Small pet

Gerbils first came on to the pet scene in the 1960s, and they have been stealing hearts of small animal lovers ever since. What’s not to love about these little dynamos? Their size makes them easy to handle and their temperament tends to lean more toward friendly than aggressive. What’s more, gerbils are said to be a lot less odorous than other small animal companions of similar size. Here are some common behaviors that go with this smell-good, sociable, easy-to-handle pet.

Staphylococcal Infection in Rats Staphylococcal infection in rats is caused by a bacteria belonging to the genus staphylococcus, a gram positive bacteria that is commonly found on the skin of many mammals, including rats, and which includes a number of species and subspecies, most of which are harmless to the body and are not implicated in disease. When the immune system of the rat is compromised as a result of disease or other stressful conditions, staphylococcal numbers can flare up. Under these circumstances, if a rat happens to have an old unhealed wound, a fresh cut, or a fight wound, the staphylococcal bacteria can gain entry inside the body through these open wounds, resulting in a staphylococcal infection. The staphylococcal infection gets progressively worse when the rat keeps scratching at any injured part of the body. Although this infection can occur in many species besides rats — including humans — it has not been found to be transmissible to humans by rats. Symptoms and Types Inflamed skin and sores on the head and neck Formation of abscesses (pus filled swellings), which in turn may enlarge and spread under the skin to form lumps (tumors) around the face and head Ulcers or pus filled bumps on feet (ulcerative pododermatitis, or bumblefoot) Intense itching/scratching of affected areas Swollen belly due to internal swelling Causes This infection is caused by the presence of the staphylococci bacteria that is commonly found on the skin of most animals. While most staph bacteria remain harmless, some species can cause a diseased state of infection when they are able to gain entry into the body. One of the most common types of disease producing staphylococci bacteria is the S. aureus. Infection typically occurs when the skin is damaged by scratching or bite wounds, or when the skin is injured due to small abrasions. Rats can acquire the infection from soiled bedding, or from coming into contact with infected urine or feces. Cages with wire mesh flooring have been implicated in increasing the incidence of foot lesions and subsequent infections of the foot. Rats with weakened immune systems are most likely to become infected. Diagnosis A diagnosis can often be made by the symptoms observed, but a fluid sample of the abscess will be necessary for a confirmation of the infection. Discharges from the affected areas can be collected and cultured in a bacterial culture medium. The diagnosis is confirmed by a bacterial culture of skin scrapings and fluid samples from the infected area.   Treatment You should not try to drain an abscess on your own, since there is a danger of pushing the infected fluid deeper into the body, rather than out of the body. This could lead to a blood infection, sepsis, a fatal condition. You will need to take your rat to your veterinarian, who will drain the pus from the wound, irrigate the wound, and dress appropriately it to prevent further damage by the rat. It will also be necessary to use medication in the form of topical antibiotics containing steroids, to treat staphylococcal infections and oral antibiotic treatment to be sure that your rat makes a complete recovery. Living and Management Monitor your rat regularly for signs of illness, as disease conditions can be stressful and lead to an increase in staphylococcal numbers. It is advisable to clip the toenails of the hind feet to prevent any damage to the wound when the rat scratches it, and to prevent accidental injuries from occurring in the first place. Regularly follow your veterinarian’s advice regarding the application of medication to the wounds to help in the healing process. Prevention The primary preventative is to maintain excellent hygiene at all times. Cleaning your rats’ living environment on a daily basis, clearing all urine, feces, and spilled food — all of which can harbor the staphylococcus bacterium. Take care to treat fight wounds and other open wounds promptly so that secondary bacterial infection due to the entry of staphylococcal bacteria does not arise. All wounds should be cared for immediately with thorough cleansing at least twice a day, observing the healing process until the wound has scabbed over and is healing without swelling or any other sign of inflammation. If any signs of swelling or inflammation develop, you should see your veterinarian immediately. If treated quickly and appropriately, these wounds can remain non-threatening. Providing proper care and nutrition and avoiding stress to your pet rat can also help to prevent staphylococcal infection. Humans are also implicated in spreading infection, by handling an asymptomatic infected rat and not washing their hands and clothing before handling another rat. It is important to have a policy of always cleaning your hands thoroughly, in addition to changing your clothing before handling rats from different locations.

