It has been said that birds mate for life. However, your veterinarian Garden City, GA can tell you that not all birds mate for life. Believe it or not, divorce is a common occurrence for many birds. For instance, some birds only stay with their mate for a couple of months or years depending on the type of birds. The Flamingo has an annual divorce rate of 99 percent while the wandering albatross tends to mate for life. So what about pet birds? Canaries most often stay with their mate for one breeding season and then move on. Most birds in North America do not mate for life. They typically mate for a season and remain together through the nesting cycle meaning they will raise their young together and then move on to another mate for the next cycle. Pairs that tend to stay together more than a single season include doves and robins. To know more, visit this link.

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For some reason, a few individuals started talking about the idea of rat snakes and cobra snakes cohabitating together. It’s not really clear why this particular rumor would have been started, but your vets Garden City, GA staff can tell you it’s not true. Snakes only cohabit with like species. Because Cobra snakes and rat snakes are two different species they cannot cohabit together. Even though some rat snakes favor the cobra, they are in no way related. In fact, the cobra snake actually views rat snakes as a meal so the two even remotely living together would be a very bad idea. Other snakes that favor cobra snakes include the black mamba snakes, eastern hognose snakes, and of course the oriental rat snakes.  If you’re not sure if you have a cobra or a rat snake living in your back yard, just give your vet a call for help to find out.

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Monthly heartworm prevention for dogs is an important part of their overall wellness and health. Contrary to some beliefs, all dogs should be on a heartworm prevention program whether they are living inside or outside. Talk with your veterinary clinic Rincon, GA staff about the available heartworm prevention programs. If you’re not sure your dog is on a program they can look up your dog’s records and let you know when the last time you purchased the prevention medication and what brand or type you purchased. If you have not purchased heartworm prevention they can make recommendations for getting started. Heartworm prevention generally comes in the form of a chewable tablet or pill. Some brands include the heartworm prevention medicine with flea prevention medicine in the same pill. However, some dogs don’t tolerate these pills and often vomit afterwards. Your vet can help you choose the right pill for ... Read more »

Although birds do actually blink, they do not blink in the usual sense that a human and other mammals blink. Your vet Rincon, GA will most likely tell you that birds, reptiles and sharks blink with a nictitating membrane from one side of the eye to the other. In other words, birds have what some refer to as a third eyelid that operates in a way to keep the bird’s eye from drying out. Blinking occurs in an effort to provide moisture to the eye via tears and a lubricant the eyes secrete. The moving of the third eyelid in birds allows the eye to “blink” so to speak and remain moist and hydrated. If your bird’s eyes appear to be dry, call your vet right away. This could be a signal that your bird’s nictitating membrane is not working properly to keep the eyes moist.

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Gerbils are small creatures that often have big appetites. If you’re gerbil enjoys eating, but tends to eat too fast then you may want to watch him during meals to make sure he doesn’t choke. If he does choke, call your vet Rincon, GA immediately to find out what to do. Your vet may be able to walk you through some simple lifesaving steps over the phone. Signs of choking may include coughing, liquid coming from the mouth or nose, or a gagging like noise. Call your vet or an emergency vet right away if your gerbil has any of these symptoms. If it is a choke, your vet may instruct you to help release whatever is lodged in your gerbil’s throat by gently tapping him on the back in much the same way you would an infant. Even if the choke passes you should still take your gerbil in for an exam.

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A hamster is just a hamster, right? Nothing could be further from the truth! If you’re looking to adopt a hamster, you’ll have your choice of a few popular breeds.

The Syrian hamster, also known as the Teddy Bear or Golden hamster, is the most popular breed. They are easy to handle, come in a variety of colors, and make great pets for children. However, they don’t get along with other hamsters, so a Syrian should always be housed alone.

Dwarf hamsters are another choice. They are smaller than the average hamster, as they only grow to be about four inches in length. They can be much more difficult to socialize than Syrian hamsters, so they aren’t always the best choice for small children.

Roborovski hamsters and Chinese hamsters are also available, although they are much less common. To l ... Read more »