Reasons Why Some Dogs Consider Poop A “Delicacy”

Eating poop is a very sickening habit that some dogs have acquired. Pet owners who find their dogs eating poop can get repulsed by their dog’s behavior, and this can certainly have a powerful effect on the rapport between the dog and his owner. This nasty habit can be caused by various reasons.

• Puppies can imbibe the behavior from their mother when she instinctively cleans her puppies by licking each one of them. Mother dogs also clean the whelping area by licking. When puppies are separated from their mother, they will assume the task of cleaning their living space, which can possibly become a habit.
• Dogs may learn to eat poop out of boredom. Dogs that are left alone in the yard for considerable lengths of time may also develop the habit.
• Sometimes the cause of the behavior may be attributed to a lack of an essential nutrient in the dog’s diet.

Consult your Guelph, ON veterinarian if you have problems dealing with your pet’s poop-eating habits.

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Preventing Mouth Rot in Desert Iguanas

Did you know that mouth rot is a common occurrence in reptiles including snakes, lizards, and other reptiles like the Desert iguana? The infection typically occurs when the Desert iguana’s immune system is unable to breakdown bacteria in the mouth. Inflammation and small hemorrhages may appear on the inside of the mouth or the edge of the mouth near the lip area. Thick amounts of mucus may also collect in the mouth. Symptoms include open mouth breathing and even swelling. Causes of mouth rot are typically linked to poor nutrition, poorly regulated temperature in the living environment, stress, and trauma. Although a common condition, it is also a preventable condition. Proper diet and living enclosures are the first step towards prevention. Knowing how to care for your Desert iguana is the best way to prevent mouth rot. Contact your veterinary clinic Sun Prairie, WI for additional information.

Symptoms of a Swollen Eyelid in Red-Eared Sliders

Did you know that Red-Eared Sliders are prone to various types of eye conditions including swollen eyelids and bacterial infections? When the eyelid swells up it prevents the Red-Eared Slider from seeing correctly. If both eyelids swell up then he will be completely blind and unable to find food. Symptoms of a swollen eyelid may start with a subtle puffiness around the eye. Take a close look to see if your Red-Eared Slider’s eyelid is puffier than the other one. In some cases, a swollen eyelid will start out as an irritation that could cause a reddening of the eye or tear glands. You may also notice excessive tear production. In more severe cases, your Red-Eared Slider will be unable to open his eye. Checking your turtle daily for any abnormalities can help stop infections before they get worse. Talk with your veterinary clinic Prairie, WI for more information.

Setting up Home Base for your Red-Eared Slider

After purchasing your Red-Eared Slider you will need to put together a living environment or habitat that closely resembles what the turtle is used to in the wild. What type of habitat you buy and how you decorate it will depend mostly on the type of turtle you have? For instance, your Red-Eared Slider will require both dry land and water areas in his habitat. Whereas, a pond turtle will require mostly water in his habitat with a little land or rocks to climb on and bask in the sunlight. Since you’ve chosen a Red-Eared Slider you will need to start with a 40-gallon tank. Next, find out if your turtle needs a sun lamp. You should set up UVB light bulbs to serve as a substitute for natural light. Find out what temperature the water should be. Contact your veterinarians Sun Prairie, WI for more ideas on how to set up your turtle’s home base.

How Often Should You Replace the Litter in the Litter Box?

If your cat isn’t using the litter box like he should, it could be because it’s dirty. The trouble is, scooping can only do so much. You’ll also need to replace the litter on a regular basis, but how often is best?

The answer depends on what kind of litter you have. Cheap, non-clumping litter must be changed more frequently than clumping litter. It’s best to change it once every week or two, while you can go a month or more with a high-quality clumping litter.

The number of cats you have makes a difference too. With just one cat, you may not have to change out the litter as often is if you have two or three cats.

Not sure if it’s time to replace the litter? Your veterinarians Wake Forest NC can help you settle on a routine that works for you.

Dog Stress Relief – Sensory Enrichment

Sensory enrichment has been considered an important tool in relieving stress in dogs. A picture window gives your dog a front-row seat to view the outside world and derive hours of pleasure and entertainment watching birds on the feeder, passing people and cars, and even other animals. If your dog seems captivated by small pets, you can set up a fish tank or terrariums with pocket pets. You can also engage your dog’s senses by playing scent games. Various scents can stimulate your dog’s keen sense of smell; just make sure you don’t overdo it. You can check with your veterinarian if the essential oils or sprays you are planning to use are safe for your pet.

Toys with different textures are also great for sensory enrichment. Just make sure to use a dog-safe toy so there will be no problems with ingestion or damage.

Some pet owners leave the radio or TV on when they leave for the day, or when they’re trying to accomplish some tasks around the home that don’t involve their pet.

Bring your pet to your Kitchener, ON veterinary clinic for regular checkups.

Managing Your Dog’s Medications

If your dog has been suffering some medical issues, your veterinarian may have prescribed a treatment protocol that includes several medications to manage your pet’s health problem. Fortunately, many types of illness can be successfully managed with long-term medication.

Tips in managing your dog’s medications

• When your veterinarian prescribes new medication for your dog, make sure to learn as much as possible about the product, including its indication, expected signs of improvement, potential drug interactions and side effects, special precautionary measures to be taken, dosage and what to do if a dosage is accidentally skipped, as well as the duration of treatment.
• Even if your veterinarian has given you vital information about the medication, it is still a good idea to read the prescription label for it contains valuable information to ensure that the medicine works well for the condition it has been prescribed for. Some medications need to be refrigerated, shaken well before being used, discarded after a particular date, or administered on an empty stomach.

If you have any concerns or further questions about your dog’s medications, don’t hesitate to call your animal hospital Kitchener, ON.