Mites in Rats
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Snowshoe Cat Breed
The Snowshoe is long, stout, medium-sized cat with startling blue eyes. It has an athletic build, with a tendency to be stocky in appearance. Color(s) Blue, lilax, chocolate or seal point. “Point” is in reference to a pale body color with relatively darker extremities; i.e., the face, ears, feet and tail. The breed’s white feet are its most distinguishing feature (and the reason for breeds name), with the white frequently extending to the ankle, giving the feet a sock, or boot appearance. Coat Smooth and short.,About the Snowshoe Cat Breed
What Are Cat Supplements and How Do They Work?
In This Article What Are Cat Supplements? View 4 More +
Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?
Few things light up a dog’s eyes like the sight—and smell—of peanut butter. Whether it’s spread on a lick mat or snuck off your spoon, this nutty spread is a favorite for pups everywhere. But can dogs eat peanut butter safely? Yes, dogs can have peanut butter in moderation, but it’s essential to check the ingredients before you let your pup lick the jar clean. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits, the risks, and how to share peanut butter with your dog safely. Before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian.
Dutch Rabbit
In This Article General Care View 5 More +
Rabbit Vaccines: Everything You Need to Know
Many pet parents are surprised to learn that pet rabbits weren’t evaluated for vaccinations until 2021. If you are a new pet parent or existing pet parent to a rabbit, it’s important to know your rabbit’s vaccination status, vaccines available, and preventing diseases in your rabbit. Do Rabbits Need to be Vaccinated? With the rise of new diseases, vaccination of pet rabbits is becoming common practice in veterinary clinics all over the United States. What Is a Vaccine? A vaccine is a biological preparation that stimulates the body’s immune response against specific diseases. A vaccine could contain a weakened or killed form of the virus or bacteria, or a component of it like a protein. For humans, we are commonly vaccinated for the flu and other seasonal viruses each year. Pet vaccines vary in their scheduling, but are often done soon after birth, or when a pet reaches a certain age to combat common viruses. RHDV and RHDV2 in Rabbits In 2021, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted emergency use of the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2) vaccine for pet rabbits. While RHVD has been prevalent in the United States since 2010, a new variant RHDV emerged that was more dangerous for pet rabbits. RHDV2 is a calicivirus (a virus that is part of the virus family Caliciciviridae), that attacks the rabbit’s liver and is highly contagious and lethal to rabbits. Symptoms can include sudden collapse and death, as well as severe bleeding. RHDV only infects wild and domestic rabbits. It cannot be spread from rabbits to other pets, including dogs and cats, but these pets can transfer the virus from outside to rabbits living in the home. The new variant of RHDV, RHDV2 was detected in the United States in 2018 and spread in wild cottontail and jackrabbit populations in 2020. Officials believe it will eventually become endemic, or regularly found, in North America which is why the vaccine came to light in 2021 and pet parents are highly recommended to vaccine their rabbit against the strain. As of August 22, 2022, RHDV2 has been documented in 23 states, mainly on the west coast and some southern states. RHDV can survive in the environment, be carried into the home on clothing or shoes, and spread to your rabbit easily. It can also spread directly from infected rabbits to other rabbits or if your rabbit is exposed to an infected rabbit’s blood, urine, or feces. The new variant of the virus is easily spread, highly resistant, and causes mortality in 70-100% of infected rabbits within a few days. It’s important to discuss vaccinating your rabbit with your veterinarian since treatment options for this virus are minimal. Protection rates from the vaccine have reached 90% when properly administered. Which Vaccines Are Available for My Rabbit? RHDV2 Vaccine Currently, in the United States, the RHDV2 vaccine is available in 45 states. The vaccine does not have full FDA approval, but preliminary research suggests it is safe and effective at preventing infection. Side effects of the vaccine include mild swelling where the injection was given, mild fever, and lethargy for a few days post-injection. Myxomatosis Vaccine Myxomatosis is a fatal disease for domestic rabbits, and there is currently no treatment. Symptoms include swelling, high fever, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. Myxomatosis is spread via fleas, black flies, fur mites, or indirect contact with infected rabbits. Myxomatosis in pet rabbits has been reported in Oregon, California, and Mexico. A vaccine for the Myxomatosis virus is unavailable for rabbits in the United States. The vaccine is available in Europe and the UK but has not been approved by the USDA. Rabbit Vaccination Schedule The RHV2 vaccine and annual boosters must be given twice, at least three weeks apart. A yearly booster is required to maintain immunity. This vaccine is considered safe for rabbits at 28 days old. Discuss your rabbit’s vaccination schedule and the recommended vaccines with your veterinarian. Preventing Disease in Rabbits In addition to receiving