Thinking about welcoming a scaly friend into your family? Bearded dragons can be fantastic pets, but only if you’re able to give them the care they need. So, how long can bearded dragons live, and what’s the secret to a long life? Here’s how to help your bearded bestie thrive.
Q: I take a ton of pictures of my dog all day, every day. (My camera roll is basically dedicated to her!) Sometimes, though, I notice that her eyes look like they have a green glow. It’s kind of spooky. Why do my dog’s eyes look weird in photos? Is this normal? A: Yes, it’s totally normal. That eerie glow is due to a part of your dog’s eye called the tapetum lucidum, which reflects light. If your dog’s eyes seem to glow in pictures, don’t worry—it’s harmless. We asked the experts why it happens, how it differs from red-eye in humans, and how to reduce the glow in your next photo session.
Some dog skin problems are caused by conditions that require more than your typical soothing oatmeal and shea butter dog shampoo. If this sounds like the case for your four-legged friend, a medicated dog shampoo might help. Read on to learn more about medicated dog shampoo, what problems it helps, and—if your pal needs one—how to find some through your favorite dog supplies resource.
Ovarian Remnant Syndrome in Cats An ovariohysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which the uterus and ovaries are removed from a female cat. Such a removal results in the cessation of subsequent estrus (heat) symptoms in the female. However, some female cats continue to exhibit the behavioral and/or physical signs pertaining to estrus even after such a surgery, and are found to have some ovarian tissue that had not been removed during surgery and was left behind. If such tissue remains functional and continues to secrete hormones, estrus behavior will continue. Such symptoms are typically seen within few days after surgery. Symptoms and Types Excessive vocalization Signs of heat (e.g., elevation of pelvis to facilitate intercourse [lordosis]) Restlessness Head rubbing Rolling around Deviation of tail Swelling of the vulva May allow sexual intercourse to take place
For one thing, there’s no nutritional value. “It has lots of empty calories,” says Dr. Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, a veterinarian at Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital in Greeley, Colorado. Cats are obligate carnivores (meat eaters who think of rodents al fresco as fine dining), and peanut butter is “just not part of their natural diet,” Dr. Wooten says. “Plus, I don’t like it for fat cats or for those who are sick in any way. It can just add to their problems.” In the end, cats with any health issues should avoid peanut butter, Dr. Wooten says. “Those with diabetes, kidney problems, or with any kind of chronic gastrointestinal trouble, such as inflammatory bowel disease, need to stay far, far away.” These fur babies can get diarrhea, upset stomach or gas, she says. The risks of feeding cats peanut butter include the following: It can cause gut issues: “[Peanut butter is] often high in fat and sugar,” says Dr. Wooten, “and these ingredients can cause issues with their gut, which is not designed to handle foods, like peanuts.” Many brands are also high in salt, “another ingredient that can mess with their digestive system,” Dr. Wooten says, adding that too much sodium can “exacerbate heart or kidney issues.” It can lead to weight gain: Peanut butter can have added sugars, making it high in calories. And due to the food’s caloric density, weight gain is a risk, especially for indoor pets or overweight cats. It’s a choking hazard: Due to its thick, sometimes chunky consistency, peanut butter is a choking hazard for felines. Ever eat a spoonful of peanut butter and have it stick to your teeth? Your cat’s throat and mouth are small, so even a tiny amount can get stuck. It can contain additives, like xylitol: Sugar-free peanut butter varieties often contain additives such as xylitol, a sugar substitute. Although it’s up for debate if cats develop hypoglycemia or liver failure (like dogs do) from eating xylitol, it’s better to be safe than sorry and keep them away from products containing xylitol, according to Dr. Wooten and Dr. Deborah Bayazit, DVM, co-owner and medical director of Brilliant Veterinary Care in New York City.,Jump to section Why is Peanut Butter Bad for Cats? When Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter? FAQs About Cats and Peanut Butter
Rats are chatty creatures who make various noises, from bruxing and squeaking to hissing and screaming. These different rat sounds clue you in on how your little friend is feeling and whether they’re happy, bored, uncomfortable, or maybe even sick. Like other small prey animals, rats tend to hide symptoms of illness until it’s too late, so being able to decode your pet rat’s vocalizations can help you know when it’s time to head to the vet. We talked to experts to learn more about rats and the sounds they make.
Have you considered fostering a pet during the coronavirus pandemic? Shelter workers say now’s the perfect time—and lots of volunteers are listening. Across the country, shelter organizations have seen a spike in new fosters. Requests to foster pets have risen an average of about 90 percent across the U.S., and some shelters have seen their fostering rates increase tenfold since the pandemic began. Shelters in places like Chicago and Southern California have been emptied, thanks to a rising wave of fosters and adoptions. The result is life-changing—both for shelter pets and for the foster parents who take them in. “COVID-19 has been horrible, but one of the huge silver linings is that it’s getting pets into foster homes,” says Michelle Sathe, public relations manager for Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles, California. According to PetPoint, an animal adoption software used by roughly 1,200 shelters across the United States, fosters went up 94 percent between March 14 and April 15. So what exactly is fostering? It’s taking a pet into your home on a temporary basis, caring for them and providing information about how they behave to the shelter as they seek the right forever home. Right now, shelters like Best Friends have reduced staff to comply with new safety guidelines. When volunteers step up, shelter staff have fewer animals to care for, “which means the animals in our care are getting a lot of attention and enrichment, and our staff isn’t overly stressed,” Sathe says. There are plenty of benefits for foster families, too. Studies have proven spending time with animals can ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety. And in these uncertain times, taking care of a new pet can be a welcome distraction from the bigger problems of the planet.
Just like their human counterparts, kittens may experience diarrhea from time to time. However, this doesn’t mean that you should ignore it or consider it normal. When a kitten has diarrhea, it means something in their system is amiss. The key is finding out what that is and determining the best treatment (if any). So, what are the possible causes of kitten diarrhea? Let’s find out.,Jump to section Is It Normal for Kittens To Have Diarrhea? Causes of Kitten Diarrhea Kitten Diarrhea Signs and Symptoms Kitten Poop Color: What’s Normal? How Long Does Kitten Diarrhea Last? When Do I Need To See a Veterinarian? Kitten Diarrhea Treatment Kitten Diarrhea Prevention
Renal Failure in Ferrets Failure of the kidney — which among other things regulates blood pressure, blood sugar, blood volume, water composition in the blood, and pH levels, and produces red blood cells and certain hormones — can take so place so slowly, that by the time the symptoms have become obvious, it may be too late to treat the condition effectively. As a result, kidney failure is a condition that should be taken seriously by pet owners. As a result of renal failure, there is decreased ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine, leading to accumulation of toxic chemicals in the body. Symptoms and Types There are two types of kidney failure: acute renal failure, which occurs as a sudden onset syndrome; and chronic renal failure, which is caused due to a more long-standing disease. Acute renal failure (ARF) Sudden loss of appetite, tremors, seizures Depression, dehydration, poor hair coat Diarrhea, vomiting, fever, increased heart rate Chronic renal failure (CRF) Loss of appetite, excessive salivation, weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting Lethargy, poor hair coat, seizure or coma Abnormally large or small kidneys
While dogs at any age can suffer from the occasional bout of diarrhea, this issue may indicate other medical issues, especially in senior dogs. There are many reasons why an older dog could potentially struggle with senior dog diarrhea. But don’t immediately panic if you notice diarrhea in your older dogs. Fortunately, there are several ways to address this messy, debilitating and often uncomfortable problem.
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