Kissing Spine in Horses
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What Is Dental Disease in Cats? Learn the Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Cat dental care is easy to overlook, but caring for your kitty’s teeth is just as important as brushing their coat and trimming their nails. That’s because, when left untreated, dental disease can worsen, cause severe pain, and lead to other serious health problems that affect more than a cat’s mouth. But with the right care routine, dental disease in cats is preventable. Here’s what to know.
The 10 Best Plants for Your Bird’s Cage—And Which Ones to Avoid
Whether you have a budgie, parrot, lovebirds or other type of bird, these common plants are safe to include in their cage.,Jump to section The 10 Best Plants for Your Bird’s Cage Other Bird-Safe Plants Poisonous Plants for Birds 6 Safety Tips for Birds and Plants
Choosing and Caring for a Blenny Fish
By Kenneth Wingerter With so many brilliantly hued marine fish available for the home aquarium, it’s easy to become smitten by their vibrant colors and exquisite finnage. Even so, most aquarists’ favorite specimens are often those that possess the most “personality.” In terms of personality, few fish groups compare to the blennies. Combined with a (usually) good temperament and hyper-alertness, their daring antics make them quite entertaining to watch. Compared to many other marine aquarium fish groups, blennies make for extremely low-maintenance pets. Simple to feed and comfortable in smaller tanks, these tough, disease-resistant fish seldom pose any major problems for even novice aquarists. To be sure, they provide much reward for the relatively simple care they require. More than a few hobbyists would describe their blenny’s appearance and behavior as “cute,” entertaining, and even comical. With such endearing personality, along with being so temperamentally well suited for captivity, it is not surprising to so often see at least one blennioid inhabitant in most home marine aquaria. As a group, the blennies are reliably reef-safe, and their small adult size and overall hardiness also make them an excellent choice for any marine aquarist, including beginner hobbyists or those with smaller-sized aquaria. Indeed, numerous blenny species have been staples in the ornamental fish trade for decades. What is a Blenny? As a group, the blennies are enormously varied. The so-called “true blennies” are known as blennioids and form their own taxonomical group. Though some aquarium literature speaks as though these true blennies form a family, the blennioids actually make up an entire suborder, with six families comprising the suborder Blennioidei. This suborder claims around 833 separate blenny species in 130 genera. While they are rather species-rich, the blennioids share a few basic characteristics. They are mainly marine (that is, saltwater, though there are a few brackish and freshwater species), and they are strongly benthic in habit; that is, they are bottom dwellers (lake floor, sea bed, etc). They frequently exhibit strong nesting behaviors due to being demersal spawners — preparing nests at the bottom and laying their eggs there to develop. The eyes and mouth of a blenny are relatively large. They oftentimes bear distinctive cirri — wispy antenna or whisker-like appendages — on their heads. Their bodies are long and sleek, some so long they resemble eels and snakes, but nearly all members of the blenny group are smallish in body size. Image: Red Sea Mimic Blenny
What Your Pet’s Urine Says About His Health
By Hanie Elfenbein, DVM Most urban and suburban pet parents are very familiar with the details of their pets’ feces because they have to scoop it daily on walks. A dog’s urine, however, is often harder to keep track of because it quickly disappears into the grass or dirt. But sometimes you may notice changes in the color or odor of your dog’s urine. For cats, of course, monitoring the cat litter box is key to noticing any changes. The most important thing to remember is that in order to notice a change, you should first make yourself familiar with the characteristics of your pet’s urine while he or she is healthy. A change from whatever is normal for your pet may indicate a change in his or her health. If you do notice a change, try to catch a sample from your dog in a clean disposable container and bring it to your veterinarian’s office. Even if you can’t schedule an appointment for a few days, you can start to diagnose the problem and hopefully resolve it. Cats must usually be brought into the clinic where a sample can be collected, although there are some non-absorbent litters that are designed for collecting urine samples at home. Ideally, urine should be delivered fresh to your veterinary clinic within one hour or refrigerated. Characteristics of Your Pet’s Urine Color Clear: This either means that your pet is well hydrated or it’s a sign that he or she is unable to concentrate urine. There are many reasons that pets cannot concentrate their urine. If you are concerned that your pet’s urine may not be concentrated, the best sample to bring to your veterinarian is their first-morning urine. It tends to be the most concentrated sample of the day. Yellow: This may indicate concentrated urine, in which case your dog or cat should be encouraged to drink more water. Cat or dog water fountains may increase water intake. Some pets prefer to drink out of cups rather than bowls and others prefer glass to metal. *Note: Clear urine is not necessarily dilute nor is yellow urine necessarily concentrated. But it is a good first guideline. Red, Brown, or Orange: This may indicate blood in the urine. Some medications may also give urine an orange or red tint. In dogs, blood in urine is most likely due to an infection or bladder stones. Cats may also develop bloody urine in response to stress. Animals prone to developing bloody urine may have an underlying disease that can be addressed with something as simple as a change in diet. This is definitely one urine change worth talking to your veterinarian about. Odor Any change in odor should be a reason to have your pet’s urine analyzed by a veterinarian. Foul smelling urine is often an indicator of infection. Concentrated urine will have a stronger smell. Clarity Cloudy urine can indicate an infection, bladder crystals, or stones. It could also indicate protein in the urine. Quantity If your pet starts urinating a much larger quantity (or the same quantity more frequently), that may indicate the kidneys are not doing their job to concentrate urine. This could be due to kidney disease or a hormonal influence on the kidneys. Either way, your veterinarian can help you manage or resolve the problem. Frequency Changes in frequency, stream, posturing without urinating, increased licking after urinating, or staining around the vulva or prepuce can all indicate a problem. See your veterinarian as soon as possible. For cats, visiting the litter box more frequently could be the most clear sign that something is wrong. No Urine If your pet does not urinate for 24 hours, it’s a medical emergency. There may be a blockage preventing urine from flowing into or out of the bladder. This is more common in cats than dogs, especially male cats. If you think your cat may be unable to urinate, rush to your veterinarian or the nearest emergency clinic. Multi-Cat Households If you have more than one cat using the same litter box, it can be hard to determine which one is having an issue. If one cat shows other signs, such as more time at the water bowl or less interest in cat food, that can help narrow it down. There are some litters that claim to change color in response to changes in your cat’s urine. While these are great in theory, they are not always reliable.
