Old or young? Large or small? All are welcome

Lisa Cant-Haylett - IFAW - Old or young? Large or small? If you walk on all fours and need veterinary treatment in Khayelitsha, Mdzananda Animal Clinic is the place to be.

During my morning spent at Mdzananda recently, Tiger and Milo were amongst the furry clients waiting their turn for volunteer vet, Dr George Lightfoot.

Tiger is ten years old - for a dog living in Khayelitsha, this is quite an achievement. To have reached the "ripe old age" of ten is of course testament to the kind of care Tiger has received over the last ten years from his owners, who clearly appreciate Tiger just as much for his companionship as they do security for themselves.

Tiger was not eating and due to his age, his owners thought it best he be humanely put to sleep. Dr Lightfoot pointed out to them that Tiger was suffering from mange and possibly had worm infestation too, which could cause Tiger's loss of appetite. Tiger was treated and sent home with his owners.

Milo, on the other hand, a fox terrier all of two months old could not sit still for a second, at least not long enough for me to take a photo of him, all my attempts resulting in blurred images of Milo trying to escape the grip of his owner.

Milo was due for his second vaccination, a nail trim and a dewormer. His enthusiasm on his morning outing was short lived when he felt a stinging sensation behind his shoulder blades and he was given his second vaccination, life is so unfair.

So off Tiger and Milo went home with their respective owners - back to the serious jobs of semi-retirement and puppyhood.

Taxi Strikes impose on clinic operations

Jane Levinson, Project Manager - Both Wednesday and Thurday mornings were rather chaotic at clinic. Two out of seven staff members from Khayelitsha, could not get transport to clinic.

We all got stuck into cleaning cages and walking the dogs in hospital. With news reports in the background of violence in the township, it was difficult for the team to decide whether it was safe for our volunteer vet from the UK, Dr George Lightfoot and Dr Theron to come and work at clinic. Dr Lightfoot came anyway and performed all the surgeries on Wednesday. Initial news reports on Thursday morning were very discouraging. It did not seem like a good idea for either vet or visitors to come to clinic. Most of the sterlisations and emergency operations were taken through to Dr Theron’s practice in Kuils River. Later that morning, after many phone calls, our original arrangements were reinstated. George was roped into doing three sterlisations before going off to take his trip to Robben Island that he booked that morning.

Having one driver was a logistical nightmare in terms of collecting and delivering sterlisations and fetching sick pets. Mobile clinics started later than usual. With many people unable to go to work, the mobiles were inundated by pet owners.

Today everyone breathed a sigh of relief that there was no surgery to contend with after such a difficult week.

A day at the Mdzananda Animal Clinic

Lisa Cant-Haylett, IFAW - I love my weekly visits to Mdzananda Animal Clinic. Even though I drag myself back home in the late afternoon, hot, sweaty and smelling like 'dog', the one on one interactions with the 'patients' and the fact that the Clinic is currently the only permanent veterinary facility in Khayelitsha for dogs and cat, makes it all worth it.

This past Friday I met "Brownie", who was one of about six patients in the Clinic's hospital. Brownie had been stabbed in the face by an angry neighbour, possibly as a result of him straying from his owners property to look for a mate. The stab wound to his face has been stitched and is healing well and Brownie has been neutered to ensure that from now on, he doesn't stray from his home.

What a character, when I walked into the hospital ward container, he made it quite clear that he was feeling much better and wanted to go outside. No amount of ignoring him from my side (and believe me its hard to ignore the "pretty pleases" being thrown my way) whilst I was busy taking down case details and pictures, deterred him from letting me know what his intentions were.

And so, Ayanda, one of Mdzananda's dedicated Clinic staff lent assistance in taking Brownie out into the paved courtyard for a stroll.

After an initial stroll around the courtyard Brownie thanked us for remembering this very important part of the recovering process, with nose nudging and alot of licking on Brownie's part.

It is important for the psychological wellbeing of all animals hospitalised that they are given the opportunity to be removed from the confines of a cage, at least three times a day.

Brownie was certainly grateful for a chance to stretch his legs and smell the, well, relatively fresh air!