we are grateful to Hill’s and Sister Cindy. Vonkie’s transformation is not just physical; it is a testament to our resilience, determination, and unbreakable bond. This journey has taught us invaluable lessons about patience, empathy, and the profound impact of caring for a cherished companion. Here’s to continued health and happiness with Hill’s and Sister Cindy by our side.”

–Themari Grebe

PET STAR PATCHES

Pet Star – PATCHES

Introducing Patches, an approximately 3-year-old crossbreed dog who was miraculously found and rescued from a manhole in Pretoria West at the beginning of August 2024.

When she was discovered, Patches was frightened and deeply unaccustomed to human contact. A witness shared that despite feeding her from over the wall for months, he had never had the chance to touch her. With her owners rarely home, she became all too familiar with a profound lack of engagement and affection. It seems that in her desperate search for food, Patches bravely attempted to escape her bleak living conditions, but tragically fell into the manhole.

A dedicated group from AHAWE poured their hearts into rescuing her and swiftly provided her with food and water. She was then transferred to Pretoria Dog Rescue NPC 2015/416285/08, who, showing immense compassion, brought her to us for urgent medical attention.

Upon arrival, Patches was emaciated and in a state of distress that tugged at our hearts. She was diagnosed with secondary IMTP due to Ehrlichia, a condition spread by tick bites. IMTP is an autoimmune condition that compels the body to attack its own platelets—those critical cells that help control bleeding. We acted immediately, commencing prompt treatment with a prolonged course of Doxycycline and cortisone, followed by parasite treatment and regular platelet count checks to ensure her immune system was slowly repairing itself and no longer attacking her precious platelets. When she first arrived, she had zero platelets in her body, a situation fraught with danger, as this could lead to severe bleeding from even the smallest injury. The immense stress on little Patches’ body also resulted in a secondary fungal skin infection—ringworm—which we treated with care using a topical F10 antifungal shampoo.

Throughout her recovery at our facility, we approached her treatment with deep compassion and respect, striving to build her trust. One of our devoted team members, Bennie, even lay on the floor to make communication with her less frightening.

It has been nothing short of heartwarming to witness Patches’ remarkable progress. With each follow-up visit, her condition has improved noticeably. Her excitement for interactions has blossomed, evidenced by her wagging tail, and she’s no longer the withdrawn soul she was during her initial days with us.

We are thrilled to report that Patches no longer requires cortisone treatments, as her platelet count has stabilized beautifully! Patches’ skin is also healing with every visit. We take joy in giving her bi-weekly baths with F10 shampoo for the fungal infection, which is already mostly cleared up.

We want to seize this moment to extend our deepest gratitude to all the tireless pet rescue workers who venture out daily to save lives, bravely facing the uncertainties of funding and resources, driven by an unwavering desire to help those in need.

Patches will soon be ready for adoption. If you believe you have the love to give Patches, or any of the other deserving rescue pets, a second chance at life, we urge you to reach out to Pretoria Dog Rescue.

PET STAR ROCKY

Pet Star

Meet Rocky, a 1.5kg miniature pinscher and much-loved furry family member of the Grobler household.

Rocky recently sustained a leg injury and sought treatment from our team. Dr Ross Elliott, a surgical specialist, repaired the radius and ulna fracture with a plate and screws in his tiny leg.

We are happy to report that Rocky’s follow up went well. Although his post operative care period is not over yet and his movement is still being restricted, Rocky is adjusting remarkable well and already using his leg without any signs of pain.

Feel free to send Rocky your wishes for a speedy recovery.

Well done little Rocky! You are the smallest but bravest little soul!

PET STAR ECHO

Meet Echo, 4-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog and much-loved Bakenkop furry family member (and our Pet Star for June 2024) have been using GCS since she was a puppy. She is the GCS brand ambassador. Her human mommy shared her testimonial below:

“”When welcoming a new puppy or kitten into your home, it’s important to be aware of the potential health risks they may face throughout their life. Understanding the breed of your pet can help you anticipate common health issues such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, and back problems. Personally, I prioritize preventive measures over reactive treatment as a pet owner.

In the case of my Giant breed dog, Echo, I have been proactive in monitoring her hip health since she was a puppy. Regular radiographs have been a part of her yearly check-ups to ensure early detection of any issues. Additionally, I have introduced GCS joint care into Echo’s routine from a young age as a preventative measure against arthritis / joint diseases.

Echo has always been an active and energetic dog, frequently engaging in activities that put strain on her joints. Now approaching her fifth birthday, I am grateful for her continued mobility and healthy hip and joint condition. GCS joint care has played a significant role in maintaining Echo’s joint health, allowing her to enjoy running, hiking, and playtime to the fullest.

As a dedicated pet parent, I strive to provide the best care for Echo, and GCS joint care has truly made a difference in her overall well-being. She is strong and healthy enough to serve as a proud Bakenkop Blood donor. Thanks Kyron and GCS for helping Echo thrive.”

PET STAR BEN

Benji – When a loving home gives a cat the strength to survive being caught in a snare.

Please be advised that the following post may contain distressing content. The purpose of this post is to raise awareness among pet owners regarding the presence of snares in our vicinity.

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Meet Ben, a 4-year-old Bengal cat and much-loved family member of the van Rensburg family.

On Friday, April 19th, Ben went missing, causing great concern for the van Rensburg family. They immediately took to social media and community groups to seek help in locating him.

On the 23rd of April, the family was sitting at the dinner table. It is no secret that Ben loves his soft food and will make his voice heard until someone in the family gives attention to his needs. Mrs van Rensburg suddenly heard his little meow and discovered him at home.

They were alarmed to find his leg severely swollen. They immediately rushed him to our afterhours service where upon investigation, a snare was found wrapped around his leg. Benji was admitted and placed on a drip. He was administered immediate pain medication. Sadly, the trauma to his leg had been too severe and a leg amputation was the only way to give him a second chance at a pain free life.

It is heart-breaking to even imagine the pain Benji had to endure, especially knowing that he must have been without food and water too. When seeing the incredible love this family has for him with our own eyes, we are convinced that it was this love that motivated Ben to pull the snare loose from its holding site and find his way home.

