Birds

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Dalmatians – Pet tip 224

Of all the dog breeds out there, there are few that are more recognizable than the Dalmatian (aka a Dal). Perhaps this is because we associate them with firehouses and stories from our own youth. It seems like whenever we …

FIP – Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Once in a while, veterinarians disagree. Most of the time it’s because there is more than one way to fix a problem. The scientific world is continuously discovering new tests and solutions, and further questioning the validity of old ones. …

Children and Dogs

What goes on in the mind of your dog when there is a new baby in the family? Do you know how your dog will react if a toddler comes up and gives the dog a hug? Bringing a new addition into the household can be a big change for everyone, including the family dog. Introducing a new dog to a family with young children can also be an interesting challenge. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you have dogs and children under the same roof.

As a sensible dog owner and parent, it is your responsibility to be aware of the interactions between your children and the dog to ensure everyone’s safety. Most pets do not pose any threat to infants because there is not a lot of interaction between them. Toddlers are at a much greater risk of getting hurt because they can move about on their own and may not realize that their actions may be hurting or scaring the animal.

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 …

Dogs in Mourning – Pet tip 246

Dogs are extremely sensitive animals and can feel many of the same emotions that humans feel. Although many seasoned dog owners already know this, newer dog owners are often surprised by the depth of some of the emotions that dogs can feel. We all know that dogs can be very happy creatures; their broad wagging tails give them away every time. But dogs are capable of feeling more complex emotions than just happiness. At the other end of the spectrum there is sadness and depression and dogs are capable of feeling these emotions. Perhaps there is no greater testament to this fact then when a dog’s owner or another dog from the household dies

Basic Gerbil Care

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 …

Nature vs. Nurture

‘Nature versus Nurture’; almost everyone has heard of this debate. But what does this phrase actually mean? Why should we take into consideration both nature and nurture when choosing a pet? How can we make the most of both categories …

Dog Training Tips – Pet tip 236

Training your dog to follow some basic commands does not have to be difficult if you have a bit dedication and patience. Depending on the command you wish your dog to learn all that is needed is some repeated practice …

Hair Loss in Rabbits

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.