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What Is Periodontal Disease? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Periodontal disease is characterized by inflammation of the tissues surrounding a tooth (essentially, the tooth’s support system). It can affect one tooth or a dog’s whole mouth. At first, periodontal disease may only inflame the gums, but will eventually affect the bone around the tooth roots. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to severe oral pain, loss of teeth, other dental diseases, and a wide array of complications throughout the body....

Degus are rodents that need to chew on things regularly to keep their teeth trimmed and healthy. Wood is a popular and natural choice for degu owners, but not all types of wood are safe. Before just grabbing that tree branch from your backyard or a chunk of wood from the local lumber yard, make sure the wood you are offering your degu is safe, free of pesticides, untreated, preferably organic, and free of paint....

What Is a Seizure? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Seizures affect a very small percentage of the feline population. They occur as a result of abnormal electrical discharges in the brain and manifest in various ways, some more severe than others. Seizures are distressing for both cats and their owners, and they can grow progressively worse if not treated. Because seizures can occur as a result of different brain dysfunctions, it’s important to seek veterinary help to evaluate the cause of a cat’s seizures so that a targeted treatment plan can be established....

A 10-gallon fish tank is on the small side, but is the perfect way for beginner’s to learn how to maintain a saltwater aquarium. Most suitable for small species, like gobies, cardinalfish, and clownfish, 10-gallon aquariums are available in several dimensions, unique designs, and all-in-one-kits. Our favorite 10-gallon fish tank is the Marina LED Aquarium Kit, which includes a useful filter, integrated LED lighting, and a bunch of other accessories. We also love the curved design of the Penn-Plax Radius Desktop Nano....

There are few things more adorable than watching your pup curl up in a little ball to fall asleep. Why does your dog feel the need to make a few circles before finally laying down, though? Is this a normal behavior, or should you be concerned? Most professionals believe that, while there may be a few reasons for this behavior, circling before lying down is an instinct passed down from dogs’ wild ancestors....

While it’s not uncommon for cats to reach 15 years old, some cat breeds stand out as long-lived companions. There’s no guarantee that your cat will live into its 20s, as nature and nurture both are determining factors. But picking a cat breed with a longer lifespan and taking great care of your cat improves your odds of having a loving feline for many years. Breed Characteristics Quality nutrition, adequate exercise, and regular wellness checks will maximize a cat’s lifespan....

Athletic dogs are fun, but they aren’t for everyone. Owning one can be hard work—they require plenty of exercise and entertainment to be healthy and happy. Smaller, relatively low-maintenance pups are more appealing pet choices for those who may be older or have less time on their hands to devote to training sessions and walks. Small dogs are also great for apartment-dwellers, as they don’t need as much space as a larger animal....

A short-haired dog is a great option for people who want a lower-maintenance dog. Short-haired dogs need less grooming than long-haired breeds, but all dogs will require some upkeep. Short-haired dogs still shed just like their long-haired counterparts. And even short-haired dogs will benefit from brushing their coat once or twice a week to remove loose hair and minimize shedding. Here are 20 short-haired dog breeds worth considering adding to your family....

Brumation is a dormant period for reptiles. As with hibernation in mammals, their bodies shut down and conserve energy for the coming year. During the period of brumation, a reptile may not eat, drink, defecate, or move for several weeks. It may bury itself completely underground or go to the darkest, coolest part of its enclosure. It can scare you when your pet doesn’t respond to normal stimuli such as poking and prodding....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Cairn Terrier is a small Scottish dog breed in the Terrier group with a round head, short legs, coarse fur, and small, pointed ears. This breed is often considered to be the oldest of the Terrier types. Originating from the Islands of Scotland, Cairn Terriers rose to prominence when one named Terry played Dorothy’s dog, Toto, in the world-famed movie The Wizard of Oz....

You have probably heard of kennel cough in dogs, but did you know that there is a vaccine for it? Vets commonly refer to this simply as the Bordetella vaccine and recommend it annually for the majority of dogs. What is the Kennel Cough Vaccine? Kennel cough is a basic term used to describe canine infectious tracheobronchitis, an infectious respiratory disease that affects dogs. Kennel cough causes a hacking cough that can last for days to weeks....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Often referred to as the “GBGV” or “Grand,” the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is a shaggy, active, and independent scent-hound from France. In fact, the rough translation of its name is very descriptive of its appearance: “Large, low, shaggy dog of the Vendéen (a region of France).” The GBGV was originally developed to help hunt deer, boar, and other large game—however, today, the GBGV’s sweet personality and relatively calm demeanor make it the perfect pick for an active family or owners with other dogs....

Hemoplasmas (formerly known as hemobartonella) are a specialized type of bacteria that attack red blood cells, which can cause anemia (a low red blood cell count). Spread most often by external parasites that feed on blood (fleas, ticks, lice or mosquitoes) or by fighting with infected cats means this illness is most common in cats that spend time outdoors. This disease can be difficult to diagnose and when severe, can cause life threatening anemia that requires hospitalization, antibiotic therapy and blood transfusions....

The black and white stripes of a skunk cause fear in many people, not because they are aggressive, but because even from a distance, a skunk can spray you. People know to avoid skunks for this reason, but dogs unfortunately don’t always heed our advice. Knowing what to do if your dog gets sprayed by a skunk can help you decrease the time you’ll spend smelling skunk. What Is Skunk Spray?...

What Is an Abscess? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention An abscess is a pocket of pus that develops when a wound of some sort becomes infected. Abscesses can occur almost anywhere within a dog’s body, including the brain, liver, and lungs, but more often, abscesses are fairly superficial, and develop in the animal’s anal glands, at the root of a tooth, or just below the surface of the skin....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Australian Terrier is a small dog breed from Australia with pointed upright ears, a short frame, and a medium-length double coat with a wiry texture. This brave, hardy, and determined dog is known for being a loyal companion with an adventurous personality. Known for being the first native breed to receive recognition in Australia, Australian Terriers are the smallest of the working terrier breeds....

Petkit Pura X Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box If you have been thinking about upgrading your cat’s commode, now is the time to welcome the PETKIT Pura X self-cleaning litter box into your home. As part of the Prime Early Access Sale, the app-controlled vessel for pet-produced waste is currently available for a deeply discounted price. While the Prime Early Access Sale (Oct. 11-12) is over, this excellent deal on the PETKIT Pura X Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box—our favorite “Odor Control” automatic litter box—lives on....

Behavior and Temperament Housing Heat Light Humidity Substrate Food and Water Health Problems Choosing Similar Species Despite the fact that the word “hognose” can encompass several different species of snakes, all hognose snakes are known for their characteristic upturned snouts. Heterodon nasicus is the most commonly kept pet hognose snake and because they are relatively small when compared to many other pet snakes, they are a popular alternative to a ball python or corn snake....

What is Hypothermia? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Your dog may love romping through the snow or taking a mountain hike with you, but dogs who are exposed to prolonged cold temperatures or icy water can develop hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when your dog’s body loses heat faster than it can be produced. If this goes on for a prolonged period of time, your dog’s body starts using up stored energy, which eventually leads to an inability to maintain a safe core body temperature....

It’s important to provide a variety of foods for a balanced and nutritious diet to pet birds. For smaller parrots such as budgies and cockatiels, a good goal is a diet that is 25 percent seed, 50 percent pellets, and 25 percent fresh foods. For larger parrots, aim for about 50 percent to 60 percent pellets and the rest made up of fresh foods and treats and a small number of seeds....