What Is a Cruciate Ligament Injury? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention A ruptured cruciate ligament is a painful orthopedic problem that can cause your dog to suddenly start limping on one of its back legs. Though there are many different reasons for limping in dogs, a ruptured cruciate ligament is one of the most common ones. A ruptured cruciate is a painful and immobilizing injury. While not life-threatening, it must be addressed....
Just like humans, dogs can grow skin tags on various parts of the body. The good news is that most skin tags are nothing to worry about. They are fibrous growths that tend to affect older dogs, but puppies can also get them. However, some can skin tags can grow large and become a nuisance, especially for your dog. As a dog owner, it’s important to understand what a skin tag is and how to tell the difference between skin tags and other types of growths....
Lop-eared rabbits are easily recognizable due to their large, floppy ears. The American Rabbit Breeders Association accepts five varieties, and new lop-eared rabbit breeds are constantly being bred. Lop-eared rabbits are very popular with house rabbit owners, but sometimes their characteristic ears also need a little extra attention. Make sure your lop’s ears are clean on both the inside and the outside since these ears can be prone to a build-up of debris....
There are three categories of filtration: biological, chemical, and mechanical. Mechanical is generally the least often discussed, possibly because it’s the most simple, and deemed less critical than the other types. However, mechanical filtration is an important part of the overall health and stability of your aquarium. Knowing the basics of mechanical filtration will help you avoid filtration problems in your aquarium, and understand how to deal with them if they should occur....
Many dog owners know that antifreeze is poisonous to dogs, but not all people understand how dangerous antifreeze poisoning can really be. Unfortunately, exposure to even a small amount of toxic antifreeze can quickly lead to death. Antifreeze poisoning in dogs is a very serious matter. Antifreeze is a common hazard during winter, but dogs can easily be exposed to it any time of year. Dogs are most likely to be poisoned if they ingest it, but it technically can be absorbed through the skin....
How large should your stable or barn be? Much will be governed by your budget. Most horse’s and ponies don’t need a barn as long as they have shelter from the wind, rain, and sun. But stables are convenient when working with your horse, keeping it clean for showing, during particularly icy or stormy weather, keeping it safe during times of stall rest or sickness, or when a broodmare foals. If you are planning to keep your horses in a barn, stalls need to be designed for the comfort, safety and health of the animal....
Cheese has been associated with rodents for ages, and cartoons have a lot to do with this. Do rodents really love cheese? Some do, and hamsters are rodents that tend to enjoy a variety of snacks and treats, and these often include cheese. But is cheese healthy for hamsters? Cheese may be safe in small amounts, but there are better snack options for hamsters. Is Cheese Good for Hamsters? Cheese can be safe for hamsters in small quantities, but it is not an essential part of their diet....
Separation anxiety is a serious issue that affects many dogs. This type of anxiety can be managed using multi-modal therapy which may consist of medications such as Clomicalm®. Knowing whether or not Clomicalm® may be an option for your dog, how this drug works, and what potential side effects you may see is helpful if your dog experiences separation anxiety. What Does Clomicalm® Do? Clomicalm® is the brand name for a drug called clomipramine....
Most can agree that some parts of a bird’s anatomy can deliver quite painful attacks if our pets become angry with us. Indeed, the instincts and inherently wild nature of our avian companions can bring forth many behaviors that are undesirable in the home. Dealing with these issues can be especially trying for bird owners, given that their feathered friends are such highly sociable and emotionally sensitive creatures. Read on for tips that will help you gently but effectively convey your displeasure toward undesirable behavior in your pet bird....
Why Do Dogs Get Diarrhea? Treatment & Prevention What to Look out For When to Call a Vet ASAP Feeding a Bland Diet There’s a pretty good chance your dog has had diarrhea at some point. Diarrhea is characterized by the passing of watery or very soft stool and is one of the most common signs of illness reported by dog owners. It’s important for dog owners to understand why dogs have diarrhea and also know how to respond to it—what you can give them to treat diarrhea, when to be concerned, and more....
