Busting Common Rabbit Myths

Rabbits are lovable mammals that are widely domesticated. These animals are not like cats and dogs in terms of appearance, traits, and needs. But they can make great pets too. If you have grown interested in buying or adopting one for your family, go ahead. These pets sure can make your life more colorful. However, get to know these animals more, so you can serve them better.

Here are a few myths that you must remember about rabbits.

· Rabbits prefer being outdoors and are at their happiest when in the backyard. Most people say this case is false. Experts affirm that rabbits kept in the outside world are mostly disregarded and forgotten. They are also prone to diseases caused by mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and fleas. When living in hutches outdoors, the rabbits' quality of life and longevity reduce.

· Rabbits do not require the usual veterinary regimen that cats and dogs need. Experts say these small mammals still need protection against contagious illnesses. For this reason, you must still bring your pet rabbits to the vet for a wellness checkup and neutering or spaying procedure. 

Consult your pet clinic San Antonio, TX about the best ways to protect your pet from various health issues. 

Dog Breed Profile: Otterhound

Otterhounds are large, rough-coated dogs that were initially made to hunt otters in England. They have renowned stamina and keen noses to aid them at work. The Otterhound is a rare breed, and in fact, every year, there are only fewer than 10 Otterhound litters born every year in Canada and the US. However, there are still some who are still brought to shelters and rescue centers. 

These dogs are best described as playful, clownish, affectionate, and friendly. They are fond of children and fellow dogs, and a lot of exercise and playtime are essential to consume their high levels of energy. With that, apartments may not provide them with enough space. But if they have sufficient space, they'll be the most loving and funniest companions. If you want a large, shaggy, and boisterous dog, consider that an Otterhound may be the perfect one for you. 

Take a proactive approach to your pet’s health with regular health and wellness checks at your pet clinic San Antonio, TX. 

Hairless Cat Personality

When one mentions a hairless cat, you might immediately think of a Sphynx, a breed of a cat without hair. However, aside from these cats' bald features, they also have exciting and unique personalities. 

Hairless cats love attention. They show it by greeting you when you get home from work or just somewhere. They love interacting and socializing with humans. They have such an outgoing personalities. In addition, they are also very active, and they love to play. New toys and new activities excite them. You can use this opportunity to spend time with them. They get very curious about random things.

At night, they love to sleep with their owners under the comfort of thick blankets. It might have something to do with them being hairless or simply part of their loving attitude. If you want a caring and fun cat, consider adopting a hairless cat.

Take a proactive approach to your pet’s health with regular health and wellness checks at your pet clinic San Antonio, TX. 

Brushing Dogs With Short Hair

Brushing your dog’s hair is a basic expectation from you as a pet owner.

Dogs whose hair are not frequently groomed and brushed are also more prone to lice and tick infestation. It can be disgusting for your dog as it makes him itchy and uncomfortable.

When brushing your dog’s hair, you must be familiar with his hair type. Different dogs have different hair and fur structures so different brushing and combing styles are needed.

If your dog is short-haired with a smooth texture, you must brush his hair at least once a week. Dogs with this hair type are usually the ones who are easily maintained and do not need frequent grooming.

On the other hand, if your dog has short hair but with a thicker texture, he is more prone to hair tangles and matting. It is recommended to use a comb or brush with thinner wires to make brushing easier and at the same time avoid hurting your dog in the process.

 Any skin and/or hair coat issue exhibited by your pet should warrant an appointment with your pet clinic San Antonio, TX.  

Joys of Having a Designer Dog

 

Designer dogs have the advantage of being free from some genetic traits that cause problems to some purebred dogs. Hence, you can worry less about health issues that dogs usually encounter. Generally, they have a better overall health status than most dogs and don’t develop the common age-related conditions. Their immunity to common health diseases is brought about by their diverse genetic makeup.

This usually influences people to bring home one despite paying a higher price. At the end of the day, keeping a naturally healthy dog is more practical.  

Some designer dogs are hypoallergenic, making them suitable for pet parents that are sensitive to allergens. For instance, people with asthma will not be troubled with asthma attacks due to allergens from their pets. Some are intentionally designed to have a calmer disposition to fit an owner that prefers a peaceful home. This type of designer dog can be the best companion for older people.

Consult your veterinarian San Antonio, TX about the best way to protect your pet from various health issues.

Lice In Pet Mice

 

If your mouse happens to be infested with lice, it will suffer from extensive scratching and itching.  Fortunately, lice infestations are quite simple to treat.  As soon as you find lice infesting your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately.  Using anti-lice medication for people is not ideal for use with your pet.  Products like these are not formulated with mice in mind therefore could have ingredients toxic to them.  While your mouse is undergoing lice treatment, you will need to clean its enclosure and the furnishing thoroughly with mild soap and water.  Dispose of the leftover food and bedding material properly.  If the weather outside is freezing, you can put these items outside overnight to destroy the lice.

