West Coast and Clanwilliam
(The WVS team, Dr Simon Wilson, nurse Bob Dawson and Dr Amanda Wilson)
I was again fortunate that another veterinary team arrived from the UK in February, courtesy of Worldwide Veterinary Service (www.wvs.org.uk), to help with the ongoing and ever increasing work here. Dr Simon Wilson flew in to Cape Town on a Sunday morning, so I, along with nurse Bob Dawson, also from the UK and who has now made this pilgrimage to help me for the fifth consecutive year, collected him from the airport and travelled on up to Lambert’s Bay to start work – if Simon was hoping for a small respite from the journey he didn’t let on!
We were also hoping to collect Dr Amanda Wilson (no relative, the name is quite a coincidence!) who should also have landed on Sunday morning, but she was bumped off the SAA plane (apparently overbooked) and eventually landed on Monday morning instead and as we were already busy working in Lambert’s Bay we had to organise (and pay) for a courier to meet and transport her to us. The next two days were spent in Lambert’s Bay followed by three further hectic days in Clanwilliam.
The days flew by and 217 dogs and cats were sterilised, with extra assistance from Dr Roelof van der Merwe & Calvin Samuels of the Animal Rescue Organisation on Thursday and Friday – big thanks to them. Thanks also to Michell in Lambert’s Bay and Dee, Georgia and the team in Clanwilliam. We eventually arrived back in Cape Town late on Friday evening. The visitors, who had earned a break, then spent the weekend seeing the sights while I re-sterilised equipment, repacked drugs and sorted out more suture materials etc (thanks Brenda for your help!).

So, Sunday afternoon and we’re off up the N7 again, this time heading for Strandfontein (near Vredendal). We stayed in municipal cottages (when we eventually managed to get access, after some confusion over receiving the keys – all resolved S.A style!) This was our base for two nights, making it easy to travel to the tiny village of Ebenhaezar to sterilise for two days - 63 dogs and cats sterilised in this tiny place! From here we travelled on to Lutzville where we were joined again by Dr Roelof and Calvin on Thursday – but then we ran out of patients!
Lutzville is quite a lot bigger than Ebenhaezer so I suspect there were more there but the owners didn’t bother to bring them in. But 78 were sterilised in two days. Simon left us this afternoon, having booked a tour in Namibia; I didn’t envy him the long bus ride from Klawer but I would have enjoyed the rest of the trip I’m sure! On Friday we sterilised in Vredendal North and another 52 were sterilised before we packed up at about 3 p.m. for the trip home. Back to Cape Town on Friday evening.
Amanda managed a trip to World of Birds in Hout Bay on Saturday before returning to England on Sunday - she was going back to work for a rest I think! We sterilised 410 impoverished animals in the 10 days operatingphew! The new roof bars on the bakkie (courtesy of the Bat Run Team) allowed us to transport some cat traps, but we cannot transport the team and all the equipment we need without a trailer – thanks to ARO for the use of their trailer, but one of our own would help enormously– please let us know if you can help.

Thanks to Amanda, Simon & Bob for all their work - & Bob for more spay kits etc. Also big thanks to Dr Jiten Magan for all his help with the animals and for looking after us so well in the Vredendal week.

However, there was one downside from this trip – two of our cat traps were deliberately and seriously vandalised in Clanwilliam. Luckily there were no cats in them at the time. If anyone can offer us funding for replacements (+/- R500 each) please contact us.

And still more animals...
The WVS team may have gone but there are still thousands of animals to be sterilised; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the following week saw me in Du Noon, working with African Tails: 111 dogs and cats sterilised. Special thanks once again to Dr Roelof of ARO who also worked on all three days and brought a team to assist, and thanks to the SPCA for assisting and to all volunteers – veterinary and otherwise, to the Marchig Animal Welfare Trust for assisting with the funding of this campaign and everyone else who gave a financial donation or donated blankets, food and other necessary items.

Sterilisation figures 2008: 1,378 2009 so far: 564

NEXT SPAYATHON
March and April: Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, Gordon’s Bay and Macassar – can you help with: funding; towels; blankets; holding pens/cages? Any other dog or cat goodies (food, collars, leads etc.?) We are also hoping to visit St Helena Bay, Villiersdorp (again), Citrusdal area, Eland’s Bay (again) and we definitely need to revisit Clanwilliam… so many cats!

MONEY FOR NOTHING
It can be very tempting to offer money in exchange for a flea-ridden, dejected looking puppy. You may see the animal with someone at the side of the road, or perhaps you are helping at one of our ‘spayathons’. Everyday we see animals that we wish we could place in a better home, but PLEASE DON’T BUY THESE ANIMALS. Whilst it may help the one – or perhaps several – that you purchase, it will just encourage the owner to breed from the mother again.
Or if you manage to get the mother sterilised the owner will get another breeding bitch. And tell their friends. So for the one you’ve saved you have consigned another hundred to lives of misery. In cases where you feel there is serious neglect or cruelty and the owner will not willingly relinquish the puppy, contact the SPCA Inspectorate or one of the other welfare organisations. DO NOT PAY AT ANY PRICE!

