Small pet

By Cheryl Lock For those new to ferret ownership, you might not imagine there are many ways to play with your new furry friend, but that isn’t the case. In fact, the right toys and treats can help ensure that the time you spend with your ferret is quality time you’ll remember, and that the toys you leave him alone with are safe. Here’s what you need to know to get the best goodies for your ferret. What kind of toys are the best when it comes to interactive and supervised play? When it comes to picking out interactive toys for your ferret, it helps to remember that ferrets are known to chew on things, so its best to avoid any toys they can chew and swallow. Toys that can be torn into small pieces, like soft, rubbery, latex, and even some cloth toys, are a no-no, says Serena Fiorella, LVT and CEO of Treat Worthy Pet Creations, LLC. On the other hand, she says, “any kind of hard balls, like ping-pong balls or hard cat toy balls with bells, are usually a hit. Ferrets love to chase things and are hunters by nature, so cat teaser toys on a stick are also a lot of fun for ferrets.” As for toys that can be chewed up and swallowed, anything in the home should be examined for the possibility of obstruction. Joanne Dreeben is a rescuer with over 20 ferrets of her own, and while she hasn’t personally had to deal with this issue, she knows someone who did. “A close friend had a ferret that ingested a piece of rubbery button off a remote control and had to have surgery to remove the blockage from its intestines,” she said. In other words, it’s best to avoid the potential for swallowing altogether by keeping anything that has small parts out of reach — that includes eyes and noses on plush toys, toys with wheels, and buttons on electronics. Other fun ideas for ferret toys include things they can carry off and hide, or even hide in, like tunnels, baskets, and soft fleece balls, says veteran ferret rescuer Maggie Ciarcia-Belloni.

Sialodacryoadenitis and rat coronavirus are inter-related viral infections that affect the nasal cavities, lungs, salivary glands and the Harderian gland that is close to the eyes in rats. These are highly infectious diseases that can be spread from rat to rat simply by being in the same vicinity as an infected rat. Aerial spread of the virus is common through sneezing by the infected rats. In addition, rats do not always show signs of being infected, making this virus an unexpected danger. An infected rat may carry the virus quietly and without symptoms for a week. These viral infections last from two to three weeks. Symptoms and Types An infected rat’s symptoms will depend on the organs that are most affected by the infection. In fact, a rat may be a carrier of the virus for up to a week sometimes without displaying any symptoms. Discharge from the eyes along with mumps-like symptoms will be present with primary sialodacryoadenitis infection. Other symptoms that may occur include: Excessive sneezing Discharge from nose Enlarged salivary glands Lymph nodes may be swollen in immune system response Mumps Avoidamce of bright light (photophobia) Reddish brown pigments and discharge around the eyes Inflammation of cornea or conjunctiva (eye tissue) Squinting Blinking Eye rubbing Excessive scratching at eyes Dehydration, if loss of appetite is present   Causes Direct contact with infected rats or with their bodily fluids (urine, saliva, feces, etc.) can expose your pet to the sialodacryoadenitis or coronavirus. There are even some circumstances in which the viruses can become airborne. Diagnosis Your veterinarian will diagnose the infections through the physical symptoms presented and by laboratory analysis of the body fluids.   Treatment The first step will be to quarantine the infected rat from the uninfected rats in the home. There is no set treatment for rats that are infected with sialodacryoadenitis and rat coronavirus infections. Treatment is given through antiviral drugs and maintenance of proper hygiene. If your rat has caused damage to its skin or eyes as a result of the irritation this infection can cause, your veterinarian will need to treat the lesions with topical antibiotics. If dehydration is present as a result of lost appetite, supportive care with fluids and electrolyte supplements can be given. Rats typically recover over a period of two to three weeks, developing resistance to future attacks by these viruses as their immune system responds and builds natural antibodies to the virus. However, you must treat every rat for severe respiratory infections as soon as it begins to show symptoms of any type of viral infection. The preferred choice of treatment is a combination of enrofloxacin, also known as baytril, and doxycycline. Your veterinarian will prescribe the best antiviral medication depending on the primary virus that is found to be causing the infection. Living and Management You will need to isolate the infected rat, or rats, from the rest of the group. If possible, removing them to another location entirely is advised, because of the airborne nature of this virus’ transmission. If this is not possible, moving them to another room in the house will have to be enough. Consult with your veterinarian on the best ways to disinfect your rat’s living environment and cages, and when you can safely place the rats in the same environment with other rats again. Prevention Because symptoms of this infection are not always readily apparent, one of the most important steps in preventing this infection is isolating new rats for at least two to three weeks before they are included with the established group of rats. As a general precaution, you must always wash your hands and change your clothing after handling any rat — or other animal — before handling your own rats again.

