Exotic Pets You Can Own Without a License: State-by-State Laws
Every state has laws that determine what kind of animals can be kept as pets. These laws can change at any time and over the years, many states have added to their list of prohibited animals. Game and fish commissions, departments of fish and wildlife or conservation, and other state divisions dictate these rules that are found in state statutes and regulations. These documents can be difficult for some to discover and decipher because they are written in complicated legal language.
Tea Tree Oil for Fleas: Evaluating Safety and Effectiveness
Tea tree oil should never be given orally to pets as it is toxic if swallowed.
Deworming Your Dog: How Often Is Necessary for Optimal Health?
Puppies should be dewormed regularly for the first few months of life, typically during scheduled vaccination visits.
Hole-in-the-Head Disease in Saltwater Fish
Hole-in-the-head disease (HITH) causes erosive pits in fish and is primarily an aesthetic issue but can lead to secondary infections.
Tapeworms in Dogs
Tapeworms in dogs are rarely serious but can cause irritation, malnutrition, and weight loss if untreated.
Tapeworms in Cats
Tapeworms are a common parasite in cats that live in the intestines. They can be excreted in the feces and passed along to other animals. Some owners may notice tapeworm symptoms in their cat such as vomiting, diarrhea, a bloated belly, changes in appetite, or segments of the worms in the stool, but many cats can have tapeworms and not show any signs. For this reason, regular prevention and screening is important to keep your cat free from tapeworms and other intestinal parasites.
Ear Mites in Puppies and Dogs
Ear mites are highly contagious parasites that cause itching, inflammation, and discomfort in pets, requiring prompt treatment.
Velvet: Aquarium Fish Disease Identification and Cure
Velvet disease is a serious condition caused by dinoflagellate parasites, requiring immediate attention to prevent fish mortality.
Anchor Worms in Freshwater Fish: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Anchor worms are crustacean copepod parasites common in freshwater fish such as koi and goldfish, and they are visible to the naked eye.
How to Give Fish a Freshwater Dip or Bath
A quick freshwater dip is an effective first step to treat saltwater fish for parasites before quarantine.
The Practice of Cropping Dog Ears
Ear cropping is a cosmetic surgical procedure performed on certain dog breeds to meet traditional breed standards.
Why Is My Dog Sneezing?
Occasional sneezing in dogs is normal, but persistent or excessive sneezing may indicate a health issue requiring veterinary attention.
What to Do If Your Dog Has a Loose Tooth
Regular dental care, including brushing and veterinary check-ups, is essential to prevent dental disease and complications in dogs.
Dexamethasone for Dogs
Dexamethasone is a type of steroid that is used both in human and veterinary medicine. It is primarily used to reduce inflammation but also serves various other medical purposes. Used carefully, this medication can provide relief from a variety of diseases but it must be used exactly as directed to avoid serious side effects.
Gastritis in Dogs
Gastritis in dogs, characterized by vomiting and abdominal discomfort, can be acute (sudden) or chronic (persistent).
Pyoderma in Dogs
Pyoderma is an itchy and uncomfortable skin condition, but it generally looks more serious than it is. Dogs with underlying conditions affecting their skin, endocrine system, or immune system are most vulnerable to this type of infection that arises from naturally occurring bacteria and causes red pustules and crusty lesions . Some mild cases will resolve on their own within a couple of weeks; others may require topical or oral antibiotic therapy to heal.
Vestibular Disease in Dogs
The vestibular system is a complex network of sensors within the inner ear and the brain that helps an animal maintain balance, and thus remain upright while walking, standing, or sitting. Most animals have a vestibular system, including humans. This delicate system can be disrupted by many things, leading to difficulty with balance.
4 Simple Ways to Protect Your Pet From Ticks This Spring—and Beyond
Year-round protection is key, but once spring has sprung, it's a good idea for pet owners to increase their vigilance when it comes to tick prevention. Warmer weather encourages these tiny parasites to emerge, which puts our companion animals at risk. Luckily, there are a handful of simple steps pet owners can take to make sure dogs and cats don't play host to ticks this spring.
