Featured Articles
Ferrets and Adrenal Disease
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 …
Blood Donor Programs for Dogs and Cats
We all know of the importance of donating blood from a human medicine perspective; collecting and maintaining a blood bank ensures that there will be an adequate supply of blood available when it is most needed, for instance during surgery or following an accident. But what about a blood donation program for our pets? After all, they undergo many of the same medical procedures as we do; is there a program in place for them? It turns out that there is, and certain organizations are looking for you and your pet to help out and donate blood.
While there isn’t a national blood donor organization for animals as there is with humans, there are several smaller organizations that exist across the country. Several of the veterinary colleges have one in place, so if you happen to live close to a veterinary school, that would be a great place to check out.
Helping a Wild Bird
Beth McMaster of Wildbird Recovery in Middlesex offers these guidelines for what to do with a wild bird that appears to need help:
To catch and pick up an injured bird, throw a pillowcase or towel over it and gently …
Getting Ready for a New Bird
Whether your knowledge of birds comes from Woody Woodpecker, Tweety or “Polly wanna cracker?”, they make great companions: Some will cuddle with you, others will play and, of course, many will chat. Just keep in mind that they are a …
Deaf Dog – Jacob
The Story of Jacob the Deaf Boston
A story to encourage owners with deaf animals
As a small Boston Terrier puppy, it was difficult to tell if my dog Jacob was deaf or if he was simply following his own …
Where Cats Sleep – Pet tip 250
One of the decisions that you’ll have to make when you get a new cat or kitten is where will it sleep? If you want your new kitten to sleep with you in your own bed then it should be no problem at all. Most kittens love sleeping with their owners and they will often press their bodies into yours for that warm cuddly feeling. If you’ve adopted an adult cat, it may take a little longer before the cat becomes comfortable enough to sleep in your bed. It may choose to sleep in another area of your bedroom, or it may choose to sleep in another room altogether. The trick is simple patience. If you are a kind and loving pet owner and interact and pet your cat, then eventually the cat will come around and likely jump on your bed to sleep when you least expect it.
If you don’t want your cat to sleep in your bed because of shedding, restlessness or other issues, then you have a few choices.
Cat Vocalizations
Cats are capable of communication on several levels. Their body language can tell other cats if they are feeling tense or relaxed. They can mark their territory with urine, or with scent particles from their faces to claim ownership of objects and spaces and they can also communicate vocally. This article will explore a few of the common vocalizations that cats make. Some of the vocalizations are meant mostly for humans, while other sounds are meant for other cats, humans or predators.
One of the most common sounds a cat owner is likely to hear from its cat is the famous meow. There are many different types of ‘meows’ and they are generally reserved for communicating with humans and not with other cats.
Sunburn in cats and dogs – Pet tip 142
The sun is beating down, it is the middle of the day in the summer with a very high UV rating. Naturally, before you step outside you lather on the sunscreen, as you are aware that sunburn will predispose you …
Cat Eyes – Pet tip 93
Have you ever wondered how cats are able to catch prey at night? Or what causes their eyes to glow when exposed to light in the dark? Cats are very active at night so it is a necessity that their …
