Brackenhurst Veterinary Hospital

30/09/2025

30/09/2025

🐾 Protect Your Pets & Save! 🐾
Say goodbye to ticks and fleas this season with 20% OFF NexGard, NexGard Spectra, and Frontline!

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📍 Available now at Brackenhurst Veterinary Hospital – but only for a limited time!

✨ Don’t wait – give your pets the protection they deserve while stocks last.

29/09/2025

🚨 URGENT CAT OWNER ALERT: Straining in the litter box is NOT always constipation! 🚨

This is the story of a very brave cat named Blackie, and it’s a critical lesson for every single cat owner.

On the 10th of September, 3-year-old Blackie was rushed to vet hospital. He was crying in pain and desperately trying to urinate with no luck. His owner, like many people would, logically suspected he was constipated.

However, our examination revealed a far more dangerous, life-threatening emergency: a complete urethral obstruction, also known as a "blocked cat." This is one of the most critical emergencies we see, especially in neutered male cats.

When a cat is "blocked," a plug of inflammatory material, crystals, and mucus gets lodged in the urethra, making it physically impossible to urinate. Blackie's bladder was immensely swollen—like an overfilled water balloon on the verge of rupturing—and dangerous toxins were rapidly building up in his bloodstream. He was in a critical state.

Our team immediately sprang into action.
Emergency Decompression: We first performed an emergency cystocentesis (draining the bladder with a fine needle) to safely relieve the agonizing pressure and prevent rupture.
Unblocking the Obstruction: Once stable under sedation, we carefully passed a urinary catheter to dislodge the blockage.
Flushing the System: The initial urine we removed was almost pure blood. We then gently flushed his bladder with over 200ml of sterile fluids until the liquid ran clear, removing all the dangerous sludge and debris

Blackie is now resting comfortably with his urinary catheter in place, receiving IV fluids to support his kidneys and help him recover. He is a very lucky boy, and his owner’s quick decision to bring him in saved his life.

THE CRITICAL TAKEAWAY FOR ALL CAT OWNERS:

If you EVER see your male cat doing any of the following, please treat it as a dire emergency: 🔹 Straining to urinate with little or no result. 🔹 Making frequent trips to the litter box. 🔹 Crying, howling, or showing pain while in the litter box. 🔹 Over-grooming or licking their ge***al area.

Do not wait to see if it gets better. A blocked cat can die in less than 48 hours.
Please send your best healing wishes to brave Blackie in the comments. We're all rooting for him! ❤️

23/09/2025

✨ From Painful Limps to a Future of Leaps! ✨

Meet the bravest little Yorkshire Terrier who recently stole our hearts. ❤️ This little one came to us with a significant limp and chronic pain that was holding them back from living their best life.

The diagnosis? Severe hip dysplasia in their left hip. This is a painful condition where the "ball and socket" of the hip joint don't fit together properly, leading to grinding, inflammation, and arthritis.



For a small, active patient like this, the best course of action was a specialized surgery called a Femoral Head and Neck Excision (FHNE).



Take a look at the X-rays! 👇

📸 BEFORE (1st photo): You can clearly see the deformed "ball" (the femoral head) on the left side, sitting uncomfortably in its socket. Every step this little one took was causing pain.



📸 AFTER (2nd photo): This is post-surgery. Our skilled team has carefully removed the painful femoral head and neck. By removing the source of the bone-on-bone grinding, we eliminate the pain. The body then cleverly creates a "false joint" of muscle and scar tissue that allows for comfortable, pain-free movement!



This little champion is now on the road to recovery, and with a little time and physical therapy, they'll be back to running, jumping, and playing without the pain that was holding them back. We are so proud of our tiny patient!

If you notice your pet limping, slowing down, or struggling to get up, it's not always just "getting old." It could be a treatable condition. Let us help them get their spark back!

Please join us in sending a wave of healing wishes to this sweet Yorkie in the comments below! 👇🐾

19/09/2025

💥Considering the recent Canine Distemper outbreak reported in Pretoria.💥
Here are a few things you need to know.

What is Canine Distemper?
Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that affects a dog’s lungs, intestinal tract, and nervous system. The Virus spreads directly from dog to dog through close contact.

What are the symptoms?
• Fever and loss of appetite
• A snotty nose and a thick discharge from the eyes
• Pneumonia and diarrhea
• The virus can also infect the foot pads, causing a scaly
thickening known as “hard pad disease”
• Epileptic Seizures
• Involuntary Twitching of the legs

Prevention is key
Prevention by vaccination is the primary strategy against this lethal disease
Please review your dog’s (and puppies) health records to ensure their vaccinations are up to date. If your dog is due for a booster, please call us to schedule an appointment.

If you would like more information regarding Distemper, send us your email address and we will email you a client information sheet.

18/09/2025

⭐️Badge of honour for todays blood donor.⭐️

17/09/2025

Get a FREE Foodie Bin when you buy any 2 qualifying bags of Hill’s pet food*

16/09/2025

✨ Protect Your Pets & Save! ✨
🐶🐱

20% OFF
Tick & Flea Treatment
(NexGard & Frontline)
While stocks last!

🕷️ Stop ticks in their tracks
🐜 Say goodbye to fleas
💙 Keep your pets happy & healthy

📍 Available at Brackenhurst Veterinary Hospital

09/09/2025

🚨 Urolithiasis in Dogs & Cats – What Every Pet Owner Should Know 🚨

Urolithiasis (bladder stones) is a condition where crystals form in the urinary tract of pets, creating stones that can cause pain, blockages, and even life-threatening emergencies if untreated. Sadly, in some cases pets only show signs once the stones are already developed and very large.

👉 Like this patient, who only stopped eating and showed discomfort the day before surgery—yet her bladder was already filled with stones!

🔎 Signs to look out for:
Straining or difficulty urinating
Blood in the urine
Frequent urination in small amounts
Licking around the urinary opening
Discomfort, crying, or restlessness

🐶🐱 Who’s at risk?
Both dogs and cats can develop bladder stones, but some breeds are more predisposed. Diet, hydration, infections, and genetics also play a role.

29/08/2025

✨ Meet Koa – Our Brave Little Warrior ✨

On the 7th of August, Koa was rescued by The Dogs Trust from Diepsloot. 💔 This poor pup was found with his front paw almost completely severed and tied cruelly with a rope. Despite his pain, Koa’s gentle spirit never faded.

Yesterday, Koa came to us for surgery, where we amputated his injured paw to give him the chance at a pain-free life. 🐾💙

The best part? One of our incredible clients has opened their heart and home to Koa! He is now recovering in his forever home, surrounded by love and comfort. 🏡✨

Koa’s strength and resilience remind us every day of the incredible courage animals can have. He truly is a warrior. 🐶❤️