Cats

Almost all snakes need to be handled at some point, whether it’s being moved from one area to another for a medical procedure or feeding. However, petting is different. This activity is done solely for the enjoyment of both the snake owner and the reptile. But do snakes actually enjoy it? According to Kourtney Grimm, DVM, veterinarian at Pekin Animal Hospital in Pekin, Illinois, and vice president of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians, different snakes have different likes and dislikes. Some reptiles have more docile personalities, which could mean they’re more open to being pet. She recommends ball pythons, corn snakes, and king snakes, which make good pets because of their calm personalities. While that’s not a guarantee they’ll enjoy a good pet from time to time, it may help your chances. When you bring a new snake home, Dr. Grimm suggests immediately taking them to a reptile veterinarian. During that initial exam, you can discuss safe handling and petting procedures. Consulting with an experienced reptile veterinarian can be especially helpful if this is your first pet snake.,Jump to section Do Snakes Like Being Pet? How To Pet a Snake: Step-by-Step Instructions Where To Pet a Snake Areas To Avoid When Not To Handle Your Snake What If Your Snake Doesn’t Like To Be Pet? FAQs About Petting Snakes

Vaccinations are given to prevent disease, not as a treatment for sick cats. They’re divided into core and noncore categories. All cats should receive core vaccines, which are the ones that guard against common and/or severe contagious diseases. Core vaccines for cats: Rabies – considered a core vaccine when required by law or wherever rabies is present Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) – herpes virus Feline Panleukopenia (FP) – feline distemper Feline Calicivirus (FCV) Noncore vaccines are given to certain cats based on factors such as lifestyle, environment and general health. Common noncore vaccines for cats: Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) – All kittens should be vaccinated against feline leukemia virus with the need for future vaccinations determined by the pet’s risk factors. Chlamydophila Felis Bordetella Bronchiseptica Kittens generally start receiving vaccinations between 6 and 8 weeks of age. Boosters are administered at 3- to 4-week intervals until they are 16-20 weeks old. These boosters are essential or else the immunity provided by the mother’s milk might render the vaccinations useless. If an older cat’s vaccination history is unknown, it’s best to consider them unvaccinated. Most adult cats who are “unvaccinated” can be vaccinated adequately in two appointments scheduled 3-4 weeks apart. Booster vaccines usually are given to adult cats every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccine type and the cat’s risk factors.,Jump to section What Vaccines Do Cats Need? Common Cat Vaccinations Cat Vaccination Schedule* Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Vaccinations

If your cat has a lump, a small one, that has been present for years, has been looked at by your vet at least once, and hasn’t changed in appearance, it is probably benign and nothing to worry about. A sudden change in the nature of the lump, however, needs to be investigated. Have your cat’s vet take a look before concluding that you have to remove the lump. This could be a cat-bite abscess, given the fact that the other cat frequently bites Gracie on the tail. It could also be a lipoma; a benign lump of fatty tissue. Rather than surgical removal, a diagnosis might be achieved by inserting a needle into the mass and aspirating some of the contents of the mass into the barrel of the needle and then squirting it onto a microscope slide for a pathologist to evaluate. A pathologist can diagnose the lump this way in many cases. You might not need to remove a benign mass unless it causes problems for the cat. If the aspirate is not diagnostic, however, the lump might need surgical removal and biopsy. If you’re absolutely certain that your cat won’t stand an Elizabethan collar, your vet might bandage the area instead, depending on the location of the mass; the closer the tail mass is to the body, the more difficult it would be to bandage. In any event, have your cat’s veterinarian take a look at the mass before it gets any larger.,Q.

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Large and heavy, the Ragdoll embodies the essence of quiet power. This semi-long haired domestic breed loves people, and can weigh anywhere from 10 to 20 pounds. Read more about other big cat breeds.Color(s) The breed comes in the four traditional pointed colors: seal, chocolate, blue and lilac; and three divisions: solid or colorpoint, particolor mitted, and particolor bicolor. A mitted Ragdoll has white-gloved paws, while a bicolor Ragdoll has its face covered by a white mask in the shape of an inverted “V.” The bicolor also has its legs, chest, stomach and ruff – a collar of fur around the neck – all covered in white. Coat Semi-long and silky.,About the Ragdoll Cat Breed

Oh, the curiosity of kittens! These furry, miniature explorers have an insatiable desire to learn about their world. And, depending on how old they are, they also have the athleticism to jump and pull themselves up onto counters, curtains, tables — you name it! While they’re having fun investigating, you want to be sure you reward good behaviors and avoid inadvertently giving attention to, and thus reinforcing, behavior you don’t want. Making a clear plan and getting the whole family on board will avoid future problems.

Cat multivitamins can vary from brand to brand, but there are a few key ingredients you’ll almost always find. “Most contain varying blends of taurine, which is an amino acid that’s essential for heart function in cats. Taurine must be obtained from a cat’s diet, as they cannot produce it themselves,” says Jamie Richardson, DVM, medical chief of staff for Small Door Veterinary in New York. “Cat multivitamins also often contain B vitamins, probiotics, electrolytes, omega fatty acids, and iron.” Dr. Richardson explains that an omega fatty acid supplementation can help decrease inflammation associated with arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and chronic kidney disease, and can even help improve heart and brain function as your cat ages. As for those probiotics (a type of healthy bacteria), Dr. Richardson say that they may improve or maintain gastrointestinal health, meaning they can help keep your kitty’s gut and digestive system in tip-top shape. “The benefits of probiotics on gastrointestinal health and the gut biome are well established, and we are establishing possible links between gut health and overall systemic body health,” says Dr. Richardson. “B vitamins play an important role in the production of red blood cells, as well as digestive, nervous system, and skin health,” Dr. Richardson adds, while, “electrolytes regulate nerve and muscle function and help balance hydration and the blood’s pH. Iron is also vital for the development of red blood cells, deficiencies of which can lead to anemia.”,Jump to section What Goes Into a Cat Multivitamin? So, Should I Give My Cat a Multivitamin? Should I Speak to a Veterinarian Before Giving My Cat a Multivitamin? What Are the Best Cat Multivitamins?

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