Are you about to show your Albino hedgehog for the very first time? If so, you want to make sure your Albino is in mint condition from head to toe so he’s perfect when presented to the judges. Talk with fellow competitors to find out ways you can prepare your Albino for the show. For instance, you should give your hedgehog a warm bath the night before the show. Use a shallow bowl or sink to wash the hedgehog in. You may also want to scrub your hedgehog’s quills with a toothbrush. Also trim and clean your hedgehog’s toenails the night before. In addition, make sure your hedgehog’s eyes and nose are clean. Above all, make sure your hedgehog is free of fleas, mites or other parasites as this could be grounds for disqualification or even a refusal of entry into the show. For additional tips and suggestions on grooming, give your veterinarian Southwest Las Vegas, NV a call.

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Are you planning to purchase or adopt an Albino hedgehog? If so, make sure you talk with your vet or local pet store associate or even local breeder to find out what type of habitat you need to set up for your new pet. Most hedgehogs will do well with a large, flat bottom cage. Hedgehogs like to move and burrow so the more room the better. Some owners recommend a large rabbit or guinea pig cage with solid flooring. Basically, make sure you give your Albino flat flooring, space to move, proper ventilation, and high enough walls so he cannot climb out. After the cage is picked out you will need to look for bedding and accessories including a food bowl, side water bottle, litter box, toys, and hiding boxes. For additional tips and suggestions about your hedgehog’s home, please call your veterinarian Southwest Las Vegas, NV.

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If you’re a new Chocolate Mitt ferret owner or you have owned your ferret for some time call your local vet to set up a first time or routine annual visit for your ferret. It’s important to make sure your ferret is under routine health care. Making sure your ferret has been tested for heart disease is also key. Your vet can run a simple blood test on your Chocolate Mitt ferret to determine if heartworms are present. If your ferret tests negative then your vet will most likely prescribe a monthly heartworm prevention plan. The plan requires a monthly pill or other form of medication to be administered. Yearly heartworm tests are suggested to ensure your ferret remains heartworm free. If your Chocolate Mitt ferret tests positive for heartworms, immediate and aggressive treatment will be started. Consult with your veterinarian Southwest Las Vegas, NV to find out more about heartworms.

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Are you concerned about your Russian tortoise’s eye health?  Your vet can tell you that eye infections, irritations, and even swelling can occur on a routine basis in some turtles. If you notice that your turtle’s eyes look irritated, puff, weepy, or red, call your vet right away. Bacterial infections of the eye can develop as a result of a swollen eyelid or due to some type of debris getting into the eye. Symptoms may involve the eye appearing to be puffy, swollen, watery or weepy. If the infection spreads to the respiratory tract, symptoms may also include wheezing, loss of balance, and even fluids coming from the mouth or nose. If your Russian Tortoise has any of these symptoms, call your vet. The sooner treatment is given the better the chances of complete recovery. Your vet Las Vegas, NV may recommend checking your turtle’s eyes routinely to ensure they are clean and clear.

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Did you know that part of taking care of your Russian Tortoise includes making sure his tank or enclosure is cleaned on a routine basis? A clean turtle is typically a happy turtle. The Russian tortoise is typically healthy and happy in a 75 gallon tank or larger. Most Russian tortoises prefer living in an outdoor enclosure. You should plan to spot clean your turtle’s habitat on a daily basis. This includes ensuring the water bowl is clean and filled with fresh water and also ensuring the food bowl is clean and filled appropriately. In addition, there may be areas of the tank or enclosure that smell or are particularly damp. Simply remove these as you notice them. Once a month you should plan to strip the tank or enclosure completely and replace all bedding and land or dirt. Talk with your vet Las Vegas, NV to find out what cleaning solutions are safe and appropriate to use. See details here.

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Did you know that mouth rot is a common occurrence in reptiles including snakes, lizards, and turtles such as the Russian Tortoises? This particular illness can occur when the turtle’s immune system is unable to breakdown bacteria in the mouth. Inflammation and small hemorrhages may appear on the inside of the mouth or the edge of the mouth near the lip area. Thick amounts of mucus may also collect in the mouth. Symptoms include open mouth breathing and even swelling. Causes of mouth rot are typically linked to poor nutrition, poorly regulated temperature in the living environment, stress, and trauma. Mouth rot can be prevented in some cases simply by knowing more about the Russian Tortoise and the kind of diet and environment it requires for healthy living. Mouth rot can also be prevented by reducing the turtle’s levels of stress. Talk with your vet Las Vegas, NV for more information.

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Leaving during the day? Or maybe you just want to relax inside for a little while? You probably send your dog in the backyard, but does he like to play outside alone?