the RHDV2 vaccine, it is crucial to practice good biosecurity because no vaccine is 100% effective. RHDV2 is highly transmissible to rabbits through the environment. Rabbits infected with RHDV2 can spread it for up to a month in their urine, feces, blood, and other secretions. The virus can infect other rabbits through the mouth, nose, or eyes. RHDV2 can be spread via contact with infected carcasses, rabbit fur, food, water, clothing, and insects or predators. RHDV2 is also resistant to the environment; it can survive long periods outside a host on surfaces like clothing and grass for up to a month. It is recommended not to let your rabbit outside in areas where wild rabbits frequent. Do not wear outdoor shoes in areas where your rabbit is, and do not let your rabbit near those shoes. Do not feed your rabbit grass/weeds/flowers from outdoor areas that wild rabbits frequent. Always wash your hands before handling rabbits. If you have had a rabbit infected with RHDV2 and need to disinfect their habitat, removing all organic material/debris is vital before disinfection (bedding, feces, fur, etc.). Following removal of items, wash their cage thoroughly with soap and water. Fully submerge or saturate items with diluted bleach—Mix ½ cup of 6% or 8.25% household bleach to one gallon of water. Please allow a contact time of 5 minutes before rinsing with water and wear appropriate protective gear (rubber gloves, eye protection, protective clothing). Other disinfectant options are Virkon and Rescue. Please visit the USDA website for a complete list of disinfectants and protocols. If you live in an area where Myxomatosis occurs, keeping your rabbit on monthly Revolution is recommended to prevent fleas and fur mites. In addition, protect the rabbit’s outdoor play area with mosquito netting for rabbits that spend some of their time outside. Do not let your domestic rabbit interact or go near wild rabbits. If you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine, insect control, or cleaning/disinfectant, work closely with your veterinarian to determine the best next steps together. Rabbit Vaccination FAQs Is there a better time of year to give vaccines? As long as you consistently follow up with boosters, the best time of year to give the vaccine is the same each year, so there is no lapse in protection. Do show rabbits need additional vaccines? Show rabbits do not need additional vaccines but keeping them on good external parasite protection like Revolution is recommended.
Can Rabbits Eat Cucumbers?
Cucumbers are a favorite healthy snack for humans, thanks to their water content, nutrients, and delightful crunch—but can rabbits eat cucumbers with the same gusto? A pet rabbit’s diet primarily consists of hay and pellets, but tossing them some fresh veggies, including cucumbers, can be a fun treat. Still, there are some considerations to keep in mind regarding food prep and daily allotment. Let’s hop into it.
Korean Jindo Dog Breed
Believed by many experts to have lived on the Island of Jindo for hundreds, perhaps even thousands of years, the Korean Jindo is a brave and faithful dog breed with a strong hunting and guarding instinct.
Horse Sounds and What They Mean
Snort Snorting—a short, sharp noise produced by forcefully exhaling through the nostrils—might sound like a horse clearing dust from their nose. Surprisingly, snorts may be associated with well-being in horses. One study found that horses snort more often when they experience lower levels of stress. Blow A horse “blows” by raising their head, flaring their nostrils widely, and exhaling with great force. Horses may blow loudly to scare off potential predators, or when expelling pent-up energy after a period of confinement. Groan Horses can make noises that sound very much like human groans and grunts. It’s normal for sleeping horses to occasionally groan. Some horses also groan when they are enjoying a good scratch, from either a human or a horse friend. Prolonged groaning, or groaning only when a certain area of the body is touched, may be signs of pain. If groans are accompanied by signs of colic, contact your veterinarian.,From a loud neigh to a soft sigh, horse sounds convey a wide range of emotions. Equines use body language as their primary means of communication, but horses also make many sounds. Knowing how to interpret various sounds that horses make can help you understand your own horse’s needs.
What Fruits and Vegetables Can Rabbits Eat? Carrots, Strawberries and More
While most of us know rabbits can eat carrots, are you aware there’s a long list of both fruits and vegetables your rabbit can safely consume? It’s true. Rabbits love fresh fruit and veggies, and they can serve as both a treat and a nutritional boost. “Adding fresh foods provides a variety of additional nutrients, textures and tastes to enrich a rabbit’s diet,” explains Dr. Teresa Manucy, DVM, a pet health representative for Chewy. “They also have an increased moisture content, which promotes kidney and bladder health.” Before you make any dietary additions, however, you need to know what’s good for your rabbit. While there’s a variety of safe options, there are also a handful of fruits and vegetables considered no-gos for rabbits. We spoke to a vet expert about the various fruits and vegetables rabbits can—and cannot—eat and how to introduce fresh produce to your rabbit’s diet. Fruits and veggies are treats meant to supplement a rabbit’s diet. A well-balanced diet is necessary for your rabbit’s health.
