Issue 1: November 2002

Welcome to the first issue of pets.ca’s newsletter and thanks to everyone who signed up. You will receive your free newsletter once a month. The newsletters will include topics of interest, useful articles, product reviews, health questions and more. .As …

Humping and Mounting Behavior in Dogs

We were once a society that viewed animals as their own individual species. Today, our world is quickly changing into one which views domestic animals as individual members of our human family. It is no wonder that we often relate …

Bathing dogs – Pet tip 148

Should I bathe my dog and how often should I bathe my dog are two common questions that many new dog owners wonder about. The answer will usually depend on the breed of dog as dogs with different types of …

Cleaning Your Cat’s Eyes – Pet tip 219

When it comes to eye cleaning, most cats are good at cleaning their own eyes when they get dirty. Many cats have some blackish dirt buildup in the corners of their eyes. This is the result of dust particles and …

Vaccines and Allergic Reactions – Vaccination Reactions in Cats and Dogs – Pet tip 221

Vaccinating our pets is necessary to protect them from harmful diseases. Most veterinarians in North America recommend giving almost all cats and dogs certain vaccines when they are brought in for the first time as puppies or kittens. If they …

Dogs Cats and Anesthesia – Pet tip 239

Most cats and dogs undergo some type of surgery that requires anesthesia during their lifetimes even if it is only the surgery done for spaying and neutering. Other common procedures that require anesthesia include dental cleaning or dental surgery as well as repairing broken bones. Whenever surgery is done on a pet the topic of anesthesia arises. For the purposes of this article we will be talking about general anesthesia where pets are completely unconscious. We’ve all heard about the potential risks and possible complications regarding anesthesia in our own lives, and so it makes good sense to wonder about anesthetic complications when it comes to our pets as well.

Luckily, veterinary medicine has made huge strides in reducing anesthetic complications. So long as the pet is properly monitored during the actual surgery and the pet has been carefully prescreened for possible problems, anesthesia on pets is quite safe and problems are few.

Common Ferret Diseases

Ferrets are sweet, intelligent little animals that many of us love. Before introducing one to your family however, there are a few things to know about ferrets, namely the common diseases they may suffer from. Here is a list of some of the diseases that ferrets commonly get, along with how they are diagnosed and treated.

Pyoderma: Pyoderma literally means pus (pyo-) in the skin (derm-). This is due to a bacterial infection; usually secondary to trauma or self-inflicted wounds from having itchy skin. Clinical signs are variable, either from mild superficial lesions to areas of furunculosis, which means the hair follicle itself is completely damaged from all the bacteria hiding in and around the hair shaft.

Pet Snakes

First, we must dispel the myth that snakes are slimy vile creatures. It seems that even with increased awareness about snakes, this idea somehow persists. Snakes are silky smooth, quiet creatures, and pet snakes make wonderful companions. They are free …

Frogs and Toads

Frogs and toads are unique animals that lend themselves to being good pets because of their small size, docile temperament, and minimal needs. Both frogs and toads are amphibious, meaning that they can breathe underwater (by absorbing oxygen directly through …

Dog bites – Avoiding dog bites – Pet tip 134

Dog owners are more likely to get bitten by an unfamiliar dog than non-dog owners. This makes sense because people more comfortable with dogs are more likely to approach them and therefore increase their risk of being bitten. However, this …