It warmed our hearts to see the “get well soon” notes from the kids, stuck on Ben’s hospital cage wall, reminding him that he is loved and missed at home. Ben is one of the strongest patients we have ever worked with – even before his amputation, he managed to purr and rub his head against the hands of nurses who gave him TLC.

Benji has been recognised as our Pet star of May. We would like to salute him for being a true survivor, and the van Rensburg family for being the best pet parents. The family also shared the importance of taking out Pet Insurance to ease the financial burden of such an unexpected hospital admission.

Following this incident, we want to share a few precautions:

– Try to keep your pets confined to your yard where possible.

– Sterilization may prevent wandering behaviour.

– Stay vigilant in your surroundings and report any snares to the SPCA.

– Microchip your pets for quick identification in emergency situations.

– Join your area’s WhatsApp or Facebook groups, to help find your pets in an emergency. (@Searchlight is a Facebook group with hundreds of good Samaritans who help find missing pets daily by sharing and being the eyes and ears of the community.)

– Pet Insurance is important

PET STAR BELLE

Pet Star – Belle (Mast Cell Tumour survivor)

Meet Belle, an 8-year-old female Maltese and cherished furry family member of the van Noordwyk family.

Belle was adopted by Dr Tharina in 2019 and seamlessly integrated into their lives, as if she had always belonged. In December 2023, Dr Tharina noticed a small swelling on Belle’s left leg, and brought Belle for an examination and an FNA (Fine Needle Aspirate where sells are examined under the microscope) to determine what type of tumour we were dealing with.

The news was devastating – It was a mast cell tumour! Mast cell tumours are the third most common tumour subtype in dogs, and the most common malignant skin tumour, they spread quickly, and we always advise that these tumours be removed as soon as possible.

The mast cells had already spread to a local lymph node and after thorough tests and considerations, the difficult decision was made to amputate Belle’s leg and remove the affected lymph node to prevent any further spread and give Belle the best fighting chance. Although this decision was heartbreaking to make, it was for Belle’s best interest.

She was operated on 22nd of December ’23. The surgery was a big success. Belle stayed in the hospital for a few days for 24-hour monitoring and pain management where after she was discharged. Although it was challenging at times, Belle amazed everyone with her resilience. She adapted quickly to her new circumstances, proving that nothing can hold her back. Four months later, Belle is thriving, running, and playing like any other dog in the family.

The van Noordwyk family is eternally grateful to Oneplan Pet Insurance for their unwavering support throughout this ordeal and asked us to mention this to all pet owners. Their comprehensive cover allowed Belle to have a fighting chance at life, and we urge all pet owners to consider getting pet insurance for their beloved companions.

Belle’s journey is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the importance of being prepared for anything when it comes to our furry friends.

PET STAR BAILEY

Pet Star – Bailey

BE AWARE of the dangers of a sosatie stick when you have dogs in the household.

Meet Bailey, a 1-year-old male Springer Spaniel and much-loved furry family member of the Gerber household and our Pet Star patient for March.

In February, the Gerber family celebrated a special occasion and had some friends and family over. Bailey, being a cute but typical naughty puppy, managed to steal meaty sosatie sticks from the table when nobody was looking.

2 weeks later, a lump formed on the side of Bailey’s body and his family took him to their closest vet. Upon examination the treating veterinarian found it to be an abscess caused by a sosatie stick migrating from the stomach to the skin!! The abscess was lanced, and the stick removed.

A few days later Bailey was nauseous and not himself and was brought to our hospital after-hours. He was admitted for a drip and for 24-hour monitoring.

The following day a specialist ultrasound was performed and another sosatie stick was found in the abdomen, penetrating the intestinal wall and the left kidney. An exploratory laparotomy was performed to remove the foreign body / sosatie stick and the injured kidney together with a segment of the small intestine (

WARNING – this image may be graphic for sensitive viewers).

Bailey spent a few days in hospital with us, where he stole the hearts of ALL the staff members at Bakenkop. We are happy to say that Bailey made a full recovery.

We want to thank the Gerber family for allowing us to share Bailey’s story to help create awareness to all other pet owners on the dangers of sosatie sticks / or any other foreign objects (toys / ropes / bones etc.). We also want to salute adorable Bailey for being brave throughout the whole journey. Thanks for all the doggy kisses and cuddles.

PET STAR PILOT

Pet Star – Pilot

Meet Pilot, a 12-year-old Boston terrier and much-loved member of the Holfeld family.

Earlier this month Pilot came for a consultation with Dr Stephanie as he was not feeling well and presented with vomiting and diarrhoea. On ultrasonographic examination evidence of foreign material in the small intestine and ascending colon was found and radiographs were recommended. As can be seen on the radiographic images, his intestines were dilated, and it was obvious that he swallowed something.

Mr Holfeld shared that Pilot and his best friend, his toddler human sister, recently “baked” cookies in the sandpit. Innocently, their daughter had mixed milk with sand and moulded cookies out of them. Pilot, due to his love for milk explored the “cookies” and ingested a large amount of sand, before anyone could see. It is only after he started with symptoms that they realized what had happened.

The veterinarian advised to monitor the position of the sand for 24 hours since it may move into the colon and be excreted. The next day on the follow up radiograph, it could be seen that most of the sand had moved nicely through the gut, except for one area where the sand had not moved at all. Our head of surgery, Dr Kristina Lutz, decided to surgically remove the remaining sand which was now causing an obstruction in the intestines which is life threatening.

After 48 hours Pilot was discharged to complete his road to recovery at home.

Read the owner’s testimonial below:

“My 12y Boston – Pilot – decided to be a proper Boston and ate a bunch of sand (don’t ask how). We took him to Bakenkop as a first-time patient. They immediately assisted us without any appointment or hesitation and admitted him. He ended up going through surgery after doing everything they could through non-invasive techniques. 5 days later after the ordeal started my boy is back home able to continue enjoying his retirement. I am extremely grateful for the extra time I have been gifted with Pilot and the “never give up” attitude of the nurses and doctors. Thank you to all the staff at Bakenkop for your professionalism, friendliness and saving Pilot’s life!”

