Guinea pigs are prone to develop scurvy especially if their diet lacks vitamin C. There are also cases when certain problems affect the body’s ability to absorb and utilize vitamin C efficiently.

It is often hard to detect initial symptoms but as problem gradually develops over time, symptoms can worsen. Also, the symptoms can easily be confused with a wide variety of other health issues thus veterinary attention is necessary.

In the early stag ... Read more »

Cats with narcolepsy have a sudden intense desire to sleep during the day, and may experience brief periods of unconsciousness, collapse, and/or paralysis that usually resolve spontaneously without any treatment or intervention.

Narcolepsy is thought to be predominantly hereditary in nature; in fact, it has been recorded in humans, dogs, cats, horses, and cattle. The cause of the disorder is not well understood, but it is assumed that it involves much more than being tired. Fortunately, it is not normally life-threatening and episodes in pet cats are quite rare.

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Alopecia is a technical term for loss of hair or baldness. In dogs, alopecia X is characterized by progressive hair shedding and skin darkening. The condition is common among adolescent and young adult dogs. Little is known about the potential causes of black skin disease. Hormonal imbalance, obesity, allergy, and genetics are often considered as potential contributing factors.

Compared to other types of alopecia, the loss of hair in alopecia X follows a distinct pattern; the outermost hairs fall out first and the undercoat appears dry and has a cottony texture. In time, the undercoat falls out equally from both sides of the body, leavin ... Read more »

Molting is a normal physiological process in birds. It’s also a stressful one. Making specific dietary changes is one way to help your pet bird through the molting process. While molting, the bird’s energy requirement increases, so there is a need to increase their food by about 25% to meet their body’s need for extra energy. You can increase the amount of vegetables, cereals, and fresh fruit in the bird’s diet. Increase the bird’s protein intake by adding boiled egg yolks or insects. You can also ask your veterinarian about special molting food and tonics to give an additional boost to birds while they’re molting.

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Kittens require a series of vaccinations that will protect them from specific medical conditions. These mandatory vaccinations always include rabies. Your veterinarian may also recommend additional vaccinations, such as one that will afford protection against feline leukemia.

Initial vaccinations are usually administered when the kitten is between 6-16 weeks old. Booster shots are usually given annually or every 2-3 years depending on the type of vaccine that is given.

Experts also recommend spaying (female) and neutering (male) of pet cats so pet owners won’t have to deal with undesirable behavior during the mating season. The procedures can also prevent unwanted pregnancies and protect pets against important health issues that affect the reproductive systems of both males and females.

Spaying or neutering is usually perfor ... Read more »

Being allergic to pets doesn’t always mean that the person can’t enjoy the company of a pet dog or cat. Some people who are allergic to dogs or cats often consider getting other species of pets that they are not allergic to such as birds, reptiles, rodents, or ferrets.

Actually, there are no ‘hypoallergenic’ dogs or cats in the real sense of the word, some just produce or harbor a lesser amount of allergen than others. Some breeds of dogs that are ideal for people with dog allergies include Irish water spaniels, Bedlington terrier, schnauzers, soft-coated wheaten terrier, bichon frise, poodles, Maltese, Chinese crested, and Portuguese water dog among others.

The good news is there are simple ways to manage pet allergies at home. Try on these tactics to find out which one will best work for you.

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A dog that constantly likes to hump another dog or animal or even people can be a source of embarrassment for their owners.

For the most part, humping is actually a normal canine behavior which can be exhibited by males or females. But there are cases when humping can be an important symptom of an existing health or behavior problem.

Here are some reasons advanced by experts to explain why dogs hump:

•    Humping in puppies is an instinct to practice mating performance in the future

•    Humping in mature dogs is a part of the mating behavior including flirting and initiating mating; the behavior is usually seen among intact male and female dogs

•    For some dogs, humping gives them a good feeling

•    Humping can also b ... Read more »

Pregnant cats needs close monitoring by their owners. They will also benefit from some TLC to make them feel more safe and secure.

Pregnant cats tend to be more affectionate than usual, and will try to find ways to seek their owners’ attention. Because of the delicate condition that pregnant cats are in, extra precaution should be observed when petting or picking up a pregnant cat. When picking one, avoid touching the cat’s belly area. This is an ultrasensitive area during pregnancy, and unnecessary pressure applied on the area give a pregnant cat a lot of pain and discomfort. Rough handling may also hurt the unborn kittens; ... Read more »

Letting your kitty wear a collar can be a challenge especially if he has never worn a collar before. The process will take tons of patience, but the result will be worth the effort. At first, your kitty may persistently scratch at his collar, but he will soon adjust to in time. Distracting him with his favorite treat or a catnip toy will keep his mind off his collar.

When your kitty has a collar, an ID tag can be securely attached to it for easy identification; it can also increase your pet’s chances of being reunited with you if he escapes through an open door or window or wanders off.

With time, as your pet grows in size, make sure to check the collar at least once a week.  The collar is properly fitted when you can insert 2-3 fingers between your cat’s neck and his collar.

Collars that are too small may bite ... Read more »

The results of a titer test shows whether a dog has a sufficient level of antibodies against a specific medical condition. A small blood sample is tested for antibodies against a specific disease or health condition that affect canines.

A sufficient antibody level means that the dog possesses adequate protection against that specific illness; on the other hand, when the titer test reveals only the presence of a few or no antibodies against a certain health concern, this simply means that the dog does not possess adequate protection against that particularly health issue and needs to be vaccinated.  

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