Your pet is a valuable member of your household, and you want to make sure you are able to offer her everything she needs in order to live a long healthy life under your care. However, this doesn’t mean that she will never get sick. How can you tell if your pet does fall ill?

Every pet is different, so they may each react differently to sickness. Knowing your pet well is the best way to take note of any changes that may occur. However, there are some symptoms that tend to show up in different pets when they aren’t feeling like themselves. Take particular note of your pet shows changes in her usual eating or elimination patterns, as these can show that she’s feeling under the weather. Also, increased lethargy can also be an indicator. Your local Scottsdale, AZ vet Raintree Pet Resort & Medical Center can help you offer your pet a wonderful place to call home.

Your child loves animals, and has been asking for a pet for quite a while now. Since the rest of your family would enjoy having a pet in the household as well, you are considering the idea. How can you tell if your child is ready for a pet?

Your child is unique, and you will need to take her personality into account when deciding if she is ready to care for a pet. This means not only looking at her age, but also her maturity level and interests. She may need some more time to gain a sense of the responsibility that caring for an animal is, and offering her this guidance can help you see her reaction to it. She must also be able to care for the pet day after day, regardless of what else life presents. Your local Scottsdale, AZ vet clinic can offer additional advice. Visit website http://raintreepet.com/ for more information.

Hypothyroidism in dogs is also commonly referred to as a Thyroid Hormone Deficiency. The illness occurs as a result of the low production and release of the T4 and T3 hormones in the dog’s thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is responsible for producing the hormones T3 (liothyronine) and T4 (levothyroxine), which are needed for the body to maintain a normal metabolism. When these hormones are missing, the dog will develop hypothyroidism, which can cause a variety of symptoms such as lethargy, weakness, unexplained weight gain, hair loss, excessive shedding, poor hair growth, mental dullness, skin infections, intolerance to cold, tilting of the head to one side and even seizures or infertility. The disease is believed to affect mainly medium to large breed dogs between the ages of 4 and 10 years. Neutered males and spayed females are believed to be at a higher risk for the disease. Talk with your veterinarian Hendersonville, NC for ... Read more »

Cinnamon Ferrets and other breeds of ferrets are susceptible to heartworm disease in much the same way as dogs and cats. Heartworms can be up to a foot-long and are capable of invading the heart, lungs and blood vessels of your Cinnamon Ferret. Unlike dogs, a single heartworm can cause severe damage to ferrets. Thankfully, there is a heartworm prevention program available for ferrets similar to the program available to dogs and cats. Talk to your vet about placing your ferret on a prevention program. Your vet will most likely conduct a blood test first to verify that your ferret is free of heartworms. He will then start your ferret on monthly oral medication to prevent heartworms. The best form of protection is prevention. Call fellow ferret owners as well as your vet Las Vegas, NV to learn about other ways that you can protect your Cinnamon Ferret from heartworms. See details here.

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One of the best ways to prepare your Long-Eared hedgehog for an upcoming show is to consult with fellow competitors and ask for advice and a list of tasks that should be accomplished ahead of time. Your veterinarian may also have several suggestions for prepping your hedgehog. For instance, your vet may recommend a warm bath for your hedgehog the night before the show. Use a shallow bowl or sink to wash the hedgehog in. Ask your vet what type of soap or shampoo to use. 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 refusal of entry. Talk with your veterinary clinic Las Vegas, NV for additional tips.

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Do you own a Long-Eared hedgehog? If so, you should talk to your local veterinarian and pet store associate about the basic care and needs of this particular hedgehog. For instance, your vet can help you put together a suitable meal plan for your Long-Eared when you bring him in for his first routine visit. In general, Long-Eared hedgehogs need a diet of quality protein, low fat and 15% fiber. Hedgehogs living in the wild tend to eat a lot of beetles. Most pet stores may offer a specified hedgehog feed, but experts have found that a dry low fat cat formula is often preferred. If you’re feeding a commercial food you will need to supplement a variety of other foods like vegetables, mealworms, crickets, cooked meats and fruits. Always check with your veterinarian Las Vegas, NV before changing your hedgehog’s food or adding any type of dietary supplements. To know more, click here.

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Did you know that ferrets like the Cinnamon ferret are prone to different eye related illnesses and conditions due to their small size? For example, ferrets are 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 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 veterinary clinic Southwest Las Vegas, NV to learn more about your Cinnamon ferret’s eye health.

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Ferrets of all ages and breeds, including the Cinnamon Ferret, should have routine veterinarian care just like other household pets. Cinnamon Ferrets especially need routine vaccinations depending on the area or region in which you live. Your vet can tell you what vaccinations are required for your ferret. Some vaccination programs differ based on state or regional laws and guidelines. In most cases, ferrets require routine Canine Distemper and Rabies shots. Even if your ferret never ventures outside, she still needs these shots as a precaution. There is a 100% mortality rate for unvaccinated ferrets that come in contact with Canine Distemper. Although rabies is rare in ferrets within the United States, it’s still a necessary precaution to vaccinate just in case. If you’ve recently adopted or purchased your ferret, don’t forget to ask for a certificate of vaccinations. Contact your veterinarian Southwest Las Vegas, NV to ... Read more »