GREYHOUND RACING:
There is a move to legalise greyhound racing in South Africa. In a meeting organised by the DTI last month I presented the following reasons as to why I do NOT want to see greyhound racing becoming a ‘legal sport’ here. I would be interested to hear from anyone, either for or against greyhound racing, stating their reasons.
PROBLEMS:
• Animal abuse is rife in the industry
• The motive purely commercial gain and profit
• Animal’s well-being and welfare secondary
• Substance abuse occurs in dog racing
• Live lures used in training
• Poaching and hunting increases
• Multiple injuries
• Poor living conditions and confinement
• As there will most certainly be cruelty, neglect and abuse, there will be grounds for prosecution and the chances of that are minimal as the continuation of organised dog fighting carries on with apparent impunity
• Unwanted ‘surplus’ dogs
• Transport standards to and from races and training questionable
• Holding areas at the track may be inadequate
• EXPLOSIVE BREEDING leading to....

UNWANTED DOGS...BEFORE RACING as not fast or ‘good enough’ AND ON RETIREMENT AND may retire early if injured
WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM?
• Euthanased
• Sent for experimentation
• Sent for human consumption
• Killed and dumped
• Shot
• Drowned
• Hanged

MANY JUST ABANDONED leading to...
• Many animals – not enough homes
• More euthanasia
• Increased financial burden on welfare organisations

IF HOMED may still be problems – in South Africa many dogs are not kept confined to their property by their owner –
greyhounds allowed to wander may instinctively hunt
• Dog racing will provide one more easily accessible venue for all the things we are lamenting in our society - drugs, prostitution, excessive drinking
• There is no shortage of opportunities for gambling among the people who wish to do that - horse racing, casinos, Lotto, cards and private gaming
Dr Yvonne Robson

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR
Driving with Daisy – dogs in cars
For many of us cars are just a part of everyday life and we are often surprised that our dogs behave in any other way than perfect while we drive them to the park or to the vet. Here are some tips for safe and happy driving with your dog: As soon as you get your puppy or dog start to get her used to the car, using treats, talking calmly and generally making it a pleasant experience. It helps to have a second person to hold her the first few times. Comfort is a big thing, so make sure your dog can sit or lie down on a non-slip surface. Use a rubber mat or layers of newspaper with a towel on top.
A light space like the car seat is ideal, not the foot well, as it is usually dark, smelly and noisy. Open the air vents and windows , but not too wide. If your dog puts it head out the window it can damage its eyes. Your dog must learn to sit or lie still and not leap around or try to get on your lap or shoulders. If she is used to a crate then use this when travelling to contain her.
You could also use a box with high sides, but no top, wedged so it doesn’t move around. If your dog’s too big for this, then tie her to a seatbelt or door handle using a lead, preferably with a harness. (A collar could strangle your dog in an accident.) You can get special doggy seatbelt harnesses at some pet shops and vets. Long distance travelling needs more planning. Make sure you have water and a bowl and stop every hour to let her out to stretch her legs, relieve herself and have a drink of water.
NEVER: • Never leave a dog in a car for more than a minute:
Cars get extremely hot in a very short time and dogs (and babies) have died in these conditions. There are exceptions to the rule, but then the car must be parked in the shade with all windows open and only for short periods while in your sight.
• Never put a dog in the back of an open bakkie or truck:
If you have to do this (very unlikely), then the floor of the bakkie must have a fitted rubber mat or be treated with rubberised paint. She must be correctly attached to the centre of the front cab, using a harness and a short lead. Many a dog has fallen off a moving vehicle and been injured or run over. Being tied incorrectly could lead to strangulation, hanging, or being dragged along the road resulting in terrible injuries.
• Never allow your dog to sit on your lap, shoulders or under your feet while driving:
Obviously this compromises your driving and could result in an accident. I have seen a dog being thrown from a car window while going around a corner.

