Your cat has been your faithful companion ever since she was a young kitten, and now that she’s getting older, you want to make sure she is getting all the help she needs. What can you do for your cat to make sure she is comfortable?

Your cat is a unique pet, so her needs will have to be determined on an individual basis, but there are some key things to be on the lookout for. If your cat is experiencing limited mobility, try to give her the opportunity to utilize all the portions of her life that she enjoys, even if you need to augment them a bit. Playtime might become a bit shorter, and she may need help getting to her favorite spot on the couch. She may need a different diet to support her aging body as well.  Your local Carmel, IN vet can help you understand your pet’s needs.

Some turtle owners have often wondered if their turtles can blink. If you’ve been watching your turtle for long periods of time waiting for him to blink then chances are you have seen him blink. If you haven’t seen him blink just give your vet Grand Junction, CO a call and ask about turtles and their blinking habits. You may not own a turtle that can blink. It is believed that some species of turtles (like the snapping turtle) cannot blink while others can. In general, most turtles blink their eyes in much the same manner as humans. Turtles; however, can also blink their eyes by moving their membranes. If you notice your turtle is excessively blinking his eyes give your vet a call to find out what you should do. Sometimes turtles will blink excessively when their water needs to be changed. For instance, ammonia build up in the water can cause excessive blinking.

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Did you know that a donkey can be used to guard your livestock? If you didn’t know this, just give your veterinarian Grand Junction, CO a call and he can share more information. Standard size or larger donkeys may make an excellent guardian for your goats, sheep, and other livestock. Donkeys can be very territorial and aggressive when it comes to defending their territory. They do not spook as easily as horses. When danger threatens, a donkey will typically bray loudly to discourage the threat. If this doesn’t work, he may charge the threat and use his teeth and hooves to fight. If you choose a donkey, you should introduce him slowly to your heard as you will want them to accept him as their protector. You will also want the donkey to accept all the territory as his to protect while respecting other livestock that already roam there.

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Some people have heard that alpacas are simply too expensive to take on as a project or even just as pets. If you’re considering bringing alpacas home to your farm give your veterinary clinic The Redlands, CO a call and ask for some basic information on alpacas. Your vet will most likely tell you that alpacas are not too expensive. For instance, many believe that it’s easier to get started in the alpaca industry now days than in the past due to the interest in alpacas and the number of alpaca farms available. Alpacas have become a popular hobby and there are wide varieties for sale at affordable prices. Alpaca products are also more readily available at cheaper prices thanks to the demand and growth of the industry. The going rate for starting a herd is around a couple thousand dollars whereas years past it was close to thirty thousand dollars!

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Founder is another name for laminitis in horses. If you’re not familiar with this term, please ask your veterinarian The Redlands, CO as it’s important to know and recognize signs of founder in your horse. Laminitis or founder is commonly seen among overweight horses that have been on fresh grass for a long period of time. Experts believe that an overload of carbohydrates and sugars found in fresh spring grass contributes to the condition. Laminitis causes swelling and lack of blow flow within the hooves. Your horse may suffer from severe pain inside the hoof and have trouble walking normally. If your horse isn’t walking normally call your vet right away. Other signs to look for include depression or reluctance to move, front legs constantly extended to relieve pressure, and obesity. Although it often occurs when your horse is let out on fresh spring pasture after a long winter, this is not always the case. Visit this ... Read more »