The Different Types of Pet-Friendly Workplaces
Do you wish you could work for a pet-friendly company and bring your dog, cat, bird, reptile, or other pet with you to work every day? Many companies have adopted pet-friendly policies, from small businesses to large corporations. If your company isn't currently pet-friendly, you might be able to talk to your company's management team about allowing pets at work.
What is a Zoonotic Disease?
Zoonotic diseases are diseases that are transmissible from living animals to people.
What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) describes the gradual loss of kidney function over time. The kidneys normally filter waste products out of the blood. The waste is then excreted, or released, in the urine. Cats with CKD have kidneys that are not functioning properly. So, the waste products accumulate in their bloodstream and they suffer from symptoms of this illness. CKD occurs over a period of time and can be deadly for cats.
What Human Foods Can Cats Eat?
Understanding your cat's nutritional needs is an essential part of pet ownership, and that includes what they can and can’t eat when it comes to human foods. While most cats might not be as bad for scrounging as most dogs, there may still be those that like to sneak food from counters when you’re not looking.
Wet vs Dry Cat Food: Which is better for cats?
We all want the very best for our feline friends, and that starts with their food. Providing your cat with a complete and balanced diet is crucial for their health, but with so much variety in the pet food market, it's hard to know where to start.
How to Cat-Proof Your Christmas Tree
There's something about Christmas trees that brings out the mischief-maker in cats. With their flickering lights and dangling decorations, they're the perfect temptation for our feline friends.
Is Your Cat Not Eating? Here's Why
Food is an integral aspect of any living thing's life, and going without food for a day or more can lead to consequences. For dogs, it’s usually not too drastic for them not to eat for a day, but when it comes to cats, they can quickly become nauseous from lack of food. This nausea can then cause your cat not to want to eat any of their food, which, if it continues, can lead to them eating less and less, which can have an extreme effect on their health and overall well-being.
Understanding Cat Body Language
Our pet’s happiness is always our priority, and we’d all love nothing more than to know what’s going on in their fluffy little heads. While cats can’t communicate with us in the traditional sense, there are still some ways we can study our cat’s body language to better understand how they’re feeling.
Why is Your Cat Hiding
Cats are elusive and peculiar pets at the best of times, especially those who spend most of their time outside. However, one thing many new cat owners can become confused by is a cat's habit of finding the smallest possible space to squeeze into and hiding there.
What is Catnip and What Does it Do?
Catnip is one of the best-utilized herbs in the pet ownership community, helping to make cats more playful or calm in seconds! But what is it about this plant that drives cats up the wall (literally or otherwise). Find out what catnip does and how it works so you can better introduce catnip into your cat’s playtime.
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How to Manage Seasonal Shedding
Shedding, or moulting, is a natural process where cats and dogs shed their dead hair to make room for new, healthier hair. Shedding season for dogs and cats typically occurs during spring to make way for a pet’s summer coat, and in autumn to make way for their winter coat.
The Complete New Kitten Checklist
Welcoming a new pet into the home is both a joyous and mildly stressful experience, especially when that new pet is a rambuctious kitten.
Common Health Problems in Senior Cats
Getting older is inevitable, even for our furry little friends, and as your cat gets older, you may begin to notice they’re not as spry as they were when they were younger. This is completely natural, of course, but sometimes changes in your cat’s behaviour can be a sign that something else is happening with them, such as illness or stress.
How to Choose the Best Cat Food
One of the most important aspects of pet ownership is ensuring your pet is getting all the nutrients they need from its diet. Sound easy enough, right?
Canine Parvovirus: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery
Parvovirus is a viral infection that can be life-threatening to dogs with compromised or under-developed immune systems, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, and damage to the gut. Despite Parvovirus being one of the key viruses dog's are vaccinated against, hundreds of dogs and puppies die from Parvovirus across the world.
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