Scientific name: Order Rodentia, subfamily Cricetinae Size: 2-13 inches Life expectancy: 1.5-3 years,Jump to section Fun Hamster Facts Hamster Care Supply Checklist Habitat Diet Handling Your Hamster Maintaining Your Hamster’s Health FAQs About Hamster Care

These furry pets are technically part of the weasel family (Mustelidae), which also includes stoats, ermines and polecats, notes the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Ferrets were domesticated about 2,500 years ago and are most likely descendants of the European polecat.,One alert look from the little bandit face of a ferret can entrance you. This adorable pet has a lively curiosity, love of adventure and unconcerned, comic clumsiness that all contribute to their considerable charm. Ahead, we’re sharing some of our favorite ferret facts to help you learn more about this small pet.

The Syrian hamster, also known as the golden hamster or teddy bear hamster, is the most common pet hamster species, says Susan Tyson, VMD, MS, veterinarian and owner at Avian & Exotic Philly Vet Medical Surgical Clinic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Syrian hamsters can appear in a variety of colors and with either short or long hair. Dr. Tyson notes that they can range in size from 4–7 inches long and weigh 120 grams (a little over 4 ounces), making them the biggest hamster on this list. A Syrian hamster has a short, stubby tail, short fur on their head, larger ears, and an elongated face when compared to the dwarf species. These hamsters are more active at night and should be housed alone in a single enclosure. “This is the quintessential pet hamster for good reason,” says Tony Rose Adler, co-president of the California Hamster Association and founder of Snow White’s Rescue Cottage in Camarillo, California. “They are generally friendly, docile, and easily tamed.” She explains that male Syrian hamsters, as with all other species of hamsters, tend to be slower and friendlier, making them a better choice for children’s pets than females. In comparison, female Syrian hamsters are “notoriously restless” and make great use of a large cage. For female Syrians in particular, Adler recommends the largest cage possible, ideally a 40-gallon tank or larger. She also recommends these enrichment ideas: Scattering seed mix over their bedding, creating a foraging experience Offering a whole toilet paper roll for them to roll, shred, and nest with Providing boredom breakers like chew toys, treat-dispensing toys, and tumble and toss toys,Hamsters are incredibly cute, curious, and compact critters who make wonderful pets. But which hamster breeds make the best pets? Trick question! Each different type of hamster belongs to its own species, rather than a breed of the same species. That’s right—there are over 20 species of hamsters, all belonging to the Cricetinae subfamily, which also includes lemmings and muskrats. However, only five hamster species are kept as pets in the United States: Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) Winter white Russian dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus) Campbell’s Russian dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli) Roborovski dwarf hamster (Phodopus roborovskii) If you’re thinking about bringing home a hamster, it’s important to first consider the different species and their unique characteristics, personality, and needs. That way, you can make an informed decision about the best possible fit for you based on what you’re looking for in a pet and make sure you’re prepared to properly care for your new hamster. We spoke with experts about the five pet hamster species to help you determine which hammy might be the perfect match for you.

Jump to section Where Do Hamsters Come From? Where Do Hamsters Live in the Wild? Characteristics of Wild Hamsters How Did Hamsters Become Domesticated? Conservation of Wild Hamsters

If you’re considering adding a ferret to your cat-friendly home, you’re probably curious about whether ferrets and cats can coexist. The answer can depend on several things, especially the personalities of the pets involved.   With the help of our experts, we asked the important question: Do cats and ferrets get along? Here’s what you need to know. 

Encephalitozoon cuniculi, or E. cuniculi for short, is a tiny parasite that most often affects rabbits. Many bunnies carry it without ever showing signs, but some can develop brain, kidney, or eye problems.   Because the parasite can hide in a rabbit’s body, it’s important to know what signs to look for and how to respond. If your rabbit suddenly shows severe head tilt, seizures, or struggles to move, get in touch with your vet right away.  From recognizing the infection to supporting your pet through treatment, here’s what you need to know about E. cuniculi in rabbits. 

Glad to help! You didn’t mention whether there are other pets in the house, but I’ll just go over some general “rules of thumb,” and you can apply what’s relevant to your situation. The rules for hamster cage placement really fall into three basic categories: Air Sound and light Human activity,Q.