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Mint
25-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
Pet Matters: How to breed your dog at home safely
Gift this article Zoe, the most affectionate Labrador in our family, recently gave birth to her first litter. Ten squirmy puppies turned the house upside down. But amidst the excitement, it also made us reflect on the responsibilities that come with dog breeding. An overlooked risk is the potential for sexually transmitted illnesses in dogs. Zoe, the most affectionate Labrador in our family, recently gave birth to her first litter. Ten squirmy puppies turned the house upside down. But amidst the excitement, it also made us reflect on the responsibilities that come with dog breeding. An overlooked risk is the potential for sexually transmitted illnesses in dogs. Unlike in humans, sexually transmitted infections in dogs aren't part of regular conversations at the vet's clinic unless breeding is being considered. A significant condition in this context is the canine transmissible venereal tumour, also known as TVT. This isn't just a disease that spreads through mating; it's a cancer that transfers directly from one dog to another. TVT is commonly seen in areas with large free-roaming dog populations, but with more pet parents now opting to breed their dogs at home, the risks of it need to be understood. Also read: What supplements your pet really needs TVT usually affects the external genitalia—penis in males, vulva in females—but can also appear in the mouth, nose, or skin through licking, sniffing or other close mucosal contact. It manifests as a red, cauliflower-like growth that often bleeds easily and may cause discharge, swelling, or discomfort. Unlike typical cancers that develop from a dog's own cells, TVT is composed of cancer cells that originate in another dog. The tumour is highly contagious. Pet parents may not notice anything until the disease has progressed significantly. Dogs may show signs like blood-tinged urine, excessive licking of the genital area, or a mass protruding from the genitals. In pregnant or nursing females, the tumour can cause trauma, interfere with lactation, or lead to secondary infections. Treatment is typically straightforward and effective. Weekly chemotherapy remains the standard of care, with most dogs responding very well. Another serious but less talked-about condition is brucellosis, a bacterial infection that is not only sexually transmitted but also zoonotic, meaning it can infect humans. In dogs, it can lead to infertility, abortions, stillbirths and chronic illness. It is difficult to treat and can remain hidden for long periods, making it especially risky if the infected dog appears outwardly healthy. Unlike TVT, there is no effective treatment for it. Testing dogs before mating is non-negotiable if one is committed to safe breeding. What many pet parents fail to realise is that parasite control is just as crucial. Tick-borne infections such as ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis can compromise fertility, interfere with a healthy pregnancy, and be fatal to both mother and puppies. These diseases are common in India, particularly during warmer months and monsoon. Dogs may appear well but can carry these pathogens, which surface under the physiological stress of mating or pregnancy. Ticks transmit disease silently, and dogs that frequent parks, gardens or shared walking spaces are at risk. Breeding should never go ahead unless the dog is on a consistent tick-prevention programme, advised by a veterinarian and started well before mating. Preventive measures such as oral or topical treatments offer effective protection but require strict adherence to timing and dosage. Equally vital is routine deworming. Intestinal parasites like roundworms and hookworms can pass from mother to pups either across the placenta or through nursing. This can lead to weakness, diarrhoea, anaemia and even death in neonatal puppies. Deworming should be done before mating and again during pregnancy as advised by a vet, using medications that are safe. Zoe's puppies are now thriving, curious and full of energy. Each of them represents the outcome of careful choices made before conception occurred. Nameeta Nadkarni is a veterinary soft tissue surgeon and pet blogger from Mumbai. Also read: A guide to relocating to a new country with your pet cat or dog Topics You May Be Interested In
The Citizen
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Vale Tournament 2025: A triumph of passion, perseverance and purpose
After months of planning, sleepless nights, postponements, and going back to the drawing board, the Vale Tournament 2025 (TVT) was finally a dream realised. Initially meant to take place last year at Ellis Park Arena, the tournament was moved to the Walter Sisulu Hall, where it was held from April 23 to 27, hosted by the Edenvale Lions Basketball Academy (ELBA). 'Good things, they say, take time. It was supposed to happen in 2024, but due to financial constraints and a lack of sponsorship, it didn't go ahead. 'However, we pushed forward in 2025, even though we still didn't have enough sponsorship. Sponsors came on board, but most of them offered products rather than monetary donations,' explained co-founder and head coach of Elba, Edson Makavan. ALSO READ: Local golfers to tee off in Tunisia for tournament 'We pushed on, and as you can see, the tournament was well-executed, and it ran smoothly. We had Made By Ball Basketball Club (MBB), which was the winner from South Africa. 'The second-place team was Brave Hearts from Malawi, and third place went to Super Elite, also from South Africa. 'It was a well-balanced outcome, as if the universe had arranged it perfectly—two South African teams at the top, followed by one from Africa,' he added. MBB walked away with R325 000, Brave Hearts received R100 000, and Super Elite secured R25 000. Birthed from a vision deeply rooted in family values and community development, this tournament was more than just a series of games; it was the realisation of a dream. 'The organisation of such a tournament has always been in our plans. It's part of our programme. When Elba was established, we were founded on a family-based system where we run basketball with family fundamentals and values. 'One of our goals has always been to have international tournaments and leagues, and TVT, which stands for the Vale Tournament, was born from that vision.' Despite the numerous setbacks, mainly financial, the tournament ran successfully, with support from sponsors such as Vodacom, Super Quick Edenvale, Build It Edenvale, Brand South Africa, Spar, Aquelle, Energade, and Sportsman Warehouse. ALSO READ: St Andrew's hosts grueling sports tournament Makavan stated that the coverage by SABC brought national attention to a sport still fighting for recognition in the country. Organising a tournament of this scale without major funding was no easy feat. 'There's a difference between a chancer and a lover. When you love something, everything falls into place. But when you're just taking a chance, things tend to fall apart,' said Makavan. 'We're doing this tournament because we are basketball lovers. We love the sport. We want to grow it. We're doing what we love. You know, when you do something you love, it's not a challenge,' he added. The key takeaway for future tournaments is clear: solid financial backing from the outset will make a significant difference. 'We've already started planning for 2026 and engaging sponsors for stronger financial partnerships. This year laid the foundation. Next year, we'll build something even bigger.' Makavan expressed gratitude to the sponsors and supporters who remained loyal through the challenges. 'They saw the vision. 'They believed in us, even with the delays. We're building something here, and their patience and faith mean the world to us.' While there was support from basketball organisations such as the Ekurhuleni Basketball Association, Basketball South Africa, and other provincial bodies, Makavan admitted that the broader basketball community could do more. 'You always get keyboard warriors, people who criticise from the sidelines but do nothing themselves. 'That's not our focus. We're here to build. Criticism only fuels us to do better.' Elba didn't make it past the first round of the tournament, which was initially set to offer R1 million but had to be reduced to R500 000. 'We were outplayed. The Malawian team, Brave Hearts, showed hunger and dedication. 'My players needed to see that level of commitment. I told them the truth, even if it stung. You can't improve if you're in denial.' His message was simple: South African basketball players need to train harder, extra hard, to compete internationally. 'These guys from Malawi, they live basketball. They sleep basketball. They breathe it. We need that same level of drive.' ALSO READ: Bedfordview Country Club hosts bowling tournament What's next for South African basketball? 'We need proper structures. We need to remove politics from sport and place basketball lovers and experts in charge, not politicians. 'We also need more investment in facilities. I've been investing my own money in this academy. If a sponsor came forward and said, 'Let's build an international-standard court,' I'd hand them the plans today.' He said, 'Next year, we're coming back stronger, bigger, and better. We've planted the seed; now we grow.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
