12 ‘Hypoallergenic’ Cats for People With Allergies
In This Article What Is a Hypoallergenic Cat? View 5 More +
Albino
Reviewed for accuracy November 11, 2022. Though not technically a breed, the Albino horse is well-recognized because of its white coat and pink skin. In fact, any horse—regardless of its bloodline, ancestry, or size—can be classified as an “albino” if it is born with the distinctive white color. Contrary to what some may believe, it is a common type in the United States. Physical Characteristics The Albino horse has the distinct characteristics of an animal with albinism, though it is not a true “albino.” The biggest distinction is that its pink skin shows through its white coat, that has no grey or cream tint. Possible breeds that may possess these genes include Thoroughbreds, Arabs, Morgans, stock horses, Paint horses, and saddlers. The International Americal Albino Association Inc. (IAAAI) allows horses with a few small colored spots of hair only, not skin, into their registry.
Why Do Dogs Lick and Chew Their Paws?
If your dog has any bothersome infections related to their allergies, they may need topical and oral medications and a recovery cone to keep them from licking and worsening the affected area.,So your dog is chewing and licking their paws more than usual, even when you try to distract them by calling their name or offering their favorite toy. Why is this happening? Dr. Valentina Henao is a veterinarian and medical director at Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) in Miami. She explains that a dog licking and chewing their paws could be doing so for many reasons, ranging from common issues like fleas or allergies to paw injuries. Below, Dr. Henao helps us explore the most common causes and potential treatments for paw licking and chewing.
10 Signs of Gum Disease in Cats
By Carol McCarthy When it comes to your cat’s oral health, there is no such thing as being too vigilant. Gum disease can affect cats of all stripes. Gum disease, also known as gingivitis, is chronic inflammation of the gums that worsens over time and occurs where the tooth and gum come together, says Dr. Cathy Lund, owner of City Kitty, a cats-only veterinary practice in Providence, R.I., and a board member of the Association of Feline Practitioners. As the body fights the accumulation of tartar, plaque and bacteria on the teeth and gum line, tooth health suffers. Over time, the disease damages the tooth and underlying root and bone, causing pain, infection and leads to tooth loss. Vets are unsure why some cats are more prone to gum disease. Many dentists who care for people blame mouth chemistry, an inherited factor, and sometimes gum disease results from a respiratory virus. Genetics play a role in autoimmune diseases in cats, and gum disease is a manifestation of that, but a definitive cause remains unknown. Regardless of the cause, pet parents need to be diligent about prevention and alert to signs — both apparent and subtle — that something is wrong. These include: – Bad breath – Angry, red gums – Bleeding (from the mouth or nose), sometimes spontaneously – Drooling – Difficulty eating – Eating on one side of the mouth or moving food around in the mouth – Lack of appetite – Mild swelling of the face – Loose or missing teeth – Looking unkempt or failing to groom What Gum Disease Looks Like in Cats Inflamed gums are easy to spot. “They will look really hot, red and angry. When they are, you know the cat is in discomfort,” Lund says. Mild facial swelling is also possible. The difficulty in eating occurs not because of tooth pain—cats actually use their teeth very little when eating, Dr. Lund says. The discomfort occurs as they stretch out their tongues to scoop food in and toss it toward the back of their mouths. This movement strains the gums. “It hurts to move the tongue, so they won’t do it,” she says. “We see some cats that stop eating because they are so uncomfortable.” If your kitty is no longer sitting pretty, it may also be a surprising sign of gum disease. A messy, unkempt coat is an oft-missed sign. When a cat’s gums are in pain, using her tongue to groom herself will be painful. In some cases, cats develop stomatitis, or inflammation of the whole oral cavity. “It is like lupus (an autoimmune disease) in the mouth,” Dr. Lund says. Cats with stomatitis “can’t even swallow their own saliva. They drool. They look like a Bassett Hound or St. Bernard,” she says. In these cases, surgery is necessary. When gum disease is severe, cats can suffer from painful tooth resorption, in which the teeth sink back into the diseased and receding gums until the body eventually reabsorbs the tooth.