PET STAR KATERASIE

Pet Star – Katerasie

Meet Katerasie, a 10-year-old male cat and much-loved furry family member of the Johnson / Buchinger family. He was rescued from a township in his younger years. He has the most loving personality and pretty much rules the household, as explained by Mr Buchinger

Katerasie loves being outside and spending time in the sun. Unfortunately, due to his light pigmentation, increased exposure to UV radiation can increase the occurrence of cancerous lesions mostly, Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC). These lesions are commonly found on the ear, lips, nose, and eyelids but can occur in any place on the body. SCC can be caused by a complex mix of risk factors, some environmental and some genetic or hereditary.

Early in December 2023, his family booked a consultation for Katerasie at Bakenkop for examination. His ears were crusty and ulcerated on the edges, and he was showing signs of discomfort. He was referred to our senior surgeon, Dr Kristina Lutz. She recommended a specialist ultrasound to check for metastasis (spreading to lymph nodes or other organs) which luckily came back negative. A comprehensive blood profile was also performed to rule out any underlying conditions and to ensure a safe anaesthesia. The next step was to surgically excise the lesions on the ears, meaning Katerasie needed a Pinnectomy (ear amputation), to achieve complete removal of the cancerous lesions.

Katerasie underwent his surgery on the 5th of December.

Here is the owner’s testimonial below:

“Dr Kristina performed a beautiful cosmetic surgery (an amputation would be too crude a term) on his ears to remove the malignant tissue, the site of which has since healed perfectly, leaving our cat’s face resembling that of a teddy bear. He has reverted entirely to his usual behaviour of the 04:30 wake-up call as well as supplementation of his diet via the odd avian snack, neither of which is necessarily welcome, however, we would not have it another way. Huge thanks to the Bakenkop Animal Clinic team for giving our boy a new lease on life – you guys rock!”

We are so proud of Katerasie on how he managed to adapt after his surgery. He never stopped purring, even straight after his operation. His owners regularly checked in with Dr Kristina for follow-ups. It warms our hearts to see that he is back to his normal self and embracing his new look with pride.

For more information on Squamous Cell Carcinomas in cats, feel free to follow the below link:

https://www.petmd.com/…/squamous-cell-carcinomas-cats

PET STAR JOSEPH THE CHEETAH

At Bakenkop Animal Clinic we are available 24/7 for pet emergencies.

On the 15th of December (our new Bokke Public holiday), we had the privilege to meet and work with a Cheetah

We received a phone call yesterday from Dr Jana, Specialist Wildlife Veterinarian in Bella Bella, asking us for assistance with a check-up on one of her Cheetah patients from the Cheetah Conservation SA Trust.

Our team assisted with in-house blood work, radiographs, ultrasound and intravenous fluids.

Thank you Dr Jana for entrusting us with this beautiful animal. We wish Joseph a speedy recovery

* (After-hours vet in Centurion)

PET STAR PEACHES POTGIETER

Read her owner’s testimonial below:

“Peaches is a long-stanging patient at Bakenkop 24-HOUR EMERGENCY VET, so when she started losing a bit of weight and looked like she had issues chewing food, we took her to the team. She also had a very irritated right eye that just would not clear up despite any meds, so we asked Bakenkop to check everything out while we’re there.

What was initially suspected to be dental problems with the addition of a mildly irritated eye turned out to be something so much bigger, which the Bakenkop team picked up thanks to their care, expertise and holistic approach to treatment. While conducting regular blood tests before booking her in for a dental cleaning, it turned out that she had Stage 1 renal failure – something she hid very well! This explained the weight loss and appetite. And the small, red irritation under and around her eye? After a biopsy it turned out to be cancer. The team sprang into action and put us in contact with the specialist eye doctors in JHB.

Luckily we now had a full picture of her health, and the specialist could remove the cancer (unfortunately she had to lose her right eye for this to happen) without compromising her kidney health. Now a year later she is her chubby tummy, diva of the house, bully of the dog, old self.”

Peaches, we are so proud of you for being so strong and for adapting so well, with nothing holding you back. We love seeing you and your kind family members at our hospital. Thank you for the loyal support. You guys are family!

PET STAR LILLY

In support of Pet Obesity Awareness month we would love to share Lilly’s Pet Slimmer testimonial from her owner:

“We adopted Lilly and her brother from an animal shelter in the middle of lockdown in 2020. Lilly was saved from a puppy mill and we noticed Lilly’s leg was badly broken from an old injury that never healed and was never tended to.We brought Lilly to Bakenkop Animal Clinic. After she was spayed Bakenkop recommended a specialist. The specialist operated on her leg and after a complex surgery, Lilly was back home again. Lilly had to learn how to walk again. Lilly’s incredible road to recovery was helped along by a six month intense physio programme with Paws.

She was hesitant to use her leg at first. But we soon learned she ‘will work’ for snackies, which helped with training. The downside of all the snackies was that Lilly gained weight. A combination of immobility and newfound comfort in her fluffy beds (one in every room of the house) contributed to Lilly becoming a ‘sleeping beauty’. She would spend hours napping and have no motivation to play with her brothers. When Lilly first started her weight-loss journey with Sister Cindy at Bakenkop she weighed a whopping 8.4kg, her chest measured 60cm and her waist 54cm. She could barely walk. We started her on the Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility and the results were incredible.

The weight started to melt away, We saw an instant improvement in her mobility, . she took less naps and she started to join in around playtime.

To this date Lilly weighs 5.2kg, her chest measures 45cm and her waist 38cm. Lilly lost 3.2kg or 38% of her bodyweight! She is no longer sleeping all day, but enjoys playing with the other dogs, sunbathing and of course her favourite time of the day is mealtime with Metabolic + Mobility.

Thank you to Sister Cindy and the staff at Bakenkop for all the support. Thank you Hill’s for your wonderful range of pet food that keep our pets healthy.”

To book your pet’s free weight consultation with Sister Cindy, please email cindy@bakenkop-vet.co.za or call 012 653 4474

PET STAR ZEERAH

On our Fun Friday, just before the Heritage day long weekend (and a big Springboks rugby match) we had a special visit from one of the cutest bulldogs, Zeerah. Her daddy is a famous DJ (DJ Jazzy-D – The Groovemaster).