There are a number of important factors to should consider when deciding if a hamster is the right pet for you and your family. There are a number of varieties of hamsters, and they tend to vary in characteristics and look, based on the variety. While all hamsters have around the same lifespan and require very similar care, be sure to choose the hamster (or hamsters) that is the best fit for you....
PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder Many customized settings Handy pause feature Holds a large amount of food Doesn’t include a power adapter Programming is not intuitive Only works well with provided bowl With advanced customization settings and a smart design, PetSafe’s Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder is a high-end device that adds convenience to any pet owner’s life. Setup Power Design Settings Cleaning Price Competition Final Verdict Specs We purchased the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder so our expert reviewer could put it to the test....
Cats love to hide in things like cardboard boxes and paper grocery bags. Your cat may even enjoy hunkering down under a coffee table or chair. Why do cats like to hide so much and how can you provide safe spaces for your cat to hide in? Why Do Cats Hide? Cats enjoy being in enclosed spaces, like under furniture and in cardboard boxes, because they like to feel safe and secure....
Macaws are perhaps the most easily recognizable birds in the parrot family (Psittacidae). Colorful and entertaining, these birds have been kept as pets for hundreds of years. Unlike many other parrots, macaws typically have signature patches of bare skin on their faces that can range in size and color. These birds are characters, each having different personalities, likes, and dislikes. Due to their size, macaws can be challenging to care for, but for the right owners, they are loyal companions who are worth the time commitment....
Horse training is not a quick or easy process, no matter what various books, videos or websites may tell you. It is also not all shrouded in mystery either, and it is possible to learn along with your horse. Doing so with a competent trainer or coach is the wisest way to go. There are many different ways to care for, handle, and train a horse, but there are few basic things you should never to a horse, ever....
Kiwis are small fruits that pack a lot of flavor and they are sweet and tangy. This little fruit is packed full of nutrients for humans like vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, folate, and potassium, but what about for dogs? Read on to find out if you can share your kiwi with your pup? Is it Safe for Dogs to Eat Kiwi? While it may seem like a straightforward answer as to whether your dog can enjoy kiwi with you, it can get a little tricky....
Become familiar with what is normal for your cat’s life stage, so you can anticipate what changes to expect as they grow older. Being aware of life stage changes can help you stay on top of your pet’s health and keep them happy and healthy throughout their lifetime. Here’s what to expect and what steps you should take as a cat owner in each life stage. Kittens As expected, kittens are packed with all the curious energy their little bodies can contain!...
What Is Hole-in-the-Head Disease? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Hole-in-the-head disease (HITH), also known as lateral line erosion, is a common disease in both freshwater and saltwater fishes. HITH causes erosive pits in the head and face that are not life-threatening but can lead to secondary infections. Among saltwater fish, angelfish, tangs, and surgeonfish are particularly vulnerable to HITH. Although there is no specific cause or treatment for this disease, good basic husbandry practices and a low-stress environment can help prevent its occurrence....
Materials Prepare New Water Removing the Fish Cleaning the Fishbowl Reassembling While most tropical fish require an aerated aquarium to keep them healthy, there are some fish species, such as Betta fish, some gouramis, the paradise fish, and a few other species that can live in an unaerated fishbowl. Even small fish do best in a bowl that is at least half a gallon in size, or bigger. Just as it is important to keep any aquarium clean, it is even more important if you keep fish in a fishbowl, since these containers usually do not have filters and the small water volume means that contamination is more concentrated....
In a power outage, an aquarium is safe for some time without filtration, but the inhabitants cannot survive for very long without the oxygen normally added by the powered air pump. You can manually add oxygen easily if you do not have a battery-operated air pump or an emergency power source to run one. The manual method also helps keep the water circulating. Learn what to do when the power goes out....