Is Your Senior Cat Not Using the Litter Box? Here’s What To Do
As cats age, it’s not uncommon for strange issues to suddenly pop up, such as a senior cat pooping outside the litter box, or an elderly cat peeing over the edge of the litter box–which is why we’re offering our top tips to help. The first and most important tip we can offer you? Schedule an appointment with your cat’s veterinarian. Any time you’re concerned about your cat’s health and behavior, your vet is the best resource for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan that truly helps. And that includes changes in litter box behavior. A sudden change in behavior—like an elderly cat pooping on the floor—can be a small hint of a larger issue, says Jackson Galaxy, a cat behavior and wellness expert, host of Animal Planet’s “My Cat From Hell,” and a New York Times best-selling author. “If your cat starts doing things [they] never did before, such as avoiding the litter box, go to the vet. Don’t bother Googling or asking friends—just go to the vet,” Galaxy says. This also applies if you suspect your cat has stopped peeing entirely. Cats are experts at hiding medical issues. That’s why we strongly recommend seeing your vet for litter box problems. There may be a simple solution, but you’ll only know after a professional exam. During the appointment, your vet’s team will discuss your cat’s behavior and run different tests based on your cat’s specific condition. This effort may indicate an underlying medical issue in your pet. If so, your vet’s team will work with you on the best course of treatment.,Jump to section What Should I Do If My Senior Cat Stops Using the Litter Box? Why Is My Senior Cat No Longer Using the Litter Box? What’s the Best Litter Box (And Litter) for Senior Cats? How Else Can I Help My Elderly Cat Stop Peeing and Pooping Outside the Litter Box?
Pet-Friendly Vacations for Spring Break: Orlando, Florida
With all of the family-friendly activities in Orlando, Florida, including plenty for your four-legged family members to join in on, it’s a no-brainer that Orlando is go-to spot for spring break family vacations. “Our destination recognizes that pets are part of the family, not just at home but on vacation too,” says Becca Bides, vice president of global communications at Visit Orlando in Orlando, Florida. Many families head to Orlando to check out all of the theme parks, like Disney and Universal. And although your dog cannot join you in those family activities, there are many places he can go to with your family. “Orlando is the top U.S. vacation destination for families, and that includes those who travel with their four-legged family members,” Bides says. “With the most dog-friendly restaurants per capita in the nation, an abundance of hotels and attractions that welcome pets, and plenty of city parks and trials for exploring, Orlando is a great place for visitors and their pups to stay and play together.”
American Bashkir Curly
Reviewed for accuracy December 8, 2022. The American Bashkir Curly is a horse breed that purportedly originated in central Nevada, though some argue to the contrary. A common U.S. horse breed, it is mainly used for riding purposes today. Physical Characteristics Ironically, not all American Bashkir Curly horses have curly hair. In the summer, they shed the silky and kinky hair on the mane, eventually growing the ringlets back during the winter. Common coat colors for the breed include gray, black, bay, Appaloosa, and Pinto. A typical American Bashkir Curly stands at 14.3 to 15 hands high (57-60 inches, 145-152 centimeters) with a stout, muscular, and noble frame. It has a muscular back and hocks; powerful, rounded shoulders; a round, crease-free rump; and a wide, deep chest. Its legs, meanwhile, are straight with flat knees and tough, almost-perfectly rounded black hooves. An American Bashkir Curly’s eyes are also wide-set, providing it with a wider range of vision.
30 of the Best Small Dog Breeds To Bring Home
Good things come in small packages, and that’s undoubtedly true for our pups. Big dogs have their place, but small dog breeds are popular pets, especially for apartment dwellers or anyone short on space (or budget for kibble). Of course, all dogs require daily care and sufficient exercise, so do your homework and don’t fall in love with a pup just because they’re cute and tiny. Some little dog breeds love to go, go, go, while others enjoy snoozing on the sofa most of the day. Here are some of the most popular tiny dog breeds to consider.
The Top 5 Best Boarding Options for Your Pet
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