She loved the attention from all our ladies in green!

We are very please to say that a few days after her visit, Zeerah was already feeling much better and responded very well to her treatment.

It must have been the healing powers of the long weekend, they do anyone good :-).

Remember, even when there is a long weekend or public holiday, Bakenkop is always available for emergencies, as our furries come first!

Your pet. Our passion. Our priority.

PET STAR KLEIO

Be aware of the dangers of CYCADS

Meet Kleio, a 5-month-old Cocker Spaniel and much-loved member of the Coetzee family.

On the 2nd of August, Kleio started vomiting and was brought to our hospital for a consultation and examination. Kleio had ingested Cycad seeds.

Many people are unaware, but Cycads are poisonous to pets.

The seeds are the most toxic, and just two or three can be fatal if consumed, causing liver failure, central nervous system damage, and gastrointestinal irritation. Some of the side effects are vomiting, jaundice, paralysis, convulsions, coma, and death.

Kleio was admitted by Dr Megan Dixon for blood work (Cycad affect the liver) and intravenous fluids to flush her system and combat dehydration caused by her vomiting. She also received anti-nausea medication and liver supportive treatments. She was hand-fed by our team of nurses and received 24-hour monitoring to help her recover.

We are happy to say that Kleio was discharged 3 days later and is doing very well at home. She is eating and taking her medications as prescribed. We will be doing follow up blood tests on her soon to check her Liver Enzymes.

Kleio’s owners confirmed that they were never aware of the dangers of Cycads and would love for their story to inform other pet owners to hopefully avoid this happening to their furry family members.

PET STAR IRIS

Thank you Mrs Naidoo for sharing your experience at our hospital with us. We are so happy to see she fully recovered.

See Mrs Naidoo’s testimonial below:

“Grateful for Bakenkop Animal Clinic!

We are so quick to complain when we do not receive services up to our standards. We never take the time to thank those who go above and beyond for us.

I would like to thank Dr. Kristina for saving our Iris after her accident. She really went above and beyond to get our Iris back home to us. Although we never get the opportunity to thank her and meet her in person, she continued to update us on Iris progress every step of the way.

Iris had run off from the Dog park, and after a chase for about 10 km’s, we lost her. Miraculously, we found her back at the dog park 30 minutes later (no idea how she got back there) with the skin on her body ripped open and what we later found out was a fractured paw.

The services we received from @Bakenkop Animal Clinic as a whole were nothing short of exceptional! When Iris was discharged, they gave us printed instructions for her care and medication, they ran with the medical aid claims and the Vets on call constantly kept us updated on our pup’s progress.

Thank you, Dr. Kristina and everyone at Bakenkop Clinic, for all you did for our Iris and getting her back home to us.

Pictures below show her progress. The final picture was taken yesterday at week 5 after the incident occurred.”

PET STAR NALA

Meet our pet star of the month – Nala.

After being missing for 5 weeks, Nala has finally been reunited with her mommy by the help of the good Samaritans of Centurion.

Mrs Cherise Christie asked for help everywhere on Facebook on the 2nd of May, after her neighbour confessed that he dropped her cat off over 10km’s from where they lived, because she wondered into his yard. Her cry for help spread like a wildfire on Facebook and everyone who saw her post and who loves animals started looking out for Nala.

At Bakenkop we have a passion for stray animals, and we always try to help reunite owners with their lost pets if we have space in our hospital to assist. We have been in contact with Mrs Christie during this time and the whole team kept their eyes and ears out for Nala.

Today, a good Samaritan, who spotted Nala a week ago, and have been in contact with Mrs Christie, finally managed to catch Nala and brought her to us to scan for her microchip. The samaritan shared that Nala was very afraid, and it was difficult to come too close to her without scaring her away. She had been living in the drainpipes for some time. We can only imagine how scared she must have been. They have been leaving food out for her at night and kept trying to win her heart. Last night she finally came to them, and they were able to rescue her and let her sleep in a warm house.

She was brought to us early this morning. We immediately scanned her microchip, and we were all rejoiced to see that she indeed is the ginger female cat we have all been looking for, Nala, and most importantly, she is safe and unharmed!!

Dr Megan Dixon did a health check on her, and we treated her with parasite control just before her mommy came to see her. Her vitals are in the normal ranges. She lost a bit of weight, and she is scared but we are confident that she will be her normal self after being back in her mommy’s loving arms and home. Mrs Christie will keep a close eye on her and make contact should she be worried about anything concerning her health.

Mrs Chrisie was still in shock and very emotional when she saw Nala and she had tears in her eyes when she held her feline companion for the first time after all this time.

We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped share Nala’s posts and who made contact during this search. Mrs Christie could not be more thankful for all the help. We would also like to remind pet owners of the importance of microchipping your pets. Nala’s microchip helped us confirm her identification and helps vets and rescue workers contact the rightful owner, should a missing pet be brought in to be scanned for a chip.

Chip chip hooray, Nala is safe!

PET STAR HUNTER

Hunter’s rescue

Meet Hunter, our pet star of the month.

We first met Hunter and his lovely family, shortly after he was adopted from a breeder. His family just left the breeder’s yard when they noticed him being very lethargic and becoming weaker as the car ride progressed. They rushed him straight to us for a vet check.

Dr Amy saw little Hunter at only 800g of bodyweight, completely malnourished. He was diagnosed with a protozoal intestinal infection and had diarrhoea and no appetite.

He was admitted to hospital for treatment and observation, where he received plasma and whole blood transfusions, intravenous fluids, and medications to support his tiny little body.

He was in our ICU-unit for 5 days, where he stole the hearts of all the staff members.

By the time he was sent home, he had already doubled his weight and he was excited about mealtime, like any puppy should be.

He then finally had the chance to bond with his new family, who saved his life by adopting him and helping him get treatment.

We saw Hunter for a follow-up recently and it warms our hearts to see him happy, strong, and full of energy weighing just over 10kg at the time.

A special word of thanks to the de Carvalho family, for giving Hunter a second chance at life

PET STAR CHASE

Meet chase, our April Pet star of the month.

