Your dog is a wonderful companion, and you spend quite a bit of time with him. This means that not only will your pet be close to you for a good portion of the day, but that you will notice things about him that others may not, like his breath.

If your dog’s breath is less than stellar, you should try to address the problem head on. He may be eating something that is causing the odor, so take note of any new foods or treats that he has been given and consider switching him to alternate options if this continues to be an issue. He may also need some help keeping his mouth clean. This is where regular teeth brushing can come into play, and you can use special toothbrushes and toothpastes designed to combat bad breath. Your local Oconomowoc, WI veterinarian can help you care for your pet.

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Fatty liver and kidney syndrome are both common conditions that can occur in chickens like the Amber White. Your vet may tell you about Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS) as well as Fatty Liver and Kidney Syndrome (FLKS). While FLHS can affect birds at any age, FLKS typically affects young or young adults only. To prevent either of these diseases from occurring you should feed your chickens a diet rich in biotin, which is a water soluble B vitamin. Symptoms of both FLHS and FLKS includes obesity, pale comb, egg laying is slow or has stopped, fluffed appearance, lethargy, sitting in one place without moving, and excess abdominal fat, which could be from the swelling of the liver. If your chicken has any of these symptoms call your vet right away. Your Advanced Veterinary Care will need to run a few blood tests to make a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

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Lizards come in a variety of shapes and sizes and each one has unique needs. Research the lizard you may want to adopt. You will need to know the lizard’s final size so you can purchase the right size and type of enclosure. Learn about lighting and heat needs. Diet is important since some lizards eat a vegetarian diet and others require live insects and other types of food. Find a reputable breeder who can advise you about lizards and provide you with a socialized lizard. Never adopt a lizard from the wild since you may never tame them so you can handle them. Wild lizards are also prone to parasites and diseases too. Choose a lizard that is easy to handle and care for if this is your first lizard. Balance the needs of any lizard with the set up of your household and your schedule when choosing a lizard. Contact your Pikeville, KY vet to learn more.

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Showing your Chocolate hedgehog can be a lot of fun as can getting him ready for a show. But make sure your hedgehog isn’t the only one doing show preparations. You should also make sure you are presentable as well. You should be well groomed and dressed appropriately for the hedgehog show. Some competitions can tell you that you don’t want to be too dressy because you will outshine your hedgehog. You don’t want to be too casual either because you want the judges to take you seriously and know you are committed to the task at hand. In addition, make sure you are well prepared in the area of handling your hedgehog. You will be required to handle your hedgehog during the judging process. If you aren’t prepared to do this then you might want to think about showing another time.  For additional information talk with your veterinary clinic Cherry Hill, NJ about way ... Read more »

Many cat owners are all too familiar with the pain from their cats kneading their laps. However, this could be looked at as somewhat complimentary. Kittens knead their mother’s breasts to stimulate milk so when your cat kneads you, it’s kind of an indication that she accepts you as her mother surrogate with all the privileges of this position of authority. Your cat may also knead you to mark you using scent glands in her paws and toes. She is marking your as part of her territory. This doesn’t seem quite as flattering but you are welcome in her area. Trim your cat’s claws frequently to lessen the pain of these encounters. And consider putting a pillow or blanket on your lap to protect you from the clawing. Never punish your cat for kneading you since it is a sign of affection. Learn more from your Pikeville, KY veterinary clinic.

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When you see a service dog, you need to keep in mind that the dog is working hard to serve his handler. Thus you should never touch or talk to a service dog while he is working. This interference could compromise the safety of the human the dog is trying to serve. If you are curious about the dog, speak with the handler. However, don’t be nosy or disrespectful and keep the person’s privacy in mind. Keep your distance from the dog so you don’t distract him unless the owner invites you closer. Don’t give the dog food or treats. Sometimes when the owner is sitting or standing still for a period of time, the service dog may take a nap. He is still working so keep your distance. Let the owner know if the dog approaches you. The owner will need to correct the dog. For more information, contact your Pikeville, KY veterinarian.

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