Dogs are social creatures, which means they would always prefer to play with you in the backyard. If you have another dog, they will be more likely to want to go in the backyard if they can play with each other.

If you only have one dog and you plan on staying indoors, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t send your dog outside. Although your dog would prefer to play with you in the backyard, there’s still a lot more for him to do outside than there is for him to do inside!

Sending your dog outside can also keep him out of trouble. To learn more call your Port Carling Veterinary Service.

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Feeding a number of cats in your household can cause problems. Each cat must get the food they need. You’ll need to feed your cats the food for their life stages. And one cat might get territorial or just eat a lot of the other cats’ food. This can lead to an obese cat along with undernourished ones. You also need to be concerned for any medical issues that need to be treated through diet. Leaving food out for your cats to eat at will makes it that you can’t monitor any of these issues. You will need to set up regular feeding times and monitor the cats. Each cat needs her own eating station. Set the stations up at a distance from each other so your cats eat only from their own bowls. After about 15 minutes or so, pick up all the bowls till the next feeding. For more information, contact your pet clinic Georgian Bay ON.

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It doesn’t take long for dogs to get dirty! The trouble is, bathing your dog is a lot of work. Instead, try and keep your dog’s fur as clean as possible for as long as possible.

You can’t keep your dog’s coat clean forever, but dog-friendly wipes can come in handy. They can clean up small messes as they occur, which means you don’t have to run a bath every time your dog gets a little dirty.

Have a drooly breed? You probably deal with a dog that has pretty gross fur on his chest. Prevent this from happening in the first place by having your dog wear a bandana. The bandana traps all the drool and can be removed and thrown in the washing machine.

If it’s time for your dog to have a bath, ask your Small Animal Medicine & Surgery for a list of recommended ... Read more »

If you own a Russian Tortoise then you may want to talk with your vet about health conditions to look out for. For instance, mouth rot is a common condition that occurs in a variety of turtles, snakes, and lizards. Mouth rot (also called necrotic stomatitis) refers to an inflammation of the mouth or the oral cavity. First signs of mouth rot may include inflammation or small hemorrhages on the gums. Excessive amounts of mucus in the mouth that may contain blood or pus may also occur. Lesions and hemorrhages could also appear on the inside edge of the turtle’s lip area. When mouth rot occurs your Russian Tortoise may have a severely swollen mouth and may appear to be breathing through his mouth. Mouth rot is usually a result of other conditions such as illness, injury, poor nutrition, stress, improper environment or temperatures. Talk with your vet Las Vegas, NV to learn more.

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Your cat needs your care each and every day. Her teeth are no exception to this, yet many cat owners aren’t aware of the fact that cat’s need their teeth brushed too. In fact, cat’s mouths need attention for many of the same reasons their owner’s do, and should be given this attention on a regular basis. Regular brushings can help keep plaque and tartar from becoming an issue, and can do wonders in keeping your pet happy and healthy as well as comfortable. This interaction allows you to familiarize yourself with your pet’s teeth, and therefore be able to better determine if and when there is an issue that needs the attention of a professional. It can also give you a better idea of your cat’s general health, thus allowing you to care for her more thoroughly. For additional information, please contact your local University Animal Medical & Dental Clinic.

Many cats are lactose-intolerant, meaning their digestive system is unable to digest milk well. However, not all cats react negatively to milk, specifically lactose in milk.

Lactose is a type of sugar that is present in milk. When a cat is lactose-intolerant, the animal does not have enough enzymes that can help digest lactose in milk. When a lactose-intolerant cat drinks cow’s milk, he may suffer from stomach cramps and diarrhea. Lactose that is not acted upon by specific enzymes remains undigested and stays in the intestine rather than being absorbed into the body. The bacterial population present in the digestive tract will act on the lactose and cause fermentation, leading to digestive problems that generally manifest within 8-12 hours after milk consumption.

On the other hand, kittens don’t experience digestive upsets when drinking their mother’s milk because ... Read more »

Your cat has a way of getting into everything within your household, and your kitchen table has quite the allure. She smells all the wonderful foods you place upon it, and sees that your entire family seems engaged when sitting around the table. She doesn’t want to be left out, so she likes to hop up onto the table and see what all the fuss is about.

To keep her off this area, remove her immediately whenever she jumps up. Provide her with an alternative activity to take part in after placing her back onto the floor so she will have something to occupy her time. You can also try giving her a place to view the activities on the table from, like a cat tree. This way she can dispel any curiosity she has by viewing the top of your table any time she feels like it. For additional information, please contact your local Richboro, PA veterinarian.

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