Traveling With A Pet Turtle

 

Pet turtles can be stressed out by travel.  If transporting your turtle is needed, then some preparation and planning will have to be done ahead of the scheduled car ride so that problems can be minimized when the day comes.

Put your turtle inside a plastic box that has holes drilled into it so that it will have enough ventilation.  Turtles are notorious escapologists, so select a box that has a securely closing lid.  Also, put in some padding material at the bottom like an old towel.  There must be no loops or loose threads that can tangle up your turtle.  Paper towels and newspapers also work quite well for the same purpose.   Of course, you want to make sure that there is ample space inside the box where you put your pet.

A turtle can deal with being without water for considerably long periods.  But if the trip is quite long, consider misting your pet, or at least dampen the padding inside the box.  Misting your turtle cools it down but make sure that you are able to warm your pet enough for the duration of the trip.  A relatively shorter trip that might just take a couple of hours will be okay with semi-aquatic species of turtles like the red-eared slider even if they are not in water.

Check with your veterinarian Dahlonega GA for additional useful information regarding how to keep your turtle safe and content while you travel.

Wood Shavings For Hamster Beddings

The most popular hamster bedding material is wood shavings.  But not all kinds of wood chips or shavings are healthy for hamsters.  Do not use pine and cedarwood because these have phenol chemicals.  These may cause your pet to develop liver and respiratory problems.  Opt instead for safer hardwood shavings like a pen.  Wood has certain drawbacks though, like the fact that it is not quite as absorbent, therefore requiring you to clean the cage’s bathroom area, unless you are willing to teach your hamster how to utilize litter boxes.  In addition.  If your hamster is a long-haired breed, the shavings of wood can get tangled in the fur.

The soiled bedding must be removed then replaced weekly.  And every month, most of your pet’s bedding must be changed then replaced.  Leave some of the previous bedding to mix in with the new bedding so that your hamster’s scent will still be present.  Doing so will reduce the possibility of stressing your pet out.

Your veterinarian Dahlonega, GA is a valuable resource when it comes to your pet’s health and needs. 

The Importance of Cage Temperature on Snake Appetite

 

The temperature inside a pet snake's enclosure is vital. Snakes are cold-blooded animals, which means that their bodies cannot generate heat naturally. Specific bodily processes, such as digestion and metabolism, require heat. In the wild, snakes naturally get heat from their surroundings. A warm atmosphere enables snakes to digest food properly. They also stay in shaded areas to cool down their body temperature. As such, their enclosure must mimic their natural habitat. By having a temperature gradient, the snake can move from one spot to another to regulate its body temperature. A cold cage could make a snake stop eating and become sluggish. Low temperatures also make snakes prone to having respiratory problems. On the other hand, an enclosure that is always warm can also cause a snake to die from overheating. There are various reasons why a pet snake may lose appetite, and the enclosure's temperature could contribute to the problem.

Your veterinarian Dahlonega, GA is a valuable resource when it comes to your pet’s health and behavior.

Supporting Pregnant Cows Throughout Winter

 

Pregnant cattle require additional attention and care during wintertime when the weather is harsher. Protection is needed from freezing temperatures. They must have trouble-free access to ample water and food. It is important that pregnant cattle should be kept well-fed and healthy. Should there be more than one pregnant cow, segregate them into paddocks so that you can easily monitor them? The separation will also be more convenient for you when feeding them or providing water and shelter. Be ever vigilant with the monitoring when the calving date is approaching.

Other recommendations in making cows more comfortable are:

● Apply udder cream so that they can have relief from sore and cracked skin.

● A layer of sand bedding or having sloping water beds helps to ease the stress on the cows’ hocks and knees when at rest.

● Having an additional layer of bedding material for comfort and absorbency.

● Having additional space for resting and feeding.

Your veterinarian Dahlonega, GA can help you with the vaccination needs of your cattle as well as providing you with recommendations with dietary supplements and dewormers in preparation for the coming winter.

Preventing Thrush in Horses

 

If you are familiar with horses, you are likely aware of what thrush is and the dangers it presents. Thrush is basically a bacterial infection in the hoof. Left untreated, it can cause permanent damage to a horse's hooves, potentially rendering that horse unrideable.

There are some things you can do to help reduce the odds of your horse getting thrush. First and foremost, keep up with your horse's hoof cleanings and trims. Pick your horse's hooves out at least once a day, and before and after turnout and riding. Your farrier and vet will be able to recommend a schedule for trims. It’s also very important to keep stalls clean and provide fresh, dry bedding daily. Wet and/or muddy conditions often contribute to thrush, so it's also important to address any drainage issues. Finally, make sure that your horse is getting enough exercise and turnout time. 

For more information on preventing and treating thrush, reach out to your vet Dahlonega GA today!

Mange in Cattle

 

Mange, also known as allergic dermatitis, is a condition wherein cattle are infected by nasty parasites called mites. Mites are nasty and pesky parasites that thrive on the skin layers of cattle and other animals. Cattle can acquire mites by having some direct contact with an animal that has been infected by mites. Once the mites “have landed” in a cattle’s skin, it can stay there for approximately two weeks and this is the time when they can wreak havoc by creating an infection.

When cattle are infested by mites, you would notice the cattle have irritation as well as intense itching. 

These reactions by cattle can lead to it having inflammation, raw skin, as well as sores. As time goes by, there can be skin scabs, crusts, as well as exudates. If this infestation is left unchecked and uncontrolled, the mange infestation can eventually bring about skin thickening and have a huge negative impact on the cattle’s quality of life.

Any problems affecting the skin of cattle should be checked out by a veterinary clinic Dahlonega GA.

UTIs in Horses

Did you know that a UTI stands for Urinary Tract Infections? UTIs are common in people and animals especially cats and dogs. Although not as common in horses, a UTI has been known to develop in a horse. Understanding the signs of symptoms of a UTI can help you help your horse more quickly. Symptoms often include straining to urinate, frequent urination, urinating frequently but only passing small amounts at a time, and possibly blood in the urine. Contact your vet immediately when you discover any of these symptoms. A UTI in horses is typically bacterial meaning the infection comes from bacteria outside of the horse’s body and enters into the horse through the urethra then finding its way to the kidneys or bladder. You can try and help your horse drink more water to flush out the bacteria. This along with your veterinarian Dahlonega, GA prescription recommendation can help heal your horse.