Are Retractable Leashes Bad? 7 Risks and Which Leashes To Use Instead
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How To Pick Up a Cat
WRITTEN BY Janelle Leeson Freelance Writer,Picking up a cat and holding them in a way that they’ll appreciate is a skill you can learn at any time, whether you’re a new or experienced cat parent. However, there’s one thing you should never do: picking them up by the scruff of the neck, or “scruffing” them, says Julie Liu, DVM, an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional and Cat Friendly Veterinarian. While kittens are often picked up this way by their mothers, many adult cats will find this painful and scary. Instead, as you’re learning how to hold a cat, pay attention to your cat’s body language to ensure they feel safe and comfortable in your arms. While not all cats enjoy being held, practicing positive handling and teaching your cat to accept handling for nail trimming, fur brushing, and toothbrushing will keep your cat happy and healthy. Here’s how to pick up a cat the right way.
How To Measure a Horse for a Horse Blanket
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Why Do Dogs Sigh? 5 Common Reasons
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Kidney Failure in Rabbits
Renal Failure Rabbits, much like humans, suffer from renal failure. This causes them to produce less urine and is infrequently due to cases of dehydration. There are two forms of renal failure: acute or chronic. Acute renal failure may occur suddenly because of an accumulation of toxins in the kidney(s), or as a result of an electrolyte imbalance. Chronic renal failure, on the other hand, progresses slowly in rabbits, sometimes over the course of several months. Symptoms Depression Inability to eat Fever Diarrhea Seizures Lack of stool or inability to produce stool Heart complications (often in acute renal failure cases) Painful or tender kidneys (when palpitated) Causes The causes of chronic and acute renal failure in rabbits vary; acute renal failure (or ARF) may arise from shock, trauma, extreme stress, stroke, heart failure and blood infection. Meanwhile, a urinary tract obstruction or a urinary tract infection which has spread to the pelvis can bring on either the chronic or acute form of renal failure in rabbits. Aging and diabetes are some other common causes for the condition. Diagnosis To diagnose renal failure, a veterinarian will first want to rule out some other potential causes for the rabbit’s symptoms, including lymphoma, abscesses, or other types of kidney infections. And although it is rare, cysts in the kidneys can also cause the symptoms listed above. Laboratory tests on the rabbit may reveal high levels of electrolytes, including potassium or nutrients such as calcium. This may suggest the animal’s kidneys are not properly excreting these substances. X-rays, CT scans or ultrasounds may also be performed on the rabbit to reveal potential kidney or bladder stones in the bladder, a common source of pain. Treatment A rabbit will generally receive treatment on an outpatient basis. However, if it is experiencing acute renal failure (or crisis), it will require immediate fluid balance therapy to prevent additional injury to the kidneys. Fluids are usually administered intravenously, although the veterinarian may also suggest adding fresh greens to the rabbit’s diet for rehydration. If the veterinarian prescribes glycoprotein medication for the rabbit, it is to help with anemia or a low red blood cell count. Living and Management Lots of rest, a good diet and adequate consumption of fresh water and greens are important for a good prognosis. Even chronic forms of renal failure can be dealt with by following your veterinarian’s instructions and bringing the rabbit in for follow-up care, although older rabbits are less likely to recover with time. Also, rabbits at risk of renal problems should avoid substances that may be harmful to the kidneys including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Featured Image: iStock.com/Motortion
How To Find, Treat, and Prevent Fleas on Puppies
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American Indian Horse
As its name suggests, this breed was established in the mid-20th century to preserve the pedigrees of the American Indian horses. Ironically, this rare breed is not native to America at all; it is descended from horses brought by Spaniards and trained to adapt to the environment. It goes by several names including mustang, cow pony, buffalo horse, and Spanish pony. Physical Characteristics Although it can be shorter or taller, the height of an American Indian Horse ranges from 13–15 hands (52–60 inches, 132–152 centimeters). It is muscular, but not overly so, with sturdy, proportionally sized feet. Its legs, meanwhile, are straight. The American Indian Horse can be seen in almost any color imaginable.
