Dr Liesel van der Merwe is a small animal medicine specialist. Send her your questions: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Dr Liesel van der Merwe

Let’s make some new year’s resolutions for our pets . . . and let’s keep them.

Parasites: Control of ticks is the only way to prevent biliary fever. Fleas may transmit blood diseases to cats and cause severe allergic skin disease in dogs. Intestinal worms are especially dangerous in young puppies but can also cause gastrointestinal signs in adult dogs and can be transmitted to humans.

Weight: Aim to get your pets at their target weights. Extra weight puts strain on the joints and heart. You should be able to see a waistline both from the top and side view of your pet and you should be able to easily feel the ribs. You can cut down on the amount fed, stop all the snacks, or feed special weight reduction diets.

Exercise: Regular exercise will calm your pet as well as keep him/her fit. The time spent together also improves the interaction between pet and owner, as long as it is not fraught with bad behaviour.

Diets: Try to upgrade to the best premium dog or cat food you can afford. The premium brands contain highly digestible sources of protein and also a large amount of essential fats and anti-oxidants.

Training: Basic obedience training to verbal commands and good manners when on the lead makes for a much nicer pet and will also encourage you to spend more time with your pet. Resources such as books, dog trainers and DVDs abound.

Sterilise: Female dogs and cats should be sterilised at about five to six months of age. Smaller animals mature more rapidly than the larger breeds. Cats can become pregnant whilst still suckling their kittens, so get in there early.

Identification: Use name tags on collars as well as ID chips injected under the skin. Thus, even if the collar is lost your pet will still have an ID. All veterinarians and SPCA’s have the required scanners.

Check-up: Arrange a general health check at your vet for your older animals. This can be instead of the yearly vaccinations which need only be given every third year once the initial booster course is complete. Several diseases can be identified early on and management is then a lot easier.

Teeth: A lot of tartar on the teeth causes receding gum lines and pockets in the gum resulting in persistent periodontal disease and discomfort for your pet. Extraction of affected teeth with ongoing dental care either with diet, chews, brushing and regular descaling and polishing at your vet may be required.

Vaccination: New puppies and kittens must have their full initial vaccination and deworming programme.