What Is a Salt Block for Horses?
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Should I Give My Cat Supplements?
Another supplement Dr. Trimble frequently recommends for older cats is fish oil. “Dry, flaky coats, allergies, arthritis and kidney disease can benefit from fish oil or other sources of omega fatty acids,” she says. Nature’s Logic North Atlantic Sardine Oil is a popular option derived from harvested wild sardines. Sardine oil contains more EPA and DHA than salmon oil and has naturally lower levels of environmental contaminants.,With more and more people turning to vitamins and supplements to fulfill their daily recommended intake of nutrients, it’s only natural that they would want to do the same for their cat. But, before you designate a section in your supplement drawer for your furry friend, it’s important to first consider whether they will truly benefit from supplements in the way that humans do.
Air-Dried Dog Food: Is It Right for Your Pup?
If you’re a pet parent who wants the best for your dog, you may be curious about air-dried dog food—a minimally processed, shelf-stable option that is somewhat similar to a raw diet. But what exactly is air-dried dog food, and is it the right choice for your pup? Here’s what to know before adding air-dried food to your dog’s bowl.
8 Tips for Taking Your Dog to See Santa
The countdown is on for the big holiday, and part of the fun for many pet parents includes the opportunity to take your dog to visit Santa. However, before your trip to meet St. Nick, take a moment to check our list (twice!) for these easy tips to make your visit jollier. After all, a trip to visit the man in the red suit is usually one in which everyone—not just Santa—will know who’s naughty and who’s nice by the end of it.
The New Pet Parent Guide to Finding a 5-Star Vet–and How to Be a 5-Star Client
You just welcomed a new pet into your family—congrats! Having a new furry, feathered or finned friend in the home is exciting and as you can probably attest to, involves a good deal of prep work. While you’ve stocked up on pet food, pet-proofed the house and bought more chew toys than you can count, there’s still one more thing you need to do: find a veterinarian. Finding a vet is important because they will be your partner in ensuring your new addition stays as healthy (and happy) as possible. OK, but how do you even go about finding a vet in the first place? Don’t fret. This guide on how to find a good vet can help. You’ll learn where to search and what questions to ask, plus how you can be the best parent-patient to make sure your pet ultimately receives the very best care.
The Complete Airline Pet Policy Guide for U.S. Airlines
More pet parents than ever are hitting the road with their four-legged companions. Whether jet-setting to a faraway destination or traveling domestically, there’s been a notable increase in pets joining their humans on flights. Thankfully, most U.S. airlines now allow pets on board—but each has its own airline pet policy. We’ve rounded up what you need to know before booking your trip, so you and your pet can fly the friendly skies with confidence.
What Can I Give My Cat for Allergies?
This content was written and reviewed by veterinary professionals to answer your most common questions about this topic. This content shouldn’t take the place of advice by your vet. No vet writer or qualified reviewer has received any compensation from the manufacturer of any medication or product as part of creating this article. Itchy skin, hair loss, ear and skin infections: Allergies in cats can manifest in many ways—none of which are particularly comfortable for your furry friend. Luckily, though, there are several options for allergy relief in cats. Always work with your veterinarian if you have a cat with allergy symptoms to get to the bottom of the problem and solve it, if possible. Many other skin conditions such as mosquito bite sensitivity, bacterial skin infection, yeast skin infection, skin mites, autoimmune skin disease, and ringworm (fungal) infection have similar signs to skin allergies but require different treatments. Talk to your veterinarian before starting any treatment for allergies.
