09 Aug 2017

Dr Olebogeng Sengwaketse of Toes Veterinary Practice says dogs, like any other animals, need care and implored owners to take care of them.

Dr Sengwaketse further said dog breeders as well must be exemplary in taking care of dogs.

He said this at the Molepolole All Dog Breeds Walk recently.

Dr Sengwaketse said it was important for owners to provide necessary care from day one, explaining that they should ensure that they were vaccinated to prevent illnesses.

He said after birth, puppies needed to be vaccinated at six weeks, noting that because at five weeks they get weak, therefore crucial that at six weeks they were vaccinated to boost the puppies' defensive system.

Dr Sengwaketse said dogs also needed nutritious food and clean water to be healthy.

He advised dog owners to desist from feeding dogs chicken feeds as they weakened body joints.

When taking dog owners on a lesson on the general appearance of a healthy dog, one of the dog breeders, Mr Kedibonye Khunong of Central Canine Breeding and Training unit said owners should look for a wet nose as a dry nose would suggest that something was wrong with the dog.

He further said the eyes should be bright and clear from any matter while the teeth should be clean as accumulation of tatter would suggest that the dog was not well.

He advised owners to look out for signs of illness so as to take their dogs for medical attention on time.

One of the event organisers, Mr Karabo Tlhagale said the event started in 2015 through facebook and now it was an annual event offering dog owners an opportunity to network, offer advice on the welfare and care of dogs as well as to look for market for those who were into dog trading.

Mr Tlhagale who was once a dog breeder but now into the administration of the association which is yet to be registered said initially they were 10 but more people have since come on board hence they intended to register the association.

He further said their intention was to hold the same event in different villages that were fascinated by the idea.

Mr Tlhagale also extended appreciation to their sponsors being Zeyheri Holdings and Agrifeed. ENDS