When kittens are separated from their mother and the rest of the litter, they eventually go to their new homes. If you are a new kitten owner, you should take steps to boost your pet’s socialization. This is a process of exposing your furball to various situations, sights, sounds, scents, etc.; in a way, this is a process of “desensitization”.

Positive experiences during the period of socialization is very important so your kitten will grow up confident and able to deal with any situation they will encounter later in life. The more activities and interactions your cat is involved in, the calmer he will be. He will be more likely to respond to specific circumstances without fear or aggression as he grows older. This is also a good time to teach your furball right from wrong; working with kittens is just like writing on a clean slate. You don’t have to deal with existing problem behaviors, so it easier to get your pet to cooperate and learn.

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Black Sable Mitt ferrets are known for their curious behavior and love for exploring the world around them. They are also known to have a variety of health problems many of which are related to their eyes. Some Black Sable Mitt ferrets have been known to develop retinal atrophy. Retinal Atrophy can occur in ferrets at any age, but most often develops in older ferrets. Some vets believe the condition is genetic while other vets believe it may be caused by a deficiency of the amino acid, taurine. No matter the cause, it is a degenerative disease with no cure. Most Black Sable Mitt ferrets will gradually lose their sight over time. Many owners may not recognize that their ferrets’ eyes are changing or becoming increasingly dilated. Even though vision is almost always lost, ferrets tend to do well relying on their other senses living full and otherwise healthy lives. Contact your veterinarian Arlington, TX for fur ... Read more »

Gerbils are small creatures that often have big appetites. If your Burmese gerbil likes to eat a lot in a short amount of time then you may need to keep an extra eye on him to make sure he chews and swallows his food without choking. If he does choke, call your vet 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 if you see any of these signs in your Burmese gerbil. If it is a choke, your veterinarian Arlington, TX 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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