Many seizures are considered to be a normal occurrence in birds including the Cockatiel. A bird that is seizing may fall from his perch, go into convulsions or even appear disoriented. The cause or trigger for a seizure is not always immediately known. However, there are numerous conditions that can be part of the cause. For instance, toxin poisoning, dehydration, vitamin deficiency, trauma, brain damage, stress, infectious diseases with neurological symptoms, brain tumor, end-stage liver disease, hyperthermia, heat exposure, diabetes, hyperglycemia, and calcium deficiency can possibly trigger a seizure. If your Cockatiel has experienced any of the triggers listed above, talk to your vet. Not all Cockatiels with conditions such as those above will have a seizure, but it’s a good idea to have him checked by your vet Scottsdale, AZ. Many birds recover from the seizure activity with very few, if any, lasting side ... Read more »

Raising a Painted turtle as a pet can be a lot of fun. Researching, learning, and staying up to date on the latest care and maintenance of your turtle can also be exciting. One key area to study up on as well as talk to your vet about is whether or not your Painted turtle will hibernate. Turtles, in general, tend to hibernate anywhere from 10 to 20 weeks during the fall. If your Painted turtle is going to hibernate he will need the appropriate environment. For instance, your turtle’s habitat should have hiding spots or hide boxes set up for your turtle. These places are tight, enclosed, dark areas where your turtle can hide and eventually hibernate for however long is needed. Find out if Painted turtles hibernate and what they require to prepare for that phase. Your veterinarian Scottsdale, AZ may have additional suggestions.

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If you’re thinking about purchasing a Lovebird, talk to your pet store associate and local vet to learn about caring for this particular type of bird. Lovebirds are members of the parrot family. It’s important to understand that like many parrots, the Lovebird can live for 50 years or longer. This means your commitment to caring for your bird needs to be strong and ready for long term. In addition, you need to find out what size Lovebirds are and plan on whether you will get a single or a pair. This will help with planning for what size of a cage you should buy. For a single bird, the cage should be at least two times the width of the bird’s wingspan. Make sure you provide your Lovebird with plenty of attention as well as toys to keep him entertained. Contact your veterinarian North Phoenix, AZ for additional information.

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Did you know that hedgehogs are quickly becoming a popular exotic pocket pet? Hedgehogs were first domesticated in the 4^th century B.C. by the Romans. There are 14 different species of hedgehogs originating from Europe, Asia, Africa and even the British Isles. The International Hedgehog Association recognizes 10 breeds of hedgehogs in more than 92 colors including salt and pepper and apricot. Hedgehogs became popular in the U.S. in the 1980s. These pint size creatures are covered with more than 5 thousand quills that are actually smooth to the touch. Hedgehogs are nocturnal creatures that enjoy day time naps and night time activities including running on their wheel in their cage. Hedgehogs tend to thrive in living environments with a temperature between 72 and 80 degrees. They love spacious cages with room to roam, places to hide, and soft bedding for naps. Talk with your veterinary clinic North Phoenix, AZ to ... Read more »

If you’re looking for a different kind of pet that is small in size, but not necessarily a hamster or gerbil then you may want to check into the hedgehog. Hedgehogs often make great alternatives to the smaller pocket pets. They weigh around one pound and come in over 92 different colors. The hedgehog is considered to be a low maintenance pet. He is covered in five to seven thousand quills that are quite smooth and tend to fill like bristles on a brush. Be careful, however, because these quills can become quite sharp and dangerous if the hedgehog feels threatened and curls into its defensive ball position. At this point the quills will stick straight out and become hard to the touch. Hedgehogs are nocturnal creatures meaning they sleep during the day and play at night. Talk to your vet North Phoenix, AZ to learn more about hedgehogs.

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If you own a cat like the Orange Tabby then you’re probably familiar with the fact that cats are predators by nature and they love roaming around both indoors and outdoors. Because of their need to be on the move, they have specially designed paws and padding on those paws to making walking, running, prancing, and pouncing a breeze! If you notice a cut or blister on your cat’s paws or the pads, call your vet right away to set up an appointment. Your vet can help determine if your Orange Tabby needs treatment or not. The pads on your cat’s paws are covered in hairless, pigmented colors with overlaying fat and tissue. The pads give comfort and support as well as stability and even traction. Depending on your cat’s lifestyle, the pads may be soft or tough. Your veterinary clinic Eastern Passage, NS may recommend routinely checking your Orange Tabby’s paws for injury or blisters. Click here ... Read more »

Did you know that your canine companion can develop blisters on the bottom of his feet just like people can? In fact, walking your Golden Retriever on hot surfaces during the summer or even on icy, sharp surfaces in the winter can create blisters on the bottom of his paws or paw pads. If you notice that your Golden’s paw pads appear red, blistered, flaky, scratched or even chipped please call your vet right away. A dog’s paws and paw pads are sensitive. If your Golden refuses to walk or starts limping then you should check his pads. If they are blistered, take your pup to a grassy place to walk. You may need to flush the pads with cool water or apply a cool compress to reduce pain. If the blisters appear to be deep or are bleeding then take your Golden in for immediate treatment from your vet Eastern Passage, NS.

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