What Is Cat Hospice Care? Understanding End of Life Care for Cats
In This Article What Is Cat Hospice? View 6 More +
You’re Not a Bad Pet Parent if Your Dog is a Loner
WRITTEN BY Victoria Schade, CPDT-KA Animal Trainer,Image via iStock.com/alexei_tm By Victoria Schade It doesn’t take much to win a dog’s unconditional love, and that’s one of the reasons we cherish them as companions. Most dogs are driven to try to make friends with everyone they meet, both canine and human. Their boundless affection and dog socialization skills are inspiring! But not all dogs like to make friends. Some dogs might be closely bonded with their family but don’t want to connect with anyone else. They’re well-adjusted, happy dogs, but they seem to prefer being introverts, chilling on their own instead of joining the crowd. Because this feels so un-dog-like, pet parents might wonder if they did something to cause their dog’s standoffishness. But loner dog behavior can be a product of nature or nurture, or a combination of both. If your dog is healthy and content and acts appropriately around other dogs and people, it’s actually no reason for concern. The Difference Between Aloof and Fearful Responses It’s important to first distinguish between a reserved dog and a dog that’s fearful, as the reactions can look similar at first. While both dogs might be reluctant to approach strangers, aloof, loner dogs will likely regard someone they don’t know from a distance without retreating, or might quickly sniff the person and then move on to avoid further contact. A fearful dog might cower, run away or try to hide when approached by an unknown person. Similarly, loner dogs usually don’t initiate interactions with other dogs. They might allow a dog to do investigative sniffing and reciprocate, but they’ll rarely respond to play requests. These are the dogs at the park that prefer to investigate the perimeter rather than getting their paws dirty in the scrum. On the other hand, a fearful dog might retreat before another dog can get too close, or preemptively bark to prevent the dog from approaching.
Skin Parasites in Fish
(Dactylogyrus And Gyrodactylus ) There are many types of parasites that can infect a fish’s skin. Two such microscopic parasites are Dactylogyrus and Gyrodactylus. These are tiny flatworms, which infect goldfish, koi and other types of fish. Symptoms and Types Fishes infected with these parasites will display sores and ulcers on the skin and gills, have a pale skin color, and be covered with small hemorrhages. Dactylogyrus and Gyrodactylus infections should be diagnosed and treated quickly because they can become fatal for your fish.
8 Facts About Guppies
Fact #6: Watch Out! Guppies Eat Their Own Young To stop their habitat from becoming overcrowded, guppies have evolved to eat their young, Williamson said. While some recommend separating parents from offspring, Williamson said that this may not be the best option, as it can be very stressful for the parents. Instead, he recommends filling the tank with plant materials to give the fry (baby) a chance to hide from its parents.,Fact #7: Guppies Have Been Used to Fight Malaria Guppies have been deliberately set free in Asian waters to fight the spread of malaria. In 2014, an anti-malaria “guppy movement” in a city of southern India aimed to control malaria using the fish, who feed on mosquito larvae.,By Vanessa Voltolina Searching for your next finned pet? Guppies are a common and easy-to-care-for option. In fact, guppies make great pets and can be excellent additions to the tanks of both experienced fish owners and aquatic pet newbies, said Sam Williamson, former marine biologist and fish expert of more than 20 years. However, many fish owners and prospective buyers may not know much about guppies and can benefit from learning about this type of fish. “Guppies are an extremely misunderstood breed of fish,” Williamson said. “With so many different fish to choose from, it’s easy to dismiss them as boring and too commonplace.” Here, discover a handful of our favorite — and fun! — facts about guppies: Fact #1: Guppies are a Namesake The guppy is named after Robert John Lechmere Guppy, a researcher and geologist with, interestingly, no formal scientific training. Guppy was credited with discovering the fish in Trinidad in 1866, according to the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology. Prior to Guppy, W.C.H. Peters originally discovered the fish in Berlin, where it was overlooked.
Flea Infestation in Rats
Ectoparasitic Infestation in Rats Fleas are ectoparasites, or parasites that infest and feed on the outside of the body (e.g., skin and hair). These parasites are found in many pets; however, flea infestation in pet rats is very rare. Typically, pet rats typically only acquire this condition when they come in contact with wild rodents. Though flea infestation is not a serious condition and treatment is available to control it, if proper steps are not taken to prevent further spread or reinfestation of the fleas, this can become a recurring problem. Symptoms and Types Fleas may be visible on the infested rat’s body, and you will notice your rat scratching the infested areas more than normal. The skin may be red/inflamed in some areas due to the flea feeding on the area, as well as to irritation from scratching by the rat. Another indicator of fleas is the presence of its feces, which may be seen as black dots on the skin or in the hair. Causes Flea infestation in pet rats is caused by rodent fleas, which are mainly transmitted to them when pet rats come in contact with wild rodents. Diagnosis Diagnosis of flea infestation is usually based on visual examination of the skin for the presence of fleas. Other clinical symptoms that can be observed, like the presence of the fleas feces, seen as black dots, coupled with excessive scratching, may also aid your veterinarian in making a diagnosis. Treatment Flea infestation is treated with medicated powders/dusts or sprays that are designed kill the fleas. To prevent reinfestation, disinfect and clean your rat’s cage and surrounding environment thoroughly. Living and Management Follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding the application of medicated dusts and sprays to your pet rat and its living environment. Although it is important to eradicate the fleas, there are also precautions that you need to take to make sure that your rat is not harmed by the chemicals you are using against the fleas. In addition, whenever you have handled a rat that is not your own, even an apparently clean and uninfested rat, you must take care to wash your hands and clothes after you have handled it, before handling your own rat.
5 Trash Can Dangers for Your Pet
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