- It still isn't going to be simple. Keeping any animal other than fish tends to take
Posts Tagged ‘health’
Keeping a Pet Frog
by Jacob P. February 2nd, 2012 | Amphibians
When pet care websites, such as petco.com, place frogs under the reptiles category, it grinds my gears. I know it is trivial, but they are amphibians. This would probably not happen if amphibians were more popular pets, but they are not currently part of the "in crowd.'' I do not know anyone who owns or has owned a pet amphibian. People think they are gross or hard to care for, but it is actually quite the contrary. Keeping a frog can be quite fun.
Effects of Catnip
by Lori Teller DVM DABVP CVJ February 1st, 2012 | Animal Health, Ask the Vet, Cats
Does catnip have any long-term effects on cats?
Catnip is quite the treat for many cats! Approximately half of all cats will be genetically predisposed to enjoy this herb. Catnip is a member of the mint family -- actually there are several different types of catnip, but what makes cats so in love with this herb is a chemical in the leaves known as nepetalactone.
Young kittens, less than 3-6 months, will not be attracted to catnip, but once they pass that age, they will go gaga for it. When you first give your kitty some fresh or dried catnip, you
Catnip is quite the treat for many cats! Approximately half of all cats will be genetically predisposed to enjoy this herb. Catnip is a member of the mint family -- actually there are several different types of catnip, but what makes cats so in love with this herb is a chemical in the leaves known as nepetalactone.
Young kittens, less than 3-6 months, will not be attracted to catnip, but once they pass that age, they will go gaga for it. When you first give your kitty some fresh or dried catnip, you
Cats Can Make Humans Ill
by Lori S. January 31st, 2012 | Cats
Even though you love your cat, you must realize that there are some potential dangers to pet ownership. For example, cat scratch disease and toxoplasmosis are two very real illnesses caused by cats. As a cat lover myself, I knew about these two diseases, yet I was unaware of the negative health effects that they actually cause until after I had owned cats for many years. Read on to learn more.
Cat Scratch Disease
I got the phone call while away in college. “Your mom is in the hospital with cat scratch fever,” my dad lamented. At first I thought he
Cat Scratch Disease
I got the phone call while away in college. “Your mom is in the hospital with cat scratch fever,” my dad lamented. At first I thought he
Cats and Milk
by Lori Teller DVM DABVP CVJ January 18th, 2012 | Ask the Vet
Is it true cats can be lactose-intolerant? What are the signs?
In this regard, cats are very similar to people. Kittens are born with the enzyme, lactase, which digests the lactose (milk sugar)found in their mother's milk. As cats age, just like people, less and less lactase may be present in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in the inability to digest lactose and an intolerance to dairy products. Some cats will continue to be able to handle milk with no problems, but others will develop the typical signs of lactose intolerance, namely, the GI symptoms of flatulence, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In this regard, cats are very similar to people. Kittens are born with the enzyme, lactase, which digests the lactose (milk sugar)found in their mother's milk. As cats age, just like people, less and less lactase may be present in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in the inability to digest lactose and an intolerance to dairy products. Some cats will continue to be able to handle milk with no problems, but others will develop the typical signs of lactose intolerance, namely, the GI symptoms of flatulence, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Losing Puppy Teeth
by Lori Teller DVM DABVP CVJ January 4th, 2012 | Animal Health, Ask the Vet, Dogs
Will a puppy show signs if it hasn't lost its baby teeth, or should we check?
During puppyhood you will probably not see clinical signs from retained deciduous (baby) teeth. However, problems are beginning and can lead to symptomatic dental disease as your dog gets older.
If baby teeth do not fall out as the adult teeth grow in, then they can cause a misalignment of the teeth and potentially lead to an abnormal bite as the puppy develops. This may or may not cause some oral pain when the dog is older, depending on the severity of the misalignment. The
During puppyhood you will probably not see clinical signs from retained deciduous (baby) teeth. However, problems are beginning and can lead to symptomatic dental disease as your dog gets older.
If baby teeth do not fall out as the adult teeth grow in, then they can cause a misalignment of the teeth and potentially lead to an abnormal bite as the puppy develops. This may or may not cause some oral pain when the dog is older, depending on the severity of the misalignment. The