Chase is a 7-month-old feline family member of the Stoop family.

On the 7th of April, the Stoop family had the biggest fright when Chase was attacked by their neighbours’ 3 dogs. He was rushed to our hospital that evening in a collapsed state. He was immediately taken to the back of our hospital for stabilization. Dr Jeanine Gautschi advised radiographs which revealed two fractures. The nasal bone was fractured in the midline and the right side of the jaw had a fracture. He also suffered from concussion and bleeding from both nostrils and an eye. Dr Jeanine also performed an ultrasound to explore any further injuries internally. She was relieved to see that he did not have any free fluid in his abdomen, the bladder was still intact, and he did not conduct a hernia of any sort.

Chase was admitted for 24-hour monitoring which included medications for the concussion and shock. He was also started on strong antibiotics, pain, and anti-nausea medication. He was placed in our ICU ward where he was closely monitored throughout the entire night for any signs of discomfort / deterioration.

The next day he was much more stable, he was fully conscious and he was able to urinate by himself. Unfortunately, due to the delicate areas of fractures in his nasal and jaw-bones, it was decided to let the fractures heal by second intention whilst supporting Chases’ needs in hospital and keeping him as comfortable as possible. Dr Jeanine decided to place an Oesophagostomy tube to relief any unnecessary discomfort from eating. Chase spent 9 days in hospital with us for pain management, eye drops, antibiotics, nebulization, and tube feedings.

He was discharged on the 18th of April, after starting to eat by himself comfortably the previous day. He was sent home and advised to feed soft food. We are happy to report that with his follow up visit this past Friday (21st of April), his owners shared that he is doing great and eating like a champ and how lovely it is for them (and especially the kids) to have him back home.

It just warms our hearts seeing Chase, this tiny, few months’ old kitten, with such a big LION heart. He never gave up and we could see that fighting spirit evident in his eyes through his whole hospital stay.

It warms our hearts to see him happy and doing well with his family members, who we would also like to thank for entrusting us with over a week’s critical care in our hospital. It was a privilege to have walked this recovery journey with him, day and night. ❤️

PET STAR REX

Meet Rex, 9-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback and much-loved furry family member of our Dr Amy and the Nicholson family.

Rex is a real gentle giant and used to be one of our Bakenkop blood donors, before he retired.

Rex loves snacks and handing out sloppy kisses.

He can even give paw for his favourite treat. Or anything that smells nice for that matter.

Unfortunately, his love for snacks drove him to get hold of Rodenticides (Rat poisoning).

This poison is life-threatening. It’s mechanism of action is to interfere with the bloods clotting factors, causing extreme bleeding. If not treated ASAP, it can cause a patient to start bleeding into their lungs and eventually death.

Luckily, Dr Amy’s family noticed it immediately and he was rushed to our hospital for tests and immediate treatment.

Rex is on the Ultra Pet Optiwoof diet. Did you know that you get free accident cover when you purchase any Ultradog food for your pet? All you have to do is download the Ultrasure App and upload your monthly food purchase slip. And your pet is COVERED FOR ACCIDENTS.

The Ultra Pet company will pay between R5000 – R7000 for a claim, with a yearly sub-limit per pet on the food (Depending on the Ultra pet diet you purchase). How amazing is this?

Yes, vets’ pets also get in trouble. Luckily for Ultra Pet’s accident cover, Rex is on treatment and already asking for his next snack.

PET STAR BELLA

Pet story of the month

Meet Bella, 8-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback. She is one of our senior patients and Pain clinic members. Bella was adopted by Mrs van Rensburg a few years ago. Bella joined our weight loss Clinic in 2019 where she lost all her excess weight and 18cm of bodyfat overall. She loves going for long walks with her mommy for some fresh air. Last year her human mommy noticed that she lagged on walks, she showed signs of stiffness in her shoulder and neck. She booked an appointment with Dr Megan Esterhuysen for a pain evaluation. Dr Megan booked her in for Radiographs and immediately started her on a physio and custom pain protocol.

Here is Mrs van Rensburg’s testimonial:

“I would like to give a HUGE SHOUTOUT OF APPRECIATION to Dr Megan at Bakenkop Animal Hospital! In August of 2022 Bella decided that she had enough of a daily 4km walk about and simply did not want to walk anymore. I brought her in to Dr Megan when I arrived back from Botswana in Nov 2022. Dr Megan assessed her and prescribed a unique set of medication for her and physiotherapy for the next 5 weeks.

I then decided to take her out for a walk with her pack family, and she managed to do 2,5km again. That is such HUGE IMPROVEMENT! She is definitely a lot more mobile and she can walk more comfortably again.

Dr Megan and those whom were all involved really gave added value to the Motto of Bakenkop…”Your Pet, Our Passion, Our Priority” I certainly recommend highly the efforts of all at Bakenkop! “

PET STAR Chloe

Pet story of the month

This is Chloe.

Cloe and her siblings have been patients of Bakenkop since birth.

Chloe recently joined her new family (with 2 toddlers).

Chloe’s mom is smart and she took out pet insurance for her as soon as they got her.

Chloe has only been with her new family for 4 days and is still in her 30 day Pet Insurance waiting period for claims.

Chloe likes to chew on EVERYTHING (like most puppies)

Chloe swallowed the toddlers’ rubber toy in a matter of seconds.

Chloe’s human mommy was smart again and she acted fast and rushed her to us straight away.

We are available 24/7 for pet emergencies.

Luckily we were able to safely induce vomiting and could get the “foreign body” out before it got stuck.

Don’t be like Chloe and tempt faith…

Be like Chloe’s mom and act fast when you have a pet emergency,

AND be smart and take out Pet Insurance for your pets (accidents like this happen in split seconds).

PET STAR VRACHOS

Pet Star of the month

Meet Vrachos, an 18 week old dachshund cross.