How To Trim Dog Nails
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Protozoal Microorganisms of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Rats
Protozoal Infection in Rats The digestive tract in rats is home to a wide variety of microorganisms, including protozoa, single celled organisms that play an important and beneficial role in the digestive balance. In some cases, however, protozoa can be of a parasitic variety, and can bring harm to the host animal. Under healthy conditions the beneficial microorganisms are higher in number than the harmful microorganisms. But when a rat is stressed or in a diseased condition with a lowered immunity, the balance between the beneficial and harmful protozoa is tipped in favor of the harmful ones, which can allow for intestinal infections. There are also some species of harmful protozoa that can be transmitted to rats through various sources, most notably infected feces, and which can also lead to intestinal infections. Protozoal infection is a relatively common finding in young rats. Symptoms and Types Weakness and lethargy Lack of appetite Diarrhea Weight loss Loss of body condition Rough hair coat Bleeding (which, in severe cases, can lead to death) Causes Stressful conditions Lowered immunity – imbalanced intestinal bacteria and organisms Contaminated feces – fecal-oral route Diagnosis Your veterinarian will make an initial diagnosis by observing the rat’s symptoms. He or she can then confirm the diagnosis by examining the feces under a microscope for the presence of protozoa. Treatment Protozoal infections can generally be treated with antiprotozoal medications and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Advanced infections can lead to dehydration due to diarrhea, making it necessary to give supportive care with electrolyte-balanced fluids. Complete elimination of infectious protozoa is very difficult in some cases. Living and Management You will need to keep your rat under observation while it is recovering. Diarrhea and associated dehydration can lead to a severe physical condition very quickly. Keep your veterinarian updated about the progress your rat is making, and follow your doctor’s advice until your rat has recovered completely. Prevention Maintaining a clean environment seems to be the best way to prevent this condition from arising. Ensure that the bedding material in your rat’s cage is regularly changed and the cage is kept clean at all times to help prevent and overcome infections due to protozoa. It is also important to prevent stress in your rat by providing sufficient play and exercise material. Overcrowding can also stress a rat. Leaving plenty of space for movement and privacy is important for the mental wellness of your rat.
Uterine Infections in Rabbits
Pyometra The medical term for an infection in the rabbit’s uterus is pyometra. This and other reproductive (or non-neoplastic endometrial) disorders, including the growth and bloating of the uterus, are common among small animals like rabbits and ferrets. Symptoms Typically, a rabbit with pyometra will have blood in its urine originating from the uterus. It may come intermittently or follow the animal’s reproductive cycles. Some other symptoms include: Paleness Increasingly aggressive behavior Signs of a systemic illness (e.g., shock or blood infection) Fluid buildup in the uterus Signs of a pseudo-pregnancy Stillborn pregnancies or infertility Cause The endometrium functions as the lining of the uterus. Fluid can build up along its walls, often for various reasons including age, uterine cancer, tissue overgrowth (associated with the buildup of cysts), or bacterial overgrowth, as in the cases of Chlamydia and Listeria monocytogenes. Diagnosis To diagnose the rabbit, your veterinarian will first rule out obvious causes for abdominal distension including pregnancy or carcinoma of the uterus. The veterinarian will also note such clinical abnormalities as elevated levels of certain blood markers or decreased blood counts. For example, some rabbits may have anemia or low iron. Treatment Often, treatment begins with supportive care. This may include providing antibiotics for the rabbit or, in the case of massive hemorrhaging, providing blood transfusions for the animal. Some animals require dietary changes such as the addition of fresh greens (i.e., collard greens, spinach and dandelion greens). Many rabbits will eat these types of greens, even if they refused food prior to the diagnosis. High-fat and high-carbohydrate foods are not recommended, as these can contribute to poor health and even worsen the rabbit’s symptoms. Some rabbits require surgical treatment. For example, removing the animal’s ovaries through a hysterectomy has shown some success in treating pyometra or other uterine disorders. Occasionally, ovarian abscesses or bacterial growths will be found in the rabbit’s uterus. Those should also be removed surgically. Aside from antibiotics, your veterinarian may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help with the rabbit’s pain and inflammation. Living and Management Pyometra is treatable if addressed early on, however, if it is not, complications can arise including blood infections and gum or dental disease. Also, if the rabbit has undergone surgery to treat the pyometra, it may contract a postoperative infection or have bouts of hemorrhaging. Therefore, if any of these complications should arise, bring the rabbit back to your veterinarian for a follow-up exam. Featured Image: iStock.com/Liudmila Chernetska
