Small pet

Compared to dogs, cats and rabbits, ferrets really do appear to scratch and bite at their skin more than those other pet species. It is a very common complaint from new ferret owners not acquainted with this normal behavior of ferrets. Ferrets will increase their biting and scratching of their skin for numerous reasons. It is normal for any animal to increase that behavior during molting season — both when hair is growing in or hair is being lost. As you mentioned, skin parasites (also termed ectoparasites) can cause disturbances on the skin leading to increased biting and scratching. You report no fleas, but some mites and lice can cause these issues in ferrets, and finding these very tiny ectoparasites is very difficult without a microscope. And even when there is an infestation of these ectoparasites, we may not be able to find the living organisms with a microscope but just find their “eggs” instead. Sometimes, we cannot even find the eggs and treat based on the signs you report. Fungal skin and hair infections also can cause what you are describing, and that diagnosis is made after growth of the fungal organism on a culture plate that your veterinarian will inoculate during a visit. With the naked eye, you cannot diagnose a skin fungal infection. Finally, environmental allergens may cause hypersensitivity on the skin that can lead to increased scratching and biting. As you can see, the causes are varied and it usually takes a visit to your veterinarian to help make a diagnosis and then devise a course of treatment to help your ferrets feel more comfortable. By: Karen Rosenthal, DVM, MS,Q.

Here’s a scary thought: The fleas your vet recently spotted on your dog or cat may only be the tip of the flea problem iceberg. Your home may also be the unfortunate site of a flea infestation. When fleas are nipping at your ankles, a flea problem is more obvious. But in other cases, the signs of fleas in your house can be less apparent, especially if the infestation is still in its early stages. So, what’s a pet parent to do? First things first: You need to learn how to detect fleas in your house. We spoke to vet experts on how to spot and get rid of the pesky buggers.

As you’re chopping veggies for a salad, you may be wondering, “Can guinea pigs eat tomatoes?”    The answer is yes—but only in moderation.   Tomatoes can be a tasty treat for guinea pigs, but due to their acidity and sugar content, they should only be given in small amounts to avoid digestive issues and other potential health problems.  This includes all varieties, like cherry tomatoes and full-size tomatoes, but you want to be mindful of how you’re serving it to them.   For starters, guinea pigs should only eat the ripe tomato flesh and seeds. Remove any stems and leaves from the tomato before serving it to your guinea pig.  You also want to make sure you’re only feeding them ripe tomatoes.   Unripe, green tomatoes contain a compound called solanine, which is toxic to guinea pigs, according to Alisa Rassin, VMD, founder and medical director of Exotic and Small Animal Hospital of Pennsylvania.   Solanine can cause:  Digestive upset  Abdominal pain  Lethargy   Lastly, make sure you’re chopping the tomato into smaller pieces that are appropriately sized for your guinea pig.   This makes it easier for them to eat and gives you more control over the portions you’re giving to them. 

Rats can grow up to 18 inches long, weighing about 1 pound. There are about 60 rat species. The life expectancy of a rat is typically 2 to 3 years.,Rats are intelligent, loyal, and great pets. Whether you’re caring for a baby, adult, or senior rat, you should know a few things to ensure they live a long and healthy life.

If you’re enjoying a juicy slice of watermelon and wondering, “Can guinea pigs eat watermelon?” the answer is yes! However, like any treat, it’s essential to offer it in moderation.   Guinea pigs have delicate digestive systems, so when introducing new foods—especially sugary fruits like watermelon—you should do so gradually and keep an eye on how they respond.  With the right balance, fruit can be a refreshing snack, but guinea pigs and watermelon aren’t always the perfect match. Here’s everything you need to know about the benefits and potential risks before sharing this sweet treat with your guinea pig.   Before introducing any new food into your guinea pig’s diet, always check with your veterinarian. 

Barbering in Rats Barbering is a grooming behavior seen in male and female rats. Specifically, this occurs when a dominant rat chews the hair and whiskers of less dominant rats. The dominant rat chews the hair of the submissive rat very close to its skin, giving it the appearance of being clean shaven. This is the reason the condition is called barbering. This condition may be easily distinguishable by appearance alone. The submissive rat appears cleanly barbered, even bald in spots, and has no other symptoms that indicate the hair loss is due to an illness. In some cases, usually under conditions of stress and boredom, rats may become barbers to themselves. Whether due to self barbering or barbering by cage mates, the appearance of the barbered rat will be otherwise normal except for the hair loss. There are no cuts or irritation to the skin. However, sometimes too much aggression can lead to skin infections or dermatitis in the barbered rat, and this will need to be treated by a veterinarian. Barbering can be prevented by separating dominant rats from submissive ones. If you do not want to separate your rats, another solution might be to provide hiding places, like tubes or cans, for the submissive rats. Keeping your rats busy with exercise and play activities is also important, as it can distract them from becoming bored, stressed, and prone to acting out in destructive ways. Symptoms and Types   Loss of hair (alopecia) or bald patches on the skin Bald patches on the muzzle Bald patches on the head Bald patches on the shoulders Barbered stomach (in case of self-barbering) Barbered front legs (in case of self-barbering) Causes Stress Boredom Behavior may be inherited Dominant and/or aggressive rat Diagnosis Your veterinarian will diagnose barbering based on a physical examination of the barbered rats and sometimes by observing the whole rat community. Typically, other than the loss of hair, the barbered rat will otherwise be completely healthy. You will need to give a thorough history of your rat’s health, onset of symptoms, and any incidents or behaviors that may point to a reason for the barbering behavior, such as stressful events or a change in hierarchal behavior in the group of rats.   Treatment If there is any inflammation or dermatitis present, your veterinarian will treat the barbered rat. But you may also want your veterinarian for further advice in preventing this from occuring in the future, such as isolating the barbered rat (s) and behavior modification therapy for the dominant rat(s). If the barbering is due to self-grooming, the veterinarian may have other behavior modification methods.   Prevention Stress and boredom are the main causes for this behavior. This can usually be avoided by providing your rats with diversions like toys, play objects, or any running toys or wheels. Provide the barbered rat with hiding areas, like tubes, to avoid being barbered by dominating rats.