The Venter family adopted Vrachos and his brother Winston from a Rescue organization when they were 8 weeks old. They had their first vaccination at the organization. 3 days after they joined the Venter family, Vrachos became lethargic and stopped eating. The Venter family immediately knew something was wrong and brought him to us for a consultation. We sadly diagnosed Vrachos with the dreaded Parvo virus. He was admitted to hospital for fluid administration, tube feeding, plasma transfusion, feacal transplants (to support his intestines in fighting the disease) and intense ICU monitoring and intravenous medications in support of his tiny little body.

A special thank you to Bear, the doggy who donated blood for the plasma transfusion. His owners believe it is that blood that gave him his BIG heart and personality.

Vrachos spend a full 13 days with us in hospital, weighing only just over a kilogram at the time of admission. He fought hard for his life. During the time of his hospital stay, he touched the hearts of all the Bakenkop staff members, and he will forever be a loved Bakenkop family member.

Today, at 18 weeks he more than tripled his weight, and he is a healthy and very energetic puppy with the cutest personality. We decided to make him our Pet Star as he had the strongest will to survive despite how tiny he was and how sick he became.

We also want to take this opportunity to salute the Venter family for not only giving Vrachos a 2nd chance at life but also for visiting him every day in hospital and for never giving up, despite the cost of intensive 24-hour monitoring.

We love seeing Vrachos visiting us at the Clinic and would like to warn all pet owners again about the increasing number of Parvo virus cases. Please note that all puppies need a vaccination at 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks and again at 16 weeks of age to build immunity and even despite the vaccinations, some pups might still get ill but will have a better chance of fighting off the virus if they have added immunity to support them.

Adult dogs need a yearly vaccination booster to help keep their immunity at an optimal response.

We are also excited to share that we have a new blood test available at our hospital, where we can test your dog’s immunity against Parvo virus. If we find that your pet’s immunity is not optimal, we can give them another booster to increase the immunity against parvo. Please feel free to contact us should you be interested in this test.

PET STAR NITRO

In support of pet obesity awareness month, we are very proud to share Nitro’s testimonial

Nitro lost an amazing:

25.3% of his bodyweight

8.8kg,

32cm around his chest and

16cm around his waist!

HIS TESTOMONIAL BELOW

“I’m a 4-year-old English Bulldog. As many people know our breed tends to have more health issues than others and unfortunately, I can testify to it.

On the Easter weekend of 2019, I was diagnosed with epilepsy. Many tests later, I was put on medication to help ease the seizures and it did help but not for long. Some days were bad. I would get up to 8 seizures a day and they really took everything out of me. I didn’t feel great and all I wanted to do was sleep. The one negative effect of the medication was weight gain.

Putting on the extra kilos didn’t make it easier for me. I loved going for afternoon walks with my mommy and daddy but unfortunately I couldn’t walk too far as I would get really tired.”

“Even with all the walks and exercise I struggled to lose weight until I was put on the Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility eating plan”

“Once I started to lose weight, everything seemed to get better and easier for me. The afternoon turned into fun walks. I even got to a point that after the walks I still had energy left for playing and the odd backyard ‘Zoomies'”

“My seizures have also been under control and I have only had 2 since being on the eating plan.

But who am I kidding, everyone who knows me knows that I’m a real sucker for some extra love and attention and since losing all the weight the spotlight has really been on me no matter where I go, whether it be at family members or my trips to the vet for my check-ups, I always seem to catch everyone’s attention and get all the love and cuddles I want.

Being on the Hill’s Metabolic + Mobility eating plan wasn’t difficult at all. The food is packed full of nutrients and keeps me going with a full tummy all day until my next meal. I’ve been a much happier dog and will highly recommend the food to any other doggo struggling to get rid of the unwanted “puppy fat” and extra centimetres.”

For a free weight evaluation consultation, please book an appointment with Sister Cindy (Cindy@bakenkop-vet.co.za)

PET STAR MIA

Meet Mia, 10 year old miniature pinscher cross.

In February this year, Mia got bitten by another dog which resulted in a complete fracture in her jaw.

She was rushed to our hospital after-hours where radiographs were performed. She was admitted to hospital where she was monitored 24/7 by veterinarians and nurses. She had to fed with a syringe through a muzzle while waiting for her specialist surgery at the Dental Clinic. Her jaw was repaired at Onderstepoort Dental Clinic and she recovered uneventfully. Today she is a happy senior doggy and her she can shew on anything again. Her favourite treat is Probono cookies.

“We are so thankful that Bakenkop Vet was available after-hours to help us when Mia had an emergency and furthermore, we are even more grateful for taking out Pet Insurance for her. If it wasn’t for Oneplan, who helped us with the financial strain of this emergency, we would not have been able to afford this big jaw surgery” – Mia’s owners.

PET STAR FLENTERS

Meet Flenters, a 4 year old jack russel who was diagnosed with Polyradiculoneuritis (a condition that affects the nerves in dogs and can leave them paralyzed) in July.

His mommy came to see Dr Megan Esterhuysen, who runs our Pain Clinic at Bakenkop. She has a special interest in physiotherapy and rehabilitation. With his first visit, he was unable to use any of his legs even though you could see in his eyes that he was trying his utmost best to move. He could barely move his head and had to be turned from side to side when lying down.

Dr Megan started him on a physiotherapy plan which included some stretches, TENS- muscles stimulation treatments and many outdoor physio sessions with his favourite squeeky toy and Probono cookies to motivate him to move his muscles and limbs by himself. And does he loves his toy and cookies!

With each session we were amazed to see the muscles and his will to get to his toy got stronger, with the encouragement of the staff cheering him on with every muscle making progress. About 5 weeks into treatment, Flenters were able to stand and run with support and another week later he was able to stand and walk by himself!

Flenters went for a follow up with a medicine specialist vet at Fourways, 6 weeks into treatment and they were just as amazed and proud of Flenters’ improvement ❤❤.

PET STAR BENTLEY

Meet Bentley, the 7 year old jack Russel and much loved furry family member of the van Wyngard family.

Bentley definitely deserves to be crowned as our June Pet Star of the month as he fought hard to still be with us today.

On the 5th of June, Bentley and his furry sister, Bella (German Shepard) were rushed to our hospital as they had been poisoned. Shortly after their arrival, another dog from the same street came in. Unfortunately Bella and the other dog did not survive the incident and passed away on the same day. Bentley was still unconscious at that stage.

