VN April 2022

Vetnuus | April 2022 4 Parrots make great pets, they have more personality that goldfish – Chevy Chase When considering pets, most people will go for the regular well known type pets. Cats, dogs maybe a goldfish or a bird were the expected choice of animals for pet owners; but that has changed. There are more and more pet owners who steer away from a cuddly pet to a more exotic kind. Hamsters, muise en konyne was seker die mees eksotieste diere wat voorheen as troeteldiere gehou was. Bygetel n paar tipes voēls. Nou word byna elke lewende dier as n troeteldier geag. Van Bearded dragons, krimpvarkies, Fennec vosse, verskeie soorte slange tot slakke word aangehou vir die plesier van mense. Sommige diere meer troetelbaar as ander. This trend places more pressure on veterinarians, not only overseas but also in our local practices. More and more pet owners brings their exotic pets into the practice for care or health checks by the local vet. Some species are more known and their ailments and conditions better known and understood. Others, on the other hand, will be a tad more challenging. All the best for vets having to keep up with the changing clientelle. Dr Coetzee de Beer from CARE (Centre for Avians Reptiles and Exotics) supplied the main article on the care of parrots; a comprehensive, illustrated article. In die tandheelkunde kolom het Prof Anthony geskryf oor konyne/ hase. Daar is heelwat SAVA nuus in hierdie uitgawe. Kyk uit vir die 100ste verjaarsdag viering van Dr Peter Bunton. Baie bekend vir sy werk en bydrae tot Addo Olifant Park. Die OP studente se Vetbooks veldtog is ook onder die vergrootglas. Ondersteun asb hierdie studente in hulle doel om die gehalte van veeartseny dienste in Afrika te verbeter. Sit back and enjoy all the news and happenings in the veterinary world! v Regards, Andriette From the Editor Editor’s notes / Redakteurs notas Andriette van der Merwe