The University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science at Onderstepoort recently provided the residents of Bronkhorstspruit and the surrounding area in Gauteng with free care and information for their pets, as well as the services of its well-equipped mobile clinic. This formed part of a vaccination drive against rabies. 

Residents not only brought the usual range of domestic pets. The veterinary nursing staff and veterinary and veterinary nursing students even helped clip the feathers and nails of an African grey parrot. A representative of the Gauteng State Veterinarian Office and a veterinarian from the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH) were also on hand to provide advice. By the end of the day, 123 dogs and 21 cats had been seen. A local animal sanctuary also took the opportunity to bring 25 dogs in their care to the clinic for a quick check-up. 

The initiative was organised by staff of Alzu Feeds. Several other suppliers contributed to the success of the day. The pet food manufacturer Ultrapet donated 400 kg of dog food, while the global animal health company, Zoetis, sponsored tick and flea treatments. The Gauteng State Veterinary Services provided the vaccines.

The drive provided valuable hands-on training to the University’s Veterinary Science students. Dr Makhosonkhe Dlamini, a veterinarian at the OVAH, was satisfied with the condition of the animals he saw. Many were dewormed, one dog was treated for an abscess, while two others were given intraperitoneal fluids as they were dehydrated and constipated. Dr Dlamini and his students also provided valuable advice to pet owners, ranging from what to feed their animals to how to treat chronic skin conditions in animals. He says many of these cases are linked to the presence of ticks and fleas in the surrounding area. This outreach to Bronkhorstspruit will hopefully be the first of many.

One of the driving forces behind the initiative, Dr Paul van Dam, Director of the OVAH, said that rabies is a frightening disease, as there is no known treatment once symptoms occur. The Faculty of Veterinary Science supports such initiatives to prevent its spread. “Dogs are the source of 99% of human rabies infections, which are fatal. Rabies can, however, be prevented by vaccinating cats and dogs. It is our duty to inform and educate communities about the possible risks if pets are not vaccinated against this disease,” he said.