Work with your pet clinic San Antonio TX in creating a parasite preventive program that will protect your pet from internal and external parasites throughout the year.

Taking Care Of Chinchillas

 

Chinchillas are lovely pets to care for but they have special needs that must be met every day of their lives. And one of these needs is their grooming needs. Much like how cats are, chinchillas have their own grooming habits to keep their fur clean. These creatures can be de-scented but they still emit a distinct smell that still bothers their carers. The only solution to this is to clean their cage and furniture regularly, and it would be best to place their cage in an area of your house where there is ventilation to help reduce the smell. 

If grooming and sanitation are not done regularly, fleas, lice, and other parasites can start to populate in their dense fur. Chinchillas may also develop bad habits and behavioral problems with stressors present in their environment. Overcrowding is one factor and can make them aggressive, and turn into gnawing and biting other chins, and chomping their fur.

Any sign of illness should prompt a visit to your pet clinic San Antonio TX.

Tips For Keeping Your Dog’s Teeth Healthy

 

Establish a daily oral care routine and have your dog’s teeth checked regularly by a veterinarian. You should always consider dental care as an essential part of your dog’s health. Diseases can develop if dental health is neglected. The plaque build-up may not be as serious as it may sound but infections, periodontal conditions, tooth decay and even tooth loss can result from plaque formation alone. These are common in dogs with poor dental hygiene and those without regular dental regimen. 

Dog’s teeth should be examined by a dental professional or a veterinarian. Dental visits twice a year is the usual recommendation, but this can vary depending on the assessment of your dog’s veterinarian. Structures of the oral cavity are examined during these dental visits. The integrity and health status of dental structures are inspected closely. Veterinarians will look for any signs of pain, discoloration of your dog’s teeth, and gum inflammation. 

Procedures to be done would depend on the findings of your veterinarian San Antonio, TX. Cleaning might be suggested by your veterinarian if they see plaque and tartar formation in your dog’s teeth. If they find tooth decay, your veterinarian might be prompted to perform a root canal procedure; while loose teeth can be subject to removal. Some complex procedures may warrant the use of an anesthetic to immobilize your dog while the procedure is being done.

Do Dogs Get Diabetes?

Yes, dogs can get diabetes which is referred to as canine diabetes. This particular illness needs to be professionally diagnosed by your veterinarian. If you think your dog has diabetes, please call to schedule an appointment right away. Dogs of all ages and breeds can develop diabetes. This happens when the energy source is no longer glucose, but instead reserves. Why does this happen? The body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin it produces doesn’t go where it’s supposed to go or do what it’s supposed to do. Instead, the body thinks there is no insulin so it breaks down fat and protein reserves as alternatives. The energy then comes from reserves and not glucose. Common signs of diabetes include weight loss and high levels of sugar or glucose in the bloodstream. For more information about canine diabetes, consult with your vet clinic San Antonio TX.

Feeding Your Puppy

Consistency is important so feed your puppy what he ate before you adopted him for a few days. Then you can change to a food of your choice. Don’t rush this transition or you could upset your puppy’s stomach. Select a high-quality fully nutritional puppy food and mix it with his other food. Adjust the ratio over time. Canned dog food is high in fat so consider a dry or semi-moist kibble instead. Review the puppy food package to understand recommended amounts so you don’t overfeed your puppy. Don’t give your puppy table scraps. He could suffer with diarrhea from eating human food and some of these foods can be dangerous or fatal to your puppy.  And feeding your dog table scraps will encourage begging. Use dog-safe treats sparingly for training and for dental hygiene only. Ensure that your puppy has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Learn more from your vet clinic San Antonio, TX.

Myxomatosis In Rabbits

Myxomatosis is a viral disease in rabbits that is spread by fleas, mosquitoes, and other biting insects. It is highly contagious and often fatal. In fact, there have been cases when rabbits die within 48 hours of appearance of symptoms, while there are those that survived for several weeks before dying. Although wild rabbits have developed immunity to the disease, there are still some deadly strains to which wild and pet rabbits are still at risk.

Survival rates for unvaccinated rabbits are very low. Many rabbits that have been diagnosed with myxo have to be euthanized to alleviate their suffering.

Signs of myxomatosis include small swellings on the skin surface, fever, whitish eye discharge, fluid around the rabbit’s nose, ears, and lips, drooping ears, pus from the nose, depression, labored breathing, and swollen head and genitals.

You should call your vets San Antonio, TX immediately if you notice your rabbit displaying symptoms of the disease.