How To Check Your Pet Reptile For Ticks

Reptiles can be affected by ticks, too. Ticks are blood-sucking parasites and heavy infestations can cause anemia. Ticks can be easy to spot on reptiles because their bodies are free from fur. Once a tick has started feeding, it can grow in size and change its color from brown to a noticeable gray. Ticks often congregate in parts of the reptile’s body where the scale are thinnest such as behind the legs and around the reptile’s eyes, nose, and anus. Regular handling of your pet reptile will enable you to do a routine and thorough inspection of their body. Run your hands all over the animal’s body for any lumps, bumps, skin problems, or parasites. Any new lump should be checked out by a veterinarian North Phoenix, AZ. If you spot a tick, don’t just pull it off or you may unintentionally leave parts of the tick’s mouth buried in the skin of the host which can possibly lead to infections. Visit this website for additional details.

Can Gerbils Choke?

Have you ever owned a gerbil? How about now? Gerbils are a lot of fun and great pocket pets. They have big appetites for such little creatures too. Sometimes a gerbil may try to eat his food too fast and end up choking on his meal. Most of the time the gerbil will be able to cough and clear his own airways. Sometimes, however, your gerbil may choke pretty bad. If this happens, give your vet a call right away. Signs of choking include coughing, liquid coming from the mouth or nose, or gagging like noise. Your vet may give you instructions to help your gerbil immediately by gently tapping your gerbil on the back in much the same way you do a child or infant when choking. Always double check instructions with your vet and take your gerbil in for a follow up with your animal hospital Downingtown, PA.

Parasites In Pet Birds - Scaly Face Mites

Birds can also get their share of parasites, too. Unfortunately, parasites are serious health issues in birds. They come in the form of worms, mites, fungi, and protozoan parasites. One of the most common are scaly face mites that affect the skin and feathers of birds. The parasite is common among budgies, canaries, and finches. Affected birds have white, scaly growths on their mouth, nostrils, beak, and eyes. There is also a type of the infection that causes scaly growth on the legs of birds (the causative agent is often called the scaly leg mite). As the mites continue to multiply, the birds will lose feathers and they may have deformed legs and beaks that may persist even after treatment has been given. Early detection is very crucial to reduce permanent scarring and deformities. Treatment involves anti-parasitic medication that should be given by a vet services North Phoenix, AZ .

Can Arthritis In Cats Be Cured?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis in cats. It is a degenerative and progressive disease that affect the bones of the joints. The good news is, you can help slow down the progress of arthritis and improve your pet’s quality of life. These include medications, supplements, and making changes in your pet’s lifestyle and immediate environment. The earlier these supportive measures are given, the better will be your cat’s quality of life. Take note, however, that even with your care and support, your cat will still experience bad days, especially when the weather is cold and damp. Excessive physical activity can also increase the severity as a cat ages. Once arthritis is diagnosed, it’s management will last for the rest of the cat’s life. Although cats are experts in hiding pain, an early indicator or arthritis is slowing down. You may observe your cat sleeping or resting more. There may be a change in behavior and reluctance to climb the stairs or jump up to his favorite elevated spots. Their painful joints also make grooming painful.

Sudden changes in your pet’s health and/or behavior should require a visit to your animal hospital North Phoenix, AZ.

Heartworms In Cats

Although cats have lower risks of heartworm disease than dog, it can still cause serious illness and death in affected cats. Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) are transmitted by mosquitoes that get infected when they feed on the blood of infected animals and acquire the infective heartworm larvae in the process. Cats that are on heartworm preventatives or have spent time in places where mosquitoes and heartworms are endemic have higher risks of developing heartworm disease. The severity of the symptoms generally depends on the number of heartworms that are present, the duration of the infection, and the cat’s immune system. Typical heartworm infection symptoms in cats include poor tolerance to physical activity, coughing, vomiting, and abnormal heart beat or heart murmur. The best way to protect your furball from acquiring heartworms is regular preventive medication. Preventive treatments should always be up-to-date; a single dose that is missed can put your cat at risk of being infected. If you notice any of the mentioned symptoms, set an appointment with a veterinary clinic Scottsdale, AZ immediately.

How to Wean the American Curl Kittens

Do you own a small American Curl kittens? If so, you may need to talk to your vet about a weaning schedule for the kittens and their mothers. Weaning is the process of removing your kittens from the mother’s milk and eventually from the mother’s 24/7 care. When it comes to weaning from milk you switch from milk from the mama to bottle feeding and then to solid food. Many vets agree that the weaning process should start for kittens at the age of four weeks old. At this point, kittens will most likely start exploring their mother’s food and exploring their environment all on their own. Ease through the process in order to give the mama cat time to teach the kittens to socialize, etc. When weaning orphan kittens then the timing will be more up to you and your vet Rochester NY, All Cats Care Center.