Lung Tumors and Lung Cancer in Rabbits
Thymoma and Thymic Lymphoma in Rabbits Thymoma and thymic lymphoma are forms of cancer that originate in the lining of the lungs, and are the two main causes for lung tumors and lung cancer in rabbits. They may occur alone and remain local, or they can affect many different organs of the rabbit’s body as the cancer metastasizes, spreading to other tissue in the body. This type of cancer is the most common cause of masses in the mediastinum, or middle part of the body. The causes for thymoma and thymic lymphoma are not well understood. There is no real data on the true number of rabbits that actually develop the disease, or whether a particular age, gender or breed is more likely to be struck with the disease than any other. Symptoms and Types The signs and symptoms of thymoma and thymic lymphoma include the following features: Bulging of the eyes, usually resulting from the pressure of an underlying tumor within or near the skull; this condition is sometimes called “cranial caval syndrome” in rabbits and other animals Swelling around the upper torso, but especially in the head, neck and forelimbs (formally called cranial caval syndrome) Rapid breathing Shortness of breath Muscle weakness, including around the esophagus, which may make eating and related activities difficult to perform Diagnosis Your veterinarian will likely rule out several other conditions before ruling out rabbit thymoma or thymic lymphoma. These include true lymphoma cancer, thyroid cancer, benign or non-cancerous growths, masses requiring removal, and structural abnormalities that may cause pain. X-ray images may be taken to help measure the cranium so that rapid change can be accurately evaluated. Other diagnostic procedures may include the insertion of a fine needle in order to take a sample of fluid and tissue for a cytological exam — an analysis of the cells, to determine abnormal conditions. The results of the cytological exam will tell your doctor how many lymphocytes or mature cells are present, and how many thymic epithelial (skin) cells your rabbit is producing. Treatment The treatment for thymoma and thymic lymphoma is often inpatient. Your rabbit will require immediate surgical removal of the mass if it is obstructing airflow. Radiotherapy may help to reduce the burden of the tumor or cancer mass on the underlying tissues following the initial surgery. Some rabbits also need to be be treated with additional steroid therapy to reduce the inflammation, and possibly chemotherapy, although relatively little information is known on the effectiveness of chemotherapy for rabbits that are afflicted with this type of cancer. Living and Management Follow-up care is essential after the successful removal of the tumor(s); imaging studies are recommended for as many as three months in order to monitor for recurring illness. However, if the tumor could not be removed completely, the expected prognosis is not favorable over the long term. Featured Image: iStock.com/leaf
How to Choose a Dog & What to Know Before Getting One
Here are some tips on how to choose the right dog for you and what to do to prepare to bring your new canine friend home. How to Choose a Dog 1. Dogs take up a lot of time and energy. Yes, they are rewarding. But if you live alone and work twenty hours a day, then perhaps a dog is not the best choice for you. Hey, there are always those super-cool robot dogs. 2. If you are not often at home, and you really want a dog, you probably should invest in a dog walker. You’d probably be wise to choose a dog breed that isn’t especially needy, too. Check out PetMD’s Breedopedia to select from a wide variety of breeds. 3. Any dog you get should be suitable to not only your lifestyle, but your surroundings. If you live in a shoebox apartment, then a large dog is not a good choice. You don’t want your dog to develop health issues, be bored, or destroy things. Large dogs really belong in big places with lots of outdoor space. 4. Consider which breeds are suitable for your region’s climate, especially if you have a yard and want to keep it as an outside dog. 5. Puppies require the most work when it comes to house training. If you: (a) don’t want your things chewed up, or (b) don’t have the time or money to train the puppy, consider adopting an already housebroken, adult dog. 6. Regardless of the dog breed you choose, have fun! They say there is no better friend than a dog. We have to agree.
Why Do Dogs Put Their Paws On People?
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