He received intensive treatment at our hospital for over a week where he was placed on a drip, needed to be fed through a nasogastric tube, he needed oxygen therapy, thermoregulation, monitoring of his organ function etc. The whole team at our hospital got attached to this little guy and we kept him in our prayers at night.

Bentley improved a little bit every day and by night 7 he was sent home, eating and wagging his tail. We were so happy we all jumped with joy.

Sadly 6 days after that he was re-admitted to our hospital with some complications and needed to be on a drip again for the weekend.

About a week after being discharged the second time, he went for a little walk in the neighbourhood with his mommy and they were attacked by a Pitbull who came out of his yard. Bentley’s mom needed to be admitted for bite wounds and sutures. Bentley was only grabbed by the collar and didn’t sustain any serious injuries.

June was a tragic month for the family. Having 3 hospital admissions between them and they lost a beloved pet. It was obvious that Bentley missed having a friend so this week they welcomed Bailey, a Jack Russel puppy into their home to keep Bentley on his toes. After all this, Mrs van Wyngard took out pet Medical Insurance for both Bentley and Bailey. She mentioned that accidents happens so quickly and not being prepared for it does make all the trauma so much worse.

Van Wyngard family, we are so terribly sorry for all the heart-ache you had to go through this past month. We admire you for your resilience and for giving Bentley a second chance in life.

PET STAR COURAGE

“Courage is fear holding on a little longer”

Meet “Courage”, an approximately 6 year old Basset mix stray. This loving dog was found on the dumping site close to the R55 by 2 gentlemen from the Scorpion security company. It appeared as if he had been abandoned. He was lying in the sun, possibly for days and was unable to walk.

The two gentlemen, Ricardo and Jadan were very concerned about him and immediately brought him to our hospital. They also made a donation towards his medical treatment.

Dr Megan examined him upon arrival. He was dehydrated but so thankful to have been found that he could not stop wagging his tail. Unfortunately he was unable to fully extend his hind legs or walk at all but he found a way to drag himself by his front legs. This is why we named him Courage.

He spent the night on a drip and was monitored 24/7 throughout the night by our night nurse, Sister Aniceta and after-hours’ veterinarian, Dr Roy on duty. By the following day his appetite increased tremendously and it was clear that he was already feeling much better! His tail still wagged every time we gave him attention.

Radiographs confirmed that his back legs had been fractured some time ago. We suspect that he went through a traumatic incident and did not get the medical attention needed at that time to assist the recovery without complications.

The fractured leg healed with callus formation (bony growths) which led the muscles to contract permanently leading to his hind limbs being in a permanently flexed position. Surgery is not an option because of the chronicity of the damage in the joints.

His quality of life is not sustainable long-term, since trying to move is causing him to get pressure sores and pain and it is not fair to not be able to run or play like other dogs. He developed pressure sores from dragging himself around.

Dr Kristina took him to the well-known physiotherapist, Heather Withfield to establish whether therapy would be an option. They decided to give this doggy a 2nd chance by doing daily physio session on him to see if his muscles could get stronger and more flexible so he can have an acceptable quality of life again. We are treating him for pain and started him on Hill’s j/d joint diet to assist his recovery in every way possible.

We would like to thank Hill’s Pet Nutrition for sponsoring a bag of joint diet as well as Heather and her team at Pawsative Pawsabilities for all the sessions they have put in so far to try and help Courage.

He is touching hearts everywhere he goes. If you would like to contribute towards Courage’s treatment, we have a separate fund for him. You can email cindy@bakenkop-vet.co.za for banking details and please use the reference “Courage” when making a donation. Every R100 will make a big difference towards his treatment received.

PET STAR LEVI

Meet Levi, the 11 year old Labrador retriever and much loved furry member of the Strauss family.

Dr Johan booked him in for a SENIOR WELLNESS PACKAGE at our Clinic. We advise routine yearly check-ups on all pets but even more so for our senior pets as they age quicker. Levi’s age is equivalent to a 70 year old human.

This package includes:

General examination
A yearly vaccination
Deworming
Tick and flea treatment
General anaesthesia + Dental scale and polish
X-rays of the back, hips, knee’s, elbows and chest
Basic blood screening
SDMA kidney function test
Faecal analysis
Urine analysis

After taking radiographs, we confirmed that he has mild hip dysplasia, which is common in large breed dogs, but because we did a routine SCREENING on him, we discovered this abnormality before it became an untreatable problem. He is on the correct pain medication and diet to support his joints and ensure that he stays pain free.

It warms our hearts to say that this Golden oldie is in such a good condition. His blood tests were normal and his teeth is now clean again. His vaccinations, deworming and parasite control treatments are all up to date and most importantly, the owners know that they are doing their utmost to give Levi the best possible care.

Levi, you are our GOLDEN OLDIE rock star this month! Strauss family, well done on proving why preventative care is vital.

Book your pet for a Senior wellness package at a massive discounted price today. Please phone reception on 012 653 4474 for price queries and bookings

PET STAR TAYLA

Remember Hope, the rescue kitten who stole the hearts of the whole Bakenkop team and some of our Clients?

In December this kitten was found on the streets. She was terrified and ran away from the community members who tried to pick her up. She ran into a nearby municipal water pump substation which they did not have access too. A community member phoned CERT emergency services for their assistance. They arrived soon after and with the help of a municipal worker, they managed to catch her. She was terrified and she had some very bad wounds on her legs and neck.

The good Samaritans who found her, also clients of ours, rushed her to us for medical attention. On closer inspection and full examination it was found that she had a snare wire stuck around her neck and leg. The wire was removed immediately, she was placed on a drip and received some pain medication, antibiotics and a big bowl of soft food. She ate as if she had not eaten for days.

After spending a night on a drip, Dr Kristina Lutz examined the leg and the wounds around the neck again. Unfortunately the wire had caused too much damage. The blood flow to this limb had completely been cut off by the wire and the leg was infected. There were also large open wounds on both sides of the neck. Despite the severity of her injuries, we knew she deserved a second chance in life.