Female Gerbil Names Tink As in Peter Pan’s sidekick, Tinker Bell. Bunny Your gerbil most definitely is not a bunny, making this name both cute and funny! Stella Like the beer, Stella Artois, and perfect for a gerbil who shares its golden color. Leia After Princess Leia, heroine of the “Star Wars” galaxy. Night Flower Perfect for a female gerbil who can’t sit still at night. Angelica Or Angel for short—a female gerbil name for sweet, well-behaved pets. Geri Geri the gerbil has a nice, alliterative ring to it. Pinky Want to call out the rosy color of your gerbil’s nose or paws? Choose this female gerbil name. Darling A female gerbil name for a pet who’s perfectly precious. Sasha Beyoncé fans know this is a great name for a fierce female gerbil. Diva For when your female gerbil is a drama queen.,Did you know the scientific name for the Mongolian gerbil, the species of gerbil most commonly kept as pets, is Meriones unguiculatus? That translates to “little clawed warrior.” The more you know, right? Anyway, now that you’ve added your own tiny clawed warrior to your family, it’s time to choose what to call them. No matter what type of gerbil you’ve brought home, we have the perfect name to suit them. Check them out below.

By Cheryl Lock When it comes to ferrets and their, shall we say, “musky” smell, most long-time owners will admit that while it may have bothered them in the beginning, they no longer mind the olfactory affront. In fact, some even claim to like it. “I’ve been a ferret owner since 1996, and I can’t even tell you how many ferrets I’ve had in those 21 years,” said Maggie Ciarcia, ferret owner and rescuer. “But their earthy, musky smell has never bothered me.” Ciarcia says that certain owner habits — like keeping their ferrets’ room, bedding, and cages clean, monthly baths, nail trims, and ear cleaning — can help curb potential ferret smell. Aside from cleanliness, there are other things you can do to help lessen the smell. For everything you need to know regarding your ferret and its funky smell, we consulted Serena Fiorella, LVT, and CEO of Treat Worth Pet Creations, LLC.   What causes that distinctive ferret smell in the first place? Ferrets, like other carnivorous (and some omnivorous) animals, have anal glands that secrete a scent particular to their species. “Their anal glands are very strong smelling scent and territory marking glands,” said Fiorella. Animals in the mustelid family have particularly pungent anal gland secretions, though they usually only release their scent when they feel threatened. In the U.S., ferrets sold at pet stores are “descented” by surgically removing the anal glands. “In spite of that,” said Fiorella, “ferrets have a naturally occurring musky smell due to other scent glands in their skin.” An unneutered ferret will also have a stronger smell due to certain hormones, Fiorella added. After that, dirty ears, bathing too often, and not keeping their living space and bedding clean are big contributors to ferret smell. While some of the odor can be controlled with certain tactical maneuvers, keep in mind that there will almost always be at least a little animal scent associated with your ferret.

Q: My guinea pig isn’t eating, isn’t moving much and rarely has a bowel movement. When he does have a bowel movement, it’s diarrhea. He is extremely skinny and weak. He was fine just a little while ago. I’m really worried, and I’m not sure what I can do for him. I plan to take him to the vet as soon as I can, but is there anything I can do for him in the meantime? A: It does sound like your guinea pig is very, very sick. When a guinea pig does not eat, no matter what caused the anorexia, it also develops liver disease called hepatic lipidosis. So, on top of whatever is causing the disease, you now have liver disease to contend with in this little guy. Not eating, not moving and decreased fecal production are all considered non-specific signs of disease. What that means is that any disease can lead to the signs you are seeing in your guinea pig. This could be dental disease, liver disease, kidney disease, cancer, toxins, infection — the list just goes on. At the veterinarian’s office, your vet will do a compete physical examination and will likely suggest blood tests and radiographs. He or she may even want to do a stool examination, because you are reporting diarrhea that can quickly debilitate a guinea pig. What is most important is to get fluids and calories into your guinea pig until you can visit your veterinarian. Do everything you can to encourage drinking. Make sure the water bottle or bowl is always full. Consider using a solution like Pedialyte, which is palatable and contains extra nutrients. You also need to get calories and fiber into your guinea pig. Call your veterinarian’s office and ask if they have any products in stock that you can use. Many nutritious and balanced diets are now available for small mammals in need of calories and fiber. Your veterinarian may carry them or you may also be able to find some of these in pet food stores. But the best advice is to take your guinea pig to the veterinarian much sooner than later. Guinea pigs that lose weight, don’t eat and don’t move are very, very sick. The longer you wait to take him in, the worse his prognosis. Rather than trying remedies at home, see the veterinarian right away.