COMMON TRAVEL PROBLEMS:
Car phobia:
Fear of the unknown or a bad experience in or around a car may result in car phobia. Don’t force the issue, but rather try to get your dog used to the car in steps over a few weeks or months. First feed your dog near the car, gradually getting closer each day. Then feed her in the car with all the doors open. Once she’s happy with this routine try starting the engine, allowing her to jump out of open doors, but offering treats or toys inside the car. Once this is going well and she isn’t jumping out, then shut all the doors and windows and let the engine run for a couple of minutes while stationary. After that, try driving a few metres and then letting her out, and so on…. It will be a slow process, but the alternative (forcing the dog) will be traumatic, resulting in a more terrified dog around cars.
Motion-sickness:
Like in humans, some dogs are just more prone to motion sickness than others. Most puppies grow out of it and become more used to travelling and therefore don’t get sick so often. Motion-sickness is often associated with stress or fear, so make trips comfortable, short and fun for your dog. If car-sickness is a problem, don’t feed your dog for at least an hour before travelling (6 hours before a long trip). Open the windows, allow your dog to sit in the front (strapped in) with a view of the “horizon”. Stop often for your dog to walk and drink. Drive slowly and, if there’s a choice, take a straight road rather than a windy one. Be prepared to clean up and make life easier by using a crate or box and lots of old towels and newspapers. Take lots of water bottles and perhaps some kind of cleaning agent that removes smells. For severe cases your vet may be able to prescribe medication for motion sickness.
Barking:
This can be a most annoying and ear-splitting problem for the other occupants of the car, not to mention that it may be dangerous. It is also a problem that is difficult to remedy without the help of a behaviourist and lots of patience. The reasons why dogs do this are varied: hunting instinct; protective ins tinct; fear of strangers/ motorbikes/ trucks coming too close to the “safe zone”; association with exciting walks; or just fun! Some quick tips:
• Use a chewy toy. Dogs can’t bark and chew at the same time, so giving her a nice big bone or cow hoof to chew in the car may help.
• Close the windows and turn on some peaceful music. Sudden outside noises may trigger barking, so muffle them with some calm sounds.
• Ignore the barking completely. Often we make things worse by joining in.
• Contain her. Often a dog that barks from excitement or anxiety calms down when contained by a crate or a tethered harness.
Karen Gray-Kilfoil
Animal Behaviourist & Humane Educator
www.animal-behaviour.org.za/karengray
and Yvonne Robson, SASHA veterinarian

THE BAT RUN
Saturday 7 February, 7p.m., 30 degrees and off we went along Tafelberg Road, into the lightning and up Devils Peak. Back down the slippery slopes by head torch then up Platteklip Gorge to Maclear’s Beacon – light from the moon and the City Bowl helped - then down again, up Lion’s Head and back. 7 hours 7 minutes later I completed the course, tired but happy. Thanks to Sonia, Sonja and John and all their helpers for organising the run and donating roof bars for the bakkie. Thanks also to Bruce Mills for completing the course with me to make sure I didn’t falter, and very many thanks to all supporters and sponsors who enabled us to raise just over R20,500.

PAYMENTS
We get some donations paid directly into our bank account without a specific reference. If anyone makes a payment in this way and requires acknowledgement or a receipt please e-mail us or give us a call to let us know. Thank you! And thanks again to all our regular donors.

BOOK SALES
We are still looking for someone who can offer assistance with sorting or selling books: please contact us if you have a little spare time.

PRINTING
Printing of this newsletter is kindly sponsored by The Science Press - scientific and technical editing, illustration, proofreading and typesetting.
Tel: (021) 789 2331,
email: info@thesciencepress.com;
www.thesciencepress.com

DOC’S REPORT
Please don’t poison your pet...
according to the American SPCA Animal Poison Control Center the most common cause of household poisonings in small animals is prescription and over-thecounter medications. Pets may steal pills from shelves or chew up tablet pots. They may also pinch anything you accidentally drop on the floor. Many ‘ordinary’ drugs such as aspirin and paracetamol and the common antiinflammatories such as ibuprofen can cause problems, including stomach ulcers and kidney damage. A decongestant found in many cold remedies can cause elevations in heart rate and possibly even fits. Antidepressants can cause vomiting and lethargy. Keep all your medicines in a cupboard and be careful not to drop any when taking them!
Dr Myers from the ASPCA recommends that you keep track of the amount in the bottle, so if your pet does manage to get hold of the bottle you will know how bad things could be. Stay calm and contact your veterinarian immediately – information on drug and possible quantity ingested is crucial for correct treatment. I once did a house call where the owner, an invalid, thought his dog might have been knocked over by a car because it had been walking oddly that morning.
When I asked him about the medication that his dog was taking (noted from the clinical records at the practice), I found that he kept his own medication in the same drawer as his dog’s heart tablets. Some of the tablets were lying loose in the drawer! Who knows which patient got which drugs, and when, but luckily the dog made a complete recovery.
Dr Yvonne Robson

GARAGE SALE
We will be holding a sale of our bric-a-brac, clothes and books at our premises on Saturday 25th April, from 8.30am to 1pm. Please come and browse through the many good quality items, and spread the word... the more people come, the more we will sell.

Untill next time.....
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