The gerbil was first brought to the United States from Mongolia in 1954. Since then, it has rapidly become a popular pet with its enticing large eyes and long furry tail. In fact its tail is the same length or …
Respiratory illness among rats and mice is very common, but can become quite serious. What might start out as a little sniffling, sneezing, or wheezing (also called snuffles), can often lead to a chronic condition with secondary infections such as …
The chinchilla, if handled from a young age can be a friendly, curious pet. However, if they were not treated well as a young chinchilla, had a bad experience, or just grew up bitter and resentful, you will notice your …
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.
You’ve been noticing it for a few months now. Your bunny just hasn’t been acting like itself. You can’t quite put a finger on it, but it just seems ‘off’ somehow. Then you see a bit of a head tilt, which grows worse with time. Sometimes you catch your bunny stargazing. Then you realize it seems just a bit weaker than usual on its hind legs. It’s not jumping as high and isn’t running to the door to greet you as usual. A few months later it’s practically holding its head to the floor. What could possibly be wrong with it? Is it a brain tumour or some rare bacterial infection?
Pet ferrets are becoming more and more poular and all ferret owners should know what hyperadrenocorticism is. Hyperadrenocorticism is one of the most common reasons for a sick ferret to go to the veterinarian. This disease is usually found in …
Ferrets are high-energy critters that spend hours each day playing and looking for ways to escape. As a result, it can be extremely alarming if your ferret suddenly lacks energy to play. This lethargy is commonly caused by a tumor …
Adrenal disease is one of the most common disorders of ferrets. Symptoms usually occur in middle aged to older ferrets, but ferrets as young as one year old can also be affected. Clinical signs include lethargy, alopecia (hair loss), loss …
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 …
There are four main causes for a rabbit suffering from hair loss, known as ‘alopecia’. These include ringworm, fur mites, behaviourally-induced hair loss and a disease called ‘sebaceous adenitis’.
You may have heard of ‘ringworm’ which is a disease that can affect different species including rabbits, dogs, cats and humans. It’s a condition primarily characterized by areas of hair loss. Ringworm is actually not a ‘worm’ at all. Ringworm is a type of fungus that grows within the outer layer of an animal’s skin and hair. The technical name for ringworm is ‘dermatophyte’. Dermatophytes are not very common in adult rabbits, they are more common in young rabbits due to an immature immune system.
You might find yourself in the following scenario: The kids are constantly begging for a pet. Dogs are too large, birds are too noisy, you are allergic to cats, and reptiles scare your significant other. You suggest fish, but the …
Want to time-travel into the past? Amazingly, you don’t even need a time-travel machine to do so. The hedgehog is a portal to the past; the present day hedgehog looks almost identical to the hedgehog that lived 15 million years …
The hermit crab is a fascinating exotic pet that has gained popularity for being easy to set up and extremely low maintenance. They are hypoallergenic, clean, and generally very quiet. Unlike fish, they can be handled and taken out of …
Imagine what it would be like if every time you grew an inch, your skin got so tight that you had to shed it! Our human skin grows with us; however, hermit crabs (a popular exotic pet in recent years) …
So you’re thinking about getting a horse. You would like pursue your passion and join the millions of horse lovers across the world. However, like any decision, this one comes with pros and cons. You must be confident that you …
Did you know that the Japanese giant salamander can grow to be up to 1.8 meters long? This would not be an ideal pet, however other species of salamander, along with frogs, newts, and toads are just a few examples …
Budgerigars or Budgies for short, are one of the most popular pet birds in North America, and it isn’t hard to see why. These friendly birds are extremely intelligent, and can even be taught to speak. They are also relatively …
The chinchilla looks like a mix of three different animals. It has the rotund body of a guinea pig, short rabbit-like ears, and a squirrel tail. This is a unique critter that is kept as a pet less frequently than …
Degus have not been on the pet scene for long, but people are falling in love with these affectionate, sociable little animals. Degus come from the foothills of the Andes in South America and were imported into North America in …
Although many people are afraid of mice, certain breeds of mice can make great pets. House mice, scientifically known as (Mus musculus) can make good pets for adults or older children. They come in a variety of colours like white, …
Do you lack the time to properly care for a dog or cat, or are not fond of the cost of keeping them up to date with vaccinations and veterinarian visits? If the answer is a resounding yes, then perhaps …
When you think about rats, what do you picture? Do you imagine filth, garbage, or the Plague? What about a ferocious creature with long hairless tails? The only correct part about any of those scenarios is the long hairless tail. …
As pets, rats can be a great alternative to owning dogs or cats. However, they are not without their own set of health problems, one of the most common of which is tumors.
Before we start talking about the different …
Lighting for Pet Reptiles
On a cold winter day, before you go outside you bundle up with a winter jacket, scarf, hat and mitts so that you can keep warm. You are an endoderm; you have internal mechanisms that help …
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 …
Small pewter Celtic setting with cat’s eye stone.
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Find Dog ParksPet podcast #31 features a top 10 list on being or becoming a great pet owner.
Here’s the list and please listen for a fuller explanation of each point:
- Commit to your pet for life
- Make sure you …
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