After careful consideration, it was decided to amputate the leg. Not only because the limb had no more feeling but also to prevent further spread of the infection in the leg.
The operation was done the same day without any complications. The wounds around the neck are also closed with sutures. This little black cat has so much fighting spirit in her! She already stole the hearts of all the Bakenkop personnel. So much so that our stock Manager at the clinic decided to give her a loving home. She was then renamed Tayla, which means strong and beautiful.

After another week in hospital, where she became more like a Bakenkop family member, she went to her new loving home. She got to meet her feline family members too. At first, they were a bit shy of each other but they quickly got used to the “new normal”. They play with each other when no-one else is watching.

Today it is just over a month after the operation and we are happy to report that Tayla has picked up some weight as she still LOVES eating, she has adjusted in her new home and she is coping nicely with only 3 legs.

We would like to give a big shout out to the CERT team for assisting the community by saving this lovely cat from the street and the Uitzingers’ for making a generous donation towards our stray fund, helping us with her medical expenses. We know that she will receive the best love and care from the Herbst family.

PET STAR DASHA

Meet Dasha, a 5 year old Russian terrier and much loved furry family member of the Calitz family.
In June this year, Dasha was on heat. Herman and Sumarie made the decision to have her mated with and allow her to have at least one litter before sterilizing her. They were excited to experience puppy birth and whatever challenges goes hand in hand with it. After all, it is said that motherhood comes naturally. And who does not love puppies?

On the 17th of August, Dasha starting with nesting behaviour. It was obvious that the birthing process was about to happen. Dasha started getting contractions in the morning hours, with Herman and Sumare close by her side the entire time. Dasha struggled for a long time but could not get any puppies out and there was a green discharge visible.

Mr Calitz phoned our Clinic during the early hours of morning to speak to Sister Ann, who was on night duty with Dr Yolande, thus assisting with any emergencies. It was advised that Dasha be brought to the Clinic for an examination and radiographs to see how many pups she still had in utero and if they were in the correct position to be born naturally.

The radiographs confirmed that she still had 10 puppies inside of her. Dr Yolande did a vaginal exam and found one puppy already in the birth canal. The option of a C-section was discussed with the owners but it was decided to give Dasha some more time to try and give birth naturally. Dr Yolande gave an injection to further assist with contractions and sent Dasha home where she will be most comfortable to continue with the birthing process. The Calitz couple then knew exactly what to look out for and when to phone us again. They understood that if Dasha did not manage to get the puppies out soon, it would become an emergency and the puppies will need to be removed by a C-section. We regularly perform C-sections on especially small breed dogs.

Dasha went home with her owners, who still have not slept at all the entire night. In the next 3 hours, 3 puppies were born. At 7am Sunday morning, they brought Dasha back after one of the pups had unfortunately passed away. By this time Dasha had been in labour for hours already and the Calitz family did not want to risk any of the other babies’ lives. Dr Yolande advised that we surgically remove the pups by C-section. The owners also agreed to have her sterilized at the same time.

Dr Yolande, with the assistance of Dr Johan and Sister Marietjie who monitored the anaesthesia, went into theatre immediately whilst the other puppies were being bottle fed by Sister Cindy. Unfortunately another puppy was found dead in the birth canal.

After the C-section and recovery period, Dasha, her exhausted owners and the rest of the puppies went home with a tin of puppy milk as back-up. Dasha struggled as a new mom in the beginning. It took her some time to know how to lie so that her pups can suckle. She also didn’t seem to know how big she was and accidentally lay on one of her puppies, which also passed away. Another puppy was diagnosed with a serious birth defect and unfortunately had to be put to sleep. Sadly only 6 out of the 10 puppies were left.

With this experience, the Calitz couple shed many tears of sadness but also tears of joy. They can easily now warn other pet owners of the big responsibility that comes with allowing your pets to have a litter. It is also not always as easy or natural as people might think. Sometimes surgical invention and medical treatment is needed. Mrs Calitz also added that she did not realise how emotionally attached you get to these pups, even if they are only a part of the household for a few weeks. If you cannot deal with this heartache, lack of sleep or financially support the medical expenses that go hand in hand with breeding, we advise pet owners to sterilize their pets as soon as they are matured enough. It should also be kept in mind that there are cases where pet owners will be left with the responsibility of feeding and stimulating pups every 2-3 hours.

With this being said, we want to thank the Calitz family for their dedication towards Dasha. They stood by her side the entire time, asked for medical advice and intervention when needed and still give the puppies the best start in life. A house filled with love and care.

A week back, the 6 puppies came for their first vaccinations and deworming. What a heart-warming site it was to see these beautiful pups back at our Clinic. Strong, happy and healthy. Calitz family, we salute you for all that you have been through this past 2 months.

PET STAR FREDDY

Meet Freddy, a very brave Afrikanus x Collie boy that is about 4 years old. Freddy deserves our Pet Star of the month title for all that he has been through.

In July, in the middle of the Winter one of our clients, Ms Cindy van Aswegen found Freddy, next to the road at the airport in Port Elizabeth. She was on her way back to Pretoria when she spotted him lying in the rain outside, barely moving. She ran towards him and could not believe that he was alive. He was in a terrible condition. He was severely emaciated, full of ticks, he had mange and a fractured leg.

Cindy has always had a soft spot for animals and could not leave the dog and get on her plane. So she missed her flight and took him to the nearest vet in the area where they treated him and kept him for 4 days. Luckily the fractured leg was stable and did not need surgical intervention.

Cindy did some networking and managed to find him a foster home in PE for time being. He started picking up some weight and got used to human contact.

After a month, Cindy managed to get Freddy to Pretoria where he came to our Clinic for a full clinical examination. We diagnosed him with a TVT (transmissible venereal tumour). This is a tumour of the external genitalia that gets transmitted during mating. Freddy is currently on a weekly Chemotherapy program at our Clinic. During this time, Freddy also found a loving forever home with Adre.

Despite the horrible side effects Freddy has to endure with his weekly chemotherapy and his saddening street life, Freddy still wags his tail when he enters our Clinic and his eyes now sparkle with new life.

Thank you Cindy and team for giving Freddy a second chance in life. We salute you!