Midlands Veterinary Hospital

Last week over 4 days we welcomed the Howick Prep School Grade 1 learners at Midlands Veterinary Hospital !
We loved showing them some things we get up to, as well as how to care for their pets.
The Grade 1 learners got to listen to Tallulahs heart and play with Delilah the pug as well as meet the practice cat Finlay.
Thank you for coming to visit us Grade 1s! 💙

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the 1000 Paws yesterday at Piggly Wiggly - Midlands 💙 🐾 🐕‍🦺

WEATHER WARNING! ⛈❄️🥶Risks Of The Cold!
Some pet owners tend to forget about the risk of cold winter weather for their pets. It is important to protect your furry friends from the cold. Dogs with short hair and small breeds are particularly sensitive to the cold. Puppies and older dogs are more likely to feel cold faster than other dogs.

So how do you tell if your dog is too cold?

Here are some things to look out for:

1) How Cold Is It Outside?
The most obvious thing to look at is how cold it is outside. If it is too cold for you to feel comfortable outside for even a few minutes, it is likely too cold for your dog. Even though they have fur coats, they aren’t immune to the effects of chilly weather.

2) Slowing Movements
If your dog looks like he is not enjoying being outside, he is likely feeling the cold. Your dog may start walking slower. Often, he'll appear hunched over and keep his tail close to his body as if he's trying to keep himself warm. If your puppy is trying to hide behind or under objects, he's probably trying to seek shelter. Older dogs that suffer from arthritis may seem to be in pain and may struggle to get up.

3)Curling Up
If your dog is curling into a ball or he is hunched over with the tail tucked in and shivering, it's likely in an attempt to warm himself with body heat.

4)Whining or Whimpering
If your dog is uncomfortable, he may try to let you know by whining, whimpering, or barking. If he acts unusually, look carefully at his surroundings to make sure that he is not too exposed to wind or cold and that he has enough protection and sources for warmth in cold weather. If your dog looks agitated and anxious, consider why he may be feeling uncomfortable.

5)Signs of Dangerous Hypothermia
If your dog appears extremely sleepy and lethargic or moves clumsily, this may also be a sign that your dog is too cold and at risk of hypothermia. You need to get him inside and warmed up immediately! If your dog is barely moving and appears to have stiff muscles or seems to have difficulty breathing, you should take your dog to your nearest Vet immediately!!

HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG COMFORTABLE IN CHILLY WEATHER:
Remember to keep a close eye on your dog during cold & wet weather. If your dog is showing any of the signs of being too cold, take precautions to keep him warm or bring him inside. If your dog needs to be outside for sustained periods of time or is an outside dog, you should consider getting him a good dog house and bed as well as a pet jersey to better protect him from the chilly weather.

Please protect your pets and keep them warm... Come in and see our wide range of warm dog beds, blankets, and jackets! Midlands Veterinary Hospital

Dr Marco Wasserman helped out at the KZN Youth Show yesterday at Tweedie Hall with some judging of the kids pets that had been entered in the show. What a lovely event and well done to all the children on entering their pets 🦔 🐕‍🦺 🐁 🦎

Excited to see you again this year at the 1000paws walk!🐕 🐾
Here's the line-up....

JOIN US FOR 1000 PAWS 2026!
It's just a few weeks to go until this year's 1000 Paws Walk event on Sunday, 7 June at Highgate Wine Estate near Howick (entrance to 1000 Paws is from the Piggly Wiggly car park).

There will be live music from Clifton Prep's marimba band, lots of stalls, the agility fun zone for dogs and their owners, and the usual popular arena competitions. There are wonderful lucky draw prizes up for grabs, as well as the 1000 Paws raffle's luxury Drakensberg getaways to The Cavern, Cathedral Peak, and Champagne Sports Resort. The draw takes place at 12h30...

You could also win a stay at the legendary Cleopatra's Mountain Farmhouse in the Paper Plate Sniffer Dog Challenge, featuring the dogs from the K9 Academy!

So please come along and join us. It's the largest annual fundraiser for the three Midlands' SPCAs, with funds shared equally between our Mooi River & District SPCA, and the uMngeni and PMB SPCA branches.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
08:00 Gates open and walks open
08:30 Clifton Prep Marimba Band performance
09:00 Arena events begin (R10 per entry)
09:45 Dancing With Dogs display by Jeanne Schutte and Riley
10:00 Precious Pups Competition (Puppies up to 6 months)
10:15 Clifton Prep Marimba Band performance
10:30 Terrific Teens Competition (Dogs aged 6 to 18 months)
10:45 Awesome Adult Dog Competition (Dogs aged 18 months to 7 years)
11:00 Golden Oldies Competition (Dogs aged 8 years and older)
11:15 Owner and Dog Look-a-like Competition (Owners may dress up to resemble their dogs, but dogs may only wear regular dog gear)
11:30 Most Special Rescue Dog Competition (Open to dogs from any recognised rescue organisation apart from the SPCA)
11:45 SPCA Champion Dog Competition (Open to dogs adopted from any SPCA)
12:00 K9 Academy Demonstration and Sniffer Dog Paper Plate Challenge: Win a luxury stay at Cleopatra’s Mountain Farmhouse
12:30 1000 Paws Raffle Draw
14:00 End of event

Whether attending with a beloved pet, supporting animal welfare, or simply looking for a fun, fresh air family outing, visitors to the Hill’s 1000 Paws Walk for SPCAs event can expect a memorable day packed with entertainment, compassion and community spirit. Bring your family, bring your dogs, and help make a difference to animals in need — one paw at a time!