You didn’t specify whether your hamster is a dwarf or Syrian, and that does make some difference. Dwarves are slightly more inclined to bite than Syrians, at least at first, perhaps because they are simply smaller and more defenseless than the heftier, faster Syrian. There’s more about the specific behavior of dwarf variety hamsters further on. But what you need to know is that hamsters don’t have to be biters. You can help them break the habit. It’s important to understand that biting doesn’t necessarily mean your hamster is aggressive. The fact is, the hamster’s jaw is much stronger and more dexterous than his short, rather weak and uncoordinated forepaws. A hamster can build an entire home with that jaw! So if something is in a hamster’s way, or just looks like it might be bothersome for some reason, it is more likely he will grab it and move it aside with his jaws than with his paws. It comes down to physique. Beyond that, habit takes over. The hamster may have learned to see human interference as some sort of obstacle or hassle, and responds immediately by, very effectively, “making it go away” using his teeth. Putting on a glove is of no help because, frankly, glove and skin are the same thing to a hamster, but gloves may seem more frightening. The hamster won’t learn anything from the presence of a glove. Scent is, indeed, something any hamster is acutely aware of, but it’s only likely to lead to a bite if you smell like food, or perhaps another hamster. That’s why it’s critically important to always wash your hands with scent-free soap before handling a hamster. At the same time, you actually want your hamster to recognize your ordinary, natural “people scent,” because you want him to know you won’t hurt him and that he need not be concerned for his safety.,Q.

Poop is more than just waste—understanding rabbit stools is key to monitoring your bunny’s health.   Here’s everything you need to know about rabbit poop: what’s normal, what’s not, and what to do if you think something’s off with your rabbit’s poop. 

Q: Whenever I leave my room to sneak a snack from the fridge, my guinea pigs somehow hear and erupt in a squeaking frenzy! Why do guinea pigs squeak? And is this normal?  A: Yes! It’s entirely normal for guinea pigs to squeak. They’re incredibly social and vocal animals who can squeak for various reasons, from letting you know they want to be fed (like, yesterday) to showing their excitement for their favorite people, toys, or treats.  We talked to an expert to learn more about why guinea pigs squeak, different types of squeaks, and whether you should do anything about these sounds. 

Guinea pig — um — squirrel? No! That peculiar creature with cute little arms, perky ears and a squirrely tail is none other than a chinchilla. Chinchillas make amazing pets and have some eccentric behaviors to match their eccentric appearance. Here’s a look some common “chin” behaviors.

In This Article Summary View 6 More +

If only they could speak. How many times have you thought that as you wondered what was going on in your ferret’s mind? Actually ferrets do speak! But you have to learn to listen with your eyes and not just your ears. Ferrets can tell us a lot about their moods and interests if we watch their body language. Here are some common emotions and how a ferret relays them to us and to other ferrets.

Made of translucent plastic, hamster balls are hollow spheres available in a variety of sizes. When placed inside, the hamster (or other small rodent) can roll around their home or yard.  Hamster balls let your pet exercise and spend time outside of their cage, without the danger of escaping. However, they pose some alarming risks.  ,Hamster balls may seem like an exciting, engaging toy for your small pet, but they’re actually not all fun and games. In fact, they can be downright dangerous for your furry friend.    “While they have historically been marketed as a way for hamsters to explore safely, many animal welfare experts and rescue organizations do not consider them safe or appropriate,” says Miranda Baker, the hamster program coordinator at Small Angels Rescue, based in Monrovia, Maryland.